The two girls sat in Willow's room, surrounded by various sweets and candies. Each girl had a container of ice cream in their hands and they were laughing as Faith finished a story about when she had first become a slayer and was forced to fight a trio of vampires with nothing more than a plastic spoon. After all, what better way to forget the pressures of life and annoying people than a night of girl talk and a calorie fest?

"Damn! That would have been interesting to watch." Willow commented as she took another bite of her fudge mint swirl ice cream. "So, what do you want to do now?"

"Why don't we play a little game?" Faith asked with a mischievous gleam in her eye. "What kind of game did you have in mind?" Questioned the red head warily.

"How about truth or dare? Unless you're too scared." Faith said.

"I'm not scared."

"Ok, then I'll start. Truth or dare?"

"Umm, truth I guess."

"Are you and Spike a couple?" Faith asked.

Willow was caught off guard by the slayer's question and started to babble. "Well, I um, I, don't, I'm not sure."

"What do you mean you're not sure?" Faith asked in bewilderment.

"Well, I, um, just don't really know." Slight embarrassment crept into her voice.

"You two looked pretty chummy earlier." A slight blush colored the hacker's checks as she recalled the small kiss she had shared with Spike only two hours before. The blush did not go unnoticed by the brunette, nor did the small smile on Willow's face as the red head remembered the feel of his cheek bones under her hand, and his fingers intertwined with her own as they had walked to the park.

"What are you smiling about Red?" Faith asked, smiling.

"N..nothing, nothing at all."

"Sure. That's why your face matches your hair. Now spill."

"You asked if me and Spike were a couple, and I answered. Now it's my turn. Truth or dare?"

*You can't avoid the question forever Red.* "Fine, truth."

"What about you and Angelus?" Faith raised an eyebrow as if saying 'do you really need to ask?' "Well, I know you, you two, you know, cause he's Angelus now, and well, then, but, I mean, are you guys like a couple, couple, or just a, um, you know, couple?"

"We're not all lovey dovey, bringing eachother flowers type of couple; but he'll open doors for me, and he gets _really_ jealous if other guys look at me, and he's pretty possessive. He is tough and strong, and likes it hard and fast; but sometimes, when no one else is there he can be gentle and caring, and we'll take it slow and sweet. You should have seen him when I fell and twisted my ankle yesterday when we were sparing. He was so concerned, and hovered over me all night. He kept saying he was sorry, and waited on me hand and foot, asking if I was ok like, every five minutes." Faith got a smile on her face as she remembered his actions, and Willow's eyes were wide with surprise. "Yeah, I know, who would have thought the big tough evil vampire could be so caring and sweet? Plus, he can be real playful sometimes." At Willow's surprised and questioning look Faith clarified with a smirk and a suggestive wiggle of her eyebrows. "You know how Angelus likes to play games?" Willow nodded her head, remembering her fish and the notes and drawings. "Let's just say he likes to play other places too." Faith chuckled as Willow's face turned an even deeper shade of red. "Truth or dare."

"Truth."

"Are you a virgin?"

"Um, well, that is, yes." Willow blushed even _more_ as she studied her feet with great interest and took another bite of her ice cream before opening a bag of skittles and popping several into her mouth. "Ok, my turn, truth or dare?"

"Truth."

"I don't think I need to ask you the same question, since I already kind of know that, so, how, um, how old were you, that is when you, you know...lost, your, um, virginity." *I can't believe I just asked that! That was actually, kinda gutsy, and not shy; cool.*

"I was 16, and he was 18. It was two years after I dropped out of school and I was at this big party with my friends, and we were all drunk off our asses."

"I kinda thought that, you, well...."

"That I would have lost it sooner? Yeah, well, I may have been a drop out, and everything; I was arrested three times before I lost my virginity, weird huh? Anyway, now that you know my little secret, it's my turn again."

*Ut oh.* "Truth."

"Why were you blushing so much when I asked you whether you and Spike were together?"

*She had to ask that, didn't she* The blush started to reappear as the hacker once again recalled the feel of Spike's lips pressed lightly to her own, earlier that day, and when they were going to the movies two days before. "I was, just, um, remembering, something, that's all." Faith sat and watched Willow became very interested in the bottom of her empty skittles bag. "And what, prey tell, would that be?" The slayer questioned as she took a bite of her own container of cookie dough ice cream.

"Well, on, the, um, on the way to the, uh, park....... SpikekindakissedmeandIcan'tforgethislipsonmine" The last part came out in rush as she tried to cover up her embarrassment as she reached for a chocolate donut. "Ok, one more time Red, and this time, breathe." Faith said, picking up a package of Twix. "Fine, on the way to the park tonight Spike and I started talking and Spike kinda kissed me and I can't seem to forget the feel of his lips on mine."

"Spike kissed you? Why do I get the feeling that this isn't the first time this has happened?" Willow just avoided looking at Faith, instead busying herself with the half empty bag of donuts.

"Well, probably because it happened two days ago." *Did I just say that with a straight face?!"

"What? How? I want the details girl!"

"Well, if was after my first day back at school after moving in with Spike and Buffy and Xander were ass holes, saying I looked like a tramp, and that I was acting bitchy. When I got home I was really upset, and Spike took me out for ice cream and a movie. On the way to the movie we switched cones, and I accidentally dropped his, so he shoved mine in my face. I wiped my face off on his silk shirt and he got really mad, and chased me down the street and when he caught me he picked me up and spun me around. Then he put me down and there was only an inch in between us and the next thing I knew he was kissing me. Our lips barely touched but it felt like there a electrical current flowing through my body. It was amazing."

"Damn, girl! You hella like him, don't you? Don't deny it, you know you do."

"Yeah, I guess do. Whenever I'm around him, I get this feeling, it's strange, familiar. And when we touch, I get this tingly, warm feeling." Faith sat there enraptured in the red head's story, enjoying her first girl talk session in a long time. "Well, it doesn't really matter anyway, he doesn't feel the same way, why would he? He is a sexy, gorgeous 200+ vamp; and I'm just plain old Willow, Sunnydale's resident nerd. He probably only did what he did because he feels sorry for me; so why dwell on the impossible."

"What are you talking about? Do you always talk down to yourself like that?"

"I'm just being realistic."

"Bull shit! You are hella pretty and if Spike just felt sorry for you he would have just patted you on the back or gave you a hug. Besides, I've seen the way he looks at you, trust me on this, he likes you, we just gotta draw him out of his macho shell and get him to admit it. Now come on, no more moping I do believe we have a game to get back to. It's you're turn and I choose Dare."

"Ok, I dare you to ask Angelus about his relationship with Spike before he got his soul back."

"Oh, that should be fun. Now, truth or dare."

"Um, I feel outgoing tonight, dare."

Faith gave the hacker a mischievous smirk. *Perfect.* "I dare you to kiss Spike, with tongue. You don't have to do it when I'm here, you can wait 'till later, but you have to do it before sunrise."

"Um, is it too late to chose truth?" Willow asked nervously.

"Yup, or you can always have a different dare." Willow nodded her head vigorously at the idea. "Ok, you can either kiss Spike, or...you can kiss Angelus. Your pick." The red head's eyes went wide at this. "No, I'll go with Spike, that's ok."

"Do you have something against Angelus?"

"No, besides the fact that he killed Ms. Calendar, my fish, and terrorized us for months and almost killed me."

"He just did that stuff to mess with B..."

"Yeah, I know, cause she made him feel human, Buffy told me."

"Actually it was more along the lines that when he had his soul Buffy treated his being a vampire like some disease and Ms. Calendar wanted to recurse him and he didn't want to go back to the brooding, remorseful self hating vamp he was before."

"Well, I was the one that recursed him before he went to hell, doesn't that mean that he wants to kill me too?"

"Nah, he likes you. Before, when he 'tried to kill you' he was actually planing on turning you. Don't look so scared. He's not going to turn you, Spike wouldn't let him, and neither would I. You don't have to look so surprised. I'm still a slayer, and besides, you're pretty tight."

"Thanks."

"No prob' Red. So tell me, what did you think of Angel when he had his soul?"

"When I first saw him I almost drooled. But he was Buffy's from the start. I have to admit, when he got his soul back I did miss the leather pants and silk and velvet shirts with the top buttons undone. I really like the leather, I wonder if Spike has any leather pants; he sure would look yummy in leather pants. All he wears is jeans and sweats." A slight blush colored her ivory cheeks as she confessed her 'leather fetish'.

"I know, he does look just edible in leather, I bet Spike would too. We might have to work on that." The two looked at eachother and started laughing.

"Oh, I know what we can do next." Willow exclaimed ten minutes later, bouncing in her seat on her bed.

"What?" Both the red head and the brunette were on a sugar high after having eaten all three bags of sweets they had purchased.

"Let's do make overs. You can do me up all bad girl like, and I have some old clothes of mine that will fit you."

"Sorry Red, hate to burst your bubble but fuzzy sweaters and flowery skirts aren't really me."

"Ah, come on, just for fun, I promise I won't laugh."

"Fine, but not a word to anyone." Both girls had huge sugar-induced smiles on their faces as they set about their next task.

Forty-five minutes later loud laughter could be heard coming from Willow's bedroom as they looked themselves over. "You said you wouldn't laugh!"

"I'm...sorry, I just can't..help, myself." The hacker said between giggles.

Faith was standing in front of the full length mirror Willow had gotten herself, scowling at the red head. The slayer's face had been scrubbed free of her make-up, replacing her usual dark bold colors with lavender eyeshadow that went around her eye like liner, with a slightly darker sparkly purplish blue color in the crease. The colors weren't bright, but rather subtle and shining. Her cheek bones were lightly covered in bronzer which gave her face a slight glow. Willow had done her lips in cherry opal with a light covering of pink gloss. The brunette's hair was straightened, and framed her face while small portions from each side were pulled back with blue butterfly clips. She donned one of Willow's old sundresses. The dress was lavender with blue and pink flower vines from the him to the waste. It reached her knees and on her feet were flat blue strapey sandals.

"I feel like an idiot. I'm going to go change, and stop laughing, it's not that funny."

"If it makes you feel any better, lavender is really your color." She called after Faith's retreating back. She was meet with a loud, "Shut up." Before the bathroom door closed behind her.

While Faith was in the bath room Willow examined what Faith had done with the change of clothes in her bag that she kept with her in case what she was wearing got damaged for one reason or another, and some of the new clothes she had bought when she went shopping with Spike. Willow's hair had a subtle wave and was slightly mused around her face. Her eyes were done in thick black liner that went all around her eyes, with dark maroon shadow and mascara. She had no blush, accentuating her pale complexion in contrast to her dark make up. Her lips were lined thinly in black and covered in blood red that almost clashed with her hair. She wore Faith's dark red spaghetti strapped crop top and short black leather skirt with her new black jean jacket and black two inch heeled, square toed boot that reached mid-calf. Faith re-enterd the room in her clothes and looked over at Willow.

"It's a little more daring than I would normally wear but I like it."

"I'm tellin' ya Red, you'll have Spike speechless and drooling the minute he sees you in that." As soon as it was out of her mouth the front door opened and Spike and Angelus came in.

Part 22: In a New Light

As Spike and Angelus entered the apartment panic gripped Willow. *Oh goddess, this is such a bad idea! What if Spike thinks I look like a slut in this, or what if he thinks I look ugly!* Willow looked down at the outfit. She tugged desperately at the short top, but it refused to come within an inch of her bellybutton.

Faith watched the hacker as she looked franticly between her and the door as the two vampires stepped into the apartment and closed the door. "Relax Red, ya look great, one look at you in that and he will be seeing you in a whole new light, if you know what I mean," the brunette whispered as she patted her on the back and headed into the other room.

Willow considered running for the bedroom, unfortunately she was standing directly across from where Spike happened to be standing. Spike looked up before she had a chance to turn around, "Will?!" *Oh Goddess, he's seen me. It's too late to run for it now! Shit shit shit shit!* *She looks.....by the gods, she's beautiful.* His eyes traveled along her body; starting at the boots, to the short leather mini that showed her long legs. Then to the croptop whose deep red color brought out her pale skin, making it almost glow; past the jean jacket, to her face. A blush tinted her cheeks and the eyeliner made her wide eyes seem huge.

Spike and Willow stood staring at each other oblivious to the two other people in the room (well, one other vampire, and a slayer). Silently, Faith and Angelus watched the wordless exchange untill the brunette slayer's voice broke them out of their reverie. "Well, um, it's getting pretty late, so we should probably get going."

Willow looked over towards her new found friend, then at the 'man' who was once her friend, then her feared enemy, to later become her friend again. *What does that make him now?* She recalled how Faith had talked of the once again soulless vampire earlier, how she said he could be gentle and sweet. She looked at them and took in how he held her; his arms around her waist from behind, Faith resting against him, her head on his shoulder. She saw how Angelus looked at the other slayer, a slight smile forming on his lips, his eyes shining as she looked back at him and smiled. *He's not Angel, but he doesn't act anything like the Angelus that tried to kill us last year. Maybe I should give him a chance. He hasn't tried to kill me at all, which definitely earns him points. Of course, he did want to turn me, and I guess that should scare me, but it doesn't. It's actually flattering. I mean, he thought enough of me to want me around for several hundred years. It can really boosts a girl's self esteem when you think about it. Plus he does have the whole 'he is sexy as hell' thing going for him. He's not quite as yummy as Spike, but damn, he's hot!*

"You're right, you should probably get going," Spike said, not letting his eyes leave Willow.

Faith and Angelus opened the door and walked down the stars and out the front door of the apartment complex with Willow and Spike behind them. "I guess I'll be seein' ya mate." Spike said, looking at Angelus.

"You can count on it, my boy." Angelus smirked as he hit Spike on the shoulder.

* * *

Buffy and Xander watched from across the street as the two vampires said good-bye. "What is Willlow wearing?! What she wore to school was bad enough, but she looks like, like, I don't even know!"

"Hey Buff? Does that outfit look familiar to you too?"

"Yeah, it kinda does. That looks like what Faith was wearing the other day!!!!"

* * *

Willow walked over to Faith. "Thanks for sticking up for me earlier. You know with Buffy and all."

"No prob. Red. Thanks for sticking up for me too." As she gave the hacker a hug she whispered in her ear, "Don't forget the dare. You've got to kiss him, with tongue." Willow blushed a little as she thought about the dare. Faith only smiled, "If you've got to do it you might as well make it worth while." The slayer laughed as her blush darkened. "Don't forget yours either. I want all the details." Willow reminded her in a whisper so the guys couldn't hear. Both girls started giggling as they thought of the conversation they would be having the next day.

"I wonder what those two are talking about." Spike commented to his sire as they watched the girls. Faith and Willow glanced over at them and started to laugh harder. The guys exchanged looks. "That can't be a good sign mate." Angelus shook his head in agreement. "If you two are about finished?"

After they had stopped laughing they gave each other another hug and said goodbye before Faith gave Spike a hug as well. Then Spike and Angelus clapped each other on the back. Angelus walked up to Willow and looked at her. *She sure has changed since I last saw her.* He thought. Willow shifted nervously from foot to foot under his gaze and pulled the jean jacked closed . *Still shy though.*

Willow looked at the vampire. "You going to stand there staring or what?" She clipped. *She's spunky too!* He thought with amusement. "Sorry, didn't mean to stare Red." *I wonder what she would do if I gave her a hug?* "Spike here's been telling me a lot about you. Maybe sometime we could have a chat or something. It seems I've got quite a bit to learn about you; you're not exactly what I thought you were."

"Yeah, well, I'm full of surprises. Unfortunately not very many people think I'm me at all; they have this idea I'm possessed or something. I mean, why else would I be living with Spike, friends with Faith, or talking to you?"

"Let me guess, would those people be the human vacuum cleaner known as Xander, the slayer with a skull thicker than the Codex, and the only person in the U.S. whose entire wardrobe consists of tweed?" Willow broke into uncontrollable laughter, dispelling any tension between the vampire and the hacker.

* * *

"Is she talking to him?" Buffy asked in bewilderment as she watched them.

"Now she's laughing! Why is she laughing at him?!" Xander's voice was so high pitched he was almost sqwelling.

* * *

Willow finally gained control and whipped the tears from her eyes as she stopped laughing. "You made a joke! Angel never made jokes. He was too busy brooding or playing Crytic Guy! You may be a soulless demon that has tried to kill me numerous times, but you've got one hell of a sense of humor I must say."

"Why thank you. Anyway, we must be going now. I'll see you around Red." He gave her a quick hug, and walked over to Faith. *He's not too bad.* Thought the hacker. Spike glared at his sire, and had to hold down a growl as he hugged the red-head. "I'll talk to ya tomorrow Red, and don't forget; before sunrise." Faith called as she walked off with Angelus towards the mansion. She could see a deep blush forming on the red head's cheeks and laughed. "Have fun Blondie!" She called over her shoulder.

* * *

"She... She...She..." Xander stuttered.

"She...hugged...him." Buffy finished wide eyed. They looked at each other with white faces; their mouths hanging open. "We gotta call Giles."

* * *

Willow and Spike made their way back into their apartment and as Spike shut the door she sat on the couch, staring at her hands that she was clasping and unclasping nervously. "So..."

Spike sat down on the couch and looked at Willow, who was still blushing furiously and wouldn't look up at him. "So...what was Faith talking about back there pet?" He noticed she blushed even more at his question, and quickly changed the subject. "How did things go with Angelus? What did you guys talk about?" *He had to ask didn't he? I'm probably beet red by now.*

"We, um, well, we beat the crap out off each other. Then we talked; resolved some issues." *Talked. Right. More like yelled and screamed for about an hour, fought some more, then talked.*

"So, you guys made up?" Willow asked.

"Yeah, I guess we did luv." *Did she sound hopeful when she asked that or was it just me?* "So, ducks, were you gonna tell me what Faith was talking 'bout?"

"What kinds of thing did you guys talk about?" Willow asked, dodging the question once again. *Why does she keep avoiding the question? Must be something she doesn't want me to know about. All the more incentive for me to find out. You can't avoid it forever my little vixen.* "Well, we both had some issues to get off our chests I guess."

"Really, like what?"

"Well...there was the whole him takin' Dru from me, shaggin' her within ear shot of my bedroom, and then flaunting it every chance he got. Then the fact that when he got his soul he abandoned Dru an' me, like we was his dirty laundry. Even when he lost his soul last time he ignored us, too focused on the damn slayer to give a shit about us." *Why does she look so upset?*

*Dru. Should have known. Of course that's what it was. Dru was the love of his unlife, probably still is. I don't know why I'm surprised. Or why I'm so upset for that matter. Spike is my friend, nothing more, no matter how much I wish it were more than that. I can't kiss him now. He'll probably be disgusted by me. And then I'll lose the best friend I have. The only person who really knows and accepts me.*

"But we talked it out, had a nice dose of violence and the air's all clear," *What is goin' on in that pretty little head of hers? She looks on the verge of tears.* He scooted over on the sofa towards her. He put a hand on her shoulder lightly. "What's wrong luv? Are you all right?" Concern filled his voice as he watched a tear fall down her cheek. Willow flinched as he put his arm around her shoulder. To Spike it was a slap in the face, and he quickly took his arm away. They sat on the couch for several minutes; Willow berating herself for ever thinking she had a chance with Spike, while identical thoughts went through the blond vampire's head. Then the phone rang, shattering the silence that hung heavy in the apartment and Willow jumped up and went over and picked up the phone.

"Yeah?"

"Wow, a little anxious there Red." Faith's amused voice came over the line.

"Faith!" The hacker exclaimed, relief pouring through her.

"Yeah, you OK? You sound a little weird."

"Yeah, 'course, why not?" She replied with an uneasy laugh.

"You sound like you've been crying. What happened? Why were you crying?"

"N...Nothing." Willow said, as another sob escaped.

"Don't give me nothing. What happened?" Worry could be heard plainly in the brunette's voice.

Spike watched from the couch as Willow went from relieved at talking to Faith, to crying again. *Why won't you tell me what's wrong Will?* He ran a hand through his hair warily.

"Will, tell me what happened, so I know whether I need to come over there and kick the shit out of Spike."

"NO! I mean, you don't have to do that, really. It's not his fault, it's me. I'm such an idiot" Several sobs came unbidden as she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

With his vampiric hearing Spike listened in on the conversation across the room. *What is she talking about? What's not whose fault?*

"You're not an idiot. Why would you think that?" Faith questioned.

"I was so stupid, to think I had a chance with him."

"A chance? Oh, a chance with Spike you mean?"

"Yeah."

"You do. Why would you think you didn't. Of course you do, he likes you, a lot, trust me, I can tell. Even Angelus says so."

"Well, you're wrong. 'Cause he doesn't." More tears fell from her eyes and she whipped them away angrily.

"I'm telling you he does. Do you know what they talked about tonight?" Faith asked the redhead.

"Yeah. Dru." She spat out the last word as if it left a bad taste in her mouth.

*A chance? A chance with who? Who doesn't what? Dru? What does Dru have to do with this?* The questions swam around in his head as he tried to figure out what Willow was talking about.

"Will, hold on a sec." Faith said. Willow heard static as if the receiver were being covered; then a muffled "Angelus! Come in here."

"Faith! Faith what are you doing?!" Willow practically yelled into the phone.

"Bring the portable in here, we need to clear something up." Faith instructed the dark haired vampire. Willow could hear another phone being picked up and Angelus' unmistakable voice on the other line. "Will here doesn't believe me that Spikey has the hoots for her."

"Faith!" Willow's voice cracked and she was flooded with embarrassment.

"Spike, have the hots for Willow?!" Angelus laughed. "To put it lightly."

"Really?!" Disbelief and hope could be heard in the hacker's voice.

"Really. He likes you a lot Red. He just won't show it. He's shy, as strange as that sounds. He's always been different than any vampire I've known." Pride and affection colored the older vampire's words.

"Now that we have that cleared up, me an' Angelus were wondering if you and Spike might want to get together with us for a movie or something tomorrow night." Faith asked.

"Sure that'd be great." Willow answered, ethusiastically.

"Good. We'll come by a little after sunset, 'kay?"

"Ok, thanks. Bye Angelus, bye Faith, I'll see you guys tomorrow." Willow said, a smile hovering on her lips.

"Bye Red, remember, before sunrise." With that, all three disconnected.

***

Willow looked from the phone to Spike and back again, and started blushing. *Man, how many times am I going to do that today?* Willow woundered.

Spike watched as Willow wrapped up the conversation. *What would be great? Angelus? Why is she talking to him? Now she's smiling. What did he say to her? Now she's blushing! I'm am going to tare the wanker apart!*

Willow hung up the phone, and Spike motioned for her to come over. "I'm going to go wash my face, I'll be right back." *Great, now he wants to talk. Maybe I can still tell Faith I never had the opportunity to fulfill the dare. But if Spike talks to Angelus and Angelus talks to Faith, she'll know I'm lying. Shit, shit shit!* When she came out of the bathroom her thoughts were a little more organized. *You can do this, you can, you have to. Just kiss him, that's all you have to do. You've kissed guys before, you can do it. Of course they weren't Spike, your sexy roommate, but still. You can do it. You can do it.* She went into the kitchen, where she got two sodas out of the fridge. As she brought the sodas over to the couch Spike forgot why he was so upset as he looked at his small room mate. Her face was red from crying and the blush still lingered on her cheeks. She had taken off all the heavy make-up and the boots. She had painted her toe nails a couple of days ago while they had watched movies and the dark blue stood out against her porcelain skin. She still wore the black leather mini skirt, deep red spaghetti strap crop top that despite the jean jacket, gave a full view of her flat stomach. She had pulled her hair into a pony tail, leaving her long neck bare. *She looks like a goddess.* He thought. She gathered her feet under her as she sat on the couch next to him and set the sodas on the coffee table. "So, what was that about?" Spike asked, desperately wanting to know what she was so upset about. "No one. I mean nothing. Yep. Nothing. Nothing at all. And not vampires or anything. Definitely not vampires. No vampires in that conversation. Well, except Angelus; cause we were talking to him. But no other vampires. Of course I don't know any other vampires, besides Angelus. Well, I know you, but we weren't talking about you. Most definitely not talking about you. Not at all. Nope. And I'm babbling, so I'll shut up now." Willow's face was bright red, and she avoided looking at the blond sitting across from her. Spike's mind was going a mile a minute. He had gotten fairly good at understanding what he had dubbed 'Willow speach', and he was sorting through what she had been going on about when something clicked; namely her fervent denial of talking about vampires, in particularly, him. *Why does she want me to think that she wasn't talking about me?* He replayed everything that had happened that day, starting with when Willow had first gotten upset. *When we got back to the apartment after Faith and Angelus left she was blushing and acted really nervous. She asked what me an' Angelus talked about, and when I told her she started to look like she was gonna cry. Then when I touched her she got even more upset. When Faith called she seemed better, then was cryin' again, saying ''it wasn't his fault'' and that she was ''stupid to think she had a chance with him.'' She told Faith she was wrong about something and that ''he'' didn't something. Next she was talkin' about Dru, with venom in 'er voice.* Spike stole a glance at the object of his thoughts. The hacker, still blushing, was looking intently at the soda can she was holding in her lap. *I wonder why she sounded so pissed when she mentioned Dru? The only time we've talked about Dru lately is when I was tellin' 'er about why I was mad a Angelus. Wait, that's when she first started to get really upset. But what would bother her about how the ninny fucked and flaunted Dru in front of me? And who is the 'him' she kept talkin' about? The one she didn't have a chance with? Could she be talkin' about that wolf of her's? No, she'd said she was over him, and I believe her. So who? Xander, no, not him. Who does that leave? Come on mate, there aren't that many men in her life. It couldn't be Angelus, or his nancy boy counter-part, she hadn't acted upset until I started tellin' her about the fact that I was mad at the sod about the way he used my love for Dru to hurt me. That only leaves the watcher, who is definitely out of the question; an' me.* Spike froze as the thought hit him. It seemed too good to be true; that the small witch returned his feelings. Then it started coming together, all the pieces falling into place. Her reaction to his talk of how jealous he'd been of Angelus and Dru. *Could she have been jealous?* Then he thought of how she had been so adamant that she hadn't been talking about him to Faith on the phone. *Could I be the one she thought she didn't have a chance with? But what was she telling Faith she was wrong about? If I'm the guy she was talking about, she had said that I didn't something and Faith must have disagreed. That's when Angelus got on the phone and told her something that made her all happy. But what would dear ol' dad have told her? Basically all we talked about was why we wanted to stake each other, then we went back to the appartment. On the way we discussed the slayer he's shaggin' and he asked me what I thought...that's it. He asked me what I thought of Will, and I told him how much I fancied her. I wonder if that's what he told her that cheered her up so much?* Spike thought about all the possibilities, but the more he thought about it the more everything fit; what he'd told his sire, and Willow's change in mood after talking to him. Even with all the information, the blonde was still reluctant to make any moves. *What if I'm wrong? I don't want to ruin our friendship.* But then there was that little voice that shouted *Who else could she possible have been talking about? You know you want her, just go for it already!* He looked at his room mate again, letting his eyes wander over her body; paying special attention to her slender neck, the tops of her round creamy breasts, the flat, hard muscles of her stomach, and her long legs. He felt himself harden at the vision before him, and decided to throw caution to the wind. *It's now or never. Damn, talk about a cliche. Oh well. Now, I just have to make a move.* "Luv?" His voice was low and deeper than she had ever heard it before; and it sent shivers up her spine. Willow looked up and their eyes looked. As he gazed into the emerald pools of her eyes he saw something in there depths he had dreamed of seeing for months, desire; for him. He wasn't sure what else he saw there, whether it was love or lust, he didn't know, but it was more than enough. He softly placed his hand on her face, running hi thumb along her damp cheek. He leaned forward slowly, never releasing her eyes. He almost groaned aloud when he felt her hot breath on his face. When their lips met, hardly any pressure; just a whisper of a touch, it was as if dozens of fireworks exploded. As Spike added a little more pressure to her lips; his hand finding its way into her silky tresses. Willow's hand soon began to gently massage the back of his neck as she ran her fingers through the short hair she found there. They pulled apart slowly, pale blue meeting dark green; for the first time recognizing and accepting the feelings reflected there. "Better?" The question was almost a whisper, but it seemed to echo throughout the entire room. She gave him a small, uncertain smile. "You wanna tell me what made my littl' pixie cry?" He asked. "It was nothing." She tried to look away, but his gently turned her face back towards his. "I, well, um, I feel so stupid." "You could never be stupid Will." "It's just, when you were talking about Dru, well, I just, I mean, no one's ever talked about me like that before. I don't know. I guess hearing you, I mean about Dru, and not, well, not me, I guess I was a little, um, jealous." The beginnings of a blush stained her pale features and Spike felt like there was a melting pot inside; pouring lava into every vein in his body. "Of what pet? Jealous of what?" If his lungs actually worked he would have been holding his breath. It took his advanced hearing to catch what she said next. "Dru." The lava turned into scalding fire as it spread through him. He brought her mouth to his and kissed her before she could take a breath. When he let go, she was gasping for air. "Oh Will, sweet, sweet Willow. My sweet, wonderful Willow." The vampire and the witch smiled as if they had just won the lottery. But the smile faded from her face as she saw the clock. "What's wrong?"

"It's, um, it's almost 5:00." "So?" "Well, um, 5:00 is sunrise." "Oh, right, didn't Faith say something about sunrise. Like, you had to do something before sunrise?" He was eager to know what it was the girls had been talking about that she didn't want him to know about. "Yeah, you see, before you and Angelus got here, we were, you know, doing girl stuff, and we um, were playing truth or dare, and Faith, she, um, dared me to...to...to do this." With a sudden burst of courage Willow leaned over, pulled him to her, and pushed her lips to his. Her bravado increased when he started to kiss her back, so she let her tongue run along his lips; asking for permission into his mouth. When he opened his mouth her tongue began to tentatively explore. Spike was in heaven. Or as close as a vampire could get. When he felt her ask entrance and his lips parted, allowing her hot tongue inside he felt electric shocks go through him. His tongue joined hers, and began it's own exploration of her hot cavern as a moan escaped; from who, neither knew. Nor did they care. The lack of oxygen forced them to reluctantly separate. "I think you and Faith should get together more often, pet. And you two should definitely play truth or dare, a lot more often if that's what's gonna happen." "Maybe you should tell her that tomorrow." "Tomorrow?" "Yeah, when we were on the phone Faith asked if we wanted to get together with her and Angelus for movie, or something. I told her that sounded like fun. So, she said they'd be here a little after sunset." "Ok. But, sunset's quite a ways away, so what do you say we think about that latter, and find another way to entertain ourselves until then?" He smiled as he added huskily, "Now, where were we?" Willow's heart rate increased as he leaned down, capturing her mouth. * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Over nine thousand miles away, the moonlight shone down on a lone figure standing in a clearing. Her child-like voice rang through the clear night. "Miss Edith, I have a secret, Daddy's home. It's time for his princess to go see her daddy." Laughter echoed off of nearby trees as the woman began to dance beneath the stars.

Part 23: Come to Daddy

A long sigh escaped the hacker's lips as she stared into the bathroom mirror.

However, instead of sighing in exaustion, anger, or sadness as before; this time Willow sighed from utter happiness.

Spike stood in the doorway, watching as Willow brushed her hair, a content smile on her face. He made his way over to the sink and stood behind her, gently placing his hands on her shoulders. Willow's smile grew as he began massaging her shoulders, and she leanded against his chest; her head resting in the crock of his neck. The blonde vampire smiled when Willow leaned into his embraced, loving the feel of her small frame against his own.

Similar thoughts ran through the red head's mind as she recalled how they had spent the night before; in each other's arms. She could almost feel his lips on her again.

Just one touch from the man behind her could congure feelings she had never experienced before. With Oz it was sweet, comforting, safe; almost boring. But with Spike it was exciting, and passionate. When he looked at her it felt like her insides were melting. And when he touched her it was as if she were being consumed by a blazing inferno. Her knees went week and every nerve in her body tingled. Spike leaned forward and placed a lingering kiss on her cheek, before softly whispering in her ear, "Ready sweet? Faith and Angelus should be here any minute."

"I've just got to finish my hair real quick." Willow ran the brush through her hair one more time before pulling half of it up into a twist, and clipping it into place. Next she touched up the black eyeliner she applyed ithinly around her eyes earlier and added a little bronze shadow and a small amount of the maroon lipgloss Faith had left for her to use.

Spike watched her walk into the front room with a smile. She was wearing a pair of brown leather pants and one inch heeled brown boots, with a scoop neck white sleeveless top with straps that went aroung her neck, leaving her shoulders bare, along with most of her back considering the back of the tank top didn't start until just below her shoulder blades.

A loud knock on the door forced Spike to pull his eyes off of his small roommate as she leaned over to pick up her purse. He walked over and opened the door. As soon as the door was open a very pissed Faith stormed into the apartment. "We've got a problem." The brunette slayer announced.

"What's wrong luv?" Spike asked.

"Why don't you come see for yourself. Maybe you can do something. Nothing me or Angelus have tried is working; so Angelus said to come get you." Faith said as they left the apartment and headed towards the mansion. "He said you might have better luck."

She explained, looking at the blond vampire.

Willow watched her new friend as she ground her teeth and clenched her fists in anger and frustration. "What happened?" The hacker questioned.

"Well, we were getting ready to come get you guys when we heard something out in the garden, so we go outside to check and there she is. It wasn't two seconds before she was all over him. I was gonna stake her right then but Angelus wouldn't let me. After about twenty minutes of trying to get rid of her, Angelus sent me to go get you, saying something about you having more experience with her or something. If I had my way the whore would be dead by now." The hate in her voice was strong and her face showed her anger as the slayer lead the roommates the last few blocks to the mansion. "I don't care what you do but get that crazy bitch off _my_ Angelus! If I hear one more word about her 'daddy' I don't care what Angelus says, she's dust," the slayer practically hissed as she opened the large doors.

"Wait a second, Dru? Dru's back? She's here?" Spike almost yelled. He practically ran the rest of the way into the main room of the mansion, the two girls right behind him. When they made it into the room the younger vampire stoped short causing Willow to run into him. Willow looked curiously over his shoulder trying to she what made the blonde stop so suddenly. What she saw made the red head's eyes go wide and left her mouth hanging open.

Angelus stood in the middle of the room, with the dark haired vampress firmly attached to his arm. Angelus let out a loud sigh as she refused to losen her grip. Faith stood in the doorway, bairly restrained furry showing in her pose. "Drusilla! Get. Off. Of. Me!" Angelus growled, the elder vampire's frustration evident as he looked towards the new arrivals, with an expresion that said 'help me or you'll regret it.'

Spike approached the vampires hesitantly, speaking soflty, "Dru, ducks, why don't we go over and sit down on the couch and we can have a right nice family chat."

"Spikey, Daddy's been naughty. He's with the bad slayer. He doesn't want his princess anymore."

As Spike coaxed Drusilla over to the couch, Willow and Faith remained just outside of the room. "I don't see why I can't just stake her," Faith said, venom in her voice as she watched the three vampires. "Why the hell is she suddenly back here again anyway? Wasn't she in Brazil or something?"

"Yeah, but she is kinda clingy. When her and Spike first came to town she still tried to get back together with Angel."

"Is that because he's her sire? Spike doesn't act anything like that, and neither do any of the other vampires he's made." Faith wondered.

"I think it has something to do with the way he made her a vampire. Before she was turned he destroyed her mind. Afterwards she retreated into a time in her life when she felt safe; her childhood. So when he turned her she was more dependant on him."

"So what you're saying is that the reason she is so obsessed is because she's nuts? Why couldn't she be like a normal vamp, then we wouldn't have this problem."

When the brunette said this an idea began to form in the young witch's mind, a smile slowly forming on her face. "Faith, do you have a phone I could use? I've got an idea." Her mind swormed with ideas, a plan forming as the slayer lead her into another room.

~~~*~~~

"I'll meet you guys at the apartment in twenty minutes. Don't forget the book. Thanks. Bye Amy. Bye Anya." Willow hung up the phone and headed towards the door, Faith on her heels. "I'll go to the apartment and get everything ready, you tell the guys to bring Drusilla over in half an hour."

"Sure. Thanks Red."

"No prob. See you in 30 minutes."

~~~*~~~

Twenty-five minutes later Willow, Anya, and Amy were sitting in the library in the apartment the witch and vampire shared, going through Amy's spell book. "So, basically you think if we take the basic principles from the two spells and combine them it should work?" Willow asked.

"In theroy, yes." Amy began to copy the spells onto another piece of paper as Anya gathered the ingredients from what they had brought, and what Willow had in her bedroom. "It's going to take all of us, though, to even attempt the spell. I can't garantee it will do anything; but it's worth a try."

The three witches continued to work out the details of combining the existing spells to form one that would do what they wanted when someone knocked on the door.

Willow answered it to find an irate slayer with three vampires behind her. "Faith. You guys are early."

"Sorry Red. Looney toons was gettin on my nerves."

"So you thought you'd bring her over here?" Willow questioned as everyone took a seet int he living room. "Gee thanks."

"Thought you'd appriciate it. Anyway, what is this plan you were tellin' me about earlier?"

The hacker led her into the library where Anya was setting up candles in a circle in the middle of the hard wood floor. "Over at the mansion I got to thinking when we were talking about why Drusilla was so...devoted...to Angelus. So I called Anya and asked her if she had ever heard of any ways to restore a person's, or in this case, a demon's sanity. I thought I remembered reading in one of Giles' book about something similar. So Amy looked through her books and Anya went through her stuff and we came up with two somewhat simple spells that if we combine them properly should help restore Drusilla to her mental state before she met Angelus; or pretty close.

Basically it's a spell that creates balance within her mind. Which is pretty easy to do; however sense Dru's a vampire her mind is a little more complex, considering a demon inhabits her body. Because of this we decided to take a more hands on approach.

Two of us will cast the spell and focus the energy, directing it towards the third, who will enter Drusilla's mind scape. Kind of like astral projection, only a little more complex. Once there, they will try to reconstruct her energy patterns with the energy the other two have raised. This part of the spell will be kind of like a healing spell, only with mental energy." When the red head had finished her explanation of what they would do she began to help Amy put together the wording of the spell they would be using.

"Isn't Dru's insanity 'cause of what Angelus did? You gonna get rid of those memorys or somethin'?" Faith asked.

It was Anya who answered her question, having finished assembling everything they would use. "Her mental status is a direct result of his actions, yes. But we can't just delete her memorys, that takes more time and energy than the three of us can raise. What we will do is manipulate them. The person who goes into her mindscape will shape her memory of the affect his actions had on her at the time; thus altering his affect on her now. They'll make her reactions less intense and his actions less tramatic on her psyche."

"Whose gonna take the trip into psyco's mind?"

"That would be Anya." Willow said from the table.

"She has the most experience, and knows more about demons."

~~~*~~~

After five minutes of final preperations and revisions they were ready to preform the spell. Spike convinced Drusilla to come into the library and they sat her in the center of the circle. "Dru, we're gonna do a spell, but we need your help."

"A spell? Oh how fun."

"Yes a spell, and we can't do it without you. What I need you to do is sit here, and let Anya into your mind, and share your memorys. Can you do that for us?" Willow's voice was soft and comforting. She simplified the instructions and spoke to her like a friend.

The raven haired vampress shock her head and held onto her doll. She turned to Angelus and gave him a pleading look. Now that she was no longer clinging to him, the vampire was nicer to her. "What's the matter Dru?"

"I don't know her. I like the little tree. I want to do the spell with the little tree. She's nice. My Spikey likes the little tree too." Spike looked over at Willow, and the red head looked between him and Drusilla.

The vampress' eyes were almost pleading with her to agree. The three witches exchanged glances. "Alright." The hacker consented, "I'll do it."

~~~*~~~

The candles were lit and Amy put the various ingredients into the bowl on the floor, with Anya circling Willow and Drusilla with a stick of burning incence; chanting softly along with the blonde witch.

While her friends called the quarters and asked the assistance of the God and Goddess, Willow lead Drusilla into a trance like state. The hacker went through her meditation exercises and when she was relaxed she let her body become limp. She pictured Drusilla's face and reached out with her mind until she felt the presence of the vampire's own mind. She allowed herself to be drawn by that presence.

All of a sudden Willow found she was no longer in the library. Instead when she looked around she saw what appeared to be a vast fog that completely surrounded her.

Different colors blended together in the mist. There was black and grey, deep green and dark red. Royal blue intertwined with the other colors. Images could be seen amongst the pallet of hues. She saw herself, Amy, Anya, Spike, Faith and Angelus in the appartment not half an hour ago.

She took several steps and was met with an image of Drusilla with Spike and Angelus in the mansion when she had come out of the office with Faith. *These must be her memorys.* Willow relised as she continued farther into the dense fog. Voices drifted past her as she made her way through the vampire's mind. After a while she saw Drusilla standing with Spike in the factory assembling the Judge.

She keep walking; journeying deeper into the dark haired vampire's memorys. The young witch could feel the moisture in the air and it was cold against her skin. More voices could be heard somewhere in the mist. Willow recognized both Spike and Angelus' voices but few others. Most of the sounds were distorted mumblings that couldn't be understood. Some were screams, while others resembled singing.

It felt as if she had been walking for over an hour when she saw Angelus teaching Drusilla to hunt. The hacker had barely taken twenty steps when she caught sight of an image surronded by deep red and green. It was Angelus in full game face standing over the body of a yound women in a nun's habit; completly covered in blood. Willow could hear pleas and crys for help float past her.

*Goddess, that's her being turned! I just have to find when they first met and I can get started.*

The red head took slow steps as she made her way through Drusilla's memories of Angelus' courtship. She saw how a still human Drusilla walked into her home to find the dead bodies of her parents. The colors around her were now large bloches of impenatrable black, midnight blue and blood red.

Emotions bombarded the small witch as she forced herself to continue through the flood of emotions. First came the confusion, then the dispare, and the utter loneliness. Willow was suddenly overcome with a wave of paralizing fear as a shrill cry pierced the surronding clouds. Viloent winds blew, and the petite red head had to struggle to remain standing.

Stroms raged around her and she had trouble seeing as she tried to continue. Things began to calm down but the confusion continued to hang heavily in the air as Willow saw strange pictures floating around her. She saw a cave collapsing, rocks falling on several men and heard their screams. Then a distraught Drusilla reading a newspaper article on a cave-in. Something pulled at her memory. Something she had read in the watcher diarys. She was about to take a step when a voice drifted towards her from behind. It was Angelus, that she knew.

When she turned around she saw Drusilla in a confesional. That's when she noticed that the dark haired woman's encounters with the vampire began after that. *They met for the first time in a confesional?* Bits of the conversation drifted to her. 'I had another vision Father'...'Please forgive me'...'You're a span of Satan'...'Give in, be evil child'...'No, please no'...'Let me repent' *A vision, that must be why Angelus was attracted to her in the first place.*

She shook off the feelings that surronded her and began to consentrate, trying to find the energy Amy and Anya were suposed to be directing towards her subconcious in the library. She closed her eyes and called upon the energy. "Goddess grant me this request, to aid your daughter and set her free, with harm to none, so mote it be." When she had a hold on it she set to work, sending it out into the dark clouds surronding her.

The white light cut through the dense fog around the image of Angelus and Drusilla's first meeting. Willow mixed the positive energy with the air of fear around her, breaking it up and making the greys lighter, and the blues brighter. She made her way back into the tempestuous winds that tore through the memories before Angelus turned Drusilla. As she directed the light throughout the area Willow watched as the storms calmed and broke appart. Howling winds changed to the occational murmering gust. Dark tones turned less intense and the hacker could almost see through some spots. As dismal shades fell away pastels and light hues shown through.

The blood curdling screams present with certain images quieted and the invading sensations of fear and horror lessened. *Carefull, you don't want to change it too much, drastic memory changes could affect her severly.* The pictures hovering around her remained unchanged but their lingering impressions in the female vampire's memory would be significantly dulled.

As she came to pictures depicting Drusilla's early life as a vampire Willow stopped.

*I need to get going, I have no idea how long I've been here.* But before she left she gave in to the knawing curisostiy and walked further back. Several minutes of walking found the red head surrounded by bright colors with the faint sounds of laughing and soft, comforting voices. Everywhere she looked visions of smiling faces greeted her.

Willow saw a young girl, in a long lace dress with an empire waist grining as she sat on a plush sofa with several boys, of approximately, her age, dressed in the same period style clothing. Two middle aged people; a woman and a man stood off to the side holding hands and gazing at the playing childeren with affection. *That must be Drusilla as a little girl with her family. They look so happy.*

However as much as Willow enjoyed looking at the images of a childhood so different from her own and feeling the happiness and chidlike joy that acompainied the moments she felt herself growing week. *I see why she chose to revert to her childhood.*

Her eyes beagan to feel heavy and her knees tried to buckle, demanding that she pay attention to her current exaugsted state. *I should probably go back now.*

With one more look at the beauty around her, Willow let her mind surrender to the pull of her earthly body.

~~~*~~~

The first thing she noticed was that her head hurt. The second was that it was bright. And the third was that she was laying sprawled on a very hard surface. "Ugh. Ahh. My head."

"Willow?" It took a moment for the voice to register.

"Spike?"

"Will! You're awake!" She heard shuffling as if someone was trying to move towards her.

"Spike, wait, we need to close the circle."

*That was Anya.* Willow thought as she heard the the two other witches give thanks to the Goddess and close the quarters, then release the cirle. As soon as they had finished speaking Willow felt herself being held tightly by a pair of strong arms.

"Will, are you alright sweet? Can you stand?"

As Spike helped Willow over to a chair she looked around the library, taking in the worried faces of Amy and Anya. "How long was I out?" The red head's voice shook as she fought against the dizzyness and neausa trying to overtake her weary body.

"It's been over an hour. Are you ok? What happened? What took so long?"

Spike asked as he searched for injures or any other sign that his rommate had been hurt.

"Over an hour? It felt more like three."

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, just a little wozy," She reasured the blonde.

"You're still weak. Transfering powers takes a lot of an individual's own energy." The strong, even voice stated from the other side of the room.

The occupants of the library turned to find themselves face to face with a fully aleart Drusilla. The fact that the female vampire's comment for the first time in over 100 years, made perfect sense, didn't escape their attention. Something else the friends noticed was that Drusilla sat straight in the chair, a completely serious look on her face The hacker stood on shaky legs and started to make her way, slowly, over to Drusilla.

"Will, you need to rest, you're still weak." Spike softly repremanded as he supported her with his arm, guiding her to the now concious form of his past love.

"Spike is correct. You need to lay down and allow yourself time to recover from the spell. Due to the complexity of the spell and the immensity of the powers used; you'll need at least a couple of hours to heal." There was no longer any trace of the child like innocence, previously apparent in the female vampire's voice.

When Spike's eyes locked with the vampress he was startled by what he saw. For as long as he had known her, Drusilla's eyes would seem to be looking at nothing in particular. However, now she looked directly at him, her eyes focused. But that wasn't the only thing that the blonde noticed; her dark brown orbs no longer appeared glazed and cloudy, but were clear, and her intelligence shone in them as it never had before. "It worked." Spike's voice was heavy with suprise and happiness.

Willow glanced back and forth between Drusilla and Spike before stopping on Drusilla. As she looked closely at her, the red head saw the same things Spike had seen.

A huge smile formed on her face and she turned to her fellow witches. "It worked! We did it!" Willow, Amy and Anya shared an enthusiastic embrace and their faces glowed with pride and excitement.

Angelus' voice interupted the three girl's squells of delight. "How are you feeling Dru?"

The red haired witch turned and looked at the older vampire. The sound of his voice brought back what she had seen in Drusilla's memories. Images of him standing over Dru's broken and bloodied form; his lazy smirk as he mercilessly taunted a horrifed Drusilla before he turned her. Before the memories had a chance to return full force she shook her head, as if trying to force herself to forget. *All that pain, he caused it. Everything I felt and saw in her mind was because of him.* As her vision cleared she found herself looking into the same eyes she had seen in the memories, but this time they were different. As she took in Angelus' face she recognized something in those chocolate depths; concern. She could tell he was trying to hide it behind his usuall mask of smug bravado, but it was there.

"I'm fine. It's as if a veil has been lifted from over my eyes." She smiled at her dark haired sire; the first genuine smile the hacker had ever seen on the female vampire.

Angelus broke eye contact with Willow, but not before she saw some of the concern fade out and be replaced by hope.

That same mixture of worry and hope was reflected in the hacker's eyes, along with confusion. The conflicting emtions and images bombarded her as she tried to sort through what she had seen in the female vampire's mind, and what she had seen in Angelus' eyes seconds before. *I can figure this out later, There are more important things to think about right now.* Pushing her mental debate over Angelus to the back of her mind, she looked back over to Drusilla. Just as she was about to inquire further as to the effects of the spell, the door to the appartment was thrown opened and Buffy came in, cross bow in hand with Xander and Giles behind her; both armed to the teeth with stakes, crosses, and holy water.

Part 24: Sanity Celebration

The air of accomplishment and pride that had filled the red haired witch quickly evaporated as she took in the sight of her old friends. She looked them over, trying desperately to find some hidden expression of the close friendship they had once shared.

However, the only thing she saw was hostility and uncertainty. *What? Do they think I'm going to attack them or something?*

"Willow, get away from them." Buffy said as she looked around her.

*How many times are we going to do this? Deja-vu anyone?* "Buffy, put the crossbow down. I'm not going anywhere."

"Think about what you're saying. You're living with Spike. The same _vampire_ that has tried to kill all of us several times. You're friends with Angelus, and Faith. What's wrong with you?" Xander was yelling by the time he finished.

"No, you think. I've been living with Spike for three weeks. Nothing has happened. You've seen us together, has he hurt me? Buffy, that night you followed me home, did he look like he was going to harm me in any way? Just because he's a vampire doesn't mean you have to protect me from him. I appreciate that you're concerned, but I don't need your help, nor do I want it." Willow was still tired and weak from the spell, and didn't feel up to arguing with Buffy, Xander, or Giles.

"No, I don't except that. You're coming with us, tonight, whether you like it or not." Buffy aimed the crossbow at Spike who was slowly edging his way over to the hacker. As soon as he saw the slayer raise the weapon Angelus had lunged at her, Faith on his heels, tackling her to the ground but it was too late, the arrow was already in the air.

"Nooooo!" Willow cried out as she saw the arrow head towards Spike. Without even thinking, Willow reached out with every ounce of energy she had left and constructed a magical force field around the peroxide vampire just as the arrow approached its target. It bounced harmlessly off the shield before it reached the vampire's heart.

Due to her weakened state, Willow was unable to maintain it, causing it to glow for a second before it faded completely. As her knees buckled, Spike rushed to her side, catching her before she hit the ground. Xander and Giles made their way over to her, in hopes of getting her out of the apartment. Before they reached her, they were thrown to the ground by an invisible wave of force.

As Amy kept Giles and Xander at a distance, Anya constructed a shield around the three witches and the blond vampire. Spike held Willow in his arms, cradling her head against his shoulder. "Willow, luv, you all right?"

The worried tone in his voice was clear. As he brought his hand up to gently stroke her face, he looked her over for any injuries.

"I'm fine. Really, just a little tired is all." Her voice was soft and slightly shaky, but strong.

"You're exhausted sweet. You've pushed yourself too far today." Concern and nervousness could be heard in his voice.

"Spike? What's going on? Where is everyone?" She tried to look around to find her friends, but was unable to see anything from her vantage point on the ground.

Giles and Xander watched in disbelief from the opposite side of the barrier, as Willow attempted to stand. Spike brought his right around her waist as he placed her left arm over his shoulders. As dense as he was, Xander hadn't missed the worry and concern that had been clearly etched on the vampire's face when Willow had fallen. They both noticed how the blonde and the red head had looked at each other. If Giles hadn't known better, he'd have thought that they really cared about each other.

Once Willow was standing, the majority of her weight positioned against the vampire, she could see the rest of the room clearly, including the people in it. It was at that moment that Faith delivered a particularly brutal kick to the other slayer's stomach. Angelus was right beside her, and followed the kick with a powerful punch to the blond's face.

"Buffy!" The startled and somewhat scared exclamation fell from the hacker's lips as her old friend fell to the floor. "No!" Concern and fear for her old friend etched on her face, she turned to the vampire beside her. "Spike, do something."

"What exactly do you want me to do pet? And why? She's been nothing but a bitch to you lately," Spike asked, confused.

"She may be a bitch sometimes, but she's still my friend. Please. You have to stop them; they're going to kill her," her pleading tone turned to one of desperation as she watched Angelus kick the blond slayer in the ribs several times in quick succession.

When Giles and Xander heard what she said, they turned their attention to the fight on the other side of the room. However, when they tried to aid Buffy, they found themselves not only blocked off from Willow, but from the rest of the room as well. At some point, Amy and Anya had constructed another force field around them, preventing them from interfering in any way.

"All right sweet, I'll help her. But first you need to lay down, you look as if you're going to pass out." As he led a still protesting Willow towards the door, Faith and Angelus converged on Buffy, who was still lying on the floor, recovering from the last set of blows.

Seeing this, Willow broke free of Spike and started running towards the two slayers and the vampire.

At the same time, Buffy, knowing the danger she was in, pulled out her last remaining stake, and threw it at the dark haired vampire that was advancing on her. It was at this precise moment that Willow reached her destination. Attempting to pull Angelus away from the prone slayer, Willow, unknowingly placed herself directly in the path of the now airborne weapon.

"Angelus, Willow, watch out!" The brunette slayer yelled a warning.

Angelus, seeing the stake pushed Willow out of he way, and dove in the other direction, both narrowly missing the wooden implement.

Spike was at the red head's side in an instant. Kneeling beside her, he, for the third time that day, took her into his arms. "Willow! Will, are you ok? Will, sweet, answer me!" His frantic cries where drowned out when Faith charged at the other slayer.

"You bitch!" Tackling her to the ground, Faith hit her across the jaw with a right cross. Grabbing her by the neck, the brunette was about to hit her again when she heard a cry from behind her.

"Faith, don't!"

Faith turned and saw Spike helping the hacker to stand. Willow was leaning heavily upon Spike as she tried to get him to take her over to the slayer. "Spike, please? You don't have to coddle me, I'm fine. Really." But he refused to yield, continuing, instead to hold her close.

Releasing her hold on Buffy, Faith dropped the slayer to the floor and stood, making her way over to Angelus. "You ok?" Her voice was slightly worried as she looked for any visible injuries as he returned the favor and quickly examined her. Both were satisfied with what they saw and the two turned their attention to Spike, who was still giving his small roommate a much more extensive examination. Faith and Angelus exchanged a glance, having noticed the red head's extensive pallor. Spike, too, had noticed that the hacker's normally rosy, even, complexion was white and blotchy. His concern increased as he watched her struggle to remain upright, even with the majority of her weight resting on him. Her eyes fluttered and closed, her head rolling forward until her chin touching her chest. The young witch's knees buckled and her feet fell out from under her. "Will! Shit!" The younger vampire stumbled slightly as he shifted her in his arms, one going under her knees and the other under her arms, with her head against his shoulder. "Somebody help me damn it!"

Angelus was at his side before he finished the sentence, as the brunette slayer quickly made her way to other side of the room. Faith tossed everything off of the small couch that sat under the bay windows in the corner of the library. The two vampires brought a now unconscious Willow over to the couch and laid her down. Spike dropped to his knees next to her and began stroking the side of her face with his right hand, frantically calling her name.

"Willow! Will, come on baby, wake up! Please wake up." His left hand moved to the top of her head as his cries became more hysterical.

Giles, Xander, and Buffy, looked on, stunned, as the scene unfolded in front of them.

It was impossible to not see the pain and fear which the blonde vampire made no effort to disguise. Raw anguish was heavy in his voice as he unsuccessfully tried to wake her.

"It's all right Spike. She's fine. The spell left her very weak, and that combined with the force feild she raised around you and the fight has overloaded her system causing her to pass out. She'll be fine, she just needs to rest for a while." Unnoticed and forgotten during the fight, the presence of the vampiress was startling even to those who had known that she was there. However, the other three had not noticed her upon entering, having been more focused on Willow. Because of this it was especially shocking. What was even more surprising to the slayer, her watcher, and boyfriend was Drusilla's strong, steady voice, as well as the confident, mature way in which she held herself. It was the first time any of them had heard anything understandable, let alone intelligent, being said by the raven haired vampire. Her serious expression was not marred by the previously ever present child-like innocence, nor were her eyes clouded by insanity.

Spike's voice shattered the stunned silence which had enveloped the library as he returned their attention to the still unconscious form that lay on the sofa. "How can you be sure she'll be fine? What if she's hurt? She hit the ground pretty hard." Worry was still apparent in his tone, despite Drusilla's reassurances, as he continued to fuss over the hacker.

"Angelus, tell your childe to calm down, will you?" This time, Drusilla's voice held a hint of annoyance and amusement. Her sire couldn't control the slight smile that tugged at his lips as he watched his 'daughter' roll her eyes at the peroxide blonde. "Angelus, be a dear and help Spike take Willow to her room so she can sleep in her own bed." He glanced around at the other occupants of the library before returning his gaze to her. "Don't worry, we will handle everything. You boys just go take care of Willow." He gave in to her request and went into the other room with Spike, and a sleeping Willow.

When they had left the room Drusilla turned to Amy and Anya, who were still maintaining the force field. "You can let them go now, they're no longer a threat." As soon as the witches released their magical hold on them, Giles and Xander ran over to Buffy. The slayer had not faired well against Angelus and Faith, and was having a difficult time standing up straight. "As for the three of you, I think that it's time for you to leave."

"We're not leaving without Willow," Xander said.

"Ah, yes, of course. So, tell me, how exactly are you going to do that?" Faith, Amy, and Anya stood by the vampiress as her expression hardened, and an evil glint appeared in her eyes.

"What? Are you going to stop us?"

"I may not be crazy anymore, but I'm still a vampire, boy. It would be wise not to forget that. I could easily kill you. The only reason I haven't already done so is because Willow doesn't want you hurt, for some strange reason.

Face it, you're out numbered, you don't have anymore weapons, and your slayer can barely stand. Give up and go home before I change my mind and have an early morning snack." A predatory grin spread across her face as she seemed to consider the idea.

Buffy, Giles, and Xander relented, and slowly left the library, glancing over their shoulders every few steps. The women; two witches, one slayer, and vampiress, followed the trio to the front door. As the do-gooders left the apartment, Drusilla stood in the doorway. When Xander looked behind him, she flashed her game face and growled softly before licking her fangs, letting her gaze fall on his neck. The dark haired teen swallowed noticeably, then turned and put his arm under his girlfriend's and increased their speed, wanting to get away as fast as he could. Seeing them hurrying away from the apartment complex Drusilla grinned maliciously.

"That was fun. I think I'm going to like sanity." She exchanged a smile with the others before looking over towards the bedrooms. "I wonder how they're doing?"

"I hope Willow is ok," Amy commented, concerned for her friend. Anya and Faith nodded their heads in agreement.

"She'll be fine in the morning. I'm actually more worried about Spike."

Faith chuckled at the female vampire's confession. "I'm sure Ang calmed him down. Either that or smacked him until he shut up."

Drusilla smiled at the brunette. "I'll take door number two on that one." Everyone let out a small laugh, dispelling the tension left over from the fight and headed into the other room to check on their friends.

Part 25: Question Answered, Question Asked

Five girls entered the loud club and made their way across the room to an empty table near the stage. Faith and Willow, Amy and Anya watched Drusilla take in her surroundings. No longer was her vision of the dancing patrons clouded by insanity, no longer was her hearing dulled by the voices of twinkling stars and laughing dolls. For the first time in over a century, she was completely aware of what was going on around her.

Drusilla sat down at the small table, her clear brown eyes sweeping over the faces of her four new friends. The blonde and brunette witches were discussing the proper way to dry rosemary while sipping on their sodas. The dark haired slayer still seemed slightly uncomfortable in her presence, especially when Angelus was in the room. The vampiress knew that Faith thought of her as a threat to her relationship with the other vampire and hoped that this evening out would help ease her fears. Drusilla wasn’t quite sure why she no longer had such an overwhelming need for her sire. The connection was still there. She just didn’t feel as dependant anymore. The need to be taken care of by the elder vampire was gone. Before the spell, she had only felt totally safe when with Angelus, but now she had a self-confidence that had not previously existed.

She moved her eyes from the wary brunette to look at the red haired witch that had given her back her mind. Willow smiled warmly at the female vampire, and Drusilla found herself smiling back. For the first time in almost 140 years it was not a cruel sneer, an insane smirk, or a childlike grin, but a smile. It was strange to look back at her time as a vampire.

She could see everything in her mind’s eye but it all seemed distant somehow, like it had happened a thousand years ago. It was almost as if it had happened to someone else. She could remember everything, remember her meeting with Angelus, remember his courtship, remember being turned. She could remember the events, but the feelings were dull.

She could picture herself walking into her house, finding her family dead, could even hear herself screaming as she had fled to the church for sanctuary, but couldn’t quite remember how she had felt. She knew she had been scared, terrified, but she couldn’t feel the fear she knew had engulfed her at the time.

She was able to look at those years objectively for what she was sure was the first time. Drusilla was brought out of her memories as Willow laid her hand on hers, the worried green eyes meeting her dark brown ones.

"You alright?" The hacker was concerned for her new friend, having watched her sitting across the table, lost in her thoughts for the last five minutes.

"Yes. I’m fine, just thinking," she reassured the red head.

"Hey, somber much? We’re supposed to be celebrating here. So are we just going to sit around here all night, or are we gonna dance?" Amy asked as she stood and led the group over to the mass of dancing teens, the girls forming a small circle towards the edge of the dance floor.

The noises of the club surrounded them as the five lost themselves in the pounding rhythm. It took several minutes for the vampiress to accustom herself to the unfamiliar music and dance moves, but she soon adapted to the style of dance. As she danced, she found herself missing, for the hundredth time that night, her comfortable dresses. Raised in an era of long dresses, she had clung to them as she had to much of her past. She felt almost naked without the heavy folds, but at the same time, found a strange freedom in the modern clothes that adorned her body. The pants gave her a much wider range of motion and the silk tank top was loose so that she could feel the hot air against the cool skin of her stomach. She had had reservations when Anya had given her the outfit that evening, but she was glad that she had decided to wear it after all. As she thought of the ex-demon, her eyes traveled over to the brunette’s face.

Anya turned on her heel and swayed to the beat, smiling at the blonde next to her as she danced. Amy smiled back, enjoying her recently restored humanity. She had been back for barely three days, but had already gotten to know the young women to her right. Like herself, Anya was still adjusting to her human status and they had spent the last two days doing almost everything Amy had missed doing while in her rodent form. They had watched all of her favorite movies and eaten at her favorite restaurants. Anya had loved being introduced to all the different aspects of humanity by someone who was rediscovering them herself. The two were like children, everything was new and exciting. They had become fairly good friends in the two and a half days that they had lived together. During that time, Amy had also rebuilt her friendship with the red head, as the brunette had formed a new one. Both witches were concerned for the other girl. While they knew that the blonde vampire she was living with would not hurt her, they knew she was taking the estrangement from the Scooby Gang a lot worse than she was letting on. The formerly rat-shaped blonde smiled as she noted the wide grin that graced the hacker’s face as she laughed at something the slayer had said.

Two pairs of eyes searched the club as they slowly headed to the bar for drinks. Crystal blue orbs were the first to lock onto the objects of their search. Turning, he laid his hand on that of his companion, gesturing towards the two young women dancing about twenty feet from them. The other man turned and looked in the direction indicated and was unable to keep a slight smile from overtaking his features as his chocolate brown eyes fell on the dark haired slayer. As Angelus ran his eyes over the form of his mate, his companion found himself unable to look away from the slender frame next to the slayer.

The vampires watched, transfixed, as the two girls danced together. The red head and the brunette were swaying their hips seductively, each moving perfectly in time with the other. Strong hands gripped the witch’s hips as the slayer led the other girl in a wide circle. The hands slowly started traveling upwards, sweeping over her dance partner’s sides and along her raised arms. Two pairs of hands clasped above the girls’ heads before lowering together to rest at their sides. Faith moved around in front of the hacker and once more took a hold of her friend’s slender hips, bringing them forward until they came in contact with her own.

Unneeded air was quickly drawn into two pairs of long dead lungs as sire and childe watched their respective girlfriends move to the pulsing beat. The girls bent their knees, squatting down while holding their arms out in front of them and again clasping hands before both of them leaned back, their heads almost touching the floor. They pulled on their arms, bringing each other up, stopping only when their faces were mere inches apart and their bodies were pressed together. Pushing slightly away, Willow brought her hand up to the slayer’s shoulder, trailing her fingertips across the girl’s collarbone, down the valley between the brunette’s full breasts, and finally grazing her stomach. With her fingers still lightly touching her dance partner’s toned abs, she walked slowly around until she was standing behind the slayer with her right arm wrapped around and her hand flat against Faith’s stomach, pressing her back into the red head. Brows rose sharply above two pairs of eyes and the vampires swallowed noticeably, watching the two girls continue moving to the beat pouring from the large speakers. With the hacker still pressed up against the slayer, Willow arched her back, bending backwards so far that her hair brushed the floor. As the brunette followed the red head, bending in time with the other girl, she slowly traced her fingers up the sides of her own tanned stomach and grazed the sides of her breasts before raising her hands above the two young women’s heads. They stayed in that position for a couple of seconds before they slowly straightened their backs and Faith lowered her arms. Air was forced from the vampires as they both sighed loudly when the slayer turned, reaching behind the witch and pulling her flush against her. As the dance became more provocative, the two friends let their hands explore each other.

"Bloody hell!" The blonde’s voice was strained as his eyes stayed locked on the gyrating bodies on the dance floor.

"To think those two hated each other only a few days ago." Angelus was as enraptured as his companion at the sight and was unable to look away.

~~~*~~~

The music was near deafening in the confines of the small club and Willow could feel the vibrations causing her body to shake. The bright flashing lights above the stage hurt her eyes and the air was stale. Her heart was pounding in her chest and the hacker found her mouth dry. She was having trouble breathing but it was not the stuffy club and the tremors making their way through her had nothing to do with the noise or lights, and everything to do with the roaming hands of her dance partner. "Are they still watching?" She tried to keep her voice even as she shouted over the music. When Faith had suggested the dance, it had been solely to mess with the two vampires that had followed them to the club. At first, Willow had enjoyed the feeling of power, having noticed Angelus and Spike watching herself and Faith, knowing that the dance was affecting the vampires. After a few minutes, however, the slayer began to make her feel things only Spike had been able to. It seemed to her that a lump had formed in her throat and goose bumps were raising on her flesh as heat spread through her. Unknown to the red head, the slayer was finding herself in a similar situation. Faith nodded in response to her friend’s question. "I think we’ve fucked with them enough. Let’s go get something to drink." The two girls started walking to the bar, the slayer’s arm draped casually over her friend’s shoulders, making sure to stay far away from the vampires. The brunette was somewhat relieved to no longer be quite so close to the petite hacker. She was uncomfortable when not in control, and the feeling the intimate dance had evoked was definitely not control.

They both ordered diet sodas, which courtesy of Faith’s none too subtle flirting with the bartender, had shots of rum in them. As they waited for their drinks, the dark haired slayer turned towards her friend. "So...we never did get a chance to talk about that dare. You better have completed it, or I’m gonna have to have a talk with that boy of yours."

"No, you really don’t need to talk with Spike. I did the dare, and then some."

"Ohhh, do tell."

The drinks were delivered and Willow explained the occurrences of that night. Before she was halfway through her tale, the three others had joined them. When she was finished, they were all on their second round. "So, Faith, I’ve told you mine, how about you tell us yours, cause I’m just dying to know the whole story. Tell us all the dirty little secrets you pried from your evil vampy love toy." A smirk spread across her face as a pinkish hue spread over her cheeks. The brunette’s face erupted in a huge grin as she remembered the conversation she had had with Angelus after returning to the mansion two days before.

~~~*~~~

After saying goodnight to the red head, Angelus looked over at the dark haired slayer, a questioning look in his chocolate brown eyes. "What was that all about?"

"What was what all about?" Faith tried her best to plaster an innocent expression on her face, but from the vampire’s disbelieving look, she assumed she wasn’t being very successful at it.

"Why was Willow so concerned about Spike‘s feelings for her? And don‘t give me that ‘I don‘t know what you‘re talking about’ look, you‘re up to something Faith, and I want to know what it is.

"Just chick shit, OK."

"Uh huh" It was clear from the vampire’s tone that he didn’t believe a word she said.

"All right, fine." The brunette sighed in resignation, taking a seat on the leather sofa before turning to her lover. "Well, after me and Red went back to Blondie’s crib, we did some talkin’ and ended up playing truth or dare." Angelus made a ‘carry on’ gesture with his hand and she elaborated on her statement. "Red has to complete her dare by sunrise and she was a little nervous."

"What exactly was this dare that had her so worked up?"

"It’s not all that extreme, really. She just has to french the bleach job."

"Ah, and she was afraid that he didn’t like her and that she’d be making a mistake and embarrassing herself by kissing him." He nodded his head in understanding. "So, I’m guessing your dare wasn’t to kiss me?"

A small laugh escaped the brunette’s full lips as she shock her head in answer to his question. "Not exactly, but it does involve you and that Billy Idol wanna-be childe of yours. You know, the two of you before you got your soul."

Angelus flashed to himself and his formerly brunette child. Before he had received his soul, the two vampires had been extremely close. He remembered them fighting, and feeding together. He pictured the two locked in a violently passionate embrace, their mouths devouring each other as their hands explored naked flesh. The image shifted to include his current lover. He could see the three of them fucking with vicious abandon before the picture was altered once more, this time to include the petite red headed witch. Pale flesh filled his vision and he barely bit back a moan as he saw the four of them making the most of the huge bed in the mansion’s main bedroom.

Faith’s voice broke through his mental reverie, unaware of the direction his thoughts had taken.

"What was up with that, anyway?"

"What?"

"You and Spike, weren’t you two like really close a hundred years ago or something?"

"Of course we were close, he’s my childe. The relationship between a sire and childe is always very...intense."

"What do you mean, exactly?"

"Well, vampires are very different than humans. The social structure, differs in many ways from the type of society humans live in. For one, all aspects of vampire life are in some way based on dominance and submission. Fighting, sex, feeding, everything revolves around exerting dominance, admitting submission, or attempting to attain dominance."

"It’s most important and evident in the high ranks of vampire society, and in the relationship between a sire and their childer. Every vampire has its place in the hierarchy, and that position is constantly being challenged or enforced. Spike was always so damn independent, I was constantly having to remind him of his place. Not that I really minded." A smile curved the sides of his mouth as he remembered the frequent lessons he had given his childe all those years ago. "It was actually one of the things I loved most about our relationship. The never-ending struggle. I always won of course, although sometimes it would take me days to achieve victory. I did love the fight, the challenge." His face took on a wistful expression as he thought of the relationship the two vampires had shared, one he hoped they had begun to repair.

"There was more to it than dominance though, he was my childe, my boy and I taught him everything about his new life. He once called me his yoda, I guess it’s a accurate description. As his sire I gave him everything I could, all the knowledge I had accumulated as a vampire. I taught him how to be powerful, how to dominate. He was a fast learner, and almost immediately tried to use those particular lessons on me. He was a worthy adversary, even for me. And he got pretty close a few times, but I was still his sire, and he was never actually able to get the upper hand. He was powerful from the very beginning. I knew he would be a master, he was everything I expected and more." The older vampire’s words were colored with pride and the smile on his lips grew at the memories.

"He was a magnificent fighter, still is actually. I remember when we’d fight, we were always in perfect sync. A sire and childe can be a great team, but we were virtually perfect together, in more ways than one. Our styles were different but each style complimented the other exactly."

"As you well know, we love violence, blood, and not just when we’re fighting. Me an’ William would fight and feed, and often times, would celebrate an especially good kill. Sometimes we got so worked up wit’ the killin’ we couldn’t wait to celebrate and we’d end up havin’ a right nice fuck in some alley or where ever we had eaten. More than once I fucked ’em in the still warm blood of our victim. I can remember holdin’ ’em down and lickin’ the sweet red blood from his body. ’Twas some of our best times together."

His accent thickened as he recalled those times, his mind going back into the past. He could picture himself shoving his childe face first to the blood spattered ground before he ran his tongue along the hard muscles of the younger vampire’s back. He recalled how he flipped his blood-covered childe over to swirl his tongue around Spike’s puckered nipples, up to his jugular where he bit down harshly with his blunt teeth, then captured his mouth with a fierce kiss.

The vampire’s voice took on a wistful quality as he became absorbed in the memories, talking more to himself than his mate. "He was a terrific lover, as unpredictable in bed as he was anywhere else. And he was very unpredictable, and contradictory in every thing he did. Sometimes he would yell at me and then five minutes later, sit quietly and listen to me as I read or talked. He was strong and powerful, but vulnerable and shy. He was also tough and soft, brutal and violent, but at the same time he was sensitive and romantic. He used to surprise me with a candlelight dinner; two terrified virgins bound and helpless, surrounded by blood red rose petals. He’d sit with Dru for hours, doing her hair or having tea with her dolls when she was upset."

Faith smiled at the dark haired vampire’s description of his childe, thinking how much it reminded her of the man sitting across from her. "Gee, I wonder where he got those qualities from? You know what they say, like sire like childe," the slayer said, grinning at her lover.

"Oh, really?" Angelus’ voice dripped with sarcasm as he smirked back at her.

"Yeah, you old softie."

"Softie, huh?"

"Uh huh." Faith nodded her head in agreement.

"Why don’t you come over here and see exactly how much of a softie I am."

Faith made her way over to the vampire and straddled his lap, rubbing herself against his obvious arousal.

"Hm, it appears I was mistaken." The slayer splayed her hands on his hard chest, moving her palms in a circular motion over his hardening nipples. "Let’s see if I can’t soften you up a bit, shall we?" She brought her lips to his, devouring her lover’s cool mouth with her own.

Angelus grabbed her ass, squeezing hard before moving his hands under her top and running them over her warm flesh. Her own hands were finding their way into his thick black locks, pulling him to her. They broke the kiss and as Faith struggled to regain her breath, he tore her shirt from her body, her bra soon joining it on the floor. He cupped her full breasts in his hands, kneading them none-too-gently as his lips traced a wet path down the side of her throat where he teased the tender flesh with his teeth and tongue. She threw her head back, a throaty moan reaching his ears as her hands traveled down to take a hold of his leather encased erection. When he felt her hands reach for the zipper, he turned and flung her onto the couch with a growl. He stood and undid his pants before joining her.

It was half an hour later before the sounds of pleasure died away. Angelus carried his mate’s sweat covered body to their bedroom and mere moments later, guttural moans once more filled the silence of the old mansion.

~~~*~~~

Not a word was spoken as the girls took in the information the slayer had provided. The silence was broken as Anya said what everyone else was thinking.

"Wow." The former demon looked wide-eyed at the two brunettes, pictures of the two male vampires in all different situations swirling around in her head. Amy just slowly shook her head in amazement while trying to digest everything, not having expected such an in depth and forthright explanation.

"That sounds like a pretty accurate explanation of their relationship," Drusilla stated calmly.

Willow shook her head, dispelling the images that had taken hold of her as she had listened to Faith’s account of her conversation with Angelus. She attempted to respond but found herself unable to speak, still reeling from the assessment of her boyfriend’s past relationship with his sire. After hearing details regarding the bond that existed between the two, she understood why Spike had been so strongly affected by the estrangement from the elder vampire. Terror took hold of her as her mind raced with the probability that the blonde still harbored feelings for Angelus. *They were extremely close, what if he’s still in love with him? What about Drusilla, if he was that close to him, was he that close to her as well? Where does that leave me? What if he just likes me and is only with me because he doesn’t think he has a chance with his sire? If Angelus wanted him back, would he chose him over me? What about Dru? I don’t think she wants to get back together with Spike, but what if he wants to get back together with her. When she first came back he couldn’t get to her fast enough. He was so happy when she regained her sanity. Even if he didn‘t want her before, does he now? He got involved with me before she came back, was he only doing that because he thought he would never see her again? Am I a replacement for his sister and sire?*

Unaware of the others’ shock, or the witch’s dark thoughts, Drusilla continued to speak with the slayer about her sire and brother. "They both have strong personalities, and when they were together, they were very intense. Whether it was when they fought, argued, made love, or merely sat and talked, they were quite a magnificent pair." Her eyes stared into the flashing lights of the club as she recalled days long past.

The slayer looked at the red head with concern as the girl’s face blanched. "Hey Red, you OK?"

Tearing herself free from the icy grip of her fears, the red head stood and began to inch away from the group. "Uh, yeah, I’m just kinda hot is all. Actually, I think I’m gonna go get something else to drink."

The slayer started to go after Willow, but was stopped by a cold hand on her arm.

The raven haired vampire shook her head slightly and followed the witch as she hurriedly left the others, going over to where the bartender was serving drinks several feet away. Drusilla took a seat next to the unusually pale hacker as the girl sat sipping an ice water and staring forlornly towards the other end of the bar. Following her eyes, the female vampire saw the two vampires they had been discussing, deep in conversation. "They loved each other, didn’t they?"

Even with her vampiric hearing abilities, it was difficult for her to make out the words over the loud music and constant chatter of the club’s patrons. As she took in the sight of Spike and Angelus, laughing, drinking beer and smiling fondly at each other, she was struck by how similar it was to the late evenings the two had often spent together almost a hundred years ago. "Yes they did."

The words were spoken calmly, but they were almost as brutal to Willow as a slap in the face. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she asked the question that had been ruthlessly plaguing her mind. "Do you think they still do, do you think he still does?" Her eyes never left the blonde’s smiling face as she waited for the vampiress’ answer.

"Theirs is a bond not easily broken. Angelus is his sire, and that warrants a strong emotional connection. But his feelings for you are strong as well. Spike cares greatly for you, he looks at you as he never did me." Willow shook her head in disbelief, certain that the blonde’s feelings for her were no match for his love for his sire or sister. Of course, Angelus was involved with Faith, but Drusilla wasn’t involved with anyone. His former love was not only available, but newly sane. How could she compete with two beings he had loved for over a hundred years? "Do not underestimate your own beauty." Drusilla took a hold of Willow’s chin and turned the girl’s face away from the two chatting vampires, and forced green eyes to meet brown. "Your innocence, strength, caring, and intelligence, they call to him. You have a fire inside you that lights your soul," before she could continue, the hacker laid a hand on her arm to stop her.

"What did you just say?" The words snapped the girl from her thoughts, the female vampire’s statement seeming oddly familiar to the spell caster.

"You have an inner fire. One which rivals your hair in it’s brightness."

Something clicked and she knew where it was she had heard those words. "That’s it!" Jumping off her stool, Willow made her way quickly over to the others, Drusilla following behind her. When she reached her friends she grabbed her purse and motioned for the others to do the same. "Come on, I need to get back to the apartment." Receiving only bewildered looks from her friends, she elaborated. "I think I know who the four in the prophesy are, but I need to look at it to be sure." Curious, but still somewhat uncertain, the two other witches, vampire, and slayer followed her out the door and towards Willow and Spike’s apartment.

~~~*~~~

Seeing the group rushing from the club, the vampires looked over at each other, wondering where they were going to so suddenly. Shrugging their shoulders, they finished their beers, picked up their coats, and headed in the direction the girls had taken.

When the women reached the apartment a few minutes later, Willow ran into her room to retrieve her lab top and the copy of the prophesy it contained. After accessing the proper file and reading it over several times, the red head grinned in triumph. "I’ve got it!" It was at that point that the vampires entered the apartment.

"Got what?" Angelus asked as he and his childe sat on the couch.

Some of her excitement evaporated, feeling uncomfortable around the two vampires; the blonde in particular. Her mood change did not go unnoticed by her roommate, and his confusion increased.

"Uh, the prophesy. I think I’ve deciphered it."

"Well, get on with it, Red. Enlighten us," Faith urged.

"Ok, um, has everyone here heard it?" Amy and Anya both shook their heads so she read it out loud to the group.

"It starts out, ’When Death is cheated by two of the same, a door will form.’ and we determined that it meant Cordy and Duncan’s immortal status would give us the opportunity to defeat the mayor. The next section is what we couldn’t figure out. It goes, ‘It will be unlocked by four. One will have a fire inside and out. Another of ancient turned new, one of the darkness reviewed, and a child from a line of power will.’ The last part, ‘In the ways of old and the craft of the wise they will come together and form the key. Blessed Be.’ We know this refers to the use of wicca, most likely a spell, to fight the mayor."

"Anyway, something Dru said earlier reminded me of something in the prophesy, and the more I thought about it the more sense it made. What I’m saying is that I think I know who the four are in the prophesy; us." Everyone looked at her, still not quite understanding. "Well, you know how it says ‘One will have a fire inside and out,’ well, I think it’s, well, me. You know, my hair and stuff."

Before anyone could comment on the logic, Willow pressed forward. "And the part, ‘another of ancient turned new,’ I think it’s Anya. ‘Cause she used to be a thousand year old demon and now she’s a teenage girl." The ex-demon smiled, seemingly pleased to be mentioned.

"Uh, and the ‘one of darkness reviewed,’ well, I think it’s Dru, the ‘darkness’ being insanity, and the ‘review’ being the spell we performed yesterday." Everyone nodded, agreeing with her deductions thus far.

"The other, the ‘child from a line of power,’ is Amy, since her family has power in witchcraft and everything." Finishing her explanation, the hacker looked around to see what her friends thought of her ideas.

"Makes sense to me," Faith said.

Drusilla, who had sat silently through the discussion stood and walked over to where Willow sat with her computer. "Where did you get this from?"

"Uh, it was in Mr. Macleod’s book, why?" The red head looked up at the raven haired vampiress.

"I think I’ve read it before. In a book I got about eighty years ago. As a matter of fact, I know I’ve read it before. I remember, it was part of a larger passage. I brought it with me, it’s with my other things in a hotel outside of town."

"You mean there’s more?" Drusilla nodded and Willow slumped slightly in her chair at the prospect. "I should probably let Giles know who the four are, and that there is another part to the prophesy."

Objections were voiced as soon as she had suggested it, coming most vehemently from the vampires and slayer. "He should know, he wants to solve it just as much as we do, and we might need his help deciphering the next part. I’ll go by his place tomorrow after school to talk with him."

"If you insist on telling him, why don’t you just e-mail him or something?" Amy asked.

"Because, he never checks his e-mail. Besides, he may just ignore it anyway, and if I tell him in person, I might be able to make him listen to me." She could tell that the others were about to argue. She put on her resolve face, showing them that she would not be talked out of it.

"Fine, but go when Buffy‘s on patrol so you won‘t have to deal with her and-" Amy broke off with a yawn.

"-Xander. Sorry. I guess I’m a little tired."

"It is getting kinda late." Anya pointed out, looking over at the clock. "Actually, I should probably get going, I have some homework to do before school. I’m so glad tomorrow is Friday, this week has been really busy with everything that’s been going on." Willow and Amy nodded their heads, having been overwhelmed as well, with the occurrences of the past few days plus school.

The group began to get up, gather their things, and head to the door, saying good night. As her friends started leaving, and she realized she’d be alone with Spike, Willow began to get nervous, still too unsure of her relationship with him. Drusilla noticed her growing unease and went over to give her a reassuring hug. "I’ll bring the book by after sunset, so you’ll have it with you when you go to see the watcher, ok?"

The younger vampire was standing further back in the room, watching the two women. The female vampire’s eyes shifted over to her brother before going back to the young girl in front of her. "Angelus and I are his past, do not concern yourself with what has been, only what will be. Remember, he cares for you very much. Anyway, I’ll see you tomorrow evening, have a nice day at school." She gave the girl a motherly kiss on the forehead and departed, leaving the two roommates alone together.

Silence permeated the room for several moments before she turned to go to her room, only to find him standing directly behind her. *Damn vampiric speed.*

"You OK, ducks?" His deep voice sent shivers down her spine.

"Yeah, just kinda overwhelmed, with everything that’s been happening, and then to think I had solved the prophesy only to discover that there was more to it, it’s just a little much. I’m fine." She tried to go around him, but he blocked her path.

"No, you’re not. Something’s bothering you, and I want to know what it is." He placed his hands on her shoulders and bent his knees, slouching down to look directly into her still unnaturally pale face. "What is it Pixie, why are you so nervous?"

She flinched at the use of the special endearment, knowing that it wasn’t spoken with love. At least not the kind of love he still felt for his two fellow vampires. She had realized, while listening to Faith tell of his past with the elder vampire, that she was in love with him. Somewhere inside she had known for a while, but hadn’t consciously acknowledged it. But she had also realized that he loved his sire, not her. He more than likely loved his sire’s female childe as well. That knowledge had hurt more than the most serious injury she had sustained while fighting evil the last three years. She had thought they both cared about each other, both felt the attraction. But now she knew that she truly loved him, and that he only loved Angelus and Drusilla. Several tears escaped as she thought about the painful reality of her situation.

His heart fell as her eyes closed and her face glistened with shed tears. He knew something was wrong, but he couldn’t figure out what. She had seemed to be enjoying herself at the Bronze, *Actually she seemed to be having a little too much fun.* His mind flashed to her erotic dance with his sire’s girl and he had to pull himself back to reality before he produced proof of how much he had enjoyed the dance.

When he attempted to bring her into his arms, she turned away, not wanting him to hold her as if he loved her when she knew it was two dark haired vampires that held his heart. Pain sliced through his chest as she pulled away. He turned towards her, and saw her hand covering her face and her shoulders shaking as she cried silently. He could smell the salt of her tears and it was as if he had been punched in the stomach.

"Pet, please tell me what’s wrong." His voice was quiet, low, as he pleaded with her, wanting desperately to hold her to him and wipe the tears from her eyes. But he couldn’t even figure out what was wrong, and she wouldn’t let him hold her. She shook her head, and he tried to lay his hand on her shoulder, but she stiffened at the contact, pulling away from him and running to her room. He flinched as the door slammed shut behind her. His eyes fell shut as the sound of her cries echoed loudly in his ears, every sob causing searing pain to shoot through him. A single blood red tear made its way down his cheek and despair engulfed his entire being as one thought repeated itself over and over in his mind, *I’ve lost her.*

Part 26: A Declaration

Ten minutes after the sun had sank below the horizon, Drusilla arrived at the apartment to find Willow locked in her room and Spike sitting, forlorn, on the large sofa, eyes focused on the closed door. Although she had wanted to speak to the girl, the soft murmur of sobbing coming from the bedroom had convinced her that it was not the best time to initiate a conversation.

It was however, the necessary time to have a conversation with the blonde. "Despite any claims I might have made to the contrary, you would probably be able to see her much better if you actually go through the door instead of just staring at it. It might even make it a bit easier to talk, too." She let out an unnecessary sigh when he made an extremely weak attempt at a smile, the corners of his mouth twitching ever so slightly as if the muscles couldn’t quite remember how to form the expression. Moving to sit next to him on the couch, she took hold of one of his hands and turned his face to meet her own. "Tell me what happened?"

He looked down at their clasped hands and slowly shook his head. "I don’t...I don’t know." His eyes fell shut and he tightened his grip on her hand.

"Everything was great, and then...she just...I don’t know." He let go of her hand, standing and walking to the other end of the room before turning and walking in the other direction. As he paced restlessly back and forth, the raven-haired vampire steered the conversation in another direction. For over an hour she kept his mind occupied as they reminisced on the many years they had spent together. An hour and a half later they were sitting on the couch, smiling at each other.

"Do you remember that night in Holland when Angelus went out for the night and I got all upset because I had wanted to go with them?"

"Yeah, you locked me out of the bloody room. I had to spend all day in a cramped warehouse down the street."

"You brought me long fur coat the next night-"

"And you yelled at me ‘cause I didn’t bring anything to feed it."

"It must have taken you an hour to convince me that it was a coat, not a new pet." Laughing softly, the vampiress looked intently at her former lover. "We certainly have had some interesting times, you and I."

"That we have. But that was a long time ago-"

"And we’re not the same people we once were. I need to be on my own for a while, figure some things out; and you..." Her eyes strayed to the witch’s door.

"Your happiness no longer lies with me. Our paths lead in different directions, but I know they will meet again." One pale hand cupped the side of his face, their eyes meeting as they had a thousand times before, a message passing silently between them yet again. This message was not the kind they had once shared, however, although love still had its place in it, the message spoke of pleasant memories and a future of friendship. The former lovers embraced, and lips met for the briefest moment before she stood and made her way to the door. Opening the door, she turned to face him, a warm smile on her face as she crossed the threshold. "Goodbye Spike."

He returned the smile and as the door clicked shut, his voice filled the silence. "Bye Drug."

~~~*~~~

After Drusilla’s departure, the blonde had quietly rapped on the witch’s door and left the book at its threshold. When Willow finally left her sanctuary, she picked up the volume and headed towards the watcher’s residence. Not wanting harm to come to her during her walk or visit, he had gone with her despite her obvious discomfort in his company.

As they slowly made their way to the Englishman’s apartment, silence hung between them, allowing each to continue the somber thoughts that had occupied their minds throughout the day.

Conflicting emotions plagued the girl, and she struggled to grasp her composure as every sense cried out at Spike’s close proximity. She heard his boots hitting the pavement, the creaking of his leather coat, the slow deliberate breaths he took as he smoked his cigarette, the third since they had left the apartment. She smelled the tobacco smoke, could almost taste it as the wind blew it into her down-turned face. She felt the small cloud caressing her cheek, recalling how he had done much the same with his hands barely two days before. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched his hand bringing the half smoked cigarette to his lips, noticing how the muscles in his jaw clenched and unclenched, saw his trench coat blowing in the breeze as he walked along side her.

While every sense focused on his presence, her thoughts formed a shapeless storm in her mind, trying desperately to make sense of recent events. She let her mind wander through time, considering the vampire’s past, his present, and struggling to contemplate his future.

*Even without considering the sire/childe bond, he’s closer to them than he could ever be to me. We’ve known each other for barely two years. Hell, less than a month ago we were enemies. He loved them for over a hundred years. He hasn’t even liked me for a hundred days; there’s no way I could even begin to compete with them. There’s just no possible way he could care about me in that way. How could I have deluded myself into thinking he could have those kinds of feelings for me? I’m just a little girl, a weak human he felt sorry for; they’re mature, gorgeous vampires. He was just lonely and I happened to be there. I was probably just a handy distraction, a replacement for the two he really wanted but couldn’t have. I’m just Willow, how could he want me? How could anyone want me, especially when they could have Angelus or Drusilla?*

Completely absorbed in her thoughts, the red head didn’t notice the lamppost they were approaching. Spike did, however, and he veered to the right, brushing up against his petite companion. The witch tensed at the light contact, heat spreading through her, making her heart pound. She berated herself for being so easily effected by him and scrambled away as fast as she could. *One casual touch and I’m practically feverish. This is pathetic Rosenberg, get a hold of yourself. Goddess, why do I let myself be so effected? Why did I let myself get into this situation? Why did I let myself fall in love with him?*

~~~*~~~

Dead lungs came to life as he forcefully blew out the smoke from his cigarette before taking another drag and repeating the process. Combat boots slammed against the asphalt as the vampire mentally slammed his head against a wall. He had been trying his best to figure out what it was that had caused his roommate’s sudden change in mood. His mind had been going over and over every moment he had spent with her the past few weeks, every word he had said to her, and still only one explanation came to mind. He was not the introspective type, but the witch’s behavior had had him examining himself, and he didn’t like the results he was coming up with.

*I bloody well should have known this would happen. How could I have thought the chit could actually like me? Problem is, I really did. I really thought that she could see more than a blood-sucking demon. I thought she saw me. I thought she liked me, demon and all. I’m more of a friggin’ poof than soul boy was. She spent the last three years of her life fighting vampires, how could I think she could actually have feelings for one? I was soddin’ lying to myself. She’s just finally realized what exactly she’s been livin’ with these past few weeks. I’m surprised she hasn’t moved out and let the slayer stake me already.*

He had known for over a week that he was falling for the innocent red head and as they walked side by side, each on opposite sides of the strip of sidewalk, he cursed the part of himself that had allowed it to happen. Moving to avoid the lamppost he felt his right arm brush softly against her left, his stomach clenching painfully as she stiffened and all but ran in the opposite direction. *I just wish she could have figured it out before I went and fell head over fucking heels in love with her.*

They continued walking for another block before Giles’ courtyard came into view. Willow’s discomfort increased as they neared their destination, not quite sure how the watcher was going to react to her visit or the information she was there to give him. Would he believe her? Would he even listen to her? Or would he tell her to leave and not come back? The man was more of a father to her than the man that gave her his name. The scorn she had received from Buffy and Xander had been painful, and she didn’t think she could handle it from him as well. Before, she had known that no matter what happened with her friends, she would have Spike, but now she wasn’t so sure about that. Would he still want to be friends? If he got back together with one of his former vampiric lovers, which at the moment was seeming more and more likely, would he even want anything to do with her? Would Angelus? Would Faith? She felt red-hot pain slice through her at the thought of losing them, of losing Spike. Before she could further contemplate the bleak future awaiting her, they arrived at the librarian’s door.

~~~*~~~

They stood in front of the door for several moments before Spike glanced over at her, wondering why she had not knocked on the door. His answer was written in her pale face and wide, fear filled green eyes. Sympathy tugged at him and he hesitantly placed a hand on her trembling shoulder. Her head snapped up at the contact and he saw the tears forming in her jade orbs, the dread and panic on her face. Relief flooded him when she didn’t pull away. Gently squeezing her shoulder, he smiled reassuringly at her. "Everything will be fine luv. I’m right here."

Nodding her head ever so slightly, she swallowed the lump in her throat and raised her hand, knocking twice on the door. The Englishman opened the door a few seconds later, worry etched on his face as he saw the girl standing nervously on his doorstep. "Willow, are you all right?" He reached out a hand to bring her into the townhouse when a low warning growl brought the blonde’s presence to his attention. His arm fell to his side as he turned back to the witch. "Willow," glancing over at Spike, he held the door open a little wider. "Please get inside, everything will be ok. I’ll call Buffy and she can take care of that." The last word was said with audible contempt as he glared at the vampire.

"Look, Giles, I know you mean well, but I’m fine-"

"No, you’re not. You’re living with a soulless killer. You’re obviously not thinking straight. Now, come inside and I’ll call Buffy." The librarian once more tried to reach out towards her to pull her inside but found his wrist being held in a cold iron grip the moment it crossed the threshold.

"Don’t even think about it, mate." Before Giles could respond, a soft voice interrupted.

"Spike, let him go...please." The vampire released the watcher with a growl and took a step closer to his small roommate, who forced herself to remain relaxed despite his close proximity and looked up at her former mentor. "I know you don’t believe me, but trust me, I’m fine. You really don’t need to call Buffy." The last statement came out as more of a plea as she thought of having to confront the other girl. Giles looked back and forth between his visitors, a calculating look in his eyes. When he spoke again his voice was colder, more detached. "Really, and why not?" As his gaze moved from the blonde to the red head for the third time, she received the distinct impression that he was reevaluating how much she could be trusted and she realized what he thought her reason was for not wanting the slayer to be there.

"I understand why you would hesitate to trust me, I just came over to talk," pausing, she took a deep breath and swallowed the hurt his mistrust was causing. "It’s about the prophecy." Her voice shook as she tried to maintain her precarious composure, having noticed the sliver of disdain with which he looked at her. At her words, curiosity could be seen joining the other emotions on his face. An eyebrow raised and Willow took it as a sign to continue.

"Well, I think I might have figured out who the uh, four are. And, uh, well, the prophecy you have is, uh, incomplete. There’s another part to it. I brought it with me, if you want to look at it." The hopeful tone in which she spoke the last sentence was not lost on the watcher.

The older man seemed to consider the situation, his curiosity about the prophecy and his desire to solve it so that they could defeat the mayor were strong, but he was still uncomfortable with the situation. Sensing his unease, she held out the volume that Drusilla had given her. "If you’d rather, you could take the book and look at it yourself. I left notes in it regarding my, uh, translation, of the first part, and the ideas I had on the second. I’ll just leave." Giving him the book, she turned to go, a tear escaping at the scorn she saw in Giles’ eyes. It was one thing to be shunned by her friends, but this was the man she regarded as a father.

"Willow, um, wait." Turning at the librarian’s voice, her now tear streaked face held a despondent expression. She looked imploringly at him, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "Why don’t you come in, and we can discuss your conclusions." A smile graced her lips and she headed back to the apartment. "You can wait outside," he stated, turning to the blonde, his face set and cold.

" I don’t think so, watcher. I’m not letting her go in there by herself."

Before the two could argue further, the hacker intervened. "Why don’t we just talk outside?" Nodding their heads reluctantly, they compromised, taking a seat in the open courtyard. The next half an hour was spent discussing the witch’s interpretation of the prophecy’s first part. Giles agreed with her assessment of the four identities. Once that was finished, the red head opened the large tome and read the entire second part of the prophecy aloud.

‘The door will open, and the four will lead the way

All will be safe when wisdom’s words they say

Energy’s balance will take his place

The four will help to lead the race

Over the unholy fire three more will grow

But are they friend, or are they foe

Father and childe, through time have come

Touched by magic and A heart love has won

The paths she must follow have been hidden from view

She’ll save us all as one of the chosen two

With Fire’s light you can look inside

Amidst the darkness, light does hide

Together with Fire they’ll do what’s right

Protect the town, keep safe the night

With an iron fist they’ll rule the dark

Onto their destined journey, they will embark

Four plus three makes seven

None from hell, none from heaven

Soon joined by two of the same

Two will help seven as they play the Game’

Giles was about to ask Willow what her thoughts were about this new riddle when Buffy and Xander made their way into the courtyard and spotted the two guests. The relaxed expressions vanished from their faces as they eyed them both suspiciously. After the girl’s actions at the apartment earlier that week, they had accepted that they could no longer trust her. However, they had also agreed that since she had been their friend, she was therefore still worth one more try. After all, once she was away from the vampires and other slayer, they were fairly certain that they could make the witch see reason.

Willow noticed the way they were looking at her and realized that they really did see her as a threat. She also realized that they were still determined to shove her back into the suffocating confines of her previous role. Two days ago she would have immediately told them off and left with Spike, but she was too confused at the moment to be very confident about her place with him. These doubts were also causing her to question her relationship with the others as well. She knew she wasn’t in any physical danger, but her emotional safety was another matter. As she contemplated her situation, Xander took a step forward. "Willow, come inside with us, we can still work this out, ok?"

The witch sighed, too tired and emotionally run down to deal with her old friends at the moment. "Work what out?"

"Come on Wills, me and Xan will still help you." The slayer stated, making it sound as if they were doing the other girl a large favor.

"Look, I know you guys mean well, but just leave me alone. I’m fine, ok? You really don’t have to worry about me."

The brunette looked at his friend with disbelief, as if questioning how she could even contemplate such a thing. "Well, we have worried about you, and who could blame us with the company you’ve been keeping.

Honestly Willow, the least you could have done was act a little more mature about this, use a little sense perhaps. You’ve put yourself in danger, refused our help repeatedly, and have completely ignored your responsibilities. Did you even think about what you were doing when you deserted us? We need you; Giles can’t do all of the research himself you know."

Anger began to form within her, and Willow glared at her childhood friend. "Well, he wouldn’t have to if the two of you would actually help once in while."

The bottle blonde stepped up beside her boyfriend, giving the red head a nasty look. "You’re being really selfish, you know that? After all we’ve done for you, you walked out on us, turned your back on your friends. Forget that we need your help, as long as Willow gets what she wants, to hell with everyone else, right? You are such an ungrateful bitch. We were your friends, and you betrayed us; befriended the enemy. You’re living with Spike for fuck’s sake. Yet we still tried to save you, and despite everything, are _still_ trying, although I’m not all that sure why."

"I didn’t desert you, and I didn’t betray you. And for the record, you are the ones that have been acting selfish. Now, I’m only saying this one more time, so listen carefully. I never asked for your help. I don’t want it nor do I need it. So stop acting like you’re doing me a favor ‘cause you’re not. I’m perfectly fine, I’m not possessed, I’m not being controlled, or whatever else you think, and I would appreciate it if you would just stay the fuck out of my life."

"Willow, first you’re living with a vampire, then you’re acting all chummy with Faith and Angelus. Now you’re hanging out with Drusilla. I don’t care what you say; you’re not fine. Now come inside with us where you’ll be safe."

"She’s perfectly safe where she is, you daft twit." Spike glared at the teen, resenting his implication.

"Safe? She’s living with you and spending her time with Deadboy, soulless Deadboy, I might add. Oh, and we can’t forget schizo slayer and your psycho girlfriend." Xander’s composure was quickly evaporating as he regarded his former best friend’s vampiric roommate.

"First of all, mate, Dru is not my girlfriend. And thanks to Will and her witchy friends, she happens to be quite sane. Second, Faith is no threat to her; just ‘cause she don’t work for you lot anymore doesn’t mean she’s nuts. If anything, it shows how smart she really is. As for Angelus, if he was gonna kill her, he’d have already tried. Not the he would have succeeded."

"Really? Are we supposed to believe that you would have stopped him?" Buffy shook her head in disbelief.

"Yeah, as a matter of fact, I would have."

"Why? So you could do it yourself?"

"No. I could never hurt ‘er."

"And why not?" The sarcasm was heavy in the slayer’s sharp tone as she looked over at the other bleach blonde.

Spike had had enough of their accusations. Without thinking, he said the one thing he’d promised himself he wouldn’t say. "Because, you stupid bint, I love ‘er." As soon as the words left his mouth he wished he could take them back, knowing that she would never return his feelings.

At the same time, the witch’s head snapped up and she starred at him, not believing her ears. "What?" The question was spoken in a soft, shaky voice.

Turning, he cursed himself under his non-existent breath. "Bloody hell, pet, I’m sorry. I never meant to-" His words were cut off as Willow covered his mouth with hers. He stood stock still for several seconds before his hands went to the back of her head and pulled her closer. When she finally broke the kiss she wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him close.

"Oh Goddess, Spike, you have no idea how many times I’ve imagined you saying that, and then I thought that you wouldn’t, ‘cause you didn’t feel that way. And then Faith was talking about you and Angelus and how much you guys loved each other and then Dru was saying how much you loved each other and I was afraid you still did love each other. And then I got so scared ‘cause if you still loved him you wouldn’t love me and even if you did you’d pick him ‘cause he’s your sire and I’m not ‘cause I’m not a vamp and I’m not like three hundred years old, I’m only eighteen. Then I was worried you’d think I was just a silly kid, and you wouldn’t love a little kid and I thought I‘d lost you and I was so scared you’d never feel the same. And I’m kinda running out of air now so I think I’ll just shut up."

Spike chuckled and shook his head; astonished she had gotten all of that out in less than a minute. All signs of humor suddenly vanished when he registered exactly what she had said. He took hold of her arms, gentling unwrapping them from around his neck so that he could look at her. "What do you mean ‘I’d never feel the same?’"

Willow twisted her hands together nervously and shifted her gaze to the ground so she wouldn’t have to look at him. "Oh Goddess...I, I love you so much and I was afraid- ahhh-" She let out a squeal mid-sentence as he lifted her in the air and spun her around once before lowering her to the ground and pulling her into a deep kiss.

Letting her draw in needed air, he cupped her cheek in his hand, running his thumb lovingly along her cheekbone. "Willow, my sweet little pixie." Emerald green met icy blue and the entire world fell away. At least until Giles cleared his throat, breaking the spell and causing all eyes to turn to him.

"Perhaps we should call it a night."

Looking back down at the woman in his arms, Spike gratefully took the opportunity the watcher had given them. "Right then, night all." With that, vampire and witch left, her arm wrapped tightly around his waist and his resting possessively across her shoulders.

Two sets of eyes, one hazel, the other brown, watched them leave. Silence hung heavy in the small courtyard until Xander’s voice rang out in the clear night.

"What did she say about Spike and Angelus?"

Part 27:  Application of Knowledge

Reluctantly releasing their hold on one another, they unlocked the apartment door and went inside.  Now that they were alone, Willow's doubts began to squirm their way back into her consciousness.  Shifting nervously from foot to foot, she looked up at the handsome blonde through lowered lashes.  "I, um, I think I'll go change into something more comfortable."  She winced at her unintentional use of the cliched phrase.  Blushing slightly, she quickly turned and went into her room.

Spike smiled as he watched her flee.  Taking off his duster, he hung it on the coat rack by the door before making his way into his own room to slip off his combat boots and red silk shirt.  Going back into the main room, he went over to the entertainment center, putting in his roommate's Live CD, setting it on the last track, and pressing 'repeat.'  The soft music filled the room as he turned to find his small roommate exiting her bedroom and walking slowly towards him.

She had slipped into a pair of loose drawstring pajama pants.  The pants were made of chocolate brown silk, which she wore with a matching tight cotton tank top.  The dark color went well with her hair, and set off the pale vibrancy of her skin.  He could tell she was still somewhat uneasy, so he sat down on the sofa, indicating for her to do the same.  He was pleased when she took a seat right next to him.  Turning to face her, he allowed his own uncertainty to enter his voice.  "Did you really mean what you said back at the watcher's place?"  She started to fidget slightly and avoided his gaze, but he caught the small timid nod. Relief and utter joy flooded him but the question still plagued him, and he felt the need to know the answer.  "Why?  I'm a monster, Willow.  How can you throw away your relationship with your little friends for a demon?"

She raised her head, her eyes looking directly into his, as she slowly shook her head and smiled up at him.  "You're not a monster Spike.  Sure, you're a vampire and you have a demon, but you're also a man. You're smart, funny, silly, kind and caring.  And so much more.  As for Buffy and Xander, if they can't even attempt to see that, well, I'm not sure if I want to be friends with them.  I do miss them, but I've got Faith and Angelus, and Drusilla now.  And I've got you, which is more than enough for me."

Her words washed over him, soothing him, reassuring him that he had not lost her after all.  Yet he still wanted to know why she had acted as she had the day before.  He had gotten some idea through her babble at the librarian's but he had only been able to catch so much of her tirade.

"Then, why?"  He didn't have to elaborate any further, she knew what he was referring to.

"I just..."

"Just what, luv?"  His tone was gentle as he tucked an errant strand of fiery hair behind her ear, letting his hand linger against the soft skin of her cheek.

"Well, when we were at the Bronze, Faith was talking about you and Angelus.  You know, before he first got his soul.  It was her dare, from the night..." She trailed off momentarily, remembering exactly what had occurred as a result of that particular game of truth or dare.  "Anyway, Angelus told her how close, how much in love you were.  And I saw you, sitting at the bar with him and you two looked so happy that I thought...I thought maybe you guys still loved each other and that you'd rather be with him.  And then, of course, there's your relationship with Drusilla.  You loved them both for so long, and I'm just, me. Willow.  A plain little human."  Her voice trembled, the beginnings of tears gathering in her eyes.  Her face betrayed her fears, proving that the doubts still plagued her.

"Oh, Will, luv.  My love," reaching out, he pulled her unresisting body to him, wrapping an arm around her and letting her head rest against his shoulder as he turned his intense blue gaze on her.  "Me an' Dru aren't together anymore, and we're not gonna get back together, either.  It's a mutual decision, I talked with her this morning.  We both knew it wasn't gonna work, and neither one of us really wanted to try and make it.  We're not the same vampires we were when we were together.  Oh, and I'll have to tell peaches we weren't quite as stealthy as we thought."  He gave her a small grin before continuing.  "Now, I'll admit, me an' Angelus were very close, he is my sire, and I would like 'ta think we're gettin' back some of the friendship we shared, but my relationship with 'im is in the past.  A lot has happened in the last eighty-somethin' years.  I'd like to hold out some hope of rebuilding it some time in the future, but that will only happen if I have your blessing.  And I really couldn't give a shit how old you are, your humanity and innocence are just two of the many things I love about you, pixie."

A single tear escaped from the jade pools, falling onto her cheek.  "Really?"  Her voice was quite and questioning.

He brushed the tear from her porcelain skin with the pad of one thumb, a soft smile curling his lips.

"Yeah, really."  Leaning forward, he caught her smiling mouth with his own.  His tongue ran lovingly over her lips, begging entrance.  She granted his request, meeting his tongue and initiating a slow sensuous ballet in her hot mouth.  Breaking the kiss, Spike pressed his forehead against hers.  "Dance with me?"  At her nod, he stood, took her hand and pulled her up with him.  Leading her around the coffee table, he gathered her in his arms and moved them to the slow music.  He let his chin rest on the top of her head, simply enjoying holding her slender form.

~~~*~~~

'I wanna dance with you

I see a world where people live and die with grace

The karmic ocean dried up and leave no trace

I wanna dance with you

I see a sky full of the stars that change our minds

And lead us back to a world we would not face'

Willow sighed happily and ran her hands slowly up and down his back.  Leaning into his body, she felt his muscles move against her as they danced, content to be in his arms again.  She let her worries be cast aside as she concentrated on nothing but the man in her arms; the man she loved.  She could barely believe that he actually loved her, had chosen her over Drusilla and Angelus when less than an hour before she had thought she would never again have the chance to be with him, to feel his arms hold her close, to feel his lips on hers.  The hacker tightened her hold on the vampire and felt his left arm wrap around her waist, its hand settling in the small of her back as his right hand played with her silky tresses.

Withdrawing his hand from her hair, Spike cupped her cheek, running his thumb along her cheekbone and pressing his lips to her forehead.  She looked up at him, emerald meeting ice blue as a silent message of love passed between them.  He grinned down at the witch before capturing her mouth in a slow, tender kiss.  The hand on her back moved up under the tank to explore the satiny skin as the other tangled in her hair and held her to him, the kiss growing more passionate.  A whimper fell from her parted lips as he drew back a minute later to let her breathe. Her own hands were not idle as they met for another, more heated kiss.  Reaching between them, she slowly, uncertainly, slipped her hands beneath his black t-shirt.  The hacker's fingers traced abstract patterns on the vampire's muscled stomach.  When he pulled away to let her suck in an unsteady breath, she fixed her gaze on the floor at their feet, a blush spreading across her cheeks as she began to nervously remove her hands.  Chuckling, he took a slight step back and pulled the shirt over his head, dropping it to the floor.  After several moments, she slowly raised her head to find him standing before her, his eyes staring directly at her.  He made no move to approach her and she realized what it was he was waiting for.

Swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat, she took a hesitant step forward and reached out with trembling hands to softly caress his bare chest.  As her fingers swept over a dark nipple, she felt his muscles tense and jerked her hand away, thinking she had done something wrong.  He laughed softly and took her hands in his own, bringing them to his mouth and pressing a kiss to each palm, then placing them back on his chest.  "Touch me."  His voice was quiet, the tone almost pleading.

Tentatively, she explored the pale skin, unsure what to do.  He smiled encouragingly at her, giving her the courage to trail her fingers over his nipple once more.  This time he hissed in pleasure, his eyes falling shut.  Deciding to give in to the temptation, she stepped forward and placed a light kiss on the place where his heart lay silently in his chest.  He looked down at her at the unexpected contact.  She glanced up at him and he bent down, taking possession of her sweet mouth.  Drawing her lower lip between his own, he bit down ever so slightly before trailing kisses across her chin and down the slender column of her throat.  He then made his way down to the tops of her breasts where the vampire licked and nipped at the exposed flesh.  A moan was torn from her lips as he did so, her hands moving to tangle in the bleached hair, pressing him to her.

While his mouth continued working its way lower, his hands found themselves back under the fabric of her tank top to stroke the velvet expanse of her abdomen. She let out a sharp gasp as his lips captured her hard nipple right through the cotton.  Willow's head fell back, her heart beat quickening as his tongue lapped at first one then the other puckered nipple.  She whimpered as he pulled away, only to moan loudly when he quickly pulled the top over her head and swooped back down, his lips enclosing a coral nubbin once more.

The witch's hands fell to his shoulders, her nails digging into the pale skin as her breathing became more labored.  She felt cold hands stroking her sides; his fingers barely touching the underside of her breasts, then moving down to stop at the waist of her pajama bottoms before moving back up once more.  His wet tongue swept over her left nipple, then down the valley between her breasts.  It traced a path down to her belly button, leaving Willow wondering how his cool mouth could make her skin feel as if it were on fire.

Spike knelt before her, swirling his tongue in the indention of her navel, holding onto her waist. Willow tighten her grip on his shoulders, her legs weak and shaky.  The blonde looked up at her, his blue eyes darkening as he took in her flushed face.  Rising gracefully to his feet, he pulled her tightly against him, her nipples hardening even more as they came into contact with his bare chest.  Their lips met, tongues clashing, hands exploring.

Willow pulled away reluctantly, gasping for breath as the vampire began kissing his way down to suckle at her pulse point.  She pressed her body harder into his, her breath catching as she came in contact with the obvious evidence of his arousal.  His head snapped up and he stared at her in surprise.  She felt heat rushing to her face at the intensity of his gaze and started to step back, sure she had done the wrong thing.  Spike held her tightly against him, preventing her escape.  Not knowing what to do, Willow ducked her head, her cheeks flaming red with embarrassment.

The vampire's hand gently took hold of her chin, tilting it back and forcing her eyes to meet his.  A smile curved his lips as they lowered and pressed softly against her mouth.  The kiss was slow and sweet before he pulled back to gaze down at her.  He tucked her hair behind her ear and shook his head at her slightly confused expression.  "I'm sorry luv, after everything you've done and been through, I forget how innocent you really are.  We don't have to do this if you don't want to."

She took his hand in hers, stilling its movement, her green orbs looking down at her feet.  "It's not that I don't, that I don't want to... I do, it's just, I don't know what...what to, I mean I've, I've never..."

 Spike pressed a finger to her lips, stopping her stuttered words and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"I know, sweet.  It's all right if you're not ready. I understand, I won't push, ok?"

"Ok."  Willow nodded her head in agreement and the vampire took a step away from her, but was halted when her grasp on his hand only tightened.  "No, it's ok...I think, I mean, I am...ready that is.  I just...Goddess.  I feel like I've sat down to a test I haven't studied for.  I feel like it's one of those multiple choice tests that you always think you'll ace 'cause you've got all the choices, but you end up failing 'cause there's so many choices, and you don't know what to choose, and no matter which one you do choose, you always pick the wrong one, and I..."  Her words were lost in his mouth as it covered hers.

When they were forced to separate to give Willow an opportunity to breathe, he squeezed her hand reassuringly, chuckling at her choice of analogy.

"Luv, you could never chose the wrong answer.  And I think we can safely say you've already aced this test, pet; no studying necessary."

A blush quickly swept across her checks, turning the pale skin a bright red as she looked at him, her brows creased in confusion.  "But I...you..."

His smile grew once more and he shook his head, not understanding how she could be so unsure of herself when the sight of her, the smell of her, the feel of her, made him want to take her to his bed and never let her leave.  His free hand cupped her face, his eyes trailing over her half naked form, his body reacting to the sight before him.  "You are so bloody beautiful, you know that?"  The blush deepened and only his hand on her face keep her from turning from his lust darkened gaze.  "My sweet little pixie, you have no idea what you do to me, do you?"  He let out an unnecessary sigh, stroking the warm cheek beneath his fingers.  "Come 'ere pet."  He applied the slightest amount of pressure to the small hand holding his, barely bringing it towards him.  She took the two steps needed to bring her a breath from him, still not knowing what to do.

'The stillness in your eyes

Convinces me that I

I don't know a thing

And I been around the world and I've tasted all the wines

A half a billion times came sickened to your shores

You showed me what this life is for'

~~~*~~~

He merely stared at her for several seconds before suddenly crushing his mouth to hers, kissing her with every ounce of desire, of hunger and lust she inspired in him.  She soon began to respond, her arms wrapping tightly around his neck while his hands lost themselves in her crimson mane.  Teeth clashed, tongues dueled, heat searing through them both, igniting within them an unquenchable thirst for each other.  Unconsciously, Willow pressed her body as tightly against him as she could, and through the haze of pleasure their kiss was creating, she once again felt his arousal against her lower abdomen.  Breaking the kiss, she tried to pull away as she had before, remembering the way he had reacted the last time.

He held her to him however, one cool hand slipping around to massage a breast, kneading the globe almost roughly.  His cheek touched hers, his mouth less than an inch from her ear as he whispered, "Do you feel it?  Do you feel what you do to me my love?  I feel it.  I feel my entire body burning from your heat.  I feel my hands itching to touch you, my lips wanting nothing more than to taste every friggin' inch of your sweet flesh, my eyes wanting only to drink in the sight of you."  His voice was deep and just the slightest bit strained.  He pinched her rosy nipple, rolling the hard bud between his thumb and forefinger, his voice growing husky at the sound of her quiet whimpers.  "I want you Willow.  I want you so bloody much I can barely stand it."  He continued to fondle her breast, his other hand cupping its twin.

Her mind struggled to comprehend the vampire's whispered confessions, her entire being becoming enveloped in the sensations his hands and voice were creating.  A low moan spilled from her panting lips and her body arched into him, coming solidly into contact with his hardened shaft.  Spike groaned loudly in response, one hand leaving her chest to travel down her back and grip the rounded cheek of her ass and pull her more firmly against him.  As Willow's head rolled forward, her forehead came to rest on his shoulder and she was overcome with the urge to taste the pale flesh beneath her.  Leaning forward slightly, she pressed her swollen lips to him, her tongue flicking out to lap at the bend where his neck and shoulder met.  As desire wrapped them in its heavy folds, thought fled her and only the feel of his hands on her body invaded her senses.  She continued to lick at his cool skin, liking the feel of his arms flexing under her hands.  Willow sucked on the cool flesh, her teeth nipping at it before biting down.

A shudder ran through the vampire and a growl was torn from him as her blunt teeth dug into his neck. The noise penetrated the haze of sensation surrounding her and Willow jerked back from him, conscious thought slamming into her with the realization of what she had done.  "Spike, I-"  Her apology was cut off abruptly when her slender form was gathered into her roommate's strong arms and carried at a frantic pace into his room.

Laying her down on the bed, he stepped back, taking in the sight of her laying, flushed and panting against his charcoal gray satin sheets.  Her unexpected move had practically shredded his precarious self control and he forced himself to stand at the foot of the bed, fists clenched at his sides as he reigned in his demon and pushed down the nearly irresistible urge to simply take her, hard and fast. Taking deep, unnecessary breaths, Spike reminded himself that she was a virgin and that nothing mattered save giving her every possible amount of pleasure.

Slowly, the vampire lowered himself onto the bed, crawling up the length of her body.   He stopped directly above her, his dark blue eyes fixed on her soft pink lips, swollen from their passionate kisses. As he looked at them, he was overcome by an intense desire to taste their sweetness once more.  Without warning, his mouth descended upon hers, devouring her heated cavern with uncontrollable hunger.  She responded immediately, her tongue clashed with his, exploring the cool expanses of his mouth.

The vampire pulled away from her, licking a wet path across her jaw and down her neck as she delivered the necessary oxygen to her starving lungs.  The blonde's ministrations, however, were not quite allowing Willow to catch her breath.  His tongue traveled along her collarbone and down the valley between her pert breasts, taking a short detour to tease each of her rose colored nipples before continuing on down her flat stomach.

Spike placed a series of wet kisses over a small patch of freckles by her naval, his hands following the path his mouth had taken down her body.  Running his tongue over the tiny brown dots sprinkled over the pale skin, he let his hands drift down to the waistband of her pajama pants, taking hold of the chocolate colored material and ever so slowly, pulling it down her hips.

Willow felt as if she were floating in a turbulent sea of sensation as the blonde's cool tongue traced fiery paths over her flesh.  Her breath caught and her heart sped up even more as she felt him pulling on her pants.  His lust-darkened orbs flicked up to meet her emerald gaze, silently pleading as his hands stilled. The witch smiled in response, only to throw her head back as his lips played along the exposed hip and upper thigh.  As he tugged the pants down her long legs, his mouth followed, kissing and licking all the way down her left leg.  The red head was unable to contain a breathy moan, overwhelmed by the sensations he was creating with his talented lips.

She stared up at him through glazed pools of jade, covered in nothing except a small pair of sheer leopard print underwear. The panties had not been what he would have expected, but the different shades of brown looked great against her skin, bringing attention to her light sprinkling of freckles.  He had to take a deep breath, despite not needing the actual oxygen when he noticed that he could just make out the dark red curls through the fabric.  He found himself desperately wanting to see exactly what shade of red they were.  Spike tossed the pants over his shoulder and turned his attention back to the trembling beauty on his bed.

Willow shuddered as his hands began to skirt up her legs.  The touch was soft as a whisper, barely there at all but producing sensations strong enough that she clutched desperately at the silken sheets beneath her.

The witch tossed her head back and forth, the red strands of her hair fanning out around her flushed face as the vampire kissed up her right leg much as he had down the left.  She whimpered as his mouth came within an inch of her crotch, but instead of  paying any attention to the cloth-covered V, he continued on up her toned abdomen.  The whimper turned into a low moan as his large hands cupped her breasts, then began to gently massage the satiny globes.  Willow arched her back, pushing them harder into his hands so that the cool palms rubbed against her pebble-like nipples.

A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he noted her reaction.  He pulled his hands away, the smile widening as a disappointed groan left her parted lips.  The blonde descended upon her and the resulting groan had nothing to do with disappointment as his mouth closed around one breast, his teeth worrying its nipple gently.  The red head's hands released their death grip on her roommate's sheets and tangled themselves in his bleached locks.

Resisting her attempts to hold him to her heaving breast, Spike pulled back and moved down her body, stopping when his face became even with the leopard print material covering the juncture at her thighs. His thumbs hooked around the thin straps and pulled the sheer fabric down her legs before tossing them over to join her pants on the floor.  The vampire's eyes fell shut as he inhaled the heady aroma that was Willow.  He parted her nether lips with infinite care, then ran his tongue from top to bottom in one long lick.

A guttural cry fell from her lips as he kissed and licked at her pussy.  Sensations bombarded her, pleasure taking over, cutting off what little thought she had possessed.  She moaned, loud and long as his tongue worked its way into her hole and his fingers teased her swollen nubbin.  Every nerve in her body tingled as heat gathered in her womb.  Then he pushed two long fingers into her, and as they moved in and out, her world shrunk to include nothing but the feelings he was creating within her.  Willow began to buck up from the bed, her head wiping from side to side as groans tumbled forth in a constant stream. Spike flicked her clit with his tongue, capturing it gently between his blunt teeth and lights exploded behind her closed eyelids, her voice shouting his name.

Spike worked her through her climax, drawing out her pleasure as he lapped at the sweet juices that spilled from her.  As Willow's body began to relax and her grip on his short hair loosened, he lifted his face from her still dripping cunt and licked her sticky juices from his face, then leaned forward to kiss her pink lips.  Her quiet voice stopped him.  "No.  Off."

The words were said between pants as she struggled to catch her breath.

He froze, his eyes searching her face.  Had his heart still beaten, it would have hammered against his chest.  Swallowing the lump suddenly forming in his throat, he forced himself to speak.  "What?"  The vampire couldn't understand what was happening and he held his unneeded breath.

She repeated herself, louder this time as her panting eased.  "Off."  Her hands pushed at his jean-clad hips and icy despair settled in the pit of his stomach. His ears rang dully as confusion and pain wrapped around his consciousness.  Only his vampiric senses caught her next words as he dimly registered her hands pushing at the jeans covering his hips once more.

"Pants.  Off, now."  It took a second for the words to penetrate his awareness.  His eyes snapped to her face but her eyes were still closed, her lips barely open as she basked in the lingering pleasure.  The cold tension drained from his body as he realized his misinterpretation.

He backed off the bed, her hands falling from his hips as he did so.  As he stood, he chuckled softly at himself.  While his hands deftly undid the button and zipper of his jeans, his gaze traveled over the naked body sprawled across his bed, taking her in for the first time.  "Gorgeous."  His voice was husky, as his desire for the woman before him coursed through his body.

Willow, whose eyes had finally opened, stared at him as he removed his only remaining article of clothing. Her eyes widened as she noticed that he wore nothing beneath the black jeans.  Hearing his almost whispered observation, she was forced to agree as her gaze remained locked on his lust hardened member.  "Uh huh."

Spike's attention was drawn to her face at the words and his lips formed a purely masculine smirk as he followed her gaze.  Taking two steps forward and kneeling at the end of the bed, he watched her inch her way to him, still enraptured by the sight of his nude form.  Her hand hesitantly reached out towards the vampire.  As her fingers touched his cock, it twitched.  Her hand jerked back and the witch's eyes snapped up to meet his.  He smiled reassuringly at her.

Her heart rate doubled as she lightly touched him once again.  Willow was surprised by the softness of the skin and ran her hand along its hard length. Hearing him hiss in response, she wrapped her fingers around his girth, then leaned forward to further examine it.  She impulsively placed a kiss on the head and the vampire let out a low moan.  Realizing what had caused the reaction, the hacker placed another kiss on his now weeping tip, this time opening her mouth and flicking it with her tongue as he had done to her clit not five minutes before.  A loud groan was torn from his throat and his hands gripped her shoulders.

Spike pulled her mouth away from his cock and up to met his lips as he struggled to control his overwhelming lust before his demon was able to assert itself.  Her surprised exclamation at the action was caught in his mouth as he kissed the witch with every ounce of passion he held for her.  Willow was forced to pull away a few moments later, gasping for breath. As she forced oxygen into her starving lungs, she ran her hands over his chest, letting her fingers pause to play with his dark nipples.

Leaning forward slowly, Spike laid her back on the bed.  Staring down into her vibrant green eyes, the vampire felt as if the years had faded away.  He felt as if the betrayal he had felt after his sire had left him, the loneliness he had felt after Drusilla left him, even the hatred and anger he had always held within himself had melted away.  All that was left was the strength and passion of his love for this woman, the calm and warmth of her love for him.

"Sittin' on the beach

the island king of love

deep in fijian seas

deep in some blissful dream

where the goddess finally sleeps

in the lap of her lover

subdued in all her rage

and I am aglow with the taste of the demons driven out

and happily replace with the presence of real love

the only one who saves"

Willow looked up into his face, her breath quickening as she took in the love shinning in the cobalt blue gaze.  Her own eyes fluttered closed when his cool hand brushed a strand of scarlet hair off her face.

They snapped open at the feel of his fingers lightly pinching a pebble-like nipple.  She watched as the deep blue pools of his eyes darkened and the raw need in their depths caused her stomach to tighten and her heart to pound.  Her body seemed to catch fire and every nerve-ending felt ultra sensitive, the nearness of his body becoming almost painfully obvious.

The hand that had been foundling her breast lightly ran down her rib cage to her hip, leaving a trail of tingling heat behind.  The cold hand spread her legs and the fire within her ignited anew as he positioned himself above her.  The vampire brought his lips to hers for an exquisitely tender kiss.  As he slowly pulled back, his eyes caught hers once more.  "This is gonna hurt, pixie.  If you..."  His words were stopped with a single finger pressed to his sensuous lips.

Looking into his eyes, Willow tried to silently communicate her unbearable longing for him.  She knew what he was going to say as soon as his mouth began forming the words and she could not bear to hear them.

Taking a deep breath, she abandoned her attempt at subtlety.  "Please, Spike.  I, I need you.  Please."

His eyes fell shut as a moan slipped free and she felt him slowly entering her.  She winced slightly as his hard cock stretched her walls, biting her lip against the somewhat painful feeling.  Seeing her response, Spike gently stroked her cheek with his free hand as he pushed further into her tight passage.  As he felt the resistance of her maiden head, he crushed his mouth to hers and entered her fully with one final thrust.  Her cry of pain was swallowed in his mouth. Stilling within her, the vampire pulled back and kissed the tears from her face.

The wave of pain slowly faded and Willow was able to get her breathing back under control.  Smiling up at her lover, she experimentally shifted her hips, causing him to groan in pleasure as he moved within her.  Taking her cue, Spike pulled slowly out and then slowly pushed back in, watching her face carefully for the evidence of her discomfort to disappear.  As an expression of enjoyment covered her features, he sped up his movements.  Soon, she began to move with him, meeting him thrust for thrust as increasingly loud gasps and moans tore from her throat.

Willow gave her body up to the rhythm of their passion as the flames of her desire licked at her senses and drove all thought from her mind.  Lights and colors exploded behind her closed eyelids as wondrous sensations rocked through her Spike watched as his lover's head tossed back and forth on the sheets beneath him, her scarlet hair fanning out in a halo of golden highlights around her flushed face.  Her cries grew louder, more desperate, as her climax approached.  As she drew closer to the precipice, he allowed his own desire to overtake him. He groaned as he concentrated on the velvety warmth that clenched and unclenched around his cock, moaned as he watched the body writhe with passion beneath him.

Listening to the sounds coming from the blonde above her, Willow felt all sense of reality fall away, leaving only the feeling of him moving in her, the sight of him riding the waves of his bliss, the sound of him as they took of each other, expressing their love without words.  All of a sudden, the world stilled around her, her body tensing as incomprehensible pleasure slammed into her.

With unparalleled enjoyment, he watched his witch cum beneath him and he pumped into her rapidly, letting his own climax envelop him.  As his member surged, spilling his cold seed into her hot depths, his face shifted and he descended upon her bared throat, elongated fangs piercing the tender flesh and allowing her sweet blood to flow into his mouth.

As the burning hot ambrosia slid down his throat, the blonde became aware of the small hands grasping his hair tightly and realized exactly what he was doing. Immediately, he ceased drinking and retracted his canines, pulling away from her as fast as he could. His retreat was hindered by her grip on his hair and he forced himself to meet her gaze, preparing himself for the horror he was sure shone within her green pools. When he looked into her face, however, his fervent apology died unuttered at the sight before him.

Knowing exactly what her vampire was thinking, Willow held his head inches from her face and smiled softly at her lover.  Reading the obvious confusion in his eyes, the witch slowly shook her head.  "Don't even say it Spike.  I knew what you were before any of this happened and I knew what I should expect.  You're a vampire, vampires bite, they drink blood.  And not just for nourishment.  I know and accept that."  At the continued look of bewilderment on his face the hacker's grin widened.  "They didn't call me research girl for nothing ya know.  I mean honestly, Spike, you don't think I'd let all those books just sit there lonely and useless did you?"

A large smile formed across his face.  "You amaze me, luv, you really do."  The expression wilted slightly as his gaze fell to the wound on her throat.  "So, you're sure it's ok?  That I bit you I mean.  I didn't mean to, I didn't.  It's just that, I well, I couldn't help myself...I..."  For the second time, his words were halted by a single slender finger.

"It's ok, Spike, I understand, mostly anyway, it's not like the people writing those books could know everything about vampires.  But what I don't understand you can explain to me.  Anyway, what I'm saying is, you're a vampire, it's what you are and I don't want you to try to be anything else.  I love you, Spike, all of you.  Got it?"

Chuckling softly, the blonde placed a soft kiss to her lips.  "Got it luv."  With the matter resolved, the serious air deflated and he collapsed on top of her sweat-slickened form, losing himself in the satisfied smile still twisting her swollen lips.  As he watched her breathing return to normal and felt her relax, the vampire silently marveled at the perfection of his existence.  Reality reasserted itself as her hand, trembling ever so slightly, rose to cup his cheek.

Answering her contented smile with one of his own, Spike rolled onto his side, pulling her spent body against him as he covered them both with the satin sheets.  Willow rested her head on his shoulder while his fingers absently traced patterns on her hip.  "I love you, Willow.  So bloody much."  Tightening his hold on her, he couldn't control the surge of warmth that washed over him as she repeated her own declaration of love.  Sighing needlessly, Spike let his eyes fall shut, allowing her steady breathing to lull him to sleep.  Willow followed her lover into the waiting arms of slumber as night gave way to day.

Part 28: Friend or Foe

The sound of footsteps echoed in the quiet darkness as Faith and Willow strolled leisurely down the cemetery's main entrance, the sound cutting off as they left the paved drive and headed off amongst the graves, the surprisingly lush grass absorbing the noise of their passage.  These nightly patrols had become a kind of tradition for the two, a chance for them to leave their vampires at home, be it the mansion or apartment, and enjoy some quality girl time while Angelus and Spike did, well, whatever.  It was certainly a far cry from watching romantic movies and painting each other's nails, but for them it was a much better substitute.  After all, any vampire stupid enough to attack a slayer and witch that also happened to be the chosen mates of two of the most feared vampires in history deserved to be staked.

The red-haired witch toyed absently with the wooden stake in her hand, her thoughts wandering as she traversed the grave-strewn lawn with her friend.  It had been a week since she and Spike had gone to Giles' to give him the rest of the prophecy, and every day since had been like a dream to her.  Well, it was actually more along the lines of every night, since she still had to go to school during the day and that meant having to see her former best friends.  She hadn't spoken to either in the last six days, hadn't even gotten closer to them than was necessary when the three were in the same class.  But she still saw them, and quite frankly, that was enough for her.

Faith paused suddenly, holding up a hand in silent instruction for her friend to do the same as she scanned the area off to their left.  A few moments later the redhead heard the bushes in that direction begin to rustle, a long groan tearing itself from her throat as the source of the noise became visible.  The two people exiting the path the bushes obscured stopped in their tracks as they noticed the young women and Faith rolled her eyes, wondering if they could just ignore the new arrivals.  Her question was answered as the two approached them, matching looks of disgust twisting their expressions rather unattractively.

"Well well, if it isn't our very own psychotic slut and traitorous whore."  The small bottle blonde's voice rang shrilly across the empty graveyard.

Xander turned to his girlfriend, cocking his head to the side, his face more confused than normal.  "Which one's which?"

What passed, for her, as a thoughtful expression, crossed Buffy's face.  "Huh, good question, I'm not sure."  The brunette shrugged, his attention moving back to the faces of Faith and Willow, both of which looked more annoyed than offended.

"What the hell do you want?"  The redhead crossed her arms over her chest, wishing they had chosen a different cemetery to patrol that night.

Buffy and Xander simply ignored her, the brunette turning to face the blonde once more.  "It is hard to tell, isn't it?  They're both so alike."

The shorter slayer nodded.  "Yeah, I mean, first she," the young woman tilted her head of splotchy white/blonde hair at Willow.  "...Started dressing like a slut."  Hazel eyes narrowed momentarily at the other slayer as she said it.  "And now she's fucking corpses."  She placed her hands on her hips, obviously under the impression she looked as superior as she thought she was, and fixed her former best friend with a derisive sneer.  "You doing Angel too?  Since you're taking after Faith so much lately, you must like sloppy seconds now too."

The brunette slayer jumped in before Willow could say anything.  "What's the matter B?  You jealous of Red and Spike 'cause they-"

Xander cut her off.  "What?  Are in love?  Please." He rolled his eyes, making a rude noise in the back of his throat as he did so.  "We all know he's just using her."

Now it was Buffy's turn to make a distinctly unattractive noise, her tone condescending and contemptuous at the same time.  "Yeah, 'cause while Willow may be stupid enough to believe that gross crap they spewed at each other last week, Spike must at least have some taste in women after so long."

The dark-haired teen frowned.  "I don't know Buff, he was with nutso-vamp-chick for like, ever, so maybe he does actually like her."

His girlfriend shrugged with as much grace as a three-hundred-pound tightrope walker.  "Either way it won't last long.  He'll get tired of her soon enough. 'Course when that time comes Faith can always take him off her hands, she'd good at that."

Faith lifted a single eyebrow at the other slayer.  "I didn't have to take Angel, he came begging."

Buffy snarled, doing a remarkably accurate impression of a rabid alley cat, looking as if she were going to lunge at the tall, smirking brunette.  She never got the chance, however, as both slayers' senses went wild, a dozen vampires pouring out of the surrounding shadows a second later.  Three immediately descend upon the blonde, one of them becoming dust a few moments later only to be replaced by another, leaving Buffy struggling against a trio of fangs once more.

Faith, not waiting for her advesary to come to her, dove into the fray, landing kicks and punches in rapid succession, reducing the opposing force by two even as two more came at her.  As she met their advance, the brunette glanced over her shoulder, a feral grin curling her lips when she caught sight of her friend.

Willow started at the unexpected wave of demons but shook off her surprise, instead tightening her grip on her forgotten stake and assuming a fighting stance as Faith and Spike had taught her.  The first vampire that pounced on her gave a shocked gasp as its punch was easily avoided and returned with cruel efficiancy.  The creature's eyes widened a moment later as he realized his error, but had no time to even regret it as a burst of fiery energy from the witch's outstretched hand engulfed him.  The vamp that had been approaching her from behind stopped short at the sight.  Willow simply smiled as she turned to face it, falling quickly back into her fighting stance, kicking out at the stunned creature with her right foot.

Xander was unable to react with the speed or skill the others possessed, though one vampire, an unexperienced fledgling, did manage to land on the teen's upraised stake when it charged at the brunette.  The next one did not make that mistake.  It unarmed the young man easily, then threw him up against the wall of a nearby mausolem.

As she darted out of her opponent's reach, the redhead caught the movement, cursing as unexpected fear rushed through her at the sight of her former friend being pinned to the wall by the large demon.  Reacting quickly, she kicked her attacker again, lunging forward while it was off balance and plunging her stake into its chest as she called out to Faith.  The brunette looked over at her questioningly while still exchanging blows with two vampires.  The slayer was closer to Xander than Willow was, and since Buffy had only staked one more of the three she'd been facing, the only one capable of saving the young man.  Heaving a sigh, Faith finished one of her two, kicking the other away from her before running off toward the soon-to-be happy-meal-on-legs.

The witch took over for the rogue slayer, shooting a ball of flame at the discarded monster as Faith reached her destination and shoved her stake into the demon's back just as it bit into the young man's neck.

 Willow was at their side a moment later, bending down to examine him, trying to control the unwanted emotions running through her.  Before she had a chance she was shoved out of the way as Buffy, having finally defeated her two attackers, made her way to her boyfriend.  Faith lounged against the wall, returning the glare her fellow slayer threw in her direction. "Gee, I'm almost impressed, so many vampires and the two of you managed to keep your clothes on and your legs closed."  The redhead took hold of her friend's arm before she could do anything and the blonde laughed, then bent down and helped the dazed brunette to his feet and lead him off.  Willow just stared after them, not even reacting to the comment, too busy trying to figure out why she'd reacted the way she had when she'd seen Xander in danger.

She was no closer to an answer when they left the cemetery a few minutes later, having silently agreed that it was time to head home.  The walk to the apartment was not a very long one, but the witch still felt drained and exhausted before they had made it even half way there; a fact that did not go unnoticed by the brunette.  As they approached the apartment complex Spike and Willow were living in Faith stopped, turning to face her friend.  "You were scared for him, weren't you?"  The redhead nodded silently.  "You shouldn't be, you know."

"I know.  I just can't help it.  We may not have gotten along, or even liked each other lately, but he was my friend for so long.  I just can't not be worried about him; though until tonight I hadn't realized how much I could be worried about him.  I guess some part of me still wants to think of him as my friend, you know?"

Faith shrugged, a slightly sarcastic edge to her tone as she spoke.  "Not really, but then I can't say I know all that much of anything when it comes to friends.  Never exactly had 'em."

She nudged the slayer's shoulder with her fist, green eyes sparkling and a slight grin curving her lips. "Well you've got some now, whether you like it or not."

"Yeah, I guess I do."  Faith smiled at that, and the Wiccan couldn't help but think that the other young woman was quite beautiful when she smiled. Impulsively, she reached out, pulling the brunette into a hug; a hug which her friend readily returned, despite the fact that hugging wasn't exactly something she normally did very often- or at all, actually.  But she did it now, and it was having an effect on her that she hadn't expected.

She felt her heart start to beat just a little faster, and she was hyper-aware of the slender arms wrapped around her and the soft curves pressed up against her.  It wasn't exactly unpleasant- on the contrary, it was quite enjoyable- it was just strange, and the dark-haired slayer was never overly found of things she didn't understand or couldn't control.  And she most certainly didn't understand these feelings, nor could she control them.  So she didn't try to do either, instead she did something she had only been able to do with Angelus; she let go and simply enjoyed holding her friend in her arms.

Similar sensations enveloped the petite redhead as the slayer's arms encircled her and her friend's body pressed up against hers.  A strange tingle ran over her skin where it touched her friend, and where cloth separated their bare skin an odd warmth grew, eventually spreading over her in waves of heat that had her senses buzzing and her head spinning.  The witch could tell that she was starting to shake slightly, tremors making their way through her, leaving goose bumps in their wake and causing a thousand butterflies to take flight in her stomach.

When they finally pulled apart a few moments later, both were breathing a bit heavily, as if they had just finished the battle in the cemetery a second earlier instead of ten minutes.  Willow felt her face grow hot as the blood rushed to her checks and she began to blush.  They exchanged awkward smiles and Faith gave a slightly tense laugh, her voice somewhat strained despite her attempts to keep it light and casual. "Well, I always say there's nothing like a good fight to get the juices flowin'."

Willow just nodded, not sure what to do or say, the feel of the slayer's strong body lingered on hers.

"I should probably head back out, do another sweep before heading back to the mansion, that place can be pretty freaky when there's no one else there, ya know; wouldn't want to get back too early."

The witch nodded again, knowing that the dark-haired vampire had left town the night before and wouldn't be back for another hour or so.  They'd actually thought about skipping their patrol that night, not wanting to leave Spike high and dry without his sire to hang with, but the blonde had shrugged it off, saying he wouldn't mind a night alone.  Now she was glad they had gone, thinking of what might have happened had she and Faith not been there to help her former friends when that group of vamps attacked.  A shiver traveled down her spine and she cleared her throat, shoving aside an image of her childhood friend pinned to a wall, fangs clamping down on his throat.  "Well, say hi to Angelus for me when you see him.  If either of you actually says anything before you jump each other, that is."

A deep chuckle answered her and the grins they shot one another this time had lost their underlying tension.  When they stopped laughing, Faith took a step back as she prepared to go, calling out as she did so, her voice tinged with good-natured sarcasm. "Yeah well, you can just slap blondie upside the head for me when you see him."  Willow smiled, shaking her head as she said goodnight and headed into the apartment building.  Faith's dark eyes followed her until she had reached the main door and went inside, and from the small window next to that door emerald orbs watched the slayer disappear down the street.

A minute later those green eyes fell closed as she entered the apartment and leaned heavily against the door, images dancing behind her lids.  She saw Buffy and Xander glaring at her as they insulted her, Xander as that vampire's fangs descended upon him, Faith as she smiled brightly at her, Faith as she pulled back from their hug with her dark eyes glittering in the moonlight.  She was torn from her thoughts, the images dissolving as she opened her eyes to greet her lover as he approached her on silent feet, a questioning look on his handsome face.

"You all right, luv?  You look a little flushed."

"Uh huh."  She nodded her head absently, her mind still trying to dissect the feelings that had come over her when she'd hugged her friend.  As she did so she remembered the short conversation they'd had afterwards.  "Oh, almost forgot."  Her hand darted out, slapping the vampire in the back of the head, a small smile forming on her pink lips as he rubbed at his head.

"Hey!  What was that for?"  He mock-glared at her, his lower lip sticking out in a pout as he feigned injury.

She grinned a little wider.  "From Faith."

Spike made a 'humph' and shook his head.  "Figures. That chit's got quite the violent tendencies."

The redhead arched an eyebrow, smirking at her lover, her voice laughingly sarcastic.  "_She_ has violent tendencies?"

He shrugged, flashing his own knee-weakening smirk. "Yeah, well she does too.  I just have a few more."

Willow rolled her eyes and went into the kitchen to grab a soda, her smile turning to a frown as her thoughts drifted back to the fight in the cemetery.  A cool hand on her shoulder brought her back to the present and she gave the blonde an apologetic look. "Sorry about that, guess I was spacing again."

"You sure you're ok?"

She sighed, shaking her head.  "No, not really."  He frowned and led her into the living room, taking the soda from her hands and placing it on the coffee table as he sat, drawing her down with him.

"What's wrong luv?"  She shrugged, settling herself in his lap and he wrapped his arms around her.  "Wanna tell me about it?"  The redhead snuggled deeper into his embrace, laying her head on his shoulder as she related the events of the night, though she omitted the hug that had effected her so strangely, not knowing the similar effect it had had on Faith.  When she had finished explaining the attack and her reaction to Xander's apparently imminent death she frowned again, her fingers playing absently with the frayed hem of the blonde's shirt.

"Do you think I'm being stupid, worrying about him like this?"

"You could never be stupid, pet."  Cobalt orbs stared at the opposite wall, not quite knowing exactly how to handle this particular situation, although he had expected something like this for a while.  He knew that Willow was just too nice of a person and too good of a friend to not go through this at one point or another.

The witch lifted her head, looking up into his face. "Spike, seriously.do you think I'm being silly about this?  I mean, they've both been complete asses and here I am getting scared 'cause one of them was in danger.  With the way they've treated me I shouldn't care, but the thought of what could have happened scares me and."  She trailed off, her confusion showing as she tried to sort through everything she was feeling.

Spike sighed, a long, heavy, unnecessary release of breath as he held her just a little tighter.  "There is no should or shouldn't when it comes to emotions, there's how you feel and how you don't.  The heart does what it wants, regardless of what the brain tells it to do."  She tried to interrupt but he gently pressed a long, pale finger to her soft lips, silencing her.  "Don't try and think about it, luv, don't try and figure it out.  It doesn't work that way."  She opened her mouth to speak, but he stared down at her from two pools of rich, brilliant sapphire and shook his head.  "How do you feel Will?  Not just about how you reacted tonight, about the whole damn thing."

"I- I'm not sure."  She looked down at her hands, which were still playing with his shirt, biting her lip, worrying it between her teeth, remaining silent for a few moments before she took a deep breath.  When she spoke, her voice was soft, but steady and sure. "I was so scared when I saw them; the vamp had him up against the mausoleum, he was gonna kill him, and he would have if Faith hadn't stopped him.  In that instant, when I saw the vamp bending down to bite.I thought he was going to die, and I flashed on it- never seeing him ever again."  She shook her head, riding herself of the image of the creature going in for the kill.  "I could handle not being friends with him, I could deal with him hating me 'cause right now I don't like him either, but."  She trailed off and his voice broke the silence, deep and soft as he hugged her to him just a little tighter.

"But you don't want to."

She shrugged, now picking absently at the dark silver polish on her nails.  "I don't know if I do or not. I've known him my whole life, been friends with him since we were four years old.  After all we've been through together, I can't just forget, but I don't think I can forgive either.  Even before that night when I ran into you in my parent's bushes there had been problems with our friendship.  It'd been going on for a long time, actually, I just never wanted to admit it, I guess.  Both him and Buffy, and sometimes even Giles, ignored me, used me, took advantage of our friendship.  They made me feel insignificant, like I didn't matter to them, like maybe I never had.  But, even after the way they treated me and the way they've been lately,  I still."

Once more, his words took over where she'd left off, somehow knowing exactly what it was she was trying to say without her having actually said it.  "You miss them."

"I, I'm not sure if I really miss them or, I think what I miss is what we used to have.  I miss the friendship we shared.  I don't like them, Spike, I haven't for a while, and lately I've found myself hating them at times, but, I guess some part of me still loves them; for who they were before, and the friendship we shared.  Does that make any sense?"

A small smirk curled his delicious lips.  "I think I know what you mean.  You just need to make one last effort to be friends with them, if only for the sake of the friends they used to be."

A light sparked in her emerald orbs and she smiled up at him.  "Yeah, that's exactly what I meant, though I didn't quite know that until you said it.  How is it that you know me better than I do?"

His smirk grew and he raised an eyebrow, his expression arrogant and cocky.  "Well, what can I say?  I'm just that damn good."

She cocked her head slightly to the side, her nose scrunched up as she thought.  "Isn't that Triple H's line?"

He laughed, the sound rich and deep, sending a tingle down her spine.  "All right, that's it, no more wrestling for you; can't have you doubting my greatness like that."

She chuckled softly, but her smile began to fade, her expression turning serious once more as her thoughts turned back to their previous topic.  "Do you, do you think I could, I don't know.I do want to try, just one more time, see if maybe there's some part of my friends still in there somewhere, but I don't know what to do.  They won't talk to me, I know that.  If I call they'll just hang up and quite frankly, I just don't think I want to talk to them, if they're going to be asses like they have been, I don't want to deal with it.  It'll just depress me or piss me off, neither of which I particularly want to deal with."

"Well, maybe you could write 'em."

She looked at him questioningly, scrunching her nose back up in that bewildered expression he thought was so adorable on her.  "Write them?  You mean like a letter?"

"Yeah, pet, like a letter."  Though his tone had been quiet, Spike cheered silently at her words.  He knew she wanted to give it another shot and he would support her in it 'cause that was what she needed and he'd do anything for her, but he still didn't want her anywhere near any of those little shits.

His negative thoughts melted away a moment later as a smile blossomed on her face, bringing a new brilliance to her emerald pools.  "That's perfect, Spike."  She began to stand, but he tightened his arms around her a tiny bit and she look at him once more.

"You know this might not work, right luv?  They may not even read it, let alone respond at all."  He hated to say it, knowing she wouldn't like to hear it, but he didn't want to see her get her hopes up and be crushed when they continued to be the little pricks they were.

She smiled sweetly, though her eyes were serious.  "I know, but I can still try, right?"  The last word quivered slightly and he pulled her into him, placing a tender kiss on her pink lips.

"Of course you can still try.  I just don't want you to be hurt if it doesn't work is all."  She leaned forward, giving him another kiss, their lips lingering.

"I know it probably won't do anything, but I have to make this one last effort, if only so I can tell myself I did.  It'll be ok, Spike."

"I know it will, pixie.  You're with me after all." She shook her head, their laughter mixing in the quiet night.  And a few minutes later, Willow made her way to her computer to make that last attempt, though it took some of her best work to word it as politely as possible.  Couldn't just scribble 'hey meanies, wanna be friends again, for old times' sake?' after all, nor did she think her lover's suggestions would have produced the right reaction from her former friends. Besides, she didn't even think she could spell some of the words he'd suggested; though she did learn that he knew a few interesting words in Chinese.

~~~*~~~

The keys jangled as they were pulled from the lock and dropped on the small table just inside the doorway of the Summers residence.  It was a warm Friday evening, another six having passed since they'd ran into Willow and Faith in the cemetery, and the two teens had just returned from a trip to the local movie theater.  Not that either one of them had been paying much attention to the screen.  As the blonde headed to the kitchen to get a snack for herself and her boyfriend, Xander closed the door and went to follow her when he noticed an envelope on the top of the stack of mail next to where the slayer had set the keys.  Picking it up and looking at it strangely, he headed into the next room to find Buffy placing a container of dip next to the bag of potato chips sitting on the counter.

"Hey Buff, this was in the mail, it's addressed to both of us."  Handing her the envelope, he took a seat and opened the bag of chips.

"Hmm, I wonder who it's from."

Before the blonde could say anymore, the brunette looked up at her with an unreadable expression on his face.  "Buff, that's uh,"  clearing his throat, he gestured towards the spot on the envelope that bared their names.  "that's Willow's handwriting."

The slayer's expression grew cold, her jaw tightening as she looked down at the white envelope.  "Well, then, we might as well just toss it.  I don't really care to know what it says."  Xander stopped her as she went to throw it into the nearby trash can.

"Maybe we should read it and at least see what it says."  Her eyes voiced her disagreement and he gave her a somewhat pleading look in return.  "Come on, she was our best friend once; despite how she's been acting."

Her tone was sharp and her expression remained hard as she handed him the letter and took a seat next to him at the counter.  "Fine."  He opened the envelope, taking out and unfolding a single sheet of paper.  The letter itself was typed, but the signature at the end was written with the hacker's small flowing script. Clearing his throat a second time, he read it out loud.

Dear Buffy and Xander,

I know you guys probably won't even read this.  In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if you tossed it as soon as you noticed who it was from.  Regardless, I had to try.  What happened in the cemetery, seeing that vamp pin my childhood friend to that wall, it scared me, so much more than I thought possible.  It also made me realize that whatever has happened lately, you guys still mean a lot to me, and there are some things that I need to say to you, whether you'll actually hear them or not.

A lot has happened in the last couple of weeks and I know you guys have had a hard time dealing with it. And that's understandable; but it doesn't excuse the way you've treated me.  I am sorry for the way I acted when I came back to school, I had those two weeks to come to terms with what I was feeling, and you didn't. I shouldn't have expected you to automatically accept all the changes I had been through.  I guess I hoped you'd let me explain what was going on and try to see things from my point of view.  I know you can't really understand.  I just hope you'll be willing to listen and let me try and explain it to you.  Either way, I won't let you make my decisions for me.  I know what I'm doing and while you may not agree, it is my life and you need to accept that.

I don't really know how else to explain it to you but, I've grown up.  I'm not the same shy computer nerd you first met, Buffy.  And Xander, I'm not the innocent little girl with pigtails you knew.  I haven't been either of those people for a while.  It just took me some time to figure that out, and develop the courage to let myself change.  Spike's actually the one that really convinced me to forget who others wanted me to be and just be who I am.  Spike, Faith and Angelus were there for me in a way you couldn't have been.

I needed someone who didn't know who I used to be, who didn't expect anything from me.  They supported me and encouraged me when I need it most.  They gave me the confidence I needed, to be myself.  They didn't judge me or try to make me anything I wasn't.  I know you think they're just evil monsters, but I've gotten to know them and they've become my friends.  There's more to them than the demon.  Angelus is witty and charming.  Faith is like a little girl sometimes, fun loving, energetic and outgoing.  Amy and Anya helped me perform a spell to restore Drusilla's sanity. She's actually very smart. We sat and talked about history for hours the other day, it was a lot of fun.

Spike's fantastic.  He's the best friend I could ask for.  He knows me better than I do sometimes.  He's so sweet, and smart, and tells the funniest jokes.  I really do love him.  And he loves me.  I'm not asking you to like them, or even get to know them.  I am, however, asking you to accept their roles in my life. They're my friends, whether you approve or not.

I do miss our friendship though.  I'd like to try and salvage what we can of it.  I miss you both.  I'd still like to help with the world save-age.  I miss our all night research sessions and the fun we used to have.  I know things have changed, but I still care for you both.  Please understand.

Love, Willow

Closing the letter and setting it aside, the two teens looked over at each other, neither quite sure what to say.  Xander absently munched on a chip as he thought over what he had read, the witch's words still echoing in his mind.  "Grown up, my ass!  I don't know who wrote that letter, but it sure wasn't my Willow."  He wadded the paper in disgust, and threw it down in front of him.  "Those damn vampires have done something to her, I know it.  There's no way Willow would behave the way she has, or say the things that are in that letter.  They've brainwashed her, or put her under a spell or something."

The blonde interrupted his rant, rolling her eyes and sneering down at the crumpled document baring the familiar signature.  "Oh, please.  She's betrayed us, Xander.  You've got to face it.  She's abandoned us and everything we stand for to be with those...things."

"No!"  The teen shook his head in denial but his words did not hold the confidence they once had.  "I won't believe that.  She had Faith save me at the cemetery, Buffy, that's proof that our Willow's still in there somewhere.  She just needs our help to bring her back. We have to save her."

"We don't have to do anything.  She got herself into this mess and she can get herself out of it. And what happened at the cemetery doesn't prove a thing.  The only reason she told Faith to do that, and the only reason Faith actually did it is because they know I'd kill both of them if they'd let anything happen to you.  Besides, we've tried to help her, she won't let us."

"We just have to try harder."

"I'm not going to try at all.  I'm tired of protecting her.  I've saved her ass a hundred times since I moved here and have gotten nothing in return.  So I'm not gonna do it any more.  She keeps saying she can take care of herself; I think we should let her."  She looked over at her boyfriend and shook her head.  "I'm sorry, but if you want to go risk your life for that ungrateful bitch, you're gonna have to do it by yourself."

Xander slumped down into his chair, giving in. Sighing loudly, he nodded his head in agreement with the slayer's statements.  "I know you're right.  I just want so badly to believe that my friend's still out there somewhere, that she hasn't turned her back on us."

"I want to believe that too, Xan, but she has turned her back on us.  She's turned herself into a vampire's whore, she's become friends," the blonde's lips twisted in revulsion as she said the word, "with demons.  She's allied herself with everything we've fought so hard to destroy.  She's not the girl we knew, Xander, you've got to accept that."

"I know, I know.  I just can't imagine how she could do it.  How could she abandon us?  She knows she's the only one who can use the computer well enough to be of use.  I mean, how does she expect us to get all the information and everything?  Maybe we should think about letting her help some, she said in the letter that she wanted to help."

"Of course she wants to help, Xander.  That way she can figure out exactly what we're doing and then run right back to those creatures she's paling around with and tell them everything; so they can come after us. Her loyalties are to them now, you have to remember that."

The hacker's glowing review of the vampire's and of the rebel slayer repeated in his mind and the brunette shuddered.  "Of course you're right.  What was I thinking?"

"You're still thinking of her as a friend.  But she's isn't anymore, she's our enemy now."

He closed his eyes, nodding slightly as he silently grieved for the loss of his childhood friend.  Buffy sighed, not understanding why he hadn't been able to forget about the redhead as easily as she had.  "So, you lost Willow, you've still got me, right?"

Pushing aside his lingering sadness, he let out his own sigh and resolved to pu the past behind him for good, letting a small smile tug at his lips as he stood to embrace his girlfriend.  "You're right, I do still have you.  And that's all I really need."

~~~*~~~

The Watcher rubbed the cloth over the surface of his glasses, cleaning the spotless lenses for the fifth time that hour.  Placing the spectacles back onto his face, he stared down at the open book.  He had been trying to decipher the second part of the prophecy for two weeks with very little success. The notes the redhead had left in the book were the only logical insight into the lengthy riddle that he had gained since first hearing the remainder of the prophecy. Unfortunately the notes Willow had supplied on the second, longer portion of the prophecy were merely preliminary thoughts.

The watcher was not used to being unable to translate prophetic works, and his failure coupled with the young hacker's success was causing him to become thoroughly frustrated.  The complete lack of aid he had been receiving from his remaining charges was not helping the matter, as a matter of fact, Buffy and Xander had done nothing except get on his nerves as of late.  More and more over the past few weeks, he found himself wishing the redhead was still a part of the group; at least she had always been willing to help him with research, whether she was able to accomplish anything or not.  He had to admit, though, she had usually seemed to provide the something extra that had so often resulted in success.

Pinching the bridge of his nose above the glasses, he took a healthy gulp of tea and again directed his focus to the long, confusing passage.  Rereading the entire prophecy, Giles once more attempted to determine the meaning of its words.  Despite his efforts, however, the Englishman found himself just as clueless two hours later as he had been when he'd started.  Sighing dejectedly, he slammed the large tome shut.  As he stood to refill his empty tea cup, he noticed a piece of paper lying on the ground, having fallen from its place within the book's many pages when he had closed it.

Picking up the sheet, he noted its yellowed color and tattered edges as he unfolded it to examine the writing that covered its worn surface.  The fancy scrawl was scattered illogically, written at all different angles.  No where was there a complete sentence, only phrases and half finished thoughts.

Opening the book once more, he leafed through it, finding two more loose sheets of weathered paper.  One was almost identical to the one he had already found. The other was a large sketch of Angelus, Spike, and Drusilla, labeled in the same formal script, reading: 'daddy, big brother, and me, 1897'.      The watcher's eyes darted back and forth between the papers and the book.  "Oh my."  The words were a shocked whisper as his mind struggled to comprehend the situation.

*If these are Drusilla's, then the book must belong to her.  But if the book is hers, how did Willow get a hold of it?  The girl surely would not have stolen it, so the only other explanation is that Drusilla must have given it to Willow.  But why would she do that, knowing Willow would give it to me?  Why would she help Willow with the prophecy, let alone a watcher? Does she know that she is mentioned in it?  If so, how does she feel about it?  Will she help the other three girls to perform the spell to stop the mayor?*  The thoughts tumbled over themselves, forming question after question he had no way of answering.

The only question he was fairly certain he knew the answer to was whether or not he could trust the vampiress.  He remembered the night she had attacked them at the library and killed Kendra.  Giles shuddered perceptively as he recalled how she had used her powers to trick him into divulging the key to Acathla's release.  Then another memory surfaced; the night he, Buffy, and Xander had attempted to take Willow from Spike's apartment only to find that the witch had given the female vampire back her sanity. Could it be possible that she was capable of goodness now?  He shook his head in denial, even as his gaze turned to the tome containing the only clue to protecting the small town and its inhabitants.

His training as a watcher insisted that her vampiric status automatically defined her as nothing more than an evil creature that should be killed without hesitation.  His experience in Sunnydale, however, told him otherwise.  Nothing atop the Hellmouth had quite coincided with his training before, and he was hesitant to take anything at face value.  The formerly insane raven-haired vampiress included. Unfortunately, Drusilla was not the only vampire he was forced to reconsider.  While Angelus' first appearance had practically mirrored many accounts found in the Watcher's diaries, the encore presentation had been quite different thus far.

When Spike had first come to the small town, he had seemed just like many of the other powerful vampires of which the librarian had known.  The bleach blonde's second visit had divulged the demon's more human emotions, and his present stay had supplied the watcher with more questions than answers.  Especially regarding the vampire's feelings for Willow.

After his slayer had informed him of the hacker's living arrangements, Giles had found himself surprised by more than the girl's actions.  By that time, Willow had been staying with the vampire for two weeks and not only had she remained physically unharmed, but the blonde had not done a single thing to threaten or even interfere with the group.  The young witch had, of course changed, but Giles knew Xander's belief that she had been possessed or controlled in some was not accurate.  As for Spike's feelings for the redhead, the watcher did not know.  The demon seemed sincere enough, but he was still a demon.

The librarian thought back to the evening that the three witches had returned Drusilla's sanity.  Spike had acted very concerned for Willow when she had fainted and then halted Faith's attack on the other slayer.  That same concern had been present when the two roommates had given him the prophecy.  As the Englishman recalled the occurrences that day, he pictured the hacker and vampire confessing their love for one another.  He was certain Willow's feelings were genuine; but Spike's still remained questionable despite the evidence to the contrary.

The loud chiming of his clock brought the watcher back to the indecipherable riddle housed within the thick book.  He successfully concentrated on the prophecy for another hour before he was overcome with confusion once again and stomped off into the kitchen to fix more tea.  As he did so, he muttered irritably under his breath.  "Willow seems to understand this blasted thing quite better than I.  Perhaps I should just leave her to translate it."  His pride, however, would never allow him to actually do such a thing.  To admit defeat was not an option, and he searched his mind for another solution.  "Maybe, between the two of us, we can come up with something.  Any progress would bloody well be better than I've managed."

Turning off the now whistling tea kettle, he poured the steaming water into the pot and dropped in a tea bag.  When this was done, he made his way over to the telephone.  Using the number Willow had written on her notes regarding the prophecy, he called the apartment she shared with the bleach blonde vampire.  It was answered on the fourth ring.

"If that's you Angelus, you still can't borrow my Blockbuster card until you pay for your last bloody rental."

"Uh, S-Spike?  This is Giles."  While he had known the vampire lived there, he had not expected him to answer the phone and was somewhat taken aback.

"Watcher?  What the 'ell do you want?"

"I, uh... is Willow there?"

"No mate, I've got 'er chained up at the mansion," he stated dryly.  "Of course she's here, she lives here doesn't she?"

He knew Spike was just kidding, but the calm way with which the vampire had made the comment set the watcher on edge.  "Yes, well, uh... may I speak with her? It's regarding the prophecy."

"Sure.  But if you upset her again, I'll rip your fuckin' throat out.  Got it mate?"

Even over the phone, the blonde was thoroughly intimidating and the older Englishman was forced to swallow the lump in his throat before continuing. "Y-yes, yes of course."

"Good."  There was a muffled conversation on the other end before the redhead came on the line.

"G-Giles?"  Her voice was somewhat hesitant as she greeted her former mentor.

"Willow, uh, hello.  I was wondering, well... I've been trying to interpret the second part of the prophecy that you gave me and... I must confess I'm at a loss.  I was wondering if perhaps you would be willing to come over and give me a hand."

"Of course I'll help.  When would you like me to come over?"

"Well, I'll be meeting Buffy and Xander at the library tomorrow afternoon, and they usually stop by before patrol between seven and eight, so why don't you come by around eight-thirty?  That way you won't chance a run-in with either of them."

"That sounds great.  And Giles, thank you."  He could practically hear the smile in her voice as they said good-bye and hung up, leaving the watcher quite glad that he had called.

~Part: 29a~ Unanticipated Reunions

It was 8:35 and Giles wondered if perhaps the redhead had decided not to come over after all.  Granted, the girl was only five minutes late, but he couldn't help but wonder if he had done the right thing by asking her to assist him in deciphering the prophecy.  His thoughts were cut short, however, as someone knocked hesitantly on his front door.  Walking to the front of the apartment, the watcher opened the door, only to take a instinctive step backward at the sight that greeted him.  Surprise ran through him, quickly followed by uncertainty and fear.

"Uh, hi Giles."  Willow shifted from foot to foot uneasily, waiting for the man to demand she leave. When the expected reaction did not occur, she looked up at him shyly.

Clearing his throat, the Englishman glanced back and forth between Willow and the vampire that stood calmly next to her.  "Hello.  I wasn't aware you were bringing...someone...with you."  The words were stated carefully; devoid of any particular inflection.

"To be honest, I wasn't either.  When I told Spike I was gonna come over, he insisted that someone come with me.  He doesn't like me to go out alone, especially after dark.  Anyway, I didn't think it would be a good idea for him to come.  My only other options were Angelus and Faith, who would also not make for the most comfortable or productive evening, for obvious reasons."

Before she was able to offer further explanations, the librarian interrupted.  "So you thought you'd bring _her_ instead?"

The witch let out a long sigh before answering. "Look, I know you'd rather not be in the same room with any of my friends, but Spike wouldn't let me out of the apartment without an escort and Dru seemed like the best option.  I'm sure you're aware by now that it was her book that we found the second part of the prophecy in, and you must realize that if it hadn't been for her we wouldn't even know that there was more to the prophecy.  Besides, I think Dru might even be able to help with the translation.  Plus, she is mentioned in the prophecy and I think she has a right to help if she so chooses."

Giles nodded slightly at the girl's statement but still eyed the raven-haired vampire with blatant suspicion.  Drusilla smiled slightly at his discomfort.  "Don't worry watcher, I've already eaten and everything."

Willow shot the woman a warning glare.  "Dru... you promised to behave yourself."

A slightly sheepish expression crossed the vampiress' face as she glanced at the redhead.  "Sorry Will." Turning, she looked back at the librarian, her face becoming serious.  "Look, I realize you'd like nothing more than to shove a nice big stake through my heart, but we all know neither you nor Willow can solve this thing by yourselves and I think that figuring this thing out is more important than our personal differences."

Giles stared at the vampire, completely taken aback. He didn't have time to think too much about what was said, though, since Willow's voice broke through his thoughts.

"Dru's right.  This prophecy is the only chance we have at defeating the mayor and preventing him from successfully ascending to demon-hood and that is the most important thing right now.  I understand you're probably more than a bit apprehensive at inviting her into your home, but I brought everything with me to perform the uninvite spell as soon as we're done here."  She silently implored her former mentor with her eyes, hoping that he would still allow her, and Drusilla, to help him.

Both women watched him take off his glasses and pinch the bridge of his nose as if to ward off an oncoming headache before raising his gaze to them.  "Very-well, in the interest of solving this blasted thing.  I suppose it would be ...unwise...to turn down any help at this juncture.  But I expect the spell to be cast as soon as we are finished here today."  His stern look communicated the rest without him having to say it- 'and performed correctly.'  When the hacker nodded in all seriousness, he opened the door wider and stepped aside.  "Drusilla, you may come in."

The three made their way over to his table, where the large book and Willow's scant notes concerning the second part were already laid out.  Sitting at the foot of the table, Giles eyed his guests warily. Sensing his unease, Willow and Drusilla sat at the other end of the table.  The book was placed in the middle of the small table where all three could read the long passage.  Without preamble, the witch began. "Alright, so we already know that the door in the first line 'The door will open, and the four will lead the way' refers to the opportunity Cordelia and Duncan will present as stated in the first part."

The watcher nodded.  "Correct.  And the four, as you discovered, are Amy, Anya, Drusilla, and yourself."

"Right.  Now the next line, 'All will be safe when wisdom's words they say' I'm guessing means that a spell will be needed to defeat the mayor as the use of Wicca was also mentioned in the first half.  The question is, what type of spell are we talking about?"

He was about to respond when the vampiress spoke. "Well, from the next line, 'Energy's balance will take his place' I think that it most likely means 'energy's balance' will be the result of the spell and will occur when the mayor is defeated, thus 'taking his place.'  Now, I know certain spells deal specifically with the balancing of energy.  Such as the spell you performed on me."  Brown eyes flicked over momentarily to meet green before returning to the opened text. "So that should help narrow the search at least some."

"Y-yes, that does make sense."  He adjusted his glasses, surprised at the woman's insight.  "Now, the next line is obvious and in the following, the 'unholy fire,' quite certainly would be the hellmouth-"

Willow jumped in to complete his thought.  "Which means the three more people involved are here in Sunnydale since it says 'Over the unholy fire, three more will grow.'  And the friend or foe part obviously means the three in question are, well, questionable. In regards to their...loyalties I guess would be an appropriate term."  Giles made a small sound of agreement as he studied the next line.

Drusilla's voice focused the attention of the other two onto the vampiress.  "Two of the three questionable individuals involved are vampires."

"Why do you say that?"  The redhead asked her new friend.

"Well, see how the word childe is spelled with an e at the end?  That's how we spell it."  Her audience only looked at her with confusion, so she elaborated. "When someone is turned, they are their sire's childe, as in child with an e.  So father and childe is referring to a sire and his childe.  And from 'through time have come' it's probably a safe bet that both sire and childe are older vampires.  Possibly even master vampires."

"Oh dear.  Now there's three vampires involved.  I'm really beginning to dislike this bloody prophecy." The librarian's muttering was acknowledged with a slight smirk from his two assistants as they continued to pick apart the vampiric reference.

"Now, it said earlier that the three, two of which being this sire and childe, would be of questionable loyalties and are probably already in town."  Breaking off, Willow stared at the riddle, thoughts ricocheting through her mind.

"Watcher, do you think perhaps 'Touched by magic and A heart love has won' is somehow describing the sire and childe respectively?"

"Hmm.  The line does follow immediately after the mention of the sire and childe so that could be the case, yes."

"If it does, then 'touched by magic' would probably mean said vampire would use magic, or maybe would have had magic used on them.  Like they'd had a spell put on them."

"Or a curse."  Two pairs of dark brown eyes landed on the witch at her quiet statement.  "Well, the gypsy curse that restored his soul was a type of magic spell.  I mean, how many old vampires are in Sunnydale that would be of questionable loyalties that would also fit that description?"  The Englishman took a large gulp of his tea, grimacing at more than the taste of the tepid liquid.

Drusilla merely squinted her eyes in thought.  "Well, Angelus certainly doesn't have many older childer. And the only two of those childer that are in town are Spike and myself, but I'm one of the four and so cannot be one of the other three.  That leaves Spike." She broke off as her eyes traveled over the open page containing the prophetic passage.  "It does make sense.  'A heart love has won'"  Her level gaze turned on the hacker, who blushed slightly at the inference.

"What?"  The librarian was somewhat behind and took a moment to analyze the brunette's words before his eyes focused on Willow.  "O-oh.  Yes, I see."  Adjusting his spectacles somewhat nervously, he steered the conversation back to the translation.  "So Angelus and Spike are two of the three that will aide the four in defeating the mayor."  Despite his preventative efforts, his disbelief and discomfort could be heard quite clearly in his voice.

The reddish flush was fading from her cheeks as Willow pondered the rest of the riddle before them.  "I still don't get the next one, although the one after, 'She'll save us all as one of the chosen two' could be talking about the slayer, or a slayer, since with Buffy and Faith we've now got two chosen ones."

"Of course, one of the chosen two."  The watcher shook his head at his inability to have made such an obvious deduction.  "But which one is it?"  The hacker merely shrugged her shoulders in confusion.  "Well, 'the Fire' is how you were described in the first part." He glanced up at the petite girl and continued, "So 'With the Fire's light you can look inside' probably means you will offer some sort of help or insight regarding the three, since that's who's being discussed here."

"Well, out of all those mention thus far in the prophecy, Willow does have the closest relationship with Angelus and Spike...well, besides myself that is. But I've only known them as they were in the past and since the prophecy describes them as having questionable loyalties, it would be referring to them as they are now."  As the librarian prepared to comment on her differentiation, Drusilla continued. "Look, watcher, I know that from where you are standing, there isn't much difference between the two vampires mentioned in your little diaries and the two vampires that have caused your slayer so much trouble, but let me assure you that they have changed.  Quite remarkably I must say.  But then, I think that has a lot to do with the company they've been keeping as of late."

Both individuals shifted their attention momentarily to the small redhead, who was once again turning an interesting shade of maroon.  "Of course, I have to admit, the slayer has had a lot to do with my sire's resent attitude."

Giles cocked his head to the side in thought. "Buffy?"

"Oh no!  The only effect she's had on Angelus is turning him into the obsessive, if not somewhat deranged version your lot met last year."  His face turned disbelieving and slightly curious and the vampiress preempted the question she knew was coming. "No, the version you encountered was not the one he had always been.  Those eighty years with a soul changed him.  Not to mention that little escapade with your blonde.  I think part of the reason the soul was with her in the first place was because of the torment it caused his demon.  Unfortunately that constant torture also, how do you say it, knocked of few of his, uh, screws loose."  The watcher's mind whirled as it contemplated all of the things he would be adding to his council diary that night.

"Anyway, I was talking about Faith."

"Faith?"  His voice practically dripped with disdain as he repeated the dark-haired slayer's name.  "What does Faith have to do with Angelus's present disposition?"

"Quite a bit, actually."  When he could see the vampiress was offering no further details, he turned his attention to the quiet witch.

"Um, well, Faith and Angelus are kinda together."

"Together?"  It was obvious that the idea was less than comforting to the Englishman.

"Yeah.  It's really weird, but they act almost like any teenage couple.  It's kind of funny sometimes, they joke around and tease each other.  One day, he started tickling her and she chased him around the apartment for ten minutes.  Of course, when she finally caught him they had to go home, 'cause, well... and you don't want to hear this."  Willow ducked her head and stared intently down at her hands as Giles fiddled with his glasses, trying not to think of why the two had to leave.  At the same time he attempted to put the disturbingly cute image she had described together with his mental picture of the two normally violent brunettes.

Recovering from her babble, Willow brought them back to the portion of the puzzling passage they had been translating.  "So, um, we've pretty much decided the part about the fire helping look inside means I somehow provide insight into the nature of the three. But, what about the next line, 'Amidst darkness, light does hide.'"

"My insanity in the first part was described as darkness, so maybe it means something like your insight will reveal the light within their...no, that doesn't sound right."

"Oh!  I know, I know!  Evil, not insanity, evil.  I help reveal the light, or goodness within their evil, uh, -ness."  His expression clearly stated his skepticism.  "Giles, I know you think they're just monsters, but they really aren't.  They are demons, I can't deny that.  Well, Faith isn't a demon, she's just made some difficult decisions.  And maybe they weren't the best ones she could have made, but that doesn't make her evil.  Heck, she saved Xander's life last week.  He would have been killed if she hadn't dusted that vamp."

He looked at her strangely, not knowing what she was talking about and she rolled her eyes.  "They didn't tell you, did they?  Figures.  Me and Faith ran into them last Friday while we were on patrol and-"

Giles interrupted her, his voice disbelieving.  "You and Faith were patroling?"

Willow nodded, her expression betraying the hurt she felt at his reaction.  "Yes, we go on patrols on a fairly regular basis.  Anyway, as I was saying, we ran into Buffy and Xander at the cemetery and we were all attacked by a big group of vamps.  One of them had Xander cornered against a mausuleum and would have killed him if Faith hadn't saved him.  She's not evil, Giles, none of them are.  They can all be violent, yes, but they can also be kind.  And funny, and sweet, and romantic, and playful.  I've really gotten to know them and they are so much more than you think, Giles. They are.  They're my friends."

Before he could respond to her plea for understanding, his other prophetic translator interrupted.  "Faith."

"What about her?"  Willow could tell by her friend's face that she had figured something out and was anxious to know what it was so they could finish deciphering the prophecy.  She was beginning to feel uncomfortable under the watcher's critical gaze.

"She's the slayer it was talking about.  She has to be.  Think about it.  You and Buffy aren't even speaking, why would you be needed to reveal her goodness?"  The last word was spoken with a blatant sneer.  "Besides, why would Buffy work with Angelus and Spike?  All she wants to do is kill them.  Faith on the other hand, is of questionable loyalties.  At least to some she is."  The female vampire's dark orbs shifted to Giles before returning to her young friend. "And she has every reason to work with them, and you."

"Faith, however, is working with the mayor, is she not?"  The librarian's words were not even heard as the two women continued their discussion.

"Plus, the line accompanying the slayer's description fits rather well with how you talked about her resent decisions.  See, it says, 'The paths she must follow is hidden from view.'"

"That does make sense.  She's had trouble finding her path, as it states.  She's made a few wrong choices without the strength or support of friends.  And the lines after that do say 'Together with the Fire they'll do what's right,' and 'Protect the town, keep safe the night.'  As the three they'll help us defeat the mayor, save Sunnydale, and keep everyone safe from a big demony mayor."

Giles had given up trying to comment on Faith's current employment, grudgingly admitting that she did fit the cryptic description quite well.  As he listened to Willow's translation and studied the two lines following the ones she was discussing, he was forced to take a deep claming breath as the implications became clear to him.  "Actually, Willow, I do believe it may be alluding to more than just Mayor Wilkin's ascension."

"Why do you say that, Giles?"

"Well, the line after next, 'Onto their destined journey, they will embark.'  From my experience with prophecies, the use of the word destiny, I'm afraid, usually means more than merely a single event. Rather, it seems, it tends to mean a larger, lasting role in the scheme of things."

She looked at her former mentor, mild shock written on her features.  "You mean we're all suppose to protect Sunnydale forever?"

"Well, uh, not necessarily forever, but it's quite probable that you all are to keep the town safe indefinitely."

"Of course!"  Drusilla's exclamation focused the two other's attention on her.  "The line before the one you're discussing.  It makes perfect sense with the watcher's explanation of that one.  'With an iron fist, they'll rule the dark,' it says.  If protecting the hellmouth is your destiny then it would make sense that you would rule it."

"Rule the hellmouth?"  Giles's revelation was enough to handle, but her brunette friend's comment was not helping her confusion.

"You and Faith are human, but Spike and Angelus are vampires.  Master vampires.  When there are significant numbers of vampires in one area or town as there are here, the strongest vampire becomes _the_ master of that area.  They rule the town and the vampires in it and sometimes the demons as well, depending on how strong the vampire is.  Sunnydale being a hellmouth, it needs an especially strong master to control the demon population and prevent them from unrestrained slaughter.  Logically, if Spike and Angelus became masters of Sunnydale, they could protect the town by controlling the creatures in it 'with an iron fist' as the prophecy states."

"But, like you said; Faith and I are human."

"Yes, but you're also a witch, and Faith is also a slayer.  You could easily help them rule Sunnydale."

"Wouldn't the vampires kinda object to being ruled by a slayer?"

"First of all, neither Angelus nor Spike would let any of the vampires question them, and secondly, you two wouldn't really be ruling them per say.  That's something only Angelus and Spike can do as master vampires.  You and Faith would be their mates, or I guess a more human term would be queens since being master is, in effect, like being the king monster of the hellmouth.  Besides, most vampires aren't all that bright and would probably think Angelus controlled the slayer.  Especially if she continued to slay but showed her fealty to them as well.  That assumption would actually cause the demons to fear him even more and give the two of them more control over the demonic population.  And you would enhance their view of Spike, as a powerful witch and since you were Buffy's best friend."

Willow was about to respond when Giles cut her off, becoming uncomfortable with the current topic of conversation.  He realized that the vampires' control of the town would be beneficial in certain ways, and he couldn't say much about the other aspects since it was mentioned in the prophecy.  That realization, however, did not alleviate his discomfort with the conversation.  "Well, um, yes.  Be that as it may..."

The young hacker could tell from his body language he was not enjoying the topic and so followed his lead. "Right, moving on.  'Four plus three makes seven.' The four are Amy, Anya, Dru, and myself, and we now know the three are Spike, Angelus, and Faith, so that's easy enough.  Then, 'None from hell, none from heaven,' is obviously referring to the fact that, well, you know what I mean."  Emerald eyes darted somewhat nervously around the room, not quite sure how to explain it, and not wanting to look at Giles for fear of seeing his disappointment in her that he had showed before because of her association with the vampires and rogue slayer.  Thankfully, he stepped in with the next line.

"Soon joined by two of the same.'  We already know from the first part that the two are Cordelia and Mr. Macleod."  Neither noticed the brunette vampire's head snap up at the name, too involved in their translation of the text.  "'Two will help seven as they play the game.'  It's apparent that they will be helping the seven of you keep Sunnydale safe, but I cannot figure out what 'the Game' is supposed to mean."  While he puzzled over this last enigma, he stood and walked to his front door as the sound of insistent knocking broke through his musings.

"About time, I mean, geez, what took you so long, I've been standing here knocking for like five minutes already."

Part 29b: Unanticipated Reunions

Willow glanced up at the familiar female voice that drifted through the now open door, her eyes going wide as she caught sight of the young woman as she stepped around the Englishman and into the apartment.  The redhead's heartbeat increased slightly, something akin to panic surging through her at the realization that the other woman was headed straight for the table at which she was sitting.  Before she could even think of making a move to hide herself, their unexpected guest looked up, her eyes landing on the hacker, the dark pools widening in surprise as she took in the sight of the witch.

"Willow?  Wow, I leave for less than a month and you suddenly grow a fashion sense.  Weird.  And you have friends too, now that's- Oh my God, that's Drusilla!"

The redhead was on her feet before the words left the other woman's mouth, placing a restraining hand on her arm in case the brunette had any ideas about attacking the vampiress.  "Calm down, Cordelia, it's okay-"

"Okay?  There's a psychotic, murdering vampire in here, how can it be okay?"

Willow turned to the former cheerleader, meeting the woman's frantic gaze with her own, calm green orbs. "First of all, Dru's not psychotic, well, not any more.  Me and Anya and Amy gave her back her sanity. Second, she won't hurt you.  If she was going to kill someone, she would have killed Giles when we came over here, not helped us decipher the remainder of the prophecy."

Cordelia looked at the witch for several seconds, then nodded her head somewhat suspiciously, then raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow as something the other woman had said finally registered.  "When you came here?  As in the two of you, as in you two came over here together?"  The brunette's confused expression grew more bewildered when the shorter woman slowly nodded her head in response.  "Ooo-kay.  I'm going to take a wild guess here and say a lot has happened since I left."

Willow shot her friend a quelling look when the female vampire started to laugh at the other brunette's comment, then turned back to the new immortal wearing an abbreviated version of her lover's smirk.  "Yeah, you could say that."

Before the confused young woman could ask for any kind of explanation, Giles reminded them of his presence by clearing his throat rather pointedly.  "Yes, well, before we become engrossed in the rather chaotic occurrences that Cordelia most unfortunately missed, can we get back to the prophecy, please?"

All three women nodded rather sheepishly in return as they took seats around the Englishman's table, though Cordelia eyed the vampire suspiciously and made a point to sit between Willow and Giles.  "So, uh, how goes the translation or whatever?  Have you found out anything about what it means?"  The librarian nodded at that, then proceeded to explain to the former high school student what they had managed to get out of the two portions of prophetic text.  As he spoke of Drusilla's contribution, the ex-cheerleader looked at the vampiress with disbelief, but refrained from commenting.

When he reached the last stanza however, she didn't hold back.  "Ah, yes, the Game."  She rolled her eyes with a sneer as she spoke, her voice bitter.  "And I thought Buffy's gig sucked."

Giles sat straighter in his chair, leaning forward slightly as he fixed his gaze at the former May Queen.  "You know what the Game is?"

She let out a short, bitter laugh at his words.  "Know it?  I live it."  Cordelia tucked a small piece of hair behind her ear, bringing the silent redhead's attention to the tight braid the dark strands had been woven into.  Green eyes continued on from there, traversing the immortal's frame, taking in the differences between the woman before her and the one she had known.  From the tidy, utilitarian hairdo to the lose-fitting cargo pants and simple black tank-top, down to the back nike sneakers, the brunette was dressed for comfort and maneuverability rather than the overly fashion conscious look that she had always gone for in the past.

As Willow noted these surprising changes, the ex-cheerleader continued speaking, offering Giles the information they had been lacking.

"You see, while there are hundreds of immortals all over the world, as Mac likes to say,"  she said, smiling slightly, her voice deepening as she made quotes in the air with her fingers and she continued, "in the end, there can be only one."  She paused for a second then, still smiling as though enjoying a joke the others weren't privy to before shaking her head slightly and, turning serious once more, going on.

"What that means is, when it's all said and done, only one immortal will survive, and that one will win the Prize, whatever it ends up being.  Despite our ignorance of the Prize, a lot of immortals want it, and will fight for it.  Some of those who seek the Prize aren't exactly prime individuals, however.  A great many of them are quite evil and spend their entire existence hunting down other immortals in their quest for the Prize.  You're only safe on holy ground, anywhere else, an immortal can, and will, be Challenged, and so we train, and when we must, we fight.  This ongoing battle amongst our kind is called the Game."

When she was done talking, she relaxed her posture and rolled her eyes, flashing the others a smile.  "Sorry 'bout the speech; that was the abbreviated version, honest."

Giles smiled at the brunette as he replaced his glasses, which he had been cleaning absently throughout her short speech.  "Quite all right, I appreciate the explanation, it certainly clears up the prophecy's last line."  Before he could go on, however, another knock sounded at the door and he rose to answer it only to have Cordelia motion for him to sit as she stood to get it herself.

"That's Mac, he went to make us some reservations at the hotel.  I'll let him in."

The watcher smiled at the former student as Willow looked on in surprise, both still trying to take in the changes the young woman had undergone during her absence.  Drusilla showed no interest in the other brunette's actions, though, instead focusing somewhat absently on the copy of the prophecy that lay before her.  The vampiress was unable to keep her gaze from straying to the new arrival as he entered the room, however.

At that same moment, the older immortal glanced at her as his student introduced him to Giles and Willow. When he met the female vampire's eyes, all thoughts of introductions flew from his mind, and he took a step towards her.  "Drusilla?"  His tone was hesitant, questioning, as he eyed the brunette with what could only be described as shock.

The vampiress nodded, a smile pulling at her lips as she swept her gaze over the dark-haired immortal before her.  "Duncan.  Long time, no see."

He stood perfectly still for a moment, simply looking down at her, then, suddenly, he stepped forward, a grin forming on his face as he pulled the vampire out of her seat and into his arms.  "Damn it Dru, I thought you were dead."

She pulled back enough to look up into his face as she hugged him back.  "Well, I am; vampire, remember? Being dead's kinda a requirement, ya know."

Duncan smiled a little wider, shaking his head as he continued to hold her against him.  "You know what I mean.  And when exactly did you become such a smart ass?"

Dru smiled back at him, stepping back as he finally released his hold on her.  "About the same time I became sane, I think, though I could have been one before, I'm not sure, I was kinda crazy at the time after all.  Maybe I should ask Spike, he would probably know."

The Scottsman shook his head again at her words. "Spike?  You still with that English idiot?"

"Not exactly, though you might want to be a little nicer to him since 'that English idiot' is pretty much the only reason I got away from that bloody mob."

"Well, then, I guess I owe the ol' boy quite a thank you, don't I?  Come to think of it, I still owe you one hell of a thank you as well."

She shook head with a good-natured roll of her eyes. "You don't owe me a damn thing, Macleod.  It was I who owed you."

"Well I think you more than paid me back there, Flower."  Duncan let out a laugh as the vampire smacked him lightly on the arm.  Drusilla just hit him a second time and shook her head, giving him a mock scowl.

"I bloody well hate that nickname, and you know it."

"I'm sorry Dru, I just couldn't help it."

"Oh, right; like you just couldn't help it when you told Richard Wellington that we were betrothed when he asked when he could call on me."

The immortal grinned even wider at her exasperated expression.  "Oh come on, you can't still be mad about that, it was what, a hundred and twenty-three years ago?"

"A hundred and twenty-one, and it wasn't funny.  The entire town thought we were to be married, Duncan."

He laughed again at her glare.  "Oh come now, Dru, he was going to ask for your hand and you know it.  You can't tell me you actually wanted to marry that well-to-do scoundrel."

The brunette placed her hands on her hips and continued to glare at the man.  "That's not the point, Macleod.  My father was furious, and my mother.they both had a time convincing everyone of the truth, and they barely spoke to me for a fortnight.  Arthur found it all horribly amusing, though, as you know.  How long did it take the two of you to stop laughing that day, by the way?  Lucille never would tell me."

He laughed harder at that, only stifling his mirth when he noticed the looks the others were giving him and Dru.  Quickly calming himself at that, he shot the vampiress a look as he turned back to their forgotten audience.  "Uh, sorry about that."

Cordelia nodded from her place next to Willow, her dark gaze darting back and forth from the vampire to her boyfriend before finally settling on the older immortal, her expression a mixture of poorly disguised confusion, hurt, and fear.  After a moment, she managed to find her voice and broke the awkward silence that had descended upon the room.  "So, I uh, take it you two know each other?"

Duncan was at her side before she'd finished her question, his arm going around her waist and pulling his student to his side as she looked up at him, a silent question in her eyes.  He smiled softly, meeting her gaze, his dark pools telling her just as a silently that she had nothing to worry about, nothing to fear from his past with the raven-haired vampiress.  Cordelia smiled back, burrowing into his side as he leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips.

Drusilla nodded, a smile forming on her lips as she watched the two immortals.  "You could certainly say that.  We met when I was about seventeen.  My family was on vacation in Scotland at the time and I ran into him while out riding one evening, having accidentally lost my nurse a few hours before."

Duncan let out a sharp laugh at her explanation, raising an eyebrow at her when the vampire turned to glare at him.  "Yeah, you just 'accidentally' lost your nurse.  And how many times during those two months did you 'accidentally' loose or get separated from her?"

"Oh hush."  Dru frowned, avoiding his laughing gaze as she turned back to the witch.  "Anyway, we became friends.  I never thought to see him again once my family returned to London.  But then I was turned and after over a hundred years, our paths eventually crossed again in Prague, where this idiot had earned his very own large angry mob after allowing himself to be seen while fighting another immortal."

Duncan shut his eyes for a moment, shaking his head at the memory.  "Yes, well, I admit it wasn't my brightest moment, but it was still far more intelligent than what you did when you saw me."

The brunette folded her arms across her chest, glaring yet again at her old friend.  "What exactly would you have had me do, Macleod?  Just stand there and watch to see if they cut your head off?"

Duncan rolled his eyes and returned her glare.  "Yes, actually, that would have worked quite well for me."

"Well it wouldn't have worked for me.  I may have been nuts at the time but I still had my memories, including those of our friendship.  I had to do something, Duncan."

"Something, perhaps, but you needn't have shown them your demon visage.  You could have died in that damn mob, Dru!  There were hundreds of them and they were more than worked up enough to kill you before you flashed your fangs.  I don't know how the hell you actually managed to escape."

"Wait a second.  The mob attack in Prague, wasn't that why Spike came here to get Angel for that ceremony thingy junior year?"

Drusilla nodded at her friend's question, knowing Spike had told the redhead about the occurrence, though he'd obviously neglected to mention the name of the man whom she'd distracted the mob from.  "Yes, that's the one."

"Ceremony?  Drusilla, why would Spike have needed this Angel guy for a ceremony when you got back from Prague?"

The vampire looked at the immortal rather sheepishly, hesitating before she answered his question.  "Well, Angel's my sire and Spike kinda used him for this ritual to get my strength back."

"Get your strength back?  Exactly what was wrong with you?"  This time it was he who crossed his arms as he waited for her response.

"I was weak."

"How weak?"

"Weak."

Duncan sighed at that, not sure he wanted his old friend to elaborate further.  "You really should have just let it be, Dru.  I probably would have been fine."

"You probably would have been killed, permanently, and we both know it.  Besides, I'm fine now so it doesn't really matter anyway."

The two simply stared at each other for a few moments until Willow once more broke the silence.  "Well, uh, on that note, I'd just like to say, despite all the mayhem and murder and general badness that accompanied your and Spike's arrival here, and the obvious ickness that transpired in Prague, I'm thankful Dru did what she did.  If she hadn't got herself hurt in that mob, not only would Mr. Macleod possibly not have been here to help Cordy and give us the first part of the prophecy, but then Spike would have never come here either time and I would have never met him."

Cordelia finally tore her eyes from the interaction between Drusilla and Duncan at that comment, turning to look at the redhead with shock.  "Wait, you and Spike?  No way."

Willow nodded at the former May Queen, unable to keep a silly grin from covering her face as she thought of her lover.  The new immortal's eyes widened and she stared at the witch for a moment before leaving her boyfriend's side, grabbing her arm and leading her over to the watcher's couch.  "Oh, I so have to hear about this."

Duncan and Dru watched them silently for a few minutes as the ex-cheerleader grilled the redhead, then decided to take the opportunity to catch up themselves, leaving Giles to escape to the kitchen to make himself more tea as he tried to digest all that had been revealed that evening.

~~~*~~~

Corderlia stared at the young woman next to her as the redhead filled her in on how she had broken from the other Scoobies, moved in with, befriended and developed feelings for Spike.  She told the brunette how Angelus had returned and how she had grown to be good friends with him, Faith, and most recently, Drusilla.  She also spoke of her friendship with Anya and Amy's return to the land of the human.  Even with all this talk of new friends and developing relationships, though, the witch repeatedly came back to her problems with her former friends.  When she mentioned the letter she'd sent them for the second time, the ex-cheerleader finally interrupted.

"Well, I've got to say that the letter was a good idea in that you didn't try to talk with them, but it was, in my opinion, a waste of your time in every other regard.  I mean, you might as well have gone up to them and asked them to turn you back into their doormat.  And don't even try to tell me that wasn't what you were to them."  The brunette held up her hand to cut off the redhead's rebuttal, shaking her head slightly at her before continuing.

"I may not have been anything resembling your friend, Willow, but even I could see the way those two took advantage of you.  Now, don't get me wrong, despite how much I disliked you before, I always kind of respected how you took everything me and Harm and the other girls threw at you.  But Buffy and Xander were supposed to be your friends, your best friends, and you're not supposed to have to take that kind of crap from your friends."

The cyber-witch looked down at her hands as the immortal spoke, knowing that everything she'd said was true, well, except that part where the former May Queen had said she'd always respected her, that came as a complete surprise, though a welcome one. Cordelia simply nodded at the other woman's silent agreement and went on.

"Now while I don't really know you that well, I know enough about you to know that you probably worded that letter as politely as you could."  She nodded again at the sheepish look on the redhead's face, raising one brow as she continued.  "And I thought you were supposed to be the genius in this group.  Really, Willow.  They treat you like hell for basically your entire 'friendship' and you send them a polite letter requesting a truce?  Come on.  You should have sent them a death threat or something."

The witch smiled slightly at that, raising her own eyebrow as she looked up at the young woman she'd once hated with everything in her.  "That's about what Spike said, though he used a few more colorful phrases to do it."

The brunette flashed her a wide grin at the comparison.  "So the vamp's smart as well as hot, huh?  You really got yourself a winner there, don't you?"

Willow nodded somewhat shyly, ducking her head a bit to try to hide the blush that was spreading across her cheeks as she thought of exactly how much of a winner Spike really was.  Cordelia laughed at her reaction, shaking her head slightly.

"Well, some things never do change, do they?  How the hell is that, anyway?  I mean, you're living in sin with Spike, friends with Angelus, Faith, and Drusilla, and yet you're embarrassed by a simple complement. You're certainly something else, you know that?"

Willow tried her best to stifle the blush as she answered what she knew was meant to be a rhetorical question.  "Faith and Spike might have said something to that effect once or twice."

Duncan's student gazed at the shorter woman thoughtfully as she spoke, noticing a peculiar look in her green eyes as she mentioned the rogue slayer. "So, I get why you're friends with Angelus, he's Spike's sire.  And you and Anya have got that witchy thing in common, and you were friends with Amy before she turned herself into a rat, so it makes since that your friends now that she's all human again.  But you and Faith, I just don't quite get it.  I thought you completely hated her."

Willow returned her attention to her hands as she picked at her nails absently, feeling suddenly uncomfortable under the taller woman's intense gaze. "I thought I did too, but. she's not who I thought she was. I mean, she's rough around the edges, and she's tough and, I don't know.  She's just, well, she's exactly what she comes across as, but she's so much more than that too.  She's fun to hang out with, and she's actually great to talk with, she's really a good listener if you'll believe it.  She's more than ready to tell it like it is, she's not intimidated by anyone, even herself."

The redhead stared down at the watcher's carpet but Cordelia could tell she was seeing something entirely different and her voice took on a slightly distant quality as if her mind were somewhere else as she continued speaking.

"She's been training me a bit since I've been patrolling with her lately and when she shows me a move or something she expects me to get it, she pushes me, sometimes farther than I think I can go.  But she's right there to pull me back to my feet when I miss it, she's there for me regardless, even if she turns right back around and makes me do it again and again until I get it.  She's there throughout it all, in more than just my training."

Willow shook her head absently as she lost herself to her thoughts and memories, a smile playing on her lips as her mind's eye pictured her unlikely friend. "She's been there for me when I've needed a friend; she was there to tell me to get over my fears and go for it with Spike, and she was there to back me up when Buffy and Xander wouldn't leave me alone.  I know that she'd have my back no matter what, that if I asked her to she'd beat them both up, but she'd also leave them alone if I wanted her to.  She's been there to help me find the woman under the doormat of a geek I've always been; and she's let me be that woman without judgment.  She's just. she's just a great friend, I guess."

The immortal looked at the smiling redhead doubtfully, knowing from the underlying tone of her voice and the expression on her face that there was something the smaller woman wasn't saying.  "A great friend huh? Just a great friend?"

Willow's gaze flew to Cordelia's face, her green eyes a little wide, a little surprised, a little scared as they met calm chocolate orbs.  "Well, yeah, I mean, uh."

"Uh huh, right."  The brunette nodded knowingly as the smaller woman's stuttered words trailed off.  "You like her, just admit it.  You like Faith, and not as just a friend."

The hacker began to blush in response as she avoided the other former Scooby's steady gaze.  "I uh, that is, I."  She swallowed hard, fiddling with the bracelet she was wearing, the one Spike had seen her eyeing at a store a few days before and bought for her the next day.  "Well, there was this time, after we gave Dru back her sanity, me and Anya and Amy and Faith took her to the Bronze.  We'd told Spike and Angelus to stay at the apartment but they came anyway and me and Faith saw them at the bar so we decided to mess with them a bit."

"And?  What did you guys do to mess with them?"  She tried to keep the smile from forming as she looked at the now bright red face of the witch, already having an idea of what they must have done but wanting Willow to admit to it and the effect it must have had on her.

The redhead blushed even harder as she answered the question.  "We, uh, we danced. closely, and uh, suggestively."  The brunette suppressed a soft laugh at the other woman's wording, gesturing for her to continue, which she did.  "It uh, well, that is, I think it kinda messed with me as much as it messed with the guys."  Cordelia hadn't thought it possible, but the shorter woman blushed even harder at that. "It just.I just, I felt so. well, turned on."  Those last two words were said in a rush as she ducked her head, trying to escape the immortal's gaze, not wanting to see the disapproval and disgust she thought would be in it.

The brunette finally lost her battle at the action, letting out a small laugh and shaking her head as Willow looked at her in embarrassed confusion tinged with underlying hope.  "Took you long enough to admit it.  Really, Will, was it so damn hard to say?"

"Yeah, kinda.  I just thought that you'd, you know, think it was gross or wrong or whatever.  I mean, I'm attracted to another girl, I've got feelings for another girl; isn't that supposed to be wrong or something?"

Cordy rolled her eyes at her, wondering how she could still cling to such stupid standards of society. "Aren't I supposed to be dead?  Come on, Willow, a lot of stuff's 'supposed to be' a lot of things according to some people.  Haven't you learned by now that it's all bull shit?  So you're attracted to a woman, so you've got feelings for a woman, big deal.  Just because you happen to also be a woman that's supposed to make it wrong?  It doesn't mean shit.  I mean, Faith's an attractive person, and from what you've said, she's a good person, the kind of person you need as a friend, and maybe need as something more too."

A grin slowly replaced the exasperated expression on the woman's face as she paused and caught the redhead's gaze.  "And look at it this way, Faith's with Angelus, you're with Spike, Spike and Angelus used to have a thing and probably want to have one again; you've got the perfect recipe for one big, hot, sweaty, explosive orgy."

A grin broke out on Willow's still red face and she laughed at the absurd, yet oh so appealing suggestion.  Cordelia grinned back.  "See, you can't pass up that kind of opportunity, can you?  You've gotta go for it with Faith.  Hell, if I didn't have my own undying hottie I'd want a piece of that action, what with two yummy specimens like Angelus and Spike."

Attempting to force her face to return to its natural coloring, Willow latched onto the tid bit the other woman had thrown out there.  "Your own undying hottie, huh?  Is there something you forgot to mention about your relationship with Mr. Macleod?"

Now it was Cordelia's turn to blush as her gaze automatically darted over to her teacher, who was engaged in his own conversation with Drusilla on the other side of the room.  "Maybe.  Ok, so we're kinda together."

"Kinda?"

"Ok, so we are together.  It's not like it was planned or anything, it's just. I had a hard time with the whole being immortal thing, and he was really there for me.  I was scared and confused and lost and he reassured me, and comforted me, and taught me so much.  He taught me to fight, to play the Game and win, to accept and deal with my new life.  He-  My first challenge was really hard, not just the fight itself, but the win.  I've killed demons and monsters and stuff, but I've never killed a person, I never thought I could, but I can't exactly live on holy ground for the rest of my immortal existence so it's a necessary evil for me now.  Still, it was so hard to make myself take that guy's head, and.  I did it, obviously, since I'm still alive and all, but it was hard, and the Quickening."

As she trailed off, searching for the words to describe that first fight, she noticed the confused look on Willow's face at that last comment.  "When an immortal's head is taken, their life force is released in the Quickening.  The immortal who takes their head receives it, absorbs their strength and power, the power of the Quickenings they've received in the past.  It's a very. intense experience.  It looks kinda like lightening when it's released and it feels pretty similar when it shots through you.  It's painful, but not.  I'm not sure exactly how to describe it or explain it.  It's just, overwhelming and kinda scary and well, it was a bit too much for me that first time."

Dark brown orbs shifted back to focus on Duncan as he laughed at something Dru was saying, a smile coming to the new immortal's face as she watched him.  "I lost it afterwards, I just fell apart and he picked me up and carried me back to his apartment and held me for what must have been hours as I cried.  Once I'd calmed down he helped me clean up and practically tucked me into bed like a little kid.  I was still upset though, so he stayed with me, held me while I tried to come to grips with everything.  I never was able to get to sleep so he started telling me stories about some of the trouble he used to get into with his teacher, a guy from his clan named Connor, and, well, we ended up kissing."

She grinned, looking down at her lap, back over at Duncan, then back at her lap again.  "I'm still not sure exactly how it happened, but we kissed.  Anyway, it grew from there.  We've only really been together for about two weeks now, but it's great; he's great."

The redhead smiled softly at the brunette, reaching out to take her hand.  "I'm really glad he was there for you, that you were able to find happiness in your new world.  You've been through such a huge change, and I've been through some changes lately, and I don't know how I would have gotten through them without Spike and they were nothing next to what you've had to deal with.  I'm happy that you've had him to help you through it.  We may not have ever really been friends, but I think we could, and I'm just glad you're happy."

They both exchanged smiles, squeezing each other's hand as they thought about all they had both been through.  "Me too, Willow, and I'm glad you're happy; that you've got Spike, and whoever else," she shot the now blushing witch a grin at that,  "to help you.  And I agree, I think we could be friends too."  They continued to smile at one another for a minute after that, only stopping when a deep accented voice drew their attention.

"Have a good gossip, did you?"

The women turned to face the approaching immortal, Cordelia taking his hand with her own and pulling him down to sit next to her as he reached them.  "Yes, actually we did.  How about you?"

He laughed at that, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as he sat.  "We had a nice talk, yes.  But we had a long drive today and I'm more than ready for a good night's sleep, and since the hotel was full, we're going to have to drive to the next town over to get a room so we should probably be going pretty soon."

Before the brunette could reply to that, Willow jumped in.  "No need for you go to any trouble.  You can stay at mine and Spike's apartment."  The two immortals looked ready to protest but the witch cut them off at the pass, shaking her head.  "No, really, it's fine. Dru's staying at Amy and Anya's apartment now so my old room's free.  It'd be stupid for you guys to have to drive all that way and pay for a room when there's one you can use right here.  Plus, it would give us a chance to catch up some more and maybe compare notes on the prophecy and such."

Cordy and Duncan exchanged a look, then turned to Willow.  "If you're sure it won't be an inconvenience or anything."

"It won't I swear.  I'll go and call Spike now and let him know we'll be there in a bit."  With a smile, the redhead left the couple and went outside to use the cell phone Spike had - in a paranoid, overprotective kick - gotten her so she could contact him while she and Faith were on patrol.

As she did so, Drusilla made her way into the kitchen, finding the Englishman pouring himself a cup of tea. "You really don't need to worry, you know."

Giles spun at the sound of her voice, having thought the others were all still in the other room talking. "P-Pardon?"

Taking a few steps closer to the obviously uncomfortable man, the vampiress leaned against the counter a few feet away from him and spoke.  "Willow. You don't need to worry about her.  You may not believe it, but Spike really does love her, and he will do anything and everything he has to in order to take care of her."

The spectacled watcher nodded slightly, thinking back to the short conversation he'd had with the blonde when he'd called speak to Willow about helping him with the prophecy.  "Yes, I've noticed he's very protective of her.

"He's not the only one that is.  Anya, Amy, Faith, Angelus, myself, we all care about her and if anyone, anyone were to ever hurt her, Spike wouldn't be the only one in line to do something about it.  As it is, we'd all very much like to do something about the way your slayer and her boy have treated her.  The only reason we haven't is because Willow, for some reason I don't understand, doesn't want them hurt."

He nodded again in understanding, thinking of the behavior the female vampire referred to.  He'd spent a lot of time thinking about it all lately, and he had to admit that he himself was none too happy with Buffy and Xander's handling of the situation.  It had helped, of course, that with Willow's absence, he had been unable to ignore how much of a difference there was in the group.

He couldn't ignore now the proof of how much of a contribution the redhead had made.  And he couldn't ignore how unwilling the two remaining individuals were to make up for it.  He'd found himself having to do every bit of the research lately, as well as having to listen to the two children complain about not having Willow's homework to copy or not having someone to do things for them and so on.  It was certainly true what they said; you don't know what you have until you've lost it.  If only he could decide if he would rather have Willow back as she'd been, or as the truly comfortable and happy young woman she now seemed to be.

Giles was pulled from his thoughts as the witch entered the kitchen, informing him that Duncan and Cordelia would be staying with her and Spike and that they and Drusilla were going to leave before the immortals fell asleep on his couch.  The librarian nodded and returned her good night, watching the five of them as they left, his thoughts lingering on the obvious changes that had occurred in the three women. He couldn't help but smile as he took a sip of his tea.

~Part: 30~ Looking Back, Moving Forward

Willow entered the mansion slowly, letting Amy and Anya pass her as they headed to the kitchen for drinks.  She lingered in the doorway for a minute, simply allowing her eyes to wander leisurely over the room's occupants.  Faith and Cordelia were working out with the former May Queen's swords, both brunettes going at each other with nearly everything they had, though neither the immortal or slayer were able to get the upper hand.

Duncan had obviously taught his pupil well, the redhead observed as she watched the women duel.  If she had not known the absolute necessity of sword-fighting to an immortal's survival and had not seen the Scotsman's amazing ability with a blade the witch may not have believed that the woman fighting with Faith was actually the ex-cheerleader.  But it was, and even though the immortals had now been staying with her and Spike for almost two months, Willow still found herself surprised by how much Cordelia had changed since leaving with Duncan after her 'First Death' as the swords-woman called it.

Much of the change, the redhead knew, was the direct result of Duncan's influence.  As the thought entered her mind, she felt the dull tingling that she'd learned was her magic's reaction to the presence of an immortal of his age.  Turning to smile at the dark-haired man, they exchanged waves as he entered the mansion and made his way to his girlfriend's side.  The women ended their workout when he reached them, the slayer waving at him before joining Amy and Anya, taking the bottle of water they offered her.

As Faith began talking with the two witches, Willow, seeing that Cordelia had left to shower, went over to speak with Duncan.  She was anxious to hear what he had learned from his contact whom he had left to talk with two hours before.  He had heard rumors of three powerful immortals who had aligned themselves with the Mayor shortly after arriving in town and the group had soon deduced that the mysterious trio's involvement was the reason Cordelia and Duncan's assistance would be needed to stop the ascension.

"Hey Mac, how goes the info hunting?"

He glanced up from the sword he was cleaning to smile at the redhead as she sat next to him.  "Pretty well, actually.  I wasn't able to get names, but I did find out some relative ages.  Two of them are towards the end of their third centennial and the leader is only a bit older at just over four hundred.  It might be a bit hard, but Cor and I can take them."

Willow nodded in relieved satisfaction, glad that not only was he able to get more information, but that the findings were fairly positive.  Thanking the man, she left him to his sword cleaning, returning to the entryway where her friend's presence had drawn her attention.  Dru was standing in the shadows just inside the room's double doors, her brown orbs fixed on the other two vampires who had finally finished their sparing session and were chatting at the other end of the large room.  Glancing between the vampiress and her sire, the witch asked the question that had weighed on her mind since the night she'd witnessed the brunette's memories while restoring her sanity.

"How can you be so comfortable around him?"

Drusilla looked over at Willow questioningly.  "Around who?"

"Angelus.  After everything he did to you, how can you stand to be anywhere near him?"

The vampire stared at her silently for a moment, thinking about the young woman's question, remembering how awkward the redhead had been around the older vampire in the last few months.  Finally, she shrugged her shoulders and turned her attention back to her sire and brother as they laughed at some unknown joke.  "I don't really see it like that.  The vampire that tormented and turned me isn't the same one that is friends with witches and immortals.  Nor is he the same creature that Buffy freed last year.  Of course, the one that was around last year wasn't the same as the one I knew before he was cursed either."

The brunette glanced back over at her friend, noticing the confused expression on her face.  "I think it has something to do with his choice in women, actually." That comment only earned her an even more bewildered look from Willow, so she elaborated.  "Well, think about it; Darla molded and shaped him after turning him and made him the creature I first knew.  Then, his affair with Buffy screwed with his soul, which screwed with his demon thus leaving us with the wacko you all met last year.  This time around, however, he wasn't turned into a monster by a sadistic whore or driven out by a whining little bitch.  Instead, he chose to free himself, he chose to accept the demon within him in order to be with a woman he wasn't aware he'd already fallen in love with."

The redhead raised a brow at the female vampire.  "And you think that's why he's different now?"

Drusilla nodded.  "I do.  He used to act differently around us when Darla left to do whatever the hell it was that she did, and looking back on it, how he was at those times is close to how he acts now.  Those times were also their best."  Chocolate pools shifted to Spike and Angelus for a long moment as she spoke, her voice taking on a nostalgic tone.  "Angelus pretty much ignored him when Darla was there, that being the only reason he and I actually got together.  But when she was gone, they were inseparable.  During those times they truly were everything to each other: best friend, lover, father and son, teacher and student. Only with you and Faith have I seen them that happy."

The raven-haired woman smiled softly, taking in the distant look on Willow's face as she stared at the two men.  And having a good idea the path of her thoughts, Dru left the redhead's side, joining her old friend as he finished cleaning his girlfriend's sword.

Thinking over her friend's words, and all that she had learned about the relationship between sire and childe, Willow watched Angelus slap Spike on the back as he went off to shower.  The elder vampire must have felt the weight of her gaze, for he turned to look at her then, causing the redhead to quickly avert her eyes, though it did her little good as he had noticed her attention and was now making his way over to her.

They simply stood there for several minutes, staring at each other as thoughts flew through her mind almost faster than she could follow.  Memories, not all her own, flashed before her mind's eye, one after another until they were little more than a blur; a dark-haired, dark-eyed blur.  She saw Angelus as he'd been the year before, Angelus as he'd been in Drusilla's memories, Angelus as he'd been since returning several months before.  There were differences there, she could see them clearly now, the only question was, were they enough?  Had Angelus changed enough for her to be able to trust him with the one person she'd come to love so very much?

Sifting her focus from within herself to the vampire standing silently in front of her, the witch took a deep breath, did her best to school her expression to mask her racing thoughts and emotions, and looked him steadily in the eye as she spoke.  "What was he to you?"

The formerly souled vampire looked at her oddly, surprised and confused by the sudden question.  "What was who to me?"

"Spike.  What was he to you when you met him, when you turned him?"

He continued to look at her for a moment, then let his gaze become somewhat distant, as though he were remembering something.  "When I first saw William he was.he was anger and violence, energy and intensity, all waiting to be harnessed, to be shaped and molded. He was everything I'd dreamed of in a childe, everything I strove to be for my own sire and somehow wasn't quite capable of achieving for her."

He stopped then, seeming to come back to himself and realize what he'd been saying.  He was silent for several seconds after that, then he shook his head and continued.  "As for when I turned him, well, he was all I could have hopped for, and more.  He was the perfect student, so eager to learn, so eager to please.  He was like that in other areas too, though."  A grin twisted his lips for a moment and Willow was thankful when he went on, not wanting him to notice the blush that now covered her cheeks or the feeling that had swept over her, part fear, part jealousy, and part curiosity.

"He wasn't just my chide though, wasn't just my student.  He was everything I could have needed in a friend, and in a lover.  He was intelligent and funny, crazy and romantic too."

The redhead nodded slightly, able to hear the honest emotion in his voice, but not able to keep herself from asking her next question, wanting, needing to hear the answer, though part of her feared it too. "And now?  What is he to you now?"

"Now?"  His dark orbs lost focus once again, looking at something only he could see as he spoke, his deep voice soft but strong.  "Now he's more, so much more. He's a master vampire in his own right, no longer in need of my advice or guidance as he once was.  He's still angry, but his anger's controlled now, and his violence is now tempered with restraint, his energy harnessed by his knowledge, his intensity reigned in by his experience.  He's molded himself now, shaped himself into a master, one I could never be more proud of, even though I had little to do with it."

Angelus's chocolate pools cleared, but they still shone with pride, still sparkled with regret and loss.  "He may still be my childe by blood, but he no longer has need for me as a sire."  The sadness in his tone was a bit of a surprise to Willow, but she paid it little heed, too focused on what he had just said, too busy trying to wrestle control of the conflicting emotions his speech had fueled within her.  She knew what had to be said, what had to be done, for the happiness of the one she loved, and she would not allow her own lingering doubts or fears to prevent it from being accomplished.

"No need for you as his sire?  Have you been listening to yourself at all?  Your were more than just his teacher, Angelus.  Your were his friend, his lover, his love.  You were everything to him as he was to you.  Just because he doesn't necessarily need someone to show him how to use his fangs or whatever doesn't mean he no longer needs you; it doesn't mean that he no longer needs your friendship, your love."  She rolled her eyes at the look of shock on the brunette's face, still feeling the anger and annoyance his words had caused her, ignoring her other feelings and focusing only on those hot emotions, needing them to give her the strength to do what she needed to do.

Taking hold of that heat, she took a step towards him, jabbing at his chest with her finger as she spoke, keeping her voice quiet, but not filtering out her exasperated ire.  "He still needs you, Angelus, whether he'll admit it or not, he still needs you, still wants you.  And I will be damned if I am going to just sit on the sidelines and watch him hurting because you refuse to see that, because you refuse to acknowledge that you need him too, that you want him too."

He stood completely still, not quite sure what to make of the witch's words.  He had little time to think about it as she kept on, her tone only getting more forceful, more commanding as she did so.

"Now I may be a human, but even I know the role and extent of dominance and submission in the sire/childe relationship.  I also know the importance of claiming, and I know that your failure to reclaim Spike upon your return - both times - has given him the impression that you don't wish to admit to your status as his sire, or even his friend, and most especially as his lover.  Now I know this impression is not accurate, and you know it isn't accurate, but he doesn't.  That is going to change, and it's going to change tonight, do you understand me?"

Angelus stared at the petite young woman before him, his eyes wide, his mouth agape.  He couldn't believe the way she had just acted, the audacity she had shown in speaking to him in such a way.  He also couldn't believe that she was right, and more than that, he couldn't believe that he wanted nothing more than to do exactly as she said.  Not, of course, out of fear of any consequences from her - ok, so maybe just a little - but out of his own desire to reunite, in every sense of the word, with his favorite childe. Sensing that she was growing impatient with his silence, the vampire finally nodded, his eyes telling her everything she needed to know as they locked with hers.

She nodded sharply in reply, taking a step back and effectively exiting his personal space.  "Good.  Now, I suggest you go shower, you kinda stink."  A smile tugged at her lips as she said this, and he couldn't help but laugh.

"But Faith likes it when I'm all sweaty."  She simply raised an eyebrow and shook her head as she turned and walked away, meeting her own, newly cleaned vampire as he entered the room, fresh from his shower.  He watched them for a second as they kissed, then headed out of the room, going to see if his slayer was finished with her shower yet.

Willow watched him leave out of the corner of her eye as she pulled back from her lover's pleasant embrace, her mind still churning with the conversation they'd just had.  Swallowing past her nerves, she stepped back, putting distance between herself and the blonde, knowing that she wouldn't be able to do this if she were still within the circle of his arms.  "I saw you and Angelus sparing when I came in, you too look great; like you've been fighting together forever."

Spike's expression grew somewhat uncomfortable at her words, but he was unable to say anything about it as she went on.  "But then again, you did everything together for a long time, didn't you?  I know you want to do so again, that you want to rebuild what you had with him, and I think you should go for it, before it's too late."  He opened his mouth to respond to that unexpected statement, but was once more prevented from doing so as she barely took a pause to breathe before going on.

"Me and the girls, plus Duncan, are going to go over to Amy, Anya and Dru's to work on the spell some more and finish the list of ingredients we still need.  You and Angelus might as well stay here while we do that, it'll keep you from getting bored with all the hocus-pocus talk and all.  Plus, it'll give you guys some time to catch up or whatever."  Even as she spoke, the redhead began to gather her things, meeting Faith's eyes across the room as the brunette returned from her shower, silently telling her friend that it was time to leave.  The slayer nodded slightly and went to get the others as Willow said goodbye to her boyfriend.

"I'm not sure what time we'll be back, hell, we might just head back to our place when we're done.  Either way, don't wait up."  Giving him a quick kiss, she turned to leave, having to swallow the growing lump in her throat as she watched the others filing out the doors ahead of her and forcing herself to hurry from the room with only a quick, "Love you; have a nice time."

Spike stared at the spot where she had stood for a full minute, glancing up at the closed doors in confusion.  Taking a step towards the doors, the blonde was surprised to feel a strong hand on his shoulder, holding him back.  "Hey, let go, I'm going to catch up with them, try and see what the bloody hell is up with my witch."

Angelus' hand only tightened, causing the younger vampire to try, unsuccessfully to escape his grip. "If she wanted to talk to you, she would have done so.  Besides, I think she was right, we should catch up; it seems you need to be reminded of your place, William."  Spike froze as the words left the other man's lips, not quite able to take in the possible meaning in the dark-haired man's statement.  He was saved the trouble of guessing as Angelus continued.

"I am still your sire, and as such, I expect you to do as I say.  And right now I say that you're going to stay right here.with me, and.catch up, just like she said."  The elder vampire took advantage of Spike's shock and confusion, using his hand to spin him around to face him, then using it to pull him forward so that the blonde crashed into him.  "What do you say, William, shall we.catch up?"  A wicked smirk formed on his face for a split second as the brunette leaned forward and captured his childe's lips with his own, devouring the blonde's mouth as he had so often dreamt of doing.

It wasn't long before Spike lost all thoughts of going to find Willow, instead surrendering to his sire's demands.

~~~*~~~

Laughter echoed in the dark night as the two friends ran down the empty street, turning into the deserted park to stop and catch their breath.  Although she wasn't sure what had prompted the redhead to seek out the not so innocent fun she seemed to now crave, Faith had been more than willing to accommodate the witch. In doing so, the slayer had led Willow to the nearest seven-eleven as soon as they'd finished up their talk with the others at Amy, Anya and Drusilla's.  Cordy and Duncan had both stayed with the three women, telling the remaining duo that they'd soon head back to the apartment they were still sharing with Spike and Willow.

The brunette and redhead grinned wildly at one another as they made their way over to the bench, having finally had their fill of the necessary oxygen their run had deprived them of.  Willow shook her head, laughing once more as she pulled out their newly pilfered bottle of vodka.  "You are entirely too good at that, you know?"  The slayer simply shot her a grin, nodding her head and taking two cans of soda from the six pack she had purchased while distracting the clerk so that the redhead could get the bottle she was now opening.

The two sat in silence for several minutes, opening their sodas and pouring in what Faith referred to as the perfect amount of vodka.  Their minds drifted from their recent mischief to the topic they had been discussing with the witches and immortals not half an hour before.  Their conversation had, as most of their recent ones had seemed to, focused on the mayor, and Faith couldn't help but think back on the time she'd spent working for the soon-to-be demon.  The brunette couldn't help the sigh that escaped her as she took a sip of her drink at the train of thought.  Knowing without looking that her friend was regarding her curiously at the sound, she went ahead and said what she'd been thinking.  "I feel bad."

"About what?"  The witch ended the question with a cough as she glared down at her drink, questioning the intelligence of letting Faith determine the amount of alcohol that had gone into it.

"What we're doing next week.  I mean, I get that he has to be stopped and all, but the guy was like my father or something, at least for a while and I. I just feel bad about it."

Willow sighed herself, scooting over to sit right next to her friend, placing her hand over the brunette's and squeezing it comfortingly.  "I'm sorry you feel bad, but like you said, he has to be stopped."

Faith nodded, taking a long swallow of her drink.  "I know.  And I can't let him go through with it, I can't let him kill everyone. anyone, really."  Downing nearly half the soda in one go, she made a slight face at the taste, then glanced over at the woman next to her.  "Having a conscience really sucks, you know that?"

The former Scooby laughed a little at the remark, so characteristic of the rogue slayer.  "It's okay to be a good person, Faith."

She frowned slightly, her expression nearly a pout as she slumped forward and took another drink.  "But being good's no fun."

Willow took a swig of her own drink and shook her head, both at the taste and at the other woman's last comment.  "That's not true; Spike's fun and he's good.  As a matter of fact, Spike's very good."

Faith looked at her with wide eyes, then started laughing again at the wicked little smirk on the redhead's face.  "Willow!  You know, I think I'm finally beginning to rub off on you."  They shared a smile at that, both taking another sip as they stood and made their way over to the swings.  Sitting and starting to swing slowly on the playground equipment, Faith looked over at her again.  "I wonder what the boys are doing now?"

Willow was unable to hide her grin as she followed suit and began to pump her legs, sending herself high into the air.  "I'd say Angelus is relearning how very good Spike is."

The slayer stopped swinging, sending her best friend a suspicious look.  "Why do you say that?"  The witch's grin widened and became even more wicked as she continued to swing.  "Willow?"  Faith's tone grew even more suspicious as she caught sight of the expression.  "What did you do?"

The blonde's girlfriend shrugged as best she could as she flew through the air, attempting to sound innocent as she answered, though the alcohol she'd had was making that quite difficult.  "I didn't do anything, per say.  I merely mentioned that they should stay at the mansion and. catch up."  The other woman raised an eyebrow in disbelief and Willow smirked.  "Okay, so I might have said something to Angelus about the fact that Spike thought he didn't want him anymore 'cause he hadn't reclaimed him and that he needed to let Spike know that that wasn't the case."

"You didn't!"  Faith let out a loud laugh, climbing off her swing to pick up her drink and take a swig from it.  "Damn, girl, talk about taking initiative." Setting her soda on the ground she sat back down nearby, watching the redhead slow her swing.  "And not that I'm like complaining or anything 'cause I really do think those two need to do something about all that sexual tension between them and everything but. I thought Spike had decided not to pursue anything with Angelus."

Stopping her swing, the witch shrugged her shoulders again, her face serious and just the slightest bit sad.  "He had, but only because of me, and I. Angelus is his sire, and I understand enough about that relationship to know that Spike needs him, in a lot of different ways.  I couldn't just let him deny himself something he wants, something he needs as much as he does Angelus."

Faith looked down at her now empty can for a moment, then spoke, her voice curious and hesitant.  "That doesn't bother you?  I mean, it doesn't bother you that he wants and needs Angelus like that?"

Willow grabbed her own drink, finishing it off as she sat down next to the brunette and shook her head, replying quietly.  "Not really.  I know he loves me, but how can I honestly say that I love him if I deny him his sire knowing full well that he loves him too?"

Faith set her empty drink aside, shaking her head again.  "No, I mean, doesn't it bother you that Spike feels that way for another man?"

The witch followed her friend's lead and put her drink down, turning to face her, somehow knowing that her answer meant more than it appeared to.  "I don't really look at it like that.  Spike loves Angelus, wants Angelus; Angelus just happens to be a man.  That doesn't mean anything, it doesn't change how Spike feels, and it doesn't change how I feel about those feelings."

The slayer was silent for several seconds, seeming to think about something then turning so that she was facing the redhead.  "Spike is very lucky to have you, ya know that?"  Before the redhead could respond, the mayor's former employee leaned forward, pressing her lips to Willow's.  She pulled back an instant later, averting her gaze as an uncomfortable silence descended upon the two friends.

Willow simply stared at her dark-haired friend, thoughts and emotions racing through her almost faster than she could follow them, let alone comprehend them.  She knew she was attracted to the other girl, both physically and otherwise, but she'd never really given any real thought to acting on her desires.  Now, as her lips tingled and her blood burned with the lingering effects of the short kiss, she was forced to do exactly that.

Her mind immediately began to replay her conversation with Cordelia the night she and Duncan had shown up so unexpectedly at Giles'.  The brunette had, at the time, and once or twice afterwards, mentioned the possibility of something happening between the vampires, witch, and slayer.  Willow had to admit, she'd found the idea intriguing, and not just a little arousing, though she'd never allowed herself to dwell on it, thinking it impossible.  Most of the basis for that particular opinion, though, had included her surety that Faith would never return her feelings.  As she sat in the park's silent darkness, however, she felt that surety evaporating within her, instead being replaced by conflicting feelings of uncertainty and hope.

Could a possibility actually exist for something between the four of them?  Spike and Angelus had most probably reaffirmed what had been between sire and childe that very night, and it was becoming obvious that something was forming between herself and the rogue slayer.  But what did that really mean, for the four of them?  How would Spike, or Angelus react to herself and Faith wanting to be together?  If Faith truly wanted to be with her, that was.  For all she knew, the brunette could be merely physically attracted to her and nothing more.  Or she could just be drunk and not aware of what she'd just done.

No, that latter one was just stupid, Faith was far from drunk, though a possibility still existed for the validity of the former.  Willow sighed, bringing a hand up to rub at her temples.  This was just too complicated for her to figure out on her own, especially when she could still feel the effects of both the alcohol and the small kiss humming along her nerves.  This would just have to wait for tomorrow, when she could think clearly about it, and maybe talk to Spike, or perhaps Dru or Cordy, or even Faith about it all.  Yes, that was exactly what she'd do.

With a deep breath, Willow forced herself to stand, offering her friend a somewhat uncertain smile as she suggested they head back to the mansion.  Faith merely nodded mutely and helped the other woman gather up their 'purchases' before they headed out of the park. The redhead felt something tighten in her chest at the other girl's response, though she made an effort to shove the feeling aside until she could get one of the others to help her think this all through logically. By the time she'd actually managed to accomplish this they had reached the mansion.

Not sure what to say, Willow followed Faith's disturbingly silent lead and set down their sodas and vodka in the kitchen, then went into the living room. They hadn't even reached the couch, however, when a series of odd noises caught their attention.  Both rather preoccupied with thoughts of what had happened at the park, they followed the sounds tto an empty bedroom on the third floor without thought.  They soon found that while 'empty' had described the room hours before, it didn't now.  As a matter of fact, the room was anything but empty as Angelus and Spike lay sprawled across each other at the end of the bed, kissing feverishly as hands roamed over bare flesh.

Willow stopped short, simply staring wide-eyed at the scene before her, while Faith finally regained her voice and let out a chuckle.

The sound drew the two vampires' attention and they abruptly drew apart, a surprised expression being replaced by a naughty grin on the elder man's face as his brunette lover left her friend's side and went to his.  Spike did not follow his sire's lead, however, his face showing slight uncertainty as he began to cautiously approach his girlfriend.  Hearing from his sire that Willow was okay with they reclaim one another just wasn't the same as hearing it from his witch and he found himself just a bit afraid that his pixie wouldn't be quite as comfortable with it as she'd implied.  "Willow, I uh, I didn't expect you back so soon."

Willow remained still and silent as he reached her, green eyes still fixed on the bed where he had been, her brain struggling to take in everything she was seeing and feeling.  Sure, she'd known that she'd basically told Angelus to go fuck her boyfriend, had even pictured the result of her interference, but nothing she'd imagined had come close to the eroticism of what she'd just seen.  Her heart pounded wildly in her chest and her breath came unevenly as she replayed it in her mind.  Spike finally reached her then, hesitantly taking her hands in his and asking her if she was okay.

She only nodded, not trusting her voice, not knowing what might come out of her mouth should she open it, afraid it might be something along the lines of what she'd been thinking of while at the park.  That fear wasn't because she doubted that she wanted that to happen, though.  No, she was quite sure she wanted it to happen, the throbbing between her legs at the mere thought was strongly voicing her desire for that to happen.  Her uncertainty that anyone else desired the same was the cause of her fear and she didn't want to threaten any of her friendships by going there before she had the chance to assuage that doubt.  Not believing her, the blonde asked if she was sure and she nodded again, leaving him even more worried as he cleared his throat and tried to lead her to the door.

"Why don't you and Faith go into the other room while me and Angelus change, then we can go back to the apartment and.talk."  She made no response to his words or actions, despite her brain's insistence that his advice was probably the most prudent.  Her growing arousal and the unexplainable feeling of rightness that was suddenly overcoming her as she let her gaze wander back over to the silent brunettes on the bed had her feet rooted where she stood.

"Will, luv, what's wrong?"  She still wouldn't look at him and growing even more concerned, he walked back to her, moving to stand directly in front of her so that he could see his girlfriend's face.  What he saw there nearly made him trip over his own feet.  As it was, her wide, hungry eyes caused his breath to catch, making him automatically take a deep breath to get the oxygen he didn't really need.

That too, proved to send his body into further chaos as it brought him the heady sent of her now notable arousal.  He felt himself respond instantly, his pulse began to race as his cock came to swift attention. Knowing that his control was becoming somewhat precarious and not wanting to lose that control and do something she couldn't possibly want given the circumstances and their audience, he tried again to convince her to go into another room so he could change.  Again, she refused and he felt his body react as her pink tongue darted out to moisten her lips.

Getting desperate now, he did his best to ignore his ever increasing arousal and attempted to gently pull her towards the door once more.  "Um, Luv, don't you think it would be better if we went somewhere we could be alone?"

The question echoed in her head and she was surprised by the strength of her surety as lust darkened emerald pools flickered over to the two brunettes, then to her lover.  "No."

He shivered at the husky quality of her voice, feeling his control waning dangerously as his own voice took on an almost pleading tone.  "Pet."  He was unable to complete his plea, however, as his sire left the bed and came up behind him.

Chocolate met jade for a moment as he stood there, the brown pools filling with understanding as he stared into her eyes.  The redhead couldn't help the swift return of her uncertainty as their gazes remained locked, but then a smile began to curve the tall brunette's lips and she felt relief and confidence rush through her.

"William, I believe the lady said no."  The older vampire's deep voice held a warning Spike easily recognized but couldn't as easily heed.

Turning to look the redhead in the face, Spike clenched his fists at his side, unaware of the wordless exchange that had just taken place and struggling to retain control of himself, his voice containing its own strained warning as he spoke. "Willow, if you don't leave this room right now, I'm going to take you against that wall."

She held his gaze steadily as her soft, breathy voice seemed to fill the room.  "Okay."

His heart nearly stopped at that, and though it really wouldn't matter since he was already dead, he fought to draw breath.  Swallowing past the lump in his throat, the blonde glanced over at his sire, meeting swirling chocolate depths before turning from their aroused intensity to land on the owner of another pair of brown eyes.  Those orbs didn't meet his, however, being already fixed on the redhead next to him with surprising desire.  Finally returning his gaze to the witch, he took a step closer to her, drawing her attention, which had been focused on the shorter brunette who was still sitting on the bed.

"Will, do you realize what that would mean?  If we start this. if we all start this, there will be no turning back."  He placed a hand on her shoulder, caressing the skin exposed by her tank top, fighting to keep his hand from traveling down to cup her breast.  "I won't let this happen if you're not sure you want this or aren't prepared for the consequences."  Even as he said the words, he prayed that she didn't have second thoughts, not knowing if he would truly be able to walk away from this now.

He needn't have worried as she glanced at Angelus, then Faith, meeting both sets of brown eyes before redirecting her gaze at her blonde lover, her voice coming out husky and strained.  "Please."

~~~*~~~

Spike reacted before the word completely left her mouth, lifting her up as he stepped forward.  Her legs wrapped around his waist as he pushed her back against the wall, pressing into her body with his own, leaving his hands free to finally travel to her breasts.  At the same time, his lips attacked hers, his tongue delving into the hot, wet confines of her mouth, driving away any lingering doubts that might have still existed within her.  He was only able to pull away when he remembered that she had to breathe, sating himself by moving to her throat, licking and nipping at the flesh there.

Faith's eyes were fixed on the sight, her pulse increasing as the redhead let out a low moan.  The dark-haired vampire smiled at his girlfriend's response, leaning forward to kiss her throat as she continued to watch Spike and Willow.  His kisses soon grew more aggressive and the slayer turned her attention to his actions, pulling his head up and instigating a passionate kiss as he lowered her to the bed, covering her body with his.

Moments later, Faith's attention was drawn back to her friend as the blonde brought her to the bed, laying the redhead upon it and positioning himself atop her. Willow, as if sensing the other woman's gaze, turned her head to look at the brunette as the vampires both began trailing kisses down their throats to the valley between their breasts.  Green met brown at the same moment Spike and Angelus pulled back, ripping the women's shirts and bras from their bodies with ease before tossing the ruined material to the floor.

The eye contact was broken for only a moment as the blonde and brunette leaned forward to take their breasts in their mouths, causing the women to arch up into the cool wet tongues that assaulted them.  While the vampires sucked first one, then the other coral nipple into their mouths, moving in sync, teasing them agonizingly, Faith and Willow leaned towards one another, their mouths meeting for the second time that night as they writhed beneath their boyfriends' attentive mouths.

Noticing the action, and still wanting to continue what they'd been doing when the women came in, Angelus pulled away from his slayer, tackling his childe to the bed next to Willow.  The witch turned to look at them, then glanced over at her friend, meeting the other woman's surprised face with her own startled expression.  Smiles soon replaced those looks however, and they instinctually moved closer together as the vampires kissed and fondled each other with passionate abandon.

Not allowing herself time to think, the redhead acted on the lust that burned between them, turning onto her side and capturing her friend's lips with hers, kissing the other woman with all the emotion she'd hidden within her.  Faith responded in kind, pulling the witch to her, moans escaping them both as their bare breasts pressed together.  Neither thought of anything but the feelings rushing through them as they let their tongues duel and their hands explore.

Without thought, Willow broke their kiss and trailed her lips down the brunette's throat to her chest where the witch attacked her friend's full breasts with fervor.  Consciousness returned to her with a rather violent start as the slayer let out a surprised gasp, the sound bringing her back to herself and causing her emerald gaze to fly to the other woman's face.  A second passed, and neither breathed as their eyes remained locked, both waiting for the other to pull away or otherwise express discomfort or revulsion.

When, after several moments, no such thing occurred, they released their breaths almost as one, smiles forming slowly on their faces, the expression held for a short time before the sounds of their lovers pulled their attention to the men next to them.  Glancing over, the women were unable to hold back moans at the sight, their smiles taking on a different quality as they looked back at one another, heated gazes locking once more as the redhead began to ease herself off the bed.

Once standing, Willow hurriedly shed the remainder of her clothing, the brunette needing no encouragement to do the same, leaving both women completely naked as the witch lowered herself back over her friend, her hot mouth descending upon the other woman with little warning.  The moment her lips reached their target, the slayer arched off the bed with a loud groan, her legs spreading and her fingers tangling themselves in fiery tresses of their own volition.

Mere moments passed before Faith used her grip on those silken strands to pull the witch back up her body, bringing the other woman's mouth within reach of her own.  As she attacked the lips that had been tormenting her, she rolled over, bringing Willow with her and trapping the smaller woman's body under hers. Once accomplishing this, she tore her mouth from her friend's lips and moved down the redhead's slender body with all her slayer speed, immediately reciprocating her earlier torture and burying her face in the glistening crux that eagerly awaited her attentions.

The scream that escaped Willow at the action penetrated the lusty haze that had enveloped the vampires, causing the blonde and brunette to look over at their girlfriends, the haze returning full force at the sight that greeted them.  The men remained still, enraptured by the sounds and movements being drawn from both women as Willow cried out again, then proceeded to repeat the slayer's actions by pulling her back up, then rolling the brunette beneath her to finish what she had started.  As Faith screamed her own completion, sire and childe were spurred into action.

Spike moved off the bed, leaning over his girlfriend, his hands seeking her pert breasts as she went to move back up the brunette's body.  A gasp escaped her and she turned, her lips finding his as he moved them, setting her down on the bed next to Faith even as Angelus moved to their side, his hands traversing the body beneath him as he captured his lover's lips in a bruising kiss.  Heat rose between the four of them, the electricity mounting until the very air surrounding them was charged, their nerves reacting as much to it as to each other.

Willow and Faith writhed and moaned beneath the pleasurable onslaught of the vampires' talents, the women's hands clasping between them as their cries gained volume and sensation began to overwhelm them. Spike and Angelus were close behind, their hands straying from soft curves to hard muscle, from sculpted pecs to rounded breasts and back again.  As touches, gentle and rough, were exchanged between sire and childe, slayer and witch, one cool hand slipped, brushing along a pale expanse of leg, bringing dazed emerald to meet smoldering brown.

Silence stretched between a dark-haired vampire and his childe's mate, unnoticed by the others, a boundary being tested as wordless communication passed from one to another.  And then, a moment later, a witch's hand tightened around a slayer's and four cries echoed in the night.

~Epilogue~ Moonlit Anniversaries

Spike watched them all with a smile on his face, the expression growing when Drusilla and Duncan began to spar playfully on the sidewalk, Cordelia quickly joining them to play the referee.  Laughter sounded next to him, light and airy on the night breeze and he smiled that much wider as he turned slightly to watch Anya and Faith laying mock bets on the winner while Amy and Willow cheered Drusilla on.  The Scottish immortal sent the witches a cheerful glare at that, drawing more laughter from his audience as the vampiress took advantage of his distraction and swept his feet out from under him.

Spike chuckled as the younger immortal stepped forward to help her husband to his feet, his blue eyes meeting those of his sire as the other vampire watched Faith argue with the ex-demon about whether or not she really owed the other woman a bag of oreos.  The former Scourge of Europe shook his head at his mate's antics and sent his blonde childe a 'can you believe that' look.

The small altercation was ended when Amy stepped between the women with a sigh and tried to calm her girlfriend, allowing the slayer to escape.  The brunette was intercepted before she reached her mate's side, however, the redhead steering her off to a giggling Cordelia with a mischievous look in her emerald eyes.

The sight of the three women talking quietly gave the master vampire an uneasy feeling, and he knew his sire felt the same as they exchanged a look, Macleod soon joining them with a matching expression which only grew more nervous as Drusilla, Amy, and Anya joined the trio.

"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?"

Spike raised an eyebrow at the Scotsman, his voice tinged with sarcasm as he answered.  "Cause any time those chits get together they end up playing some kind of joke on us that only they find funny?"

Duncan nodded gravely as Angelus continued to eye the women.  "That's probably it."

The dark-haired vampire frowned as the women all started laughing and casting glances back at the three of them.  "I hate when Dru and the witches come to visit, it always leaves us frighteningly out numbered. I mean, it's bad enough with just our women around, but when those three join in, we haven't got a chance."

Spike made a noise in the back of his throat, sending the other Master of Sunnydale a look that fairly screamed 'well duh'.  Duncan and Cordelia had never actually made it back to Seacouver after coming to help them with the ascension, the friendship between the redhead and former cheerleader, and therefore Cordelia and Faith, having grown rather rapidly during that time.

The now married immortals actually lived in the small townhouse that had once belonged to Giles, the watcher having given it to them before he'd moved back to England after Buffy's Graduation.  Only a week after the former librarian's move, Wesley had shown up, ordered by the Council to take the blonde slayer to Cleveland.  Much to their relief, Buffy had gone along with it, even doing them the favor of insisting that Xander go with her, thus riding them of both teens.

The older vampire shot his chide a look in response, but the immortal cut in before Angelus could offer a suitably sarcastic retort.  "It can't get too bad this time, though, seeing as how Amy and Anya have to get back to their shop soon."

The vampires had to nod in agreement at the logic in the other man's argument, knowing that the witches did indeed have to be back in LA on Monday to run the small Wiccan shop they'd opened there the year before. The Mage Fire, as they'd called it, had become quite the success, keeping the couple in LA most of the time and leaving them thankfully even-numbered in Sunnydale, with only Willow, Faith, and Cordelia there to drown them in estrogen.

"Thank bloody Christ.  Can you imagine that lot staying for any more than a few days?"

Angelus gave an exaggerated shudder at that.  "I don't even want to consider it.  It was a near nightmare the last time they stayed for even an entire week.  Lucky for us, Dru's new second isn't quite as good as the last one, so she'll probably leave with Amy and Anya on Monday."

Duncan and Spike nodded, their faces showing their relief, both thinking of how long she'd been able to stay when she'd had a more reliable 'lieutenant' to handle things for her in LA.  In a stroke of luck, he'd been staked a few months before, making it more difficult for the Master of Los Angeles to remain out of her city for more than a few days at a time.

It had been Drusilla's acquired station in LA that had first released the trio from their female prison, as Amy and Anya had seen the small building for sale while visiting the raven-haired vampire in her new city.  The couple had moved there with her within weeks to start The Mage Fire, though they'd kept Willow and Spike's old apartment for the three of them to stay in when they visited.

The blonde and redhead had given them the apartment when they'd moved into the mansion with Faith and Angelus right after Willow had graduated, giving the prophesied Masters of the Hellmouth a base of operations from which to rule the town.

They were pulled from contemplation of their liberation from female oppression when the women suddenly became quiet, their laughter dying off as somber expressions smothered their previous grins. The men looked up to see what had doused their gleeful plotting only to grow disconsolate themselves as their eyes landed on the old high school, reminding them exactly why the other women had come to town for the weekend in the first place.

The group sorted out in silence, Angelus going to his slayer's side as Spike went to Willow's and Duncan to Cordelia's.  Anya's arm wound around her girlfriend's waist as Drusilla stood nearby, all of them gazing at the building in silence, all of them caught up in memories.  It had been exactly five years ago that day, that they had joined together to destroy the mayor.  The battle itself had been somewhat anti-climatic for all the fear and effort that had gone into preparing for it.

Faith and Angelus had delt with the various vampires and demons that had shown up hoping to take advantage of the chaos, receiving unsurprisingly little help from Buffy or Xander, who had in fact not even had the courage to attend the ceremony.  Cordelia and Duncan had taken care of the three immortals that the Mayor had hired to guard him during the transformation, leaving the man himself open for attack.

That attack had comprised of two parts, the first being the spell the women had created, casted by Amy, Anya, Willow, and Drusilla as mandated by the prophesy.  The second had consisted of only two people- Spike and, shockingly enough, Giles, who'd shown up at the last moment, after giving up on convincing Buffy to help.  The vampire and watcher had perpetrated the physical offensive on Richard Wilkins once the spell had sufficiently weakened him when he was most vulnerable: during the transformation itself.

The mayor had died not even halfway through the graduation ceremony, whereas the fight with the vampires, demons, and immortals had lasted a bit longer.  All in all, nearly thirty students, parents, and staff had died that afternoon, though the police still classified the event as gang related, saying the ceremony had been the stage for a battle between rival gangs.  They had all rolled their eyes at the never-ending stupidity of the Sunnydale police department, joking about the hostility of the town's 'troubled youth' even as they mourned the loss of so many lives.

That mourning was reborn each year as they gathered together to mark the anniversary of the event that had drawn them all together.  The tradition continued that very night, as Willow, Cordelia, Amy, and even Anya, the four actual graduates of the school, stepped up to the front stairs of the building and laid down a single bouquet of white carnations in remembrance. When they had stepped back, a few moments later, the group moved on quietly, the former students looking back one last time at the building which, much like the town, had escaped seemingly unscathed, with no visible mark of the evil that dwelled beneath its floors.

Shaking off the melancholy that always overcame her on the morbid anniversary, Willow turned to her friends with a smile.  "Well, what are we waiting for, tonight's the anniversary of our friendship too, we should be celebrating."

Faith nodded.  "Yeah, we've done the depressing stuff, lets get on to the fun stuff."

Anya, Amy, and Drusilla all made sounds of agreement, the blonde witch turning to her former vengeance demon of a girlfriend, then to her master vampire of a best friend with a smile.  "All right, who's up for some dancing?"  The other five women voiced their agreement rather loudly, forcing the men to suppress groans at the devious look that reentered their eyes as they leaned back in to whisper amongst themselves during the rest of the walk.

A few minutes later, secretive glances and laughter emanated from the six women, leaving the men very suspicious and just a little afraid as they reached the club.  Spike looked up at the large sign above the door that read 'Seduction' in blood red lights and couldn't help but smile at the proud grin that covered his mate's face as she followed his gaze.  Willow and Faith had started the dance club and bar almost two and a half years before, having grown bored with their limited role in the running of the town's demonic community.

It had proved very lucrative and even more fun for the two women, who had named it in honor of the dance they'd shared so long before in the Bronze, which they credited for the eventual evolution of the relationship the four now shared.  Spike and Angelus shared a heated look as they entered.  It was inevitable, virtue of the night's anniversary, and their mere presence at the women's precious club, that before the night was over, that fateful dance would be repeated, and that relationship consummated.

The vampires grinned, knowing that no matter what evil they'd have to face, or what plot the six were planning, it would be worth it simply because their mates were at their sides.  And come dawn, as they'd planned that very night five years before, they would be at their sides for all eternity, their witch and slayer; their dark queens.

The End

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