"Oh Dear God, this can’t be right." Giles quickly checks his translation one final time. This news is very bad, he must try and reach Buffy at once.
Giles dials her number and lets it ring, but gets no answer. He finally recalls that several weeks ago, she had given him the number to Riley’s
apartment for use in an emergency. He searches for the number and quickly dials it.

Riley answers on the second ring.

"Hello"

"Riley, is Buffy there, I must speak with her."

Riley can hear the tension in Giles’ voice and responds to it.

"Just a second, I’ll get her"

A moment later Buffy comes on the line, "What’s up Giles is the world ending again or something?"

"Buffy, I found a prophecy, It does predict the apocalypse, but not for some time yet...."

Buffy interrupts, "Great then lets talk about this tomorrow, I need some sleep tonight."

"Buffy, there is more. The prophecy involves Willow, I believe. Willow and a vampire, and this is to happen very soon. We need to talk about this
now."

"Willow, nothing is going to hurt Willow. I won’t allow it. We’ll be there in 10 minutes call the others." Buffy hangs the phone up before Giles can say
another word. While Giles begins quick calls to the rest of this rather remarkable group of young people, Buffy gets ready to go.

"Buffy, what is it, what’s wrong. Did you say it’s about Willow."

"Giles found a prophecy. Get dressed we’re going over there now. It involves Willow, and I’m not letting anything else happen to her. She’s been
through enough." At her words Riley does start getting ready to go, but he continues to question Buffy.

"What does it say about her, does it predict her death, a battle, a spell."

"I don’t know Riley, but in my experience prophecies are never nice things for the ones involved. Let’s go."
 
 

15 minutes later the entire gang is in the magic shop. There are worried looks all around. Giles didn’t tell the others what the prophecy was about,
merely that there was a prophecy that required immediate research.

Buffy is the first to speak, "Giles, explain."

"Yes of course Buffy. I recently received a book shipment. I was able to ascertain that this one held prophecies relevant to the slayer. I began
translating the manuscript and it became apparent that Buffy is the slayer in the prophecy. It speaks of everything she has faced before being a
test, a trying ground for a great battle to come. I think that battle will occur in the next year."

"Giles, can we get on with this, you said Willow was involved. I want to know how and now."

There is a collective gasp in the room at the mention of Willow. Xander can’t contain himself, "She will be okay, won’t she G-man."

"I hope so Xander, Now, I was getting to that. The prophecy says that the slayer will not be able to fight the coming evil on her own. The part of
the translation I finished tonight told of who would assist her. The translation reads: The slayer’s tree, her strength, will stand beside her, but not
alone. The tree must be bound to a fractured vampire. This man was born and turned for this destiny alone, his past is inconsequential. The tree will
know him when it is time. Thus bound their strength can assist the slayer. Together they may triumph. Alone Humanity is lost."

"The slayer’s tree, that’s me isn’t it."

"I believe so, Willow. Your name is a tree, and Buffy has said many times that you are what gives her strength. I am certain the prophecy is
speaking of you."

There is a pause while Willow digests this information. Then at the same time both she and Buffy realize what is to happen to her and ask.

"What does it mean, bound?"

Giles sighs, "There is an ancient ritual to bind the lives of a human and a vampire to gether. This is never practiced anymore, so we have very little
knowledge of it. It involves an exchange of blood, not nearly enough to turn the human. It must be a willing exchange."

"If the binding doesn’t turn her what’s the point. What does a vamp get out of it?" Buffy seems puzzled by the concept.

Giles has slipped into his intellectual, teaching mode. "The ritual binds their lives together. Traditionally vampires only did this with humans who had
powerful links to magic. The bond allows the vampire to draw on the human’s power. The human can draw on the vampires power as well, their
strength, speed, and healing capabilities. Also the vampire can draw sustenance from their partner with no exchange of blood."

Riley speaks up, "So what’s the downside, why don’t they do it anymore."

"If one dies they both will. Even in a tightly bound pair the human is physically much more vulnerable than the vampire. A resourceful foe, could kill
them both merely by killing the weaker half."

Willow’s voice comes bringing everyone back into the reality of the prophecy instead of the academics of the process. "This is supposed to happen
to me?"

A shadow falls over Giles’ face, he sees this bright young lady as a daughter and it pains him that this will happen to her, but he can see no way
around it.

"Yes, Willow. If I’m reading this correctly that is what is meant to happen. I’m sorry. I wish there was something I could do to change this."

Buffy’s voice breaks in almost angry in it’s intensity. "No, I won’t let this happen. I will not see my best friend bound to a vampire for eternity."

"Buffy, I understand how you feel, but I don’t believe any of us have a choice in the matter. The prophecy is not overly optimistic of your winning
with Willow, without her humanity is doomed."

"Giles, I don’t care. It’s just not fair. I have a destiny to fight evil, I get that. I don’t always like it, but I get it. Willow should be allowed to live her
own life. It’s not fair that she should get sucked into this destiny too.

Willow walks over to her nearly hysterical friend and hugs her softly saying, "Buffy, it’s alright. It seems I have my own destiny to live. We’ll deal.
We always do."

Buffy quiets and then replies in a barely audible voice, "I’m so sorry, Willow."

"Willow do you know who the vampire is? The prophecy says you will recognize him." Giles asks.

"No. The only ‘fights on the side of good’ vampire I know is Angel, and it’s not him. I can feel that."

Riley speaks up, trying to pick the academic thread of this discussion back up. "The prophecy called the vamp a fractured vampire. What’s that
mean?"

"I really have no idea. I’ve been looking for references since I translated the term. It’s not in any of my books, at least I haven’t found it yet if it is."

Willow speaks up brightly, "Guys, I think I need a little time to digest this information. It’s late, and I have a test tomorrow too. Does anyone mind if
I bail on research tonight."

"Of course not Willow, go home get your rest. Someone should walk with you. Actually I’d recommend, all of you get some rest."

Buffy is adamant, "I’m staying for a little while anyway. I want to know what this means."

"Willow I’ll walk you home, and then come back for Buffy, okay?"

"Thanks Riley."

Riley and Willow leave. Xander is still sitting there in shock, it’s as though nothing has really processed for a while. Anya is for once being quiet,
simply holding Xander’s hand. She may be having a hard time adjusting to human life, but some things she does understand. Xander finally speaks.
"What can we do Giles, surely there’s something. Willow’s been through so much. Just tell me what to do."

"Well, as I said, I don’t believe we can change her destiny. I believe that things must occur as set out in the prophecy. I think the best thing that
we can do for Willow is first to research the prophecy, we must ascertain what it means precisely, and second to be there for her through it all. I
don’t think there is really anything more you can do for her tonight. I was thinking that maybe we should speak to the only two vampires on
speaking terms with the slayer, however."

"You don’t really want to bring the deadboys in on this do you?" Xander is horrified at the thought.

"I don’t know a better way to find out about obscure vampire rituals and terms than to ask a vampire, do you Xander. If you have something in mind
I’d be overjoyed to try it." Giles sounds annoyed at this outburst.

"Giles is right, although, believe me it pains me to have to talk to Spike about this. Giles, why don’t you call Angel, while I go get Spike. Xander I
really think you should go home, get some sleep. Anya, take care of him okay." Buffy has taken her ‘I’m in charge so listen up’ voice.

"Sure, I always take care of him, come on Xander, lets go home."

Xander and Anya leave. Buffy is about to follow, but Giles stops her. "Buffy, I’d feel better about this if you waited for Riley to get back before you
went after Spike."

"Why, it’s not like he can hurt me?"

"I was rather thinking that Riley’s presence might discourage you from hurting him."

"You could be right, I wouldn’t want to hurt him, if he can help Willow. I’ll wait" The two sit in silence waiting for Riley to return. In a few minutes he
does.

"Don’t get comfortable, you and I are going out again. We’re going to find Spike. Giles we’ll be back with Spike in a little bit."

"Good Buffy, I’ll see you soon."

Giles prepares himself to make a very difficult phone call. He must call Angel. He is still not entirely comfortable with Angel. He knows intellectually
that Angelus is who tortured him, and killed his love, but emotionally it is difficult to separate the two. For Willow however, he would do nearly
anything, he sighs as he picks up the phone and begins to dial.

"Cordelia, this is Giles. Is Angel there?"

"Sure is. Great to hear your voice Giles, how’s Sunnydale, same old stuff?"

"Yes, Cordelia, it’s lovely to hear your voice as well, but I really must speak to Angel."

"Okay, okay. Chill, I’ll get him for you."

"Thank you."

A moment later Angel comes on the line. There is obvious tension in his voice. He knows that the watcher would not call him, if it was not vitally
important. Too many memories connect them. "Giles, what can I do for you?"

"Angel, I’ve found a prophecy relating to Willow. It’s late so I won’t bore you with all the details, but it says she is to be bound to a fractured
vampire. This is necessary so that they can assist Buffy in averting the apocalypse."

"Willow! That can’t be right. If anyone deserved to be free of ‘destiny’ it’s her. She’s too pure. We can’t let her be hurt."

"Calm down, Angel. I don’t think she is going to be hurt, but the prophecy must be fulfilled, I believe. I could use your help researching the vampiric
parts in the prophecy. I could fax it to you, or rather Willow could in the morning, I never can get that bloody machine to work."

"Don’t bother, I’m coming. Wesley, Cordelia, and I will be there tomorrow night. I’d do almost anything to help Willow. We’ll bring our own books and
help research."

"Alright, I suppose I’ll see you tomorrow then, and Angel, Thank You."

"You don’t need to thank me, but you’re welcome anyway.

Giles places the receiver gently back on the cradle of the phone, just as Buffy and Riley walk in Spike in tow.

"Well watcher, are you going to tell me what’s going on. The slayer and her boy here, didn’t give me any hints or anything." Spike spoke with his
customary sneer.

"Spike, have you ever heard the term ‘fractured vampire’?" Giles merely begins questioning Spike, ignoring his demand for answers.

"I haven’t. What for?"

"What do you know about the binding ritual, have you ever seen a bound pair." Giles again ignores Spikes question, asking one of his own.

"Bloody bad news that is. I don’t understand why any vamp would tie his life to a humans. If the human was so bloody great, I’d just turn em,
quicker, easier too. Haven’t ever seen a bound pair, heard about one once. Vamp named Ridolfo, rumor had it he was Lorenzo de Medici’s bastard,
bound to some sorceress. She left him, and he walked into the sun, took her life too. Waste if you ask me. I’d never do it."

"Giles, he’s not giving us anything new, can I just kill him, please."

"Not now, Buffy. He may still be able to help us. Spike, a prophecy says that Willow will be bound to a fractured vampire. If you can get us any new
information on the binding or the term we may be able to compensate you."

"Red to be bound. That is interesting. I’ll see what I can find out. You better be able to ‘compensate me’"

"Good, I think you better leave now, before you try Buffy’s patience any further. Buffy, Riley, I really do think you should go home and get some
rest. We can continue this tomorrow."

The group disperses. Spike is still thinking when everyone else leaves. It bothers him that it is Willow in the prophecy. He doesn’t know why it
should, but it does. The thing is, he’d liked the redhead. She treated him like a person, instead of a minor annoyance the way the rest of them did.
He also knew what she’d been through in the past year, and if he could understand anything it was the pain of a broken heart, of being left alone.
He knew being tied to a vampire would probably be a miserable experience for her, and he wished he could change that. Those very thoughts
themselves bothered him. He’d never cared for the wellbeing of a human before, it unnerved him to think one mattered now. Still he would try and
find anything out. He’d do it for Red, but he’d make sure he still got paid. No sense in working for free.

The next day the whole group spends their time researching. They are tense and nervous as the day wears on. When night falls they are all seated
around the table looking through books they’ve already checked. They are tired and frustrated, they’ve found no mention of fractured vampires and
no details on the binding ritual. A knock on the door is heard. Giles gets up and answers it. Angel and Cordelia are behind it. Willow leaps out of her
seat and rushes to them giving them each a tight hug. She steps back a little embarrassed by her impulsive action. Angel and Cordelia are both
flustered by it.

"Sorry guys, I guess, I’m just happy to have more friends here. I feel like I might need all my friends just now." Willow uses a shy embarrassed tone
that hasn’t been heard from her since her high school days. That voice more than anything sets Angel and Cordelia in motion as they envelop her in
another hug. Angel feels the intense need to reassure the redhead who had restored his soul. Ever since returning he’d been protective of her, now
he had something tangible to protect her from.

"Willow, I’m sorry about everything. We’ll all be here to get you through this okay?"

"You will. You’re staying? Thank you." Willow seems surprised that they would stay to help her.

"Of course we will. As if we could just leave a friend to figure this out for themselves. We aren’t going anywhere. Cordelia sounded almost indignant
at Willow’s question.

Giles steps in, "As touching as this is, where’s Wesley?"

"Parking. I should go help him bring in the books though. We brought quite a few of our own along."

"Angel" Everyone turned and looked at Buffy when she spoke, apprehensive.

Angel’s reply came softly. His emotions playing across his face, almost painful to watch. Fear, Pain, Love. "Yes Buffy"

Her own reply is equally soft, the compassion in her voice and manner now obvious. Still, she takes an unconscious step closer to Riley and clings to
his hand. "Thank you, for coming I mean."

Angel simply nods and walks back out into the night. The room seems to give a collective sigh as the tense moment passes and the focus returns to
research. A moment later Angel and Wesley come back in both loaded down with books. They set them down on the table and Angel pulls out one
slim leather-bound volume.

"This book discusses the binding ritual in detail. It actually gives very few of the effects of the binding, but the ritual itself is well described. Both
parties cut their wrists using a consecrated blade, that had been tempered in Holy Water. This should hurt, a lot, for the vampire, but it will allow
the wound to stay open for quite some time. They will drink from each other, but only a tiny amount. Their wrists are bound at the point of the
cuts, and they read vows to protect and remain faithful. After this is completed they must spend the rest of the night together still bound."

"Thank you for that information, Angel. I’m sure it will prove quite useful in the proper time. Have you learned anything of fractured vampires." Giles
also finds it easier to remain in research mode. It keeps him from dwelling on the reality that this will happen to the young girl he has grown to love.

"No, not yet, but there has to be something here." Just then Spike walks in. He is visibly surprised to see Angel, but his usual sneer of contempt
quickly settles into place again.

"Well, well, well. What brings the magnificent poof to Sunnydale, oh and the cheerleader and junior watcher too. To what do we owe the honor."
Spikes voice fairly drips sarcasm and hostility.

"Spike, I’m here to help Willow. What are you here for." The hostility is echoed in Angel’s voice, but he is genuinely surprised to see the vampire,
and interested in knowing why he is here.

Spike smirks and replies, "I’m here to get paid, mate. I provide information; they pay me." with this he turns and addresses Buffy and the watcher,
carefully avoiding the eyes of the small red-headed witch. He has yet to figure out how he feels about her, and that bothers him. "Willy sent me to
an old vamp he knows about. I can’t let you know much about him, gave my word. Anyway, this vamp was crazy. As hard to talk to as my Dru, but
I may have found out about the fractured ones, if that’s what you’re looking for."
 

"Tell me Spike, now. You’d better not be wasting our time here." Buffy was her usual belligerent self dealing with Spike. Giles steps forward and
places a hand on her shoulder and she eases back just a little.

"Well luv, this was one crazy vampire. Made my Dru look like the poster child for mental health, he did. He talked about when he was young, first
turned. He says the fractured ones were whispered about in dark corners and behind closed doors. I had to talk to him for hours to get this story
out of him, so my pay had better be good. Anyway, he said that periodically when a vampire is first turned the soul resists being replaced by the
demon. When that happens the soul can fragment into 3 parts. Usually the demon will ultimately win the battle, leaving a broken soul behind,
occasionally however one part of the soul will anchor in the body staying with the vampire. The three fragments are always the same, one for
conscience, one for artistry, and one for the capacity to love. Now pay me so I can get out of here."

Angel started at the last. A capacity for love, Spike had the greatest ability to love of any vampire he’d ever met. He’d often wondered how
something soulless could love with the intensity the younger vampire did. He was in shock, this arrogant, cruel vampire still held a piece of his soul.
It was amazing. While he was still contemplating this new revelation, Willow’s voice rang out, she looked straight at Spike and said, "You, you’re the
one. I am to be bound to Spike." All around her voices begin arguing in frustration at this situation. Willow can’t make out one voice from the others.
She speaks again clear and strong, command in her tone as well as her words, "Enough No More."

The room quiets immediately and all eyes turn to Willow. She continues in that same commanding voice, so unlike her, "Spike is the one. Whether
you, any of you wish it to be. I can feel it. He has to be."

Spike’s voice comes next, brash and defiant, "I won’t do it, I won’t be bound to a human, any human."

At Spikes harsh words, Willows strength seems to evaporate, and her insecurities once again take hold. Despite the actual words, what Willow hears
is that Spike won’t be bound to her. Spike notices her change in expression and his features immediately soften. Angel who has been watching
closely files this away for future reference, but it is Giles who speaks.

‘I’m afraid you have little choice. Willow is right, this must be done regardless of our wishes in the matter. Your existence, the existence of
everything depends upon it."

Spike ignores the watcher’s words as he walks across the room to Willow. He looks into her eyes and sees the pain and fear there. His voice is
gentle and his words for her alone, "Pet, we don’t have to do this."

Willow’s own reply is quiet but firm, "Yes, Spike we do."

The main issue thus settled it is only a few minutes before the small group disperses going home to think about things.

Over the next few days the group throws themselves into preparations for the ritual. They avoid speaking about the actual reason for and effects
of this action.

Saturday just after sunset they performed the ritual in Willow’s living room. Angel and Buffy are the only two present. Angel because he has the
greatest knowledge of the ritual, and Buffy because she’s Willow’s best friend.

Spike and Willow stand near the center of the room facing each other. Willow is nervous, her eyes revealing both her fear, and the inner reserves of
strength no one suspected she possessed. Spike stood opposite her, confusion the only thing evident in his eyes. He could not understand his
feelings for this girl. His demon cried out against the binding, believing it to be foolish. Everything in his being told him that this was not a good idea,
still a piece of him welcomed eternity with the little witch, craved it even. For her he felt a gentle compassion. He knew she was scared, and did
not want this to happen. He only wished he could stop it, for both their sakes.

Buffy places a small dagger in Willow’s hands she quickly slashes first her own and then Spike’s wrist. They speak together, "With my blood, I bind
myself to thee." They place their wrists against the others mouth. Willow nearly gags on the coppery taste of the blood, but forces herself to
swallow some of it. Spike, on the other hand, has to fight to maintain control. His demon is begging to be allowed to drain her right there. Her blood
is the sweetest he has ever tasted. Angel senses his struggle and quickly steps forward to bind their wrists with a cloth.

Again they speak, "With my blood, I pledge my life to be spent in the protection of my other half. We shall never be parted, not even by death.’ The
last word barely passes Willow’s lips when she collapses. Spike tries to catch her, but their bound wrists make it awkward. Angel steps in and picks
up the small young woman. He carries her to her bedroom and lays her gently on the bed. Spike sits down beside her, gently stroking her hair back
out of her face.

Buffy has followed them, "will she be okay?"

"Yes the binding should help her heal faster. She should be fine. Did it work Spike?"

"It did, I can feel it."

"We should stay in case they need anything."

"Of course. I want all of her friends here when she wakes up. And I won’t leave her alone with him." The contempt in her voice is obvious as she
speaks this last. Angel understands it, but is beginning to think it may be unfounded, at least where Willow is concerned.

"I’ll call them." Angel uses Willow’s phone to call everyone, informing them that the ritual worked and Willow is now sleeping. 20 minutes later
everyone is gathered in her tiny living room. Buffy quickly takes charge, "We can sleep in shifts. We are all staying here, until Willow wakes up."

Much later, Willow wakes, to find two pairs of eyes on her, they both belong to vampires. Spikes icy blue eyes glitter with concern. Angel’s dark
ones are warm with compassion for both parts of this bound pair.

Spike is speaking about her, "She’s been asleep for fourteen hours, mate. You can’t tell me that’s normal."

Angel is very patient in his answer, it sounds as though he has said these same words many times in the past hours, "We don’t know what’s normal,
Spike. We’ve never seen this done. Her heart rate is still strong, She’ll be okay."

Willow’s small voice startles them both, "Angel is Buffy here?"

Angel walks over, and unbinds their wrists. "I’ll get her." He leaves the room to find Buffy and give her the good news that her friend is awake.

Spike reaches out to smooth Willow’s hair away from her face, "We were worried about you luv. How do you feel?"

Willow looks up surprised at his concern, but replies lightly, "Hungry, I’m really, really hungry."

Just as she finishes that response Buffy walks into the room. "Good, must mean you’re doing fine. We’re all in the other room. Mom’ll be here in 1/2
an hour to fix you some breakfast. She had to go shopping, said there was no real food in your kitchen. Get dressed and come join us."

"Alright Buffy give me ten minutes." Buffy leaves apparently satisfied with her answer. Willow looks down at her wrist, expecting to see an angry
cut, but instead a thin white scar is all there is. Spike sees her looking at the scar and laughs.

"Look luv, I got one too." He holds out his wrist for her to inspect and it has a nearly identical scar on it.

"But vampires don’t scar."

"Apparently if you cut us with a consecrated blade, tempered with holy water we do." His voice is still light, the tone almost teasing.

Willow suddenly nervous at the thought of life with Spike is embarrassed, "Could you please go in the other room. I want to get dressed."

Spike senses her change in emotion and drops the teasing tone, "Okay, luv. I’m hungry myself, maybe someone thought to bring some blood for me."
He quickly leaves the room. As soon as he reaches the living room, Giles begins with questions.

"Spike how do you feel, any different?"

"Not really. It’s like little threads connecting us, I can feel them if I concentrate, but I’m still just me. And as someone else said, I’m hungry, really
really hungry."

Angel laughs as he hands Spike a mug of warmed blood. Also at that moment Joyce walks in carrying several sacks of groceries. "I wasn’t sure what
everyone would want, so I just got lots of food. What’s Willow’s favorite.

Buffy answers her, "pancakes and fruit"

"Good, I’ll start with that then." Joyce hurries off to Willows kitchen and begins to cook.

Willow comes out of her room and walks into the living room. The sight of all of her friends crammed into this tiny space awes her, "Wow, I didn’t
know this many people could fit into my living room. You were here the whole time?"

Xander is the first to answer, "Of course we were Willow. You’re our friend we care about you."

Anya steps forward, an exasperated look on her face, "What Xander really means to say is that he loves you. They all do you know."

Xander gives Anya an extremely puzzled look, "And you’re okay with that?"

"Of course I am silly. You love me too. Besides, you only have sex with me." Anya smiles and hugs her astonished boyfriend.

Buffy steps forward and grabs Willow’s hand, "She’s right you know we all stayed because we love you."

Willow’s eyes fill with tears at that, "Thank you so much, all of you."

Giles hugs Willow before saying, "There’s a lot left to do you know. This isn’t over, and it won’t be easy, but we’ll be here for you, Willow. All of us
will be.

Joyce’s voice comes from the kitchen, "Willow, I have pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream, come eat."

Xander rushes to the kitchen, going "Ooh whipped cream."

Buffy yells after him, "Xander Harris, those are for Willow." The whole room starts to laugh and Willow feels that everything will be okay, for the first
time in a long time.

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