**********

~Part: 1~

Willow wandered through the bookstore, cheerfully humming to herself.  It was times like this when she let herself forget about the Hellmouth and Buffy’s disappearance.  She could just relax, free from commitments to school or Giles or anyone else.  She shifted the books in her arms as she leaned over to glance at a title that caught her eye.  Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her chest.  The books tumbled to the floor loudly as the redhead struggled to retain her footing.  A second pain washed over her, and the redhead screamed as she fell to the floor.

“Miss?  Are you awake?  An ambulance is on the way,” the confused clerk said softly.

Willow blinked her eyes and sat up.  “Are you sure you should do that?” the clerk asked.  “Maybe you should just lie down and…”

“No, I’m fine,” Willow said.  She struggled to her feet, her face flaming at the stares of the other patrons and employees.  “I, I have to go.”  Before
anyone could stop her, the redhead was running out the door and out into the street.  She ran as fast and long as her legs and lungs would take her until she finally stood before the Crawford Street mansion. Taking a deep breath, she pushed forward into the dark and deserted building.

**********

Spike awoke with a start.  He blinked his eyes and glanced around warily before another sharp pain wracked his body.  He stumbled out of bed and threw on his duster.  He swore silently to himself as he ripped a blanket off the bed and dug in his pockets for his keys.  He glanced towards the boarded up window and swore again.  He would have to brave the daylight. The trip was going to take days anyway, and he didn’t know how much time he had.

**********

Willow crept into the old mansion carefully, not entirely certain what to expect.  As she made her way into the main hall, she gasped in surprise and shock to see a pale, naked figure lying in the middle of the floor.  Throwing caution aside, the redhead ran towards the figure and rolled him onto his back.  Her whole face was red with embarrassment as she tried to ignore the sight of his exposed body.  She focused on his face and his still closed eyes.  “Angel?” she whispered softly.  She reached out a tentative hand and stroked his face.

Yellow tinged eyes blinked open.  Pain was etched in every line of the vampire’s face as he stared at her. “Hurts,” he whimpered.  His voice was almost childlike.

Willow’s heart broke.  “It’s okay, Angel,” she said softly.  She leaned forward and lifted the vampire’s head to her chest.  She stroked his hair softly as she would a little child and was rewarded with a soft sighing sound.  “I’ll take care of you, Angel.  It’s all going to be okay.”  She shifted uncomfortably on the cold hard floor.  “Do you think you can stand? Can you walk?”

Angel lifted his head momentarily.  He nodded weakly. Willow stood and helped him to his feet, her face once again flaming as she couldn’t help but notice his naked body.  She swallowed hard and offered her shoulder for support as she helped the dark vampire towards the dusty couch.  “Stay here,” she ordered. “I’m going to try and find something to cover you up with.”  Angel clutched at her desperately, his tight grip digging into the redhead’s wrists as she started to move away.

“No,” he pleaded.

“I’ll be right back,” Willow gasped through the pain. “I won’t be long.  I’m coming right back.”  Angel released his grip and the redhead winced.  She backed away, rubbing her wrists as she left the room in search of a blanket.

She returned a few moments later to find Angel apparently asleep.  She laid the blanket over him carefully and sat on the floor to stare at him.  She
wondered what had happened, where he’d gone and why he was suddenly back.  But the thing that occupied her thoughts the most was why she had felt such pain and why she had felt so compelled to come here.  She had hardly even realized what she was doing at the time, almost as if she wasn’t in control of her actions.

“Thank you,” Angel said softly.  Willow blinked.  She hadn’t realized he was still awake or that he’d been staring at her.

“You’re welcome, Angel,” she finally replied.  “Why don’t you try to get some rest?” she offered.  “I’ll see if I can get some blood to bring back here.” Willow stood once more, but was stopped by the desperation in his voice.

“Don’t go,” Angel begged.

Willow sighed and sat back down.  “I’ll stay for a little longer, but you’re going to need blood.”  Angel stared at her intently, and Willow found herself
moving towards him.  She stroked his cheek with her hand, starting slightly as he gripped her wrist once more.  He held her hand to his face and sighed unnecessarily before closing his eyes.

Several minutes passed before Willow tried to pull her hand away.  She let out a sigh of relief when she met no resistance.  As quietly as possible, she crept away.  As she made her way to the butcher shop, she resolved that whatever had happened to the dark vampire, she would do everything she could to make it all right again.

**********

Spike pulled off the highway into a truck stop.  As he refueled the De Soto, he scanned the area for prey. He didn’t have time to be picky.  He just needed to feed and get back on the road.  There would be time for savoring his meals once Spike knew his sire was safe once more.  Spike watched a heavy set man and an overly made up woman climb into a truck cab and disappear into the sleeping compartment.  Spike smiled as he made his way silently across the parking lot. The couple never heard him enter, never had a chance to fight.  They were just two more nameless victims on
the road between Brazil and Sunnydale.  Spike slipped back out of the truck as silently as he had entered. With a full stomach and renewed energy, he slid behind the wheel and steered the De Soto back onto the highway.

**********

Willow sat quietly, watching Angel sleep fitfully.  He murmured and whimpered in his sleep.  She tried to fight the urge to go to him, to hold him, but emotion finally overcame reason and she slipped into bed beside him.  It was only during moments like this when the dark vampire seemed to be at peace.  At the feel of her body next to his, Angel’s movements stilled, and he was finally quiet.

From what Willow had been able to gather, Buffy had sent the dark vampire to hell with his soul.  The redhead could not imagine what horrors he had endured there, and she was afraid to ask even if Angel had seemed able to talk about it.  Whatever could terrify the dark vampire so much, leave him so empty and in so much pain, was probably something about which Willow wanted to remain blissfully ignorant.

Angel sighed and clutched her tighter, and Willow found herself smiling slightly.  She stroked his hair, marveling at the way his head moved against her hand, increasing the contact, even in his sleep.  Angel seemed to crave touch all the time, as if the simple contact were a way of reassuring him that she was real.  The first day, she had been in the kitchen trying to clean away weeks of dust.  He had snuck up behind her and grabbed her hands, clutching them to his chest as he stared at the redhead.  It had unnerved her at first, but over the past couple of days Willow had come to accept it.  Angel was still healing, and if hugging her so that she could barely breathe or holding her hands so tightly that she couldn’t pull away would help him, Willow was willing to go along with it.  Besides, she had always found the dark vampire attractive, and she couldn’t pretend she didn’t enjoy the touches herself.

Willow sighed.  She knew that she should probably talk to Giles or Xander or someone to let them know that Angel was back.  But she just couldn’t do it.  They would want to confront him, and Angel was obviously in no condition to handle something like that at the moment.  So she had kept his return a secret, telling Xander that she was going out of town for a few days so that she could stay at the mansion without arousing suspicions.

Willow yawned and let the stress of the past few days overwhelm her.  Her eyes drifted closed slowly, and she snuggled into Angel’s cold embrace to sleep.
 

~Part: 2~

Spike was instantly aware of a heartbeat as he entered the mansion. He growled softly to himself as he followed the sound. Rage welled up as he entered his sire’s room and found him asleep with his arms around a young redheaded woman. Spike dragged her out of bed forcefully, throwing her onto the floor. He recognized her as one of the slayer’s friends, and his vampiric features emerged. “Haven’t you people done enough to him?” Spike hissed.

Willow stared in terror at the bleached blonde, wondering if she was going to die and wishing she’d told Xander where she really was. “Wh, what are you talking about?” she stammered. She glanced towards the bed, wondering why Angel wasn’t waking up.

“Just get out,” Spike snarled. “Get out if you want to stay alive.”

“But he needs me,” Willow protested softly.

“He doesn’t need you. Your lot and the slayer are the ones who got him into this whole mess in the first place. I’m doing you a bloody favor by not killing you now. But if you don’t get the hell out, I won’t make any promises about the future.” Spike’s eyes blazed yellow, his anger at the slayer directed at the frightened human before him.

“I won’t let you hurt him,” Willow said defiantly.

“I don’t want to hurt him, you stupid bint. You lot are the ones who’ve hurt him. I’m just here to make things right again. Now, get out!”

Willow cast one last glance towards the bed and Angel’s sleeping form before her fear got the better of her. She ran out of the bedroom and back towards her home, never looking backwards. Once in the safety of her own bedroom, Willow broke down and cried. She hoped that Spike meant what he’d said, that he wasn’t going to hurt Angel. She pressed her face into her pillow and finally drifted off to sleep again as the sobs slowly subsided.

“Willow?” Angel called softly. He sat up in the bed and glanced around fearfully, wondering where the redhead had gone.

“I sent her away, Angelus,” Spike said softly. He sat beside his sire and drew the larger vampire into his arms. “I’ll take care of you, Angelus. They won’t hurt you anymore.”

“Spike?” Angel said fearfully. He tried to pull away, but Spike wouldn’t let him. “No!” Angel screamed.

“Easy, Angelus. I’m not going to hurt you. That’s all in the past now. I’m going to take care of you,” Spike said in a voice once reserved for Drusilla.

Angel relaxed at the blonde’s soothing tone. He returned his childe’s embrace, the redhead momentarily forgotten as he gave himself into the comforting touch.

**********

“Where’s Willow?” Angel asked softly.

“She’s gone now. Don’t worry about her anymore,” Spike said as patiently as he could. He was getting tired of hearing his sire ask for the human and wondered why the dark vampire would even want to see her.

“Did she leave me?” Angel asked, the hurt in his voice audible.

“I sent her away,” Spike replied evenly. His response only seemed to confuse Angel. “I’m going to take care of you now.”

“Why?”

Spike sighed unnecessarily. It hurt him to see his sire like this, so scared and vulnerable. And it just served to fuel his hatred for the slayer and her
little friends. “I didn’t want her to hurt you. And I’m taking care of you because you’re my sire and you need help.”

Angel sat quietly for a moment, and Spike hoped that it would be the end of it.

“I missed you,” Angel said finally. Spike let out a sigh of relief. “I miss Willow.” Spike groaned inwardly.

**********

“Angel, you’ve got to eat something,” Spike insisted, holding the mug of warmed blood out to his sire.

Angel simply shook his head and continued staring off into space. He rocked back and forth like a child, huddled in the corner. He’d been like that since Spike had returned from hunting a few hours ago. And much to the blonde’s dismay, he found the mug he’d left for his sire earlier sitting on the floor, untouched.

“Make it go away,” Angel whimpered. He clutched his hands to his head and closed his eyes. Spike watched in frustration as the dark vampire began to rock more quickly, whimpering softly. Angel began slowly tapping at his temples and muttering to himself. Spike grabbed his hands to get him to stop, but the dark vampire was still stronger than him. Angel stared up at the blonde, a wild look on his face. He jerked his hands away and began clawing at his arms frantically, tearing his shirt sleeves and drawing blood. “Willow. Where’s Willow?” Angel whimpered.
 

~Part: 3~

Willow woke to a persistent tapping on her french doors. She crawled out of bed sleepily and opened them, expecting to see Xander. He’d been worried about her sad mood since she’d ‘gotten back’ from her mini vacation and had dropped by several times in the past several days to check on her. Her eyes flew open at the sight of the blonde vampire instead. Before he could even say anything, Willow had slammed the door shut again. She backed away from it in fear, expecting Spike to come through the doors any moment. She calmed down when she realized that he’d need an
invitation, but the fact that she could still make out his form on the other side of the door sent a chill down her spine.

“C’mon, Red, open the damn door!” Spike yelled. “I’m not going to hurt you. I just need to talk to you.”

“Go away!” Willow shouted. “You said you wouldn’t kill me if I left, and I left. Just leave me alone!”

“Red, please,” Spike’s voice was desperate. “Look, will you just open the bloody door? We have to talk.”

Taking a deep breath to steel her nerves, Willow walked to the door and swung it open. She stood well within the threshold, her fingers firmly clutched around a stake she’d picked up. She watched as Spike ran a hand through his hair, suddenly noticing how haggard he looked.

“I, I think I need your help,” Spike said softly. “Angel needs your help.”

Willow’s face softened at the mention of the dark vampire. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I don’t know. He was fine the first day, but he’s starting to fall apart. I was hoping you could tell me what to do.” Spike began to pace nervously. “He screams in his sleep, he won’t eat anything. He’s acting like he’s terrified of everything and nothing I do seems to help.” Spike stopped and stared at the young woman. “You were there with him before. Will you help him?”

“Why do you care? I thought you hated him,” Willow said suspiciously.

“Look, little girl, you don’t know anything about how I feel,” Spike barked. He regretted his outburst instantly when he heard the redhead’s heart speed up and smelled her fear. “Look, Red, just please come back to the mansion with me.”

“No!” Willow retorted. “You, you said you didn’t want me there and that you were going to kill me if I didn’t leave. So I left.”

Spike gritted his teeth in frustration. “I know what I said. I’m changing my mind. Look, if I have to bloody beg you, I will. But Angel needs help.
Please, Red. He’s really falling apart.”

Willow heard the sincerity of the blonde’s concern. “Okay,” she finally relented. “But you have to promise not to kill me.”

“I promise, Red. Now come on, I don’t want to leave him alone for very much longer.” Spike extended his hand to the redhead.

“I have to get dressed,” she said, looking down at her pajamas. “I’m going to close the door, but just for a minute.”

Spike nodded. “Please hurry,” he said quietly.

A moment later, Willow reopened the door. She stared at the blonde for a moment before stepping outside and placing her small hand in his. “Come on, Red,” Spike said softly. He scooped her up into his arms effortlessly. She gasped in surprise and fear as Spike leapt off the balcony and began running towards the mansion. “I’ve got you, Red,” he said, trying to calm the redhead’s nerves. She nodded silently and pressed her face to his chest, hoping she hadn’t made a terrible mistake.

Spike set her down outside the doorway to the mansion. A loud crash from within startled them both and sent them running inside. Willow gasped at the sight before her. Angel was collapsed in the middle of the living room, broken furniture scattered about him. His clothes were torn and bloody, and it looked like he’d been beaten.

“What did you do to him?” Willow hissed, spinning to face the blonde.

“He does it to himself, Red,” Spike said. “I can’t seem to stop him from doing it.” Willow was amazed to see tears in the blonde’s eyes as he stared at his once proud sire.

“Willow?” Angel said. His voice was raspy as he staggered to his feet and began to move towards her. Through the fog of his despair, she was the only thing he could see, the only thing he could feel. She had come back, and she would make everything right.

“I’m here, Angel,” Willow murmured. She moved towards the dark vampire, catching his grasping hands. She sank to the floor with him as he clutched at her wildly, desperately. “I’m here.”

“Willow,” Angel murmured. He crushed his mouth to hers, devouring her lips in a hungry kiss. He released her hands and began to explore her body with a desperation born of pure need. He didn’t register the redhead’s attempts to break off the kiss or see the confused and terrified look on her face. All he knew was that he needed her, needed to touch her. The casual touches and caresses of previous days were insufficient to sate his desperate need for the redhead. He finally released her lips only to move down the slim column of her neck, planting feverish kisses on her heated skin.

Willow tried weakly to protest, to push him away, but the sensations created by Angel’s skilled hands and lips soon wiped away the possibility of rational thought. His hands ripped at her shirt in his impatience to get to her bare skin. She mumbled a weak plea for him to stop, then gasped in pleasure as his mouth found her nipple. He worried the sensitive skin with his tongue until it was a hard, aching nub. Willow whimpered when he removed his mouth, only to sigh in relief as he moved to the other nipple. His hands yanked off her hastily thrown off sweatpants, and he growled softly to find her wearing no underwear. Angel slid his large fingers through her soft curls before slipping one finger into her tight heat. Willow gasped and bucked beneath his touch. She shook her head in protest as her body responded to his expert touch. Suddenly, the contact was gone,
leaving Willow blinking in confusion before she felt his cold, hard body pushing her to the ground. Before she could even register what was happening, Angel had slammed his full length quickly into her. She screamed in pain before her cry was silenced by Angel’s lips on hers. He moved inside of her slowly at first. Willow could hear him whispering to her softly in Gaelic as he pushed apart her legs and slid impossibly deeper. She cried out again and was silenced again. Tears of confusion and pleasure spilled down the redhead’s cheeks as Angel continued to move inside her. She was dimly aware of him speaking to her again, in English, and she struggled to understand what he was saying.

“Willow,” Angel whispered. “Need you, Willow,” he kept repeating. Angel was lost in the sensation of her tight, hot body beneath him. He could dimly smell her fear and her now free flowing tears. A part of him wondered how or why she could be afraid of him or unhappy. He could feel how right it was, how he only felt complete when she was here, touching him. Being away from her had been agony, but now that she was back everything would be right once more. As he drove into her more forcefully, he felt himself being pushed over the edge. He roared his release and sank his fangs into her smooth neck. As the tremors slowly subsided, he slid off her and wrapped his arm around her possessively. “Need you,” he whispered before
sinking into a deep sleep.

Willow wept, hot tears spilling down her cheeks. She couldn’t understand what had happened. She managed to break free of the vampire’s possessive embrace. Glancing around her, she began to gather up the remnants of her clothing. As she reached for her torn shirt, a heavy black boot was planted in the middle of the material.

“What the hell is going on?” Spike asked tightly. He had watched the whole scene in amazement and confusion. It was obvious the redhead had been enjoying herself at first, the smell of her arousal had been overpowering. And for whatever reason, touching her had soothed Angel more than anything Spike had been done. But now the chit was crying and acting like she was going to leave.

“How could you do this to me?” Willow shrieked hysterically.

“What are you talking about?” Spike asked. “I told you he needed you. Didn’t you know that’s what he needed?” Spike was sure the scene he’d just witnessed was the redhead’s secret to calming whatever maelstrom existed in the dark vampire’s soul.

“No!” Willow screamed. “We never, he never…” She collapsed into great, gasping sobs once more, clutching her arms around her waist and rocking back and forth.

“Shit,” Spike muttered. “I thought you two had been shagging.” He dropped to his knees and reached for the redhead.

“Get away from me,” she whimpered. “I, I have to go.” She started to stand, but Spike’s hands on her shoulders stopped her movement.

“You can’t just leave, Red. We need to figure out what’s going on. Besides, it’s dark and you shouldn’t be out alone.”

“What do you care?” she sobbed.

“Red, I don’t know what’s going on, but I think we need some answers. Don’t you?” Willow nodded shakily. Spike glanced in the direction of his
sleeping sire, then back to the redhead. “Will you wait here while I move him to the bedroom?” he asked gently. Willow nodded.

When Spike returned from moving Angel, he found Willow sitting motionless in the same position as when he’d left. “Come here, Red,” he said, pulling her carefully in the direction of the only remaining piece of intact furniture. He seated her on the chair and she sat immobile, staring into nothing.

“Red?” Spike prompted. She blinked and glanced at him with tear-rimmed eyes. “That never happened before?” Willow shook her head no as fresh tears threatened to emerge. “What did you do before? What calmed him down?” Spike coaxed gently. For some reason, this redhead was the secret to making his sire well again, and Spike knew he couldn’t let her go if he ever wanted to see Angel sane again.

“We, we would touch. Hold hands, hug, little things.” Willow wrapped her arms around her waist and hugged herself tightly.

“Dammit!” Spike swore. He saw the redhead flinch and instantly softened his tone. “Red, I don’t think Angel was in his right mind entirely. If touch was as important to him as you say it was, he may have just been reacting to having been away from you for so long. I’m afraid it might be my bloody fault for sending you away in the first place.”

Willow didn’t say anything. She was still trying to process what had happened.

“Let me do something for you,” Spike said softly. Willow looked at him, confusion evident on her face. “I know you were enjoying it, Red. Let me give you the same kind of pleasure you gave my sire.” Willow’s face flamed red and she struggled to get up. Spike’s strong hands held her in place, pinning her arms firmly to the chair. “Look, I know you were enjoying it. I could smell your arousal. I know that you’re confused and scared. Just let me help you relax.” Willow shook her head weakly, barely comprehending what the blonde was saying. “Give me this one chance to convince you to stay willingly. I can keep you here by force, but I think it would be better if you were here by choice.”

Defeated, Willow nodded, tears trickling down her face. “Close your eyes, pet,” Spike said soothingly. Willow squeezed her eyes tightly closed, wishing she could just disappear into nothingness. For a moment, she felt nothing as Spike released her arms. She gasped in surprise as she felt his tongue on her face, licking away her tears. “Keep your eyes closed,” Spike murmured in her ear.

He kissed his way down to his sire’s marks, lapping at the tiny droplets of blood that remained. Willow shivered in response. Spike continued down to her chest, slowly circling one erect pink nipple with his cool tongue before engulfing it with his mouth. Willow moaned softly and leaned her head back. Spike smiled and moved to the other nipple. He listened as the redhead’s heart sped up and her breathing began to quicken. Spike continued to kiss his way down her flat stomach. He pulled her forward on the chair slightly, allowing her legs to fall open. He smiled at the evidence of his sire’s release glistening over her hot core and along her thighs. He lowered his head to one thigh and began to lap at his sire’s essence. Willow whimpered, her eyes still tightly closed. “Just relax, luv. Just enjoy it,” Spike said softly.

With one hand, he pulled open his suddenly too tight jeans and released his own aching cock. He began to stroke himself slowly as he lowered his head to the redhead’s steamy core and lapped at the moisture there. Willow trembled slightly, and Spike wrapped one arm around her thigh, holding her in place. He flicked his tongue out, tasting the combined essence of Angel and this mortal female. Spike groaned and buried his face deeper between her legs. He began to lap and suck in earnest, occasionally stopping to nibble at her engorged clit. The redhead was gasping and moaning loudly. Spike stroked his swollen cock with more urgency, wanting to find his release when she did. He flicked her clit with his tongue before
dipping it deep into her hot core. He lapped at her juices frantically, suddenly overcome with the desire to bring her pleasure for her own sake and not just for his sire’s sanity. As he reached up and pinched her clit, the redhead bucked off the chair and screamed her release. Spike found his face drenched in her juices as the redhead continued to quiver beneath his attentions. With a groan, he squeezed the head of his cock, his own seed spilling onto the floor. He opened his eyes and took in the limp form of the redhead. She was still shaking from the intensity of her orgasm, her eyes still closed.

Spike stood and quickly discarded his clothes onto the floor with what was left of the redhead’s attire. He bent and gently picked her up. She mumbled softly, already asleep, as her head tipped backwards over his arm. As carefully as possible, Spike carried her into his sire’s bedroom. He deposited her next to the dark vampire and smiled as Angel instinctively drew her closer. Lying on her other side, Spike draped an arm across both of them and drifted off to sleep.
 

~Part: 4~

Willow awoke to the cold and instinctively reached for  a blanket. Instead, her questing hand came in contact with a cool, firm body. Her eyes flew open, and she found herself wrapped in Angel’s tight embrace, her hand resting on his hip. The events of the previous night came crashing back to her, and she struggled violently to try and get away.

“Easy, pet,” Spike’s voice suddenly said. Willow glanced up to see the blonde vampire standing in the doorway. “You’ll wake him.”

“I have to go,” Willow said, softly. Embarrassment and confusion and hurt welled up in the redhead and tears began to form in her emerald eyes. “Please let me go.”

“C’mon now, Red. Let’s just wait until Angel wakes up,” Spike murmured. “Then maybe we can get some answers. Wouldn’t you like that?”

Willow nodded hesitantly. “I have to go to the bathroom,” she whispered. Spike moved to the bed and gently eased Angel’s arms off the young woman.

“You know where it is?” Spike asked. Willow nodded.  “I brought you some of my clothes, luv,” Spike said.  “They’re on the counter in there. Go ahead and get dressed. Then we’ll see about getting you something to eat.” Willow nodded again and disappeared through the open door.

Spike sat on the bed and stared at his sire. He didn’t know exactly what was happening, but he had a bad feeling that it would be some time before they had any answers. And unless Angel showed some significant improvement soon, it might take even longer. Spike reached out and touched his sire’s cheek, grateful for the quiet moment. Even after all that had happened, Spike couldn’t bring himself to hate the older vampire. He had tried to after Angelus returned and took Dru. But he just couldn’t. Angelus had created him, molded him. And no matter what happened, that bond would not be broken.

Willow glanced at herself in the mirror, wondering idly why a vampire would even bother to have one. She sighed heavily, wishing she understood what was happening to her. There were so many questions she needed answers to. Why was Angel acting the way he was? And why had he practically forced himself on her last night? How could she have enjoyed it so much when she’d been so frightened at the same time? Why had Spike, well, done what he had done? And what was she thinking to agree to stay here with two vampires when her safe, comfortable home was so close by? The redhead glanced around the room, her eyes lighting on a linen closet. Opening it, she found soap and towels. She glanced at the bedroom door once more before deciding to take a much-needed shower. After all, Spike was with Angel and she wouldn’t take long.

Angel awoke in a mild panic when he found Willow gone. Spike was staring at him, unspoken questions on his angular face. As Angel glanced around, he heard the sound of running water in the bathroom. He closed his eyes and sighed. She was still here. He could feel it. He opened his eyes and found Spike staring at him.

“How are you feeling, sire?” Spike asked softly.

Angel smiled with the innocence of a child. “Willow is here,” he said simply as if that would explain everything.

“Yeah, but she’s a bit scared of you at the moment.”

“She can’t be,” Angel replied with the same childlike innocence. “I need her.”

“You said that last night. But I don’t know what you’re talking about, and Red doesn’t seem to know either. Care to explain it?”

Angel opened his mouth to speak, then shut it abruptly. His brow wrinkled in confusion. “I need her,” he offered again.

Spike sighed. Angel either wasn’t talking or didn’t understand things either. He hoped the redhead would finish her shower soon. Maybe she could offer some insight into the whole bloody mess.

Willow sighed as she turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. She began to dry herself off, blushing slightly as she moved the towel between her legs. She could hardly believe what she’d done the previous night. Her limited experience with Oz certainly hadn’t prepared her for that. Nothing could have prepared her for that. Her mind wandered as she began to get dressed, wondering why Angel was behaving so strangely and how she was ever going to face him again.

She froze as she opened the door and saw Angel sitting up, awake. He didn’t notice her frightened expression as he quickly swept her into his arms. He held her tightly, his tongue gently caressing the mark he’d left on her neck. He carried her back to the bed and laid her down beside him, his hands skimming across her clothed form lazily.

“Spike,” Willow said shakily.

Spike frowned, the scent of the redhead’s fear getting stronger with every caress from his sire. “Angel, the chit needs to eat something. Why don’t you let her up?”

Angel released his hold on Willow and she bolted out of bed. She moved behind Spike, somehow reassured by the blonde’s presence. Angel watched her curiously.  As he moved towards her, his face suddenly twisted up in pain. He lashed out at Spike suddenly, but his movements were slow and clumsy. “Mine,” he said hoarsely as tears began to form in his eyes. “Can’t take her away. I need her.”

“What’s he talking about?” Willow whispered.

“He can smell you on me, I’m afraid,” Spike replied.  “It’s okay, Angel. No one is going to take her away from you. We can share.”

“What?!?” Willow squeaked.

“Just play along with me, please?” Spike said softly.

“Share?” Angel said softly.

“That’s right, Angelus. Now why don’t we all head to the kitchen and see if we can find something for Red here to eat.”

Angel smiled at the redhead shyly. There was no trace of animosity in his face. It almost made Willow feel guilty for being frightened of him. She returned his smile nervously, gasping softly when he grabbed her hand. Angel stroked the back of her hand tenderly as he looked expectantly at Spike.

Spike shook his head and let out a heavy sigh as he led his confused sire and the even more confused redhead into the kitchen.
 

~Part: 5~

As Spike watched the redhead nibble on the potato chips, he was glad he hadn't gotten rid of the snack food she'd left behind. He also realized that if he was going to convince the redhead to stay, he was going to have to get some real food for her. And some clothes, he added mentally as he noticed the way his t-shirt hung off her body. His clothes were too big for her, but at least it was something she could wear since her own clothes were still in a shredded heap in the other room.

Willow shifted uncomfortable under the blonde's intense stare. She wanted to ask what he was thinking about, but after the events of the previous night she was still to embarrassed to talk to him. Or even meet his stare.

Angel sat quietly, sipping his blood. He glanced back and forth between the blonde and the redhead. A contented sigh escaped his lips, drawing the attention of the other two. He smiled slightly, the corners of his lips barely curling up. The confusion and pain that had plagued the dark vampire seemed to dissipate now that Willow was back. And the presence of his childe soothed the dark vampire's demon. Somehow, it just seemed right.

"So, Red, how did things up like this?" Spike finally asked, breaking the silence.

"Um, which things?"

"My sire, here and all soul-having again. You, here taking care of him."

"I need her," Angel whispered softly. Spike nodded and motioned to Angel to finish his blood.

"Well, I'd been trying to restore his soul, you know, before," Willow began. Spike nodded. "Anyway, I never knew what happened. I mean, I guessed that Buffy…"

Willow was interrupted by a loud growl from Angel.  "Slayer," he hissed angrily. The mug broke as the dark vampire's hands clenched angrily.

"It's alright, Angelus," Spike said. He forced Angel's hands open, inspecting them for cuts as he discarded the broken pieces of ceramic. Angel relaxed somewhat, but his eyes flashed from brown to yellow before returning to brown again.

"Go on, Red," Spike urged.

Willow was visibly shaken by Angel's reaction. "Well, I, uh, we figured that Bu-, um, she managed to keep the world from getting sucked into hell. Because we were still alive, you know. But she was gone and Angel was gone and you were gone so we didn't have anyway to find out what had happened."

"What about now? How'd you end up here?"

Willow described the way she'd felt in the bookstore and how she arrived to take care of the confused and hurt vampire. She explained as much as she'd been able to find out from Angel about being sent to hell and noticed with some trepidation that Spike's eyes flashed yellow at that bit of information. "Then you got here, and…" The redhead's voice trailed off.

"Right," Spike said. He sat quietly for a moment.  "Red, do you think you could have formed some kind of bond between yourself and my sire?"

"I, I don't know. I suppose it's possible. I could talk to Giles about it. See what he knows about the curse."

"No!" Spike shouted.

"O-kay," Willow whispered shakily.

"I don't want to bring the watcher into this. You can talk to him about it, but I don't want him to know about Angel. Or me," Spike said more calmly.

"Okay." The three sat in silence for a few more minutes before Willow sighed heavily. "I should go home," she said quietly.

"Don't go," Angel pleaded. Willow looked at the pained expression he wore and her heart went out to him. He looked so lost, so confused. For the second time in under an hour, the redhead found herself feeling guilty for being scared of him after his behavior the previous night. She blushed as she remembered all that had happened and suddenly dropped her gaze.

"I need to get some of my own clothes. And I need to get something to eat."

"Why don't you let me order you some pizza or something?" Spike offered. He had no intention of letting the redhead out of his sight, especially after seeing the effect she had on Angel. "We can go to your house tonight to get some clothes for you."

"But," Willow protested. She sighed and relented under the pleading stares of the two vampires. "Well, if I'm going to stay here we should clean the place up some."

"Good idea, pet. I'll order the pizza, you and Angel go ahead and get started."

Willow frowned as she stared at the disaster area that had been the Angel's living room. She purposely avoided looking at the scraps of her clothing that littered the floor. In fact, she was so caught up in not looking at them that she failed to notice Angel slipping up behind her silently. She gasped softly as his strong hands gripped her shoulders.

"Thank you," he breathed as he planted a soft kiss against her neck."

"F-for what?" Willow asked. She couldn't figure out if it was fear or arousal that caused her heartbeat to suddenly speed up at the dark vampire's touch.

"Saving me," Angel replied. He moved to stand in front of her and brushed a kiss against her parted lips. "I need you," he murmured, pulling her into his arms.

"Um, we need to clean up right now," Willow said breathlessly. She pushed at his chest with her small hands, ignoring the treacherous thoughts about how firm his body felt under her fingers.

Angel frowned but pulled away and obediently began to clean up.

From the kitchen, Spike watched the interchange with interest. He was fairly certain that the redhead was telling the truth about everything, mostly because he didn't think she had the capacity to lie. Besides, she seemed to genuinely care about his sire, even if she was a little confused at the moment. What concerned Spike more was the tentative grip his sire had on sanity at the moment and how important the girl seemed to be in that grip. He shrugged and walked out to help with the clean up.

Hours later, Willow sat at the kitchen table picking at a leftover piece of pizza. She had gradually become more comfortable with the two vampires, pushing the previous night's events out of her mind. She was just a normal human girl doing some housecleaning with a couple of vampires. "Ugh, I need to shower again," she mumbled.

"Why don't we head to your house and get your things first, Red?" Spike offered.

"Good idea." Willow stood and stretched. She glanced towards Angel tentatively. As far as she knew, he hadn't left the mansion since returning from hell.

"Sire, you want to get some fresh air?" Spike asked.

Angel nodded, and the trio was soon on their way. The walk to the redhead's house was uneventful. Willow paused at the front door, however, and regarded the two vampires warily.

"Just invite us in, Red. You're going to be staying at the mansion anyway."

"But this is my parents' house."

"They're never here," Angel said bitterly. Willow regarded the dark vampire curiously. He was right, of course, but she was surprised that he knew that.

"Luv, we promise not to eat your parents, whether or not they're here. Let's just get your stuff and get back to the mansion."

"Okay, come in," she said as she unlocked the door and led the way to her bedroom.

Spike sat on the bed and watched her as Angel hovered over her shoulder. Willow dug out a bag and threw some clothes into it. She disappeared into the bathroom, emerging a moment later with several bottles in hand. Those too were thrown into the bag.  "Ready," she announced.

"Alright, luv. Why don't you two head back? I'll be along shortly."

"Where are you going?"

Spike smiled wickedly at the redhead. "Got to feed."  He chuckled as the redhead cringed. "I'll pick up some human food on the way back."

Willow and Angel walked in silence. She became increasingly aware of the vampire's intense stare and began to walk more hurriedly. She stopped abruptly when the dark vampire grabbed her arms and held her tightly. She stared up at him nervously to find his vampiric features out as he stared into the darkness.  A low growl rumbled in his throat. "Angel?" she asked softly.

Behind her, Willow suddenly heard a rustling sound.  She turned her head to glance behind her and saw several short demons emerge from the bushes. Their skin was smooth and a pale powdery blue in color.  Some of them had long ponytails of dirty-looking black hair that emerged from the tops of their heads. All of them carried knives or cleavers of some kind which they waved menacingly in the air. Willow watched nervously as the demons slowly stalked towards them without attacking. "Cut your legs off," one of them suddenly crowed in a scratchy voice as they began to
rush towards the pair.

Angel pushed her behind him and growled at the creatures. Undeterred, one of them ran forward to attack. Angel lashed out at it, snapping the demon's neck with a single blow. The pack dispersed almost immediately, fleeing in all directions. Angel took off after them, felling the creatures one by one.  Their cries echoed in the stillness of the night, sending shivers down the redhead's spine. Angel returned to her finally, drawing her carefully into his arms. He made soft soothing sounds to her as his hands caressed her back. He nuzzled her neck and growled softly.

"Angel?" Willow said again.

"Need you," he whispered. He met her eyes, and Willow saw a hunger and desperation that caused her to gasp softly. "Need you," he whispered again. Willow just nodded mutely as she let the dark vampire pick her up and carry her back to the mansion.

From the darkness, Spike watched quietly. He had been worried about his sire's ability to fight and had tracked back to join them when he'd heard sounds of fighting. But at least as far as the redhead's safety was concerned, Spike was now certain he had nothing to fear. He slipped away into the darkness in search of prey, confident that Angel would not allow any harm to come to the girl.

Once they had arrived at the relative safety of the mansion, Angel set the redhead down on her own feet.  He began to kiss her, softly at first but with a building desperation.

"Angel," Willow mumbled, pulling away from him. "You can't do that."

Angel looked at her with a puzzled expression on his face. "Why?"

Willow was surprised by his question. She was silent for a moment as she pondered her answer. "We can't, Angel. It's just not right."

Angel's face showed his hurt at her reply. Slowly, the dark vampire sank to his knees. He lifted his tear-stained face to stare at her. "Feels right," he said softly, reaching out to grasp her hands tightly.

Willow's heart broke at the deep sorrow reflected in his expressive brown eyes. "Oh, Angel. What am I going to do with you?" She let herself be pulled down into his embrace. "What is going on in that head of yours?" she asked softly. But Angel was too preoccupied with trying to remove her clothes to respond. "Angel, stop." Willow stood up and stared down at the dark vampire.

The dark vampire looked at her forlornly. Willow just shook her head and let out a big sigh. "I'm going to go take a bath. Why don't you lay down for a little while?" Angel allowed the slender girl to pull him to his feet. She marched him to the bedroom and pushed him towards the bed. "You get some rest," she ordered before disappearing into the bathroom.

Willow pulled some clothes out of her bag and set them on the countertop as the large tub began to fill with water. She withdrew one of the bottles and its contents into the tub, sighing peacefully as the apple-scented soap began to form a billowy layer of bubbles. She stripped and eased herself into the tub gingerly. She slid towards one side of the tub and tilted her head backwards, trying to enjoy the peaceful moment.

Unfortunately, her peace was soon disturbed as she felt something displace the water. Willow's eyes popped open as a very naked Angel drew her into his arms and began to kiss her neck. "You were supposed to be resting. I specifically left you in the bedroom to get some rest," she protested breathlessly, trying to ignore the delicious tingling sensations that Angel was creating.

"You're here," Angel replied simply. He continued to gently kiss and nibble his way up and down the redhead's neck.

Willow sighed and shook her head. "I give up," she muttered. She was too tired and confused and quite honestly enjoying herself too much to continue trying to fend off the dark vampire's attentions. And unlike the previous night, Angel's attentions were gentle and sweet instead of frantic and hurried. She sighed contentedly and closed her eyes, allowing herself to get lost in the pleasure Angel was creating.

The soft sighing sounds coming from the redhead only confirmed Angel's feeling that being with her had to be right. The feel of her warm skin beneath his hands, the taste of her skin, the heat of her body pressed against him. Everything about it just felt right. But it was more than just the physical aspects. Somewhere in Angel's clouded psyche, he knew that it was right because it was Willow. There had been other human lovers in the past, what seemed like an eternity ago. But none of them had filled him with the sense of completeness and peace he felt as he held the redhead in his arms.

He stroked her nipples with his thumbs, worrying them into hard nubs. Lifting her out of the water slightly, Angel drew one nipple into his mouth as he slipped a hand between her legs. Willow gasped as he rubbed her clit and slid a finger inside her. Angel stroked her slowly and carefully until she was gasping in pleasure, her head thrown back in ecstasy. He added another finger and sped up his thrusts until he was rewarded with a low moan as Willow's body trembled with release. Angel gripped the redhead's hips firmly and eased her slowly down onto his aching member.  Willow cried out softly as she felt herself stretched but soon found the slight pain giving way to exquisite pleasure. Angel pushed into her slowly until he was completely sheathed in her warmth. "Feels right," Angel whispered. Willow let out a shaky breath as her body continued to quiver from her earlier orgasm. She wrapped her arms around the dark vampire and cradled her head against his neck. Angel began to rock her back and forth slowly, setting a slow pace as their bodies moved together.

Willow could hardly believe the incredible sensations she was feeling. She had imagined what sex would be like before, but her imagination couldn't have dreamed up the pure ecstasy she was feeling now. Some distant part of her mind protested that it was wrong, that she shouldn't be having sex in the bathtub with her best friend's ex-boyfriend, who also happened to be a vampire. But she couldn't deny Angel's comment. It did feel right. So right, in fact, that she didn't register at first that there was a second set of hands touching her that couldn't possibly belong to Angel, and that there was suddenly a hard male body pressed against the back of her.

Willow opened her mouth to protest but found it impossible to speak as Angel's tongue plundered her mouth. Spike planted kisses along the redhead's shoulders as he settled in behind her, his hard cock pressed against her back. "Just enjoy it, luv," he murmured, sensing the redhead's unease.

With her head swirling from sensory overload, Willow found herself unable to do anything else. She closed her eyes once more, concentrating on the feel of skilled hands skimming across her flesh. It didn't even matter whose hands they were anymore. All Willow could think about was how good they made her feel and how she never wanted them to stop. She felt Angel's movements become more frantic as he pulled her against him with increasing force. Water sloshed over the edge of the tub as the dark vampire gripped the redhead's hips tightly, driving into her again and
again. The feel of fangs in her neck caused Willow to cry out sharply, but it didn't stop her from being driven over the edge by the feel of Angel's cold seed filling her.

Spike's hands gripped the redhead, drawing her carefully away from his sire and turning her to face him. The glazed expression on her face changed to surprise as he slid his long cock into her slippery channel. Her eyes fluttered open to stare at him for a moment before fluttering closed once more.

"This is wrong," Willow thought to herself. "It was wrong with Angel and it's even more wrong with Spike." But her body wouldn't be convinced of that fact as it responded to the blonde vampire with an intensity equal to his own.

Spike groaned as her warmth surrounded him, surprised that she could be so tight after his sire. Even without any bond in place, he realized that the redhead could become addictive very easily. He growled softly at the feel of Angel's hands gripping his shoulders as they sandwiched the girl between them. Spike stared at his sire with yellow eyes, watching hungrily as Angel bared his neck to the younger vampire. Spike reached down to twist the redhead's clit, sending her spiraling into yet another orgasm. At the same time, he leaned forward and bit into the dark vampire's neck. As Angel's rich blood hit his tongue, Spike growled and emptied himself into the redhead's grasping channel.

The three remained entwined in the tub for several minutes, all still reeling somewhat from what had just happened. It wasn't until Willow let out a shaky sigh that Spike realized how exhausted she must have been.  "C'mon, luv. Let's get you to bed."

Willow nodded sleepily as she was drawn back into Angel's arms. Spike drained the soapy water and turned on the showerhead to rinse them all off. Angel supported Willow's limp frame as she stood, half asleep beneath the water. Spike got out and dried off quickly before toweling her off. He gathered her up in his arms and laid her in the bed as Angel dried off. Crawling in on either side of her, the vampires curled up to the softly snoring redhead and drifted off to sleep themselves.
 

~Part: 6~

For the second straight day, Willow awoke shivering from the cold.  This time, her questing hands found a blanket and pulled it up over her, but she found that it didn't make her any warmer.  As her eyes opened sleepily, Willow realized that she was sandwiched between Spike and Angel, their coolness draining her body's natural warmth.  She blushed slightly as she realized that both were naked and very obviously aroused.  As carefully as she could, Willow extricated herself from their arms and dashed into the bathroom.

As she reopened the door to the bedroom, Willow was met by two intense stares.  She shivered slightly at the hungry way both vampires stared at her naked body.  She snatched a towel from the floor to cover herself as she tentatively walked back towards the bed.

"I, I think I should go talk to Giles today," Willow said nervously.  Having a towel to cover herself did surprisingly little to alleviate the redhead's
embarassment at her current predicament.

"That should be fine," Spike said, swinging his legs over the side of the bed.  He stood and walked to his duster to retrieve a cigarette.  As he lit it and inhaled deeply, he noticed the redhead's eyes glued firmly to the floor.  "Pet, is something wrong?" he asked.

"You're, um, you're not wearing anything," Willow stammered.

"Sorry, pet.  Does it bother you?" he asked.  Willow nodded vigorously.  Spike shook his head.  "You humans and your silly hangups," he muttered.  "You do remember we were shagging last night, don't you?  I don't remember you minding me this way then."

Willow blushed more furiously.  "I, I just think I'd be more comfortable if you'd put something on," she said quietly.  "While we're talking."

"But you still like me like this for other things, do you?" he teased as he reached for his jeans.  Angel watched carefully as Spike pulled them on and buttoned a couple of the buttons, leaving them loose around the waist before dropping into a chair.  Angel glanced at Willow who continued to stare at the floor.  Following Spike's example, the dark vampire slipped out of bed and pulled on his slacks before siting back down on the bed.

Willow's gaze traveled carefully up from the floor as she confirmed that both vampires were at least partially dressed.  As she glanced back and forth between the two, she couldn't help but notice how perfectly sculpted they were.  She remembered the feel of their hard bodies pressed against hers and the exquisite pleasure each of them had given her the night before.  Her breath caught in her throat as she remembered the feel of their hands on her body, the feel of each of them inside her.

Spike smirked at her knowingly as he heard her heartbeat speed up and caught the slight scent of her arousal.  Unfortunately, his glance just seemed to make the redhead more nervous as she shifted nervously from foot to foot.  "You were saying you wanted to talk to the watcher?" Spike prodded.

"Oh, yeah.  I just think I should see if he can offer any advice or information or anything."

"I don't want him knowing that either my sire or I are here," Spike warned.

"I won't say anything.  I just need to talk to him, see what he knows about the curse."

"It gave you to me," Angel said softly.

"What?" two voices asked simultaneously.

Angel's forehead crinkled in thought as the dark vampire struggled to put feelings into words. "We're.connected," he said.  Spike sighed
disappointedly as Willow's eager face fell somewhat. Seeing the disappointed expressions of his companions, Angel tried again.  "You're part of me," the dark vampire said hesitantly.

"How am I part of you?" Willow encouraged.  Forgetting that she was wearing only a towel, Willow moved next to the dark vampire and took his hands in hers.  Angel frowned at her as he struggled with her question.  "Is it because you drank my blood?" she asked.

"I doubt it, pet," Spike began.  He stopped when the redhead glared at him angrily.  As she glanced away once more, Spike found himself amused by the fiery look in her normally timid eyes.

"Is it the blood?" Willow asked again.  Angel shook his head.  "The, um, sex?"  Angel smiled at her but shook his head again.

"My soul," Angel said quietly.  "Your soul."

"You gave my sire your soul?" Spike asked.

"No," Willow replied, shaking her head in confusion. "I still have my soul.  I think."

"Our souls are connected," Angel said.

Willow chewed her lips thoughtfully.  "Our souls are connected," she repeated softly.  The trio sat in silence for a few minutes before Willow stood.  "I need to go talk to Giles."

"You might want to get dressed first, pet."  Spike chuckled as the redhead looked down at her towel and blushed.  "Just a suggestion."

An hour later, Willow was dressed and on her way to the library.  She stopped and bought breakfast with some money Spike had given her as she slowly made her way towards the school.  Even though it was summer, Willow knew she could find Giles there.  With Buffy gone, the Englishman had thrown himself into research in an attempt to keep busy.  And Willow was hoping that she could use the same explanation to justify her sudden curiosity about the curse.

"Willow!" Giles exclaimed happily.  "How delightful to see you.  How was your vacation?"

"Fine," Willow said cheerfully.  "How is the research going?"

"Well, it keeps me busy," Giles said, forcing himself to keep smiling.

"Yeah," Willow agreed.  "Actually, I've been doing some research of my own too."

"Really?" Giles said, intrigued.

"Well, it's kind of selfish really.  I've been researching the curse I used to restore Angel's soul. Trying to find out more about it, you know."

"Why is that?" Giles asked, unconsciously becoming suspicious of anything involving the dark vampire.

"Uh, just to see if there is anything I missed.  Any kind of mystical repercussions I should be prepared for later in life."

"That's an excellent idea.  It was a very dangerous spell for you to have attempted by yourself.  And it is a pity we may never know if it worked or not."

"It did," Willow blurted.  "I mean, it had to have worked, right?  Because it felt like it worked."

Giles smiled warmly at the redhead.  "Of course."

"Anyway, I was wondering if you could help me research.  If you have time."

"I have time, Willow.  Can I offer you some tea?"

**********

It was several hours later by the time Willow left the library, her stomach growling from hunger and her head spinning from an overload of information.  She stopped for a burger and fries on her way back to the mansion.  At the doors, she paused, suddenly hesitant to enter.  Instead, she sat on the steps, bathed in sunlight as she slowly ate her lunch.  Willow knew that both vampires would have questions for her, questions she
wasn't sure she could answer.  But Angel had a right to know, even if she wasn't sure he'd understand. With a heavy heart, Willow finished the remains of her lunch and headed inside.

**********

Willow crept silently into the mansion, hoping the vampires would be asleep so that she could avoid talking to them for a while.  Unfortunately, today wasn't her lucky day.  Spike and Angel were in the living room watching what looked like a brand new TV while sitting on a brand new sofa.  Willow looked at the pair curiously.  "Nice TV," she said, casually sitting down beside Angel.  The dark vampire wrapped one large arm around her and pulled her close to him.

"Ate somebody with a gold card last night," Spike said flippantly.  "Figured I should buy as much as I could before someone cancels the card or something."  Willow shivered at the reminder that Spike was still a killer in spite of his apparent concern for her.  "You find the watcher?"

Willow nodded slowly.  "So, what else did you buy?" she asked cheerfully.  "I like the couch, too.  It's very comfortable."

Spike turned off the TV and turned to stare at the redhead.  "What did the watcher say?" he asked pointedly.  He reached across his sire and caught the redhead's chin as she tried to look away and forced her to look at him.

Willow's heart pounded in her chest as she returned Spike's intense gaze.  He wasn't hurting her or anything, but it was obvious she wasn't going to be able to distract him from the topic.  She sighed heavily before speaking.

"Well, without telling him anything specifically, it was hard to get very definitive answers.  But I did find out a couple of general things that might help. Especially if Angel can offer any information."  She glanced at the dark vampire anxiously, relaxing somewhat at his warm smile.  Willow took a deep breath and continued.  "When a soul is brought forth from the spirit plane, it can't go directly to its host.  Well, unless the person performing the spell actually is the host, which never really happens.  Anyway, the soul has to have a temporary anchor in this world until it finds its true host.  That only takes a second or two, but during that time the spellcaster actually acts as a receptacle for the soul."

"You're saying that when you cursed my sire that you had his soul?"

"Just for an instant, but yes.  At least, that's what Giles thinks happens.  Remember, this is all just conjecture for now."  Spike nodded and motioned for the redhead to continue.  "Anyway, that contact between souls could in theory create some sort of connection between the two spirits.  Except that it all happens so quickly, and unless there was some reason for the connection to be maintained, Giles doesn't think it would even form."

"I needed you," Angel murmured softly.

Willow glanced at Spike before turning her attention towards Angel.  "Can you tell me about it?" Willow asked gently.

"When, when the slayer sent me to hell."  Angel's face showed the pain of that memory as he continued to speak.  "When they hurt me, you stopped them."

"Red, did you do something while he was in hell?"

Willow shook her head.  "Angel, I wasn't there with you.  How did I stop them?"

"You were here," Angel said, holding her hand in his and laying it across his unbeating heart.  "You made the pain go away."

"Oh," Willow gasped softly.  Suddenly, it all made sense to her.  Angel had clung to the connection of their souls in order to help him survive the ordeals of his time in hell.  By doing so, he had forged a very powerful bond to the redhead.

"Red, why didn't you experience anything here in this world?" Spike asked.  The realization had dawned on him as well, and Spike found himself once again grateful to have the redhead around.

"I, I don't know.  Maybe because I didn't need the connection in this world, maybe because I didn't know it existed.  I'm really not sure."  Willow sat quietly as she tried to process what Angel had said.  She was glad she'd been able to help him, although unknowingly, during his torturous visit to hell.  But confirmation of the connection she now shared with the vampire didn't ease her mind.  Willow wanted to do anything she could to help him, but she wasn't exactly comfortable with her current situation.  She couldn't continue to live at the mansion, couldn't keep lying to her friends.

Spike watched the emotions cross the redhead's face. He could see her forming her escape in her mind and decided to put an end to that line of thought. "Angel, why don't you go lie down for a little while? You still need your rest."  Angel stood obediently and glanced at Willow and Spike.  "We'll come up in a little while.  You go ahead and rest for now."

"I can't stay here," Willow blurted as soon as Angel was gone.

"You have to, pet," Spike replied calmly.

"You can't force me," Willow said more bravely than she felt.  "I can leave during the day when you can't follow me.  And, and if you hurt me, it will hurt Angel."

Spike regarded the nervous redhead carefully.  "I'm not going to force you or hurt you," he said softly. "I'm just going to ask nicely.  For Angel's sake, please stay."

Willow's resolve cracked a bit at the softly spoken request.  It wasn't what she'd expected, and she wasn't sure how to react.  "I can't live like this," she said finally.  "I can't lie to my friends, I can't be involved with you, I can't be involved with Angel."

"If you decided to stay, is there any chance of your friends accepting that choice?"

Again, Willow was caught off guard.  "I, I think so. They might not like it or understand it at first.  But I think I could at least make them understand
eventually."

Spike nodded.  "Then that's what you'll do.  I'll come with you to the school tonight and speak to the watcher personally."

"But I didn't say I was going to stay!" Willow protested.

"You have to stay," Spike said simply.

Tears formed in the redhead's eyes.  "I can't do this.  I can't be involved with you and with Angel.  It's wrong and you're evil and he doesn't know what's going on and I'm so confused."

Spike drew the crying redhead into his arms.  "Look, pet," he said softly.  "I know you're confused.  But my sire needs you.  You have to see that."

"But I can't do this."

"Sure you can.  It's just until Angel gets better. You'll just live here at the mansion with us."

"No!" Willow said, pushing the vampire away.  "I can't do it."

"What can't you do?"  It had been a long time since Spike had bothered to think about how to interact with humans, and he found himself rapidly losing his patience with the girl's emotional outburst.

"I'm not just going to live here like this with, with both of you.  I'm not that kind of person.  I'm just not."

"Wait a minute, you mean this little temper tantrum is just about you shagging the both of us last night? Because you didn't seem to be complaining about it then," Spike retorted with a chuckle.

"It's not funny," Willow said softly.  "I, I didn't know what I was doing."

"Right.  And now you're going to go all virginal on me."  Spike muttered.

Willow opened her mouth to say something in response, but she couldn't make a sound.  Instead she clamped her jaw firmly shut and started towards the door. Spike grabbed her arm, pulling back with a hiss as she pulled a cross from her pocket and pressed it into his pale flesh.  The redhead took the opportunity to run for the door, but Spike knocked her to the ground, the cross skidding across the floor.

"Now look, Red, I'm not going to play this stupid game with you," Spike said, jerking the girl to her feet. "You are going to stay here, even if I have bloody well have to tie you up to make you."

"Willow?" Angel's voice drifted down the hallway. Willow's frightened eyes met his chocolate ones, and a low growl rumbled from his chest.  "Can't hurt her," Angel said, stalking towards his blonde childe.

Spike released the girl and stepped backwards cautiously.  He'd never intended to hurt the chit, really.  She was just being so bloody unreasonable
about the whole thing.  Willow stepped between the two vampires and pressed herself firmly to Angel's chest.  His large arms encompassed her as he regarded the blonde suspiciously.

"She wants to leave, Sire," Spike said carefully.  "I had to make her stay."

"Can't make her," Angel said quietly.  He lifted the redhead's face and traced the tracks of her tears with a calloused finger.  "You want to leave?" he said, the pain evident in his voice.

"I."  Willow's affirmative died on her lips at the sadness that filled the dark vampire's face.  "I'm confused," she said softly instead.

Angel nodded.  "Better with you here," he whispered, kissing her tenderly.

Willow closed her eyes and laid her head against Angel's chest, sighing deeply.  "Okay," she replied.

Angel regarded Spike suspiciously.  "I wasn't going to hurt her, Sire.  I just couldn't let her leave." Angel didn't reply, but the answer seemed to be
sufficient.

"Rest now," Angel said, picking the redhead up and starting towards the stairs.  He glanced back at Spike, who simply waved his sire on.

As the pair disappeared into the bedroom, Spike sat on the couch and put his head in his hands.  He needed to remember how to deal with delicate humans and their delicate emotions or things were going to end up worse than they were before.

~Part: 7~

Willow picked nervously at invisible pieces of link on her shirt as the trio awaited nightfall.  The decision had been made by Spike that they would go to talk to Giles tonight, expecting him to be the most formidable challenge.  Of course, talking to Xander wouldn't be easy either, but Willow hoped that his concern for her would help him to be more understanding.

"It's time, pet," Spike said softly.  He hadn't apologized to the girl for his temper earlier, but he had a feeling it was something he'd have to do before he regained any of the girl's trust.  He glanced towards his sire, noting how the redhead's nervousness seemed to infect the dark vampire as well.

"What if he freaks out?  What if he tries to kill both of you?" Willow asked for the hundredth time.

"He won't have a chance.  I'm not going to hurt him, but he will have to listen to us." Spike answered as he had many times before.

"I don't want to do this," Willow sighed.

"Please," Angel said softly.  The redhead melted at the pleading in his sorrowful brown eyes.  "I need you here."

Willow sighed again and stood up wearily.  She smiled as Angel clasped her small hand in his as they stepped out into the night.

Willow's heart was pounding as they arrived at the school.  Every footstep seemed more and more difficult as they made their way to the library.  She took a deep breath at the doorway and stepped inside.

"Where the bloody hell is he?" Spike called to the dark library.

Willow stared around at the empty darkness in utter shock.  "I, I don't know."

"Did you tell him you were coming back here tonight?" Spike asked.

"Well, no, but he's practically always here.  And he was working on something when I left that I doubt he would have been able to finish by now.  Maybe he just went to get dinner or something.  Do you think we should wait?"

"I don't fancy hanging about waiting for the git to show up," Spike muttered.  "You two wait here while I go hunting."

"But, but we can't face him by ourselves.  What if he attacks Angel?"

Spike sighed and glared at the redhead.  "Fine.  Come to the park and hang out on a bench if you want.  But you'd better not interfere with my hunt."

Willow shuddered at the cold look that entered the blonde's eyes.  She squeezed Angel's hand tighter for reassurance.  The dark vampire pulled her into his arms and held her closely.

"You can't kill," Angel said softly.

"I what?" Spike said.

"You can't kill.  Not in front of Willow."

"Bloody hell," Spike muttered.  For a moment he wondered if it was worth keeping the redhead around, but one glance at the way his sire held the small body next to his was enough of an answer.  "Fine," Spike said grudgingly.  "We'll go to Willie's instead."

**********

"What do you want?" Willie asked nervously.  He wasn't sure what to think of the trio that suddenly entered the dark bar.  He hadn't seen Angel / Angelus for a long time, and he wasn't exactly sure what to be prepared for.  That added with a young girl who looked decidedly nervous and an obviously irritated Spike, and Willie found himself hoping they were just passing through.

"Blood, human, and fresh," Spike barked as he slid onto a stool at the bar.  He was pretty pissed off about not being able to hunt, especially since now he really felt like killing something.  "Bloody stupid humans," he muttered under his breath as Willie set down a glass in front of him and backed away quietly. He glanced at the redhead who was broadcasting fear like a beacon and shook his head irritably.

"Bloody hell, pet," he hissed, standing up and moving towards the scared human.  "Any demon worth his spit can smell the fear on you a mile away.  I suggest you put a clamp on those feelings in a hurry or there's going to be a problem."

Willow nodded her head nervously and took a deep breath to calm her nerves.  She felt Angel's reassuring hand on her back, guiding her towards a table in the corner.  She gasped softly as Angel pulled her to straddle his lap and pulled her tight against him.

"Safe with me," the dark vampire whispered, his lips caressing her throat.

Willow trembled slightly, but remained quiet.  She sat with her back to the room, Angel's arms wrapped around her possessively as the blonde vampire returned to his drink.

Willie swallowed his fear and hoped that a second glass of blood would make the blonde less irritable as he moved to stand in front of the vampire.  "So, you and Angel are back in town?" he said as casually as he could.

Spike raised blue eyes to stare at the bartender, who swallowed nervously and wished he'd just kept his mouth shut.  "We're not here," Spike said tightly, knowing he would be understood.

Willie nodded eagerly.  "Right.  Never saw you," he replied hurriedly.

Spike nodded and set the glass down on the bar.  He glanced towards the corner and caught his sire's eyes, motioning for them to leave.

Angel pushed the redhead gently off his lap and clasped her hand in his.  They walked deliberately out the door and into the darkness, back towards the library behind a full and somewhat less irritated Spike.

**********

"Still not back," Spike muttered.  They'd arrived at the empty library and decided to hang around and wait, but Spike wasn't exactly the patient type and he was getting bored.

"I'm sorry," Willow said softly.  "I just figured he'd be here."

Spike stared at the human and noted the careful way she avoided his eyes.  He sighed deeply.  "Not your fault, pet," he said finally.  "Let's go ahead and get back to the mansion, though.  No sense hanging out here all night."

The walk progressed in silence for several moments before Spike cleared his throat.  Angel looked at him expectantly.  "Sire, why don't you go ahead and get back to the mansion?  I need to talk to Willow for a moment."

Angel nodded and continued to walk, seemingly oblivious to the redhead's obvious distress.  When the dark vampire was out of sight, Spike turned to face the redhead, only to find her backing slowly away. "Come on, pet, I just want to talk to you for a second.  I'm not going to hurt you."

Willow just stared at the blonde, unsure of how to react.

Spike sighed heavily and dragged a hand through his bleached locks.  "Look, pet, I didn't mean to get so upset with you last night.  But you seem to be the only one who has a chance of getting my sire's sanity back, and you're ready to abandon him just because you're embarrassed about a little sex."

"I wasn't going to abandon him," Willow retorted. Spike looked at her skeptically.  "But I don't like being forced into things against my will.  And it's not just a little sex.  It's, well, it's a lot of sex."

"Not by my standards," Spike muttered without even thinking about it.  He instantly regretted it and glanced at the redhead to see if he'd upset her again.  Instead, without any explanation, the chit suddenly started to giggle.  "Have you gone daft?" he asked, baffled by the girl's reaction.

"No," Willow giggled.  "I don't know, there was just something funny about the way you said it."  She giggled some more, then was suddenly serious.  "This is all very new and strange and scary to me," she said quietly.  "I mean, my sex ed classes in school never covered multiple undead partners."

Spike chuckled at the redhead's comment.  "No, pet, that's usually covered by the education process of a sire."  He glanced in the direction Angel had gone. "We should get back," he said.

Willow nodded and followed the blonde, her lips pursed in thought.  "This really isn't the least bit unusual for you, is it?"

"Well, except for the fact that you're human and still alive, no, it's not."

"That's why you think I'm being so silly."

"I suppose.  Yeah."

Willow was quiet until they had almost reached the mansion.  "He's really important to you, isn't he?"

"He's my sire, pet."

"He's my friend, Spike."

Spike regarded the redhead carefully as she marched past him and into the mansion.  "Then I guess that settles it," he murmured to himself as he followed the redhead inside.

next

back