< > indicates thought
 

~part: 1~

Angel was worried. He wasn't sure why, but he thought it had something to do with Willow. He hadn't seen the little hacker/witch in a while and he had a nagging suspicion that something was wrong. He tried looking for Willow, just to get rid of the worrying feeling, but he had not been able to find her. He tried looking at the Bronze, the library, and even went by her house, but there was no sign of her.

Buffy was no help. She had been acting distracted since the new watcher had come. Not that he could blame her, the new guy was truly an idiot. Also, there was something going on with Faith that Buffy wouldn't tell him.

Willow wasn't with Oz. He knew that much because Oz's band was playing at the Bronze and when he checked Willow was nowhere in sight. She wasn't with Xander or Giles, they were both at the library, pointedly snubbing the new watcher. He wanted to go ask them if they knew where she was but couldn't bring himself to face them.

Angel wasn't sure why he felt this worry for Willow, or why he felt the need to suddenly check on her and make sure she was safe, but he had felt these protective urges toward her since he had been back from Hell. He decided to keep looking for her.

********

Spike was depressed, seriously depressed. He had gone back to Brazil and tried to torture Drucilla into loving him again, only to end up destroying the very last remnants of her sanity. She had ended up walking into the sunlight. He almost followed her, but couldn't bring himself to do it at the last minute. His will, or the demon's, to survive was just too strong.

He decided to get someone new, someone who radiated the same innocence as his beloved Drucilla. He had the perfect person in mind. She was pure, untouched, and she had power. Best of all, his sire had not had her. There would be no sharing with "Daddy" this time. It was perfect. She would be perfect. Spike grinned as he ran into the "Welcome to Sunnydale" sign. Welcome indeed!

**********

Willow crouched in a small dark cage, alone in the darkness, waiting, hoping, praying for someone, anyone, to help her.
 

~part: 2~

Angel stood outside the library in shock. He couldn't believe it. It had been three days now since anyone had seen or heard from Willow. Sadly, no one had seemed to notice, except Angel. Buffy and Faith were still too wrapped up in whatever was bothering them which they still weren't talking about. Giles had his hands full with the new watcher. Oz was preoccupied during the day with the band and the past two nights he had been chained up due to the full moon. Xander just seemed to be oblivious to the fact that Willow wasn't around. Angel felt anger slowly creeping into his system, fueled by his worry. < They're supposed to be her friends and they haven't even noticed that she's missing! > he thought to himself. < Well, I'll change that! >

Angel stormed into the library. Everyone looked up at the sound of the doors being flung open. Giles was the first to recover from the sight of Angel's abrupt entrance.

"Angel, what are *you* doing here?"

"Look, I know you don't want me here, and I really don't want to be here, but this is important. When was the last time anyone saw Willow?" he asked impatiently.

The occupants of the library all had to think about that. Finally, Xander answered "a couple days ago, why do you ask deadboy?"

Angel could barely control his urge to growl at the boy. "Because," he practically spat at the adolescent in front of him, "no one has seen her in 'a couple days' and this is a damn Hellmouth!"

Horrified realization slowly dawned on the three teens and two watchers. Buffy was the first to react. "O.K., " she said, "Giles, you check Willow's house, Xander, you check the Bronze. Faith, Angel and I will patrol."

"No," replied Angel, "I've checked the Bronze and her house. She wasn't there. We need to find out if there have been any prophecies or other reasons that she might have disappeared"

********

Spike crept further back into his hiding place in the stacks. < Damn! I come all the way back to Sunnyhell and the bloody girl has gone and disappeared. Of all the bloody stupid luck! Well, I'll just have to wait 'til they find her, then I'll take her and make her mine. > He made himself more comfortable as he watched the others in the library preparing for a long night of research.

********

She watched anxiously as the hooded figure returned. Last time, he/she/it had brought water, this time the figure brought a knife.
 

~part: 3~

It had been two hours since Angel had made his announcement and everyone was in full research mode when the new watcher, Wesley Wyndam-Pryce, made an announcement.

"I believe I've found something."

The others crowded around him. "The Book of Shadows says that in the year before the new millennium the dark goddess Yaitys will take a new body. The body is to be that of an innocent young girl with power of her own. The transformation is to take ten days beginning on the night of the full moon. Once the transformation starts, no living being can stop it. The only thing left to do is destroy the girl before the transformation is complete."

This time, Angel made no attempt to control his temper. Game face firmly in place, he turned to growl at the man, "No one is 'destroying' Willow!"

Buffy and the others quickly backed him up. Buffy getting a dangerous look on her face replied, "Find a way to stop it! Now!"

"There is no way to stop it! The transformation has begun! And NO living being can stop it!"

"Well, I guess that just leaves me." Said Angel.

********
< Not bloody likely! She's mine and there's no way I'm gonna let that wanker get anywhere near her! Who the Hell does he think he is anyway with that "I guess that just leaves me" shit! Like he's the only undead creature around who's capable of playing hero! I'll show him! > Spike got up and hurried out the back entrance of the library.

********

The figure with the knife had cut off her clothing and she was now wearing a black robe. She had been moved out of the small cage and was now chained to what looked to be an alter. A group of hooded figures were surrounding her and chanting and the room was starting to glow with an unnatural reddish light.

*******

< Hmm... now if I was a group bent on the return of a dark goddess, where would I hole up for ten days? > Angel thought to himself. He had told the others to keep looking for any information on the goddess, the ritual, and any way to stop it. He had left them to do the research while he went to find Willow. < Saving Willow was the only thought in his mind. There were no other thoughts whatsoever especially not of a grateful Willow who would throw her arms around.....No! Saving Willow! Buffy's friend Willow! Remember Buffy! Buffy your love! Have to save Willow for Buffy! Yeah keep telling yourself that vampire, maybe someday you'll even believe it. > Angel stopped for a minute to gather his thoughts. < Focus on the problem now, confused feelings can wait, especially if it all becomes a moot point because I let Willow die just because I'd rather analyze myself. Okay, focused. I don't know where to look. Okay, who would? I bet Willie would. Okay, going to see Willie. > Angel headed off in the direction of Willie's bar.

********

< Hmmm... now where's a good place to start looking? Hell, I don't know. Where would I resurrect a goddess? I wouldn't! I'm not that bloody stupid! Why would anyone in their right minds want some goddess around? They're all just demanding little bitches who want to own the world. Right, like I want to share. I'd have to stop them even if they didn't have my redhead. Bringing back some goddess is almost as bad as trying to suck the world into Hell. It's just a lot of meals and other good things destroyed because of some egomaniac, like Angel.... Angel who is not going to rescue my girl. No way. I'll find her first. How? Bloody Hell, how am I supposed to find these wankers? Aha! I know, I'll just go beat the crap outta Willie 'til he tells me where they took her! > Spike headed off in the direction of Willie's bar.

********

The reddish light seemed to focus on Willow and settle around her. One of the robed figures stepped forward and stated "We call upon thee, Yaitys, to accept this sacrifice and return to the mortal plane!" He then brought out a knife and sliced open one of Willow's wrists. The reddish light surrounded her wound and started to seep into her skin through the injury.
 

~part 4~

Angel hurried into Willie's bar. Before the door had even finished closing behind him, he was standing behind the bar, just inches away from Willie's face.

"Where are they? Where is SHE?" he demanded.

Willie, having no clue what the enraged vampire was going on about, just started to stutter frantically. "W-w-w-w-hat a-a-a-r-re y-y-ou-u t-t-t-t-t-t-t-talking ab-ab-out?"

"Cut the crap, Willie, you always know everything that's going on in this town, so TELL ME!"

Willie, realizing that an angry vampire equals pain for him, made an effort to pull himself together. "A-a-ngel, I c-can't give you information unless y-you tell me who you're l-l-looking for."

Angel replied, "A group, a clan, a cult, something like that, who are planning to raise the goddess Yaitys. They kidnapped a friend of mine, and I'm warning you, if you don't tell me where they took her, then you are going to BEG for a quick death!"

Willie began to answer when they were both distracted by the door swinging open.

*******

Spike reached Willie's bar and went inside, intent on getting the information he so desperately wanted. What he saw when he got there was a very unpleasant suprise.

"Well, hello Angel. Fancy meeting you here."

********

The reddish light that had entered the wound on her wrist was slowly creeping throughout her entire body and it was burning her, changing her. She felt as though every inch of her was being set afire.

********

"Spike."

"Angel."

"What are you doing here? Why aren't you in Brazil?"

"Why aren't you in Hell?"

"Um... guys," Willie interjected, "if you're gonna fight, could you take it outside? I've got other customers here."

Spike spared a glance in Willie's direction. "I'm not leaving 'til I get what I want." He turned back to glare at Angel some more. Angel returned the glare for a minute, then replied, "I asked you a question. What the hell are you doing here?" "None of your business," < You bloody wanker, got to get him out of here so I can get what I need and go collect my redhead. > "Shouldn't you be off playing lapdog for the Slayer or something?"

Spike never even saw the first blow coming. With his first punch, Angel broke Spike's nose. Spike retaliated and within a matter of seconds the two were rolling around on the floor, exchanging punches. This went on for a few minutes, until both were bruised and bloodied. Then Angel came to his senses < What am I doing, Willow is in trouble, I can fight Spike anytime, I DO NOT have time for this shit now!> He quickly pulled back from Spike. "We can do this later," he said, "I'm busy now."

Spike again glared at his sire for a moment. "Like I have time for this either? You jumped ME, remember?"

"What do you have to do that is so vital, anyway?"

"I have a daring rescue to pull off, and don't even think of getting in my way, 'cuz she's MINE, I saw her first. Anyway, she deserves a REAL man, not some whipped little pansy-assed nancyboy like you!" He then turned his attention away from his sire and towards Willie, "Now, I need to know everything about this goddess being raised."

Upon hearing THAT little tidbit of information, Angel again launched himself at his childe. Another fistfight ensued. This one was interrupted by a bucket of cold water being thrown over both of them. They both stopped to glare at Willie.

"Um... look guys, since you both want the same thing, how about I just tell you both and then you can go outside and fight to your hearts content? Also, I think you should both know that sunrise is less than an hour from now."

The vampires reluctantly agreed, neither one wanting to wait until sunset to get the information which would save Willow's life.

********

Her entire body was now glowing with the same deep reddish light that had entered her. There was a terrible pressure in her mind. Whatever it was, wanted to invade her, devour her. It would be so easy to let go and just let the *other* take over.
 

~part: 5~

"Look, what I know is that a group of new nasties moved into the Master's lair a few weeks ago. They're not human or vampires. What I've heard is that they've got three eyes and three arms and the only way they can be killed is by a silver dagger through their hearts. I also heard from a vamp who was nearby that there was definitely a female screaming from the lair a few days ago. I'm not sure how many there are, but I know that this goddess can be raised if even one of them finishes the ritual, so if you want to stop them, you have to kill them all. That's all I know. Now you both better get outta here if you want to get somewhere safe before dawn." said Willie.

Angel and Spike turned and headed for the door, stopping only briefly to throw murderous glares at eachother. Once out the door, Spike grabbed Angel and growled "Just stay the hell out of my way!" Angel shrugged off Spike's grip and replied "You stay out of this! And stay away from Willow! Or I'll reintroduce you to the sun." They parted company, each off to seek refuge from the sun.

********

She was floating. They had unchained her and she was floating upright, arms outstretched, almost as if she was hung on an invisible cross. Somehow, she was still holding out against the pressure in her mind, but it was getting harder as each second passed.

********

Angel went back to the mansion, his thoughts dark and confused. < Spike. Why Spike? Why does he want her? Please anyone up there, let Willow be ok. She HAS to be ok. I hope she can hold out until sunset. Damn sun! At least Spike can't do anything either. I have to get to her before he does. I won't let HIM have her. I couldn't bear the thought of someone so sweet and innocent being corrupted by him. I WILL protect her. I'm coming Willow, just as soon as I can! I need to try to rest. I won't be any use to her if I'm exhausted. > He went to bed and tried not to think any more. It was a task that he failed miserably at.

*********

In comparison, Spike's thoughts were remarkably clear. < Kill the things, get the redhead, kill the wanker, unlive happily ever after. Simple. Damn sun! >

*********

The hooded figures had taken off their hoods. The part of Willow that was still thinking clearly suddenly wished she wasn't. Those, whatever those things were, stared at her with three dark hungry glowing and overall RED eyes and Willow found herself wishing that she was unconscious or blind or dead, whatever, just to get away from those eyes. The pressure on her mind found a foothold and increased.
 

~part: 6~

Approximately 30 minutes after sunset,
Outside the master's lair:

Angel was ready to attack. He had gone to the library the second the sun had set to get a silver dagger and was now just outside the old lair of the master. He was scouting the place first. < It wouldn't help Willow at all if I get killed by these things just because I'm not prepared. > He crept closer to the entrance. He could hear chanting. < Hold on Willow! > He got inside and the sight there was unpleasant to say the least. These things were UGLY! They had blotchy purplish skin, three arms and huge red eyes. And there were a lot of them. Angel counted and came up with thirty baddies. < Thirty! How the hell am I supposed to kill thirty of those things?!? I need a plan. And definitely another couple daggers. > Then he heard a noise behind him.

*******

As soon as Spike dug out his silver dagger (Of course he had a silver dagger just laying around his hideout. Doesn't everyone?) he was off to 'save the day'. Unfortunately, since the Master was already dust before he'd first gotten to Sunnydale, he had no clue where the lair was, so he made another stop at Willie's to get directions. Once he had those, he was off on his mission to rescue his redhead. When he got to the lair, he got two very unpleasant surprises < Great! Angel! Yippee! And shit there are a lot of those... what the hell are those things anyway? >

********

She was so tired. It would be so simple to give in, give up.

********

Angel motioned for Spike to follow him back outside. When they were out of hearing distance, the growling immediately began.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"I thought I told you to stay out of this and away from her!"

"Piss off!"

"I do NOT have time for you! And neither does she! Just LEAVE!"

"Oh yeah, wussy soulboy thinks he's gonna take on all those things at once. Yeah right! Hell, IF I WAS gonna let YOU go try to save the day, I'd still stick around and watch 'em kick your ass to oblivion!"

"And you think *you* could take all of those things? Give me a break! You couldn't even take me! You had to go get help from a Slayer and I'm just one vampire! So get lost!"

"You said it yourself, mate, you're just one vampire. Do you honestly believe that you're going to get all those things? Hmmm? I don't think so!"

"So what are you saying? If I can't do it alone, there's no way you could."

Both vampires were starting to see where this was going, and neither was happy about it. But they could both see the futility of going in solo and getting killed. Neither of them wanted to suggest the obvious solution though. After almost a minute of terse silence, Angel finally swallowed his pride and said:

"Truce?"

Spike, feeling relieved that *he* wasn't the one who had to say it, replied:

"Yeah, just 'til we get the redhead out and safe."

"How do we want to do this?"

"Sneak in, you take right, I'll take left, get as close as you can and kill as many of 'em as possible."

"Okay, let's go."

The two vampires turned and headed back into the lair of the Master, both intent on rescuing *their Willow*.

********

Slowly, she started to let go, let the *other* take over her mind.
 

~part: 7~

Once they were back inside the lair, the vampires split up, each doing his best not to be noticed until they were in a position to do as much damage as possible. Both were trying as hard as they could not to look at the petite redhead who was currently floating near the far end of the room and glowing a deep red. They were both failing miserably.

Angel stole a glance at her. < Hang in there Willow, just a few more minutes. Please be okay. > He crept closer to the things, rage entering his heart at what was being done to *his* Willow. < Just a little closer. Almost there. Is Spike ready? > He pulled out his dagger and looked over to the area he expected Spike to be.

Spike looked from Willow, to the things, then back to Willow again, growing angrier by the second. < How dare they touch her! She's mine! I'll rip their bloody hearts out. > He looked over to where Angel should be and met his eyes. A look signifying readiness passed between them. Spike pulled out his dagger.

The vampires attacked simultaneously, both taking out the closest things before they realized that the vampires were there. As the first bodies fell, most of the things stopped chanting and started attacking. A few, however, just moved as far away from the fight as possible and chanted louder and faster. The vampires fought fast and furiously, neither bothering with the usual witty banter. The third arms of the things were proving to be the vampire's biggest problems. Neither had experience fighting things with three arms before, and just when they thought they had gotten to one of the things, the third arm would shoot up and stop the daggers from hitting their marks. Fortunately, except for the advantage of the third arm, the things were not very good fighters. Spike and Angel made slow but steady progress turning the fighting things into dead things.

*******

The few remaining chanters worked themselves into a frenzy, chanting as loud and fast as possible trying to make their goddess awaken before the vampires could finish killing them all. The glow emanating from Willow grew steadily stronger.

*******

The vampires finished off the fighting things and turned to those who were still alive and chanting. Dangerous grins came to their faces as they moved to the things. The things started to run, but still kept chanting, desperately hoping for aid from their goddess. The vampires gave chase, and soon there was only one thing left. Spike and Angel closed in on it and stabbed at the same time, both of their daggers hitting the thing's heart.

*******

As soon as the last thing was dead, the red glow faded from Willow and she began to fall. Both vampires sped over to her, and caught her between them before she could hit the ground. As they cradled her in their arms, one thought passed though both of their minds simultaneously, < Mine >

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