Parts: 6 - 10
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~Part: 6~
Willow leaned on the rail staring out over the city; it really was quite beautiful when you looked at it from all the way up here. All the lights shimmered and the noise level was at its lowest. She had discovered this abandoned room on one side of the hotel that Angel had declared off limits. She had been walking aimlessly along the corridors and up and down stairs when she had found it, it was a large ballroom on the top level, maybe once it had been a dance hall but right now it was just another hollow abandoned room.
A floor was smooth despite its age; there was no layer of dust, like even that was reluctant to mar the lovely memories of dances and cotillions that permeated the air. On one side was a stage where announcements would be made and where the band would play to the admiring crowds. It still had many of the instruments in and if she tried really hard she could hear faint ghostly sounds of the music echoing and building up. Ghost violins hissing in the wind and the soft strains of the piano as the keys were lovingly stroked by phantom fingers, the whisper of cello strings and the clash of the symphony. It was a beautiful bittersweet sound and never failed to bring tears to Willow's eyes.
Sometimes she wondered if she was going insane and that's why she could hear this and no one else seemed to. It would account for a lot. She smiled bitterly at the thought and stared over the balcony imagining that she was in a far away place and that people in elegant ball gowns danced behind her, whirling to the waltz and swirling to the sounds of the soiree. She wasn't dressed in the jeans and shirt but in an elegant gown of satin and taffeta and around her wrist was looped a dance card that was full. After all, she was the belle of the ball. Any minute now her escort, who looked a lot like Hugh Jackman, would come behind her and rest his chin on her shoulder and wrap his arms around her waist leading her back to the dance in the comfort of his strong arms.
But apart from the cool breeze that swept in from the open window there was no one here and Willow felt the absence keenly.
~~~*~~~
Angel waited in her room, he knew she was still in the hotel but wouldn't appear until she wanted to be found. He didn't want to interrupt her solitude but waited patiently until he heard her footsteps outside the door.
Willow entered and her lips half curved as if she was expecting him to be there.
"Angel." She greeted
"Nice walk?" he asked politely, wondering where she had gone.
"Wonderful." Her smile was anything but sincere.
"I didn't tell her where you were." He cut right to the point.
"Did she even ask?" she inquired bitterly.
"That was the point of the call." He knew now why she had left and he was determined, more than ever, not to make her regret that decision.
"I'm surprised they noticed." She laughed but it was a raw sound and he could tell it hurt her throat.
"Willow." he bit his lip nervously and decided to do what he had wanted to since she fainted that night and he wrapped his arms around her pulling her into his strong chest.
Willow briefly stiffened in surprise but quickly took the comfort that he was offering.
"Angel." She felt tears sting her eyes and trail down her cheeks.
He moved back slightly and kissed the top of her head "You're here now Willow and you're here to stay. I don't want you to go anywhere."
"Hurts." She cried softly,
"I won't let them hurt you again. I promise." And he swore that he would make that come true, even if it was the last thing he ever did.
~~~*~~~
Spike stood in the home of the Summers' girls and rolled his eyes at Dawn- again.
"Oh come on Spike." Dawn whined with a grin "You know you want to be there."
She was wrong, boy was she wrong.
She was trying to get him to go with her to the Magic Box. They were all currently researching a demon and it was slow going since none of them could really use a computer as fast as Red had. The thought of the absent redhead still managed to make a thud in his chest. He had failed her and at the time he hadn't even been aware of it. Since he had been chipped, she was the only one who had ever been decent to him and still tried to give him the basic respect that a being deserved and he repaid her by turning his back on her when everyone else had. Things were bad in Sunnydale now, really bad and especially around the Scooby's.
Dawn tried to keep cheerful but he had seen her many nights coming out of Willow's room with tears running down her cheeks and he had found the letter that Willow left under her pillow, worn around the edges with constant handling and filled with wet marks. Spike knew that sometimes she had screaming matches with Buffy and with Tara about finding Willow, the strain and constant blaming from the Scooby's had become too much for Tara and she stopped coming over so much and only ever helped if they called her.
Xander was just a walking Zombie, he missed Willow so badly, he had lost weight and Anya seemed to be constantly pushing him to eat and go to work. Without the demon girl Spike thought that Xander just might give up totally and live on the road looking for Willow.
Buffy had called the Watcher and he had yelled and screamed at them for what they had done to Willow, he told them that withdrawal was dangerous and that there was no way she should have even been made to quit the magic's as that would probably destroy her faster, maybe even kill her itself. When he had heard that, Xander collapsed.
Buffy seemed to have taken it upon herself to blame Spike, after all if she hadn't been so preoccupied with him then she might have seen Willow in trouble, she had started to look at him with hatred and menace. Spike knew that the extension to his unlife bought by his body and services was running out, he could tell by the way she eyed his chest and caressed the stake she carried around with her. The hard glint in her eyes scared him more than he would ever admit. He knew that if it seemed that he would even breathe a word about what happened between them he would be dust.
So did he want to go to the Magic Box? He'd rather go ice skating in a tutu.
~~~*~~~
Willow giggled as Lorne serenaded Fred for her birthday. He was singing at the club and poor Fred was blushing like a beet.
The were all out tonight for Fred, Gunn sat on one side looking very smug, thanks to Willow's advice he and Fred had started dating last month. He looked up with shining eyes at his lady and Willow beamed at their happiness.
Angel was sitting back in his chair just happy that no one was making him sing, his arm was slung over the back of Willow's chair and she could lean against his strong chest.
Her eyes found Wes who was looking sadly at the glances between Gunn and Fred. She knew that the ex-watcher had had some feelings for the sweet Texan but had realised that what he wanted was the feeling, not the actual girl. Wesley was lonely. Willow felt her heart go out to him; she knew what it was to be that lonely. First when Oz left and then when Tara ran away, she had felt that feeling. Lorne finished the song and motioned to the crowd to applaud, when that had finished the juke box cranked up with the Pointer sisters and Willow felt her feet tap.
She stood up and held out her hand to Wesley. He glanced up in surprise and then grinned as he took her hand and she led him out to the empty dance floor.
Lorne raised an eyebrow as Willow started to dance with Wesley. Fred was just glad that the attention was no longer on her anymore and she shot Willow a grateful smile.
Wesley wrapped his arms around Willow as they moved to the music and then he spun her out.
After they had done their magic lessons, they would often sit and talk. One time Wes confessed that he had learned to dance secretly so his father didn't berate him for being a pansy.
Willow had urged him to show her and so their lessons were twice as long with Wes showing her how to dance. One day Angel had come in to watch and after staying silent for a while, he had joined in to teach them both new…well very old dances.
Willow had never had so much fun.
Angel smiled at the way Willow threw her head back and laughed as Wesley twirled her and caught her around the waist.
Others had begun to join the couple on the floor much to Lorne's pleasure. People and demons didn't very often dance at Caritas but Willow had the ability to make anyone feel like they wanted to join her.
Angel knew he did. She had been at the hotel for about six months and he had loved every moment, even when her insecurities caused her to go quiet and retreat silently, he was usually able to tease her out of it. The first time he had shocked Willow by laughing, apparently she had never seen him do that before and she declared that he was gorgeous when he smiled. That of course had caused her to blush and Angel to smile. He found himself falling rapidly under the redhead's spell. She was just wonderful; she could make him feel…so many things it made his head spin.
It also helped that she was amazing when it came to helping around the hotel. Wesley had offered her a job and she had taken it, and proved herself so very valuable. Not just on the computer but with her escalating and very controlled, tightly reigned magical abilities. She had quickly integrated herself into the group and no one could imagine the place without her presence, least of all Angel.
He stood up and bowed to Wes "Can I cut in?"
Wesley smiled, he and Angel had had a long conversation about the Vampire's feelings and this had led Wesley to secretly search for a cure to Angel's soul problem. He loved Willow and he knew that Angel could make her happy, and she could make him happy, just not too happy yet.
Willow moved fluidly into Angel's arms as the song changed tempo to a slower tune. They swayed together just content.
~~~*~~~
Fred heard Willow giggle and felt her own face lift. It was great to have another girl in the hotel, and especially one who she admired and adored as much as she did Willow. Willow was her best friend, they went out together a lot and had sleepovers and saw movies and talked about boys. Willow was so much happier these days and it showed, she was constantly teasing Angel and making him laugh. She flirted with Wes and made him blush and she always had a blast with Gunn and Lorne, the demon plainly loving her to pieces.
She and Angel, though, had a special bond. She could cajole and playfully knock Angel out of even his broodiest mood and have him in stitches with her humour. Fred had walked in on them the other day having a thumb war and she had nearly fainted from shock.
It was becoming a regular sight for Angel and Willow to be seen chasing each other all over the hotel and fighting, both with words and with weapons as Willow was taught how to defend herself. They also had long midnight chats about everything and nothing as everyone else was in bed. Fred sometimes liked to sit on the top of the stairs and watch as Willow rocked Connor and talked to Angel about some movie or demon or book. They looked like a family and made Fred feel loved and safe. She often drifted to sleep on the stairs watching them, only to wake up in her bed the next day where Angel had so gently placed her.
She looked up as Willow raced out of the training room and grabbed a sword from the weapons chest.
"Hey Fred." She called breathlessly "Did you call Mr Rose back about his ghoul?"
"Yup." Fred leaned on the counter and watched as Angel leaped into the lobby brandishing his own sword and an evil grin.
"When did he want to meet?" Willow asked as she circled the seat in the middle of the hall, keeping her eyes firmly fixed on Angel who was stalking closer.
"Tonight at eight if that's okay?"
"Fine." Willow held her ground as Angel lunged at her, she side stepped and he missed.
"Oh and a Miss Carlson wanted to know if you could do her a love spell."
Willow bought her sword up to stop Angel's attack and she kicked her feet out; Angel jumped over her out swept foot and arched his weapon at her legs.
"I don't do love spells." Willow protested as she jumped back and sent a swinging sword to Angel's midsection. The clash of metal told a wincing Fred that she had failed to disembowel her boss.
"I tol' her that." Fred looked on intrigued as the swords clashed together louder and louder as the strokes got more aggressive. The clang of metal filled the lobby.
Willow backed away and Angel lunged again.
"Disarm!" she called and his sword flew out of his hands
"Hey that's cheating!" he protested with a childlike whine. Willow grinned and rushed him; he flipped back and picked up his sword on the landing.
"Show off." Willow scoffed and Angel beamed, sticking his tongue out at her.
"Oh and that Dei lake demon called to postpone, his wife is giving labour tomorrow night. He asked you to call him back on his cell."
"Did he leave a number?" Willow huffed as Angel tried to force her to drop her sword.
"Yeah I wrote it down near the phone." Fred continued
"Excuse me; did anyone notice a fight going on here?" Angel inquired peeved.
"Oh poor Angel, are we ignoring you?" Willow teased
"Damn wench." Angel slipped into brogue as Willow playfully giggled at him "As if ya could ignore me!"
They were locked almost body to body as their swords were intertwined. As if indeed, Willow thought as she looked deeply into his chocolate brown eyes. He really was gorgeous.
Angel smiled gently at her as she seemed lost in his gaze. It was a private moment and one where he thought that maybe Willow was starting to have some feelings for him.
Just then a cry from upstairs came and Angel's head whipped round to look.
Willow hooked her foot behind his knee and pushed. Angel, distracted, fell to the floor and dropped his weapon.
Willow pushed sweat soaked hair out of her face and pointed the tip of her sword at his nose.
"Do you yield?" she grinned
"Never!" Angel retorted and his grin faded as she moved the tip of the sword slowly down to rest just above his zipper on his jeans.
"Do you yield?" Willow asked in a low voice and one eyebrow raised. Angel swallowed hard and tried to get her attention away from the place where the sword tip was touching. He didn't want her to know how much, that raised eyebrow and low voice was turning him on. It was so familiar and so sensual. It sent waves of desire right to his point and suddenly the tip of the sword wasn't so far away.
"Totally."
Willow moved the sword and held out her hand for him. "Come on Angel; let's go see what's wrong with the brat."
"Are you calling my son a brat?" Angel was insulted
"Like father like son."
Fred watched amused as Willow yelped, Angel had just swatted her butt with his sword.
~~~*~~~
Spike had been patrolling the cemetery by himself when he caught the scent of Slayer. He turned to go the other way but was shocked and a little more than a tad uneasy when he bumped straight into the Slayer. How the hell had she moved so fast?
"Spike." she spat out his name like it was a dirty word
He dug in his pockets for his cigarettes to keep his hands from shaking; it wouldn't do to let her know that he was unnerved. "Slayer."
"Yes I am." She grinned wolfishly "I slay Vampires."
"Good, glad we got that sorted." Spike said taking a drag and went to move away.
Buffy blocked him
"I don't know what you hope to achieve by hanging out with my sister but it won't work."
"What won't?" he asked suspiciously
"Using Dawn to get back at me, to make me jealous or even as a substitute, if I see you even touch her like that I'll kill you."
Spike's mouth hung open "Dawn is like a sister and even if she wasn't she's just a kid; I'm not a paedophile like your precious Angel."
Before he could stop it, Buffy popped him in the mouth. His head snapped back with the force.
"That's one." He growled "Contrary to your self involved view Buffy, not everything is about you."
"Look, I know you have been hanging around with Dawn lately and I'm telling you to stop, now."
"What?" Spike was incredulous "The chit has lost her mother and her best friend in a few short months, she needs me."
"No one needs you Spike."
"That's not what you said before." Even as the words finished being formed Spike knew they were a mistake. That's right Spike lets piss of the insane Slayer shall we.
"No one ever finds out about that." she demanded and Spike's foot slipped further down his throat.
"Sure thing, sweetcheeks, it wasn't exactly a crowning moment, doing a Slayer."
Her face went red with rage.
"I mean it Spike; none of them trust you and none of them would be surprised if one day you just… disappeared. Just give me an excuse to stake you Spike, any excuse and I'll do it, and if you run I will hunt you down with Holy water and crosses. I'll find you in the day or when you sleep and you'll burn. Please give me an excuse and you'll be lining Miss Kitty's tray." Her voice turned lower and lower until it was just a hiss of breath.
Spike felt the chill of her dead eyes as she glared at him. He nodded and stepped back.
"Whatever."
Glad that she had made her point, she smirked evilly and turned away. "Sleep tight Spike-y." she mocked as she walked away.
Spike found that his throat was tight and for the first time since coming to Sunnydale, hell the first time in his existence he was actually scared of the Slayer.
It looked like it was time to move.
~Part: 7~
Dawn had trouble sleeping at night lately. She no longer felt safe in her own home. Buffy was out all night hunting Vampires and Willow was gone, she was often alone and although she told Buffy that she was fine, she wasn't fine. She was far from fine.
She knew that sometimes Spike would come and sit on her balcony and only then could she fall into a dreamless sleep, knowing that someone was keeping watch over her. It didn't matter that she was seventeen and supposed to not be scared of the dark by now, but unlike everyone else in this town, Dawn knew what went bump in the night, and now, unlike ever before, it scared her witless.
She slipped her hand under her pillow and caressed the slip of paper that lay there. Willow was still gone and they couldn't find her.
She missed her so damn much and it still hurt even though it had been months since she left. She had ignored her best friend and role model because she had been a petty child and now Willow was gone, possibly dead, destroyed by her own power, Giles had said that was a possibility. Dawn swallowed hard and fought back tears at the thought of Willow dead. She couldn't believe it and didn't want to, it brought the nightmares back. Nightmares of Willow drowning and asking for help, her arms beating wildly above her head while Buffy and Xander sat by the pool holding her head under and laughing, sometimes Tara was there too, too nervous to stop them and save Willow. The other nightmare was worse. It was of the night Willow went to see Rack and took Dawn along with her. Willow came out looking a bit goofy and acting high, then a demon had appeared in front of them and Willow had told Dawn that it didn't really exist. In the dream Dawn believed her and watched as the demons poured from each shadow and reached out scratching at a screaming Willow and tearing her to pieces, shredding her skin while Dawn laughed like it wasn't real.
That dream had Dawn waking to screams- her own. But tonight she didn't want to dream, she lay in her bed and stared at the ceiling.
She bolted upright when there was a tap on her window, she glanced at the dark shadows that played across the windows and saw one move as the tap sounded again.
Buffy was out and Dawn was alone, her heart beat faster with fear and her palms started to sweat. She crept out of bed, her heart pounding, trying to reassure herself that anything that meant her harm wouldn't knock. She pulled back the curtain and was relieved and a little angry when she saw Spike crouched on her balcony.
"Dammit Spike you scared me to-"
"Shh, Li'l bit." He asked urgently and cast a glance around "We have to be quiet."
"Why?" she whispered and Spike just smiled sadly at her. It was so unlike Spike that Dawn no longer questioned it and nodded like she understood, even though she didn't really.
"I'm leaving." Dawn's heart felt like someone had cracked it open with a hammer.
"What? Why?" she felt tears spring to her already sore eyes. Why was everyone leaving her?
"Its complicated bit but I can't stay in Sunnyhell anymore." He sounded genuinely regretful as he reached up to cup her chin and wipe her tears with his rough thumb.
"You're just going?"
"Yeah but I couldn't go without saying bye to my favourite girl." he gave her a lopsided grin and pulled her into a hug "I'm gonna miss you Dawn."
"Then don't go." She begged
"I have to." he insisted "It's not safe for me here; I just didn't want you to think I'd bailed on you. I'll try and keep in touch, pet."
"What's wrong?" she responded to the urgency in his voice "I-Is it Buffy?"
Spike sighed heavily "I have to go."
"I love you Spike." she cried and wrapped her arm around him.
"I know, me too Nibblet."
He pushed her away and leaped over the balcony, landing in a crouch near his duffle bag with all his worldly belongings in it. He looked up once and blew her a kiss as he picked up the bag and faded into the night, his duster swirling behind him.
Dawn watched as one more person walked out of her life.
~~~*~~~
Willow dragged her feet and her axe behind her as she flopped onto the sofa in the lobby.
The door opened as the rest of the gang followed
"Hard night's slay-age?" Lorne guessed as he burped Connor.
"Uh." Was all Willow could manage as she drooped and yawned.
"I need a bleach bath." Fred said as she walked by covered in demon goo.
Lorne held his laughter and his breath as she marched past.
"It was a fungus demon…with a cold." Angel sighed "He sneezed on Fred."
"I feel like a mucus factory." Fred mumbled as she made her way up the stairs. Angel's lips twitched trying to hide a smile; he walked to Lorne to check on his child before turning back to the lobby, his laughter hidden.
"Are you okay Willow?" he asked, she had done the majority of the fight, holding the thing down with magic while Angel kicked its ass.
She looked drained.
She stared up at him.
"Stairs bad." She pouted and then looked down at the sofa "Sofa comfy. Me stay here." She nodded and let herself flop down.
Angel chuckled and lay his sword down before walking over and grabbing Willow, she yelped as he swung her into his arms.
"Come on Will." He carried her upstairs "Sofa leads to bad back, better take the bed."
"Mmm." She mumbled and snuggled into his chest. Angel's breath caught as she burrowed into his embrace, she was so warm and felt so darn right in his arms.
Her face was upturned and her mouth only inches away from his own, if he leant down he could kiss her soft full lips and savour the taste of Willow. He tried hard to cut back on those thoughts as they weren't making his walking any easier and Willow certainly wasn't in any place to accept his advances, even if he could do something about this attraction that surrounded him whenever she was near.
He lay her on the bed and his unneeded breath was stolen at the picture she made, her rosy cheeks evident against her pale skin and her dark clothes showing off all her curves as she lay open and vulnerable in front of him, she was a Vampire's wet dream and he could imagine that she would open her eyes and they would be lustful and smouldering and then… he was going to embarrass himself if he didn't get out of here now.
"Hmm, Angel?"
His name on her lips completely derailed any train of thought he had and made speech veritably impossible, he grunted.
"Thank you." She yawned and rolled over, slipping quietly into sleep as Angel was held by the picture she made. Now he knew what she would sound like after they had made love. Husky and sleepy and just a little sensual. He moved back to the bed and sat by her side, stroking her hair. He leaned forward and gently pressed his lips to hers in a soft kiss, a whisper of a kiss. He wished she was awake but then took that back, it's better for now if she doesn't know and he can pretend that she would feel the same.
He got up and left the room without looking back.
~~~*~~~
Spike stood in the courtyard staring at the hotel. He could feel human heartbeats in there, lots of them and of course the overwhelming presence of his Sire Angel. Grand sire…whatever. Since he had left Sunnydale he hadn't a clue where he would go, Buffy's words about hunting him down echoed in his ears as he entered the city and drove about until he found a telephone box with an intact phone book mentioning the Hyperion Hotel. Of course Angel had never told him where he was, he had to look in the address book that Red had left behind to discover the whereabouts of his royal poofyness. So he was there. Standing in front of the hotel ready to ask his Sire for sanctuary from the pissed off love of his life that Spike had been shagging. Maybe he should just wait here for the sun; it was bound to be less painful than anything Angelus could cook up. Spike was fed up of all this issues crap, his Sire was supposed to take care of him. Maybe he could have the chip removed or at least know where Spike could get some blood bags, he was bloody starving. Taking a deep breath he entered the hotel.
Fred looked up as the door opened and a tall blonde man walked in. he was very good-looking, as Willow would say- a total hottie. Fred beamed at him
"Hi there, welcome to Angel Investigations, we help the hopeless. I'm Fred." She held out her hand and he cocked his head at her with a small smile.
"Fred?"
"Short for Winifred, Winifred Burkle." She clarified as he gripped her hand in a small shake.
"Nice to meet you Fred. I'm looking for Angel."
"Oh okay." Her smile faded as she thought of something "Uh you're not here to hurt him or nothin' are ya?"
He gave a funny half smile "Not this time."
Fred breathed a sigh of relief "Oh good, because that tends to make him cranky, and he has been real great and non cranky recently. Not that he's always cranky but sometimes…" she trailed off and grimaced "Sorry my mouth kinda runs away with me."
"No harm love, I think it's cute, it reminds me of someone I know."
"Oh!" Fred was pleased "Well how `bout ya'll come into the office and wait for Angel, I'm sure he'll be down in a minute. He just has to see to Connor."
"Right." Spike had no idea who this Connor was or why Angelus had to see to him but he wouldn't look a gift vampire in the fangs. He walked into the office with his duffle over his shoulder and dropped it at his feet. He slouched against the door.
"So Fred, why's a cute little thing like you working for the great brooding one?"
Fred blushed and bit her lip in shyness which Spike found adorable "Well he rescued me from…" she paused "Do ya believe in Vampires and demons and alternative dimensions, because if ya don't there's really no point ta this story."
Spike laughed out loud "Yeah pet, you could say I believed in Vampires."
"Right." She drawled in her sweet Texan accent "Angel found me in Pylea which is a different dimension where humans are used as slaves, I accidentally got sent there five years previously and had ta spend five years on the run hiding in caves so I wouldn't be used as a cow."
Spike's eyebrow raised "That right?"
Fred shrugged and opened her mouth but before she could there was an almighty shriek from upstairs.
Spike spun around to peer out of the door and up the stairs.
Fred rolled her eyes as she recognised the sounds of yet another fight.
~~~*~~~
Willow had been sitting on her bedroom floor meditating when Angel had come in and sat on her bed watching her. After about ten minutes it got unnerving and she opened one eye.
"What are you doing?"
"Watching you." He said his voice mischievous.
"Don't." she stated and settled back down "it's off putting."
A few more minutes passed and she opened one eye to find him still staring at her with a grin. It was infectious.
"What?" she burst out with a smile sliding on her face.
"Do you have any idea how cute you are when you are concentrating?" Angel asked teasingly.
Willow's mouth dropped "I am not cute."
"No?" he was clearly sceptical and amused.
"No." she replied archly and tried to settle back into her mediation position.
Angel was still watching her when she opened her eyes again a few seconds later.
She laughed "Knock it off!" she threatened and he pouted at her.
"Come on Willow, don't you want to play?" he taunted and Willow's breath caught at the blatantly sexy tone.
"Play?" she concentrated hard and her pillow rose and smacked him round the back of the head.
"Hey!" he jumped and brushed it away from his neck with a shudder. Willow stared fascinated and incredulous "Are you ticklish on your neck?"
"No." he said too fast.
"You are!! You are! Who knew the mighty Angelus had a ticklish neck! I bet the others would like to know and ooh I bet the average Vamp on the street would pay good money for that information."
He picked up the pillow and threw it at her.
"Witch!"
"Angel's tick-lish." She sang in a baby voice.
"Where are you ticklish Willow?" he breathed, his tone getting lower.
She stared at him.
"Nowhere." She felt her heart race at his playful tone; she climbed to her feet and backed away.
"Uh huh." He slowly stood up and edged towards her "I don't believe you; I think I can find out where you are ticklish. I can have you begging for mercy."
"Never." her voice wavered as she backed away faster, but Angel just stalked closer.
"Yess." He hissed and lunged.
Willow shrieked and ducked under his arm, racing for the doors just as his arms closed on empty air.
"Willow." he sang as she raced down the corridor, he laughed and ran after her in hot pursuit.
Willow rounded the corner of the corridor and hung on to the banister of the stairs as her hair swished around her shoulders hiding her face. She gave a small shriek as she saw Angel stalking down the corridor, spying her he began to run.
Willow jumped and started down the stairs, pausing on the landing to get her bearings before scampering down the remaining steps and into the lobby. Right in the centre there was a large circular sofa chair; she raced to the other side and kept it between her and Angel as he leaped down the stairs after her.
Fred watched amused as they raced down the stairs like children playing kiss chase, they hadn't even registered there was anyone in the lobby.
Willow was laughing hard and trying to catch her breath.
"I didn't mean it!" she said "I won't tell!" she promised as he rounded the sofa, she scrambled over it and circled the other way trying to keep him on the other side.
"Really?" he stood up straight as if to say that that was alright and Willow breathed relief. But it was short lived as Angel leaped over the sofa and grabbed her tickling her sides.
"I believe it's your turn to yield." He joked as she writhed in his embrace, his strong muscular arms wrapped around her waist so she couldn't escape, just struggle against his body.
"N-No!" she gasped for breath while trying to get away from his fingers.
"Yield!" he laughed as she struggled harder, fighting for breath while laughing so hard.
"Ok ok I give!" she called and he dropped her onto the sofa.
"That was mean!" she pouted and Angel held out his hand, she took it laughing and stood up with a huge smile on her face.
Angel finally registered that someone else was in the lobby and he looked up to greet them, his smile dying on his face as he locked eyes with Spike.
Willow followed his gaze and her face fell as she recognised who the stranger was standing with Fred. Her expression closed and she dropped Angel's hand.
~Part: 8~
Spike turned at the first scream wondering who Angelus was torturing and then he had seen the flash of red hair as it came in view. His mind alternated between shock, pleasure and confusion as he watched Willow run down the stairs, a bright smile on her face and her cheeks aglow. She looked good, healthy even and happy. It had been a long time since he'd seen her happy- if ever. Then he watched as his staid, implacable, brooding Sire chased her down the stairs and around the sofa grinning and laughing like a young boy and then finally catching her and tickling her. He yelled playfully about her yielding and then helped her up, holding her hand tenderly and brushing her hair away from her face.
Spike was filled with conflicting emotions; Angelus had once looked at him like that, like he was special and wonderful. He hadn't missed it at all, being so full of anger for his Sire at first leaving him and then taking Dru away again when he came back. But now he could see it and he missed it deeply. And then there was the obvious easy camaraderie between Red and Angelus. She trusted him, it was clear and she was bubbling over with something. She was so different from the sad and lonely Willow that he had known back in Sunnydale, more like the one he had kidnapped back in high school and he wanted to get to know her again. He'd had such a crush on her then, even back in Brazil he hadn't forgotten her scent and the way she'd comforted him and the sweet way she'd looked, ok gorgeous way she'd looked. He was so shocked to see her here when Buffy had told him that she had Angel on the case looking for her and he'd promised he would call if he heard anything. Well it seemed like she had one less Vampire under her spell than she'd thought.
When first Angel's and then Willow's faces fell at the sight of him, he had an unexpected and unpleasant sensation in his heart. She wouldn't look at him after that initial eye contact and now she kept her eyes trained on the floor.
"Hi Angel, this is…" Fred turned and frowned "I didn't get'chore name?"
"Spike." Angel said flatly.
"You know each other?" Fred sensed the undercurrents between the two men in the group and moved away from the handsome blonde.
"You could say that, right Dad?" Spike teased.
"What do you want Spike?" he growled, Willow stiffened and sidled away from Angel.
Spike clenched his jaw at the familiar disapproving voice "Can we talk?"
Angel looked askance at Spike's tone. "Fine, that's my office." He motioned to his space and waited for Spike to move.
Angel turned to Fred "I'm not to be disturbed for now." He directed. Willow kept her head down and edged towards the stairs before Angel could say anything to her.
"Willow?" he asked softly and she just twisted slightly to glance behind her and sent him a small smile.
He took an unneeded breath and followed his childe into the office and shut the door.
~~~*~~~
Spike sat slumped in the big arm chair, his bag next to his feet and a cigarette in his lips.
"No smoking." Angel growled and knocked the cigarette out of his lips. Spike glared at him "If I remember right, it was you who got me onto the damn smokes in the first place."
"Yeah well quit." Angel sat in his big leather chair across from Spike.
"Well isn't this a sweet set up?" Spike raised an eyebrow, "Weapons, big manly leather chair, lets `em know who's in charge hey? A bunch of human lackeys to go out during the sunny hours and plenty of dark corners for you to brood in, perfect."
Angel rolled his eyes. Spike had the singular talent of being able to piss you off by saying "Hello."
"Those human lackeys are my friends Spike." he paused and added "Friends, look it up in the dictionary."
Spike was stung but did his best not to let it show "The mighty Angelus, pally with a bunch of humans?"
Angel sighed, suddenly both annoyed and tired which was a perpetual state whenever he was forced to deal with Spike.
"What do you want Spike? You didn't come all the way here to criticise my choice of association." Actually Angel wasn't sure about that, if Spike was bored it was entirely possible that he would drive over thousands of miles just to poke fun at his Sire.
Spike glanced down at his clenched fists, he could do this. It was just five words. Five little words that he had sworn he would never say, on pain of torture and not even then. He had vowed…but that was before the chip and the Slayer and just the whole of his unlife going to the dogs.
Angel stared at the silent Spike whose knuckles were turning white with the grip he had on the seat arms.
"Spike?"
"I need your help Sire." He bit the words out, hating them and his damn Sire more than anything in the world right now. When he could bear to look up it was to his satisfaction that Angel's jaw hung open.
"Wha-?" Angel couldn't recall a single time in all their history together that Spike had ever voluntarily asked for his help.
"I won't frigging repeat it!" Spike raised his voice angrily.
"Why in hells name d'ya need my help?" in Angel's surprise he slipped back into his native brogue reminding Spike of Angelus.
"And why the hell do you smell like Slayer?"
Angel hadn't noticed it when Spike first walked in because Willow also still smelled slightly like the Slayer but she was gone and Spike was here and he reeked of the Slayer and not just the "I've been around her" smell either.
Spike took a deep breath, more out of habit than necessity and grimaced.
"That's a not so funny story with a violent and unhappy, Vampire fleeing to his Sire for aid ending." Spike gave a self mocking smirk.
Angel vamped "Did you hurt her?"
"No!" Spike yelled "Angelus was the one who wanted to hurt the bitch remember?"
"Oh and you never wanted to hurt the Sla-Buffy." Angel amended with healthy irony.
"Not of late." Spike sighed suddenly tired; he didn't want to get into this with his Sire right now- or ever.
"Just talk Spike." Angel leaned over his desk peering at Spike.
"Well you know how I've been helping the Scooby gang?"
Angel looked at him incredulously for a second before laughing outrageously "Boy the only person you ever helped is yourself, you *help* the Slayer and her gang? I wasn't turned yesterday."
Spike glared "What do you think I was going to do? Starve to dust? Slutty made it clear that if I was going to survive I had to help them."
Angel looked sceptical "And let me guess you were so scared of her that you agreed?"
"Scared of Buffy?" Spike shook his head "Not hardly." He paused "Her boy's outfit maybe but not her."
Angel frowned, although he agreed Xander's clothes were scary what had that to do with Spike?
"Spike, I'm confused. You say you were helping Buffy- right?" it suddenly occurred to him that Spike meant that time he'd helped Buffy to send Angel to hell. He relaxed.
"So you helped them and then what?"
"After a while the feelings of hatred for Buffy turned to something else, I…I… fell for her."
Angel's jaw dropped "You fell for Buffy?"
"Yeah but until Soldier boy took his merry band of chips ahoy boys and scat she never paid me the time of day, even if I did tattle that her boy was paying to get sucked on. Right unhealthy that is. But when she got brought back by teen witch, she was wrong and we did the deed. But now she's got cold feet and has threatened to dustify me even though she knows I can't fight back…well I could with her due to her molecular suntan but when it comes to anyone else I'm as harmless as a kitten. Thanks to Farm boy."
Angel stared at him for a second "I'm sorry Spike, two hundred years and I still don't understand you."
"Well I'm a complex…"
"No I meant I haven't got a clue what you said, for all I know you were speaking Fyarl. I don't speak *Spike*. How about we start from the beginning?"
"Sure, what had Red told you about me?" Spike figured that it would make more sense to start from where Willow had left off.
Angel blinked "Willow? What does she have to do with anything?"
"Nothing…well some, what has she told you about me?"
Spike frowned as Angel's brow creased "Nothing. I thought you were trying to win Drusilla back."
It was Spike's turn for his jaw to drop "I've been in Sunnydale for about three years."
"What?" Angel was incredulous "Three years? I thought you were in Brazil with Dru."
"Let me get this straight you have no idea about the Soldier boys? The chip? Chains in the bath tub? Nibblet and Glory?"
Angel shook his head in consternation "What is that?"
Spike sat back "I guess we got some catching up to do Peaches."
~Part: 9~
Around Midnight they had moved their discussion to the training room so the others could get some work done and Angel could take some of his frustrations out on the dummies in there.
He had no idea what had happened to his boy, unable to fight even the lowliest of humans to defend himself. Having to turn to enemies for help and the way they treated him, locking him in the bathtub and taunting him. If Rupert Giles or Buffy had been there he thought he might have cheerfully ripped out their throats for the way they treated Spike. He had been vamped for a solid hour after that particular revelation… although he did a good laugh from Willow's my will it so spell.
According to Spike, the only one who had been half decent to him had been Willow. Angel felt a warm glow at that, he knew Willow was lovely like that. But he was at a loss to why she hadn't mentioned Spike, especially if he'd been in Sunnydale for three years; maybe he had been part of the redhead's problem, she definitely hadn't been happy to see him.
Unfortunately the very idea of what both the commando's and Buffy had then done to Spike left him with Angelus closer to the surface than ever before. He wanted to eviscerate Buffy Summers and then hang her by her own entrails, the self righteous bitch. She had used and abused Spike until he loathed himself and that was something Angel figured he would never see.
Truth be told he had missed his childer, both Spike and Drusilla so much and having him here was a blessing.
He knew he had been a lousy Sire over the past few decades but Spike coming here had given him a second chance and both him and his demon were in equal agreement that this was an opportunity that couldn't be passed, to finally try make things right.
~~~*~~~
Spike watched as his Sire moved about the training room with a hauntingly familiar look in his face, it was the murderous rage of yester-century that meant Angelus was pissed and heads would roll- in their own grey matter and juices.
It was comforting and confusing at the same time, he had no idea that Angel could feel that way about him; after all he was the bane of his Sire's existence.
After a long while of not saying anything Angel turned "I'm proud of you William."
And the bottom dropped out of Spike's world.
"Huh?" his mind had finally gone, he knew it. Too much hanging out with one bird who talked to the stars and one who's idea of foreplay was a smack in the teeth.
There was no way that Angel had said what Spikes tortured mind thought he had.
"I'm proud of you Spike." Angel said again, this time with a slight grin "What you've been through and what you've survived, you truly are a Master Vampire and I'm proud of you…Angelus is proud of you."
There was no way, no way on this earth that Spike was going to cry in front of Angel but damn if he didn't feel like a baby. Those were words he had long given up on hearing from Angelus, words that suddenly made all the pain and degradation worth it.
"Thanks." he managed gruffly after a few minutes of beating down his urge to sob.
Angel nodded "Well you can stay here with me for however long you want Spike."
"Grand!" Spike beamed
"Just a few rules Spike."
Spike sighed and drooped "Knew it."
Angel's lips twitched "First up don't get in the way of the guys here, we work hard here. Angel Investigations is hard work and the last thing they need is some smart ass Vampire making life difficult."
"Wait, I thought living here, I'd be helping." Spike wondered if Angel thought he couldn't handle it, or if he didn't trust him.
"That would be great but you'd need to ask the boss for a job." Angel smirked
"Fine," Spike gritted his teeth "Angelus can I-"
"Not me." Angel smirked and leaned against the door " Wesley is the boss of Angel Investigations."
"What?" Spike was disbelieving "Angel takes orders from someone called Wesley?"
"Wesley is my best friend." Angel growled "And an ex- watcher."
"Name sounds familiar." Spike said rolling his eyes "Another bleeding stuffed shirt, disgrace to the British, Watcher."
"Secondly," Angel glared "Fred."
"What about her?" Spike smirked at the thought of the sweet Texan.
"No frightening her, no stalking her…in fact don't talk to her." He added just to be on the safe side.
Spike glowered at him "Fine, anything else?"
Angel stood and opened the door ready to introduce Spike to the team "Yeah no loud music after 7 or you'll wake the baby."
"Baby? What baby?"
~~~*~~~
Willow sat with the guys as the researched something for a client. She was acutely aware of the fact that only meters away was someone who could shatter her fragile world with a few choice words.
She hadn't told Fred who he was, and hadn't mentioned him to either Wes or Gunn who had turned up earlier.
They were sitting in the reception, listening to Wesley talking about the various avenues they could explore when Gunn made some ridiculous comment, it broke the tension Willow had been feeling and she laughed along with the others.
That is until she heard the training room door open.
Spike followed Angel who avoided his question about the baby with a big ol' smirk and went into the lobby.
He looked up and saw Fred, two guys and Willow sitting around laughing about something.
Peaches cleared his throat and they all turned to look at him.
"Hey guys."
"Angel." Wesley's voice was low as he stared at the blonde man behind him.
Fred beamed "Is everything okay, Angel?"
"Yeah, uh this is Spike."
The effect was almost instantaneous Wesley jumped to his feet and pulled a crossbow from behind him.
"As in William the Bloody?" his voice was calm
"Yes, my childe."
"So put the damn bow down." Spike said, moving so his body was slightly shielded by Angel.
Angel nodded and Wesley complied "care to explain?" he asked archly.
"Spike's going to be staying with me for a while in the hotel." Angel explained
"Is that wise? With Connor?" Fred asked eying the blonde fearfully knowing now that he was a Vampire
"He can't hurt humans." Angel said, "Long story."
"Right, long story." Gunn stared with obvious mistrust at the Vampire "First Harmony and then Darla, are we running a halfway house for Vamps, I mean don't we kill `em anymore?"
"Darla?" Spike stared in abject bewilderment at Angel
"Long-er story." Angel shrugged.
"Whatever." Spike knew that Angel would tell him later anyway…if these overzealous kids didn't kill him first. The dark one glared at him in hostility.
"Angel man, I don't know about this." Gunn said hesitantly.
"He's staying with me." Angel reiterated "He won't be any trouble."
Spike glared at Angel talking about him like a hyperactive dog.
"Thanks Peaches."
The lad's lips twitched "Peaches?"
Angel rolled his eyes "Don't start Gunn, Wes put the gun away. He's staying in the hotel; you probably won't see him much anyway."
"I bleeding well hope." Spike muttered to himself and passed by them to grab his bag from the office leaving Angel to talk to the others in his behalf.
When he came back out Angel was leaning against the table smiling at Wesley and Fred.
"Alrighty then." Fred said apprehensively "We were talking about this case but I think I just heard Connor."
"We'll go check on him." Angel smirked "I think Spike needs to meet him." Something suddenly registered "Where'd Willow go?"
~~~*~~~
Willow could hear the music louder tonight. She had managed to slip away almost as soon as Angel finished his announcement and all attention had been on Wesley and his crossbow. She had used magic but that didn't matter. She wasn't sure what to do now.
Apparently Spike was now another guest of chez Angel. It was filling up fast, and so was she.
She logically knew that Angel had to have figured out some, if not most, of what went on in Sunnydale with her but with Spike here, Buffy's lap dog putting his own spin on things and him being Angel's childe then it probably wouldn't be long before Angel asked her to leave. Oh he'd be nice about it; something about it being time for her to move on, get a place of her own and be more independent but the end result would be the same. She'd be gone.
Well the one thing that Willow still clung to was that she would never again make herself a nuisance. She stared out at the empty ballroom and smiled at the ghostly couples staring at her in pity. Her date bowed and backed away waiting for her to leave the room. She gracefully curtseyed and left to pack her things.
~~~*~~~
Spike stared down in amazement at the small child.
"You're telling me that this is your kid?"
"Yeah." Angel said smugly "I was stunned too, I mean two vampires having a child? Unheard of and yet here he is."
"And Darla staked herself for him?" that was the part that had Spike in disbelief "Blonde, selfish, oh so slightly psychotic Darla. She of the heavy fists, staked herself for a human brat?"
Angel frowned at Spike's tone "Heavy fists?"
"What you thought she was all sunshine and roses when you got souled?" Spike raised an eyebrow "That bitc-" he looked at the sleeping kid and changed his words "Bint went nuts on us, practically tore me and Dru to pieces."
Angel's jaw tightened "I didn't know."
Spike looked at Angel out of the corner of his eye, he knew the great Poof was blaming himself right now for all the things that Spike had gone through and a piece of Spike wanted to reassure his Sire but the rest of him wanted Angel to at least feel some responsibility for what he had been through. But now wasn't the time for him to brood so Spike changed the topic.
"Why Connor?" he asked "Why not William, good family name that?"
Angel laughed "One Will and one Liam in the family is enough I think, what would we call him Billy?"
"Why not?" Spike grinned at the joking in Angel's voice, damn that was good to hear again. This version of Angel was closer to how his Sire had been in the first place, not the loony version that had made an appearance when Slutty dropped her knickers for him that time. Connor opened his eyes and yawned and Spike was won.
"Can I hold him?"
"Ok." Angel picked Connor up and put him in Spike's arms. "Careful of his head."
Spike glared at him and then looked down at the baby "Hey Connor, I'm your big brother."
"What?" Angel started
"Well he's your child and I'm your childe, and that makes us brothers." Spike was resolute "Family."
Angel liked the sound of that "Family."
Spike grinned and felt sappy as he looked down at the smile on his baby brother's face.
"No snacking on your brother."
~~~*~~~
Willow was carefully folding her clothes when she heard the door knock, she didn't say anything but it opened anyway.
"Willow? Are you-" Angel stopped dead and glanced from the case to her "Leaving?"
"Yeah." she said softly waiting for him to back her decision up with an offer to help her find more suitable accommodation.
"Why?"
"You know why." She said wondering why he was playing it cool.
"No I don't." he maintained and stood in front of her as she went to put more clothes in the case "Dammit Willow stop that and talk to me, what's going on in that head of yours?"
"Don't do this to me Angel." She bit back tears seemingly for the hundredth time this year "I'll go okay?"
Angel refused to move and he put his hands on her arms holding her in place "Willow?"
"I know that Spike has probably told you everything that I did, why I left and now you, just like them want me gone. I'm a nuisance, an inconvenience, a liability. Hell, I agree with ya. I am. So I'll scat and get out of your hair."
"What you did?"
Okay so maybe Spike hadn't told Angel just yet, Willow thought, but he wouldn't take long.
"I nearly killed Dawn in a car crash. I was high on Magic from my Warlock dealer and I manifested a demon that tried to eat us and then I used more magic to drive away and nearly killed Dawn. Before that? I stole their memories, took their identities and raped their minds nearly killing us all. God, no wonder they hate me. I hate me. I'm evil Angel, I shouldn't be around you and I definitely shouldn't be around Connor." The tears slipped as she confessed. Willow wrenched out of Angel's arms and threw the clothes she carried into the case. "No doubt Spike'll fill you in on the horror that is me, what I did to Buffy by dragging her out of her reward in heaven, how she's back just that little bit darker. How I destroy everything." She slammed the case shut, not caring that she hadn't got everything. Before she could make her grand exit, Angel slammed the door and leaned against it.
She stared up at him wondering what he would do to her now he knew and how much it would hurt.
Angel watched as she tensed, she thought he was going to hurt her but he could tell that part of her thought she deserved it. She reminded him of Faith standing there in the rain begging him to kill her because she was evil. Wanting to be hurt because she hated herself so damn badly, refusing to accept solace because she didn't think she deserved it. He had never wanted that for Willow.
"I don't care." He said and she jumped and disbelief spread over her face. "I don't care how bad you think you are Willow. Evil? Not even close. I've seen true evil, I've been evil and you aren't it."
"That was Angelus, not you." She maintained and flinched when he moved forward.
"Part of him is me, Willow I can't hide that, I feel everything he's ever done and part of me loves it. So you almost killed Dawn in a car crash? Since the invention of the car do you know how many people Angelus ran over on purpose? Before that can you imagine the crunch of someone's skull as horse drawn carriage rolls over it? So you conjured a demon? Acathla ringing any bells?" he prowled closer his face a mask of pain "Pulling Buffy out of heaven darker? I made Drusilla insane and I've sent more people to heaven and hell than you've ever even met. I've stolen lives Willow not just memories and identities and as for rape?" he swallowed "Angelus always liked a struggle."
He pushed her to the bed and sat next to her "I can't hate you, I don't. Willow, you are the only person to ever see all of me and accept that. Buffy never did that and neither has anyone else. Wesley has tried but it goes against everything he was brought up to believe. You and me Willow, we're alike but you're not evil. I see you in pain and it tears me up inside, and I don't want you to go. I need you to stay for me Willow. please?"
Willow looked up at Angel's anguished face and threw her arms around him, holding him close for all she was worth as she felt hot tears run down her neck. He was crying.
"I'm sorry Angel, so sorry. I'll stay." She soothed over and over, rocking him gently as he sought her forgiveness just as she sought his.
Angel relished the feelings of comfort that she offered and held her as she fell silent and then into a deep slumber.
It was sometime before he could bring himself to pull away from her comforting warmth and then all he wanted to do was bury himself in her heat and never let go. Looking down at her sleeping face he realised with a jolt that he was in love with her. He loved Willow Rosenberg.
Every delicious, sweet, innocent, tainted, insecure inch of her. And the thought scared him to death because with Willow he could see eternity with her in ways that he never could with Buffy, but she was so delicate right now, fragile in the extreme. Would she ever be able to feel the same?
He pulled away and laid her under her blankets. He quickly and quietly put her clothes away and took the case with him as he silently shut her bedroom door. She wasn't going to leave him, ever, if he could help it.
~Part: 10~
Spike woke up hungry and happy. The first emotion was one he had felt almost every day since the event with those damn soldiers, the second was new and it took him a moment to pinpoint why. He was safe and he had his Grand-Sire to take care of him for the first time in decades. Spike smiled a broad purely satisfied smile that many ladies of his acquaintance could identify with.
He swung his feet over the side of the warm bed and made his way out of his room and down the hall, stopping briefly to check on his baby brother.
He had a brother. It made Spike grin even harder. He couldn't believe it. An actual brother, someone to look up to him and for him to teach stuff to. Like how to dance and how to fight, how to woo the ladies and all that jazz.
He was so busy thinking about the possibilities that he didn't register that anyone else was in the darkened kitchen as he opened the fridge to get out his bagged blood. He turned and almost jumped as he saw a hunched figure sitting in the large leather armchair hugging her legs.
"Willow?"
"Spike." her reply was so quiet he wondered if she'd actually spoken.
He thanked his Vampiric sight that he didn't have to turn the light on to see her. She rested her chin on her knees and was staring blankly at the table.
Willow had woken awhile ago and had been unable to stay in her room, she needed to go somewhere slightly cooler and she chose the kitchen because traipsing around to her ballroom would wake Angel and the kitchen's tiles would at least be cool. So she sat there thinking about all the things Angel had said to her. They made sense, if she could forgive him for all the things he did and not hold any of it against him, it was possible that he wouldn't hold it against her either. Wesley had made it clear that he was there for her no matter what she had done, so that was two of them. She had two actual friends who didn't want or expect anything from her except herself. It was a new sensation and one Willow wondered about. Angel had seemed so sincere and caring when he spoke to her, he had practically begged her not to leave and so she would stay.
As she sat in the darkness thinking about her life, she was surprised to suddenly see a figure move in front of her and be illuminated by the light from the fridge. It was Spike.
The last time she had seen Spike it was with Buffy pressed up against the wall of his crypt. That had been the final straw for her, knowing that Buffy would do that with someone that she hated rather than trust or even talk to Willow. He was the love slave of Buffy. She had probably got tired of him and threatened to stake him which was why he was here. But Willow had seen the hold that Buffy had over guys and she knew that in order to get back in Buffy's good graces Spike would do anything- even hand Willow over to her. Nothing had been his fault, he was a symptom rather than the cause but from Oz and the factory kidnapping to her my will it so spell, Tara leaving after the memory thing and now Buffy- whatever had gone wrong in her life, Spike seemed always be part of it.
It was sad but that seemed to be her life and now he was here, to threaten and ruin the only good thing in her life in a long time and in that moment she truly wished him pain. It was gone in a flash as he turned round and stared at her in surprise and she was glad, she had never been the vindictive type, unlike Spike but she didn't have to sink to his level.
He spoke "Willow?"
"Spike." she acknowledged that he was there and wished he'd go away now he knew she was here, or was he going to have a go at her for what she'd done to Dawn. If she remembered right, he'd never gotten his two cents worth.
"What'cha doing in the dark?"
She shrugged figuring her could see her well enough to make that out.
"So it looks like me and you are gonna be flat mates." He grinned at her, that charming grin that would have sent her into flutters, even a year ago. But now it had no effect, she just didn't have it in her to care about anyone like that anymore.
She nodded again, not sure why he was making nice with her.
"Looks like." She answered.
"You didn't tell Angel about me?" it was a question, asking why she hadn't seen fit to spill the beans about his being in love with the Slayer or maybe why she hadn't mentioned the chip.
"No."
Spike wondered what was wrong with the chit; she hadn't looked at him and just answered with one word answers. He'd tried to cheer her up with his best smile and she hadn't even noticed. He wondered why she hadn't mentioned about the chip and everything that had gone on to Angel, of course she didn't know about his and Buffy's sex life but he'd been there at least three years with them, had he made such a little impact on her life that he didn't even rate a mention? It piqued him and he quickly ran over all the times they had spent together… okay so he had tried twice to bite her- once in the factory and then once in her dorm but he knew Willow wouldn't still hold a grudge for that. Then of course there was that time they had spent together during the time Buffy had been dead. Then there was… he racked his mind for any other time he'd actually sat down and spoken to Willow and came up embarrassingly blank. Had he really had such a small impact on her life? She had a huge impact on his; he really had spent a lot of time thinking about her at least. She had helped him see that Drusilla needed to be wooed back and then she had tried to cheer him up after the chip kicked in that first time and then when he escaped the second time it was only the memory of her warmth and kindness that had made him go to the Watchers for help in the first place. Without that he would have starved. Then she saved his life after he tried to stake himself, she often fed him in the bathtub and she smelled so good leaving him with desire for hours. She had initially sparked his interest in Slayer with her my will it so spell. Then she had bought Buffy back to life so he could have the chance he wanted with her. Plus she had had a starring role in many of his racier fantasies before he became besotted with the Slayer. Now she barely even acknowledged he was in the same room.
"Everything okay love?"
She looked up at him in silence for a moment and then "I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone in Sunnydale where I am."
Spike was perplexed and his face frowned as he replied "Sure pet, I'm none too keen on telling `em where I am either."
"Good."
Spike watched as she moved and he carried on hoping she'd at least ask him why; express some sort of interest in him.
"In fact-"
His jaw dropped as she got up and left before he could finish his first words.
His good mood took a nose dive as the only girl that had ever seen him as something more than a creature to beat up on or use walked away from him.
~~~*~~~
Gunn grinned as Willow sprung up and offered him her hand. She had managed to knock him to the floor with one well timed sweep.
"Good one Will," he commended "Now if it was anyone but'chu I wouldn't be this nice `bout being laid out on the floor."
"Why?" Willow swept her sweat soaked hair out of her face with a mischievous smirk "'fraid a little girl kicking your ass would ruin your rep?"
"You didn't kick my ass." Gunn argued "Jut reddened it kinda."
Willow laughed and it felt nice to hear the laughter bubble up from her chest.
"Ready for some defence?" Gunn asked as he rolled his head on his shoulders.
He moved to stand behind her and draped a hand over her shoulder.
"You're standing wrong." They both spun to see who had spoken. It was Spike; he was slouching in the doorway, his arms folded over him chest and watching them with a serious expression.
Gunn grinned at him "Hey Spike."
Spike had been in the hotel now for a few months, long enough for him and Gunn to have bonded; for all that he was a Vampire. Truth be told, he could see himself in the street smart young kid; arrogant and sure of himself whilst being a hopeless romantic at the same time. Spike had soon integrated himself into the group by taking on many duties himself. He bit his pride after a few weeks of being bored and relegated to the background whenever they did the whole Angel Investigations thing and had asked Wesley if he could help out as he needed the exercise that he got fighting demons; at least that was his excuse. He had always envied the fact that the Scoobies were a team- a team that were so well oiled that they didn't need him, but here he could actually be a part and he had taken steps to get that feeling of belonging. Wesley agreed that his help would be useful and set Spike as another pair of hands. In no time Spike felt useful to them and that made him happier than he had been in a long time. He had saved Fred's life thus endearing him to both her and Gunn. She really was a sweetheart and after two days asked him why he wasn't speaking to her, she wondered if she had done something wrong. When he had told her that Angel had forbidden him to speak to her she had stormed off to confront Angel. It had been fun to watch this tiny little chit stand up to the mighty Angelus and tear a strip off him, she had forced Angel to rescind that threat through gritted teeth which had given Spike a real laugh. He started to go out on lad's outings with Gunn, shooting pool and just hanging out drinking. Even if he did refuse to go to the Caritas karaoke bar after the green demon tried to pinch his ass. Wesley was still a little reserved around him, no amount of camaraderie would nullify the fact that he was still a Vampire and that Wesley had been a Watcher although he no longer automatically went for his stake if Spike got closer than two feet to him. To Spike that was welcome progress.
He was happy to take diaper duty from Angel even if he did like to make a huge production out of it, he didn't mind, although he had had to get Fred to show him how to do it at first since he'd been far more concerned with eating children rather than changing them in his past- not that he mentioned that to Fred. Angel was so pleased that Spike was there and was fitting in with everyone so well; Spike could practically taste his Sire's pleasure.
In fact the only drawback in this whole place was Willow. Since their little kitchen conversation she had made it a point to never be alone with him. She was polite and civil to him but that was it. No matter how charming he tried to be to her she just gave him a smile which didn't reach her eyes and carried on. No matter how much he tried to flirt with her or get a rise out of her- nothing. She wouldn't talk to him and wouldn't patrol with him, in fact if it wasn't for the fact that he knew he hadn't done anything wrong he would say she was avoiding him.
This only made him more determined to talk to her, to have whatever it was that was bothering her out. Because for some reason it hurt that she wouldn't smile with him like she did with Fred and she wouldn't laugh with him like she did with Gunn nor would she flirt with him like she did Wesley or hug and fight like she did with Angel and it stung. Okay so maybe they'd never been close friends but she used to talk to him properly, well it was time that she knew that Spike wasn't one to be ignored, especially by a chit he had set his sights on.
And he had set his sights on Willow. She was smart and beautiful and had this inner calm that never failed to make him surprised and peaceful, she was strong and sexy and loyal and just everything he knew he wanted in a girl. Now all he had to do was get her to talk to him.
"What?" Gunn moved him out of his musings.
"Not you Gunn, Red. Your feet are positioned wrong; you'd have better balance if you stood with your feet at right angles but slightly apart."
Willow looked at him, he'd been so lost in thought a second ago she should have just left then.
"Right, thanks." She nodded and moved her feet waiting for Gunn to continue, all traces of humour gone.
Gunn looked from Willow to Spike noticing the tension and stepped back.
"Hey Spike you've been around a while how `bout you show Will some moves?"
"My pleasure." He smirked and strolled down the stairs, noting with half delight, half hurt at her tense shoulders.
"Well Red, looks like it's just you and me." he motioned to where Gunn had left the room shutting the door.
Willow swallowed and watched the Vampire as he moved towards her.
"Right." She felt the sudden urge to be a million miles away from Spike. She picked up her jacket and turned away from him "Actually I'm tired and I have a whole bunch of work to do so-"
"Why are you afraid of me?"
Willow stopped and half turned "I'm not afraid of you Spike." and she wasn't, she knew that she was powerful. But that wasn't it, Spike couldn't hurt her with his chip and that afforded him a measure of safety.
"Then why wont you talk to me anymore?" he knew he sounded like a petulant child but he wanted to talk to her dammit.
"We never really talked anyway Spike." Willow said archly.
"We should have." his candour surprised her.
"Careful Spike." she warned "You almost sound sincere."
Spike nearly growled at the mocking in her tone and leaped in front of her before she could leave the room.
Willow threw her hands up in the air "What is it with you Vamps, huh, can't let a girl leave a room?"
"Maybe we are all tired of you running away instead of facing whatever it is that's bugging you Red."
She looked at him sardonically "I am facing what's bugging me."
He glared at her as he got her meaning "I'm not it."
"Okay Spike, so what's bugging me then?"
"You tell me."
"I'm not playing twenty questions with you Spike."
"Maybe we should at that, pet. Are you mineral, vegetable, animal? Maybe a chicken?"
"Grow up Spike." Willow said with a roll of her eyes and went to move past him.
He darted in front of her again "Why do you keep avoiding me Red? What have I done to you?"
She choked back a laugh "Gee, does bottle in face ring any bells for you?"
Spike ignored the pang of hurt "We've been in closer confines since then. No, this is since you came to Hell A, has Angel said something?" The possibility had crossed his mind, it would be just like Paingel to put a dampener on any relationship that Spike could have.
Willow took a deep breath "Look Spike, not everything revolves around you."
"Well that's just it see, you're fine around everyone else and then you clam up when it comes to me, so what did I do?"
Willow felt hurt bubble up in her throat, what did he do? "Maybe I just don't like you."