~Part: one~
Willow moved away from the window as she noticed the sky growing dark. She smiled, glad that it was finally dusk. She was in LA. Had been for nearly a week. It was nice, a bit different from Sunnydale. She had needed a break from her life, a difference in her routine. She still wasn't sure what had caused her to pick up the phone and call Angel, but she was glad that she had listened to the voice in her head. Working with Angel and the others was nice. Everyone had their job and they all worked together to defeat the evil. It was nice being needed. She hated to leave, something that she had never imagined feeling. Sunnydale was her home. Her best friends lived there. She loved it there. Yet, having been in LA for a week, she found herself easily thinking of this as home now. She was no longer quite so certain she wanted to go home.
Of course, she hadn't spoken of these thoughts to anyone. She was expected back in Sunnydale the next day. She always did what was expected, so she knew she'd be on the bus. No running away to LA to live and work for this girl. She sighed, realizing that this was her last night in LA. She had already told Gunn and Wesley good bye, had already had a farewell dinner with Cordelia who had become a very good friend over the short week she'd been visiting. The remainder of her evening was going to be spent with Angel. She smiled softly when she thought about him. He had changed since moving here, lightened up in a lot of ways. She had almost fainted the first time he had told a joke. And he laughed now, his face appearing younger when he smiled. The faint stirrings of a long forgotten crush had been felt but she'd ignored them. After her break up with Tara, she knew it was not the time to start lusting after someone so unattainable. Besides, she'd be gone tomorrow. He had only let her come visit out of some misguided effort to be friendly to the 'old gang' anyway. He would most likely be thrilled to get his hotel back to himself. Angel had enjoyed being alone. This last week, he'd spent the majority of his time working or entertaining her. Yeah, he'd be glad for the rest, she decided.
She moved to her bed, putting her half-packed suitcase on the floor. She looked at the sack of presents she had bought her friends, wondering if any of them had missed her. She had called home once, having a short conversation with Buffy who had been on her way out with Dawn. Xander's machine had picked up the two times she had tried him. They all had their own lives now, lives that she wasn't really a part of anymore. Sure, they all still got together to research and to sometimes help Buffy, but more often than not, Buffy fought alone. She had grown so much stronger over the years, not needing the support she had needed in high school. That was one of the many things Willow had enjoyed about helping Angel and the gang here work. Being part of a family again, in some ways. Here, she was needed. They appreciated her help. Her magic was growing stronger, Angel seemed to like teaching her things, showing her books and reading important things to her. It was what she had once had in Sunnydale, before so many things had gotten in the way. She bet that no one back home would even notice if she didn't come back for months. Sighing, she shook her head. She hated self pity. Just because she had no lover anymore didn't mean she had earned the right to wallow in this pity party.
She smiled as she realized it was almost time for them to leave. She had a nice last evening in LA planned for her and Angel. Something she had been wanting to do since she had come to LA, but hadn't managed to squeeze into her rather hectic schedule. She knew he'd agree to go with her, having followed her throughout the town every night for a week. And it would be fun, she decided. Just them and a boat and the ocean and the moon. She decided to ignore how romantic such a situation could become, instead concentrating on the idea of actually being able to talk to her friend. She grabbed a coat in case it was cooler on the ocean and headed downstairs. She reached the lobby of the hotel, her eyes widening in surprise when she saw Angel talking to someone all too familiar.
He turned and faced her, blue eyes narrowed as he asked sharply, "There
you are. Are you ready to go yet? I'd like to be back in Sunnydale by dawn."
~Part: two~
"Spike?" Willow said his name, her voice betraying her confusion as she stared at him in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
Angel looked at Willow, simply drinking in the sight of her. He had never considered her beautiful before. Sure, she had been pretty and sweet, but now, well, she would have taken his breath away. This last week had been the happiest that he had been in longer than he cared to admit. The others had accepted her easily, finding a spot for her on the team. And she had pulled through several times. Years of working with the slayer had taught her well. And it wasn't only working with her that he enjoyed. It was nice having someone else in the hotel, hearing someone laugh and having someone to talk to. They had spent every night simply talking about every subject imaginable, not going to sleep until it was nearly dawn. She should have been exhausted with the hours she was keeping, but she was always bright eyed and enthusiastic every morning. It was just one of the many reasons that he had started to fall under her spell.
He shook his head slightly, not wanting to dwell on the emotions she was bringing out in him. She was leaving, tonight it seemed. He was a bit disappointed. He had looked forward to their last night together, not sure what she had planned but knowing that it would be wonderful if it meant being with her. Now, Spike had ruined it. He was there to take her home immediately. Angel knew it was for the best really. If she remained, he would grow more and more tempted to just chain her in the room and never let her go. Even now, he was resisting the impulse to knock Spike out and whisk Willow somewhere far, far away. Keep her to himself until she started to feel the same way about him that he felt about her. He spoke up, "I can see that you're as surprised as I am to see him."
Spike scowled at his grand sire, his blue eyes narrowing as he saw the way Angel was looking at Willow. He growled, wondering where the damn wanker got off looking at Willow that way. He looked back at the redhead, saying, "I'm here to take you home, where you belong."
"Where I belong?" she repeated, a frown forming on her lips. "I'm taking the bus back to Sunnydale tomorrow. Buffy knows that. Why are you here?"
"Figured you'd rather ride back with a friend than on some smelly old bus," he shrugged, knowing that would be something she might accept. What could he say? That he had been lonely. That he had missed her more than he had ever imagined. That he hated being in Sunnydale without her. That he hadn't been able to wait another day without seeing her face and hearing her laugh. Oh yeah, that would definitely go over well, he thought with a roll of his eyes. First his stupid infatuation with the slayer. Now he'd gone and done something far worse. He'd started to fall for her best friend. He sighed, "Are you ready? We can be home in a couple of hours if you're ready."
"Spike, I'm not going back," she said, shaking her head.
Angel's heart stopped at her words, looking at her with a glimmer of hope as he wondered if she too had felt their connection this last week. Did she welcome it and want to explore it? Had she begun to finally see him as a man and not just a friend?
Spike's heart stopped at her words, looking at her in denial and a flash of anger as he wondered what they had done to her in this nasty place. They had taken her and brainwashed her, he decided. There was no way he was letting her stay there, at least not without him.
"My bus ticket is for tomorrow," she continued, not noticing the flash of regret and sadness enter Angel's dark eyes or the flash of relief enter Spike's blue eyes. "I have plans tonight. Angel and I are busy. I won't be going anywhere until tomorrow. Sorry, Spike, but you should have called. I'd have saved you a trip."
"I'll be driving you home," he said, eyes narrowed at the easy way she
spoke of her and Peaches having plans. He wasn't jealous. Certainly not
of that brooding bastard of a grandsire. Smiling suddenly, he shrugged
and gave her an innocent smile, "Guess that means you'll have to include
me in your plans tonight, pet. Where you go, I go until we get back home."
~Part: three~
Willow looked at Spike in silence for several moments, stunned at his words. Finally, she laughed a bit hysterically, "You're joking. What, do you plan to follow me to the bathroom too?"
Spike raised an eyebrow, giving her what he hoped was his best sexy smile, "Didn't know you were into that sort of thing, pet. Bit kinky, but I'm up for anything."
She frowned for a moment then her face flamed red and her eyes widened, "Go away!"
"Ah, luv, I came all the way down here and you treat me like this?" he sighed dramatically, holding his heart. "You're killing me here, pet."
"I wish," she muttered, glaring at him. She hated Spike. Ever since she and Tara had broken up nearly four months before, he had constantly been around. True, they had become unlikely friends, but there were times she would just love to think of some snappy comeback and knock him on his ass. "You weren't invited here. Go back to Sunnydale."
"Sorry, luv. Not gonna happen," he said, crossing his arms across his chest. "Until we get back to Sunnydale, I'm your shadow. Have to look after you, make sure you get back to the slayer all safe and sound, don't I?"
"I don't need you to look after me!" Willow said, throwing her hands in the air. "Grr! You make me so mad! I'm not some silly child that needs a baby-sitter. I've done just fine the last week. I think I can make it through one more day."
Angel leaned against the wall, his dark eyes bouncing back and forth between Willow and Spike. Had he not been in the midst of some confusing feelings about Willow, he might have been amused by their obvious denial of an attraction. Instead, he was practically seething at Spike's assumption that he was welcome here. It was taking all of his control not to toss the blonde out on his scrawny ass.
"If I didn't know that you loved me, I might be offended," Spike said dryly.
"Love you?" Willow sputtered, shocked at his audacity. She was about to go off another tangent when she noticed Angel watching them silently. She gulped, feeling childish at her behavior. Instead of arguing with Spike, as he seemed to love doing, she sighed, "I'm sorry Angel. I didn't know he was going to show up here."
"You make it sound as though I interrupted something seedy," Spike spat out, glaring at Angel for removing Willow's attention from him. "Were you planning something Soul Boy?"
Angel refused to be drawn into an argument, knowing that he might slip and say something he had no intention of Willow hearing. He raised an eyebrow, looking Spike over in a dismissing way, "I don't think my plans are any of your concern, boy."
Spike bristled at the word, his eyes flashing yellow, "When they involve Willow, they are my concern!"
"Ahem!" Willow cleared her throat, glaring at Spike then smiling at Angel. "Don't listen to Spike. He's taken on the role of my Father for some silly reason. Spike, don't provoke Angel. He might get mad and hurt you."
Spike snarled, moving and hitting the air beside him with his hand, "Him hurt me? It's his pretty boy face you'd better be concerned about, pet."
"Uh huh," Willow said patiently, having gotten used to Spike's bravado over the past few months. "Sure it would, Spike."
"Don't do that," he said, glaring at her. "Treat me like some silly child. Humoring me? What the hell did they do to you here?"
"They didn't do anything," Willow said, exasperated. "You storm in here and demand that I leave because you snap your fingers. Then you decide that you're going to invite yourself along with me and Angel tonight. Now you're sulking and glaring and getting into some silly contest with Angel over who knows what. I'd say that I'm not the one with the problems."
"If I could interrupt," Angel said finally, knowing that if Spike was in one of his mood and actually was as interested in Willow as he seemed to be, they'd be there all night arguing with him. Two sets of eyes looked at him, blue ones glaring, green ones apologetic and bit embarrassed. He smiled, "Willow, just let him come with us. He will sulk and pout for weeks if you tell him now. It's better to just humor him."
"Hey now," Spike started to speak then realized that Angel had said to invite him. Deciding not to risk being told to butt out again by Willow, he just shrugged, finding a cigarette and lighting it as he waited for Willow's invitation.
Willow sighed, running a hand through her short red hair. Finally she nodded, smiling at Angel, "You're right. I've learned just how stubborn he can be over the past few months. We can still have fun, even with Spike."
"Hey, I can be fun. Buckets and buckets of fun, sweetheart," Spike said, his eyes snapping at her.
Willow felt her lips twitching, "I'm sure you can be, Spike."
"So, is it decided?" Angel asked, giving Spike a look that let the blonde know he had done him a favor.
"I don't remember anyone asking," Spike said, blowing out a cloud of smoke as he nodded slightly, not letting his grandsire see his gratitude or letting any of his confusion about Willow show through.
Willow rolled her eyes as she picked up her backpack, "Spike, dearest friend, would you like to go out with me and Angel tonight?"
Spike smiled, putting on his Marlboro and nodded, "Since you asked so nicely, Red, I couldn't refuse."
Angel rolled his eyes, wondering if he could make it through a night
of competing with Spike for Willow's attention without just tying the blonde
up and gagging him. Thinking of that image, Angel felt something stir in
him that hadn't stirred in nearly eighty years. He ran a hand over his
face, his dark eyes looking at Willow and Spike who were arguing good naturedly,
both so beautiful in their way and both causing his demon to strain for
possession of them. This was going to be a long night.
~Part: four~
Angel looked at the boat, a skeptical look on his face, "This is it?"
"It's a boat," Spike said flatly, his hands going to the pockets of his duster as a sullen look crossed his face.
"It's a nice boat," Willow defended, moving towards it. She looked at the two vampires, saying, "It's a yacht."
"Honey, that's not a yacht," Angel said, shaking his head slowly. "It's a nice sized boat, seems to float well enough, but it is definitely not a yacht."
"The guy that rents it said it was a yacht," Willow said, sighing. "Maybe we should just find something else to do."
"Willow, you've been talking about taking a boat out underneath the moonlight since you got here," Angel reminded, not very fond of the idea of taking this contraption out but knowing she had wanted to do just that.
"I thought you hated boats," Spike said, standing far away from the side of the dock. He didn't like boats, hadn't since he'd had to travel in them for days and days at a time feeding only on rats. Not memories he wanted to recreate.
"I'm not very fond of them," Willow said, chewing on her bottom lip as her eyes glanced at the boat she had rented, "but I saw this movie once where these people from LA were out on a boat just drifting around and talking. I remembered thinking how peaceful that seemed. Isn't that stupid? Wanting to do something just because I saw it on TV."
"Not stupid. Charming," Angel said softly, smiling at the redhead. "Willow, this is a fine boat. I'm sure that it will be fine for a couple of hours of conversation."
"Can't we stay on dry land for conversation?" Spike asked, looking at the boat with contempt. "That thing doesn't look very sturdy."
"It looks perfect," Angel said, watching as Willow's face fell at Spike's words. She brightened, shooting him a grateful smile. He resisted the urge to touch her face, instead telling Spike, "but feel free to stay here and wait on us. I'm sure we won't be out for more than a few hours."
"Bugger that," Spike said, having watched his grandsire closely enough to see the elder vampire's interest in Willow. There was no way he was trusting that bloody bastard alone with the redhead. "I can handle a couple of hours on that blasted thing."
"Who exactly is going to drive the boat?" Angel asked, wondering if drive was the correct term to use.
"Oh, I am," Willow said, giving them a smile.
"Land is good," Spike muttered low enough for only Angel to hear.
"I think I'm beginning to agree with that," Angel answered back before looking at Willow's happy face. "You're driving?"
"Yep. The renter showed me how to turn it on and what all the dials and stuff are for. I mean, we're only going out a few miles so it should be easy enough," Willow said, hoping she sounded confident.
"If not, I think I know enough about boats to get us back safely," Spike said with a small smile as he was rewarded by her large smile.
"You know how to boat?" Willow asked, relieved.
"I know a little," Spike said modestly.
Angel snorted, "I agree with that one," he heard Spike's growl and raised
his eyebrow before smiling at Willow and offering his hand to her, "I think
this is when we say all aboard."
~Part: five~
"Isn't this nice?" Willow asked, sensing the tension between Angel and Spike. They had finally managed to get the boat away from the dock and out to sea. It had taken the three of them, but they were now several miles from the beach, far enough that Willow could no longer see the lights or buildings. They had several lights on deck, enough that they could see each other but not enough to hide the shadows on the remainder of the boat. They had stopped the engine and were now just drifting, a situation that should have been calm and peaceful. Instead, she was constantly trying to ease the glares between the vampires. She rolled her eyes when both answered politely but neither bothered to try to be friendly.
"Can I have some more of that blood?" Spike asked, thankful that Willow had remembered to bring blood for him and Angel along with the food she had brought for her own dinner.
"I'm sorry it isn't heated," Willow said softly, handing over another bag. She glanced in the ice chest she had brought, picking out a soda for herself. "Angel, would you like some more?"
"I've still got some," he said, looking at the glass in front of him.
"I have to say, this is rather nice," Spike said, his blue eyes looking at the dark waves around them.
"It would be if either of you would contribute to the conversation," Willow said, smiling slightly.
"I've been talking," Angel defended, looking at her in surprise. "Haven't I?"
"Do you ever talk, Peaches?" Spike asked, looking at the dark vampire. "That brooding soulful silent thing isn't really talking, you know? Neither are the glib cryptic little warnings."
"I talk," Angel said, frowning. "I even tell jokes. Don't I tell jokes, Willow?"
"Yes, you tell jokes," Willow said with a smile. "Spike, quit teasing Angel. He's lightened up considerably since moving to LA."
"Must be getting senile in his old age," Spike said, not liking the idea of Willow defending his grandsire.
"I'll show you senile," Angel threatened with a low growl.
"Um, guys," Willow said softly.
"I'd like to see you try," Spike responded with a challenge in his eyes.
"Guys," Willow tried again, her eyes widening slightly.
"Let's go," Angel answered, his eyes flashing yellow.
"GUYS!" Willow yelled loud enough to draw their attention.
"What?" Angel asked, snarling without meaning to.
"Look!" she pointed out to the sea where the waves had suddenly grown rather choppy. The sky was darkening and a wind was starting to rock the boat. "I think we need to get back to shore. Your little comparison of whatever it is you're comparing can wait."
"Fuck," Spike cursed, looking around them.
"Let's turn this thing around," Angel said, forgetting his argument
with Spike as he stood and headed to turn on the engine. He didn't like
the look of the skies at all and the water was looking pretty bad.
~Part: six~
"This wind is horrible!" Willow said, holding onto the table as the boat rocked.
"The rain is getting harder," Spike said, looking out the window onto the deck where rain was hitting down.
"I can't see a damn thing," Angel said, holding on to the wheel as he tried to get the boat to move. The waves were growing increasingly larger, the wind was blowing in gusts of at least 60 miles an hour, the boat was being tossed around like a child's toy in a bathtub. He didn't like this at all.
"It's so dark," Willow said, her green eyes scanning the pitch-black horizon, seeing nothing.
"I'd think we should be seeing lights soon," Spike said, thinking about it. They had turned around as soon as Willow had noticed the conditions of the sky. Ten minutes after, the storm had hit. It had been nearly twenty minutes since then. He understood that the conditions of the water were slowing them down, but he knew they should be seeing lights from LA soon.
"I can't believe it hit so suddenly," Willow said, her knuckles white from where she was holding the table. She hated boats. Why the hell had she decided to go on a boat ride her last night in LA? Silly romantic notions, she thought disgusted with herself. "We're barely moving," Angel said, feeling the currents they were fighting as the boat continued to progress slowly through the storm. He glanced at Willow, "Maybe you should go below deck. These winds are high. I don't like the idea of the glass shattering with you here."
"I'm staying with you," Willow said, her eyes giving him no doubts that she would not be persuaded.
"Gramps is right, Red," Spike said, feeling a bit disgusted at actually having to speak those words. "It's too dangerous up here."
"As if it wouldn't be dangerous down there?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at him, daring him to argue.
With a reluctant smile, he shrugged, "Fine. Stay. Peaches, can't this boat move any faster?"
"If you'd like to try, I'll be more than happy to move," Angel said tightly.
"Goddess!" Willow cried out as a bolt of lightening crackled right in front of the boat. She turned her head, covering her eyes as she saw spots from the bright flash.
"Damn," Spike cursed, rubbing his eyes as he glanced at Angel. He saw that the dark vampire had suffered from the same momentary blindness that he had. "That was too close."
"Way too close," Willow said, realizing that she had been stupid. She hated boats. Why had she wanted to spend her last day in LA on a damn boat ride? Stupid romantic ideas, she thought, disgusted with herself.
"The rain has lightened up," Angel said, wishing that he'd just gone with his first impulse to chain Willow to the bed rather than go on this boat. They'd have had a lot safer time of it.
"The wind bloody hell hasn't," Spike said, holding on as the boat was thrown again.
"What was that?" Willow asked, turning and looking out the window.
"What was what?" Angel asked, hearing nothing but the rain and wind.
"That noise," Willow said. "I heard some creaking sound."
"Great," Spike said, moving behind her and looking in the same direction. "Peaches, it looks like we just lost part of the boat."
"What part?" Angel asked, a slight prickling of fear in his voice. He would not let Willow or hell, even Spike for that matter, die this way.
"Do I look like a boat manual to you?" Spike asked, snarling at his grandsire's stupidity.
"It was that tail looking thing at the back," Willow said, her hand on Spike's arm as the boat shifted again, pushing them against the window.
"I'm getting dizzy with all this rocking," Angel muttered, looking outside and narrowing his eyes. "I could swear that I see two moons."
"Maybe I should take the wheel," Spike said, raising an eyebrow and looking at Angel.
Before Angel could respond, a huge gust of wind knocked the boat nearly
onto its side, throwing all three off balance. Willow cried out as her
head hit the wall, blacking out as Angel smacked his head into the wheel
and Spike fell backwards, knocking himself out on the table.
~Part: seven~
Willow felt a pain in the back of her head. She opened her eyes slowly, cringing as her hand raised to touch the spot that hurt the most. She pulled her hand back, looking at the blood that coated her fingers. She sighed, having not realized just how hard she had hit her head. She sat up, taking her time so she wouldn't become too dizzy. She looked around the cabin, gasping when she saw both Angel and Spike laying on the floor. With a small sense of dread, she crawled towards the closest vampire.
"Spike?" she whispered, shaking him. He looked dead. Of course, he always looked dead. "Spike? Are you OK?"
"Not now luv," he mumbled, brushing her hand away.
She smiled, a sense of relief filling her as it seemed he was fine. She left him to sleep, crawling towards Angel. He, too, looked dead. He had a nasty looking cut on his forehead, blood matting his hair and dried upon his flesh. She brushed her fingers along his head, softly calling him, "Angel?"
He didn't respond. She cast a worried look at Spike who was still laying on the cabin floor, unaware of the seriousness of his grandsire's condition. Willow chewed on her bottom lip as she continued to stroke Angel's forehead. "Goddess, please let him be OK. Angel, open your eyes."
She heard rustling behind her, heard Spike cursing as he sat up, moaning about his head. She didn't look at him, her eyes concentrated on Angel. She wasn't in the mood to listen to Spike or to try to coddle him. Angel wasn't moving. The wound on his head would soon heal, but only if he got blood and woke up. She felt a presence behind her, glanced up to find Spike's blue eyes looking at Angel in confusion.
"Why isn't he moving?" Spike asked, resting on his knees behind Willow.
"He's passed out," she said, her fingers moving over the wound. "It looks like he's lost a lot of blood. It's in his hair."
Spike frowned, "Just like Peaches. Let a little head wound knock him on his ass."
"He must have hit it on the wheel," Willow said quietly, her fear growing as he remained still.
"I hit mine on the table," Spike said with a scowl. "I'm not still passed out."
"Does it really matter?" Willow asked, irritation giving her voice an edge. "He probably hit his with more force. He was trying to steer the boat during that storm. I hit my head against the wall and was up before either of you. Does that mean I win that little contest?"
"Isn't a contest," he murmured, his blue eyes looking over her, noticing the blood caked on her hair and the small bump where she had been hurt. His voice softened as he asked, "Do you..."
"Do I what?" she asked, her fingers moving over Angel's face in gentle movements.
"Do you think he's going to be OK?" Spike finally asked, hating that he could hear the worry and emotion in his own voice. He didn't care if Peaches was fine. He hated the bastard.
Willow sighed again, tears on her face, shrugging as she said, "I hope so. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to him."
"Bloody fucking hell," he growled, moving past her. He ran his fingernail over his wrist, drawing blood as he placed his wrist on Angel's mouth. He heard Willow's startled gasp and then felt her left hand on his face. Turning to face her, he remained silent.
"Spike," she whispered, seeing the stormy blue in his eyes as he fed his blood to his grandsire. She didn't say anything else as he looked away from her, both looking at Angel in silence.
Spike closed his eyes as he felt his blood dripping into Angel's mouth. He kept them closed as he felt his grandsire's tongue moving along the wound. A groan escaped his lips as Angel's large hand held onto his, bringing his wrist closer. The wet tongue lapping at the wound caused a reaction that he had not felt in decades. His cock hardened instantly, pushing against the denim of his jeans as Angel fed from him. He opened his eyes, their blue depths dazed with passion as he found himself looking into unreadable brown eyes.
Willow saw Angel move, her hand falling back to her side as she rested
her cheek on Spike's shoulder. Her green eyes watched Angel's hand take
hold of Spike's, bringing the blonde's wrist closer. She felt Spike go
rigid, the sound of Angel's licking the only sound she heard except for
her own breathing. She saw Angel's eyes open, both vampires looking at
each other. She felt a moment of relief as she realized that both Spike
and Angel were OK. They were all alive.
~Part: eight~
Willow watched Spike and Angel for several minutes before she stood. Neither noticed her, too caught up in their silent conversation. She held on to the table for a minute as she felt a wave of dizziness. She had stood too quickly. When she regained her balance, she moved to look out the front window. She frowned when she saw white sand and trees. She looked around, noting that it was sunny. She glanced at Spike and Angel again, wondering what they were saying to each other. Their eyes had caught and neither had looked away. Luckily, they were low enough on the floor that the light of the sun didn't reach either of them.
Willow moved along the cabin floor towards the door, opening it and walking onto the deck. She looked around the boat, frowning as she noticed the debris. The boat looked as if it had been through one hell of a storm. She was about to investigate the front when she heard Spike.
"Willow?" Spike looked around, seeing her standing by the door out in the sun.
"I'm right here, Spike," she called to him, moving to peer inside. She saw that Spike had stood, his back to Angel. Angel had gotten to his feet and moved to sit in one of the chairs. His dark eyes were watching her, their statement unreadable. She noticed that he was looking from Spike to her and then back again, a faint scowl on his handsome face.
"Don't do that, pet," he warned, moving closer to the door.
"Do what?" she frowned.
"Leave me."
"Oh," she said softly with a smile. "I'm just going to look at the boat and see where we ended up."
"We're on ground?" Angel spoke for the first time.
Willow nodded, "From what I can see, it's a beach. White sand and lots of trees."
"We're on the coast?" Spike asked. "How did we end up back there?"
Willow looked back outside then looked at them again, "I don't think it's California."
"One of the islands?" Angel asked, frowning. He didn't think they had been close to any body of land.
"I don't know," Willow said, annoyance in her voice. "I was trying to have a look around when you called me back in here. It looks like an island, but it looks kind of weird."
"Weird?" Spike repeated, wishing he could leave this cabin. He had shared his blood with Angel willingly. He hadn't done that in nearly a century. Even now, his cock was still throbbing from the intimacy of the act. He needed to work off some of his energy. "Weird how?"
"I don't know," Willow said, sighing. "I've never been shipwrecked on an island before. It just feels weird."
"Are we?" Angel asked, closing his eyes briefly.
"Are we what?" Willow asked.
"Shipwrecked," Angel asked.
"I don't think this boat is going anywhere," Willow said, shaking her head. "I'd say that we are stranded," she gave Spike a warning look, "and if you so much as mention Gilligan, I'm dusting you myself."
"Who me?" he blinked innocently as he began to whistle an annoyingly
familiar tune.
~Part: nine~
Willow groaned when she heard him humming, turning and walking to the rail of the boat. She should never have mentioned that silly old TV show. If she hadn't, he'd probably not have thought about it at all. No, knowing Spike, that wouldn't have been an issue. "Great," she muttered to herself as she looked at the pretty blue water, "I'm shipwrecked with Gilligan and," she frowned, casting a look inside at Angel before looking back at the water. "Trust Angel to not fit in with any of the characters. Always breaking the mold. He'd have to be the professor. Smart and kind of quiet. Good grief, I'm stranded on some unknown island casting my friends into television roles and talking to myself. That bump must have done more damage than I thought."
"Luv," Spike called out, his tone amused.
"What?" she practically snarled, glaring at him for interrupting her argument with herself.
"Peaches is definitely the movie star, not the professor. Think about it, pet. His hair and those clothes?" Spike rolled his eyes. "He's the movie star."
Angel frowned, "What the hell are you two discussing?"
"Gilligan's Island," Willow said, looking him over and smiling. "Spike's right. You're the movie star. But, also mixed with the professor."
Spike snorted, "Ginger and the Professor had a love child and named him Angel?"
Willow shuddered, "Yuck. Bad visual. Stop it! This is not Gilligan's Island. We're not on board the Minnow. And we are not going to be stranded here for three seasons."
"Wasn't it four?" Spike asked, moving through his television trivia knowledge.
"I don't care," Willow said, rolling her eyes. "Angel, just ignore us. We know a bit too much about old television shows."
"It would appear so," Angel said quietly, feeling a bit left out from their discussion. He recognized the name of the show they were discussing, may have even seen it at one time or another, but television was not something that really interested him.
"No more Gilligan's Island nonsense," Spike said, seeing that his grandsire
had no idea what they were talking about. It wasn't fun if the poof didn't
know he was being made fun of. Straightening up, he scowled at Willow,
"Gilligan? Me?"
~Part: ten~
"I don't like this damn game anymore," he muttered, sulking.
"Does anyone have any idea what time it is?" Angel asked, almost smiling at his grandchilde's pout.
"My watch stopped when I knocked it on the floor when I fell," Willow said, showing them the busted face.
"It feels like midday," Spike said, shrugging. "Late afternoon maybe."
"I can look at the sky," Willow said, smiling. "See where the sun is."
"That would at least give us an idea how much longer we're stuck in this cabin," Angel said softly, seeing that Spike was dying to get out and move. The boy was always like an animal, hated being trapped.
"Give me a sec," Willow said, moving back towards the rail and looking up. Her eyes widened as she looked at the sky and saw three large glowing balls in the sky. She looked around wildly, seeing nothing but water except for the small island they had landed on. Shaking her head, she caught Spike and Angel's eyes, whispering, "We are so fucked."
Angel looked at Willow in surprise when he heard her words. He stood, a frown on his handsome face, "Why do you say that?"
"Three!" she said, laughing hysterically. Her hand went to her hair, shoving it from her face as she gestured wildly with her free hand.
"Three?" Spike repeated, a confused look on his face as he glanced at Angel then back at Willow. In a calm voice, he asked, "Three what, luv?"
"Three!" she said again, moving until her back was against the railing. She slid down until she was sitting on the deck, her eyes wide. "I should have stayed in Sunnydale. I should have known that something like this would happen. Things were going too well. Did I listen to that inner voice? Nooooo...."
"I think she's losing it," Spike said, raising his left eyebrow as he looked at his grandsire.
"What makes you think that?" Angel asked dryly, his worried eyes on Willow. She was always so strong, no matter what the situation. Now, she was sitting on the floor and rocking back and forth, holding a conversation with herself. He moved closer to the door, speaking softly, "Willow, honey, it's going to be all right. We will make it through this."
Green eyes focused on him and narrowed, "How do you know? We're stuck who knows where. I don't see anything around except this island. I only brought you guys enough blood for a night out and I don't have a lot of food either. My head is killing me and now I'm seeing things! How is that all right?"
"If Peaches says it will be all right, it will be. We can last weeks without blood, pet," Spike said softly, seeing her distress. It was rather amazing to see his Red lose it. She was always so in control. Of course, even now, she was worried about their survival and not falling into hysterics over something silly. "I'm sure this island has something you can eat." He paused, his eyes looking at her seriously, "Are you in pain?"
"No," she shook her head, letting it fall back until she was looking at the sky. "I think I hit it so hard that I'm now going crazy."
"Why do you think you're crazy?" Angel asked, shooting Spike a thankful smile as he saw that the blonde had managed to calm her down.
"Three," Willow said simply, her hand motioning at the sky. She straightened her head, looking at them both. "The last time I checked, we only had one sun. Now, there are three."
"What?" Spike asked, looking at Angel.
Angel frowned, "Three suns?"
"See? You don't even believe me!" she said, laughing dryly.
"I believe you," Angel corrected softly, moving towards the door. He took an unneeded breath before moving into the sunlight, his eyes quickly looking at the sky. There were indeed three suns shining overhead. He pulled back into the cabin, frowning as he looked at his hand. It wasn't burning. He looked at Spike, "I'm not burning."
Spike snorted, "Wonderful powers of observation. And they say he's the smart one."
"Did you see them?" Willow asked softly, chewing on her bottom lip.
Angel nodded, "There are three suns."
Spike frowned, "And how the bloody hell is that possible?"
"Good question," Angel said, sighing. "One that I don't have an answer to."