Willow woke up and saw the splash of colors reflected off the sun beams that were coming through her window. It was her birthday today, 18 at last. She smiled as she got out of bed, wondering what Xander had planned for the big event. He always surprised her with something. She quickly took a shower and got dressed. She grabbed a piece of toast on her way out the door.

She ate while she was walking. She stopped down the block, her stomach turning. She leaned over the bushes and emptied her stomach. She took a few deep breaths and collected herself. She'd have to stop off and grab a bottle of water. She had felt fine a few minutes ago and wasn't sure how she had started feeling ill so quickly. She felt her forehead for signs of a fever but it was cool to the touch. Maybe it would pass.

"If it isn't the birthday girl." Xander said, swinging her into his arms. "How old are you little girl?"

"Xander, put me down," Willow squealed.

He set her down and put a birthday hat on her head. She jumped as he blew into a noisemaker. Funny, she never remembered them being so loud before.

"Xander...that's loud," she exclaimed as she covered her ears.

"Huh?" he looked at her like she was crazy. It didn't sound very loud to him, in fact, it was actually pretty quiet compared to the loud drone of traffic at the intersection.

"Hey Wills. Happy 18th. Welcome to world of adults," Buffy said, coming up and hugging her friend.

"Thanks Buffy," she said, smiling.

"Lose the hat," Cordelia said, coming up behind them. She pulled it off of Willow's head. "I will not be seen with you wearing that dumb thing. Are you trying to completely ruin my reputation? Oh, happy birthday."

"Thanks C." Willow replied, watching as Buffy rolled her eyes and made a face.

"So, where are we getting giggy tonight?" Xander asked, doing what could only be his version of a little dance.

"Bronze." The three girls said in unison as they burst into pearls of laughter.

"OK...Bronze it is. We are definitely going to have some fun tonight."

He started singing an old 80's song. Willow's mind raced as she tried to place it. Oh, Everybody have fun tonight... Groaning, Willow headed into the school.

Her nausea returned full force. She smelled something awful. Her head started to pound. She rushed past her friends and into the bathroom.

"Willow...you ok?" Buffy called from outside the stall, her voice full of concern for her friend.

"Yeah...I must have some sort of bug. I think I might go home and get some sleep. I don't want to miss my birthday tonight." She came out of the stall and splashed some cold water on her face.

"OK. Get some rest. I'll pick you up at 7," Buffy said.

"OK." Willow walked out of the school and headed back home. She suddenly felt extremely tired.

**********

Willow woke up with a yawn and a quick stretch. She felt rejuvenated, as if her illness earlier in the day had simply been part of a bad dream. As she got out of bed her eyes fell to the clock on her nightstand. It was 6 pm, she only had an hour until Buffy was due to arrive. She couldn't believe that she had slept all day. She knew she shouldn't have been tired. They hadn't had any late nights all week. She went to the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face. Some birthday. She went to her closet, picked out an outfit to wear to the Bronze and quickly got dressed.

Buffy arrived a few minutes before 7.

"You look good Wills," she said, complimenting her friend.

"Thanks. So do you, as always."

"C'mon. We don't want to be late. Its time to boogie," Buffy said as she took Willow's hand and pulled her out the door with her.

"You're getting as bad as Xander." Willow groaned.

"You feeling better?" Buffy asked as they walked, slowly looking her over to check for any signs of illness.

"Much. I guess I just needed some sleep." Willow smelt something and sneezed. "Yuck. What is that?" She asked trying to find the source of the offending odor.

"I don't know. I don't smell anything." Buffy said, sniffing the air and giving Willow a questioning look.

"Must just be me," Willow said quietly, once again trying to locate the source of her discomfort.

They chatted about the week's events and various tidbits of gossip as they walked the short trip to the Bronze. They made it there in record time and made a cursory glance around to see who was there. Spotting Xander, flailing about on the dance floor, they caught his attention with a wave and he walked over to join them. They took their seats at their usual table and talked as their bodies moved to the rythm of the music that was permeating the Bronze. Soon, Xander was entertaining them with stories of birthdays that had taken place before Buffy moved to Sunnydale.

"Then...when she was eight...her parents got her this book. I mean, a book for your birthday? How cruel?...." she tuned him out as she looked around the club.

When they had first come in, she had felt the nausea again. But, in time, it had faded. It had taken her longer to adjust to the noise level. She hated loud places and the Bronze was one of the loudest.

"You don't look like you're enjoying this." Buffy said, smiling. "Let's dance."

She pulled a protesting Willow out onto the dance floor. Xander joined them and the three began laughing and moving to the rythmic beat of the music. Cordelia watched for a few moments before grimacing. She hated being left out. She got up and slowly edged her way into their little dance. She was rewarded with a big smile from Willow.

Spike blew a cloud of smoke around him as he watched the red head dancing with the slayer and her little group of friends. He knew that this was the right girl. Dru had told him that it was the 'weeping tree that supported the slayer'. It had to be her. He watched them all dance, enjoying themselves without a care in the world. He grinned evilly. Let them have their fun now. Soon, he would have her, and they would all pay. He chuckled as he turned and left the club, grabbing dinner on the way out. He couldn't wait for his revenge.

**********

The mayor had been defeated in a fight that literally shook Sunnydale to its core and demolished the high school. Even though the diplomas had been destroyed in the explosion, they had all graduated, finally. Now, Willow had an open summer before college. Buffy planned to visit her dad sometime before school started, but she hadn't decided when yet. Xander had left for his road trip across America. Cordelia had moved to LA. Willow had been sorry to see the girl go. Since she had begun dating Xander, she had become a good friend. She wanted to act though, and she couldn't do that in Sunnydale. She'd had to leave.

Willow pushed her food around on her plate. She didn't know why, but she had not been eating very well the last month. The food just didn't taste right to her. She was worried that she was getting sick. She'd noticed many gradual changes in her body since her birthday. The loss of appetite....terrible headaches...she was starting to feel weak. She rarely slept anymore. Her body refused to allow it. She would catch naps during the afternoon, usually right after school. She was concerned that she might be dying, but too scared to face the fact by going to a doctor. So far, she had been able to successfully hide her problems from her friends. With them leaving for the summer, she would have a few more months to try to find out what was wrong.

She was also growing a bit paranoid. She could swear that someone had been watching her....following her. She never saw anything except shadows, but that uneasy feeling wouldn't leave her. She could sense someone in the darkness...a presence. In some ways it was frightening, but in others it was almost reassuring. It was as though she had a protector. She figured she must be imagining it. After all, who would watch her?

Spike watched the girl stare out the window, a thoughtful look on her face. He had been watching her for a few weeks, waiting to make his move. Surprisingly, she had seemed to know he was there. He was usually very good at stalking. His pride was a bit hurt. She was a puzzle to him. He was much more intrigued with her than he had ever thought possible. He had, at first, just seen her as a way to get revenge on his bloody sire and the damn slayer. Now, he had started to see her as something else. Remembering Dru's words, he turned away from Willow and threw his cigarette on the ground. He almost regretted the fact that he would have to kill her. Almost.

**********

Willow walked into her room and sat down on her bed, arranging the pillows in a comfortable position to rest on. She was overcome with thoughts of the nights events, she couldn't believe what had happened that night. She still thought she must have been imagining things. She lay down and looked up at her ceiling as if it held all the answers she was seeking. She must to have imagined it. There was no other explanation.

After a few moments her thoughts drifted back to her friends. Buffy was leaving in the morning. She would be gone at least a month, if not longer. Willow had received a postcard from Xander. He was still in California, although it seemed his plans had gone slightly astray. She had also received a phone call from Cordelia. She had tried to sound as though things were marvelous, but Willow had doubts. Something in her voice just didn't sound right, she had sounded almost empty...hollow. Willow had been happy to hear that she was ok though, even if she didn't want to talk about whatever was troubling her.

Things had been going much better for her lately. She had begun to eat again. Everything still tasted somewhat bland, but at least she could keep the food down. She had also begun growing much more pale. Even Giles had noticed that. She had made some excuse and it was soon forgotten. Her headaches were almost gone as well. She still sometimes felt that her head was going to explode, especially when she was at the Bronze. But, overall, she had been feeling much better. She still felt someone watching her. She knew it was a vampire. She just sensed that. She was absolutely puzzled as to who it would be or why they would be watching her...following her.

Tonight, she had helped Buffy pack for her trip. The girls had spent the night before together and Willow had been reluctant to leave. She knew that she would be going to go home to an empty house and she just wasn't ready to face the fact that everyone seemed to be abandoning her...leaving her all alone. Her parents were in Europe at another conference. When Buffy left, she would be alone, except for Giles. Of course, hanging with Giles would be a bit odd. She doubted she'd see him unless there was a crisis, which according to Giles was extremely unlikely.

Since the Mayor's defeat, Sunnydale had been amazingly quiet. Buffy had even started to complain about the lack of activity. Giles predicted that it would continue at least into the new school year. Something about demons being wary after such destruction. Willow didn't care. While she loved being net girl, she was enjoying the sensation of being able to walk down the street without worrying about being attacked or killed. It seemed that the last three years had been a non-stop roller coaster ride. She was ready for the break.

She again thought over what she had seen happen tonight. She looked at her arm and scowled. She was going crazy. She was also dying for some answers. Sighing in disgust, she turned over and drifted off into a fitful slumber.

**********

Willow was dreaming. She was in a field on a small hill overlooking a vast array of various crops and houses. Flowers were in full bloom, the dozens of colors together reminded her of a truly magnificent rainbow. She stood, breathing in the intoxicating scent of the flowers while the sun shown down upon her. She smiled and walked along, picking a few wild flowers on her way. She saw a woman in a long flowing dress coming towards her. She was beautiful. She had dark red hair that fell in curls past her waist. Her eyes were a pale shade of green. She looked at Willow with tears and regret in her eyes.

"I'm sorry" she said, the melodious tone of her voice carrying in the wind. She turned from Willow, looking away as a tear escaped her eye and slowly ran down her cheek.

"What?" Willow was confused. Who was this woman? What did she have to be sorry for? Willow reached out to comfort the woman, but she flinched at Willow's touch, pulling away. She had the same guilt ridden expression on her face that Willow had witnessed so many times on Angel after he had regained his soul for the second time.

"I am Meggan...you're great great grandmother, little Willow. It is all my fault."

"I've heard of you...what's your fault?" Willow worried her lower lip, thoroughly perplexed.

"I was a silly girl...I got carried away by it all....I never thought another would suffer for my carelessness."

"What are you talking about?"

"In the attic....read my journal....look in the old trunk....you will understand it all....please forgive me...I can not rest until forgiveness is past by the one whom I cursed...."

"Cursed?!" Willow said, startled. She looked into the woman's sad eyes. "Of course I forgive you. What ever you did happened almost a hundred years ago. I'm sure that it isn't as bad as you think."

Meggan slowly shook her head. "Read my journal....it will make sense. I must go now...Be careful child. Danger will be coming...."

Willow watched as the woman dissolved in front of her. She sat up in bed, holding her blanket in a clenched fist, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

"Attic." she murmured as she got up and hurried upstairs.

Spike watched from the balcony outside her window. It was the first time he had seen the girl sleep in weeks. He looked into the night sky. Soon, it would be time. The slayer had just left. The boy was already gone. No one would know he had her until it was time. Until he was ready. He lit a cigarette and waited, once again blending into the shadows. She would be back. He had a few more hours of darkness left. He could watch her awhile more.

********** Willow put the book down and closed her eyes. She was trying to forget what she had read in Meggan's journal. The words wouldn't go away. They flashed through her mind. No. It wasn't possible. There had to be a mistake. She wasn't...she couldn't be.....NO! Willow stood up, letting the journal fall beside the bed. She was wrong. The implications were too unbelievable. She felt tears on her cheeks as she tried to deny what Meggan had written.

She grabbed her coat and ran downstairs. She needed to get some air. She needed to think. She had to be looking at the situation the wrong way. She was missing something. She had to be. She started to jog away from her house, her face filled with a flurry of emotions. She didn't care that it was night. Right now, she might be lucky if she were just killed.

Spike jumped down from her balcony, keeping his gaze on her fiery red hair as she ran. He took off after her, like a predator hunting his prey. He wasn't about to have his plan ruined by her dying. Stupid chit, he thought to himself. She was the slayer's friend, she knew about vampires and other assorted nasties that could kill you at night. Tonight, he would take her. Soon, revenge would be his.

************************

Willow made it to the park before finally collapsing on a bench. She wiped the tears away and stared into the darkness. She heard a twig snap and turned quickly. She gasped when she saw Spike.

"Well, well...what do we have here?" He said, smirking. "If it isn't the slayer's little friend....all alone and helpless. Looks like it's my lucky night."

"Just kill me and get it over with," she said softly, wishing for a quick death rather than what she knew she would have to face sooner or later.

Spike looked at her in surprise. "Kill you? I have no intention of killing you pet." He moved closer to her. "You're too important to my plans," he ran his hand over her face, enjoying the fear he saw in her eyes. "Besides, I can think of much more interesting things to occupy our time."

Willow watched him, aware of heat spreading through her body. This was Spike, she reminded herself. The man who had tried to kill her and her friends many times. She hadn't even known he was back in town. Suddenly, she realized something.

"You. You're the one who's been following me," she exclaimed, surprise evident in her voice.

"That I have pet. Waiting for the perfect moment to pluck you out of the slayer's grasp," he said, smiling. "Now, you're mine. My captive."

"Why me?" she whispered, wondering if the question was really directed to Spike or to the goddess for the dilemma that fate had placed upon her.

He laughed. "Because, you are the key to Angel's destruction."

"What?"

"Dru told me. You are going to bring that bastard down and hopefully bring the slayer down with him."

"How? What am I supposed to do? Dru was wrong."

She felt her head pulled back as he grabbed her roughly by her hair. "Shut up. No more questions. I'm bored. Come on," he pulled her roughly after him. "If you scream, I'll kill you. I can always just stake the bastard. Don't want to have to listen to any more screaming women."

She kept her mouth closed, wondering why she wasn't fighting him. Maybe this was what she needed. To get away and think, even if it was as Spike's prisoner.

**********

Willow cried out as Spike threw her roughly in the corner. There was a small, dingy mattress set up. She looked around trying to figure out where she was, but the more she looked the more she realized just how hopeless any thoughts of escape were. They were in some type of abandoned warehouse. The were no windows and the only way out appeared to be the heavy metal door that they had come in through. The place was small, dimly lit and dirty. She saw a table littered with old dolls in another corner of the room.

"Welcome home pet," he said with a cruel smirk. He watched the expressions crossing her face, seemingly amused when the realization that she wasn't getting out finally hit her.

"Why?" She asked, rubbing her arm where he had squeezed her.

Spike frowned. "Not really sure luv. Dru just said that hurting you would hurt the poof. That you would bring about Angel's demise. So, here I am. Ready to do some hurting."

"Angel doesn't even talk to me. Why would my being hurt matter?" Suddenly, Willow got a thoughtful expression. "It can't be...." she said softly to herself.

Spike heard her and misinterpreted. "I don't think your his type luv. Bit too much fire. He tends to like cold fish, like your little slayer friend. Curse and all."

"I know I'm not his type. Hell, I'm not anyone's type. Just kill me or shut up. I don't want to die of boredom listening to you all night."

Spike felt anger at her insolence. He moved to the mattress and pushed her against the wall, his hand tight on her throat.

"Don't fuck with me little girl. You won't like the consequences. The only reason you're alive right now is because I want dear old Dad to be here to witness your death. Got it?"

Willow looked at him, fear and anger in her eyes. "Got it," she spit out.

He smiled charmingly. "Good. I'll let you rest now. Tomorrow, the games begin. It has been so long since I tortured someone besides Dru....I hope I'm not too rusty."

"Why are you going to torture me if he isn't here to see it? I thought that was your plan."

"No luv. Your death is my plan. The torture is just for my enjoyment. I can't wait to see that pale skin with your blood dripping over it. Getting all tingly imagining it." He winked at her stricken face. "Sweet dreams pet."

**********

"I can't do it." Spike said in disgust.

"Maybe if you closed your eyes?" Willow said softly.

"Bloody hell. This is fucking great." Spike said kicking the chair. Why couldn't things ever work out the way he planned them? All he wanted was to torture the chit a little and he couldn't even do that...William the Bloody...killer of two slayers...and he couldn't even hit a meek little human.

"Would it be bad if I said a slight yay." Willow said, chewing on her bottom lip.

Spike looked at her. "If you keep that up, it might become easier."

"Ok." Her brief flicker of hope quickly faded away at the look he gave her.

"It's all me mum's fault. She raised me to be a gentleman. I can't hit a lady," he said with a sullen expression on his face.

"Uh, you hit Buffy before."

"That's using the term lady loosely pet. And besides, she was hitting me. Defense mechanism, you know."

Willow just looked at him and rolled her eyes. He couldn't hit her. He was down here ready for the torture to begin and he couldn't do it. She wasn't complaining. She just hoped that it didn't make him angrier. She didn't think she'd like to see Spike angry.

"See, if I'd had a dad, he would have taught me that it was ok to beat a woman. That's what the problem is."

"You didn't have a father?" Willow asked. (Good lord...I feel like Oprah.)

"Hell no. Just me and mum. Never knew who he was."

"That's too bad."

Spike snorted. "Like you give a flying fuck. You just don't want me to beat you."

"Well, no I don't. But it is bad not having a father. I had one, but he was almost non-existent."

"Really? Wouldn't have thought that with a family like yours."

Willow snorted this time, putting her head against the wall. "My family? I could tell you a few things about my family."

"Like what?" Spike said, sitting in the chair. Maybe if she talked a bit, he'd get the impulse to start beating her.

"I've seen Buffy's mother more that I have mine. They were never there. Still aren't. When they do come back, they try to act like they're Mr and Mrs Cleaver or something. Like they've never been gone. Complete assholes. I honestly don't know why they ever had me, I mean their jobs and vacations mean more to them than I do," Willow said angrily.

"But you had them both. Bet your family is one of those huge touchy feely ones. Must have just skipped a generation."

"Not likely. I never knew my grandparents on my mother's side. Her side of the family was pretty much ignored."

"Why?"

"My greatgrandfather was illegitimate. My father and his family hated the thought that my mom couldn't provide a thorough background back to the beginning of civilization. So, my mom cut herself off from them. I heard about them from pictures but never met them before they died."

"You're father is a prick."

"You're telling me."

Spike stood. "Ok. Let's try this again."

Willow sighed. She stood up and went towards him. "Give it your best shot," she said, cringing slightly. If he was going to beat her she really hoped that he would just get it over with, all this waiting and wondering what he would do to her was probably worse than any physical torture he could perform.

"I still can't do it." Spike said in disgust. He thought a moment. "I got it. Hit me."

"What?" she exclaimed, taken by surprise at his request.

"If you hit me, I'll react. I'll start fighting you. Then, I can torture you. Just hit me right here." he said pointing at his chin.

Willow hated the gleam in his blue eyes. "I can't hit you."

"Just hit me. It's not like you'll hurt me." Spike said smirking.

Willow felt anger at his arrogance. She clenched her fist, reached back and hit him. She was shocked to see him fly back into the wall. She gulped when she heard his head hit the side.

*********************

Angel set the phone down and frowned. Willow wasn't picking up, under normal circumstances he would have assumed that maybe she had gone out and he had just missed her, but this was the fourth call today. He knew that she was in Sunnydale. He had spoken to Buffy earlier and she had asked him to call and check up on the redhead. He had an uneasy feeling about this. He called Giles.

"Rupert, it's Angel. Have you seen Willow?"

"Uh...not since Buffy left. I assumed she was getting ready for school. Why, is something wrong?" his voice starting to fill with concern. Angel rarely called and when he did it was usually because trouble wasn't far behind.

"She's not answering her phone. Buffy told me she hadn't spoken to her in a few days. She's starting to get concerned."

"She phone you about Willow? Why?"

"I'm coming back to Sunnydale this weekend. She asked me to check on Willow while I was there. I'm sure she's fine. Probably getting ready for school as you suggested. If you do see her, please tell her I'm coming."

"Of course. I'll go by her house this afternoon and speak to her."

"No...don't do that. She'll just get upset if she thinks we're checking on her. I'll be in town tomorrow. I'll see her then."

"If you're sure."

"I think that would be for the best. I'll let you know what I find out."

"Thank you. I'll let you know if I hear from her before then."

Angel hung up the phone and closed his eyes. He didn't know why he had told Giles to leave it to him. He had said that without even thinking. He was overreacting. He was sure that Willow was fine, she had to be. He'd know tomorrow.

*****************************

Willow raced to Spike's side. "Are you ok?" her voice filled with a mixture of fright, confusion, concern and shock. Did she really just send Spike flying across the room? How was that possible?

He sat up and moved his hand the back of his head. He brought it away startled to see that it had blood on it. "What just happened?" he said slowly, his head starting to ache.

"I uh....hit you." Willow said, chewing on her bottom lip. "You made me do it. I told you that I didn't want to but you insisted! You just had to keep badgering me didn't you? And now it's like 'oh, let's blame Willow' " Willow rambled, for a moment forgetting exactly who it was she was talking to.

"You knocked me across the freaking room and you're trying to blame me? Typical woman."

"Hey now. Don't make this gender issue. You told me to do it. Last time I checked, you were the kidnapper. If you don't like it, well, just deal with it." Willow stood, no longer caring if she'd hurt his thick head. Stupid vampires, she thought, you don't do what they want and they get mad, you do what they want and they get even more mad!

He stood and hid a smile. He liked seeing the fire in her eyes. Suddenly remembering why he was there, he spoke. "After that, I somehow think the torture can start. Are you ready?"

Willow turned, her eyes ablaze with anger. "What? Am I ready? What sort of kidnapper are you? Soon, you'll start asking if I'd like tea or milk. Just get on with this."

He started to laugh. "Pet, you surprise me. No one ever talks to me like that and lives."

"I will because you're precious Angel isn't here to see me die."

He moved quickly and had her against the wall, his eyes yellow. "Don't mention that name to me. Good, I can smell your fear. That's how I like you: trembling and scared."

Spike held her hair in a punishing grip with one hand while the other stroked her face in an all too suggestive manner. He was definitely enjoying the amount of control he had over her. Willow closed her eyes at the look of enjoyment on his face.

********** Angel thought about waiting to drive to Sunnydale. He had originally planned to leave on Friday. Now, with his worries about Willow, he decided to leave immediately. It was just now dusk, so he knew he could be at Willow's by early morning. He hurriedly packed a bag and left. He had an odd feeling that the faster he could get there, the better.

************************

"Don't even think about it Mr. Fear me because I'm an evil vampire. Ha. I haven't seen anything that frightening. What are you going to do, threaten me to death?"

Willow wasn't sure if she should be addressing him that way, but she was pissed. She had no idea what was happening to her and all he wanted to do was scare her. Well, she was having no more of that. It was time for him to either kill her or leave her alone. She needed to think. She wanted to know how she had thrown him so far. She felt her fear and worry pushed away as something else came out.

"Excuse me?" Spike said, slightly taken aback as her fear turned to anger. He wasn't sure he like her mood swings. She was almost as bad as Drusilla had been.

"I said, take your cold, dead hands off of me. I need to think."

"I thought that's what you said. Hmm, let me think about that. No." He said, gripping her neck in his hands. "Its time to play."

She pushed him back, "I don't think so. I don't care if you have some idea to kill for revenge. Right now, that's the least of my worries. What? Did you think I was going to cower and cry? Please, I just threw you across the room. I am more scared of what's happening to me than of you. Some fearless vampire. I've been here three days and you haven't tried to hurt me. Going soft Spike?"

He felt anger shoot through him. He went to her and slapped her hard, knocking her to the floor. "Shut up bitch. You got lucky. I must have lost my balance when you hit me. No more. I will not have you talk to me that way."

"What are you going to do about it?" Willow taunted, feeling a need to fight grow inside of her. She was an extremely non-violent person and couldn't figure out why she needed to prove herself to him. She stood up, her green eyes angry.

"Big words from such a weak little girl. I'm going to enjoy this." Spike taunted. He still sense a bit of fear in her, but was surprised at the amount of anger.

"Come on then big boy. Show me what you got."

He came to her, hitting her face with all his strength. She took a deep breath, and hit him back. Soon, they were fighting full force. Willow could feel blood dripping from her forehead. He hit her across her mouth, busting her lip. The blood spilling onto to her tongue.

Spike was enjoying himself. He was also getting turned on. Fighting always made him hard. Even more so when he was fighting an equal. Angelus had been his greatest match, never losing. Surprisingly, this mortal was holding her own. She was still giving as good as she got. He moved his leg behind her, sweeping her legs out from under her. She fell to the ground, her hair going down over her face. He heard a growl. He stood there stunned as she lifted her face to look at him. His blue eyes met her yellow gaze.

**********

Angel knocked on Willow's door again. He had been pounding on it for five minutes. No answer. He glanced at his watch. He was cutting it close, the sun would be rising soon. Frowning, he went around the back and climbed to her balcony. He thrust his fist through the glass and opened the door.

The room was dark. He covered the glass doors and turned on the light. He saw nothing unusual. No signs of a struggle. He carefully made his way through the brocken glass on the floor to sit on the bed to wait. He hoped she wasn't angry about him busting the glass. He'd have to fix it. Where could she be?

********************

Spike backed away from Willow, shock clearly evident in his blue eyes. "What the hell? You're alive. I can hear you breathing."

She looked at him in surprise. He watched as she brought her hand up to run it along her face. She moved her fingers over the ridges of her forehead...down to her mouth. He watched amazed as she pricked her finger on a fang. "It feels kind of funny." she said amused.

"What is this? How the hell..." Spike voice drifted off as he tried to figure out what happening. It was absolutely amazing...she was human, yet she was also a vampire. He had never seen nor heard of anything like it, and Spike had seen a lot in his days.

She looked at him. "I don't know. That's what I've been trying to figure out. I might have known if you hadn't kidnapped me. But no, instead of researching, I've been stuck here, in this horrible smelling room."

"You're alive."

"Duh." Willow said, rolling her eyes

Spike felt his erection growing. Not only was she a spitfire, she appeared to be a vampire. She was turning him on. He hadn't had a woman in months. Since he had been following her, she had haunted his dreams. He'd been unable to have anyone. He had wanted her. Wanted her innocence...wanted her fire.

Willow stopped, smiling suddenly. "You're aroused. I can smell it. Fighting turn you on Spikey? Make you want to fuck like animals?"

He felt his erection throb even more as she closed her eyes and her normal features returned. She looked at him with smoldering green eyes. "You hit me. That was very naughty."

"What are you going to do about it?" he asked, his voice husky with desire.

"You know what I learned tonight Spike?" She said quietly as she walked towards him.

He wasn't sure if she was going to hit him or kiss him. Right then, he'd accept either. "No. What?"

She smiled. "Fighting turns me on," she said before claiming his mouth with hers in a passionate, bruising kiss. He felt her hands digging into his back as she tried to get closer.

********************************

Angel glanced at the clock and frowned. It was 10am. Willow hadn't come home yet. He knew something was wrong, it had to be...Willow would never even go outside after dark without the company of Buffy or Xander. He sat up and swung his feet over the side of the bed. He kicked something. Looking down, he picked up what appeared to be a very old, worn journal. A few pieces of stray paper drifted out. He picked them up and froze. He recognized the subjects. Spike....Angelus....he went through them. Suddenly, he saw a face that he had forgotten. He dropped the sketches as he held his pounding head. Memories assaulted his mind. Memories of love.....Memories of Meggan.....

**********

Angel sat up, blinking back tears. His memory had returned. He had forgotten Meggan. He had truely loved her. She was the only human that Angelus had ever loved. He had intended to turn her...to keep her forever. Angel tried to remember what had happened. It was a blank. One night he was with Meggan. The next, he, Dru and Spike were headed to Paris.

He looked at the journal. He knew he shouldn't read it, but he had to know. Willow had been reading it. It might hold an important key to the puzzle. He couldn't help but wonder where Willow had gottent the old journal...better yet, why she would be reading it at all. Curiousity and an overwhelming sense of loss spurned him on. He picked it up and began reading.

***************************

Willow pushed Spike back on the mattress. She was enjoying this power coursing through her. No longer was she shy, innocent little Willow...she felt free and uninhibited for the first time in her life. She ripped his shirt off, running her hands over his bare chest. She felt his erection through his tight jeans and felt an unfamiliar heat spreading from her core. She was a virgin. She almost stopped, having doubts about taking him as her first lover. She felt desire run through her. To hell with it. She had to have him...to possess him...to have him posess her.

She unzipped his jeans and freed his cock. She moved up, pulling her own clothes off hastily. She had to have him. She was burning up inside with a smoldering desire. As she looked up at Spike he saw the flames of passion present in her golden eyes, it was enough to almost make him come right there.

*****************************

When Angel finished reading, he glanced at the clock. It had taken him seven hours to read Meggan's journal. He was speechless, he couldn't believe what he had read. It wasn't possible...yet, somehow it had happened. His eyes fell on a photo of Willow taken a few months before. He felt such happiness at what he had read, he still couldn't believe it was true. He would call Giles. See what the watcher thought. This still didn't explain where Willow was and he needed to find her, especially now, if she had already read the journal... His gaze fell to the sketches on the floor. Spike. Something suddenly made sense. He felt an all to familiar pain rush through him as he collapsed to the floor.

******************************

Willow kissed Spike deeply, her hands on his wrists, keeping them above his head. Her lips softly nipping at his neck, her body moving seductively against him. She felt a whirlwind of emotions and feeling coursing through her, nobody had ever made her feel like this before. Nobody had ever evoked such a passionate, illicit response from her. She was definitely glad that she had waited, Spike was the one she wanted to be her first. Her first and only lover.

"I want you" she said huskily in his ear.

"Let me fuck you," he begged. Spike couldn't remember the last time anyone had made him beg. As much as he had loved Dru, she still hadn't evoked the feelings of lust, want and need that he was feeling now. It was an overwhelming, primal force that was quickly taking control of his senses.

"Uh...uh....what's the magic word?"

"Please!" he said, thrusting up towards her.

She closed her eyes and sank deep onto his hard shaft. She cried out in pain as her virginal barrier was broken. Spike took advantage of her weakness, flipping them over. His mouth bit into her breast as he started to pound into her. Willow felt the bite and couldn't control herself. She leaned over, biting into his shoulder as he thrust into her. The momentary pain was forgotten as she felt the pressure building inside of her. She tightened her hold on his cock as she came. He thrust a few more times before emptying himself deep inside of her.

*******************************

Dark eyes opened and looked at the photograph of Willow. One long finger ran along the face of Willow. The image burned into his memory, he was like a man posessed.

"Mine" he whispered. He glanced at the sketch of Spike. "Mine."

Suddenly, he laughed. "It's great to be back."

He picked up the sketches and the journal. Taking the photo of Willow, he smiled at it almost affectionately. "Don't worry baby, Grandpa is coming."

He laughed again as he disappeared into the night.

**********

Willow woke up and quickly closed her eyes again. She was laying on a mattress with Spike. She opened one eye. With a very naked Spike. Suddenly, memories of the previous day flooded her senses. She jumped up, her arms going around her chest, in an attempt to cover her breasts. She grabbed her shirt and slid it on. She had turned into a vampire. She put her hand on her heart. It was beating. She breathed deeply. She wasn't dead. How could it have happened? Suddenly, she remembered the journal. Meggan. She hadn't believed what she had read. Now, she knew it was the only explanation. She had to see Giles.

"Luv....get back in bed." Spike said softly but forcefully, raising up on one elbow.

"I need to see Giles. I have to know what's happening to me." Willow said, hoping he'd let her go. She saw the look in his eyes and her hope faded. There was no way he was going to let her leave now, she might have to kill him to get loose. She felt an ache at the thought of him dying. She took an appreciative look at Spike's naked body, noting the the bite mark on his shoulder. She had done that.....he had enjoyed it...so had she. She almost smiled. No, she needed answers.

"I don't bloody well care what's happening to you. You're mine. Now, get your cute little arse back over here." He didn't get it. Last night the girl was on fire, couldn't get enough of him and now she was covering herself up like a modest little schoolgirl.

The door suddenly opened. A familiar dark head smiled. He casually leaned against the door, a smirk crossing his handsome features, making him look even more dangerous if that was possible. "Actually, William. If we must get technical, she's mine."

He walked inside the small room, his presence seeming to fill it. He was known in the watcher diaries as 'the one with the angelic face', but right now he looked anything but angelic. His deep brown eyes were hypnotizing, as if he could see right into your soul, and his full lips gave way to a very seductive smile. He was oozing sexuality, raw passion... He was wearing his trademark leather pants and a red silk shirt with the first few buttons undone, showing off the wide expanse of his chest. He was a man to be feared and at the same time he was a man you would throw yourself at.

"Angelus?" Willow whispered. She saw the journal in his hands and felt a shot of fear tempered with pleasure fill her. He had come for her.

**********

"What the bloody hell do you mean she's yours?" Spike stood outraged. He had forgotten that he was nude until he felt Angelus's hot eyes rake over his body. He felt his cock twitch at the intensity of his sire's stare, his body instantly becoming aroused.

"I missed seeing you like that William. Its been years.....I don't plan for that to happen again." His voice taking on a low, husky tone.

"Uh...I can just leave you two alone" Willow said, knowing her face was bright red.

Angelus swung his gaze to her face, his eyes softening. He moved toward her, bringing his hand up to caress her face. Looking at her as if seeing her for the first time. Memorizing every feature.

"I can see her spirit in your eyes. I don't know why I never made the connection."

"Who?" Spike said, pulling his jeans on.

"Meggan" Angelus said softly.

Spike froze. Hearing the name, memories assaulting him. "Meggie?"

Angelus looked at him. "I think Dru did something. She was always jealous of the attention we gave Meg. I had no memory of her until I read the journal."

Spike nodded. "That makes sense. Dru sent me here after her," he motioned to Willow. "Is she one of Meggie's?"

Angelus stared into Willow's eyes. "Actually, somehow, she's my great great granddaughter. That's what brought me back...the happiness at having her as family....of her being mine."

Willow shook her head, not wanting to deal with what he was saying. "That isn't possible. You were a vampire...she was human. You could not have fathered Sean. She had to be wrong. She had to be....."

Angelus felt anger start to build up and her words. "NO! Meggan was with no one except for me. She loved me as I loved her. Besides, I would have known."

Willow sighed, knowing that he was right, yet still not believing what was happening to her. "I dreamed about her. She told me that I was going to pay for her mistake. She said she was sorry. I didn't understand what she meant until I read that. She had a baby by a vampire. How?"

"You're a half breed." Spike said, understanding. "I never knew that it was possible, but it explains everything."

"I have to talk to Giles." Willow said, determined. She was mad that they wouldn't let her leave. Did they think they could just keep her chained to the bed forever? She needed answers and she needed them know. She took a deep breath as she turned to Angelus, trying to contain her building fury.

"No. We can figure this out." Angelus said.

Willow felt herself growing more agitated. She looked at him, her golden eyes glowing. "We talk to Giles. This is my life....my body that is going through these changes. I want to know if there are others like me...what I am.....You can either both come with me or you can stay here. Right now, I don't give a fuck."

Willow walked past Angelus, her eyes burning into his. Spike smiled. "That's my girl." He got up and followed her.

Angelus fought a smile. It seemed he had passed something onto his family. She was as stubborn as he. Grudgingly, he followed. He knew she was right. He wanted to make sure that this was permanent. If it wasn't, he was going to embrace her. He had no intention of letting her get away from him, ever.

**********

Giles rubbed the bridge of his nose before looking back at the pale girl seated opposite him. He tried not to stare at the two vampires standing beside her, they were making him extremely uneasy. If anyone had ever told him that one day he would be sitting around chatting with Angelus and William the Bloody he would have thought them completely daft, but now...

"So, you are saying that these tendencies...these traits appeared after your eighteenth birthday?"

Willow nodded. "I felt very sick and I started to notice strange things. I started sleeping less, food seemed to lose it's appeal to me, and at times it seemed that I could actually sense other vampires near me. You remember asking if I felt all right?"

"Yes....I remember. This is rather odd indeed. I don't see how it would be possible for Angelus to have fathered a child. I have heard cases of it happening, but they usually involved a spell or a prophecy. I can see if there was a prophecy concerning this, but I can't recall anything sounding familiar. I must admit that I am completely flummoxed"

"Drusilla." Angelus said quietly. "She did something to make me forget Meg. And now, she told Spike to come to Willow."

"Aye, he's right. She told me that the weeping tree that supports the chosen one would make the angels cry and fall. All would be set right as things became as they were meant to be....or something like that. I knew she meant the slayer's little friend. I guess she meant that Angel would fall and Angelus would rise. Loony bitch."

"Could you contact her?" Giles asked, suddenly hopeful at the thought of a lead.

"Not likely. She walked into the sun soon after telling me that. She's scattered over Brazil right now." His voice taking on a note of sorrow as he remembered his dark goddess. She may have been a bit insane, but he had loved her all the same.

"I'm so sorry" Willow said, reaching for his hand in a comforting gesture. She knew how much he had loved Dru.

"I have you now luv. She sent me to you."

Willow smiled shyly before looking back at Giles. "Is it possible that Dru put some sort of curse on Meg?"

"With Dru's knowledge of the occult, anything is possible. It might have taken time before the characteristics became active. I would assume that you always had them, they were just dormant until you're 18th birthday."

"Will it go away?" Angelus asked.

"You said that you healed yourself?"

Willow nodded. "I cut my finger. It barely bled and then sealed right up."

"To answer your question, I would assume that these new abilities are here to stay. I guess that means that you are immortal, Willow."

Willow sat back in shock. She couldn't die? She had inherited the good parts of being a vampire without having the bad. It seemed her demon was weak and only rose when she was angry or emotional. She wondered how her friends would react. She tried to accept it, but knew it would take time. "Will you check into it for me?" she asked quietly.

Giles smiled. "Of course. Give me some time. I'll see what I can find."

"Thank you." Willow said, standing. Both of the vampires were lost in their own thoughts as they followed her into the night.

**********

Willow walked, lost in thought. She couldn't believe all the changes that her life had undergone in the past weeks. First, she finds out that she is a descendant of Angelus, the scourge of Europe. Then, she finds out that she not only inherited a few of his vampire characteristics, she is immortal. On top it all, she had sex with Spike. Spike who kidnapped her and threatened to kill her. And what was worse was that it had been good, and she wanted to do it again....many times. She heard a noise behind her and remembered the vampires with her.

Angelus. How did he fit into her life? She had liked Angel. He had been rather broody though and never seemed to have fun. Angelus scared her. He was her blood, but he made her nervous. He watched her with those dark eyes and that smirk....it was as though he could see directly into her soul. She didn't like that. She knew that he wanted her. She could tell. (Goddess, listen to me. Like I'm some expert. I just lost my virginity to a demon yesterday. He probably wants me because I am of his blood line. I remember reading that vampires tend to be very possessive of their families......)

Spike. What did she think of him? He was a good fuck. He had tried to hurt her, but hadn't been able to. He had seemed to care for her, even before all this half breed stuff came up. He was amusing and handsome and she liked him. He turned her on. He made her hot. She wanted to possess him.

If she had been told three months ago that she would one day have to choose between two master vampires, she would have laughed her ass off. She had never seen that happening. Now, she had them both behind her, waiting for her answer. She didn't know what to do. One was her family.....dark and dangerous. He had always been a mystery to her....The other was her first lover....her mate....he made her feel things that no one had ever brought out in her.....Angelus or Spike... she couldn't make up her mind. Suddenly, she smiled, remembering something that had happened earlier that evening. She turned to face them.

"I suppose you are waiting for me to choose one of you." she said, her face still seeming so innocent.

The men glanced at each other and then back to her, waiting.

She smiled. "I made my choice. I choose....Spike " Spike smiled, sending Angelus a gloating look "And.....Angelus." Angelus glanced at her and smiled. She was his blood. She had made the decision he had hoped for....."I want you both or I won't take either." she said, her resolve face on. "You two discuss it amongst yourselves. But know this, you both will belong to me. I don't share.....with anyone else." she said, before turning and walking away, allowing them time to make a decision.

Spike watched his redhead walk away. He turned and glared at Angelus.

"Bloody idiot. You always have to come around and mess things up. Red and I were perfectly happy without you."

Angelus smiled. "You miss me. Admit it Spike."

Spike snorted. "Like a toothache." he started after Willow, deciding to beg her to forget the poof. He was stopped by a grip on his arm. Turning, he scowled at Angelus.

"She had her resolve face on Spike. She won't change her mind. We either have to set aside our differences or we both lose her."

"Fuck. Why can't one woman ever just want me? Why do you always have to stick that gelled head into things."

"Women like me, what can I say?" Angelus said arrogantly. "She is my blood Spike. I won't lose her." he said, his voice serious.

"She's my mate, chap. I don't fancy losing her either."

"We used to have fun together...you and me and Drusilla....we could have that back."

"I don't want that back. Dru always wanted you. She tolerated me because of you."

"She knew I loved you more than her..she was jealous." Angelus said, staring into the night.

"You did?" Spike asked, kicking himself. He couldn't believe he'd asked that.

Angelus smiled. "Do, Spike. I do love you. You were always my favorite. I can live with you having Willow most of the time. I know you claimed her."

Spike was surprised. "You'd honor that?"

"Hell yes. I have always been a man of honor. If I say that I will not take her away from you, I won't."

Spike smiled. "Good. We have a deal."

"Good."

They took off after Willow.

"Can you imagine what the slayer's going to say?" Spike asked suddenly.

Angelus laughed. "Should be fun."

Willow watched them walking towards her...heard their words. They were right. It was going to be fun. She'd finally have a family. She smiled at her men as she went to join them. She silently thanked Meggan for following her heart all those years ago.

THE END

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