~Part: 1~

Willow slowly opened her eyes.  The first thing she was aware of was the throbbing headache she had.  The pain effectively blocked out her awareness of anything else until she got a handle on the pounding by taking a few deep breathes.

Knowing that if she moved to sit up at this point she would vomit, Willow choose to remain still on the narrow gurney.  She also knew that opening her eyes would be a mistake if she did that too quickly.  The harsh laboratory light would send sharp fingers of pain jabbing into her sensitive eyes.

It had been two weeks since the Initiative had grabbed her from the quiet spot in the woods she had been using to invoke the Goddess to acquire a blessing in the form of a protection spell for Buffy who was currently preparing for a tough battle with a Golor demon.

Initially Willow had been confident they would quickly realize their mistake and send her home.  It had become quickly apparent, however, that they did not believe they had made a mistake and they would most certainly not be sending her home – at least not until they had finished their ‘investigation’.

The ‘investigation’ was just another word for interrogation or experimentation.  They – the Initiative – had conducted both rigorously and Willow was starting to realize that she was probably not going to survive the tests but if she did, she would be ‘neutralized’ – murdered – so as not to compromise the mission.

Aside from the initial shock of being taken in by the Initiative, the biggest and nastiest surprise Willow had received was the discovery that Professor Walsh ran the facility and Riley Finn was a commander in the military outfit.  Neither Professor Walsh nor Riley had responded to Willow’s pleas for release in the first week.  She had quickly stopped asking and had adopted an uncooperative demeanor when she realized they had no intention of playing nice.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“So Professor, what are the pertinent conclusions to be drawn from Rosenberg? Is she a candidate for rehabilitation and repatriation?”

Maggie turned away from her microscope to favor the young man with her famous glare “Agent Finn, I don’t need to remind you the correct term for her is ‘Subject 5’ - we do not personalize under any circumstances! Is that clear?” she asked sharply waiting for his slight nod before continuing on “I have yet to complete my investigations into Subject 5 therefore I am in no position to respond to your question concerning the subject’s suitability for R and R, however, you know that it is highly unlikely and has no precedent.”

Riley nodded again, a slight droop to his shoulders.  He had felt sick over taking Willow in.  He didn’t know what had been worse, Willow’s recent refusal to acknowledge him on the occasions he had been sent in to her cell or Buffy’s frantic worry over her ‘disappearance’.  In military terms this situation could only be described as FUBAR.

“Subject 5 has consistently refused to demonstrate her abilities despite our ‘encouragement’ and her blood work hasn’t given us anything to go on.”

“So where do we go from here? She is a subject after all – not a hostile” Riley said carefully.  He knew they disposed of all hostiles as a matter of course – this was procedure - but their experience with subjects had been very limited, Willow was only the fifth one to come to their attention therefore procedure and ethics surrounding subjects was yet to be clearly defined.

“We can’t release her unless we can quantify her abilities and ascertain the risk her continued exposure to society at large may present.  I think we have been going about this the wrong way, but I am confident I know how we can successfully assess the Subject’s abilities.”

Riley looked at the Professor carefully, she had a gleam in her eye that he didn’t particularly like.  “How, Professor?”

Maggie smiled tightly before answering.  Agent Finn would not like this at all.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Willow looked around sharply as she heard the swish of the glass barrier to her cell sliding open.  Not having a watch and not being able to ascertain day from night in this subterranean lab, Willow was unsure as to how long it had been since she had last eaten.  Depravation seemed to be a tactic they were utilizing in an effort to wear her down to a point where she would cave in and resort to magic for survival, but Willow knew that to undertake such a move would be playing their game.  She was desperate to avoid doing that; she suspected that once her powers had been studied she would outlive her usefulness.

Willow narrowed her eyes and glared at the soldier who entered the cell bearing a tray.

“Hungry?” he questioned pleasantly raising his eyebrows.  He was mildly disappointed when the subject turned her back on him without responding.  He, like Finn, had known her from class and he had always thought she was a kind-hearted kid.  He hoped the command chain would choose to go easy on her although he knew that was unlikely.  He sighed audibly as he left the tray balanced on the gurney.  “Its safe to eat, kid – Professor says she won’t be needing to drug it anymore, she’s done with the meds.”

 “Do you promise, Graham?”

Her softly spoken question startled him; she had refused to speak to any of them for the last 8 days.  “Yes, I promise.” He stood uncomfortably for another minute or so but it appeared as though she would not be saying anymore so he left the cell punching the security code on his way out.

Riley hoped she would survive this last test.  He had been horrified when Professor Walsh had explained the details to him.  He was seeing that horror mirrored on the face of Willow now as he attempted to explain to her what was about to occur.

“Don’t do this, Riley” she squeaked, her voice wobbly with fear. “Please”.

Riley dropped his gaze to study his boots unable to meet her green eyes that were now shiny with unshed tears.  “”I’m sorry Willow… I wish-“

Willow bit her lip and squared her shoulders it was pretty obvious he wasn’t going to disobey an order and no amount of pleading or reasoning was going to change that fact.   “Save it Riley.  Just tell me one thing – you owe me that much.”

Riley nodded in miserable agreement, he understood her hostility, he didn’t even like himself too much at this moment.  “Ask me”

“The test.  Will you be putting me in with a vampire?”

Riley swallowed over a sudden lump in his throat and nodded again.  “Yes, Hostile 17.  He has been particularly difficult since capture…not unlike you.  He has refused blood so we haven’t been unable to drug him and the tazer gun has not incapacitated him enough to ensure the safety of technicians who approach him.  I guess it’s like a Mexican stand off.”

Willow’s mind was racing.  She had probably half an hour to come up with a protection spell that might keep her safe from the vampire whose cell she would be released into.  A very hungry and particularly strong vampire by the sounds.  Willow shivered.  A Master no doubt.

She didn’t have her Book of Shadows, but she did have her Kara crystal on a chain round her neck.  If she could stay alive for the first five minutes she would have enough time to cast a very simple protection spell that might buy her 15 minutes.  But after that….Willow gulped.  A binding spell was what she really needed but she had no ingredients.  Worse – she had no time!

“Ready?” Riley asked reaching to take her arm.  She snatched her arm away angrily “I can walk without your help” she emphasized the last word heavily and the sarcasm of her statement was not lost on Riley who flinched visibly.  Willow felt an automatic pang of guilt but pushed it aside angrily.  “How you will ever bring yourself to look Buffy in the eye again, Riley Finn?”

Riley shook his head sadly.  He was wondering the same thing.

Stepping from behind Riley, Graham pointed his rifle towards the hall motioning for her to head out.  Willow raised her chin defiantly and walked as steadily as she could into the hallway.  She didn’t think she had ever been so scared in all her life.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hostile 17 felt their arrival before they even stepped onto the floor.  Every other pathetic excuse for a demon in each of the cells aligned in a row along the brightly lit corridor sensed them too, and the silence was quickly shattered with various growls, howls, and shouts.

Hostile 17 remained silent with his head cocked to the side listening carefully.  Something was different this time.  He could smell a female and hear the frantic pounding of a heart whose owner was clearly terrified.  Why would they be bringing the human down here?  What were they up to now?

Willow had gotten her first good look  at the compound as she was led towards her doom.  Despite her panic she had carefully absorbed as much detail as she could just on the off chance she might get the opportunity to escape.  ‘Like that’s ever gonna happen’ Still the knowledge that she had spotted what looked like a potential ‘out door’ under the stairs she was currently descending, was comforting.

Graham noticed her quick perusal of the compound and mentally berated himself.  She should have been hooded before she left her cell.  That was procedure!  “Stop” he ordered as he pulled a hood from his belt and stepped up behind Subject 5 to place it over her head.

“Hey what are you-“

“Procedure” Graham cut her off, glaring at Riley who should have known better.

Hostile 17 moved to the back of his cell and lounged leisurely against the stark white wall, arms crossed across his leather-clad chest.  They were approaching his cell, he couldn’t see them yet but he knew it was the case all the same.  He smiled absently looking forward to a spot of violence.

Riley suppressed a shiver as they pulled up outside the Hostile’s cell.  Looking into the vampire’s icy gaze was like looking into hell.  The hostile remained still and impassive as Graham moved the hooded subject forward towards the glass door of the cell.

“Hostile 17, you are to remain where you are, you are not permitted to move.” Riley ordered as he and three soldiers raised their weapons and trained them on the vampire.

The hostile made no movement and did not answer, but Riley had not expected that he would.  Taking the subject’s arm gently he motioned for Graham to open the glass door to the cell.  As the door swished open Riley pulled the hood from the Subject’s head and pushed her into the cell.  Graham hit the shut button the second she was in and all soldiers beat a hasty retreat as instructed by the Professor – without looking back into the cell.

Hearing a sharp intake of breath he turned his seething gaze from the retreating soldiers and looked at his cellmate for the first time.  ‘Well I’ll be buggered!’ he thought to himself ‘If it isn’t the Slayer’s pet witch!’  He grinned evilly at the fearful recognition on her pale face.  This was going to be fun.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

‘Spike’ she screamed silently, blanching visibly as his cold blue eyes settled on her.  It was the horrifyingly familiar grin that jerked her from her shocked stupor.  With a start Willow quickly reached for the amulet around her neck and began to quietly chant the words she hoped would offer her protection from William the Bloody.

Spike slid his game face on and growled threateningly as he saw the Witch reach for the Kara crystal hanging around her neck.  He’d been around long enough to know what she was trying and there was no way in hell the little red head was going to get off that easy.

Spike lunged towards her with supernatural speed yanking the Kara crystal from her neck before she could clasp it in her tiny fist.  He flung the amulet to the floor of the cell and crushed it beneath one large, black, boot before turning to the witch who was now cowering in a corner as far across the cell as she could possibly get, all mussed hair and big green eyes – god how he loved a woman with green eyes!

He laughed heartily at the sight of her looking desperately around the cell for something or someone to save her, before stalking dangerously towards her.  Just as he wound one long cold hand in her hair to yank her head back - the witch spoke.

“I can get us both out of here”

Spike immediately stopped his descent towards her exposed throat.  Sure he was ravenous but he had time to kill, wouldn’t lose anything by hearing her out.  Besides the fact she was speaking fluent Lastoth had him very interested.  He had only met one other human who spoke that dialect.  She obviously did not want to be understood by the solder boys who were sure to have the cell bugged.

“This had better be good, witch” he snarled quietly into her ear responding in the language she had used.

Willow almost sagged in relief when she realized he spoke Lastoth.  She had taken a gamble and it looked as though it would pay off.    Angel had always said that under the macho bravado, Spike possessed a razor sharp intellect and absorbed knowledge like a sponge; it appeared as though languages were a Spike specialty.  Yay, Spike, she cheered silently.

Catching her breath momentarily she began cautiously “They put me in here to see if I could use my magic to survive – I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know when I say that under the current circumstances you could kill me in a heartbeat.” She whispered in a shaky voice, which broke a little when she felt Spike incline his head again resting his cold lips against her throat.  She shivered at the intimate contact and dragged her mind back to the problem at hand.

He didn’t answer so she took that as her cue to continue.  “They caught me two weeks ago and they’ve been experimenting on me ever since.  I know they will do the same to you and I also know that neither one of us is meant to get out alive.”

She shivered again as he clasped one of her hands in his own before speaking softly against her neck.  “You’re not exactly telling me anything new luv, get to the point – I’m hungry.”

Willow gulped nervously “I’ve seen the compound, I think I know the way out but I can’t do it without you and even if you managed to get out of your cell without me you would never find your way out of the compound in time – not without my help….”

“Go on” he snarled tensing against her.

“I can pretend to do a spell, you pretend to attack me, we both go down and when they come to get the bodies for the tests they will be itching to run… you..you uh..take care of them and we can make our escape.”  She finished in a nervous rush aware almost deafened by the frightened pounding of her heart. She hoped he could see the potential in this plan, she knew it sounded lame and definitely desperate, but she knew Spike well enough to know this confinement was probably killing him so she was sure he probably felt just a little desperate too.

Spike digested her words carefully.  He had no reason not to believe her story, he could smell her fear he knew this was as real for her as it was for him.  He wanted nothing more than to drain her right now but if there was the slightest chance they could get out of here then he knew they had to try it.  He flicked his tongue out idly tracing her pulse from collar to chin.  Delicious.

“Stupid plan pet, but I don’t have much else to do.  I am gonna have to bite you though, they’re gonna need to see some blood to believe I’ve killed you.”  He said quietly.

Willow felt her stomach clench nervously as he ran his tongue up her throat.  “Oh…ok, I understand.  Its gonna hurt isn’t it?” She asked in a tiny voice.

“Yes” He smiled against her neck.  “Now I’m gonna get this show on the road, play with my food a little bit and give you time to do the spell.  Make it look real, Witch.”

Willow didn’t exactly nod, but they both knew they had made a tentative deal.  Willow couldn’t quite believe she had just formed an alliance of sorts with William the Bloody, killer of two Slayers no less, and a vampire who had attempted to kill her on more than one occasion.  Still, you know what they say about beggars?  Yeah, well…………she was fresh out of choices.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Professor Walsh and her technical assistant accompanied by Agent Finn watched the events unfolding on the monitor in the cell of Hostile 17. It was obvious the two prisoners were conversing but it was impossible to know exactly what they were saying.  Maggie was surprised that neither of them had yet to make an overt move against the other, she had assumed the vampire’s hunger would have ensured his immediate attack on the Subject.

“What are they saying?  What language is that?  How did the subject know the vampire would understand?”  Maggie voiced her questions but was really not expecting answers.  “Finn, when this is finished we have to get this tape to the lab for translation and-“  Maggie stopped speaking as Hostile 17 made his move.

Riley shut his eyes briefly not wanting to see Willow get hurt.  She had obviously said something that angered the vampire - he slid his game face on and roared, flinging her across the cell like a rag doll.  Instead of slumping unconscious to the floor as they had all expected, Subject 5 shook her head and began to chant loudly.  All Initiative observers leaned closer to the monitor looking on in wonder as a golden glow danced from the fingertips of subject 5.

Willow didn’t hit the wall as hard as she was sure it looked.  Spike had only half thrown her, she had assisted the charade by jumping.  Willow decided that the use of an extremely basic glitter spell would look impressive enough although it was no more than a Wiccan party trick.

Spike was an accomplished actor she thought as he snarled angrily at her, pretending to be stung by the golden light the Witch sent spiraling towards him.  In reality it did nothing more than warm his cold skin just like sun would if he could stand in it without running the risk of resembling a crispy critter.  Actually, it was a magnificent feeling and the snarling Spike was doing was not all acting, but a rather angsty reaction to a sensation he had not experienced for almost 100 years.

Willow flinched slightly as she saw Spike flash his blue eyes to gold.  This was the signal she realized with alarm as he lunged towards her.  As the dead guy had said ‘this was gonna hurt’.

Riley clenched his fists and bit the inside of his cheek to stop himself calling out Willow’s name as Hostile 17 appeared to shake off her spell, stepping and ducking agilely away from the weaving golden threads of light to lunge at the witch.  He felt his stomach lurch at her ear piercing scream and noticed with a sinking sensation that her death appeared to be approaching swiftly, there was a great deal of blood splattered about and she was already limp in the vampire’s arms.

Maggie was about to click the monitor off to block the sight of the hostile whose fangs were still buried in the subject’s neck but quickly snatched her hand away from the switch as a bright explosion of light flung the vampire backwards and flat onto the floor of the cell some three meters from the still body of the witch.

Everyone was silent for a moment riveted to the scene in the cell where both the subject and hostile now lay unmoving.

“Someone get me an audio biorhythm fix on that cell. Hurry!” Professor Walsh ordered.  “Subject 5 must have….what was that?” Maggie stepped up to the monitor in an effort to see the cell in more detail, she desperately wanted to understand what had just transpired.  If this energy could be reproduced they may have an effective weapon at their disposal.

“C’mon where the hell is my fix!” she shouted.

Snatching a printout from the hand of a soldier rushing into the room, Agent Finn delivered the findings to his commanding officer “Data does not indicate detection of a heartbeat, however it looks like the instruments for the cell malfunctioned at the moment of the, uh…explosion.”

“Damn it! Get some agents down there, we need to get Subject 5 into the lab immediately to assess her condition - if she’s not already dead.  Take the vampire into the lab too and make sure he stays unconscious this might be the only chance we have of testing him.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Spike continued to play dead, which wasn’t difficult because technically he had been dead for more than a century.  He kept all expression from his still face as he listened carefully.  The witch’s heartbeat was very weak and dangerously slow.  He cursed himself realizing he had drained too much of her blood.  But he had been so bloody hungry!  He hoped the soldier boys would be another five or ten minutes in coming.  Any extra time at this point would work to his advantage in allowing Red time to recover a little more – hopefully enough to guide the way out.

Graham and Forrest accompanied two lab technicians to Hostile 17’s cell to retrieve both bodies.  Riley and Walsh had already departed the viewing room and were on their way to the lab to initiate testing as soon as possible.  That was why when the two technicians were in the process of strapping the hostile to a gurney the only ones to see him tear their throats out were Forrest and Graham who were checking Subject 5 for vitals.  Neither one of them had time to get a round off, which might have alerted the initiative to this most recent crisis, before the hostile had snapped both their necks like twigs.  As the military grunts were so fond of saying - FUBAR.

“C’mon, pet, rise and shine” Spike urged unstrapping the witch from the gurney and shaking her firmly.  He smiled triumphantly as her eyes flickered open.  “Lets get out of here, luv.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Willow’s neck hurt.  Actually it throbbed like a bastard, but on the positive side she was more comfortable than she had been in two weeks.  She ran her hands over the soft covers she was warmly nestled beneath.  “Ahhhh”

“So you’re back are you, pet?”

Hearing the familiar north London purr Willow’s eyes shot open in alarm.

Spike laughed gleefully at her wide-eyed expression “What is it they say?  Out of the frying pan and into the fire?”

Willow chose to ignore that statement and his dangerous leer.  “Where are we, how did we get out?”  Willow asked quietly, shocked at how weak her voice sounded.

Spike remained silent for a moment considering her closely before shrugging casually and flopping his long, lean, frame down on the bed beside her.

“Well you were not exactly pulling your weight, Pet.  Had to carry your sorry arse out, but you did point us in the right direction….you were right about the time factor too – if I had to search for the way out it would have made escaping very tricky.”  He smiled again and Willow shivered.  She was amazed at his happy disposition but glad for it nonetheless, facing an angry Master Vampire such as Spike would not be of the good.  “I thought better of sticking around Sunnyhell for the soldiers boys to track me down so here we are pet, living large in lovely Los Angeles.”

He turned to look at her when she remained silent and he was surprised to note the confused expression on her face.  He had been expecting a healthy combination of mind numbing fear and effusive gratitude but he wasn’t getting either of those, which annoyed him no end “What?”

“You didn’t leave me behind.  Why didn’t you leave me behind? I mean it would have made it easier for you to dump me once we were out.”

Spike frowned rather spectacularly before snapping his response “I am William the Bloody!”

Willow waited for him to expand on that statement but apparently he thought that arrogant response was explanation enough so she shut her mouth.

“Ahh…..Spike?”

When he didn’t answer willow risked turning her head carefully to look at him.  She was surprised to note that he was fast asleep.  Oh well, that was of the good she thought as she crept quietly from the bed in search of a telephone in the darkened room.  Having locked eyes on the object of her salvation Willow risked another glance over her shoulder to check the vampire was still asleep.  Satisfied that he was, she made her way across the room and picked the receiver up carefully pressing it to her ear.  Shit, no dial tone.

“Won’t do you much good, luv.”

Willow snapped her head around at the sound of his voice to discover him lying still on the bed, eyes closed, but holding the phone’s cord in one graceful white hand.

Willow exhaled sharply, her frustration evident.  “Ok Spike, how are we playing this?  Am I your prisoner now or can I call Buffy and get out of here?

Spike opened his blue eyes slowly and stared intently at the ceiling.  What would he do he wondered? As usual he had acted on instinct in bringing her here in the first place, he certainly hadn’t thought long enough to form a plan.  He knew that every time he did devise a devious plan he always got bored and threw it out the window.  Plans required patience and he had no bloody patience.

“Well I’m not having you calling the bloody Slayer! Think soldier boys won’t be keeping an eye on her?  She’ll come running up here all heroic leading em straight to us.” Spike smiled as an idea presented itself  “Not that I wouldn’t love to be here waiting for a piece of that action”  He laughed outright at Willow’s horrified expression “What, you think one successful escapade makes us mates? Not bloody likely, luv.  I’m evil remember, you’re what – shocked and disappointed?”

Willow nodded, then shook her head, then frowned and nodded again, clearly confused about how she should be feeling about the vampire lounging on the motel bed.

“Yes, well, you’re boring me anyway and the fact is I have some revenge to exact so last thing I need is some annoying Scooby skulking about all sulky like.  Since I already ate tonight I guess it means you can go, but you’re not going back to Sunnyhell just yet.”

Willow didn’t know if she was supposed to feel pleased about this statement or hurt that he had called her boring, annoying, and sulky, all in one sentence.  Pushing those thoughts aside for later she decided to focus on the issue at hand.  “So if I can go, but not back to SunnyD, where am I supposed to…I mean what did you have in mind?”

Spike threw the phone cord to her and lit a cigarette studying her closely and enjoying her unease.  “Call Peaches.”

For the first time he’d seen her since she had been the literal sacrificial lamb back at the lab, she smiled.  A great dazzling warm grin that lit up her face just like that bloody lovely sparkly shit she sent shimmering his way back in the cell a mere 48 hours ago.  Spike frowned and snarled as he realized it was the bloody poof that had her grinning like an idiot.  Typical.  What the hell did all these women see in that wanker?  “Should have just eaten you” he grumbled.

“Sorry Spike, I didn’t hear you, what was that?” she asked plugging the phone cord into the jack in the wall.

“Nothing” he snapped.

Willow shook her head.  One minute he was laughing his ass off the next he was all grrr.  “Moody much?”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Angel must have done warp speed to get across town so fast Willow thought as she hurried to open the door he was currently pounding on.

“Willow, Willow, open the door, its Angel!”

She wouldn’t have to open it if he hit it any harder it would simply burst from its hinges she thought as she unlocked it and pulled it open.  She immediately felt herself immersed in leather and pressed against a cold silk covered chest with no heartbeat.

“Are you ok?  Where’s Spike?  Did he hurt you?”

She wanted to answer him but she was having trouble drawing breath, he was squeezing her awfully tight.  “Eeep!”  she squeaked comically.

“Sorry” Angel realized her dilemma and released his bone-crushing grasp on his little friend.  “What the hell is going on, Willow?”

She sucked in a large gulp of air.  “It’s ok.  I’m ok.  Spike left, he didn’t kill me! Ha ha ha” she started to laugh but by the end of the sentence she was in tears.  All that had transpired over the past two weeks was catching up with her now that she finally realized she was safe.

Willow had buried her face in Angel’s cool silk shirt again to explain the events of the past few weeks.  On more than one occasion she had jumped a little at the dangerous growls Angel emitted.  He was obviously very unhappy about this whole mess.  Willow sympathized – now she had finished her little hysterics she was starting to feel a little angry herself.

Angel gently uncurled her hand from his shirt he knew she was starting to pull herself together and he wanted to get some more details from her but they really needed to get back to the safety of the Hyperion, his childe was unpredictable and Angel had to admit he was surprised Willow had been left with a heartbeat.

“Willow are you ready to leave?”  He asked quietly pulling back from her to look carefully into her face for the first time since he had arrived.

Willow nodded and sniffed a little as she stood up and took a step back from the dark vampire sitting on the edge of the hotel bed.  She squealed suddenly as Angel sprang off the bed at her gripping her shoulders painfully. “What the hell is that!” he snarled eyes glowing golden as he indicated the mark on her neck.

Willow struggled to keep a lid on her fear, this was Angel her friend, he wasn’t going to eat her!  But why was he vamping? Oh God, oh God – her frantic thoughts were interrupted as he shook her sharply “Willow, answer me!”

She swallowed over the lump in her throat before she spoke “S..Spike bit me, he had to make it look real.  I told you all this before.”

Angel shook his head as if to clear it before releasing her shoulders slowly.  Making a conscious effort to push his screaming demon down he looked deeply into Willow’s wide green eyes.  “Oh Willow, you don’t understand.”  He said in a quiet voice much more reminiscent of the good Angel all the Scooby gang knew and loved – well except for Xander.  “That’s not just a bite mark….that is a deliberate brand.”

Willow was beginning to feel cold fingers of fear clutch her heart, the sadness she was seeing reflected in her friend’s soulful brown eyes was downright terrifying.  “What do you mean, Angel?  Brand?  That sounds kid of ewww – I mean I’m not a cow you know….Angel?”

Angel grasped her trembling hand as it fluttered nervously towards her damaged neck.  He couldn’t believe he hadn’t seen it when he had first arrived or at least smelled his Childe’s scent on her. But the smell of Spike was on everything in the room, not just his little human friend.  He assessed her carefully before he answered not really wanting to say the words but accepting that she would have to be told the truth of her situation.  “He’s claimed you, Willow.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Spike grinned like a kid on Christmas morning as he watched his Sire usher the little witch carefully into his car.  Even from this safe distance across the street Spike could tell by the tense set of his jaw and jerky movements that Peaches was furious.  “This is just – neat!” he said softly to himself as his Sire pulled the car out from the curb and peeled off down the dark street.

The next 72 hours passed in a blur to Willow.  Arriving back at the Hyperion, Cordelia had taken her cue from Angel and set to making Willow comfortable before getting the hell out of Dodge.  Angel had immediately summoned Wesley and they proceeded to have an animated conversation in his office before a call was made to Giles to explain the situation.  According to Wesley, she was not to worry about anything, they would be dealing with the Initiative swiftly and she would be safe here with Angel for the time being.

Looking at the clock Willow discovered it was 4.00 am.  She had slept well in Angel’s spare room, but knew that she wouldn’t sleep anymore this night.  Maybe she could go down stairs and grab a quick snack.  She couldn’t believe  how hungry she had been since the whole ‘biting incident’.  Wesley had told her that was her body’s way of trying to make up for the blood loss.  Half way down the staircase in her bare feet, Willow stopped as she heard voices in Angel’s Office.

“Perhaps you could speak to him, tell him it will not be tolerated!  Surely he could be persuaded with some enthusiastic ass kicking”

“Are you forgetting who we are talking about?  He’ll love that.”

“Well you might be right but surely you could speak to him, tell him to leave her-“

“He won’t.  Ever”

“But you have to try-“

“It won’t make the slightest difference, Wesley!  He will take what he sees as his at all costs.  He is Angelus’ favorite childe, remember?  You know that makes him more dangerous than any other vampire you might ever have to face.”

Both men looked up with a guilty and startled expression as Willow coughed from the doorway.  “You’re talking about me.”  She said evenly” You’re talking about me and him” she spat the last word.

“I have a name Pet”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

All three of the room’s odd inhabitants spun round at the sound of the newcomer’s voice.  He stepped smoothly out from the shadows of the ill lit room where he had been standing behind the witch since he had followed her from upstairs where he had been watching her sleep, undetected by his Sire who now had trouble picking up his scent with Willow in the building.  Willow of course, had no idea of his presence in the darkness of her room and had not realized she had been followed down stairs.

For Willow and Wesley everything  happened too quickly to keep a visual, but in the next instant both vampires had made their move.  Now Angel stood in full game face large hand curled round Spike’s throat.  Spike, also in game face, stood casually with Willow’s head locked firmly under one muscular arm.  No one moved for a moment before the spell was broken by Spike’s insane laughter.

“She’d be dead before you could squeeze mate”

Angel growled low and warningly “You would follow before she hit the floor, boy.”

Spike smiled happily clearly in his comfort zone “We all know you’d never risk it Peaches, so why don’t you just back up now so I can give my Red some air – then we can all play nice.”

Angel reluctantly dropped his hand from Spike’s neck and stepped slowly away from his childe.  He noted with only faint relief that Spike had loosened his grip on Willow and now held the back of her neck loosely in one hand.

“What do you want, Spike?”  Angel demanded quietly, his eyes locking with Spikes and not wavering even when Willow squeaked a little at a sudden increase in pressure of Spike’s grip.

“Hmm lets see, a little house in the country, steady supply of O Neg, and, oh yeah….your bloody head on a pike!” Spike punctuated the last word with a feral snarl “How long did you think I’d allow her to stay here?  Are we all forgetting whose mark she wears?”

This wasn’t going well thought Wesley.  He tried to give a reassuring look to Willow but she had now closed her eyes and was mumbling something unintelligible but obviously profane.  She was wearing a very dark frown on her face and looked far from happy.  Which, he decided with a sympathetic sigh, was quite understandable under the circumstances.

“You’re going home, Pet” Spike said evenly, staring unwaveringly into the chocolate depths of his Sire’s eyes.

Willow’s eyes flew open and she turned her head slightly to face him “How can I go home?  Initiative, remember?”

Spike frowned at her tone, he’d have to instruct her on that attitude later.  “You silly chit, told you last time we spoke I had some vengeance to exact!  Did you think that I would allow that bunch of pooftas to get away with this?”

Willow shook her head slowly  “W…What have you done?”

Spike shrugged and looked at her like she had grown another head “Killed em all.  Thought you were the smart one?”

Willow groaned quietly and clutched her suddenly nauseas stomach.  Sure she had been furious with them over her capture, but she knew some of those guys, some had been friends – once- before the whole ‘throw her to the lion’s thing’.  Then a horrible thought presented itself.  “Riley?”

Spike narrowed his gaze.  “He fed you to the sharks luv, why the misplaced concern?”

The tears were rolling down her cheeks before she could stop them.  “Be..because once he was my friend and …and because…Buffy-“

“Ahh, sod it all!” Spike sighed as he rolled his eyes in frustration.  “The bloody Slayer got him out before he bought the farm, ok.  Now stop your blubbering its annoying!”

Willow hiccupped and wiped her cheeks angrily.  “I hate you”

Spike laughed before removing his hand from her neck.  “That’s the sprit!”

Willow took the opportunity to step away from the blond killer.  She frowned slightly when she realized that her usual reaction to Spike, the stuttering, mind numbing fear and nausea, were largely absent and appeared to have been replaced with a general feeling of nervous caution.  Perhaps it was because Angel was here and she knew he wouldn’t allow Spike to harm her, or maybe, she thought with a shudder, it had something to do with the whole ‘claim’ thing.

Angel stepped towards Willow intent on moving his little friend safely to his side but he was prevented from doing so when his angry Childe snarled and moved threateningly between him and the witch.

Angel’s eyes flashed gold in response to Spike’s challenge, his demon straining forth at the insolence of his childe.  The two faced off dangerously.

Willow rolled her eyes in frustration.  This was obviously going nowhere, each of these vampires was as stubborn as the other.  “Well you two might have the next 50 years to continue this nonsense, but Wesley and I are on a clock here so if its all the same to you I think Wesley can drive me home.”

Willow almost laughed at the identical expressions of incredulity both vampires were currently wearing at her announcement, but as usual Spike found his voice very quickly.

“Hasn’t Peaches explained the finer points of the claim to you yet, Red?”

She frowned blackly and moved slightly closer to Angel suddenly feeling afraid.  “N..No.. – and I don’t want to know.  You…you tricked me so none of it counts!”

Spike smirked grimly, that had put her back in her place.  He didn’t mind her mouthing off to Angel – hell he’d encourage it, but he wouldn’t tolerate her getting smart with him.  “It’s not a child’s game – you can’t take your bat and ball and go home when you don’t want to play, and it’s not a bloody democracy!”  By the time he’d finished the sentence he was yelling and he had quite an impressive set of lungs.  Maybe that was why the silly bint got that bloody trembly lip and big-eyed look before she started bawling.  Again.

“Oh bloody hell!” He yelled in frustration rolling his eyes and slapping his forehead.

Understanding that Spike’s display was largely motivated by the famous vampiric possessiveness, Wesley knew that Spike would not allow Angel with 100 years of Willow if at all possible, right of the Sire be damned.  “Miss Rosenberg has a good point, Angel.  Perhaps it would be best if I drove her back to Sunnydale.  Buffy would no doubt stake Spike if he showed up with Willow and you are needed here.

“Don’t think so, mate.  She’s going back with me.”

“I’m not letting you take her anywhere alone, Spike.  If you go, so do I.”  Angel said quietly daring his Childe to defy him.

“Fine we all go, but just for your information you bloody pillock” Spike spat at Wesley, “The Slayer won’t kill me while I have a claim on her best little buddy, not unless she wants her dead too, because that’s what happens to bonded humans when their Masters die!”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Please, Buffy, you must calm down.  We need to consider Willow’s options very carefully”  Giles reasoned patiently removing his glasses to rub the bridge of his nose in a somewhat frustrated manner.  His Slayer had been crying for blood since Spike’s arrival with his Sire and a very tired Willow in tow.

“Giles, I’m sorry about the wigginess but my spider sense is going off the scale and I don’t know who to kill first, Spike or the Initiative!”  Buffy spat pacing the floor of Giles’ apartment and twirling Mr Pointy distractedly shooting Spike murderous glances every minute or so.  Every instinct in her body was screaming at her to dust the peroxided demon, but from what Giles and Angel had been saying, to do so would not be of the good for Willow.  “You did  this to piss me off didn’t you Spike?”

Spike raised his eyebrows arrogantly and replied “Don’t know what the bloody hell you’re talking about Slayer.  You should be on your knees thanking me for saving your little Slayerette” He bit back a grin that was threatening to spread across his handsome face as he watched the Slayer’s mouth drop open just before she got that ‘I’m about to stake your ass’ look that he recognized so well.  He knew that for the sake of his unlife he really shouldn’t be goading her, but it was just so much bloody fun.

“Thank you?  Are you postal?  You deliberately claimed Willow so you could come back here without worrying about what the inside of a dust buster would look like”

“Oh please, Slayer, you haven’t been able to kill me for years now.  Besides I already took care of the Initiative as you bloody well know.  You going to thank me for that too?”

Angel could see this was going nowhere.  Strangely his wayward child and the Slayer had more in common than either one would admit to.  This argument could easily continue until the sun rose.  “That’s enough.  Spike, back off.  We are here to figure out what we can do to release Willow from the claim. Lets concentrate on that for now.”  He said quietly.

Spike was well aware of the state of Angel’s temper 100 years was long enough to learn when to mind your Sire, but he was just so stubborn he couldn’t help his next remark.  “There’s no bloody ‘releasing’ people.  Red’s coming with me.”

That was all the smart mouthing Angel’s demon could take and it unleashed itself with a vengeance.  Game face on he shot across the room to his childe curling one had around his throat before slamming him on to Giles’s bench top counter and pinning him there.  “You mind me boy, or I’ll make you beg me to give you your last death!” Angel snarled slamming Spike’s head hard enough back against the counter to pound a hole in the bench.

Suddenly each of the  humans in the room remembered why Angel had once been known as the Scourge of Europe for a century and at that moment not even the Slayer herself wanted to step in to pull Angel off Spike – although it appeared he had fully lost control and let his demon out to play.

Before anyone realized what was happening Willow had crossed the room to stand at Angel’s side.  Resting one small hand lightly on his arm she spoke softly “Please stop.”

Giles felt his heart lurch “Willow – no!” he cried in alarm as Angel snapped his head round to face the girl keeping a bone crushing grip on Spike the entire time.

Buffy too made an anxious move toward the trio terrified her best friend was about to be obliterated by the world’s deadliest vampire.

Angel shook his head slightly urging the demon down as he realized it was Willow standing helpless before him.  With an agonized growl and superhuman effort he let his game face slide and loosened his hold on his childe’s throat.  His demon had demanded the action he took against his disrespectful childe, it was imperative for Willow’s safety that he assert his dominance over Spike.  A Sire, even one as estranged from his Childe as he, still held the ultimate authority.  That authority extended to any bonded humans.  He needed to ensure Spike recognized he intended to exercise that authority.  Spike could challenge him, he had in the past, but Angel was confident he could dominate if the need arose.

The problem was that Willow would not physically tolerate extended absence from Spike now. Although she probably did not realize that just yet.  As much as everyone was going to protest Angel knew she would have to be allowed to leave with Spike.  The only way this could be done safely was with Angel taking on the true role of Sire and taking both Spike and Willow under his ‘care’.

Holding the golden gaze of his Childe who remained pinned to the bench top Angel spoke.  “Giles, Wes, keep looking for a way to release Willow or alter the terms of the claim.  You’re coming with me, boy.”  He ordered coldly before softening his tone and glancing at Willow.  “I’m sorry Willow, but you will have to come with us too.  I won’t let him hurt you.” He reassured as she took a tentative step away.

Willow didn’t like the idea at all.  Angel had suddenly taken on a chilling resemblance to Angelus, and at this point she was far more afraid of him than Spike.  Strangely though, she felt an urge to stay close to the younger vampire.  It was a confusing, almost primitive drive that easily overrode any rationalization her mind attempted.  She was going to have to do some serious reading on claims.  She had a sneaking suspicion the next few days would see her acting in ever increasing bizarre ways, that just weren’t Willowy at all.

Buffy looked on in alarm as Willow nodded once, prying Angel’s hand gently and wordlessly away from Spike’s throat before clutching his arm and peering intently into his blue eyes.  Spike appeared to understand her wordless question and replied with a nod of his own.

Angel suppressed a shiver as they both looked up at him accusingly.  He was starting to feel as if he had stepped back in time to when Dru and Spike has sulked after receiving the sharp end of his tongue or lash.  They had often sat holding each other and looking at him with injured eyes.

She helped Spike to his feet before following Angel obediently out of the front door, Spike trailing angrily behind glaring balefully up at the back of his Sire’s gelled head.

“No Buffy!” Giles cried softly placing a restraining hand on his Slayer’s shoulder as she started after the trio.  “Let them go.  Angel will ensure Willow’s safety until we can find a way to help her.”

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