Belly Up to the Bar

Author: Shanna

Parts: 21-30

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~Part: 21~

Spike sat in the back seat of the Great Poof-Mobile, arms crossed and glaring stakes in the back of his grand-sire's gelled head.  Angel and Wesley sat up front, the vampire behind the wheel.

"Why the bloody hell does a vampire need a convertible anyway?  Can't exactly head down to the beach with your surfboard and catch a tan.  Got a secret death wish, Peaches?  I could only hope."

"It's better than that jalopy you're still driving. How can you even see to drive through those windows?"

"It's a gift."  The blond growled as he tried to light his cigarette for the sixth time, but the wind continued to blow out his lighter.  "You bleedin' ponce!  You put the top down just so I couldn't smoke, didn't you?"

"Spike, I'm not as petty as you.  I put the top down because it's a nice night and I thought a little fresh air might do us some good."  Angel didn't try to suppress his smirk, knowing the younger vamp couldn't see it reflected in the rearview mirror.

"You're full of it ya big Poof!  First off, we don't breathe, so what's the sense in fresh air?  And come on, fresh air in LA?  Not since the time of the bleedin' gold rush!"

"Gentlemen," Wesley interrupted, "while I can appreciate your differences in opinion, I suggest we quiet ourselves.  We're here and I really think it best if we don't alert the demons. . .er, other demons, to our presence just yet.  The element of surprise is always a wise strategy.."

Spike rolled his eyes and leapt from the back of the car just as it rolled to a stop.  "Pop the trunk, Pops."

Angel gritted his teeth and for the tenth time during the car ride reconsidered his desire to have Spike stay with him in LA.  Unlocking the trunk, the three men removed their favored weapons.  Wesley tested the weight of a medium sized sword, parrying imagined thrusts and lunging at invisible opponents.

Spike looked heavenward to the Powers above as he hefted his battleaxe.  "How in the hell did I get stuck with these two Nancyboys?"  'Oh, right.  Red.' A goofy grin crossed his face as he remembered her laying beneath him, suckling at that pale neck, savoring such rich blood as he thrust in her wet tight center.  Her whispered 'I love you' earlier had sent his undead heart soaring.  He couldn't wait to get back to the witch, to crawl between the cool sheets and sink into her warm body again.  He just couldn't seem to get enough of his redhead.

Angel gripped his broadsword and shut the trunk, amused by the besotted look on the blonde's face. "Ready?"

The younger vampire frowned at the darker man, his contemplation of what he was going to do with Red when they got back to the hotel being interrupted.  "Just stay the hell out of my way, Peaches.  Watch a real vampire work."  He pushed past his grand-sire, making his way to the front door of the warehouse.

Angel and Wesley hurried to catch up with the strutting blond.  Angel gripped his shoulder and spun him around to face him.  "Spike, we're not going to rush in there without checking out the place first."

"Everything has to be your way, doesn't it Peaches," the blond snarled.  "Angel always gets his way. Bloody Poofter!  Doesn't matter what anybody else wants. . ."

"Spike," the older vampire hissed, "what are you ranting about now?"

"What am I ranting about?  You've got stones, Peaches. Big ones!"  Amber eyes flashed at Angel as the blond poked him in the chest roughly.

Wesley came running back quietly, winded.  "I saw at least a dozen of the Tildrib demons.  They all appear to be gathered around an altar.  I believe they are attempting to call forth their master, whoever or whatever it may be."

"Well, let's go take out the little buggers then, eh?"    Spike spun out of Angel's grip and stalked toward the warehouse again.

"Spike. . ." The older vampire once again ran to catch up to the blond.  The tension radiating off his form was palpable.  "Spike!"  He gripped the younger man's arm again only to have him spin to face him, eyes glowing amber, fangs elongated, brow ridged.

"You. Lied. To. Me," he gritted through his clenched fangs.

"Lied?  About what?"  Angel was confused.  It was obvious Spike was extremely upset.  He would have to be in order for him to lose such control over his demon.

"You told me you didn't care for her the way I do. You told me you cared about her, but not loved.  I heard you, you bastard.  You told her you loved her." Spike gripped Angel by the throat and squeezed tightly, only wishing that the Great Poof actually breathed so it would do some sort of harm.

Angel's eyes widened.  Had he really slipped that badly?  He remembered thinking it, but had he actually spoken the words to the sweet girl lying so trusting beneath two master vampires, offering up her blood to them?  Had he actually told Willow he loved her?

"Oh, damn," he mumbled.

"Thought maybe the cheerleader was off her fuckin' rocker.  Maybe she was just paranoid where Red was concerned after what happened between her and the moron when I kidnapped them.  But no, she was right. You're as head over fuckin' heels in love with her as I am, aren't you, you bastard?!"  Spike shook his grand-sire, his demon begging him to just tear his head off his shoulders.  "You just can't bear the thought of her with me.  You can't stand the idea the I have something you want.  Why can't I just have someone of my own once without you interfering?"

The blonde's demon face receded, and his blue eyes reflected a sadness.  "Why can't you just let her love me?"

"Spike, I never meant. . ."

"I can understand why you love her," the blond said softly.  "What moron wouldn't?  I mean besides the moron.  She has a fire in her that draws a bloke in, you know?"

"Spike, I never meant to hurt you like this.  I do care about Willow, maybe more than I was willing to admit in the past.  But I care about you too."

Wesley, sensing a serious conversation between the two vampires, shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other.  "Right, well, I'll go do a little more recon, then while you gentlemen discuss. . .your issues."  He turned and took off back toward the warehouse.

"Right.  Care about me?  Since when?  You went and got all soul-havin' and it was so long Spike, hello redemption.  Redemption!  Bah!  Fine lot of good it did you.  Still skulkin' around in the dark broodin' over a past you can't change.  At least Angelus knew how to have a bit of fun.  And he cared about us, me and Dru.  We were his childer.  His family.  Dru made me but you were my Sire.  You deserted us, left us with Darla.  And let me tell you, that bloody bint was in a fine state after you left.  Rantin' and beatin' every fledge, minion and childer in sight, all brassed off because the fates had ripped her Angelus away, her boy."

"I didn't know.  I thought you wouldn't want me around," Angel lowered his eyes, feeling guilt for deserting the two vampires he created, he molded, his childer.

"You should have bloody well asked then!  If you thought Dru was bad before you left, she went right over the fuckin' edge once her daddy was gone. Started punishin' her dolls 'cause they told her you weren't comin' back.  Said they told her you didn't love us anymore."

Angel's head shot up.  "I *never* stopped loving you and Dru.  You always were and always will be my childer, soul or not.  Nothing can change that."

"You've got a funny way of showin' it.  Helpin' the Slayer try to off me and Dru when we first showed up in Sunnyhell.  I was only tryin' to help her.  She was weak after that mob got a hold of her in Prague. She's family.  We stick together, or so I thought. . ."

Spike broke off when Angel pulled him close, vamped and sunk his fangs into the blonde's neck, drinking deeply.  The younger vamp stiffened in surprise at first, then relaxed into his grand-sire's embrace, feeling his blood flow into Angel's mouth.  The dark haired man lapped at the wound before leaning back and staring into surprised blue eyes.  "Mine.  Always. Forever."

"Yours," Spike whispered, feeling his demon bow to the dominance of his grand-sire.  Feeling the older man drink from him was reassuring, a claiming of familial ties, reasserting his acceptance and connection with the blond.  The younger vamp's eyes widened as he watched Angel unbutton his shirt and pull the collar aside, baring his neck to his grand-childe.

"Drink, William," Angel commanded softly.

Spike looked at Angel like a puppy being teased with its favorite toy, afraid it would be ripped from within his reach at the last second.  He morphed and slowly, reverently slid his fangs into his grand-sire's neck, drawing out the cool rich blood. This was not a ceremony to cement a promise.  This was a sire renewing his bond with a childe.  A sire offering a childe his blood was the greatest honor and comfort one could receive.  Spike felt his grand-sire's hand cupping the back of his head gently and shivered as the single word whispered in his ear penetrated his cautious joy.  "Yours."

Lifting his head the blond looked up into sincere brown eyes.  "Mine," he whispered, questioning the older man.

"Always," Angel replied softly.

"Sire. . .," Spike began, only to be interrupted by Wesley running up to the vampires, panting.

"Too late."  The former watcher doubled over, trying to catch his breath.

Angel frowned at his coworker.  "Too late?  What do you mean?"

"They raised it."  *pant* *gasp*

"Raised what, you bloody prat?"  Spike grumbled at the other Brit.

"Zagordona demon.  Large, 9" tall," *pant* "blue scales," *gasp* "venomous claws."

"Damn!  Let's go!"  The two vampires took off running toward the warehouse.  Wesley wheezed for air, rolled his head back, then took off after the two.

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

The fight was a viscous one.  The dozen Tildrib demons Wesley saw were only the ones used in the ceremony to raise their Master.  There were another two dozen or so that had wandered in from other parts of the warehouse to pay homage to their newly risen Lord.

By the time the vampires and the former watcher had crashed into the warehouse approximately forty of the small demons surrounded the large Zagordona demon in the middle of the room.  The Tildribs didn't have any special abilities.  They just had really, really sharp teeth, almost a Chihuahua with a Doberman attitude, if you would.

The battle raged as the Zagordona ordered his mini-minions to attack and destroy the intruders that dared to crash the ancient ceremony calling him forth. The three men had cut a wide path through the smaller demons and were approaching the true danger looming large in the center of the remaining Tildribs.

Angel caught movement out of the corner of his eyes and spotted one of the minions hurl a sharp piece of broken plank from one of the crates at Spike.  Lunging toward his grand-childe, everything seemed to go in slow motion.  Yelling "No!" at the top of his lungs, he pushed the blond out of the way, only to feel the wood penetrate his upper back.

The two vampires collapsed to the floor, the force of Angel's lunge taking them down.

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

On the other side of LA, Willow was enjoying a relaxing bubble bath.  The stress of the last few days had caught up with her, especially after her phone call back to Sunnydale.  Running a soapy loofa over her leg, she hummed tunelessly to herself, feeling the tension ease away in the warm water.  She silently reminded herself to thank Cordelia for the use of her bath products as she blew a cluster of bubbles from the back of her hand as she squeezed out the loofa. Her former classmate had told her to help herself before heading out the door for her date, "with a guy that's really cute, so he's probably either gay or married, but it's dinner and the new Matt Damon movie, so who am I to say no?"

Suddenly she was hit with a terrible sensation of dread.  Sitting up in the tub, water sloshing around her, the redhead felt tears fill her eyes.  "Angel!" Gasping as she felt the air whoosh from her lungs, the witch struggled to pull herself from the tub, sobbing quietly.  Something was wrong.  Something was really, really wrong.

Not bothering to dry off, Willow threw on her pink robe before she padded downstairs in search of the first aid kit Wesley had showed her.  She only hoped it wasn't too late for her to use it.

~Part: 22~

Willow fidgeted nervously in the lobby, checking and rechecking the contents of the first aid kit. Goddess, where are they?  She kept looking at the clock hanging on the wall.  It had been at least twenty minutes since she felt something happen. 'Where *are* they?'

She still felt it, that overwhelming sense of dread. For the sixth time in as many minutes she checked the clock again.  'Where the heck are they?'

Suddenly the door burst open and Spike and Wesley dragged in a bloodied Angel between the two of them.

"Oh, Goddess!  What happened to him?  How bad is it?" The redhead gripped the first aid kit like a lifeline and followed the men as they carried the dark vampire to his room, laying him face down on the bed.

Willow's eyes shifted from Angel's blood soaked shirt to Spike and for the first time realized there were tears in his eyes.  "Spike, are you ok?"

"Stupid bastard pushed me out of the way.  Shoulda been me, Red," a pink watery tear rolled down his pale cheek and she gave him a quick reassuring hug.

"He'll be ok.  Are you hurt?"

"Just a few nicks.  Nothin' serious.  He's bad, Red. The stake's close to the heart and he's lost a lot of blood," the blond vampire's voice caught in his throat.

Realizing Spike wasn't going to be much help in his current state, Willow turned her attention to the former watcher.  "Wesley, what happened?"  She moved closer to the bed, watching as the man tore Angel's shirt down the middle, revealing his back and a thick piece of wood protruding from it.  The redhead gasped. There was so much blood.

"We arrived a bit late, I'm afraid," Wesley murmured, trying to wipe most of the blood away with a towel he found drying on the hamper.

"Late?  I don't understand,"  Willow evaluated the situation and knelt on the bed next to Angel's prone body, examining the crude but effective stake ensconced in his back.

"The Tildrib demons raised their master before we could all get inside to stop them from calling it forth.  There were. . .unforeseen delays.  I underestimated the number of demons and then we had to fight a Zagordona demon on top of them.  One of the Tildribs threw a piece of a crate at Spike and Angel pushed him out of the way, taking it in his back." Wesley's hands trembled as he took the blood soaked towel into the bathroom, throwing it in the tub. Returning to the room, he looked at Willow with serious eyes.  "We need to get it out and he needs blood.  Quickly."

Willow nodded her acknowledgment, a plan forming in her head.  She turned to the dazed vampire at her side.  "Spike, I need you to go downstairs and heat up a few mugs of blood for Angel.  He's going to need it."  She turned her attention to Wesley who had returned to stand next to the bed, gazing down with a squeamish look on his face.  "Wesley, I'll need you to hold him down while I pull the wood out."

Willow turned to look back at Spike who was still staring at his grand-sire.  "Spike, go.  Now."  She gave him a gentle shove toward the door.

Shaking himself free of his reverie, he pulled himself up straight.  "Right.  Blood.  Be right back."

Willow waited until he left the room to kneel on the bed again, watching as Wesley moved in to grip the unconscious vampire's shoulders and pin his legs with his own.  "Ready," she asked.

With a nod of his head, the young witch gripped the end of the wood and tugged hard.  It pulled free and more blood gushed around the opening.  Willow quickly applied one of the fresh towels the watcher had brought forth from the bathroom to the open wound, hoping to stem the flow of blood.

"Did you get it all," Wesley asked, watching the vampire's blood soak through the towel being used as a compress to stain the redhead's hands.

"I won't be able to tell until the bleeding slows. There might be some splinters, but I think I got the worst of it."  The redhead bit her lower lip, feeling the coolness of Angel's blood soaking through the towel and coating her fingers.  "It should start to heal now, right?  I mean I think I got most if not all of the wood out."

"Depends on how big the splinters are and how close to the heart the wound is.  Since he's lost a lot of blood, that will slow the healing' process too," Spike informed them, walking back into the room with two large mugs of heated blood.  There was no animosity in his tone for once when speaking of the older vampire and the witch raised her eyebrow at him.

Willow changed towels, tossing the blood soaked one at Wesley to dispose of.  'At least it's black and won't show the bloodstains,' she thought with a semi-hysterical giggle.

Both men watched her cautiously.  "Sorry," she said softly.  She noticed this towel wasn't seeping as much blood.  She hoped that was because he was beginning to heal and not because there wasn't much blood left to bleed out.

Pressing the towel firmly to his back, she asked Wesley to help her roll him on his back.  "Spike, bring the blood over here.  We've got to get him to drink it."

Willow took the shreds of Angel's shirt into the bathroom, tossing it in the wastebasket and washed her hands free of his blood.  She grabbed a washcloth, dampened it and headed back into the bedroom where she found Spike forcing the second mug of blood between a vamped out Angel's lips.  The demon in him mindlessly guzzled the warmed pig's blood, hungry after such a large blood loss.

"He'll need more," the redhead murmured, walking over and rubbing Spike's back in soothing circles.

"I'll go heat up another couple of mugs."  The blond stood, collecting the now two empty cups and turned back to his grand-sire, lying there, paler than usual and grimacing as his body began to heal itself. "Thanks, Peaches.  For . . .everything."  He turned at the slight nod from the older man and left for the kitchen again.

"Angel," Willow asked, moving to sit on the edge of his bed, "how are you feeling?"

"Pretty weak.  But once I get some more blood I'll be fine."  He looked up at his coworker.  "Wes, are you all right?"

"I fear the adrenaline's wearing off now," the prim man responded, swaying on his feet.

Willow hurried to his side and helped guide him to one of the rooms down the hall where he assured her he simply needed a shower and to sit down, not necessarily in that order.

She then made her way back to the bedroom, finding Angel laying there, shirtless, his pants covered in blood and looking more handsome than he had a right to in his condition.  "Here, let me help you get cleaned up," she said shyly.

Angel's eyes followed the witch silently around the room as she move to collect the washcloth she abandoned earlier and moved to kneel at his side on the bed again.  With gentle hands she washed away the streaks of blood on his pale defined chest.  She squeezed her legs together as she watched his nipples tighten in reaction to the roughness of the terry on his skin.

"Your pants," she whispered softly, blushing.

"What about them," Angel asked, noticing the pink steal up her cheeks.

"They're covered in blood.  If you can lift up, I can help you out of them. . .or if you can do it yourself. . ."

"Help me, then?"  Angel smothered a grin, wanting to interrupt before she got going in a full blown babble, but he could appreciate the blush.  He thought it was adorable.

What started out as a way to tease her into blushing quickly took a more serious turn as he felt her fingers graze his stomach when she gripped the waistband to unbutton his pants and lower the zipper. Angel's eyes flashed amber briefly and his abdomen fluttered at her touch.  Careful not to pull down his boxers as well, Willow worked the material down his legs and removed his shoes before slipping his pants off.

She looked back up at him.  "Roll over and I'll clean off your back too."

Angel complied, laying on his stomach, shivering as he felt her light and gentle touch washing away the drying blood from the now closed wound.  "It's gone. Just a big pink scar's left," she murmured, admiring the expanse of his smooth back.

"I know.  I could feel it healing.  I need more blood, though.  I wish Spike would hurry."  Angel looked at Willow over his shoulder, hunger in his eyes.

The redhead calculated in her head.  It had been several hours since he and Spike had fed from her. She was sure she could spare him a pint or two until the blond got back with his mugs refilled.

"Angel, why don't you just. . ."  Willow motioned to her neck, pulling the robe away to reveal a set of bite marks.  "Walking talking blood bank here, remember?"

"Willow, I'd be afraid to try right now.  I'm weak and hungry.  The demon could hurt you."

"I trust you, Angel," she said softly, moving to help him roll over on his back.  She helped him sit up against a mound of pillows leaning back on the headboard, then assessed the situation.  Nodding her head when she felt she had found the best solution, the witch straddled the near naked vampire and tugged the neckline of her robe down to expose her neck and shoulder.

"No.  Not there," he protested.  When Willow looked at him in confusion, he leveled a serious look at her. "It would be easy to take too much from there, near the jugular."

"Then where," she asked, looking down at her wrist and arm as a possibility.  The redhead never saw his hand reach up tug at the neckline of her robe, parting it to reveal her upper chest and the rise of her breasts.

"Here," Angel whispered softly, running a the back of a knuckle over the creamy skin, admiring the silky texture.

"Oh.  You're sure. . .," she questioned softly.  At his nod, she tugged her robe closer together, blushing a deep pink when she remembered she hadn't thrown on anything under her robe in her rush to get downstairs earlier.  She shrugged her shoulders until the robe had fallen about the middle of her arms, better exposing the tops of her breasts.  Gripping the gown with one hand, she leaned the other against the headboard for balance and bent forward, feeling Angel reach up and gently grip her sides and pull her close until she was pressed against his face.  She felt the ridges appear against her chest, then the pinprick of his fangs slip into her soft flesh.

As he drank from her, Angel felt her power and energy filter into his body, restoring him more than any pig's blood ever could.  Human blood would always heal his kind faster, souled demon or not.

His grip on the woman in his arms changed, moving from gentle to desperate.  He pulled her to him so that her body straddled his more closely.  His head buzzed from her blood, her warmth.  Angel began thrusting up against her center, only the thin material of his boxers separating them.  He heard her soft gasp as it slid into a moan.  Their mingling scents of arousal flooded his senses as he heard her heartbeat increase and shortly she began meeting his thrusts, pressing down onto his silk encased hardness.

Willow's head fell back and her eyes fluttered closed, letting the sensations wash over her quivering body. She felt Angel's arousal rocked tightly against her and welcomed the friction.  The redhead's world began to spin when she felt a cool touch manipulating her clit, exploring her wet slit and delving into her slick channel.  When her world righted itself again, the witch was disoriented.  She was staring at the ceiling and Angel was above her, gazing down at her with lust filled amber eyes.  Despite his demon's appearance, she could see the soul deep in those eyes.

The words were muffled and sounded odd spoken from between bloodstained fangs and lips.  "I need you."

"I need you too," she moaned helplessly, her body's hormones raging, demanding more.  Cool hands lightly rubbed her fingers still clutching her robe together. Relaxing her grip, Willow felt the soft material part, revealing her aroused body to the vampire above her.

Willow blinked and when her eyes opened once again, he was gone from her initial line of vision.  "Angel?"

Turning her head, she found him standing next to the bed, shucking his boxers.  Willow's eyes widened at the site of his erect uncircumcised cock.  While not as lengthy as Spike, Angel had him beat in girth. The redhead felt a bolt of desire rocket through her aroused body as she watched the vampire crawl up between her legs, pressing them further apart. "Angel, are you ok?  I mean, you did lose a lot of blood.  Maybe we should. . ."

The demon stared down at her again.  "Need you," it repeated firmly.  He leaned in close, dragging his fangs over the rise and swell of her breast, scraping the nipple and leaving a thin line of blood in his wake.  His tongue slowly circled the new wound and lapped at the warm fluid.

The witch arched into his touch, feeling the slight sting, then the soothing touch of his tongue.  She was so focused on the delight his mouth was causing that she was surprised to feel the pressure between her legs, looking down to watch as Angel eased himself into her wet center.

The vampire shuddered as he felt Willow's heat surround him.  He slid slowly into her tight body, rocking his hips, he gently pushed himself deeper until he was encased in her slick tunnel.  He felt silky legs drape over his hips and continued drawing designs on her chest, neck and shoulders with his canines, grazing her flesh just enough to draw the slightest amount of blood.

When Angel finally felt Willow move beneath him, thrusting up toward his body, he thought he'd died and finally found his redemption and maybe this was to be his heaven.  Their bodies moved together in an age old rhythm.  Willow's hands lightly traced the scar she could still feel on his back.  She had come so close to losing him tonight.  So close to losing them both, since the stake had been meant for Spike.  The panting redhead pulled his mouth away from breast where the vampire had been scraping his fang over her already swollen nipple.  Lips pressed tightly together and tongues dueled.

Angel's hands slide beneath the witch, lifting her up, giving him a better angle to sink deeper into her welcoming warmth.  This felt right, as if he found where he belonged.  And that was in the arms of a certain redheaded siren moving so sensually beneath him.  Her fingers gripped his sac and rubbed his cool flesh, causing the vampire to growl and accidentally slice her tongue on his canine.  The blood seeping from the small wound called to the demon, and he suckled it, greedy to taste more of her.

Angel's thrusts quickened, and though he tried to be gentle, remembering she was human and not a vampire or a slayer, his body drove her into the mattress again and again.  Willow arched her back and moaned softly, holding him close, feeling him bury his face in her neck and begin drinking of her again.  When she opened her eyes, she found Spike standing in the doorway, two mugs of blood in hand, his face expressionless.

"Spike," she whispered, holding out a hand to him. Afraid he was angry or hurt at seeing her with Angel like this, but unable to stop, she said what she felt he needed to hear, what she needed him to hear.  "I need you too."

The blond walked further into the room, watching his grand-sire's pale body thrusting into his witch.  Her eyes were glazed with passion and need, but she was still reaching for him, even with Angel there, with her, in her.  He sat the mugs of blood on the night stand and sat on the edge of the bed, leaning forward and kissing her softly.  "I'm right here, Red," he murmured against her lips.  A hand roamed her soft body, cupping her breast and squeezing gently.

Angel looked up, meeting Spike's gaze.  "Ours," he murmured, leaning forward to kiss the blond, sharing their witch's blood between them.

"Ours," the younger vampire nodded.  Both turned golden eyes on the aroused woman beneath them.

She reached up, her hand behind Spike's neck and pulled him down for a deep kiss.  "Mine," she whispered fiercely.  Next she looked up at Angel who continued moving within her throbbing center and pulled him to her lips for a repeat kiss.  "Mine," she nodded emphatically at both men.

"Yours," they agreed with amused smiles.

Angel suddenly growled, his body reaching its breaking point, his thrusts becoming irregular and harsh. Spike sensed his grand-sire's near release and reached between the two new lovers and stimulated Willow's clit, kissing her to muffle her moans as she tensed under his ministrations and came.  Her tight heat clenching around his swollen cock sent the elder vampire over the edge, his cool release flooding her womb as his fangs opened two new wounds on her breast.

The witch felt her orgasm thunder through her, leaving her shaking and weak as a kitten.  Angel's weight shifted, relieving her of the pressure, making it easier to breathe.  She could still feel his lips and tongue tracing his marks on her pale flesh, then the bed shifted again.

Willow's eyes fluttered open to find Spike, now naked kneeling between her limp thighs, smirking down at his Red.  "My turn, pet."

He bent down and kissed her gently as he thrust into her warm wetness, sheathing himself to the hilt. Other hands tenderly caressed her exposed skin, and a second cool mouth pressed tender kisses along her scorching hot flesh.

"Spike, Angel. . .," she groaned their names, sending shivers down two undead spines.  The blond watched the redhead lying under him lose herself in their touches, moving with wild abandon, pulling both men close, kissing each again.  Her small fragile hands touched their cool flesh and made them burn.

The younger vamp watched as his grand-sire cupped her breasts, teasing those delightful pink tips into taut swollen peaks.  Willow gasped her pleasure and pressed her body into his touch.  Her body shuddered beneath him and he felt her orgasm hit an instant before her cry filled the air.  He followed her, growling as he felt the tension release from his body with a deep thrust and the eruption of his cock inside her warm welcoming body.  Spike sank his fangs into her neck and drank deeply of his Red and shook with pleasure and surprise as he felt her teeth sink into his shoulder hard enough to leave a substantial bruise on a human.

The redhead lay quivering between the two vampires in Angel's bed, exhausted and sated.

"Pet, you ok?"  Spike brushed her hair away from her sweaty brow and looked into her semi-closed eyes.

"Never better," Willow mumbled.  "Just tired.  Very tired."

"Sleep now, Willow.  We'll talk in the morning," Angel murmured against her hair.

"K," she replied, kissing each before snuggling close to Spike's chest with Angel spooned at her back. 'Life was good', she thought as she drifted off to sleep, 'in a weird Hellmouthy kinda way.'

~Part: 23~

Angel and Spike looked down at the sleeping woman between them, a warm body to heat their cool flesh. The blond pressed soft kisses to the top of her head, cradled on his chest, while the dark vampire nuzzled her neck and caressed the curve of her hip.

"I don't know what I did to deserve her, Sire, but I'm not lookin' a gift horse in the mouth," Spike murmured, his fingers tangling in red silky tresses, watching it slip through his fingers like flowing water.

"Neither of us deserve her, but you're right.  I thank the Powers That Be for bringing her back into my life," Angel replied softly, unwilling to waken their sleeping witch.  "For bringing you both to me," he whispered, looking up into surprised blue eyes.  "Why do you look so surprised?  I told you that you were my favorite, William.  Delia and Wesley are great friends, but they don't understand the demon in me. The vampire part of me frightens them.  It gets lonely, not being able to show a side of yourself without smelling fear.  But with you and even Willow, you accept it."

"She does accept the demon, in both of us.  I don't understand it, but I can feel it.  Most chits would take one look at the fangs and scream for their soddin' mums, but not Red.  I can see it in her eyes when she touches my face, my fangs."  The blond shivered at the remembered way she caressed his ridges and licked his sharp canines.

Both vampires were quiet for a short period, caressing Willow as she slept deeply.  Spike tore his gaze from his fiery witch to look at Angel, whose eyes were also trained on the steady rise and fall of her chest, lightly tracing one of his bite marks on her breast. "Thank you, Sire," the blond whispered.

Brown eyes raised to meet Spike's vulnerable gaze. "For what, William," he asked gently.

"For tonight, and I don't just mean savin' my undead hide.  For reclaimin' me, for the bond.  For not leavin' me out in the cold with Red."

"She loves you.  I don't think I could ban you from her if I wanted too."  Angel smirked at the young vampire as he lifted a lock of fiery red.  "Red hair," he said softly.

A small smile touched Spike's generous lips.  "She can be a stubborn little thing, can't she?  'Specially when she gets that Resolve Face goin'.  Chubs won't mess with her and even the idiot Slayer knows better than to try."

Angel's smile faded to a serious glance at the blond. "As for the bond, it's always been there, Spike. You just decided to tune it out, ignore it.  I didn't know if you still wanted it or not."

The younger vampire felt a wave of wishy washy human emotion begin rolling in on him and decided he needed to put a stop to it before he started babbling like his witch.  "I do, not why don't you get some rest? You look pale. . .even for you.  You did lose a lot of blood."

"I am feeling tired.  Maybe just a quick forty winks before I go down and do some paperwork and check on Wesley."

Spike smirked as he watched his grand-sire slip into a deep sleep almost immediately.  'Nah, he won't be up anytime soon.'  He looked back and forth between the two people in the bed, the two most important people in the bloody world to him, before closing his own eyes and dozing off, curled up with a warm little witch in his arms.

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

Willow awoke to cool lips pressing soft kisses along her neck and jaw.  Green eyes fluttered open and squinted in confusion as she realized she wasn't in her room, but Angel's.  'How did I get. . .ohhhh!!!' Willow's eyes widened as she remembered sharing the bed with the two vampires curled up around her even now.  'The bed wasn't the only thing they had shared,' she thought, blushing a deep crimson.

She turned her face to see a bleached blond head gliding down to close full lips around a pink nipple, suckling lightly.  A rough tongue rasped over the tip, causing her to moan softly and cup the back of the tousled head.  Amused blue eyes looked up at her.

'Mornin', luv.  How ya feelin'?"

"Spike," she began only to gasp when she felt his dexterous fingers move between her legs, manipulating her soft damp folds and the small nubbin hidden within.

"Did anyone ever tell you how beautiful you are in the mornin', pet?"  The blond slid further up the bed to press a lingering kiss on her parted lips.  "That you make the naughtiest sounds when you get all heated and warm to my touch?"  He slipped 2 fingers into her slick center, gently gliding them back and forth as his thumb rubbed her clit in slow circles.  Soft pants of pleasure escaped the redhead's lips, making Spike smile again.  "See what I mean?"

Willow arched her back and her arm bumped something solid and cool.  Looking over, she saw Angel laying there, his head on the pillow, eyes narrow golden slits as he watched the interaction between the two lovers.  His hand slid along her arm, to her waist and caressed her hip and thigh smoothly before leaning closer to rain kisses over her neck and shoulder.

The blush that stained her body started at the top of her head and reached down past her nipples.  Willow felt her stomach jump and her head pound slightly. The symptoms were becoming quite familiar and looking at the clock on the night stand she calculated she had been sleeping for at least five hours.  She felt as if she had just fallen asleep.  "It's time again, isn't it?"

Spike kissed her gently again.  "Why not let Peaches have a taste?  He's still lookin' a bit peaked from last night's spot o' violence."

Willow turned her head to look at the dark vampire. "Angel, are you feeling all right?"  She brought a hand up to cup his face that did indeed look a bit drawn and tired.

"I'm fine, Willow," he answered with a reassuring smile.  "Just a little weak still."

"Oooohhhhhhhh!"  Willow's reply was drawn out into a long moan as Spike's fingers found 'the' spot causing her body to arch up in delight.

The blonde's husky chuckle made her shudder with pleasure as he turned her on the bed to face his grand-sire.  Willow's eyes fluttered in confusion until she felt Spike spoon in behind her, lifting her right leg back to rest on his, raising it slightly. Angel moved closer and pressed her body tightly back against the younger vampire.

The elder vampire lowered his mouth to her neck, nuzzling and nipping a wet trail until he found a set of marks.  Gently, he slid his fangs into her warm flesh and groaned as her blood hit his taste buds. Angel shifted closer, rocking his growing erection against her thigh as he drank from the redhead and his hand traveled about her warm soft flesh.

Spike saw the pleasure cross her face, and replaced his fingers with his pale swollen cock, his head falling back when he felt Willow's heat engulf his cool length.  One hand rested on her hip, pulling her back onto his erection as he began his slow steady thrusts.  The other slid beneath her and cupped one breast, teasing her nipple to a tight pebble.

Angel's hand was roaming her body as well, reaching between them to lightly caress the swollen nub between her legs, smiling against her neck as he felt the dampness there and heard her soft cry of pleasure at his touch.  He suckled slow and long on her neck, the witch's hot blood setting his body on fire and strengthening it.  His erection pressed tight to her stomach as he moved his hips back and forth, trying to gain some friction.  When he felt a warm hand grasp his length, amber eyes flickered open to look up at lust filled green.

The dark vampire raised his head from her neck and kissed the redhead passionately, moaning against her mouth as her hand stroked his swollen member.  Spike leaned forward and laved at the open bite on his Red's neck, suckling it to keep up the flow of blood that only spurred on his lust for the witch.

Angel pulled back to look at Willow's flushed face. Her lips were full and wet, her eyes glazed with desire as she moved sensually against her two vampiric lovers.  "Feel better," she asked him breathlessly, her body on fire from their hands, their lips.

The older vampire chuckled and leaned forward to kiss her lightly.  "Much better now," he replied against her lips.

Willow's passion was spiraling out of control.  Her need to feel both men within her a desperate urge she couldn't ignore.  She whimpered lightly and stroked Angel's length faster and thrust back urgently against Spike.  "I need you," she panted.  "I need you both, please."

Spike and Angel looked at each other over her shoulder.  "Pet, are you sure," the blond within her wet heat asked, continuing his deep slow thrusts.

She nodded her head emphatically, her body rocked with need.  "I. . .I can't explain it.  I just. . .please, I need you both so much."  Her one hand reached back, pulling Spike forward for a deep sensual kiss.  The other cupped the back of Angel's head and pulled him forward as well.  Upon releasing the blonde's lips, she turned her attention to those of the dark vampire.

With silent communication, their little threesome was rolled so that Angel lay on the bottom with Willow atop him and Spike, still thrusting slowly within her, upon them both.  Angel grasped her hips and raised her up, releasing the blond and observing the need in her eyes as he lowered her onto his rampant cock.  He felt her shiver of delight as he filled her tight tunnel. Once he was sheathed within her, she looked over her shoulder at Spike.

"We need to take it easy, pet.  Have you ever. . .?" The question faded off as his fingers found her other entrance, tight and puckered, and caressed her gently.

"No, but I need you Spike.  Please."  She thrust down and back, taking Angel deep into her depths.  He hissed slightly, his hands gripping her hips as he thrust up slowly.

The younger vampire leaned forward and kissed her swollen lips.  "Whatever you need, luv."  His finger began rubbing gently, causing her to shiver as new nerve endings were teased into awareness.  Lubricating his finger with her own wetness, he began gently easing a finger into the tight ring, all the while leaning forward and kissing her back and whispering words of comfort, trying to relax her body.

Willow's world was out of control.  She felt so much, so sharply.  Each feeling was multiplied ten times over.  Was it because of her bonds with the two vampires?  Was it the blood?  Or was the sex really just that good?  She laughed softly to herself, thinking that maybe it was a combination of all three. Then Angel began thrusting up into her, pulling her down for a long deep kiss.

Her next moment of awareness came when she felt the probing head of Spike's cock slip gently within her tight body.  She shivered and tensed.  Angel pressed soft kisses along her neck and massaged her back in circles trying to ease her tension.  Then they were moving together, undulating in perfect rhythm with one another.  Willow had never felt so complete.  There was mild discomfort to begin with, but now. . .now she never wanted these sensations to end.

Spike thrust gently within his witch, reaching forward and cupping her breasts, pulling her back against him. Looking down he could see Angel's tense face, eyes flashing from coffee brown to amber.  He knew his grand-sire was close and if Red didn't quit clenching her muscles around him like she was, he wouldn't last much longer either.

The explosion within took her by surprise.  Willow arched her back and tossed her head back, feeling her entire being shudder with the release that snuck up on her.  "Oh, Goddess!!!!"

Her body convulsed around them both and Spike and Angel buried themselves within her warmth before burying their fangs in her neck, one on either side. Their growls accompanied the release of their orgasms as Willow's blood flowed down their throats.  Three bodies collapsed bonelessly onto the mattress, the vampires lazily nuzzling their bites and shaking hands caressed their panting human lover gently.

Both were surprised to hear the faint sniffling coming from their redhead, and the smell of her tears caused both to frown at one another.

"Pet, I didn't hurt you, did I?  Willow?  Please answer me, luv."  Spike began to worry when she only sobbed harder and buried her face in Angel's chest.

"Willow, please, *did* we hurt you?"  Angel knew it. They were too rough with her.  In the heat of passion they had somehow forgotten that she was a mere mortal and had hurt her.  He felt a terrific brood coming on for harming this sweet redhead laying sprawled across his body, his own length still sheathed within her yet trembling core.

Spike turned her face and kissed the salty tear tracks making their way down her flushed cheeks.  "Please, pet, tell Spike what's wrong."

She wouldn't meet either of their eyes and kept trying to look away, but neither vampire would let her.  "Oh, Goddess, what's wrong with me?"

"Willow, what do you mean?"  Angel's brow furrowed.

"How could I. . .with both of you?   And I practically *begged* you both to. . .oh, Goddess!"

"Pet, it's all right.  Look, we can talk about this, just don't cry, please.  Oh, bloody hell, don't cry!" He felt so hopeless.  "Just tell me what you think's wrong with you."

Willow raised shameful eyes and glanced at them both, lower lip quivering, eyes full of tears.  "Oh, Goddess," she wailed, "I'm nothing but a skanky ho!!!"

~Part: 24~

Both men looked at Willow in surprise.

"Willow, you're not a, uh, skanky ho, anything but," Angel protested.

"I am," she sobbed softly, nodding her head emphatically, her eyes filled with shame.  "I begged you both to. . .to do this."

"Not like you're hearing us complain, pet," Spike tried in his own way to reassure her, earning a glare from Angel over Willow's shoulder.

"See, this is normal for vampires, right?  All this sex and stuff.  I mean you guys and Dru and probably Darla used to. . . But I'm human.  I shouldn't be doing this kind of thing.  Oh Goddess, I'm a bad Jerry Springer show topic.  Mortal girl takes on two vampire lovers for kinky threesome of sex and bloodsucking, today at five!"  The witch's eyes went from shamed to horrified.  "Oh, no!  I'm as bad as my evil vamp self. Next thing you know I'll be calling you both Puppy and riding you like ponies!"

Spike raised his eyebrows and opened his mouth to inquire about her last statement, but was cut off with "Don't say a word, Spike," from Angel.  The elder vampire turned his attention to the sobbing redhead after warning his grand-childe.  "Willow, little one, please listen to me.  Yes, it's true vampires are a little more free with their sexuality.  Multiple partners in a clan is not uncommon and most are bisexual. . ."

"Speak for yourself, ya bloody poof," Spike grumbled.

"I'll debate that with you at a later time, William," Angel growled softly.  "Your memory seems to have failed you."

The blond glared at the brunette as he gently rubbed his witch's back soothingly.  "Pet, it's not like you're the only human in the world to have ever done somethin' like this.  And you know this isn't just sex, right?  You know Peaches and I care for you, love you."  Spike leaned forward and kissed the corner of her mouth and in a lowered voice asked, "And it felt good, too, didn't it sweets?"

Willow shuddered at the seductive tone of his voice, but refused to be swayed so easily from her guilt. "Just because it feels good doesn't mean it's right. I come here, to LA, and almost instantly hop into the sack with the two of you.  What does that say about me?"

"Willow," Angel began, lightly rubbing her tense shoulders, "do you care about Spike and me?  When you said you loved us, did you mean it?  Was it all a lie? Are you just using *us* for sex?"

The redhead sat up straight, appalled at the dark vampire's words.  In the process, she wound up head butting the bleached blond behind her.  Both gripped their heads and complained in unison, "Ow!"

"Of course not, Angel," Willow began, still rubbing the tender spot just above and behind her ear that caught Spike's forehead.  "You know I care about you both.  I do love the two of you. . .I'm just not sure how deep it is," she admitted softly.  "I already told you, everything's happened so fast since I got here and sometimes I just feel so confused and think that maybe my emotions are being swayed by the sex, because it is really good.  Or maybe it's the bonds I have with you and Spike.  Or maybe it really is *love*, love and I'm just too scared to look so closely at it, because I don't know if I'm ready for an eternal kind of commitment.  I mean Spike's told me about the eternal mate thingy and eternity is, well, it's a long time.  But I still can't believe that we. . .that the three of us. . .uh, you know. . .because the *three* of us, well, it just isn't right.  And I practically jumped you both.  Oh Goddess, I've only been here for a few days with you and my morals are just dropping like flies!  I'm turning into Anya," she gasped, horrified.

When her lower lip started quivering again Angel sat up and hugged her close, not only to comfort her, but also to distract himself from the enticing image the redhead presented him with siting astride him naked. He didn't think now was the appropriate time for an erection, which Willow would easily pick up on, considering their position.

"Red, morals are highly overrated," Spike murmured against her ear, lightly massaging her shoulders.

"Spike," Angel began to protest his grand-childe's line of thinking.

"No, Peaches, just hear me out.  Willow, back in my time, a woman was considered morally bankrupt if she left a soiree to go onto the balcony to steal a kiss with a suitor.  Not even a grope, just a kiss.  Women whose skirts ever rose above their ankles were considered, what's the term you used?"

"Ho's," she sniffled miserably.

"Right, ho's.  In Peaches' time women showed quite a bit of ti. . .uh, cleavage, but in my day, if you could see an inch of skin below the high necked outfits they wore, she was loose.  In the 1950's good girls didn't.  In the 1960's some good girls did.  In the 1970's most good girls did and if LSD was involved, they most likely had a love-in goin'. Listen Red, times change, morals change, but as long as there's love and feelings between the parties involved what's the harm?  You said you loved us.  We told you we loved you.  How can this be wrong?"

The redhead wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands.  "You both don't think I'm some kind of floozy," she asked softly.

"Never, little one," Angel responded fiercely.  He kissed her damp cheek.  "I think you're one of the brightest souls I've ever met.  A kind, compassionate and caring young woman."

"And I think you're strong," Spike began, kissing the top of her head.  "Stronger than the bleedin' Scoobies give ya credit for.  You're a fighter, Red.  You stand up for your convictions, even if it is a chipped vampire ya think is bein' wronged.  You want to share your heart and body with us.  Nothin' wrong with that at all."

Willow sniffled again and let her brain absorb their words.  Maybe they were right.  She did love them and they said they loved her.  Maybe it's like the whole gay thing.  Just because it's a different kind of relationship from what's considered the norm doesn't make it wrong.

"I guess it's just going to take some getting used to maybe," she whispered, smiling shyly.  Finally realizing their positions, the redhead blushed deeply. The entire conversation had taken place with her lovers' bodies still within her.  "Um, shower.  I think I need a shower.  Uh, can you guys, um, you know. . ."  Her face felt hot from the flush stealing across it.  Angel smiled understandingly while Spike smirked.

The blond backed away and let out a low moan as his body slipped from the warmth of his witch.  Willow rose up, eyes fluttering as she felt Angel slip from her as well.  She crawled across the bed to the edge and was about to stand up and make her way to the bathroom and the hot water calling her name.

"Willow," Angel stayed her with a hand on her wrist, "are you ok with all of this?  Really?"

She looked back at the gorgeous naked vampires sitting amidst the tangled sheets, concern etched on their faces.  Somehow she knew everything would be all right.  It would all work out in the end.  The witch smiled and leaned over, softly brushing her lips across first Angel's mouth, then Spike's.

"It'll be ok," she said and rose from the bed to make her way to the bathroom.

Once the door had shut behind her, Spike moved up on the bed, leaning against the headboard, his grand-sire doing the same.

"You were good with her, William," Angel murmured.

"Didn't tell her anything that wasn't true," the blond replied, searching through the jeans he found on the floor next to the bed for his cigarettes.  He raised one to his lips and flipped open his lighter.

"I don't know about that.  What's this about you not being bisexual?"  Angel chuckled as he watched the blonde's eyes widen.

Spike snapped the lighter shut and pushed the cigarette back in it's pack.  He scrambled off the bed away from his grand-sire, not yet ready to face those memories when their bond had just been so newly reawakened.

"Where are you going, Childe," the dark vampire asked in his best Angelus voice.

"Thought maybe Red might need some help scrubbin' some o' those hard to reach spots.  We'll talk later Peaches," he called over his shoulder as he raced for the bathroom.

"That we will, my boy," Angel chuckled to himself and laid back with a grin.  Unlife was good.

~Part: 25~

After Spike fled the bedroom and Angel, he shut himself in the bathroom and leaned his back against the door, eyes closed.  'Bloody Poof.  Tellin' Red about me and Angelus, well, ok, not exactly tellin', but he gave her enough bleedin' clues to put two and two together.'  His eyes shot open.  'Does Peaches want. . .would he want to. . .Bloody hell, the Poof *does* want to shag my arse again!'  He could see it in his eyes, hear it in that voice he used that sounded so much like the grand-sire he remembered from over a century ago.  'Not the bastard the Slayer caused to show up.  Bad luck, that.  Angelus must have been good and royally pissed after bein' cooped up and chained by the soul for over eighty years.  No wonder he was such a sadistic git.  He had a lot of years to make up for.'

As Spike's thoughts drifted away from Angel, they focused once again on the reason he came into the bathroom in the first place, well besides escaping his grand-sire's tempting voice that is.  The sound of water running in the shower drew his attention.  That and a soft slightly off-key humming.  The blond smiled as he started toward his witch.  Peeking into the shower, all thoughts of scaring the redhead by sneaking up on her were quickly thrust to the back of his mind.

Blue eyes smoldered as they observed Willow.  Wet Willow.  Wet and soapy Willow.  She was washing her hair, eyes closed and head leant back.  Spike watched a stream of bubbles glide down her neck, over her collarbone and down her chest to hang from the tip of a rosy nipple for just a moment.  It dripped to splatter in the bottom of the tub, only to be washed away by the running water.

Quietly, the blond slipped into the shower to stand before the redhead.  He leaned closer and breezed a light kiss over her lips, her eyes darting open in surprise.

"Eeep!"  Spike gripped Willow by her waist to keep her from falling as she slipped on the tile floor. "Spike!  You scared me.  Don't sneak up on people like that!  Xander's right.  We need to get you and Angel bells."  She halfheartedly slapped his chest, but wound up resting her hand there, lightly caressing him.

Willow began to feel nervous.  There were no smart-alecky remarks from the normally antagonistic vampire.  There were no words at all, only that intense stare that made her feel like he was looking inside her, reading her thoughts and emotions. "Spike?"

Still not saying a word, the blond reached up and began to gently massage her scalp, washing her hair where she had left off. His touch was soothing, relaxing.  Her eyes drooped as the warm water beat down on her back, and fingers moved in a sensuous motion in her hair.  Another petal soft kiss grazed her jaw and ear.  "Trust me, Red," he questioned softly.

"Yes," she whispered, surprised to find that it was true.

"Lean back then," he murmured against her lips.  "I won't let you fall."  He slipped an arm around her back, holding her tight to his body.  Willow swallowed audibly as she felt his erection pressing against her. Following Spike's instructions and his gentle urging, she leaned back until she felt the stream of water on her forehead.  With his other hand, the vampire rinsed her hair free of all soapy suds before pulling her back up against him.

"Uh, th . .thanks," she cleared her throat which had gone dry suddenly.

"Anytime, pet."

Willow watched as Spike wet a thick washcloth, lathering it with shower gel.  He stood before her, wet, naked Spike, with a small smile curving up his full lips.  "Face the wall, Red."

"Wh. . .why?"

"Gonna wash your back."

"Oh, uh, ok."

Willow turned her back to him, shivering as she felt the washcloth start at her left shoulder, moving in slow circles down her arm.  The vampire took her hands and placed them on the cool shower wall just above her head.  "Leave them there for me?"  The redhead nodded, unable to speak.  His deep husky voice had her hypnotized.  She would have jumped on one foot, rubbed circles on her stomach with her left hand and patted her head with her right at that moment if he wanted her to, whether she was naked in the shower or not.

She felt the wash cloth travel a similar path down her other arm and Spike's lips occasionally brushed against her shoulder or the nape of her neck. Willow's eyes fluttered closed.  She could stay like this forever, right on the edge, caught between arousal and complete and utter relaxation.  Soon she felt the thick terry on her back, swooping slowly over her skin in random patterns, moving lower and lower. The redhead shivered as the soapy cloth lightly caressed her bottom and felt Spike's hand gently squeeze each rounded globe in turn.

His lips pressed against her temple and a whimper escaped her lips as a cool finger lightly caressed the entrance of the passage he had so recently withdrawn from.  "I didn't hurt you earlier, did I pet?"

"N . . N . . .no.  It didn't hurt.  I mean at first it was a little uncomfortable, but then it felt, um, really nice."

The blond chuckled.  Only his witch would describe anal sex as 'really nice'.  "So it felt good then? You enjoyed it?"  Cool lips grazed her cheek and ear.

"Ummmm, what?  Oh, yeah, I . . .I did ummm, it felt good."

"So you would be up for trying it again sometime?" Spike slipped a soapy finger into the redhead's tender ass.  The flesh surrounding the puckered center was reddened slightly.  She would probably be a little sore seeing as how it had been her first time.  His finger slid gently in and out, causing Willow to groan.  Her head fell back and she pressed her bottom back, licking her lips as the vampire stroked her anal passage in slow languid strokes with a single digit.

"Yeeesssss," she hissed, quickly crossing the line from complete and utter relaxation to full blown lust.

"That's good to know, luv," he murmured, watching her tight body humming at his touch, admiring the firm pale globes of her ass that fit his hands perfectly. He withdrew his finger, smiling as she grumbled her protest incoherently.  "Just for future reference, o' course."

"Of course."

"Turn around for me, Red."

Willow turned slowly, leaning against the wall for support when she was unsure if her legs would hold her or not.

Spike grinned down at her.  "Do me."

"Huh, uh, wha. . .?"  Her eyes immediately were drawn to his marble pale cock standing proudly among a nest of light brown curls.  "Uh, ok."  The redhead reached out to cup his flesh and instead found the washcloth pressed into her palm.  "Huh?"  Willow looked up confused.

"Do me.  Oh, and don't forget to scrub my belly button.  Lint, nasty stuff that."  He gripped her waist and swung her so quickly it made her head spin. When the world settled again, it was Spike that was leaning back against the wall and Willow stood before him.

She blinked in confusion until reality seeped into her overloaded brain.  "Washing, not sex.  Right," she mumbled, rinsing the cloth and lathering it with more shower gel.

Spike smothered a grin at her grumbled complaints.  He braced himself to feel her small hands gliding the washcloth over his chest, but he couldn't restrain a deep moan as she concentrated her mission of vampire cleanliness on his nipples, teasing them until they protruded from his chest as small tight nubs.  The washcloth glided across the planes of his chest and his firm abs.

The redhead giggled as she drew circles around the vampire's navel.  She dipped inside and gently washed the small crevice.  "Can't have any lint, can we?  It wouldn't be good for the image of the Big Bad going around with a belly button full of fluffy stuff."  She stepped back slightly and gave the blonde's said belly button a critical glance.  "Did I get it all?  Maybe I'd better double check," she grinned up at Spike. Kneeling down, she wiped the soap away with the corner of the washcloth then probed the vampire's navel with her tongue.

Spike's fingers tangled in her wet hair as he sucked in a ragged and unneeded breath.  "Yep.  You're living lint free."  The redhead grinned up at him.

"Gonna finish doin' me, Red?"  The vampire cocked a scarred eyebrow at her and Willow's gaze fell from his face back to the insistent bit of hard flesh she had gently pushed out of the way to get to Spike's navel.

She gently wrapped the soapy cloth around his length and began stroking slowly up and down.  She was fascinated by how the suds bubbled up around the head with each upward motion of her hand.  Some of the lather trickled down in a stream over his sac, which the witch cupped in her hand and massaged clean gently.

Then she was being ripped away, pulled up and flipped back around and held tight against the wall.  Warm water ran down their bodies rinsing away the gel. "Wrap your legs around my waist, Red," Spike purred, his face just barely an inch from hers.  He nibbled and suckled her lower lip, holding in a groan when he felt her warm thighs encircle him.  The blond pressed her against the shower wall with his torso, holding her in place as he reached down and guided himself into her waiting passage.

"Oh, Goddess, Spike," Willow groaned.  She gripped his shoulders and rocked against him.

He smirked at the aroused redhead in his arms.  "Like that, pet?"

"Oh yes.  Really very, very nice."  She licked her lips and struggled to undulate against him, but he held her still.

"Lean back and enjoy it Red," he whispered against her lips.  "Just hang on tight."

He pressed soft kisses over her face as he removed her hands from his shoulders.  Entwining his fingers with hers, Spike pressed their joined hands above her head. His hips began thrusting while his chest pinned her to the wall.  That and her legs wrapped about him were the only things keeping her from sliding down onto the wet tile floor.

"Feels so good, Red.  Like you were made for me." Spike rotated his hips, his length caressing Willow's inner walls.  He kissed her breathless, then watched through hooded eyes as she panted softly, rolling her head back against the wall.  Her face was flushed, her lips swollen and deep pink from his and his grand-sire's kisses.  The vampire's tongue traced a small nick on her lower lip that was probably caused by one of their fangs.

Willow soft moans grew into babbled pleadings as Spike continued his slow torturous pace, leaving her hanging on the edge over and over.  "Spike, please," the redhead begged.

"Please, what pet?"  'Bloody hell but she's beautiful like this.  All full of fire and passion.  And she's mine.  Well, mine and Peaches'.  Ours.'

"Please stop teasing," Willow demanded with a very good imitation of a threatening growl Spike would have made.

"Want more?"  His tongue traced his claim and the redhead shivered, feeling their connection vibrate with passion.

"Yes, please!"  The witch whimpered, straining to grind her tight sheath harder on the blonde's teasing cock.

Spike quickened his thrusts, claiming her mouth in a sensually slow kiss.  He filled her again and again, her cries of pleasure pushing him near the precipice. "Willow!"

She watched as his face changed, his golden eyes flashing with lust for her.  Then his fangs were slid deep in her neck, renewing his claim.  Her body responded and some deep dark instinct told her to return the favor.  Her mouth closed over his neck and her blunt teeth dug in, but she didn't stop by merely bruising him this time.  This time her teeth broke skin and she tasted the coppery tang of borrowed blood on her tongue.

Spike howled in surprise and pleasure, released his tight grip on himself, and began driving into Willow without restraint.  Her own cries of pleasure registered in the back of his mind as he buried himself in her spasming heat and released his seed into her womb.

Blue eyes opened and he lapped at his claim, the vampire's body trembling from the power of his orgasm. Spike pulled back to look at Willow to see equally glazed eyes peering at him, her lips coated with his blood.  His demon growled in satisfaction.  "Mine."

The redhead pulled him close for a soft kiss, tasting their combined blood.  "Mine."

Spike released her hands finally and carried her to the sink where he sat his witch on the edge.  He kissed her again, still tasting a lingering bit of blood on her lips.  When he released her mouth and stood up, Willow blinked up at him owlishly.  Her gaze was drawn to the bloody mark on the blonde's neck.

"Oh, Goddess, did I. . .?"  Her hand fluttered about the wound.  "Oh, Spike.  I'm sorry.  I didn't hurt you, did I?  I don't know why. . .what came over me."

He chuckled softly and placed a finger over her lips. "It's all right pet.  You claimed me, just as I claimed you."

"But I bit you!"  She looked appalled.  "I mean *really* bit you.  I drew blood.  And, eww, blood, but I could taste you in it.  All powerful and sexy and . . .well, Spikey.  Is that weird?"

"Not at all, luv.  Vampires can taste all sorts of things in someone's blood.  Fear, lust, anger, sadness.  It's our bond that probably let you sense all those things."

"Oh, I guess that makes sense," she nodded her head slowly.

His trademark smirk spread across his face as he looked down at her.  "So, witch, think I'm sexy, do ya?"

~Part: 26~

Angel had been sorely tempted to join Spike and Willow in the bathroom. His vampiric hearing allowed him a general idea of what was occurring behind the closed door, but as she had told them, it was going to take Willow a while to get used to the idea of their little trio. He couldn't blame her. As long as he'd known the petite redhead, she had always been shy and a bit backward, especially around members of the opposite sex. The situation they were in now must be overwhelming to her completely.

So instead of following his urges to slip under the hot water with his grand_childe and their witch, Angel grabbed a change of clothes and headed across the hall to Willow's room to take his own shower. . .alone.

As he let the warm spray ease away the dull ache in his back, a remnant from the piece of wood lodged there only last night, the dark vampire let his mind wander. He and Willow had, had sex. Great sex. And he cared about the girl more than he was willing to admit even to himself. Angel had told the girl he loved her, and that was true. He just hadn't told her the depths of his feelings.

Maybe it was a side effect from the bond, this attachment he had to the redhead. Or maybe it was just that he had never met anyone quite like Willow, and having time away from Buffy's blinding presence had allowed him to see her for what she really was.

She was sweet, kind, generous, and tolerant, something needed by a souled vampire who had almost two centuries of destruction under his belt. She was a warm balm to his soul. She soothed and offered a forgiveness that he didn't think anyone would ever provide, forgiveness that he himself didn't think he deserved.

His soul wasn't permanent yet. He didn't know how he knew this, he just did. Angelus was still there, muttering dark thoughts and suggestions to him. His demon urged him to drain the redhead dry and take Spike, chain him and torture him for old times sake.

Angel smiled. Spike. Now there was an unexpected development. He had his grand_childe back. At least they were working on getting their relationship back on track. It wouldn't be easy, he knew. Especially not after the way Angelus had tortured the blond during his time in Sunnydale, but it would be worth it. He was being honest when he told Spike that it was lonely with no one around to share his vampire side with. The elder vampire felt the need to shield and hide that part of himself from Cordelia and Wesley. If he let his demon out during a fight, afterwards they would look at him cautiously and he could smell the nervous fear rolling off their skin.

He wondered if Spike would hold him to the blood oath still. He hoped not. Angel felt a wave of disappointment wash over him at the thought of Spike taking Willow and going back to Sunnydale, leaving him alone again in LA. Would he be able to convince them to stay here? He knew that he couldn't leave. This is where the Powers needed him. This is where he needed to be in order to work on his redemption.

Would he be selfish to want to keep them here? Angel knew that they were a great help to Buffy, Spike with his connections and fighting skills, and he understood Willow was becoming quite proficient in magics. He sighed to himself as he reached out to turn off the water. He would ask his grand_childe what he thought, if he would be willing to release him from the blood oath.  Would he consider staying? Would Willow?

Angel toweled himself dry and wandered back into his rooms. It was still early, just before dawn. A smile crossed the dark vampire's face as he looked upon the picture found in his bed. Spike and Willow laid freshly scrubbed and naked, sleeping entwined. Willow slept on her back, one arm around the blond vampire, fingers limply splayed on his neck, her other hand rested on Spike's arm which was thrown over her waist, his hand resting along her rib cage. The younger vampire's head was cushioned on one of the redhead's breasts and he looked more peaceful than Angel had ever seen him. The sheet was slung low on his hips and barely covered Willow's nest of cinnamon curls, leaving her flat stomach exposed. They looked like an ancient Greek statue, the dark vampire thought. "A Lovers' Repose"

Smiling to himself, Angel silently made his way to a small desk in the corner of the room and withdrew his drawing pad and pencils. It had been a long time since he'd had anything worthwhile to sketch. This was not a picture he wanted to forget. He quietly pulled one of the chairs closer to the bed and sat to begin drawing Spike and Willow lovingly.

An hour and a half later, his masterpiece done, Angel undressed and crawled into bed on Willow's other side, an arm gathering both in his embrace. He felt a cool hand move from between him and the redhead to lay against his waist. Coffee brown eyes met cobalt blue.

"Takin' a picture would have been faster," the blond mumbled in a husky baritone.

"But then you wouldn't have been in it," his grand_sire replied just as softly.

"You've drawn plenty of pictures of me over the years. Don't have enough, Peaches?"

"I lost them all, after the soul," Angel murmured sadly. "Besides, I've never seen you like this before."

"Like what?"

"Content. Relaxed. At peace."

"Piffle," Spike said, feeling uncomfortable. "Witch just wore me out. They always say it's the quiet ones you've gotta watch out for."

Angel smirked at the blond. "Whatever you say, Spike."

"Bloody hell, quit your jabberin' and go to sleep ya Poof. You'll need it if ya plan to keep up with Red here."

"Goodnight, Spike," Angel chuckled.

"G'night, Peaches."

"Goodnight, John Boy," the redhead mumbled sleepily, drawing them both close.

The vampires smiled at their redhead, each giving her a soft kiss before settling down to sleep.

~Part: 27~

Over the next few days, Willow, Spike and Angel fell into a routine.  The vampires gave her the space she needed. . .well, in a way.  During the times she needed to be fed upon, they had come to an understanding that only one of them would be in the room, so they took turns drinking from her.  This of course led to what Willow had come to think of as the "Feeding Frenzy", which invariably led to hot, hungry sex with each of her lovers.

Spike and Angel weren't pushing the threesome situation on her, and for that she was thankful.  She was becoming accustomed to each separately being in her bed, well, actually Angel's bed.  She didn't sleep in the room he had given her upon arrival.  The three of them did share the elder vampire's bed at dawn.  If there was one thing Willow knew she would miss when she left LA, it would be snuggling up between two hard, cool bodies and feeling so safe and cherished. They slept together, and that's all the three of them did together.  Sleep.

Each day the redhead asked Wesley if his sources had found anything and each day his reply was the same. None of his other contacts had come up with anything new on the vilnavons, and his one promising lead in Turkey was still searching through his personal collection that numbered to over 50,000 books.  Willow grumbled at that.  Hadn't the man heard of a database, or even the Dewey Decimal System for Pete's sake!

Every day she had to call Sunnydale and report that nothing had been found yet.  It was getting harder and harder to convince Buffy and Xander she was fine and not being held against her will by two blood-guzzling vamps.  Xander had offered to drive up over the weekend, but Willow talked him out of it.  Anya had mentioned that he had a chance at overtime on a new project and working weekends paid double time and a half, which would mean much money.  She knew her lifelong friend had just moved out and could probably use the extra cash and, even if he didn't the former demon would like seeing it on his bank statement when she balanced his checkbook for him.

It was an excuse, she knew.  The young witch wasn't ready to share what was happening between herself, Spike and Angel with any of the Scoobies yet.  She didn't think they would take it very well and had a feeling a certain blond slayer would show up on the Hyperion's doorstep, stake in hand if she did find out.

Well, there was *one* person in Sunnydale who knew what was going on.  She knew Giles was concerned. Xander had confided in her that he was worried about the former librarian's sudden drinking problem.  It seemed that every time he went to his office, he came out with a new glass of scotch on the rocks.  Willow shrugged to herself.  At least he wasn't drinking it straight out of the bottle anymore.

The redhead, while enjoying the time spent in the company of her vampires, was getting bored.  Over the last several days she had, been fed upon, had sex, updated the demon database, been fed upon, had sex, tried to rearrange Cordy's filing system, been fed upon, had sex, discussed Watcher protocol with Wesley, . . .it was just becoming a bit monotonous.  She hadn't left the hotel in almost a week.  There were only so many demons and hell dimensions to look up and record.  There were only so many of her former classmate's explanations of her invoicing system she could handle, and a girl can only take so many sentences beginning with "The Watcher's Council believed,. . .".

On a positive note, her time in LA had allowed Willow to get to know the new and improved May Queen.  There definitely was an marked difference between this woman and the girl who had teased her mercilessly up through her sophomore year in high school.  They had much more in common than ever expected, especially considering her new line of work.  So when Cordelia decided the redhead had spent too much time cooped up with the "Blood Squad" and that they all needed a night out on the town, Willow jumped at the idea.

Spike grumbled about going out with a former cheerleader, watcher and the Poof.  It was bad for his image to be seen in such company.  When his Red teased him about being in the company of the Slayer's best friend he 'piffled' and said bonds between witches and vampires went back centuries and being bonded with her would actually *improve* his standing in the demon community.  Willow asked if this 'demon community' was aware of her relationship with Buffy.  Spike's only reply was a waggle of his scarred eyebrow and a 'what they don't know, pet, won't get me hurt.' She really hoped he was joking about that last part.

The witch knew when Spike insulted Angel he was only putting on an old act that had become habit over the years.  The two had actually been getting along much better.  They could speak a whole four sentences without saying something to get on the other's nerves. Willow had asked Angel about it, worried about the relationship between the two.  The elder vampire assured her that even as Angelus, during his years as the Scourge of Europe, Spike had annoyed him on a regular basis.  This was nothing new and it was all a part of their normal interaction.

Cordelia decided the night out called for an emergency shopping trip and promptly swept Willow out of the Hyperion's lobby once she made sure the witch had everything she'd need.  Credit card?  Check. Low-heeled comfortable shoes.  Check.  Cell phone. Check.  Had her neck been sucked on within the last hour?  Check.

Willow really had to hand it to Cordy.  She was adjusting much better to this whole situation than the Scoobies were.  The brunette just shrugged.  "When you grow up on the Hellmouth, date Xander Harris, work with a vampire, a former Watcher and live with a ghost, you learn not to let the little things phase you."

The woman had a point.  By the time the two girls returned to the hotel Willow was wondering if the Powers had made Cordelia part demon when they gave her the visions.  There's no way on the Goddess' green earth that a normal human being can shop like that! The redhead was used to walking into a store, looking at the first four racks in the front row and if she liked something, she bought it.  If not, she left the store.  Not Cordelia.

She went through every rack with meticulous care.  And not just every rack in one store, but in every rack in all of the twelve stores they visited that afternoon. Willow never thought she would see the outside of one particular dressing room ever again in a little boutique the former cheerleader loved.  The exhausted young woman never thought she would be grateful for the condition the vilnavon's bite had brought about. That was until they stood before a Hugo Boss storefront with Cordy ooh-ing and ahh-ing over a particular shimmery red silk dress.

"That would be perfect on you, Willow."

"Red's not really my color, Cordy."

"Oh, I'm sure they have it in another color.  Green maybe, or possibly lilac or deep purple.  You know, with your skin tones. . ."

"Home."

"What?"

"I need to get home.  Umm, to you know. . ."  Willow looked at the crowd of people walking around them.  "I need to make sure Spike gets something to eat for dinner before we go out."

"Dinner?  Ohhh!  Right.  Dinner!"

The redhead felt a little guilty as Cordelia began fussing over her.  "Are you feeling all right?  Are you dizzy?  Do you want me to get you a latte?  Decaf, of course.  No, no, no coffee.  Home.  We'll get you home and let Spike, uh, eat dinner.  Right.  Come on." She slung her arm around her former nemesis and gently led her back to Angel's car.

The former cheerleader played such a mother hen that Willow almost felt guilty enough to tell the girl her ploy was just to avoid further shopping.  Almost, but not quite.  She was already coming back with eight bags.  That was more than she would buy in six months.

"So, Cordy, you never did tell me.  Where are we all going tonight?"

"A little place Angel found.  It's like being on patrol in Sunnydale, but without the bad guys trying to kill you."

"Huh?"

The brunette rolled her eyes.  "It's a demon karaoke bar called Caritas."

~Part: 28~

Buffy and Riley made their way amongst the headstones of Westfield Cemetery on their nightly patrol. The former commando kept darting glances at his unusually quiet girlfriend. She hadn't spoken more than ten words since they left the Magic Box an hour ago.

"Buff, you want to talk about it?"

"Huh?" She looked at him briefly, then was distracted by her train of thought again.

"Boyfriend here, shoulder to cry on, ear to bend. Ready, willing and able to listen, Commander," he joked lightly.

Riley frowned when his girlfriend continued to be lost in thought. He stopped walking and lightly gripped her arm to get her attention. "Buffy, are you worried about Willow still? Is that why you've been quiet girl tonight?"

"She was only supposed to be gone a few days. It's been a week, Riley, and still, nothing. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Nothing. No one has been able to come up with anything to help her. What if she's stuck like this forever? What if there's no way to reverse what those stupid wanna be vamps did to her?"

"And what if she has to stay in LA with Angel from now on," her boyfriend asked quietly. He had to admit, he was concerned for his friend too. He didn't trust Angel, no matter what the others said. The thought of him laying a hand on Willow made him cringe. He had a soul, but he had a demon too. What if one day he couldn't control himself and wound up draining the redhead dry? That was his greatest fear. The danger from within.

"Well, yeah. I'd miss Willow, but it's more that LA's not exactly the safest place. I mean, there's a reason the Powers sent Angel there. It's a vacation spot from the Hellmouth. It's close enough to get here pretty fast if there's some big evil rising, and for any demons looking for a place to go be evil with no slayer and a great night life, bam! LA. And then there's Angel and his group. They're not exactly low profile, out there avoiding the evilness, ya know? They go after it, hunt it down and try to wipe it out. Willow's just as likely to be in danger staying with him as she is here in Sunnydale patrolling with me. I'm just afraid that she's gonna get sucked into one of their cases while she's there, and run into some big nasty demon that's going to take one look at her and think, yummy, a big hunk of Willowy goodness."

The slayer looked at her commando boyfriend with worried eyes. "I'm just afraid something's going to happen and she'll never make it back home."

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

A Galotsnix demon, standing eight feet tall with thick gray skin and spikes protruding from its body stared down the redhead with all five of its eyes. It approached as stealthily as an eight foot tall creature could. The demon reached out a hand and laid it on the shoulder of the young woman radiating so much power. A witch. It figured. She turned and looked up at him with wide green eyes.

"Pardon me," it began, "but could you tell me what you're drinking? This is going to sound awfully stupid, but I had one of those before, you know with the yellow umbrellas in it, and it was really good, but for the life of me I can't remember what it's called."

"Oh, its Sex on the Beach. Very nummy." Willow giggled. This big demon had a voice that sounded like James Earl Jones. Very deep, very sexy.

Spike glared at the demon's hand on his Red's shoulder and growled, but Angel's hand on his arm kept him from saying anything.

The demon rolled his five eyes. "Of course. That's it. Thanks for your help."

"Not a problem," Willow grinned up at the creature.

Just then the Host came by and gently tapped the demon on a smooth part of its shoulder. "Oliver, you're up cupcake."

"Oh, right!" Oliver rubbed his hands together in glee. "Thanks Lorne, and thank you again, Miss."

"Anytime. Have fun!" Willow waved as the creature hurried up to the stage and grabbed a microphone.

"What kind of bleedin' ponce drinks Sex on the Beach anyway," the blond vampire grumbled, pulling Willow closer to his side and pressing a kiss to his mark on her neck.

"Spike, be nice. Besides, have you ever tried one? It's really good!" She offered the pink swizzle straw to the vampire who just snorted.

"I refuse to drink anything that comes with little pink straws and bloody umbrellas, pet. They're sissy drinks made for women. This," he banged his glass of scotch on the rocks on the table, "is a real drink."

Spike smirked as he watched Wesley try to surreptitiously slip a pink umbrella from his Seabreeze.

Willow just shook her head, turned her attention back to Oliver on the stage, and began nodding her head in time with the music. Guitars and drums blared from the sound system as the demon's deep voice filled the room.

Pour some sugar on me I'm hot, sticky sweet >From my head, to my feet, yeah!

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

"So, I met Angel," Riley began, he and Buffy making their way to the next cemetery on their list for the night. "What is the rest of his group like? You said they were all here at one point, right?"

Buffy nodded as she examined the freshly turned dirt of one grave, looking in the shadows for the new fledgling. "Right, Wesley and Cordelia. Wesley was my watcher after they fired Giles. He was all 'The Council doesn't approve of' or "I don't believe that would be wise' or 'The slayer handbook says'. . ."

"There's a Slayer handbook?" Riley asked.

Buffy shrugged. "Not that I ever saw. Giles said the minute he met me he knew it wouldn't be of any use so he never bothered to tell me about it." She swung as they passed a small patch of bushes and dragged the fledge from its hiding place, staking it quickly and efficiently. The slayer dusted off her hands and continued along the path with her boyfriend.

"Wes was very reserved. Very much the tight ass."

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

Cordelia and Willow leaned against each other, laughing so hard tears rolled down their face. Spike shushed them.

"This is a classic. Do you chits mind? He's actually not doing a bad job of it."

Both women tried to stifle their giggles as they watched Wesley on the stage. He had imbibed in quite a bit of alcohol. Willow had counted at least six Seabreezes since their arrival over two hours ago.

I am an antichrist I am an anarchist Don't know what I want but I know how to get it I wanna destroy the passer by cos I I wanna BE anarchy !

"Put a little more anger into it Watcher!" Spike yelled up to the man.

Angel grinned, seeing his grand_childe happy and getting along with others in his group. His smile softened as he took in the flushed face of Willow. As they observed Wesley on stage the redhead chortled and clung to Cordelia's arm.

Soon. Soon he would make it real, and not just about the blood, but tonight was a chance to kick back and relax. The young witch deserved a night out. He and Spike had kept her cooped up in the hotel too long. Not that the time spent there wasn't pleasurable, he grinned again, his eyes darkening with lusty thoughts.

Willow caught his gaze and looked over at him. She smiled shyly and blushed. How she could blush after all they had done this week was beyond him, but that's one of the things he loved about her. The redhead broke their gaze first, turning her attention back to Wesley on stage.

Is this the M.P.L.A Or is this the U.D.A Or is this the I.R.A I thought it was the U.K or just another country another council tenancy I wanna be an anarchist Oh what a name Get PISSED DESTROY !

As the last notes faded, Wesley kicked the mic stand across the stage before coming back to himself. Spike stood and cheered. When the former watcher realized what he had done, he blushed and stuttered into the mic, "Uh, so, so sorry. I'll uh, just get that now. Sorry again."

Wes picked up the stand and gingerly placed the mic back in its holder before making his way back to the table where Spike clapped him on the back, congratulating him for a bloody fine choice in music and thrust a scotch on the rocks into his hand.

"Here, drink this. It's better than those nancy boy drinks you've been sippin' all night."

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

"And Cordelia? Wasn't she Xander's girlfriend or something?"

The slayer snorted. "Queen C, yeah. What an odd couple that was, but it worked. The most popular girl in school, the head cheerleader, rich parents, dating Xander. Need I say more?"

"Xander doesn't strike me as being part of the 'in' crowd in school," Riley grinned.

"He wasn't. Which is why it shocked all of us when Cordy stood up to her sheep and told them she would date whoever she wanted. She wasn't really so bad. She fought demons with us when she didn't have to. When all was said and done, Cordy was a good person to have covering your backside."

"Why did they break up?"

"Uh, would you believe Willow?"

"Huh?" Riley stopped, turned and looked at his girlfriend.

"Willow had been in love with Xander for literally years, even before I came to town. He started dating Cordelia, who had teased and tortured Wills her entire life. Oh, tortured mentally, saying mean stuff, not actual torture."

"Got that," the former commando laughed, swinging the gate open of the last cemetery on their patrol for the night.

"Well, I just wanted to clarify. You know, Hellmouth and all. Anyway, then Willow started dating Oz, and I think Xander got jealous. He started to see her in a different light, ya know? Well, they made with the illicit smoochies. Spike kidnaped them and had them locked in the basement of a burned out warehouse, and that's where Oz and Cordelia found them there in a serious liplock. Oz forgave Willow eventually, but Cordy never could forgive either of them."

"So now Willow's in LA dealing with this person every day?"

Buffy frowned, twirling her stake as they walked along in the shadows. "I hadn't really thought about that. I hope she's not giving Willow too hard of a time."

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

Willow stood, stiff with fear. She didn't think she'd ever been this scared. Not when she was kidnaped by the Master. Or Moloch. Or Faith and the mayor. Not when they had been fighting for their lives at graduation. Never, except maybe. . .once. The last time she had felt such paralyzing fear? The high school talent show.

Now she stood on stage with Cordy, and all of the demons and witches and vampires in the room were staring at *gulp* her. She felt an elbow in her ribs as the seer nudged her and noticed the opening notes of the song Cordelia had chosen.

The former cheerleader reached over and raised Willow's hand holding the mic to her lips and ordered, "Sing!" Together they began the song.

Jeremiah was a bullfrog Was a good friend of mine I never understood a single word he said But I helped him a_drink his wine And he always had some mighty fine wine Singin'... Joy to the world All the boys and girls now Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea Joy to you and me

Willow glanced over to where the Host was sitting at the bar. He had a pained _expression on his face. She could understand why. There was a reason Willow didn't sing in public. There was also a reason Cordy *shouldn't* sing in public. The redhead cringed as her friend hit an especially sour note.

Feeling the urge to run building within her, and knowing Cordy would seriously hurt her if she tried, Willow decided to focus on something other than the many eyes latched onto her in the audience. She found Spike staring at her. He gave her a weak smile and raised his drink to her. . .before downing it in one gulp.

The redhead sighed mentally. Oh well. She never said she was the next Celine Dion.

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

Buffy and Riley entered her house after patrol. Both were hungry and thirsty.

"Mom?" Buffy called up the stairs, but got no response. When they made their way into the kitchen, she found a note on the fridge.

Buffy, I found out about a new art gallery opening at the last second in San Diego. I'll probably stay overnight. I hope patrol went ok. I figured you and Riley would be hungry so I made some snacks and left them in the fridge for you. Don't let your sister stay up too late and eat too much junk. Make sure she had a good breakfast in the morning. I'll call you, but I'll probably be home in the afternoon. Love, Mom

Buffy sighed. Dawn_sitting again. She looked up at the ceiling and yelled, "Dawnie!"

She could hear the girl galloping down the steps before dashing into the kitchen, breathless. "Yeah?"

Buffy took in her sister's clothing. Jeans and a t_shirt, shoes still on. "Dawnie, it's one in the morning. Mom wants you in bed and you're not even in your pajamas yet."

The girl pouted. "I just wanted to stay up and make sure you got home ok, that's all. Besides, it's not even a school night."

Buffy felt guilty for a minute then caved with a sigh. "What did mom leave to eat?"

The young girl cheered up instantly, knowing her sister had given in. "Roast beef sandwiches, some of that leftover pasta salad and there's chips in the cupboard."

Buffy started pulling out the food, and Riley tugged on Dawn's ponytail as he settled himself down at the kitchen island. The girl pulled up her own stool to sit down.

"So, has Willow said anything about having problems with Cordelia," Riley asked his girlfriend.

"Actually, no," the blond mumbled as she crunched on a potato chip before pouring the rest into a small bowl. "They seem to be getting along ok, from what I could tell."

Dawn snorted and made a grab for one of the cans of soda her sister sat out for them. "I'd be more worried about Spike and Angel getting along. I'd be surprised if they didn't wind up killing each other."

Buffy worried her lower lip as she dished up the pasta salad on their plates. "You're right. They can't stand each other. He's not really doing anything there. I mean, it's not like he can bite Willow, so why *is* he staying there?"

"Probably just to get on Angel's nerves," the teenager replied, digging into her sandwich.

"Hmmm, maybe we'd better ask Giles to have Spike come back. I mean the last time the bleached wonder was in LA he did torture Angel. Uh, physically this time," she clarified for her boyfriend. "With hot pokers and stuff."

Riley shuddered at her words. "That could make for some serious conflict. They're probably at each other's throats constantly."

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

The AI gang had been at Caritas for a little over four hours before Spike got his turn at the stage. He staggered up to the front and whispered his request. The blond vampire was starting on his second bottle of scotch. Good stuff they stocked here. His drink in one hand and the mic in the other, he waited for the opening bars of the song.

Spike began swinging his hips in time to the beat and smiled down at Willow and Angel.

Sugar, sugar She sits alone waiting for suggestions He's so nervous avoiding all the questions His lips are dry, her heart is gently pounding Don't you just know exactly what they're thinking Spike made his way down the steps and over to Willow, leaning over to kiss her softly. If you want my body and you think I'm sexy come on sugar let me know. If you really need me just reach out and touch me come on honey tell me so Tell me so baby

Willow sighed softly and reached out a hand, running it over his muscled chest and stomach. The drunken vampire shivered at her light touch and cupped her cheek gently before swinging his gaze to his grand_sire. Spike smirked at his grand_sire and moved closer, running his fingers through the poof's gelled spiked hair.

He's acting shy looking for an answer Come on honey let's spend the night together Now hold on a minute before we go much further Give me a dime so I can phone my mother They catch a cab to his high rise apartment At last he can tell her exactly what his heart meant If you want my body and you think I'm sexy come on honey tell me so If you really need me just reach out and touch me come on sugar let me know

Angel growled as his grand_childe's teasing. Just wait until his soul was permanent. He would give the blonde a lesson to remember.

Spike turned his attention back to the flushed redhead. He continued singing to her, sensing her reaction as he swayed and ground his hips. He touched her gently, scented her arousal and heard her heart pound in her chest.

Willow stood, uncaring of anyone else in the bar, and allowed Spike to pull her close, leading her in a dance that was more like sex with their clothes on than actual dancing.

If you really need me just reach out and touch me come on sugar let me know If you really, really, really, really need me just let me know Just reach out and touch me If you really want me just reach out and touch me come on sugar let me know If you really need me just reach out and touch me come on sugar let me know If you, if you, if you really need me just come on and tell me so

The song ended and Willow swayed on her feet. "I think you're sexy," she giggled. Her head was rushing. Whether it was from the alcohol, Spike, or her overactive heart, she didn't know. She didn't care. She needed him. Craved him.

Spike tossed the mic at the Host without looking at the green demon. "Here, mate. You got a back door?"

"Uh, yeah. Sure thing sweet cheeks. Right through there." Lorne motioned in the general direction.

Spike grabbed Willow's hand and began tugging her through the bar. He yelled over his shoulder, "We'll be back. Going to get a drink."

They made their way out into the back alley. Spike pressed her up against the cool brick wall, and kissed her passionately.

"Spike," she sighed softly, arms wrapped around his neck. Her eyes were glazed as he pulled away and looked down at her. "I need you," she whispered.

"I know, pet," he murmured before gathering her close, dropping his face to her neck and gently siphoning her blood.

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

Dawn helped Buffy put the rest of the food away. "Do you think Willow's really ok," the teen asked. Willow was her sister's coolest friend. She really didn't want anything bad to happen to the girl. She had promised to show her some spells if it was ok with her mom.

"I'm sure Angel's taking good care of her, Dawn," the slayer tried to reassure the girl. But she had her own doubts. Maybe it was time for a trip up to LA.

~Part: 29~

Angel sat back, grinned, and watched his seer and Wesley on the stage stumble their way through Meatloaf's 'Paradise By the Dashboard Light'. His gazed drifted to the back entrance that Spike and Willow had used. He was torn between staying put and tamping down his urge to make sure Spike had enough sense to simply feed from Willow, and going out, joining them and giving into the urge they both felt each time they had the redhead in their arms. His decision was made for him when the Host sat down across from him.

"Angelcakes, quite the little group you've got here tonight."

"Lorne," the vampire greeted the green-skinned demon. "It is an interesting bunch, isn't it?" He grinned, then winced when Cordelia tried to hit a high note and failed miserably. "Sorry about that," he nodded toward the stage.

The demon's red eyes were practically watering and he was sure his ears would begin bleeding at any given second. He tilted his head, acknowledging Angel's apology. "The redheaded pixie and the blond dollface are new."

Angel chuckled, imagining Spike's reaction to being called 'dollface'. "'Dollface' is my grand-childe Spike and the pixie is a friend from Sunnydale, Willow."

"A 'friend', huh?" Lorne raised his eyebrows at the description. "That's not what I got from her reading, although it was a little muffled by Princess's, uh, singing. Then again, I got confirmation from dollface's reading, sooooo. . . Congratulations will be in order soon, I suppose."

"Congratulations?" Angel's complete focus was on Lorne now, tuning out Cordy and Wes.

"On your soul, Angelcakes. Soon you'll have your very own, shiny, personal, permanent soul. All light and goodness. If I'm not mistaken, that will be the work of one adorable little Pixie."

The vampire got a goofy grin on his face. "Yeah. I got word from the Powers that Willow can secure my soul."

Lorne hesitated, unsure how to proceed. "Angel, studmuffin, while your soul will be secure, things won't go quite as smoothly as you'd care to hope. Changes, obstacles are coming. Misunderstandings and lies will all be factored in."

A frown marred the vampire's face. "What are you talking about Lorne? What obstacles, lies? Who's going to be lying? What misunderstandings?"

The Host shook his head to clear away the fuzzy images imparted to him. "I'm not sure. That's all I was given, but know this, it's not going to be smooth sailing, Sweet Cheeks. Rough waters lie ahead for the three of you. Trust in yourself and each other.  Don't let outside or internal forces tear apart what you're forming now. That's not what the Powers have planned for the three of you."

Angel's glass was halfway to his mouth when he froze. "The three of us? The Powers have plans for Willow, Spike and me?"

Lorne gave the vampire a secretive smile. "The Powers have plans for all of us, Angelcakes. Some are just grander than others."

Willow and Spike chose that moment to reenter the building. Their redhead was flushed and her lips swollen. Angel watched as she tried to tug her top up to cover the fresh bite mark on her neck. Spike's gait was off, and if the grimace on his face was any indication, his grand-childe had done a wonderful job of restraining himself in the alleyway. The dark vampire chuckled as he took in the uncomfortable looking bulge in the blonde's tight jeans.

Willow walked over, blushing madly, but stopped and smiled shyly at the Pylean sitting at the table with Angel. Spike walked up behind her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders and the other around her waist, pulling her back against him. He sized up the demon sitting with Peaches and felt him to be harmless, but he would let this jolly green giant here know just who his Red belonged to. The hand on her shoulder tugged down her top to reveal his fresh mark and the blond vampire lowered his head to kiss it softly, blue eyes locked with red.

Lorne laughed softly. "No need to posture so much Dollface. I get the picture. The Pixie belongs to you. . .and Angelcakes here. I knew that from the moment the two of you sang tonight."

Angel took in the pair's confusion and explained. "Spike, Willow, this is Lorne, the Host of Caritas. One of the services he offers is a reading. He gets messages from the Powers when someone sings. We sometimes come to him when we're working on a case and we need his special form of insightfulness."

Lorne grinned. "The Powers have a soft spot for the big lug," he motioned toward Angel. "He always seems to. . ."

The Host's words were cut off by an enthusiastic hug from Cordelia.

"Lorne! Where have you been all night?"

"Hello, Princess." The demon chuckled at the former cheerleader's drunken display of affection.

"So," Cordy began before plopping into the seat next to him, "did you get anything from me tonight? Any tall, dark, salty goodness in my near future that won't impregnate me with demon spawn?"

"Afraid not, sweetness." He reached over to pat her hand in a consoling fashion when a pout appeared on her lips. "However, I do recommend you have that landlord of yours check out the pipes in your kitchen before your apartment turns into a kiddy wading pool."

"I *knew* it!" Cordelia slapped her hand down on the table, making all of the glasses shake. "I told him there was something wrong with that sink."

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

The drive home was relatively quiet, if you didn't count Cordelia's soft snores and whispers exchanged between Willow and Spike. Angel glanced over and took in the happy couple and felt a stab of loneliness. The petite redhead sat on the blonde's lap, their heads close together as they exchanged soft words and softer kisses. He felt left out of the loop again.

Tonight. Tonight he would talk to Spike about the Blood Oath. He didn't want to wait any longer to make love with Willow. Angel wanted her to know how special she was to him, and that the sex didn't just have to be about the bloodlust. He prayed to the Powers that Spike would release him from the Oath.

It wasn't very honorable, but he was weak and willing to admit it. Life without Willow in it would simply be a black void. Even imagining his life without Spike seemed to be too quiet, too dull. He knew it would mean his return to the 'King of Brood' title that Cordelia had bestowed upon him. Angel hoped they would stay with him, be with him. Lorne's message had worried him, though. Rough waters lie ahead.

Angel looked over at the snuggled couple. He hoped they would all be able to ride out the waves.

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

After dropping off Wesley and Cordelia at their respective apartments, Willow, Spike and Angel drove back to the Hyperion. As they entered the front door, Angel grabbed the arm of his grand-childe, holding him back slightly.

"We need to talk. . .now," the dark vampire said softly enough for only the blond to hear.

Willow turned around at the steps. "Are you coming?"

"Why don't you go on up and get ready for bed, pet? Peaches and I are goin' to grab a bite."

The redhead looked dubious, but neither looked in the mood to kill one another, so she shrugged. "Ok, but don't be too long. I've kinda gotten used to being snuggled before falling asleep." She blushed and sent an embarrassed grin to the vampires before heading upstairs.

Both waited until they heard the door of Angel's suite close. "So what's this about then, eh Peaches?"  Spike pulled out a cigarette and wandered further into the lobby.

"Come on," Angel gestured for his grand-childe to follow him as he headed for the kitchen. "You might have gotten something to eat tonight, but I didn't."

"Jealous, mate?" Spike strolled into the kitchen after the dark vampire and leaned against the wall, observing Angel's normally agile movements become slightly agitated.

"What's got your knickers in a twist, Peaches?" Spike pulled out a cigarette, lit it and exhaled. He squinted through the smoke, watching his grand-sire work himself up into a right tight knot.

Angel waited until his blood was heated and he was leaning against the counter to meet the blonde's eyes. "It's about us. . .Willow. . .the oath. I'm ready. . .for her to secure my soul, but I wanted to ask you something first."

Spike kept his face expressionless. His stomach dropped a notch. The Poof wanted to make love to their witch, not just sex, but make real love with her. Why would she want him when she can have a demon that's all soul-havin'? What could he, a soulless demon, offer her, besides his undead heart? "What's the question?" He was proud of himself. His voice didn't shake a twitch.

"We have the blood oath, I know, but would you consider staying here afterward? You and Willow?" Angel paused, taking a deep, unneeded breath. "With me?" He looked at his grand-childe, hope in his eyes with a dash of fear mixed in. Would he just have the one night with Willow and then it would all be over? They would take off for Sunnydale and he would never see either of them again? Would his existence go back to being empty and nothing but mission after mission for the Powers?

Spike knew his mouth had dropped open wide. If he wasn't in such shock from his grand-sire's request, he probably would have been berating himself for giving anything of his emotions away. "You want me and Red to stay here? With you?"

Angel cringed at the disbelief in the younger man's voice. He knew he shouldn't have asked. It was  stupid to think that they would want to stay in LA with him. He could demand it, pull Right of Sire again, but that's not how he wanted them. He wanted Willow and Spike to stay of their own free will. "Will you at least think about it?"

Spike's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Why?"

Angel's head shot up at the terse question. "Why?  Why wouldn't I want you to stay here. I think we've been getting along pretty well, at least the last few days, and we have both admitted our feelings for Willow. I thought maybe the three of us. . ." Angel let his voice trail off, waiting for the blonde's reaction.

"So, you love Red and are willing to deal with me?"

"That's not what I meant at all," the elder vampire protested.

"Then exactly what the hell did you mean, Peaches," Spike angrily threw the rest of his burning cigarette into the sink and took a step toward his grand-sire. "'Cause that's what it sounded like to me."

Before the blond could blink, Spike was wrapped in his grand-sire's tight embrace, their mouths locked as Angel tried to convey in that one kiss why he wanted the blond to stay. The kiss was harsh, and passionate, then softened to a gentle, almost poignant touch. The dark vampire pulled back and gazed down at the surprised face of one William the Bloody. "That's why I want you to stay. You, me and Willow. The three of us. I think we could be good. I love Willow, but I care for you too Spike. We have a lot of things in our past to overcome, but I'd like to try. I loved you once. Well, Angelus loved you once, but he is part of me. Maybe with time, . . ."

Spike backed away, shaken to his core by his grand-sire's words. "You're serious," he stated in a hushed tone.

Angel stepped closer again and lightly brushed back the bleached blond locks that became mussed in their impassioned embrace. "The offer is open. I'd like you both to stay. *Both* of you, Spike."

The blond vampire backed away once again and turned to walk out of the kitchen, leaving Angel standing there, imagining how dim LA would seem without the two of them. Spike stopped in the doorway, but didn't look back. He turned his head slightly and spoke to his grand-sire over his shoulder.

"Consider the blood oath forgotten, but Red's got a mind of her own. People she feels responsible for, loyalties to those soddin' Scoobies. I'll go where she goes. If you want us to stay, you'd better make a bloody good case for the witch to be swayed."

"You'll stay?" Angel asked, almost afraid to believe what he'd heard.

"Told you, it's up to Red. Now come on, we've got a witch waitin' for us upstairs that's gotten used to fallin' asleep wrapped around us." The blond looked over his shoulder as his grand-sire quickly rinsed the mug out and followed him toward their rooms.

"You know, I overheard her talking to Cordy about that the other day. It seems she was referring to us as her 'Cuddle Vamps'."

Spike looked outraged as he trailed Angel up the steps. "Cuddle Vamps? I'm William the Bloody, bleedin' hell! I'm the Big Bad. I ain't no soddin' Cuddle Vamp!"

~Part: 30~

The following day had progressed normally for Willow, . . . well pretty much.  She woke up, Angel had nibbled on her and they had mind blowing sex as he fed from her.  Later that afternoon, Spike had come in to drink from the redhead as well.

Sex with Spike, Willow had discovered, was normally like a tornado hitting a small town.  You're tossed and turned around.  Your head spins as the winds whip you every which way until you don't know which way is up or down as cows float by. . .well, maybe not the cows.  That afternoon though, Willow had been amazed, not to mention pleasantly surprised, as the vampire made slow, sweet passionate love to her.  He touched her like she was spun glass, stroking and caressing her until she writhed under him, begging for more.

His kisses, usually torrid and demanding, were soft and exploratory.  When he entered her body, their hands were clasped next to her head and he braced himself above her oh his elbows.  The look on his face was so serious for a moment that she was nervous. Spike had brushed his lips across Willow's, his tongue tracing their curve.  The blond rested his forehead against hers and spoke in a voice deep with emotions.

"I love you, Red.  More than anything in this bloody awful world.  You know that, right?"

The witch nodded and replied, "I love you too, Spike."

"Remember that, pet," he whispered, then began to slowly thrust himself within her.  He brought Willow over the edge again and again until the vampire finally let himself go, renewing his claim as he climaxed within the redhead's trembling body.

"Mine," he whispered, pulling her limp form close and nuzzling his bite mark.

"Yours," Willow whispered weakly.

He held her tenderly, caressing her body until her breathing and heart rate slowed to normal.  Then Spike slowly untangled himself from his witch and began dressing.

"Spike, is everything OK?"  Willow rolled on her side, a puzzled look on her face as she watched his pale body move gracefully.

"Fine, luv.  Just outta fags.  Gonna go grab a few packs down the street."  He couldn't meet her eyes just yet.

"Spike, it's daylight."  Now she was getting worried.

"I'll take the sewers.  It'll be fine, Red."  He sat on the edge of the bed, tugging on his boots.

Willow moved to kneel behind him, wrapping an arm around his chest and resting her chin on his shoulder. Spike inhaled.  She smelled like vanilla, blood, sex, himself and a hint of his grand-sire.  "Are you sure you don't want to tell me what's bothering you?"  She softly kissed his neck and soothingly rubbed his chest in circles.

Spike grabbed her hand and raised it before his face for inspection.  It was so small and fragile.  This one tiny hand held a demon's heart in it.  This ethereal beauty had the power to crush him like no other.  He would know whether or not she would use that power in a few hours.  Spike kissed her palm and stood up.

"In a bit, pet.  Not right now."  He was going to walk out and not look back, but he couldn't help himself. Willow still knelt on the edge of the bed, gloriously naked, flushed and tousled from their lovemaking. "I'll be back later.  We'll talk then."

Willow watched him go, confused.  Had she done something wrong?  No, she didn't think so.  Why was he acting so odd?  He said they would talk when he got back.  This was good.  She needed to find out what had turned Spike into cryptic guy.  Hmm, maybe Angel was rubbing off on him a little too much.  She liked her brash, sarcastic vampire just the way he was.  Now, if her legs would just stop feeling like Jell-O, she would go grab a shower.

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

Angel had seen Spike heading for the sewer exit and knew his grand-childe didn't want to be in the building when he made love with Willow.  He couldn't blame him.  Spike may be a demon, but it was obvious he loved the little redhead.  The elder vampire sighed.  When was Spike going to get it through his head that he wanted him to stay too, and not just because of Willow?

The brunette cocked his head and listened carefully to the sounds of the hotel.  There was a shower running. He imagined Willow in the shower, flushed from the hot water.  Rivulets running down her body.  The vampire moaned.  He needed to get something to eat before going to see the young witch.  He headed for the kitchen and a mug of blood.

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

Willow was sitting on the bed, brushing her hair.  The shower had done her a world of good.  She was still concerned about Spike, but she felt invigorated after letting the hot water pulse over her tense muscles. The witch looked up when she heard a knock on the doorway.  Angel stood there, leaning casually against the frame, hands in his pockets and one foot crossed over the other.

"Am I interrupting?"

"Angel, no of course not.  Come in."  Willow smiled and laid down her hairbrush.  "Angel, did you talk to Spike today?"

"Just a little this morning.  Why?"  The vampire sat on the bed next to the young woman.  She looked so worried.  He wondered what Spike had said to her.

"He just wasn't himself this afternoon.  He seemed almost sad."  Willow looked up at Angel.  "Do you know what's wrong with him?"

"I might," he replied softly.  A hand reached out to tuck a soft strand of hair behind her ear.  "We talked last night."

"About what?"  Willow tucked her feet up under herself, tucking her robe around them as well.

"It's time, Willow.  I'm ready for you to secure my soul."  The vampire watched her face.  Her emotions were worn on her sleeve.  At first there was surprise, then worry, then she gave him a shy smile.

"You're ready for us to. . .for you and I to. . .ummm. . ."

Angel leaned in and kissed her gently, stemming her babblefest.  "I want to make love with you, Willow."

"So this is why Spike was upset," she asked quietly.

"He thinks he's going to lose you."  Angel brushed his fingers over the collar of her robe and pushed it aside to reveal a bite mark.  "He renewed his claim this afternoon, didn't he?"

Willow nodded, comprehending Spike's mood now.  That's why he had touched her like he had.  It was almost as if he was afraid it would be the last time.  She looked up at Angel, wanting to set things straight. "Angel, I love him."

The dark haired vampire nodded his head.  "I know you do, Little One."

"We belong to each other.  A week ago I wouldn't have said that.  I would have called it a cross between a crush and constant annoyance, but now. . .I can't describe it.  It just . . .is."  She shrugged.  "But I care for you too," she blushed.  "I do love you."

A smile spread over the vampire's face.  "I love you too, Willow.  Are you. . .are you ready for this?  Is this OK with you?  To do now?"

The redhead nodded and whispered, "Yes.".  A pink blush crept up her cheeks.  She raised her eyes to Angel's.  He leaned in and kissed her tenderly.  His lips cool and soft brushed over hers lightly.  Willow leaned up and pressed her lips a bit more firmly to the vampire's and slid a hand up his chest and around the back of his head to tangle in his hair.

Angel slid closer on the bed, an arm moved around the redhead, and pulled her onto his lap.  His fingers tangled in her silky hair as their kisses lingered, soft and sweet.  One arm wrapped around her, grasped her hip, holding Willow in place.  His other hand slid from her hair down to the valley between her breasts.

The brunette pulled away and looked at the young woman's bright eyes.  She wanted him, just as much as he wanted her.  Angel dropped  a soft kiss to her lips then tugged on the tie of her robe.  His eyes left Willow's to watch her milky skin be revealed as he parted her robe.  A cool hand caressed her heated flesh, causing the redhead to tremble.

Angel pushed the material off Willow's shoulder then bent down to nuzzle the spot where her neck and shoulder meet, causing the redhead to shudder with delight.  A large hand cupped her breast, gently rolling the nipple until it peaked, then the vampire brushed his thumb along the tip, earning him a soft moan of pleasure from the woman in his arms.

Angel raised his head and watched her through narrowed eyes as his thumb continued to tease the tight peak, and felt himself harden in response to her reactions. The soft mewls escaping her mouth made him want to kiss her senseless.  Instead he bent and gently suckled her lower lip, grazing it with his tongue.

He felt her small hands at his chest, working the buttons of his shirt, slipping in and caressing his own flat male nipples until they hardened.  Willow pulled back slightly and smiled shyly up at the vampire.  She moved her head, as she parted his shirt, and pressed soft wet kisses to the skin she had been teasing so efficiently, her tongue darting out to flick the tips.

Angel groaned.  The warmth of her mouth on his cool skin sent a jolt of desire rushing through his body. He pushed the robe off her shoulders as he continued to watch her tender ministrations to his chest.  A hand ran over the smooth porcelain skin of the redhead's back.  The brunette let his finger circle the freckle on her shoulder blade before lightly tracing the line of her spine.  The vampire bent his head and scattered kisses along her shoulder, lightly licking Spike's claim.

Willow gasped softly at the sensation that rocketed through her body.  The bite mark had become an erogenous zone for her.  She shifted on Angel's lap, moving to straddle his hips.  Her robe was caught down around her elbows as she cupped his face and kissed the vampire, nibbling each lip in turn before sweeping her tongue inside his cool mouth.  The brunette ran his hands under the robe and around her back to tease the small of her back, then down to lightly grasp the tight round globes of her bottom.  Angel allowed his fingers to graze the lips of her center, feeling the wetness already gathering there.

He gripped her hips, ready to ease the witch onto her back, but Willow shook her head no, and instead urged him further up the bed and onto his back.  The redhead smiled down at the vampire, and her hands began working on his belt and pants.  She gripped the waistband of his pants and boxers.  "Lift up for me," Willow whispered.

Angel raised his hips, and watched his erection bob up as the redhead freed it from its constraints.  The young woman knelt between his legs, divesting him of the annoying material, and tossing it over her shoulder with a giggle and a blush.  When Willow looked down at Angel laying there before her, she felt her core dampen with need, but she wanted him to enjoy this first.  He deserved some happiness.  He deserved to feel loved, even if he didn't think so at times.

She slid her hands up his legs, moving closer, nibbling and sucking softly at his inner thighs, making the man on the bed moan in anticipation.  Angel watched her progress through passion glazed eyes. When the redhead pressed a wet kiss against his heavy sac, the vampire's eyes flashed golden and his hand tangled in her hair.  The touch of her wet tongue at the base of his cock sent his hips thrusting upwards.

"Willoooowww," he hissed softly.

"Shhhhhh, just relax, Angel," Willow whispered back. Her tongue traced the line of a vein along his underside then pulled back the foreskin to lightly kiss the exposed head.

The redhead nibbled each side of his groin where his legs joined his body and he trembled with need.  Then her hand was around him, stroking slowly and her tongue teased the slippery opening.

"Oh, gods, Willow," Angel brushed her hair away from her face, watching as she teased him to the brink of madness.  "Please, Little One," he groaned.

Smiling up at him, Willow kept her eyes locked with his as she took his hard cock between her lips, tongue swirling about the tip as she began a slow rhythm, mouth gliding along his length.  She fondled his sac and stretched her mouth to take more of his thick length.  Angel watched her, taking shallow unnecessary breaths.  His hips were thrusting gently upwards and he fought the urge to pull her down on his length.

"Willow, gods, what are you doing to me," he moaned.

She released him from her mouth, kissing the head softly.  "Is it all right?"  The witch nuzzled his sac and underside while waiting for his response.

Angel's chuckle came out raspy.  "All right?"  He looked down at the girl kneeling between his spread legs and watched as she took him back into her warm waiting mouth, suckling again.  "Little One, if you don't stop soon, I won't be able to . . .Ooohhhhh!"

The vampire groaned as the little minx eased her pinkie into his clenched entrance.  Tremors of desire ran though his body and his back arched off the bed. A cool hand cupped the back of Willow's head as she worked her way up and down his shaft.  Angel's hips began quickening their pace and the witch hurried to match his movements.

Just when she though the vampire would let go and give into his release, she felt hands grasp her shoulders and pull her up his body until she laid across his chest.  Her legs straddled his waist and Angel's hard length was pressed tight between their stomachs.  "Not that way, Willow.  I want more," he whispered before crushing his lips to hers and rolling them both so that he was on top.

The dark vampire rained gentle kisses over her face, down her throat, shoulders, chest, breasts.  Willow began to wonder if there was going to be a single inch on her body that he *wouldn't* kiss.  When his lips closed over a straining nipple, the redhead decided she really didn't care if he missed an inch or two. He could stay right where he was for a little while and she wouldn't complain one little bit.  When his thumb brushed over her swollen clit, she was lost.

Angel laved each swollen nipple in turn, watching Willow writhe and tremble at his every touch.  He nipped his way down her flat stomach, and over her cinnamon curls.  Large hands slid under to cup her bottom and lift her to his mouth.  A cool tongue brushed through her wet folds, teasing the heated flesh.  The vampire groaned as Willow's taste exploded on his tongue.  She was heaven.

His nose nudged her open, and he ran the flat of his tongue along the deep pink flesh of her center, flicking the tip across her swollen clit.  The redhead's hips thrust up with a startled gasp.  Pale fingers tangled in his already mussed hair, pulling him closer.

Angel's tongue probed her channel, easing in and out, lapping at her free flowing juices.  Hands reached up to fondle her breasts as the vampire's face remained buried between her sprawled thighs.  Soon his expert manipulation of her flesh had Willow floating on air, her body poised on the brink of explosion.  She writhed and begged softly beneath him.

"Goddess, Angel, please," Willow licked her lips and stared down at the vampire who seemed to be enjoying his position immensely.  He continued to nuzzle, nip and lick, leaving her body taut as a crossbow wire. Fingers tightened in his hair and the redhead thought her heart was going to pound right out of her chest.

"Angeelllll!"  Her body arched up, begging for release.

The vampire finally looked up from his place between her legs.  "What do you want, Willow," he asked softly, licking her juices from his lips.

"You," she gasped.  "I need *you*."

Not needing to be asked a second time, Angel eased himself up between her thighs.  His cock was verging on being painfully hard, so he moaned when he felt Willow's hand gently grip his length and guide it to her hungry center.  The vampire leaned over the witch's flushed body, cupping her face gently, wanting to see her expression as he eased into her tight warmth.

"Look at me, Willow.  Open your eyes and look at me," Angel urged.

Willow's lashes fluttered and her lids raised to meet chocolate eyes flecked with amber.  "Angel, please," she whispered again.

"I want to watch you.  I want to see your eyes, your soul," he murmured against her lips.  Then he was sliding slowly into her tight heat.  He felt her body open to his invasion then envelop him in welcome.

Green eyes burned with an inner fire as they stared up at him, gazes locked, souls entwined.  Neither noticed a soft golden glimmer beginning to manifest above the bed the two bodies upon it moved together in perfect unison.

Tender touches and kisses were exchanged.  Fingers explored and traced muscles and flesh.  Angel felt a tingling begin at the base of his spine and knew he was close.  He didn't want it to end so soon and forced himself to hold back.  He brushed gentle kisses against Willow's mouth, enraptured by the picture she presented as she undulated against him.  He moved a hand to cup her cheek and nipped her lower lip.  "I love you, Willow," the vampire groaned softly.

Her hand slid from his back and ribcage, where they had been caressing smooth cool skin, up to his face. She pulled him in, deepening the kiss and whispered against his mouth, "I love you too, Angel."

Her words and emotions washed over him, and Angel felt a tightening in his body.  He reached between them, rubbing Willow's swollen nub quickly until he felt her stiffen under him.  When he felt the first spasms of her channel grasping at his hard length, he increased the force and speed of his strokes.

The two tumbled headfirst into orgasm, Angel emitting a growl with his cool release.  Willow's soft cries of pleasure seemed to bounce off the walls of the bedroom and echo back to them both.  By now the golden light that hovered over the bed lowered and wrapped itself around the lovers, filling them with a warmth and power, sending them even higher as their bodies were invaded by a powerful force.

Both Angel and Willow were screaming now.  Angel was panicked, fearing his soul was being torn away, but this wasn't pain he felt like last time.  The young witch felt overwhelmed by the power coursing through her.  Never had she ever felt such strong energy before.  Their orgasms, seemed to rocket them to another plane where they hovered high in the air for a moment before floating back to earth, like a feather in a warm summer breeze.

The golden light shimmered and flickered briefly before sinking into their skin.  Angel and Willow lay silent, still beyond words.  The vampire rolled to his side and pulled his lover with him.  The redhead looked up at him, questions in her eyes.

"Angel," she asked nervously.  She searched coffee brown eyes for the soul and found both soul and demon there, bound together.  Willow didn't know how she knew this, she just did.  The redhead offered Angel a soft smile.  "It worked, didn't it?"

Angel paused to listen for the whispers that Angelus always spat at the soul, tormenting, taunting him.  He could feel the demon, but it was silent.  Bound. That's the word he was looking for.  The demon was bound to the soul.  It had worked.  He grinned down at Willow and kissed her excitedly.  "It worked."

Angel laughed, then sobbed his relief.  For so long he had fought the demon, the constant pull and draw to the darkness inside himself.  Now there was no longer a tug of war occurring in his body.  There was just one being.  Willow drew him close and held him while he alternated between sobs and joyous laughter.

And that's how Spike found them.

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