Belly Up to the Bar

Author: Shanna

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~Part: 31~

He heard the screams. Spike had just reentered the hotel from the sewers, when the screams of his grand-sire and witch pierced his ears and instilled fear in his demon. The blond flew up the stairs, and by the time he made it to Peaches’ room, he could hear the Poof’s mini-breakdown start. He stopped in the doorway and watched Willow gently rock his grand-sire in her arms as he cried bloody tears on her neck and shoulder.

It unnerved him a bit, he’d rightly admit. He’d never seen Angel, or even Angelus show this kind of emotion before. The red head’s eyes rose up to meet his and she offered him a reassuring smile. She mouthed the words "It worked," and he understood.

Spike moved further into the room and sat on the other side of Angel. He didn’t know what to do with himself. His gaze flitted from the sobbing master vampire being rocked in the arms of a petite girl to the ceiling and about the room in general. A small hand on his arm grabbed his attention, and he looked down at Willow. She tugged on the sleeve of his duster, indicating he should lie down with them.

The blond vampire’s eyes reflected his confusion, until it hit him. Red wanted him to comfort the Poof! No bloody way in hell. He was the Big Bad. A master vampire in his own right. Demons feared him! There was nothing on Satan's earth that could make him. . .Awww, why was she lookin’ at him like that? What was it the moron called it? Her ‘Resolve Face’?

She tugged at his sleeve again, a bit harder. No. He was not going to. . .did she just stick her lower lip out? She was pouting at him now? Spike’s eyes begged her to just let this go, but she was tugging insistently on his sleeve now, trying to yank him down. Oh, soddin’. . .it’s tremblin’. That little lip is quiverin’ like she’s gonna cry. Oh, fuck it!

Spike flung himself down on the bed behind Angel and wrapped his arm around the shaken man. The look he shot Willow let her know, she owed him big for this one.

Angel felt his grand-childe’s presence in the room with them, but was surprised to feel his body pressed against his back and a leather clad arm around his waist. He turned a face stained with blood tinged tears to face him. The blonde looked nervous at his close inspection. Angel cupped his cheek and leaned up to kiss him.

"Thank you, William," he whispered hoarsely. "I know how hard this was for you."

Uncomfortable with the emotions his grand-sire’s words evoked, Spike answered the only way he know how. . .with sarcasm. "Not bloody hard for me. I’m not the one who had to shag your arse," he mumbled. "Red here’s the one made the sacrifice for the ‘greater good’."

Angel turned back to the redhead who was smiling at the blonde vampire with affection as well as exasperation. He cupped her cheek, regaining her attention and told her, his voice deep with emotion, "Thank you so much Willow. I can never repay you for what you’ve done for me."

"Yes you can, and I have the perfect way," the witch replied, a teasing glint in her green eyes.

Spike and Angel were both curious about her selected form of payment. "How?" The dark vampire pushed a strand of hair back from her forehead.

Willow leaned forward and brushed a soft kiss across his lips. "Be happy, Angel. The Powers have given you a way to keep your soul and allow you happiness. Allow yourself what they’re offering you. Promise me?"

"Can’t I just promise not to brood so much," he asked, frowning. He didn’t think he was far enough into his redemption to deserve happiness. "Cordy would be fine with less brooding, I think."

The redhead rolled her eyes and gripped his face between her hands. Green eyes bore into brown as she whispered fiercely, "Be. Happy." She kissed him harder to emphasize her point.

Spike watched his Red kiss Angel, then closed his eyes. He began to back away from the naked pair on the bed, but that small hand had grabbed hold of his sleeve again. He turned his head to find them both looking at him.

"Where do you think you’re going, Mister," the redhead asked, trying to appear stern.

"I just thought I’d leave the two lovebirds alone for a little private time." He hadn’t meant for that to come out sounding so. . .bitter.

"What if we don’t want left alone," Angel asked softly, raising an eyebrow at his wary grand-childe.

"Yeah," Willow nodded her agreement. "What if we want there to be three lovebirds?"

Spike’s gaze wavered between the two of them, wary and unsure. Willow knelt on the bed and crawled over Angel, heedless of her naked state. She wrapped her arms around his neck and lowered her head to kiss him slow and soft. "I love you," she whispered against his lips. "Please stay."

The blonde turned unconvinced eyes on the other vampire on the bed, then looked back at the redhead. "You’ve got the poof. What do you need me for? He’s got a soul and all. I’m just a demon," he pushed the words past his lips in a painful whisper.

"Maybe I’m greedy," she teased.

Willow looked closely at Spike and felt his pain and fear of loss at the fringes of their bond. Now was not the time for joking, she realized. She pushed his duster off his shoulders, tugged his T-shirt aside and did the only thing she could think of that the demon would understand. She bit hard, breaking skin, and drew blood into her mouth. She suckled lightly and tried not to think about the fact that she was making a conscious effort to drink his blood.

Spike jumped at the unexpected pain. Gripping his Red’s waist, he then slid a hand up to tangle in her fiery tresses. The feel of her mouth on him, drinking his blood, combined with the pain was exquisite. Glazed blue eyes opened when the vampire felt Willow pull away. He felt himself harden when he saw her pink lips stained with his blood.

"Mine," she whispered, leaning in to kiss him again.

"Yours," Spike moaned in reply.

When the kiss broke, Willow was panting for air.

"Come to bed, Spike," she urged, sliding the duster off his arms.

He stripped and crawled into bed, laying down on Willow’s other side. She and the Poof were still cuddled close, and his grand-sire had calmed down. The three lay together, quietly talking about the soul being bound, and how Angel could feel the difference.

The demon and soul had somewhat merged, with the soul being dominant. He was one entity now. Spike could see a bit more of his grand-sire at the forefront when he spoke and wondered how that would affect the poof’s personality in the long run.

Finally Angel dozed off, his head resting on Willow’s chest, an arm draped over her waist, and the blond thought his witch had fallen into sleep as well. If her deep steady breathing and heartbeat were any indication.

Cool fingers reached up to trace the bite mark left on his neck by the redhead, which had already begun to heal. Spike buried his face in the back of her neck, inhaling Willow’s scent. He laid a hand on her hip and spooned his body tightly to her. Maybe she really would need him after all.

~Part: 32~

Spike woke to someone softly kissing his neck. The lips and tongue were warm, as was the breath drifting across his cool skin, so unless Peaches went and got all human-like along with his soul, his money would be on Red. The vampire cracked one eye and smiled down at the top of the head buried against the column of his neck.

He reached out and stroked his fingers through the fiery tresses there, and smiled his contentment. If he wasn’t the Big Bad, he might actually allow himself to purr at her teasing kisses. Instead he pulled her head back and lowered his lips to hers, kissing the witch slow and long until she was panting for breath. Breathing was definitely overrated, he decided, especially if it mean he had to stop kissing Red.

"Afternoon, pet. Have a good nap," he asked softly.

The redhead stretched like a satisfied cat, then wrapped her arms around him. She nodded, her head resting on the pillow. "Nice nap. You?"

"Was all right, I s’pose." He cuddled her closer and nipped her collarbone. He looked at his grand-sire sleeping on her other side, a small smile on the vampire’s lips. "Looks like you wore out Peaches."

Willow looked back and smiled softly at Angel, then turned back to Spike. "That’s OK. I think we need to talk anyway."

She felt the blonde’s body tense at her words and gave him a reassuring hug. "It’s nothing bad, Spike. I just think there are a few things that need to be said. You know, clearing the air, and it might be better if we were alone to do it. Uh, talk that is. You know, not with the umm, sex stuff, although I like that too, but right now, talking. Yes, talking is of the good and needs done, not the sex, although maybe later, . . .if you wanted to. . .," Willow’s ramble trailed off and ended with a blush.

Spike leered down at the woman in his arms. "Sounds like a plan, pet. Where did you want to go to. . .talk?" He squeezed her bottom at his last word and waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Willow rolled her eyes and slapped his arm. "Our room."

"Right. Good idea." Spike rose and walked around the room gathering their clothes. He smirked at the appreciative looks his witch was throwing his way as he strutted around naked. He bent to retrieve her panties and scented her arousal in the air. He hoped this conversation wouldn’t last too long. He had better things in mind to do with his witch than talk.

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

Giles felt a headache coming on. He continued about his business, restocking the shelves of the Magic Box. That wasn’t the reason for his headache, however. He actually found that activity to be rather soothing to his frazzled nerves. His nerves were currently being tested by one small blond slayer following him about his appointed tasks.

"Giles, there has to be something else going on. Why does Spike need to stay there? He can’t feed from Wills. He’s Neutered Vamp, remember?"

Giles climbed the ladder and began re-shelving books as his slayer handed them up to him. "I’m quite aware of Spike’s limitations, Buffy. I just simply don’t see a need for him to come back right now. Things are slow here at the moment, and there haven’t been any portents or prophesies that I’m aware of. If Angel is willing to put up with Spike, I’m quite willing to let him stay there as added protection for Willow."

The blond frowned. Everything Giles said made sense, but there was just something not quite right. "I just don’t get it. Something’s not copacetic. Every time I talk to Wills she has that tone in her voice, like there’s something she doesn’t want to tell me. Oh, no!" Buffy dropped the remaining books in her arms, much to the chagrin of her watcher. "She’s dying, isn’t she? We can’t find a cure and this stupid bite is killing her!"

"Buffy, I assure you, Willow is not dying." He climbed down and picked up the abandoned books from the floor. He didn’t know how much longer he would be able to hold off his slayer and Xander. Both were extremely agitated by the entire situation. They missed their friend and were worried about her being fed upon by a vampire that had terrorized them all at one point. How was he supposed to tell them that they shouldn’t worry. . .especially when he knew what was really occurring in LA. *He* was worried.

"If she’s not dying, what is she hiding?" Buffy peered at her watcher, and noticed he wasn’t meeting her gaze. Her eyes narrowed. ‘What was *Giles* hiding?’

"Buffy, I really don’t know what you’re talking about. Willow is in perfectly capable hands. You know that Angel wouldn’t hurt her. Now, if you don’t mind, I do have quite a bit of work to do here."

The slayer watched her watcher stomp off toward the storage room in silence. She just didn’t like it. Something was wrong with Willow. She could tell. She hadn’t been best friends with the redhead for four years without being able to sense that fake happy tone in her voice when she was trying to hide something. She always sounded like she was high on caffeine when she tried to lie. The weekend was coming. Maybe a nice little trip to LA was in order. She was sure she could get Xander to drive. He was just as worried about Willow as she was.

Buffy nodded to herself. It was a plan. Not a take down the Big Bad of the month plan, but a plan nonetheless. LA, here I come.

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

Spike heard the door click shut behind them. He turned to face his Red and tried to read the expression on her face. It was a new one. He had never seen this one before.

"Spike," she began quietly, "why would you think that I wouldn’t want to be with you after I’d helped Angel?"

"He’s the Poof. He’s got a soul and all," he muttered, lowering his gaze. "He helps people, like your lot. You only took me in because you wanted information about the bloody G.I. Joes."

Willow walked over and stood in front of him, lifting his chin so he had to meet her gaze. He was surprised by the determination he saw there. "Let me ask you a question. Have you helped us?"

"Well, yeah, but only because the chip. . ."

"Not what I asked," the witch interrupted. "Have you helped us? Fighting demons? Watching our backs?"

"Yeah," he muttered ruefully.

"Do you still want to kill us all," she asked softly, resting her chin on his chest and looking up at him.

"Well," he wrapped his arms around her waist, "not *all* of you."

Willow slapped his chest. "I’m being serious. Think about it."

"Well, the Slayer, yeah, sometimes. M’demon senses her and it’s just, I feel all, grrrr, ya know? Instinct."

The redhead sighed. She would have to accept that. He was a demon and was never going to be able to get along with Buffy. They were natural born enemies. "The others?"

Spike thought about it for a minute. Demon girl was all right, he supposed. All her talk about sex could get on his nerves, but it embarrassed the hell out of the rest of the bloody Scoobies, so that made it all worth while. Rupert hadn’t been a half bad flatmate. If the soddin’ slayer hadn’t hung around there so much he could have stayed longer. He got a kick out of playin’ with the moron. For someone not goin’ to college, the boy had a quick mind and was always up for a good bait and hook row. And his Red? The vampire looked down at her shining emerald gaze, his fingers running through the silk of her hair again and smiled.

"I like you alive. . .and warm. . .and in my bed," his husky voice whispered. "I’d keep ya alive chip or no."

"And the others," she breathlessly asked, feeling as if she were being caressed by his crystal blue gaze.

Spike shrugged nonchalantly. "Doesn’t matter to me either way. But they matter to you, so, no, I wouldn’t kill the pathetic bunch of losers. Oh, and Joyce is all right in my book." He leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, "She makes me hot chocolate with those little marshmallows when I visit."

Willow’s lips twitched. "You visit the slayer’s mother for hot chocolate much?"

"Here, now," Spike protested his demonhood. "Woman’s a good listener, she is. Reminds me of me mum."

"Druscilla?" Willow peered up at the vampire like he was crazy.

"No, me human mum. She was a good woman. Nice, sweet, always encouraged me, always told me she loved me." Spike got a far off look in his eyes. "She was a good human being. There are days I regret killing her."

Willow gaped at the blond. Sometimes she forgot that once he had as little control as the fledges they staked on a nightly basis fresh from the graves. Angelus had killed his family. Why would she think that Spike hadn’t?

He looked at her sadly, not surprised to see the shock on her face. "I’m a demon, luv. I am what I am, and this chip doesn’t change matters."

"It’s given you a chance to get to know us as something more than food," Willow whispered. She grabbed his hand and locked fingers with it. Her gaze was focused on their intertwined digits as she asked her next question. "You said you loved me. Didn’t you mean it?"

"Cor, Willow, how can you say that?" He gripped her chin and made her look at him. "I claimed you. I want you to be my mate. I want you with me forever. I’m a greedy bastard. When I find somethin’ I want, I don’t want to let go. . .not for an eternity, and I don’t want to let you go," he murmured, then crashed his lips down on hers in a possessive kiss.

He kissed her breathless until she pushed away, gasping for air. "I don’t want to let you go either," she murmured. "Remember that. Never doubt it."

The redhead pulled him close, resting her head on his chest. "Yours," she whispered.

"Mine," Spike said reverently as he tenderly held the tiny mortal woman who had made him feel more than anyone had in his one hundred twenty-eight years. He was not letting her go.

~Part: 33~

Buffy followed Xander around the Magic Box, looking at the office every now and then to make sure Giles was still inside, filling out order forms. The young man was putting away the books the group had left on the research table, like a dutiful boyfriend should. Anya stood behind the cash register, tallying the day’s final totals and blowing kisses to Xander occasionally.

"Xander, you’ve talked to her. I’m not crazy, right? She’s hiding something," the blond whispered.

"I know she sounds a little off, Buff. I mean she sounds like happy Wills, but how can you be happy when you’ve got a vamp latched onto your neck five times a day? She’s putting up a good front, but I don’t know that she’s hiding anything. I think having Deadboy drinking her dry is giving her the wiggins finally. Not that it shouldn’t have in the first place."

"I don’t buy it Xan. Something’s up and I want to know what it is. She’s spending too much time with Spike. I don’t trust him and I don’t want to see Willow get hurt," Buffy pleaded. She prayed her friend wasn’t falling as hard for the bleached blond demon as she thought she might be. "Please come to LA with me this weekend. I need a ride."

"What do you mean? Spike can’t hurt Wills. Chipped vamp, remember? Besides, I don’t have a car right now. It’s in the shop waiting for a part to come in. It won’t be done until Tuesday so I had to use An’s car for work." He waved at his girlfriend across the room who smiled and waved back.

"Do you think she would let us use it to go to LA?" Buffy sent a hopeful smile and a wave Anya’s way as well, but only received a confused look and a snort from the former_demon before she turned back to her charge slips.

"I don’t know, Buff," Xander hesitated, then shelved another book. "She’s pretty particular about her car."

"I’ll ask her. I’m sure she’ll say yes. I mean, it’s for a good cause, right?" Buffy sent a hopeful grin at a doubting Xander. He arched his brow at her and shrugged.

"Doesn’t hurt to ask, right?" He climbed two rungs of the ladder to slip one of the books on the top shelf.

The slayer walked over to Anya, shaking her head as she watched the girl lovingly caress the stack of twenties laying in a pile next to the register.

"Anya,. . ."

"No."

Buffy blinked. The other girl hadn’t even looked up from her perusal of the book she was using to now enter daily figures.

"You don’t even know what I was going to ask," Buffy complained.

"If you’re going to ask for some of my money, the answer is no." Again, Anya didn’t bother looking up at the annoyed slayer.

"I wasn’t going to ask for your. . .actually, *Giles’* money," Buffy sighed, exasperated by the other girl’s attitude.

"Then, no, you can’t borrow Xander for orgasms, either." She actually had the decency to at least glare at the other girl this time, but laid a protective hand over the money on the counter just to be on the safe side.

"I don’t want Xander for orgasms, either. I have Riley for. . .oh God!" Buffy rolled her eyes. She had been hanging around the former demon too much recently. "Anya, I just wanted to know if you would let Xander and me borrow your car to go visit Willow in LA this weekend."

The former demon reluctantly pulled her hand away from the cash and narrowed her eyes at the blond. "You want to take my Xander away for the weekend and borrow my car to do it?"

"Anya," Buffy hissed, "we just want to go see how Willow is doing. And keep your voice down. Giles knows something and is being no_sharey guy. So will you do it? Let us borrow your car?"

"So, you want to sneak away for the weekend with my boyfriend and use my car to do it? That sounds even better," was the sarcastic reply.

"Anya," Buffy ground out from between clenched teeth, "I. Do. Not. Want. Xander. For. Orgasms. Can we just borrow your freaking car to go check on Willow?"

"No."

"NO?!" Buffy caught herself from screaming at the last second and the word came out as a strangled grunt.

"No. But I’ll drive you both. I could use a little vacation from the Hellmouth. A weekend in LA sounds like a plan. . .with *my* Xander." Anya allowed herself to smile at the flushed face of the other girl, watching her mouth open and shut, words failing her momentarily.

"Who’s going to watch the shop with Giles?" Buffy asked. "Won’t he get suspicious if all three of us disappear?"

"Quite simple, really. Tara can help Giles with the shop. Xander and I can say we’re going away for the weekend for some private orgasm time. You can tell Giles you and Riley are doing the same. Hey, why didn’t you just ask Riley to take you?" The idea hit Anya like a ton of bricks.

Buffy ran her finger over the edge of the wooden top counter. "Riley and Angel don’t exactly get along that well if you recall. Besides, he has two papers due on Monday and drives a stick shift."

Anya nodded her understanding. "I’ve seen Xander try to drive one of those before. The shifting was very loud and annoying."

"Yeah, and my shifting is just as noisy, thus, the no lending me his car. He’d like to keep the transmission in one piece."

"Just tell Riley to lay low and stay away from Giles. Lie. It’s not that difficult. Most humans do it, you know."

Xander walked behind the counter and swept his girlfriend into a kiss. "So, you girls have been chatting in a very civil manor over here. Should I be frightened?"

"I’m driving," Anya told him.

Xander pulled back in surprise. "You wanna come with?"

"I want to come and make sure a) nothing happens to my car, b) Buffy doesn’t want to use you for orgasms, c) I want to use you for orgasms and d) I figure I can check out some of the occult stores while we’re in town to get a few ideas to bring back here."

"So, we’re set," Buffy said with forced cheer. "We’re going to LA. The three of us. . .together. . .in one car. . .on a very long drive." ‘Wills, you’d better appreciate the sacrifices I make for you.'  The slayer shook her head. What she wouldn’t put up with for her friend.

~Part: 34~

While Xander, Anya and Buffy were plotting their weekend trip to LA back in Sunnydale, Angel awoke alone in his bed. The scents of Spike and Willow still filled the air around him, and he could still smell the redhead all over his own body. He smiled to himself. His soul was secure. He was whole, demon and soul merged. Angel frowned, trying to concentrate on his feelings for Willow now. Would the demon’s anger override the love he felt for her? He closed his eyes and pictured her in his mind as she had looked, laying beneath him, her face flushed, eyes bright, and swollen lips parted as he brought her to climax.

A smile flashed across his face again. While Angelus was still a little bitter about being caged up for the last few years, he was grateful to the witch for releasing him to merge with the soul, giving him a permanent freedom of sorts. He also felt a healthy respect for Willow’s powers and thinking of how she felt wrapped around him. . .well, that caused his demon to practically purr.

Angel opened his eyes and, concentrating on the links between he and the others, was able to sense their presence. They were close. . .across the hall. Angel rose and donned his black silk robe. He sauntered casually out of his rooms and across the hall to Willow’s door. He grinned as he heard her soft cries of delight. Spike was at it again, the vampire shook his head. Between the two of them Willow would be lucky if she would be able to stand let alone walk by the end of the day.

He opened the door and felt his eyes flashed golden at the sight before him. Willow lay sprawled on the bed gloriously naked, her legs propped up on either side of Spike’s shoulders and he rested between them. The blond knelt on the bed, still wearing his black jeans that were slung low on his narrow hips, and was in the process of teasing Willow’s cinnamon curls.

Angel stifled a chuckle as he saw the delicate touches Spike was using with his tongue, barely grazing the redhead’s outer folds. He reached up and began to fondle her breasts, teasing the nipples to hard peaks as Willow moaned and strained upward, desperate for more contact. Her fingers tangled in his hair, trying to urge him closer, but her efforts only earned her a husky chuckle from the vampire intent on tormenting her body until she had begged him enough to satisfy his demon.

Both Spike and Willow sensed Angel’s presence at the same time. She looked up through passion glazed eyes at the vampire slowly closing the door behind him. Spike spared him a glance over his shoulder, nodded and offered a "Peaches" before turning back to his pleasant task.

Angel walked closer and sat on the bed next to the writhing and now blushing woman, gently stroking her hair back from her face. "I woke up and you were both gone," he murmured softly.

"I thought Spike and I needed to. . .uhhhhhh. . .to talk," she explained breathlessly as she felt a cool tongue flick across her clit. She tried to reach for the sheet to modestly cover herself, but Angel stayed her hand.

An amused smile lit his face. "Looks like you’re doing quite a bit of . . .talking," he chuckled.

"We talked first," Willow assured him before arching her body off the bed again, becoming increasingly frustrated by Spike’s teasing tongue.

"Are you ready, Willow? For both of us?"

Spike dipped his tongue in her center, causing her response to be drawn out on a long sigh, "Uuuuuhhhhhh."

"Little One? Was that a yes?" Angel chuckled, then leaned over, gently tugging one rosy nipple between his lips, then the other.

Angel slid up and kissed the writhing girl slowly and her response was explosive. Spike was doing a wonderful job at bringing her fire to the surface. Fingers tangled in his hair as she pulled him closer, desperate for more contact that her other lover was unwilling to give her at the moment. He pulled away all too soon for Willow. "I’ll take that as a yes. And are you ready for this, Childe," he asked Spike.

Despite Willow’s whimpered protests, he moved further down the bed and cupped Spike’s face, raising it to lick the proof of their witch’s arousal from his mouth before plundering his lips with a kiss that was harsh and domineering.

Willow watched the display and felt her desire for both men. . .er, vampires, tighten inside her. They looked so beautiful together, demons clashing, struggling for supremacy. Angel won the battle, but not without a fight from Spike. He pulled back and licked at the blonde’s lips, cleaning the droplets of blood left by their passionate kiss. "Well, William?"

"Yes, Sire," he said softly.

Angel cupped Spike’s face and lapped at it softly, tasting Willow over his chin, lips, cheeks and nose. Meanwhile, he slipped two fingers into her wet center, gently pumping them in and out. "Take off your pants," he whispered to Spike.

The blond shuddered. His sire had promised retribution for his comment about not being a bisexual vampire. Looked like it was time to pay the price, not that he’d really mind. Spike lowered the zipper of his jeans and pushed them down. Angel helped him remove them fully, squeezing his calves as he slid them off his legs. He looked on in appreciation at the pale flesh revealed to him. It had been too long since he’d seen Spike like this.

"I think Willow’s feeling a little neglected," Angel said softly, both vampires looking down at the beautiful girl watching them with desire. "Why don’t you go back to what you were doing, hmm?" He urged Spike forward with a hand at the back of his neck and felt himself harden at the sight of their two bodies moving sensually together.

He turned his attention to the round pale globes of his Childe’s ass, caressing softly, pinching harshly occasionally. Fingers slid down to tease the tight puckered anus of Spike with fingers still wet from Willow’s juices. She moaned as the vibrations from his demon’s purrs of pleasure teased her center. Willow watched in curiosity and something else akin to absolute lust as Angel’s fingers slid slowly into Spike.

He shuddered as he feel the tight anus give under the pressure of his slick digits. Angel didn’t remember Spike being this tight. . .ever.

"How long has it been, Childe? Who was the last," his low voice questioned.

Spike raised his head and moaned, pushing back onto the probing fingers. "You were, Sire. You were the last. Before you ate that soddin’ gypsy."

Angel growled his pleasure and began steadily stroking in his snug channel. A third finger was added and he began working them inside the other vampire, stretching him, preparing him for what was to come.

Spike pressed his face between Willow’s thighs and began to hungrily lap at her wet center, nibbling, sucking and driving her to the edge until she clamped her legs around his head. Her hips bucked up from the mattress and fingers tangled in his blond locks, then Spike felt her release drenching his lips and licked eagerly at it.

Willow’s cries of pleasure and her body’s reaction had Angel harder then he had been previously. He watched her climax for his Childe, her pale body flushed a rosy pink as it trembled and shook.

When he felt Spike had been sufficiently prepared, he urged his Child farther up the bed while removing his robe. He probed Willow’s still quivering entrance before Angel’s hand stilled him and nudged him further up until he was straddling her stomach. Spike moaned as he rocked his hips, watching his hard length rub along his Red’s pale stomach. Behind him, he felt his Sire’s chest pressed against his back as he kissed his neck. Willow’s eyes widened, then fluttered closed. Her lips formed an "O", and turning around, Spike was able to watch Angel slide into their witch.

He grabbed his Childe’s face and kissed him again, drawing his tongue into his mouth and cutting it on a fang as his face took on the demonic visage Spike remembered so well. The blond moaned as Angel began suckling his tongue while easing his swollen member in and out of Willow.

Spike jumped as a warm hand encircled his straining shaft, stroking slowly in time with Angel’s thrusts. Angel reached around and pinched his nipples, tugging at them until two tight peaks stood erect from his pale chest. Both men felt a hand flitting over their faces and looked down to see Willow watching them in awe.

"You’re so perfect together," she whispered. "You fit." Her fingers lightly caressed their lips and cheeks, as well as their fangs and ridges, causing both to purr.

Spike leaned over and kissed her. "We all fit, pet. The three of us, together." He gently slid his fangs into his claim, drinking briefly. "Mine."

Angel leaned forward and pierced Spike’s shoulder with his canines, suckling the blood that welled there. "Mine," he growled, while increasing his thrusts into Willow. Angel caught himself and paused. This isn’t what he had planned, but it was so easy to get lost in the warm girl below him. He stayed his movements then slowly withdrew from Willow.

Her eyes opened in confusion. "Angel?"

Spike felt his sire pull him back, and a cool hand on his swollen length then guided him into Willow’s wet heat. Her sigh of pleasure washed over them, causing both vampires to smile.

Spike raised her legs and draped them over his shoulders, hissing his approval as he sank deeper into her tight warmth. Hands on his hips stilled his movement however, and he closed his eyes, feeling Angel pressing against his stretched opening. Soft kisses peppered his face and blue eyes opened to meet emerald. His eyes remained locked with Willow’s as he felt himself being filled as he hadn’t in nearly a century.

Angel groaned as his shaft was encased in Spike’s tight ass. He had forgotten how good it felt to be in the blond. He leaned forward and nipped, sucked and kissed along the pale back in front of him. Angel smiled as he felt Spike’s muscles bunch and twitch in response to his assault, then began to slowly move in and out.

A low growl escaped Spike’s lips as he felt the friction caused by the movement. His hips began to thrust in time, matching Angel’s pace. Each time the elder vampire pressed into Spike, it also caused him to sink deeper into Willow, causing the girl no end of pleasure.

Moans of pleasure, soft whispered words and quickened breathing filled the room as did the sounds of flesh meeting flesh. An occasional growl and purr were added in to the sensual sounds surrounding the threesome moving in perfect harmony on the bed. Willow and Angel’s fingers were intertwined as they both gripped Spike’s hips, each guiding his motions. Kisses were exchanged, soft and gentle at first, then increasing in their passion and need.

As their desire escalated, so did their movements. Hushed moans became cries of pleasure. As the three raced toward their climaxes, fangs entered flesh. Willow felt Spike drinking from his claim and Angel gripped the nape of Spike’s neck between his teeth, tasting his powerful blood. The trio came together, exploding in orgasm, bodies clenching and driving into one another as releases were found.

Trembling bodies collapsed onto the bed, Spike between the others. Willow and Angel curled against his sides, their hands gripped upon his stomach as both nuzzled the blond vampire’s neck.

"See," Willow whispered. "Three lovebirds."

Spike and Angel smiled at her.

"Yeah, guess so, pet."

The three were silent for a while, cuddled happily together, touching softly here and there. "Bloody hell!"

"What’s wrong," Angel asked, concerned by the disgust in his favored Childe’s voice. Was he regretting what happened between them? He’d better not be. He was his sire and his Childe would learn. . .oh, hmmm, going to take some getting used to this merged soul and demon deal.

"Look at us, Peaches!" His voiced echoed his dismay. "She’s right. We *are* her soddin’ cuddle vamps!"

Angel and Willow began to laugh, slowly at first, but the chuckles grew to full belly laughs until even Spike was laughing with them, holding both of his lovers close. He could get used to this, cuddle vamp or not.

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

After showers that involved much naughty touching and a required second sudsing for all parties involved, the three finally emerged dressed and headed down to the lobby. Cordelia sat at the front desk, a headset on as she listened to her portable CD player and read a fashion magazine. The door to Wesley’s office was closed.

Angel walked over and tugged the headset off his seer. Willow had to muffle her giggle in Spike’s chest after she watched the magazine go flying three feet in the air and a startled yelp escape Cordy’s lips.

"Angel," she squealed, slapping his chest with one hand as she held another to her pounding heart. "How many times have I told you not to sneak up on me like that?!"

"Delia, how are you supposed to hear the phone ring with this thing turned up this loud?" Angel winced at the volume as he held the headphones up to his sensitive ear.

"How am I supposed to hear the telephone over the three of you upstairs? I mean, come on, you guys! Shove a sock in your mouths or something! I felt like I was listening to a soundtrack for a porno." Cordy rolled her eyes. She caught the obvious embarrassment of Willow at the tail end and felt a bit guilty, but for Pete’s sake, it had been like she was in the same room.

"Watch a lot of those Cheerleader," Spike sneered at her. He held Willow tightly, feeling her embarrassment and trying to comfort her.  Spike leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "But maybe we could think about investing in some toys. Ball gags, vibrators, cock ring for Peaches, and you’d look bloody amazing in leather, pet."

Willow didn’t think she could turn any more red, but Spike’s words proved her wrong. She slapped his arm and buried her face in his chest, hoping Cordy didn’t heard the suggestive comments.

Angel did though and a thoughtful look crossed his face before his seer grabbed his attention again with her next whispered words.

"Wesley’s in the office on the phone with that guy in Turkey. He *was* on the phone out here a while ago, but he couldn’t hear very well and decided to take it in his office." She arched a pointed eyebrow at her boss.

"The one that thinks he has the book on Vilnavons," Angel asked just as quietly. He didn’t want to get Willow’s hopes up if he didn’t have to.

Cordy nodded, also not wanting Willow to get too hopeful if nothing important was found. "I think he found the book. Wesley was going to get more details from him."

Just then the door to the office flew open and Wesley ran out grinning. He saw the three standing in the lobby and a blush crossed his face as he recalled the sounds heard from upstairs not even a half hour before.

"Well, I’m glad the three of you have decided to. . .uh, grace us with your presence. I was just on the phone with my contact in Turkey. Abhmir informed me that he has found the book, however it is written in ancient Pra’linto, a demon language that’s been extinct for at least fifteen hundred years. You see the Pra’linto demon was best know for. . ."

"Watcher," Spike interrupted, "the short version only."

"Oh, right, of course. So sorry Willow. I know you must be anxious to find out about the book, given your circumstances. And with everything that’s been happening lately. . ."

"Wesley!" Angel, Cordy and Spike shouted at the man.

"Wesley, please," Willow asked quietly, "just tell me what you found out from the book."

"Well, that’s just it. Nothing has been found out just yet. Abhmir needs to translate the text before he has any details for me."

Willow sighed and her shoulders slumped. More waiting.

"But, it should only take a couple more days," Wesley continued, seeing the dejected look on the poor girl’s face. "He needs to translate it from Pra’linto to ancient Gransulk and from Gransulk to archaic German. From there it should be a piece of cake."

"Why so many languages, Wes," Angel asked.

"Well, its a matter of being able to translate certain words to other languages. Some languages have no words equaling those in others, so we need to take it from language to language until we at least have a general meaning for some of the words to work with."

"And Abdul can do this in just a coupla days," Spike asked.

"Abhmir," Wesley corrected. "And yes, he can. We should have an answer by this weekend."

"Well, that’s something to celebrate, right," Cordelia asked, smiling at Willow.

She nodded happily. She didn’t actually mind having Spike and Angel feed from her. It was actually very erotic. What bothered her was the frequency of which it had to occur. How was she supposed to live her life when she couldn’t be away from her vampires for more than five hours at a time?

"Oh! That’s not the only thing we have to celebrate," Willow exclaimed.

"Really? Do tell," Wesley asked.

"Well, ummm, this morning we, uh, kinda. . .Angel and I. . ."

"She bloody well shagged his soul permanent."

Angel smiled at his lovers, one blushing, the other exasperated. His concentration was on them, which is why he was practically bowled over by an armful of squealing Cordelia Chase.

"Angel, that’s wonderful! I’m so happy for you." She bounced happily in his embrace.

"Yes, yes! Congratulations, Angel." Wesley came forward, shaking his boss’ hand. "How wonderful that you never have to worry about Angelus again."

Cordy pulled back, looking like the Cheshire Cat. "We *sooooo* are having a part!"

Angel looked dubious. "A party? Delia, I don’t think that’s really necessary."

"Oh, puh-leez! How often does someone get their soul permanently super-glued to their body? Willow, come shopping with me? We need party favors, chips and dip, music, alcohol, blood. . .the list just goes on and on. Grab your purse, Wills, we’ve got a lot of shopping to do.

Before either vampire could protest, Willow was swept out of the hotel by Hurricane Cordy.

~Part: 35~

The AI Team lucked out in a way. Cordelia was driven to her knees by a migraine inducing vision right at the entrance to Parties-R-Us. The last items on her list were party hats, streamers and noisemakers. She had thought they might even have a "Congratulations on your permanent soulage, Angel" banner made up as well. It was either that or "Kiss your Angelus good-bye!". Willow tried to explain the melding of soul and demon, but Cordy being Cordy thought it was catchy and would be cute.

In Willow’s opinion, it was the PTB’s way of sparing her the humiliating task of facing the store clerk’s stare if Cordy had placed an order for the banner. She giggled behind her hand as she drove back to the hotel, picturing the relief on her vampires’ faces when they found out they escaped having to wear the uncomfortable party hats with the annoying elastic strap as well. A mental image of Spike and Angel donning these brightly metallic cones of cardboard with party horns in their mouths left her chortling, much to Cordy’s annoyance, the rest of the way to the Hyperion.

She gently led Cordelia into the lobby, calling for the others. Once she had her friend settled on one of the lumpy couches, and the pale girl had demanded her pain medication from a flustered Wesley, Willow decided to unload the car of their purchases.

Only when she was finished did she find out the details of the vision that ended their shopping trip.

"So, we’re dealing with a Mucus demon," Angel asked.

"Call it whatever you want. I’ll call it slimy ookieness. It was gray and just dripping with. . .eeewww, it’s just gross. It’s got this yellow snottiness oozing from every pore and. . ."

"Definitely a Mucus demon," Wesley cut her off before her graphic description caused him to lose his lunch.

"How do you kill it," Willow asked, placing some of the bags on the floor next to the couch and sitting down next to Cordelia.

"Simple decapitation should work," Angel mused, already heading for the weapons cabinet. "Looks like your party will need to be postponed, Delia."

"That’s all right," she groaned. "We didn’t get the hats and horns yet anyway."

Willow couldn’t contain her laughter at the horror-stricken look on Angel’s face and the outright hostility on Spike’s.

"I’m not wearin’ any soddin’ bloody hat or blowin’ any bleedin’ horn, Cheerleader, so you can forget it," he growled as he pointed at the pale girl taking the pills Wesley had fetched for her.

Willow arose and walked over to Spike, with a teasing glimmer in her eye. Wrapping her arms around her lover, she stood on tiptoe and whispered, "I think you’d look sexy with a hat and a horn."

Spike glared down at his witch, then a smile quirked the corners of his mouth and he leaned closer, kissing her softly. He whispered against her lips, "You just want to see me with Peaches’ horn. Turned you on, didn’t it, pet?"

Willow blushed and slapped his arm, but didn’t deny his allegation. He chuckled softly and buried his face in her neck, inhaling the wonderfully unique smell that was Willow. She shivered as his tongue traced his claim then as his lips suckled her pulse point.

The sound of someone clearing their throat shook her from her pleasant haze. Opening her eyes, she found Angel beside them looking quite amused. He tapped Spike’s shoulder and when the blond rumbled a growl low in his throat and lifted his head, Angel shoved a sword into his hand.

"The sooner we get rid of the Mucus demon, the faster we can get back and. . .talk with Willow," he murmured, quirking an eyebrow at his grand-childe.

"Good idea, ya great poof," Spike said, grabbing the sword with one hand and pulling Willow closer with his other. He leaned in and kissed her passionately then waggled his eyebrows. "Hold that thought, pet."

Willow smiled at him, then was surprised to receive a soft kiss from Angel as well. His smile was a bit more devilish than she would have anticipated, but then she remembered his soul had merged with his demon.

"Put that brilliant mind to work while we’re gone, Little One," he purred against her lips. "I’m sure you can think up a million and one things for us to ‘talk about’ once Spike and I get back." Angel smirked at her, then sucked her lower lip before drawing back and tugging a resisting blond vampire behind him.

Willow waved to both as they headed out into the night, the sun having just set. She turned and found herself squirming under Cordelia’s knowing gaze.

"Go Willow!"

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

"So, it sounds like Wesley’s source is pretty close to digging up some additional information on the vilnavons," Angel said, trying to sound casual.

Spike glanced over at his grand-sire. "Could be nothing. Could just be a description or talk about their rituals. Might not have a cure for Red."

Angel tried to sound hopeful. "Then again, it might."

They drove along in silence for a bit longer before Spike spoke again. "Are you going to ask her? To stay, I mean."

Angel clutched the steering wheel tighter. "I was thinking about this weekend. Maybe after the party." After another long pause, he quietly asked, "Do you think she’ll say yes?"

"Hard to tell Peaches. Red’s a complicated human, what having all those morals and loyalties to the soddin’ Scoobies. Waste of time, if ya ask me. If I didn’t have this bloody chip in my head, I’d take her away, tie her up and make love to her for days until she was beggin’ me not to take her back to Sunnyhell."

Angle’s lips curved into a smile at the mental image his grand-childe had provoked. "Now there’s an idea," he mumbled.

Spike looked at the dark vampire in surprise then began to laugh. "I think I like the new you, Peaches, soul and all."

Angel had the grace to look slightly sheepish, not realizing he had spoken aloud. He knew he was going to have to ask Willow to stay and soon. He mentally nodded to himself. This weekend he would ask Willow if she would stay in LA with both he and Spike. . .and if their sweet little witch needed a little convincing, there was the big sex emporium down on Vine. He smirked, sure he could get some fur-lined restraints that would go easy on her delicate wrists. Yes, this weekend definitely had possibilities.

~Part: 36~

Willow felt something brush against her nose. She lazily batted at empty air, then threw her arm back over her head. The irritating tickle returned just moments later. Her hand flew up to her face quickly, and her grumbled complaint was drowned out by a husky chuckle. Sleepy green eyes blinked into the darkness, then squinted as the overhead light was turned on.

Spike sat on the edge of the bed, a strand of her hair in hand, this time tickling her chin. Angel stood at the doorway, where he had turned on the light.

"Wakey, wakey, pet," Spike murmured in his sexy baritone. He leaned down and kissed her softly. "I think you’re about ready for a midnight snackin'."

"Mmmmm. That’s nice," Willow whispered sleepily, then wrapped her arms around Spike’s neck. "Did you kill it?"

She felt his laughter against her neck, rather than heard it. "Oh, it’s dead, Red. No doubt about that."

Willow heard the amusement in his voice and took an instant to really take a good look at Angel. He still stood in the doorway, watching the two of them on the bed wistfully. He also happened to be dripping.

"Angel, is it raining?"

"Only mucus, Little One. Spike got a good hit in on the demon. Unfortunately, I was in the line of fire."

"Oh, so you’re all. . .that stuff dripping is. . .eeeewwww!!!" The redhead felt her stomach protest. "You’re like a big walking used tissue." She wrinkled her nose in disgust.

"Which is why I’m here, with you, pet, and why Peaches there is headed for the shower." Spike grinned over his shoulder at Angel, who grimaced and gingerly plucked his shirt away from his body.

"I still think you did it on purpose," the slimy vampire grumbled, making his way toward the bathroom.

"Not my fault you didn’t duck in time," Spike cheerily called after him.

Once the door was closed and they both heard the shower start, Willow looked up at him. "You did do it on purpose, didn’t you?"

Spike waggled his eyebrows at her. "What do you think, luv?"

"You’re impossible," she rolled her eyes.

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

Angel stepped out of the shower feeling exceedingly grateful for the inventions of hot running water, soap and shampoo. If he had scrubbed his skin any harder, he might have just hit muscle and bone. He toweled off leisurely, tilting his head to listen for sounds from the next room. He heard Spike’s low steady voice and an occasional giggle or yawn from Willow. Angel threw on his robe and smiled when he smelled Willow’s scent clinging to it.

He exited the bathroom to find Spike sitting with his back against the headboard with their witch curled up on her side, head resting on his lap. Spike was leisurely running his fingers through her soft tresses and Angel didn’t think he’d ever seen the blond as at peace as he was at that moment. He strolled over to his bed and curled up behind Willow, kissing her neck softly.

She smiled over her shoulder at him and he lightly kissed her lips. "Feeling better? No more ewie drippage?"

He glared at Spike who attempted to muffle his snort of laughter. "Much better, Willow. And what about you? How do you feel?"

"OK, I guess," she replied with a yawn. "Sleepy." She nuzzled her face against Spike's thigh.

Angel looked up at his grand-childe. "Have you. . .?"

He shook his head. "No. We've just been talkin'. Red, luv, before you go back to sleep we should probably have that little midnight snack I mentioned. Let you at least sleep through part of the night."

"Mmm-kay," she whispered, already half asleep.

Spike smiled down at her innocent expression. She looked so bloody young. How had she survived this long? He thanked a God he no longer laid any claim to every day that she was here, and with him. His eyes darkened as he watched Angel snuggled in closer behind her and trail his tongue over her exposed throat. He had never thought that he would be able to share Willow with the Poof, but watching them together lately never brought to mind the jealousy that raged through him when Angelus would steal Dru away from him for days at a time. Watching Willow with Angel only aroused him. They were beautiful together, and besides, he knew how his Red felt about him. She had told him she loved him.

Angel's eyes met Spike's as his face morphed. Gently he sank his fangs into Willow's throat, pulling slow mouthfuls of hot blood from her pale skin. She felt his erection pressing against her from behind. Instinctively she ground back against him, moaning softly as she felt the erotic tug at her neck. Angel's hand slid up under her loose tank and cupped a soft breast, teasing the nipple into a taut peak.

"Save some for me," Spike mumbled softly as he gently moved out from under the other two. He laid down facing Willow so she was ensconced between the two vampires. Her face was flushed, lips parted as she breathed softly through her mouth. Startling green eyes opened to find cobalt blue staring back at her. She watched as he slid her top higher and exposed her breasts. Fangs elongated and Willow felt the gentle pinpricks of them entering her skin.

She cradled Spike's head against her chest and ran a finger lightly across his ridges, causing him to purr. She wasn't sure when it happened, but the next thing Willow became aware of was the fact that she was no longer wearing any clothes and neither were her vampires.

"Hmmm, so much for a full night's sleep," she whispered, feeling both enter her gently.

It wasn't until the first rays of dawn washed over LA that any of them finally got to sleep.

~Part: 37~

Buffy was packed for the weekend. She had an overnight back with her hairdryer, makeup, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc., a large suitcase with her clothes in it and a duffel bag full of shoes and weapons. It never hurts to be a little overcautious, besides she did have to leave her favorite crossbow behind. Giles would have gotten a little suspicious if any more of his stash from his weapons case disappeared.

The slayer wondered how long she had before Xander and Anya showed up, and debated adding a few more stakes to her duffel bag. Just as she was ready to head upstairs to grab some additional holy water, the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it, Mom," she called out, opening the door, not to reveal Xander and Anya as Buffy had expected, but Giles instead.

"Giles!" Her voice was bright and much too chipper, she knew. She hated lying to her watcher, and prayed her fellow conspirators wouldn't show up while he was here. "What are you doing here?"

"Buffy, may I come in?" Giles arched an eyebrow and peered at her over the tops of his wire-rimmed glasses.

"In? Oh, you mean in! Like inside. Here. In my house. Uh, well, if you can." She was the Slayer. She knew better than to invite someone into her home, even her own watcher.

Giles smiled at her in approval as he crossed the threshold. "I'm glad I caught you before you and Riley left for the weekend. I was wondering if you had the Sword of Illion. I couldn't find it in my weapons chest. I know it's highly unlikely that a K'narkmul demon would appear while you're away, but it is the only method known to kill it. Do you by chance have it here?"

"Sword of Illiad? Isn't that a book by that Homer guy?" Buffy shot a confused look at her watcher.

"Not the Sword of Illiad, Buffy. The Sword of Illion. It's the only one of its kind, and supposedly crafted by an Aztec worshipped as a god himself. It is the only thing know to be able to decapitate a K'nark. . ."

". . .mul demon. Got that part. What's it look like? You've got like a gazillion swords, Giles."

"Oh, well, it's the silver one with the gold and turquoise inlaid handle."

"Oooohhh, the pretty one!" Buffy's eyes lit in recognition.

"Uh, yes. The pretty one. Do you have it?" Giles sounded a mite offended at having such a rare and important weapon reduced to being described in such a trivial manner.

Xander chose that moment to show up on her doorstep. Luckily Giles had his back to the door, so Buffy was able to surreptitiously shoo him away and out of her watcher's potential sight. "Uh, ya know, I think I do have it laying around here somewhere. I tell you what. I'll check my room. Why don't you check the kitchen. See if it's laying around in there somewhere."

"You keep swords in the kitchen?" Giles eyed her in disbelief as she pushed him in the direction of the kitchen.

"It has a back door. I keep weapons at all entry points of the house. Don't forget to check beside the microwave stand," she called after him as he reluctantly left to inspect the room for his MIA sword.

As soon as he was out of sight Buffy stuck her head out onto the dark front porch. "Xander," she hissed softly, then jumped out of her skin when a hand fell on her shoulder. His arm was pinned behind his back before he knew what hit him.

"Buff! Buff, it's me!" He scrunched down, trying to loosen the strain on his shoulder.

"Oh, sorry," she grinned sheepishly as she released her grip. Xander massaged his arm and wondered if she had done any damage to his rotator cuff. "Look, have Anya move her car before Giles sees it."

"Where do you want us to park?"

"Down the block. In front of Mrs. Eagles house would be good."

Xander tried to remember the identity of Buffy's neighbor. "Is she the one with the flamingos in her front yard?"

"No, she's the one with all of the pinwheels. The flamingos belong to Dr. Stein. Now go! I've got to get rid of Giles so we can hit the road." She ushered him off her porch and quickly moved to her duffel bag.

Buffy withdrew the shining age old weapon and admired the patterns and color scheme. It really was very pretty. Shaking her head, she moved to the steps and stomped her feet like she was coming downstairs. "Giles, I found it," she called out.

Her watcher came into the room, shaking his head.

"What's wrong," she asked, truly confused. "I found your Sword of Illiad."

"Sword of Illio. . .oh, never mind. Buffy, you have a mace by the back door. Don't any of your mothers' friends find that a bit odd?"

"Oh, no. She makes a big joke out of it. She tells them she collects antiques for her art gallery sometimes, and then she tells everyone she uses it as a meat tenderizer. Surprisingly, it gets a laugh every time."

"I see. Well, I'll just take the sword and be on my way. I hope you and Riley have a nice weekend. You've been working awfully hard lately, what with Willow and Spike in LA. You deserve a bit of rest and relaxation."

Buffy actually felt guilty as she handed him the weapon and waved good-bye to Giles. It quickly passed, however as she watched him drive away in his mid-life-crisis-mobile. As soon as his taillights were out of sight, she grabbed her luggage and yelled upstairs to her mother she was leaving.

She hurried down the block to find Anya and Xander steaming up the windows in front of her neighbor's house. She tapped on the glass and the window rolled down to reveal an irritated looking ex-demon.

"Ready to roll," Buffy asked.

"I was trying, but you interrupted," Anya snapped.

"I meant, are we ready to leave? And can you pop the trunk? I'll just toss my stuff back there."

"Fine." Anya pulled the lever, releasing the back latch. Buffy shoved her suitcase in first, pushing it to the very back of the trunk. Anya's small suitcase and Xander's duffel bag didn't take up nearly as much space as her luggage. Maybe she had over-packed again. Nah! The slayer squeezed her overnight bag in on the side of the trunk and laid her duffel bag across the rest of the luggage before slamming down the trunk.

She moved to the side of the car and hopped in the back seat. "So, we're ready to go?"

"Ready and rarin', Buffster," Xander grinned at her from the front seat. "LA here we come."

Anya peeled out, making both Buffy and Xander grip anything they could get their hands on as they held on for dear life.

"Anya, you do have your license, don't you," Buffy asked, sounding slightly panicked.

"You need a license to do this," Anya asked, looking slightly surprised as her eyes met Buffy's in the rearview mirror.

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

"A little higher. A little higher. Down just a little. No! Not that much. Yes! Yes! That's it. That's the spot. Perfect!"

Willow rolled her eyes as she pressed the banner on the wall, praying the double-sided tape stuck exactly where she wanted it. If she had to go through this with Cordy again, she just might kill the girl. She climbed down from the ladder, praying to her goddess as she did so that the tape would stay stuck. Backing up, she stood next to the seer and admired their handy work. Not bad.

"Good work, Willow. Now, we just need to hang the streamers." She walked over to the bags sitting on the front desk and pulled out rolls of white and blue crepe paper. Willow joined her at the table, helping to cut open the plastic bags and place the streamers in color coordinated piles.

Cordy looked at her out of the corner of her eye. She tried to sound casual as she asked her friend, "So, Wills, sounds like Wes is pretty close to finding the cure for your little problem. What are you going to do once you're back in tip top shape?"

"What do you mean?" Willow thought she knew what Cordelia was asking, but she didn't want to talk about it. She didn't really want to even think about it. Once she didn't need fed upon, could she just wave good-bye and head back to Sunnydale? Did she really want to? Would he want her to? Could she leave Angel behind? And what about Spike? She'd wind up getting him staked by Buffy.

"Are you going back to Sunnydale?" Cordelia turned and faced Willow head on. "Are you going to leave Angel and break his heart? Are you going to be able to stand up to the others when they have a 'Let's Stake Spike Party'? What are you going to do?"

Willow took a deep breath and answered as honestly as she could. "I don't know, Cordy. I just don't know."

"But you've been thinking about it?" The brunette peered closely at her friend and saw the worry in her eyes mingling with an unhealthy dose of confusion.

"It's practically all I've been thinking about since Wesley got the call from Turkey. They haven't asked me to stay. Maybe they don't want me to. Maybe they won't want me after I'm all fixed up and not a walking blood bank anymore." She looked positively miserable putting her fears into words. They always said problems didn't seem as bad if you talked your way through them. That theory seemed like a bunch of hooey if you asked her.

"What if they do," Cordy asked softly.

"I'll make a decision, then." Willow fingered the blue streamer lightly and pasted on one of the most fake smiles the seer had ever seen. "But for now, we've got a lobby to decorate. We'd better get a move on. The guests will be showing up and we'll still be stuck up on the ladders hanging streamers and missing out on all of those yummy appetizers you ordered." She took her rolls of decorations and headed back toward the ladder.

Cordy sighed to herself and followed her friend. God, she hoped everything worked out. . .and that no one important wound up staked in the heart, both literally and figuratively.

~Part: 38~

Buffy held tight to the door handle, as Anya wove in and out of four lanes of freeway traffic. She closed her eyes and prayed that they would make it to LA in once piece. She then gritted her teeth together as Anya started another rollicking chorus of "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall".

"An, hon," Xander said with a sickly smile, "don't you want to sing a different song? You've already sung that one twice now."

"It's tradition. A traditional road trip song. I read it somewhere," she explained slowly, as if to a young child. "You must sing this ridiculous song while driving to a strange destination. It's like eating popcorn at a movie or girls braiding each others hair at a slumber party. Tradition."

"There are lots of road trip traditions, honey. Why don't we try another one. I think you've got the song down pat."

"Well," she glanced at him doubtfully, "what kinds of other traditions?"

"Well, you play a game to see who can see the most license plates from different states."

Buffy glared daggers at Xander for suggesting the hated game, and he quickly dove in with another offering. "Or, we can play Twenty Questions."

"Twenty Questions? How do you play that?"

Buffy banged her head off the window, then gripped the door handle tighter and squealed as Anya cut off another car while whipping into a different lane.

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

For he's a jolly good vampire!

For he's a jolly good vampire!

For he's a jolly good vampiiiiiiire!

Whose soul can't be taken away.

There was a round of applause as Angel took a deep breath and blew out the candles on the cake Cordy was holding. He actually looked sheepish as he waved his thanks to his friends and comrades and a multitude of people, humans and demons alike, that he had helped since his arrival in LA.

"Thanks for coming everyone. I can't tell you how much it means to me to be celebrating this day finally." He paused for a moment, and Willow thought he was slipping into a brood momentarily, but he looked up smiling. "I can finally live the rest of my days without fear that I'll wind up hurting someone, one of my friends. I have a chance to be happy and don't have to worry about the consequences. That's all anyone can ask for. Willow," he said, his eyes turning her way, "I don't know how to thank you. I'll spend eternity in your debt, Little One. Not that that's a bad place to be." He waggled his eyebrows at her, a devilish glint entering his chocolate brown eyes.

Willow blushed and returned his grin. The last few days had been wonderful. They had truly put his soul to the test. It seemed that every minute not spent preparing for the party or working on a case found her in bed with one or both of her vampires. She wasn't sure, but she thought some of their stamina must have been magically transferred to her because she just couldn't seem to touch them enough. It might be something she would have to research after the party. Right now, though, her eyes were locked with her dark lover's. The heat from them seemed to burn her from the inside out.

She broke eye contact and turned to gather some plates and forks. Cordy had begun to cut the cake. A full sheet cake had been ordered, and an airbrushed angel floating on a cloud decorated the top. Cordy had gone all out for the party. Willow went into auto mode, gathering the plates and a handful of plastic forks. She began handing out the slices to the other guests while her mind raced.

They still hadn't asked her to stay. Did they not want her to remain in LA? Did they just assume that she would? Would Spike return to Sunnydale or stay with Angel? Would she be alone? She was torn between feeling hurt and angry. What did they want from her? Did they want her at all, or was she simply convenient? Her emotions were in an uproar and her tummy in a knot. The time was growing closer, and soon they would know how to reverse the effects of the villnavon's bite. Not everything had been translated yet, but that was the latest scoop Wesley had received from his friend yesterday. They knew she was going to be cured, and still not one word from her two vampires.

She slammed down the plates, and walked away from the table. Her mind was in full babble mode, and she knew she was moving from one tangent to another without fully delving into rational thinking. She couldn't help it. She had gone and fallen in love with not one, but two vampires, and they didn't seem to be willing to even suggest a future with her. Had she been stupid? Had it all been a game? She wasn't thinking straight, she knew. Her emotions and her old insecurities were lunging up from the depths where she had buried them to grip her heart and mind again.

Thoughts filled her head that she had heard throughout her life. She wasn't good enough. She wasn't pretty enough. What the hell was she wearing? What a loser. Who would want her? Tears filled her eyes as she peered out the front door into the night.

She didn't see his reflection, but cool firm hands rested on her shoulders. Willow closed her eyes and inhaled. Leather and cigarettes. Spike. She remained stiff for a moment, but then his lips softly kissed her neck, and she leaned back against his chest. Arms wrapped around her waist, and his lips moved softly against her ear as he whispered to her.

"Here, now, Red. Why is it I'm smellin' tears? Somebody here say somethin' to upset you? If it's a demon, I'll rip its head off. If it's human, we can always sic Peaches on 'em. Talk to Spikey, luv. Tell him how to make it all better."

She wouldn't beg. She wouldn't appear weak and needy to them. If they wanted her to stay, they could ask. She wouldn't grovel at their undead feet. So she lied.

"I'm just happy that Angel can finally be. . .happy. I worried about him after he came back from hell, and especially after he came to LA. I'm just glad his soul can't go poof anymore."

"Uh-huh. Riiiiight," Spike said slowly. His tone reflected his disbelief, but he didn't probe deeper. Her heart was pounding against his lips, where he nuzzled her neck. Spike's hands lightly rubbed her stomach through the thin blue blouse decorated with swirls and stars. She had told him she bought it because it reminded her of his eyes. "You and the cheerleader have been runnin' around all day gettin' ready for this shindig. How are you feelin' pet?"

His tongue traced his claim and she moaned softly, feeling a fluttering below her waist. Darn vampire knew just how to touch her to make her feel things she didn't want to. Her eyes drifted closed as his hands teased the undersides of her breasts. Cool lips pressed against hers in a gentle kiss and her eyes flew open to stare into the heated gaze of Angel. Pressed between the two of them, she didn't stand a chance. She felt her anger drain away, but there was still a hollow ache in her heart that she decided to ignore for the moment.

"Your heart is racing Little One. You're flushed. Come upstairs with us," he murmured against her soft lips.

"But the party," she protested.

"The cheerleader can make some excuse for us," Spike rumbled against her ear. His voice sent tremors running through her body. "We don't have to take that long. If we're missed, too fuckin' bad. I need you, Red."

"So do I, Willow," Angel whispered. He moved closer, trapping her between their firm bodies.

She was lost. "OK," she breathed softly.

They swept upstairs with her, leaving a blushing and stammering Wesley behind in their wake trying to field questions regarding their disappearance. Cordy merely shook her head.

"Kids," she grumbled to herself and rolled her eyes.

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

They had just entered the city limits. Buffy looked up into the starry night through the back window and thanked every god and deity she had ever heard Willow and Giles pray to.

"Is it bigger than a bread box," Xander asked.

"Only if a girl's really lucky. . .ooohhh, or if it belongs to a Cyclops or a Chmorga demon," Anya answered.

"Is it animal, mineral or vegetable," Buffy asked, truly uninterested, but willing to play along, just to ensure she didn't have to listen to that stupid beer bottle song again.

"Definitely animal," Anya smiled at her brightly in the rearview mirror.

"Is it human," Xander asked.

"Some are, but not all. Although my favorite one is." The former demon shot a sultry gaze at her boyfriend.

Buffy was getting a bad feeling about this. "Is it a specific part of a person?"

"Yes, a part."

"Hmmmm, is it their heart?" Xander leaned over and rubbed noses with his girlfriend. She giggled and shook her head no.

Buffy closed her eyes and asked slowly, "Does it start with the letter P?"

Anya looked over the backseat, excitement shining in her eyes. "Yes! Yes! It does!" Xander gripped the wheel and turned it so they didn't plow into the car driving alongside them. He waved an apology to the driver of the other car and was flipped the finger in response.

"Oh God," Buffy cried out in disgust.

"What? What's wrong," Xander asked, returning his attention to the game as Anya relieved him of the steering wheel.

"It's a penis, Xander! She's talking about a freaking penis," Buffy moaned. She slapped her hand against her forehead.

Anya met her eyes in the rearview mirror again. "You're really good at this game, Buffy. You guessed so you get to go next!"

She glared at Xander as he turned from the front seat to shoot an apologetic grin at her. Now, she thought, would a bottle of Excedrin Migraine be considered a mineral?

~Part: 39~

Willow could still hear the dull baseline of the music playing downstairs, even after Angel closed the bedroom door behind them. Spike leaned in first, and her toes practically curled from the sizzle of his kiss. When he pulled back, he placed a finger against her chin, and turned her to face Angel. The dark vampire then lowered his head to provide his own sultry attack on her lips.

Willow was breathless when he withdrew. The two vampires then stared at each other with heated gazes before attacking each other's mouths voraciously. She thought they might devour one another. Willow stood on tip toes and pressed her lips to where theirs joined. Her tongue darted out to trace the damp and swollen flesh, hissing as she nicked her tongue on a fang that formed when she wasn't paying attention.

Two sets of amber eyes turned on her and her breath caught in her throat. They were predators, and tonight, she was their prey. They stalked Willow and once again sandwiched her between their bodies. Their cool hands roamed over her skin, teasing and arousing her. Willow moaned and leaned the back of her head against Angel's chest, as she felt Spike's fingers working the buttons of her new blouse. His lips nuzzled each inch of skin exposed until he pushed it from her shoulders.

Angel's hands reached up, and pulled the straps of her bra down her arms. His fingers caressed her skin lovingly, as he eventually eased the scrap of lace from her body. Spike pressed tightly against her, and slowly slipped his fangs into his claim. Willow's low moan sent a shudder through the two vampires. She could hear Spike drinking her blood, a wet suction sound that filled the quiet room. Willow dug her fingers into his hair, and pressed his head closer to her. She whimpered slightly as his canines sank deeper into her flesh. A combination of a purr and a growl vibrated against her overheated skin as Spike ground his erection against her.

She felt Angel slide down her body, then became aware that her skirt had puddled around her feet. He knelt behind her, caressing and kissing the firm flesh of her thighs and buttocks. Angel urged her legs to part further, and she complied. Willow started when she felt his tongue tracing cool circles over her inner thigh, only to be followed by his fangs slipping into the sensitive skin there. A low, throaty moan left her mouth when she felt Angel's finger slip beneath her panties, and into her soaking core. Her free hand fluttered down and dug into his gelled and spiked hair.

"Bed," she panted softly. "Now. Please."

She felt them both smile against her skin, and realized how truly evil they were when they didn't comply. Spike gently caressed and teased her nipples and stomach, while Angel's finger slid within her passage in a torturously slow fashion. Willow growled deep in her throat, something else she was sure she'd picked up from her lovers.

"That's just. . .mean," she chastised with a whimper.

Spike pulled back, and smiled down at her. "Evil vampires, luv. What do you expect?"

Angel chuckled against her thigh, and softly licked at the wound he'd made there. "Besides, Little One, you taste delicious when you're this aroused. Fire and spice."

Spike kissed her softly. "Peaches is right, pet. I couldn't have said it any better myself. I can taste your need, and it's exquisite." He ran his hands over her body, caressing, squeezing and stroking. "Like the finest blood wine."

Willow felt as if warm, rich honey ran through her veins, sweet, thick and smooth. She heard material rip, and looked down to watch Angel tearing at the thin fabric of her panties with his fangs. A groan left her lips as he placed another finger at her other opening. "Oh, Goddess, please!"

"I love when you beg, Willow," Angel's deep voice rumbled from against her mound. His tongue flicked out to lave her swollen clit, lapping up the juices coating it. "Mmmmm, my sweet little witch. Have I thanked you lately for my soul?"

"Not in the last five hours," she gasped. Her fingers grasped his thick hair convulsively.

"How remiss of me," he chuckled. "Spike, my boy, maybe it *is* time we move this to the bed."

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

Buffy looked up at the Hyperion in awe. The lights were blazing; music was wafting out on the night air. It looked like there was a party, and they were about to crash it.

"A party? No one told me there was going to be a party." Anya looked at her boyfriend. "I didn't dress for a party. If someone had told me there was going to be a party, I would have dressed a little nicer."

"An, we didn't know there was going to be a party. Besides, you don't have to dress up. I think you look beautiful just as you are," Xander assured his girlfriend.

Buffy rolled her eyes as the couple rubbed noses, and Anya giggled. "Come on, you two. We don't have all night. I want to check on Wills."

"Well, Buffy," Anya began sarcastically, "it sure looks like they're torturing her. 'Oh, no! A party! Please, no more!'" She waved her hands before her face in mock horror.

The Slayer shot the other girl a deadly glare. Xander stepped between the two, attempting to play peacemaker. "Hey, let's go see our Will, huh? Whadda ya say? Anyone for a Willow sighting? We can make it into a game. Where's Willow? Come on girls, it'll be fun."

"Xander?"

"Yeah, Buff?"

"No games. Let's just get inside, okay?"

"Right. Okay. Let's go."

The three headed through the courtyard, and up the steps to the front entrance. Buffy paused with her hand on the door, and took a deep breath. She pushed it open to reveal a number of humans and demons alike. She had never seen anything like it. They were mingling, drinking, and laughing together.

Suddenly every demon in the room tensed and turned to face the door. Conversations ceased as the rest of the room turned to see what or who was causing the commotion.

A bright red demon, that looked like an incarnation of the devil himself, hissed at the blond. "Sssssslayer."

Buffy looked at him. "You know, I might feel threatened if you were more than four feet tall," she quipped.

"Hey! Hey!" Cordelia pushed her way through the crowd to the front. "No threatening the paying customers, okay? Sheesh! It's not like we have all that many of them, ya know." She then turned to the guests. "Don't worry about her. Buffy's a friend of Angel's, too."

"She's the Slayer," a tall gray demon named Nyork accused.

"Yes, she is," Cordy reluctantly admitted. "Stupid demon senses. Uh, but she's on her best behavior tonight. No slayage for the Slayer tonight. She's putting her pointy little sticks away and letting bygones be bygones. She will *not* be slaying any of Angel's guests tonight." The brunette turned flashing eyes on her former classmate and ground out the last sentence. "*Right*, Buffy?"

"Guests? Right. Uh, sure, Cordy. Whatever you say," Xander peered around the room. He'd never seen so many different kinds of demons in one place; not even at Willy's.

"Anyanka?" A pale blue woman with tentacles edged to the front of the partygoers, and looked at the former demon curiously. "Anyanka, is that you?"

"Ginlong, my word!" She pushed past Xander, and rushed to be embraced by the woman's arms and her many swaying appendages. "It's been what, three hundred years?"

Buffy shot a look at Xander. "Only Anya could wind up in the middle of a demon convention and run into a long lost friend."

Xander looked sheepish. "That's my girl."

Buffy turned and stalked toward the former cheerleader. "Cordy, where's Willow? And Angel for that matter? And what's up with the party?"

"Gee, Buffy. I'm doing great. How are you? Oh, things in LA are pretty good. How's everyone in Sunnyhell? Gosh, Slayer, rude much?" Cordy glared at the other girl.

"Cordelia, look, I'm sorry, okay? I'm just worried about Willow. She sounded weird on the phone. Then I get here, and there's all these demons around, and no Wills. Plus, I just spent two and a half hours in the car listening to Anya sing 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall, and playing twenty questions. Forgive me if I'm a little on the cranky side, okay?" Buffy had begun calmly enough, but her voice rose with each word until she was yelling at the seer. Conversation had stopped in the room again, and everyone was staring at her.

Wesley stepped between the two girls. "Buffy, I'm sure we can get this settled. If you would just. . ."

"Hey, Buff!" Xander yelled from the middle of the room where he was standing next to Anya and her old friend. "Check it out! Looks like Will's been busy earning her keep while she's been here." He pointed toward the banner hanging above the entryway proclaiming Angel's soulage status. "How'd Deadboy lose it this time?"

The Slayer stared at the banner that Cordelia had finally decided upon. "Congratulations on your Permanent Soul, Angel," she whispered. Buffy turned to Wes and Cordy. "He lost his soul again? How? Who?"

"Well, he never lost his soul. It's just more. . .permanently affixed," Wesley finished weakly.

The phone rang and Wesley quickly jumped at the chance to escape the questioning eyes of his former charge. "I'd better get that," he announced, just a tad bit too cheerfully. "You never know when the hopeless will come calling. Pardon me." He darted through the crowd to his office, but unfortunately he only managed to block out part of Cordelia's threat before closing the door.

"Wesley, don't you leave me to. . .Wesley, get your British butt back here and help me explain. . .Oh, you are *so* going to get it. When I get through with you. . ."

*Slam!*

He leaned against the door for a moment, then hurried to the still ringing phone. "Angel Investigations. We help the hopeless," he rolled his eyes at the dreadful logo Cordelia insisted on using. "Hello? Oh! Abmihr. How wonderful to hear from you."

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

Willow moaned as she slowly sank onto Angel's hard length. Spike knelt behind her, nuzzling her neck, and using his fingers to gently stretch her tight ring of flesh. He shivered as he felt Angel moving in and out of his witch through the thin membrane separating them.

Angel gazed up at the fiery girl riding him slowly. His hands journeyed across her pale body, exploring, and teasing soft gasps of pleasure from her. He thrust steadily up into her warm tightness. A hint of his Irish brogue crept into his voice as he admired her undulating body. "Ye're remindin' me of a nymph or fairy. The kind Shakespeare wrote about; beautiful and delicate, not to mention bewitching."

He was rewarded as she leaned forward and brushed soft kisses over his greedy lips. Angel deepened each of them, and his mouth captured her gasp, as Spike slowly slid into her from behind. He gripped her hips and held her steady, as he watched and felt the blond slowly fill her with his throbbing shaft.

"Red, you feel so bloody good," Spike groaned. He held himself still, savoring the feel of her hot body wrapped around him. The vampire leaned forward and peppered her back and neck with kisses, waiting until some of the tension left her body, before beginning to moving within her.

"Spiiiiiiiiike," Willow moaned. She sat up further, squeezing them both inside her warm body. "Goddess, Angel," she whimpered. The three bodies moved in perfect unison, in a sensual dance as old as man himself.

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

Buffy continued to stare at the banner for another minute, before turning to Cordelia. "Was it. . .Was it Willow that made his soul. . .all super-glued permanently?"

"Uh, yeah. You could say that. The Powers told Angel the how to, and then Willow did the deed. . .I mean, she helped." Cordelia's laugh sounded slightly hysterical as she caught her slip-up. "She, um, helped," she finished weakly.

Buffy was in shock; she didn't know how to feel. Angel's soul was permanent. If this had happened even a year ago, she would have been jumping for joy, and doing cartwheels all over the cemeteries of Sunnydale. That's what she would have done a year ago. Now she had Riley. Sweet, brave, loving Riley.

She gazed up at the banner again, and a faint smile crossed her lips. She was happy for Angel, and although a part of her would always love him, she wasn't "in love" with him any longer. That particular spot in her heart belonged to Riley, and Riley alone. When had she gotten past all of the angst and drama that went along with her first love? Was it the first time she and Riley made love? Maybe when they had the marathon sex at his haunted frat party? Could it have been one of the many nights they sat on tombstones, watching the stars when they had finished patrol? She couldn't put a finger on it, but she just knew that it was over.

"I'm happy for him," she whispered. She didn't see the surprise in Cordy's eyes, her own still focused on the banner.

"Buff, you okay," Xander asked. He laid an arm across her shoulders and gave a comforting squeeze.

"Yeah." She looked up at him and smiled brightly. "Yeah, I am. I can't wait to congratulate him." Buffy turned to look at Cordelia. "Where is he, Cordy?"

"Ummm," the seer mumbled as panic filled her eyes. She was pretty sure she knew where Angel was at the moment, and exactly in which activity he was currently engaged. "He's a little busy right now. Maybe if you just wanted to wait here. I'm sure they'll be down shortly."

"They?" Xander latched onto the pluralism. "Is Will with Deadboy?"

"Well, yeah," Cordy reluctantly admitted. "The three of them are a little busy right now, and. . ."

"Spike too?" Buffy's eyes narrowed. "You know what, I think now is the perfect time to issue my congrats to the souled-one."

"Buffy, I really think it would be better if you waited until..." Cordy hurried after the Slayer and Xander, as they headed toward the stairs.

"Where are they," Xander asked.

"I can find them," Buffy assured him. "I can sense two vamps upstairs. I'll just follow my spidey senses."

Cordelia flung herself in front of the pair, arms spread wide. "*Stop*!!! They're kind of busy right now. Can't you just wait until they come downstairs?" The seer made a mental note to kick herself in the derrière later for allowing that pleading tone to enter her voice. Cordelia Chase beg? Unthinkable.

"Cordy, I'm sure Willow will be happy to see us. Don't worry. We'll find our own way." Buffy swept past her quickly. The former cheerleader tried to grab her as she passed, and Xander snuck around her other side. He then hurried up the steps after the Slayer.

"No! No, no, no, no, no!" Cordy ran up the stairs after them, railing at the duo the entire way. "You can't do this. This is rude, you know. You can't just barge into someone's permanent soulage party, and, and, and. . .Well there's not really an etiquette listed for this kind of thing, but party crashing is just rude!"

Buffy entered the door to Angel's suite, and paused momentarily when she heard a moan from another room that caused the hairs on the back of her neck to stand on end. She hurried to the bedroom door and flung it open. Her mouth fell open in shock.

Willow. Naked Willow, sat astride naked Angel, with a naked Spike at her back. To make matter's worse, all of their interlocking parts seemed to be currently...interlocked. The redhead cried out in obvious pleasure, and Buffy watched as the two vampires bit into her pale skin. She watched Angel's fangs gleam briefly before they sank into her breast, and Spike almost lovingly bit into her neck. It was obvious that the trio was in the middle of a group orgasm, from the way their bodies shook and bucked against each other.

"Goddess, yes!!! Don't stop," Willow groaned.

Her words seemed to break the spell around the three standing frozen in the doorway.

*Thud* Xander fell to the floor in a dead faint.

"Eeeewwww! I *so* did not need to see that," Cordy complained.

The threesome on the bed turned to look at their voyeurs, with one set of shocked, green eyes, and two glowing amber gazes. Angel's and Spike's mouths were coated with blood, and they slowly licked their lips. The electricity in the air was palpable.

"Buffy," Willow whispered softly.

"Wills?" Buffy took one step into the room. Her eyes fell to a droplet of blood that was making its way down her best friend's collarbone, and over her chest. It delicately hung from her nipple for a moment, then dropped to the chest of the vampire beneath her. "Oh, God," she whispered.

~Part: 40~

Spike quickly grabbed at the rumpled sheet, and wrapped it around Willow's body, trying to shield her from Buffy's gaze. "Doesn't anyone knock around here?"

Willow felt frozen in place, and pinned by the disbelieving stare of her best friend. "Buffy, I, uh..."

"You *bastard*!" The words were ground out between clenched teeth. The Slayer stalked to the bed, her eyes shooting stakes at Spike. "What have you done to her?"

"Buffy, stop," Willow yelled. She struggled to rise to her feet, blushing the entire time. The sheet tangled around her body, and she fell the to floor in an ungraceful heap. She leapt up, struggling to hold onto the sheet, and placed herself between the angry Slayer and her vampire lovers. "He didn't do anything I, uh, didn't want him to. . .either of them."

The hate-filled glare, directed at Spike, was broken up by Willow stepping in front of it. The Slayer looked up at her best friend, and saw the fresh bite mark on her neck. "How? The chip. . .I don't understand how he could do this to you."

"I asked him to," the redhead whispered. She lowered her eyes, avoiding the hurt and confusion in Buffy's gaze. "I. . .I wanted him to."

"You *wanted* him to?" The Slayer stared at Willow in disbelief and disgust. "Wills, that's just. . .how could you want *Spike* to. . .and the three of you were. . .Oh, God! You and Spike. . .and *Angel*?" Buffy's voice rose, and she looked at her ex-boyfriend.

Angel stood with the bedspread wrapped around his waist. He placed a comforting hand on Willow's shoulder. "Buffy, give us a minute to change, and we can all sit down and discuss. . ."

"Discuss nothing, Peaches. Kick her out on her arse. She's not wanted or needed here. 'Sides, she interrupted a very pleasant shag." Spike stood proud and naked next to the bed. Buffy didn't miss the hand rubbing Willow's back in slow circles.

"Get your undead paws off of her, Spike," she ground out between her teeth.

"Hey! Hey!" Cordelia jumped between the feuding parties, with hands held up in a placating manner. "Let's all just chill, okay? Buffy, why don't we wait out in the living room. Spike, for God's sakes, can't you at least grab a pillow to cover up? Willow and the naked undead, get dressed. Then we can discuss this calmly." She turned to Buffy and waved a finger in her face. "I said it once already tonight, but it bears repeating. There will be no staking, got it?"

The Slayer glared and turned deadly eyes on Spike. "I'm not promising anything."

The forgotten figure on the floor stirred. "Oooohhhh, An, sweetie, I had the worst dream."

The group turned to look at Xander. He started to come around. He leaned up on an elbow, and found himself facing an unfamiliar wall. "An, when did we paint the room?"

"Xander. Get. Up!" Buffy growled at the confused boy.

He started at the unexpected voice, and turned around. "Buff, what's going. . .Oh, God! Oh, God! It wasn't a dream." He scrambled to his feet and covered his eyes, trying to block out the visual burned into his mind. "I'm blind. I did *not* just see Will and the walking undead making with the hot monkey sex, did I?"

Buffy ripped his hand away from his face. "Yes, you did."

Xander looked a little green around the gills as he peered at his best friend. "Are you evil? Did they turn you? Oh, God. Evil vamp Will. Touching in naughty places. I can't go there again. I just can't." He turned angry eyes on Angel. "And you! You were supposed to protect her. What the hell is this, huh?"

"Xander! Xander!" Willow yelled at him to stop his panicked ramble. "I'm not evil. I'm not a vampire, and stop blaming Angel. Please just go with Cordy and Buffy into the other room, so we can get dressed. Please, Xan," she ended on a pleading note. Her emerald eyes begged him to just do what she asked.

"Willow. . ." he whined.

"Please."

He caved under the weight of the resolve face. Head hanging, he let Cordy lead him from the room. Buffy stayed a moment longer, staring at the strange threesome standing before her. With a final glare at the vampires, she turned on her heels and stomped from the room.

Willow let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. "That was horrible," she whispered. "More horrible than I could have ever imagined."

"I didn't think it went so badly, pet," Spike smiled at her. When she raised disbelieving eyebrows at him, he laughed. "I'm not a pile of dust, am I? I'd say it's been a bloody banner evenin'. Great party, great shag, and I haven't been staked. Bonus."

Angel grabbed for his pants while grumbling, "The night's still young."

~~~*~~~

Downstairs, Wesley was still on the phone, dictating his friend's translation.

"Uh-huh."

"You don't say?"

"Fascinating."

"And the cure, you have it?"

"Wonderful. Let's hear it, then."

"Yes, yes. We have access to that herb."

"Mmm-hmmm. Oh, splendid. Abhmir, I can't tell you how wonderful this is. You have made my evening, as well as that of a very lovely young lady. Thank you so much."

"What's that? Side effects, you say?"

"It will what?"

"Are you quite certain?"

"What else is there?"

"Oh, dear. Oh, my. Bloody hell."

~~~*~~~

Willow clutched at Angel and Spike's hands as they entered the living area. Buffy and Xander sat on the love seat, and Cordy sat in the chair opposite them. Her back was turned to the bedroom, but she could tell the others had joined them when she saw the tension run through the Slayer's body like a tightly strung rubber band. She sat up straighter, and Xander's scowl deepened.

"It's about time you joined us," she griped at her boss. "Another few minutes, and I would have been blocking the door, and guarding it with my crossbow."

Xander looked at her curiously. "You have your own crossbow?"

"Oh, like you don't," Cordy scoffed at her ex-boyfriend.

"Well, yeah, but I never figured you'd be the kind of girl to have your own weapons collection. Giles has this really cool cabinet for his. If you wanted, I could probably find out where he. . ."

"Excuse me for interrupting this terribly relevant conversation, but can we please talk about the fact that we just found my best friend in bed with Spike and my ex-boyfriend," Buffy said sarcastically. Her eyes softened as she saw the hurt in the redhead's eyes. "Oh, Will, I'm sorry. I just don't want to see you hurt. Spike is an evil, soulless. . ."

". . .monster who doesn't deserve to stand in the same air as Red, here. I've heard it all before, Slayer," Spike snarled at Buffy. "Doesn't mean that I'm going to hurt her. Peaches would rip off my head if I even thought about it. Don't want to anyway." He wrapped his arms around Willow and pulled her closer, nuzzling her shoulder. "Like her all warm and breathing."

Angel pulled Spike's arms away, and draped an arm around Willow's shoulder when he saw Buffy's hand inch toward her waistband. He was betting there was a stake secreted away there, with his grand-childe's name specially carved into it. He whispered only loudly enough for Spike and Willow to hear. "No taunting the Slayer, Childe. It's not a good idea right now."

"Soddin' Poof ruins all my fun," Spike grumbled.

"Spike, please," Willow pleaded. She looked up at him with worried eyes, and he conceded. He settled back against the couch, but left a hand possessively on her knee.

"Guys, please just listen to me," Willow begged softly. "Some things have happened, and changed. So much has happened that I don't even know where to start."

"How about you start with why you've had the sudden urge to shack up with the walking dead," Xander asked while glaring at both vampires.

"Hey! Alexander LaVelle Harris, I know that what you saw was a shock, but don't talk to me like that." A bit of the redhead's temper shone through as she leaned forward, and glared at her best friend. "I supported you in every single relationship you ever had or wanted to have, even when it ripped out my own heart to do it. I helped you practice asking out Buffy. I stood by, and smiled when you fell for 'I'm a mummy and I'll suck the life right out of you' Impata. I accepted you and Cordy, even after you felt the need to hide the entire relationship from me. Even now, when you're dating a one-thousand year old ex-demon, you never hear me say, 'Hey, Xan, what are you doing sleeping with the eviscerator of men?'. So get down off your high horse, mister, and treat me with a little respect here. I think I've earned it."

Willow sat back against the couch, with her arms crossed over her chest, and glared at a suddenly guilty looking Xander. She caught a slight movement to his right, and turned the glare on Buffy, who had opened her mouth, as if to speak.

"You don't have much room to talk, either, Buffy. You had a three year relationship with Angel. Don't lecture me on the dangers of sleeping with the undead. I've been there. I saw the results, and he killed my fish." She patted Angel's thigh reassuringly when she sensed him flinch at her words. Willow figured she would tell him later that she never really liked the fish. They had been a present from her parents to 'keep her company' while they were away. Dogs and cats were too messy, apparently. Oooops, rambling. Better get back on topic before Buffy and Xander have a chance to protest.

"That can't happen anymore, Buffy," the redhead said in a softer tone. "The Powers, well, they told us how to secure Angel's soul. No more Angelus to terrorize the world."

Out of the corner of her eye, Willow saw Spike ready to contradict her. She reached over and squeezed his hand tightly. Buffy and Xander didn't need to know that Angelus was closer to the surface these days, melded to the soul. There was enough freakage going on at the moment, without having to open that particular can of worms.

Buffy looked sadly at her ex-boyfriend, and smiled wistfully. "I'm happy for you, Angel. I really am. If only. . .if only they had slipped you this info a couple years ago." She lowered her lashes, and swallowed before looking back up at her ex-boyfriend. "I'm with Riley still. I know you two didn't hit it off, but he really is a great guy. I love him."

Spike rolled his eyes and mumbled something about 'Captain Cardboard' before Willow nudged him in the side with her elbow.

Angel smiled at his ex-girlfriend. "It's okay, Buffy. I think we've both moved on. I'm happy for you, and he'd better treat you well. As for what you saw earlier, well, something happened here during the time that Willow stayed with me. There's something that Spike and I. . ."

He was interrupted when an exceptionally flustered Wesley ran into the room, glasses askew on his face, and waving a notebook in the air. "I have news. I have news about the vilnavons, that you won't believe. Well, actually you might believe it, based on what's happened here lately." He turned to Cordy briefly. "That phone call I took was Abhmir. He finished translating the text." He almost looked smug, as if to say, 'see, I really did have to take that call, and I wasn't just avoiding talking to Buffy and Xander'.

Angel smiled. "That's wonderful news, Wes. Was there a cure listed in the book?"

"Yes, yes, there was. I have it all here. Most of the ingredients are quite common. I believe we have them all on hand at the moment. The spell is quite simple, so I should be able to perform it without a problem." His voice trailed off and he peered nervously between his coworkers and the Sunnydalers.

"Wes, just spit it out, for Pete's sake," Cordy ordered impatiently. He was practically dancing from foot to foot. "You've got something else on your mind. Spill it. Oh!" Her eyes looked worried suddenly. "There's not a side effect that's going to hurt Willow or anything, is there?"

"Not exactly," Wesley reluctantly stated.

"What do you mean, 'not exactly'?" Spike growled, and sat forward with eyes narrowed at the former watcher. "You're not doin' anythin' that's gonna hurt Red, here."

"No, no. Of course not. The side effect isn't from the spell. It's from the bite itself. It's all terribly interesting really." He leafed through the notebook to read and reread the words he'd written there. He shook his head, still amazed at what he'd learned.

"Wesley, watcher-type-guy," Xander prodded. "Care to share with the rest of the group?"

"What?" He looked up from the pages, and looked around the room at the group staring at him. "Oh, right. Well, as you already know, the saliva from the vilnavon increases a human's blood count. The spell will reverse the effects. All of the effects, it would seem."

"And what exactly are these other 'effects,'" Buffy asked. She leaned forward, eager to hear what Willow had been dealing with.

"Well," Wesley observed the individuals in the room nervously, "there's something else in the creature's saliva. It reacts with the human blood to create. . .uh. . ."

"Wesley, just say it already," Cordy cried impatiently.

"Vilnavons, in Abhmir's book, are referred to as, roughly translated, 'lust drinkers'. It appears that the saliva intermingling with the blood creates a vampiric cocktail that is irresistible, both for the vilnavons, and the human involved."

"For those of us not versed in watcherdom?" Xander prodded.

Wesley took a deep breath and faced Willow. He saw the doubts creeping into her eyes, and the blush that was rising in her cheeks, confirmed that she understood what he was saying. "Willow's blood has become an aphrodisiac, for both vilnavons as well as herself."

Cordy stood and stared at Wesley in disbelief. "So what? You're saying Willow's the walking, talking version of Spanish Fly for these demons?"

"Precisely," he replied. His eyes never strayed from those of the woman affected.

"Well, for vilnavons, okay, but what about for vampires? They're kind of related in a third cousin removed from my mother's side of the family thing, right?" Buffy asked. She felt uncomfortable for her friend. If Willow had been involved with God only knows what with these two, and the Slayer *really* didn't want to know, then was it all a result of her infected blood?

Willow's voice was quiet as she questioned Wesley. "It affects vampires the same way, doesn't it?"

"I'm afraid it does, Willow. I'm sorry," he answered sincerely.

Angel and Spike shared a panicked look, as they saw the redhead between them slowly drawing in upon herself, both mentally and physically. She edged away from them and stood up slowly, avoiding their gazes. "Well. . ." Her voice came out as a shuddering croak. Willow cleared her throat and wrapped her arms around herself, and tried again. "Well, that explains a lot of things, I guess."

Spike jumped to his feet and tried to grab her arm, wanting her to look at him. He felt hurt and alarmed when she stepped out of his reach, hugging herself tighter. "Red. . ." Angel joined his side, as they both stared at the trembling woman.

She raised overly bright eyes to Wesley, blinking quickly to stave off the tears gathering. "Let's go do the spell, then," she whispered.

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