Sleepwalking

By Spikedluv

Chapter Thirty-Six

The next day was Saturday, and Willow was grateful that she didn't have any classes. She slept in, but managed to wake up before Spike. She was able to get up, shower, and dress without waking him. When she got downstairs to get something to eat, she saw the pile of papers on the dining room table.

Straightening her shoulders she grabbed the telephone and the telephone book, sat down at the table, and started making phone calls. Her first call was to a realtor, who, as soon as she found out where it was located, agreed to come take a look at the house that afternoon. The second call was to an automotive mechanic to make an appointment for the car to be serviced. The third was to Xander, who agreed to pick her up at the garage where she was going to drop the car off.

Willow wrote a quick note for Spike, then grabbed the car keys, her jacket, and her license. She walked into the garage and stood looking at the Ford Expedition. Why her parents felt the need to buy such a large, ostentatious vehicle that they would never have any use for, Willow couldn't begin to guess.

She got into the Expedition, opened the garage door, and slowly backed out. She hated backing up anyway, but it was even scarier in this monstrosity. She made it to the garage, Carl's Auto Repair, without mishap, parked, and stepped inside to give the keys to the mechanic. After they had discussed what Willow wanted done to the vehicle, and she had filled out and signed the repair order, she went back outside to wait for Xander to pick her up.

A couple of minutes later, Xander and Anya pulled into the parking lot. Xander shrugged and gave her an apologetic grin through the windshield.

"Hey, Wills. Sorry we're late," he said as Willow climbed into the backseat.

"Hello!" Anya smiled happily.

"Hi, Xan, Anya. No problem," she said, as she leaned back against the seat. "I wasn't waiting long. I really appreciate you coming to pick me up."

"That's alright," Anya said, "Xander explained the concept of delayed gratification to me."

"Uh, okay, good," Willow replied with a slight blush.

"So," Xander said as he pulled out into traffic, desperate to change the subject, "decided to start driving that little vehicle your parents bought?"
"It's so huge," she laughed with him. "Actually," she took a deep breath, "my parents were here yesterday. Not to stay, of course, and they weren't here long, what with moving to New York being their first priority, but they did have time to sign the house and the car over to me before they left."

"You're kidding?" Xander looked at her in the rearview mirror.

"Wow," Anya said.

"Not kidding," Willow shook her head sadly.

"Holy...crap," Xander breathed. "They're moving to New York? Just like that?"

"The house *and* the car?" Anya asked.

Willow nodded, answering them both.

"How do you feel about that?"

"Great! Right?" Anya asked. "I mean, the house *and* the car."

"An," Xander said softly, reaching out and squeezing her hand as he glanced at Willow in the rearview mirror.

"I know they were never here, but I always expected them to come home. Now they never will," Willow admitted sadly.

"Oh," Anya nodded, "you're sad about your parents moving. I wasn't even sure you had parents," she added, not unkindly.

"Join the club," Willow gave a little laugh. "But, I'm not going to be all blue. I've got Spike, and he loves me enough for a dozen! And," she hesitated, "we decided to sell the house and get something together, a place that's ours."

"Ha!" Xander laughed harshly. "Together, with your money!"

"Not if Angel finds Spike's money," Willow said, then froze. "Oops. I don't know if I was supposed to say anything about that."

"What?!" Xander asked.

"Hey, keep your eyes on the road!" Anya squealed as the car swerved.

"Sorry," Xander straightened it back out.

"I said, I'm not sure if I...," Willow began.

"No!" Xander shook his head and waved his hand. "Not that. About Spike's money!"

"If Spike has money, then how come he can't buy his own blood?" Anya asked.

"Well," Willow debated on telling them, "turns out Spike has some accounts in Europe, but he lost the papers when he and Dru had to leave Prague in such a hurry, you know with the mob after them. He called Angel after my parents arrived home unexpectedly, thinking we might need money to get a place of our own, and asked him to see if he could find them."

"Wow," Xander said, shaking his head in disbelief. "Spike with money. That's...scary. So, wanna go to The Bronze tonight?"

***

After Xander dropped Willow off back at her parents', no her house now, she went upstairs to wake Spike and let him know that the realtor was coming to look at the house that afternoon.

"Not letting any grass grow, eh," he asked sleepily. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah," she smiled, "I'm sure. I want a place that's ours," she stretched out on the bed next to him, her head resting on his arm, her hand on his chest.

They lay together for several minutes, until the ringing of the doorbell jolted them. Willow kissed Spike, then crawled off of the bed.

"You don't have to get up," she told him when he started to move. "I just wanted you to know that someone else was going to be walking around the house."

"'M getting up," he said. "Gotta make sure they don't take advantage of you."

"Alright," Willow said as she ran out of the room, "but get dressed first, okay?"

"Ha, ha," Spike retorted as he reached for his jeans.

Willow was showing the realtor through the house when Spike made it downstairs. He let Willow know he was there, then went to the living room to watch television while he waited for her to finish the tour. When they were done, the three of them sat in the dining room as the realtor explained the listing agreement and then discussed the sale price.

Spike was afraid Willow's eyes were going to pop out of her head when the realtor told her how much she thought Willow should ask for the house. Willow signed the papers and the realtor left.

"Well," Spike said after Willow closed the door, "that's one happy lady."

"You think?" Willow asked.

"Her heart was just about beating out of her chest. She probably has wet dreams about houses like this," Spike said.

"Ew!" Willow shuddered and slapped his arm. "Don't tell me that!"

"I wouldn't be surprised if she already had a buyer lined up," he continued.

"Oh, goddess, Spike, don't say that!" Willow cried.

"Why not?" he asked.

"Because we don't have anywhere to go!"

***

Xander picked them up a couple of minutes before eight o'clock and they drove to The Bronze together. They chose a table in the back, as far away from the speakers as they could, then spent the night talking and dancing. Though Spike and Xander did more bickering than actual talking, Willow was having fun. Xander hadn't threatened to stake Spike, and Spike hadn't threatened to tear Xander's throat out. Willow thought they were making progress.

After a couple of hours, the guys decided to move their squabbling to the pool tables. They grabbed the next one that freed up, and Xander racked the balls. Anya and Willow took their drinks and moved closer to the table to watch their fellas play. There were no tables available, so they leaned against one of the support columns until a table emptied.

A couple of minutes after they sat down, a young man in jeans and a short leather jacket came over to their table. He had light brown hair and brown eyes that sat in a round face. He leaned against the table and smiled sweetly at them. The smile didn't quite reach his eyes, and Willow shivered.

"Hello, ladies," he said in a voice Willow was certain he thought was sexy.

"Hello," they both replied politely.

"Either of you beautiful ladies care to dance?" he asked, and Willow found herself wondering if he'd seen that line work before.

"I'm here with Xander," Anya replied immediately, pointing at the brunette playing pool.

"So," he shrugged and smiled again, "a little dance isn't going to hurt anyone."

"No, I don't want to," Anya replied bluntly, "I only like to dance with Xander." Willow thought she saw anger flash in his eyes.

"Well, then, what about you?" he turned to Willow with a smile that wasn't quite as sweet as before.

"I appreciate the offer," she said, trying to placate the man, "but I'm also here with someone."

"Oh, come on," he urged, reaching out to run his hand up her arm.

"I said 'no'," Willow pulled her arm away from him with a frown.

"Look, bitch," he snarled, leaning over the table and getting in her face, "you're a fucking tease!"

He reached out to grab her arm, but Spike was there before he could touch her. He grabbed the man around the throat, picked him up, and slammed him into the column Willow and Anya had been leaning against just moments before. Willow shoved her chair back and stood up, concerned that Spike might actually kill the man in his anger.

"Did you just touch my girl?" he asked, tilting his head.

"Uh, woman," Willow peeked around his shoulder.

"What?" Spike looked back at her in exasperation.

"Uh, woman, not girl."

Spike just looked at her and she stepped back.

"Just saying," she muttered.

"She's with me," he growled, turning his attention back to the man who was turning blue. "You touch her again, and I will kill you."

"He really will," Anya added.

Spike rolled his eyes.

"Thanks, Anya," he said.

"Welcome," she said.

"Hey, Spike," Xander said, trying to keep his voice from shaking, "hurry it up, will ya? Your turn to break."

"Gotta go," Spike lowered the man to the floor. "Now get out of here."

The man looked at the four of them with hate in his eyes, then turned and practically ran from the bar.

"You alright?" Spike turned back to Willow, grabbing her arm and pulling her against him.

"I'm fine," she smiled. "Thanks."

Spike pulled her into a hug, growling against her neck, making Willow shiver in a nice way.

***

After Spike and Xander finished their game, Willow looked at her watch and suggested that they leave. She knew that Spike still had to feed before they could call it a night. The four of them got their jackets and left, the two girls giggling together over something Anya had said, Spike and Xander bringing up the rear.

They were walking toward the parking lot when Spike froze. There was something...off. He lifted his head and scented the air, then listened carefully. The other three noticed him stop and, still talking, turned their heads to see what had caught his attention. Spike heard a whine and instinctively reached out, grabbing the thrown knife just before it struck Xander in the back.

Xander turned further, and stared down at the knife in Spike's hand, now just inches from his chest, in horror.

"Oh, bloody hell!" Spike said as he looked between the knife in his hand and Xander's white face.

"Oh, my god, Xander!" Anya cried, grabbing her boyfriend and running her hands over him to make sure he was alright.

"Xander, are you hurt?" Willow asked.

"I'm fine," Xander said, swaying slightly on legs that were suddenly weak, "except for my knees."

Spike growled, and all four looked up to see the man from earlier in The Bronze standing behind them. He looked shocked that the knife hadn't hit its intended target, but still angry enough to be stupid, because he was still standing there.

"Well, that's disappointing," he blustered, "I was aiming at you."

"Right," Spike turned and took a step toward the man who had thrown the knife, "and I'm going to make you wish you hadn't missed."

"H-how'd you manage to catch the knife?" he asked, but Spike ignored him.

"Now you've done it, you bloody pillock. You touched my *woman*," he emphasized, "and I let you live," Spike took another step toward the man, who was either to scared or too stupid to move, as he tossed the knife in the air.

"But there is *no* second chance for what you just made me do. You bleedin' made me save Xander Harris's life!" Spike growled, then threw the knife back at the man before he could react. The handle struck him in the temple and he crumpled to the ground.

"Are you alright?" Willow asked Spike worriedly, running up to him and grabbing his hand to check for injury.

"'M fine," he pulled his hand away from her. "Stupid git."

"Give me that back!" Willow slapped his arm, then grabbed his hand back. "You've cut yourself. You're bleeding," she said worriedly.

"It'll heal," Spike assured her, gently pulling his hand out of hers and making a fist to hide the cut on this palm.

"Xander, are you sure you're okay?" Anya asked again.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Xander's voice was high and squeaky. "Thanks," he looked at Spike.

"Don't mention it. And I mean that," Spike pointed the index finger of his good hand at him. "You tell anyone I saved your life, and I'll kill you. I'll deny it first, and then I'll kill you," Spike revised.

"Uh, okay?" Xander agreed, confused, and still a little in shock. That had been pretty big knife.

Willow turned to look at the still form lying on the ground.

"Hungry?" she asked Spike, who stared at her in surprise.

"Willow!" Xander cried in shock.

"What?" she turned to her friend. "He needs to feed. Would you rather he picks someone off the street or the guy that just tried to pick up your girlfriend and kill you?" she asked.

"Uh, well," Xander frowned, "when you put it that way..,"

Chapter Thirty-Seven

They barely made it inside the house before they were tearing at each other's clothes. Willow was easily worked up on a normal day just by looking at Spike, his body, his face, his smile, his eyes, but tonight had been even harder on her hormones.

Watching him bend over the pool table in his tight black jeans made her breath catch. Watching him act all possessive and protective of her when that overbearing moron had tried to pick her up made her belly tingle. Watching him save Xander's life and clunk that same moron in the head with his own knife made her heart swell.

But she had to admit, him feeling her up in the backseat of Xander's car on the drive home didn't help matters out much, either.

She was wet and aching for his touch. She tried to shove his duster off of his shoulders at the same time he tried to pull her jacket off. They ended up groaning and laughing in frustration as their hands got tangled.

Willow finally pushed Spike's hands away and slipped her jacket off as he made short work of his duster. Before the swish of leather hitting the floor had faded, Willow had his t-shirt over his head and it had joined their jackets on the floor. She leaned forward and licked his chest, sucking and nibbling on him, as her hands moved to the button in his waistband. Goddess, she loved the way he tasted.

Spike shoved her hands away and grabbed the hem of her shirt. He wanted her naked. Now. Willow's mouth closed over a nipple as her fingers trailed over his stomach. Spike groaned, and his own fingers clutched at the warm flesh beneath her top.

"Willow," he moaned as his hands moved up her body to cup her cotton-covered breasts. He kneaded them softly and felt her nipples pebble against his palm. With a roar of need, he pushed her away from him and lifted her shirt. Willow raised her arms and he pulled it over her head, tossing it to the growing pile on the floor.

Willow's hands were back on his button and before he could stop her, not that he wanted to, she had his jeans unbuttoned and unzipped. She shoved them down his hips, freeing his erection. Willow watched his hard cock bob against his belly only for a moment, then she was on her knees, taking it into her mouth.

"Bloody...Willow!" Spike cried in surprise and pleasure, as her warm mouth covered him.

Willow didn't respond. She placed both of her hands on his hips to hold him as she sucked on his head, then moved her mouth up and down him, her tongue laving the underside of his shaft, hard and silky at the same time.

Spike's knees felt weak. He reached out to grab onto something, anything, for support, but found that he was too far away from the banister, the table, the wall. He groaned in pleasure as he bent over Willow's head, his fingers tangling in her hair serving the dual purposes of encouraging her ministrations and keeping him upright.

"Cor, Willow!" he cried when he felt his head hit the back of her throat, felt the suction on his cock increase. "Willow, luv, I'm cum...oh, bugger, Willow!" he screamed as he came in her mouth.

Willow sucked him, hard, until she felt his cock jerk in her mouth and his cool release fill it. She swallowed, and continued sucking until she had milked every last drop of cum out of him, then sat back on her heels and licked her lips, looking up at him in satisfaction.

"That was nice," she blinked her big green eyes at him seductively.

"I'll show you nice," Spike growled, grabbing her upper arms and lifting her to her feet. He unfastened her jeans as Willow held onto his shoulders for support. She ran her hands down his arms, then back up and across his shoulders, up his neck and into his hair, as Spike worked her jeans and panties down her hips. She wrapped one arm around his shoulders and tilted his head down to her as she rose to her tiptoes.

She pressed her lips softly against his, then sucked his bottom lip into her mouth, gently biting down on it. Spike moaned, his hands stilling on her hips. Willow ran her tongue over his lips and he parted them, granting her access to his mouth. She pressed herself against him, her soft breasts mashed against his hard chest.

Spike slid his hands around to cup her butt. He squeezed, lifting and pressing her against him. Willow pulled her lips away from his and moved to his neck, licking and sucking on the sensitive skin. Spike groaned as she sucked a fold of skin into her mouth and gently bit down.

The next thing Willow knew, she was on her back on the floor and Spike was pulling her shoes off. He slid her jeans and panties down her legs and tossed them onto the pile. He spread her legs and lay down on the floor between them, burying his face in her.

Willow groaned as he spread her lips with his thumbs and ran his tongue along the length of her slit. She cried out when his tongue entered her, his nose bumping against her already swollen nub. She grabbed his hair and placed her feet flat on the floor. She lifted her hips against him as he licked and sucked on her until she screamed her release, her juices filling his mouth.

Instead of stopping, Spike slipped two fingers inside her, bending them and probing for her sweet spot as he licked, sucked, and nibbled on her clit. Willow was mewling incoherently, her heels digging into the floor as her hips bucked frantically against his face. She screamed his name as she came again, her juices covering his hand and face.

Spike withdrew and crawled up her body. He placed his head at her entrance and waited until her glazed eyes cleared and she was aware of him above her. Willow grabbed his face and pulled him down to her, licking her essence off of his chin, then kissing him, their tastes mingling on her tongue.

Willow moaned into his mouth as he slid into her, filling her.

"Oh, Spike," she groaned as she wrapped her legs around him, one arm going around his shoulders, the other to the back of his head, pressing him to her.

Spike kissed her, thrusting his tongue into her mouth as he thrust his cock into her passage. Willow tightened her grip on him and lifted her hips, taking him in as deeply as she could.

"Oh, Willow, you feel so good, baby," Spike whispered against her lips.

"You too, Spike," she moaned, "you too. Oh, Spike!" he began to thrust faster. "Spike!" she cried. "So close, oh, goddess, so close!"

He lowered his lips to her neck and licked his mark. His mark. He'd marked her. Claimed her. She was his.

"Mine," he growled, morphing, and sinking his fangs into her.

"Spike!" Willow screamed, as she felt her blood being drawn out of her down to her core, and her orgasm slammed through her.

"Willow!" Spike withdrew his fangs and roared her name as her muscles clenched around him and he pumped his release into her.

Spike lowered himself onto her and left his face buried in her neck. He loved the scent of her. They lay there, recovering silently, except for the sound of their labored breathing.

"Wow," Willow gasped after she caught her breath enough to speak. "That was just...wow."

"Wow, is right," Spike agreed without moving, his breath tickling her neck.

"Spike," Willow was running her hands over his nicely muscled back.

"Yeah, luv?"

"Floor's hard," she pouted.

"Oh, sorry, Red," he carefully pulled out of her and managed to get to his feet without falling.

"What's so funny?" he asked when Willow started laughing.

"Nothing," she said, then laughed harder.

"Red," he said warningly, planting his hands on his hips.

"I'm sorry," she snickered, "it's just...," she pointed at him and dissolved into giggles.

"I'm glad you're amused," Spike tossed his head and pouted.

"Oh, goddess, sorry," Willow tried to stop laughing. "You just look so cute, standing there in your boots, with your jeans down around your ankles, and nothing else on!" she lost the battle and started laughing again.

Spike looked down at himself and had to fight a smile.

"You forgot one thing," he said seriously.

"What...?" Willow's laughter froze in her throat when she saw Spike standing above her stroking his newly-erect cock. "Oh," she whimpered as she felt her body tighten in anticipation. "Well, that...that's not funny at all," she said.

"No, not funny. But fun," he leered at her. "Wanna go for a ride?" he raised his eyebrows.

"Uh huh," Willow nodded, holding her hand up. Spike grabbed it, and pulled her to her feet.

Willow placed her free hand on his hip and directed him toward the stairs, then pushed him down so he was sitting on one of the steps. She struggled with her bra until she unclasped it, then pulled it off and tossed it behind her to join the rest of her clothes. She climbed up the stair and grabbed his shoulders as she straddled his legs. She pushed his hand out of the way and lowered herself onto his cock, still slick with their juices.

"Oh, yeah," she placed her mouth against his ear and moaned as he filled her, "you feel so good inside me."

"Bloody hell, Willow," he groaned as her wet heat surrounded him, his hands gripping her hips. "Willow, baby!" he cried as she started to ride him.

"You like this, Spike?" she licked his ear.

"Yes! Love being inside you. Love feeling you against me," he lowered his head and grasped a rock-hard nipple between his lips.

"Ohh!" Willow cried as he sucked on her sensitive nipple, sending little bolts of electricity to her core. She wrapped her arm around his head and held him to her as she rhythmically lifted and lowered her body over him, the dual sensations of her clit slamming into his pelvic bone and his cock head touching the pleasure spot inside her sending shockwaves through her body.

Spike closed blunt teeth over her nipple and Willow cried out. He pulled on it, his tongue laving it as his teeth held it, then let it go and moved to her other breast. Willow began to move faster. Spike released her breast and lifted his head. Willow looked into his true face and moaned. She rested her forehead against his, her hands gripping his hair, his shoulder, holding on for support as she rode him, harder, faster.

"Spike," and then she was kissing him. She teased his lips with her tongue before slipping it between them to explore his mouth. She ran her tongue over his teeth, his elongated fangs, and cut herself.

The taste of Willow's blood filled Spike's senses. He used his hands on her hips to hold her still as he jack-hammered his own hips, thrusting into her as he sucked the blood from her tongue. Willow moaned into his mouth and he could sense the change in her body as she stiffened and her orgasm ripped through her.

Spike kept pumping, driving himself into her as she tightened around him and called forth his own release. Sated, he leaned back against the stairs with Willow resting on his chest, and allowed his human face to return.

"Love you, Spike," she said tiredly.

"Love you, too, Red," he tilted his head and kissed the top of hers. "Come on, let's go to bed," he said, standing, then paused as he remembered his jeans were down around his ankles. He wasn't going to be able to walk up the stairs like that. With a groan he set her down and leaned her against the bannister.

"No laughing," he said as he bent down and pulled his jeans up, zipping them so they'd stay up around his hips without falling down.

"No," Willow agreed, her eyes like slits, "not today anyway. Too tired."

Spike swept her up into his arms and carried her to their bedroom. He pulled the blankets down and laid her on the bed, then undressed and joined her, pulling the blankets up around them as Willow snuggled into his arms.

***

Willow woke late the next morning. Her legs were entangled with Spike's and her head was resting on his chest. She ran her hand up his side, enjoying the feel of his cool, smooth skin against her palm. She closed her eyes, enjoying the press of his body against hers, but soon her thoughts made it impossible for her to stay in bed any longer.

She got up, careful not to wake Spike, showered, and dressed in a pair of blue jeans, a gray UC Sunnydale sweatshirt and her favorite pair of sneakers. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she noticed the pile of clothes from last night.

She hung up their jackets, then threw the clothes in the laundry room. Then she grabbed her keys and left the house, headed for the small bakery several blocks away to pick up the Sunday paper and some bagels.

When Spike woke later that afternoon, he came downstairs wearing just his jeans, his hair sleep-tousled, to find Willow sitting in the dining room, red pen and highlighter in hand, talking to herself as she studied the classifieds.

"What are you doing?" he asked, running his hand through his hair.

"Oh! Goddess, Spike, you startled me!" Willow jumped and grabbed her heart.

"Sorry," he lied with a tired smirk. "What are you doing?" he asked again, indicating the paper spread out before her.

"Looking for an apartment," she grimaced. "It's not as easy as it sounds. I read them all through, then realized I didn't really know what we were looking for, other than someplace that was *ours*, so then I made a list," she picked up her pad of paper and began reading it off. "Windows, usually a draw, but we don't need 'em, we need someplace dark, or with few windows, or we'll need really good drapes. Kitchen...I don't cook...do you?" she looked up at him and he shook his head 'no'. "Bedrooms. How many bedrooms do we need? I mean, one to sleep in, one to maybe use as a study room, but do we need a guest room? And bathrooms...two? And where do we want to live? If we're moving, we might as well move closer to school. But then, I've got the car now, so I can drive, so maybe not...,"

"Willow," Spike reached out and touched her hand, interrupting her rambling.

"What?" she asked.

"Those are all very good questions, luv," he smiled reassuringly at her, "but we don't need to find something today."

"I know, but...,"

"But what?"

"You scared me when you said the realtor might already have a buyer," she admitted.

"Even if she does, doesn't mean we won't have time to find something. Still need to sign a contract, right? And they'll probably need time to get a loan. And then the...the...what'd she call it?"

"Closing," Willow supplied.

"Right, closing. Plenty of time to find someplace we like. So," he turned his attention back to the paper, "what are the red circles for?"

"Oh, well, after finishing my list of things I don't know the answer to," Willow gave him a little smile, "I reread the listings and circled the ones that sounded good. Then I started making phone calls. I crossed out the ones that were either gone or didn't fit what I'm not even sure we want," she shook her head and rolled her eyes at her own comment, "and highlighted the ones we might want to look at. So," she looked up at him, "what do you want?"

"Well," he leaned back in his chair, still holding her hand in his own, "want you to be there." Willow laughed.

"That's a given," she smiled at him. "What else?"

"A bedroom big enough for a king-sized bed," he lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles, then sucked the tip of one finger.

"Uh, okay," Willow breathed, "good idea. Wh-what else?"

"Hot tub," he said as he sucked the length of her finger into his mouth.

"Huh?" she asked, her mind finding it hard to function as he sucked on her finger.

"A hot tub," he repeated as he licked between her fingers.

"A h-hot tub?" she asked again.

"Yep," he turned her hand over and nibbled along the heel of her hand and her wrist.

"Wh-why?" she asked.

"Like the heat," he said, then closed his eyes. "I can just picture it. Me, lounging in the hot tub. Naked, of course," he opened his eyes and looked at her.

"O-of course," she agreed and he closed his eyes and resumed speaking.

"You bring me a glass of the finest whiskey without me even having to ask. You sashay out to the hot tub, naked, of course," he opened his eyes again.

"O-of course," she agreed again.

"And we shag!" he finished, then stood and pulled her to her feet.

"Maybe we need a house," she mused as he swung her up into his arms and carried her up the stairs.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

"How come it doesn't hurt when you bite me?" Willow asked out of the blue. They were lying side-by-side in bed after a very satisfying shag.

"What?" Spike rolled over onto his side and looked at her.

"I just...," she felt the mark on her neck, "I've got, like, an open wound here, and it doesn't even hurt. Why is that?"

"I don't know," Spike reached out and ran his thumb gently over the mark. "Mine," he whispered.

Willow shivered.

"Yours," she agreed, then rolled onto her side so they were lying face-to-face, their bodies touching. "Mine," she licked his neck. Though there was no mark identifying the spot, she knew where she'd bit him, marked him, claimed him. She felt Spike shiver at her touch.

"Yours," he groaned as she teased him with her teeth.

"So, why?" she pulled back and looked into his eyes.

"Tease," he pouted. Willow smiled at him.

"I'll bite you if you answer my question," she waggled her eyebrows at him.

"Promise?" he asked.

"Promise," she breathed, gently touching her lips to his.

"Well, I don't really know," Spike rolled over onto his back. "I never really paid attention when they were drilling vampire lore into me. Had better things to do, you know?"

"Like...torture?" Willow asked.

"And shagging," Spike grinned at her.

"Ah, drilling of another sort," Willow nodded innocently, and Spike just looked at her. "Go on," she encouraged.

"I think it has something to do with the healing and anesthetizing properties of vampire saliva," he said.

"Ew, gross," Willow grimaced, "vampire spit? Why?" she asked. "I mean, I'd figure vampires would want maximum pain, so why make their, uh, saliva, have healing and anesthetizing properties?"

"I told you I didn't listen!" Spike protested. Willow pinched him. "Ow! But if I had to guess," he continued quickly, "I'd say it's because vampires don't just use their mouths to kill. I mean, you already know about the, uh, sex bites, and we also clean each other's wounds, if one of our group gets hurt."

"Kind of like dogs, or other pack animals," Willow commented, a look of concentration upon her face.

"Uh, yeah," Spike agreed, though he didn't like being compared to a dog.

"So, I'm part of your pack?" Willow pulled herself up so she was lying on his chest.

"You are my pack," Spike said, and Willow melted.

"I love you, Spike," she leaned down and kissed him.

"I love you, too, Willow," he kissed her back. "Show me?" he asked, his body tingling in anticipation.

Willow buried her face in his neck, and Spike tilted his head to give her better access. She placed little kisses along his neck, then licked him.

"Willow, please," he pleaded. She was torturing him!

Willow drew his skin into her mouth and sucked hard as her tongue laved the flesh she held in her mouth, letting go only when he sported a nicely purpling mark.

"Red," he groaned. Bloody tease!

Willow lifted her head and smiled at him, then pulled his skin into her mouth and bit down. She tasted his blood on her tongue as it seeped out of the marks she had made. She licked it, then closed her mouth over the small wounds and sucked.

"Bloody hell, Willow!" Spike cried out, his arms going around her as he felt her draw his blood out of him. His cock, now engorged with borrowed blood, ached. He rolled them so that she was on the bottom. He morphed and slid his fangs into her neck as he slid his cock into her hot, tight passage, still lubed with the results of their previous love-making.

"Spike!" Willow let go of his neck and cried out. "Oh, goddess, Spike!" he sucked on her neck, drawing her blood out of her, pulling on her core. "Spi-ike!" she screamed as she came, her body violently bucking beneath him.

"Willow!" Spike withdrew his fangs from her neck and roared as his balls tightened and he pumped his load into her. Drained, he lowered his ridged forehead to hers and stared into her big green eyes with eyes of amber.

"Love you, Spike," Willow managed to place her hands on the side of his face and move his head so that she could place a kiss against his forehead, and then she fell asleep.

Spike let his demonic visage fade away and looked down at a completely exhausted Willow with blue eyes. Mine, he thought, as he carefully pulled out of her and rolled to his side, pulling her up against him, holding her possessively. Mine.

***

When Willow woke up, the sun was already going down. She shifted against Spike, then groaned as her muscles protested that small movement. He was going to be the death of her, yet. He'd threatened to kill them all as soon as he got the chip removed, he was just going about it in a sneaky manner, she thought.

Crap, she needed to take another shower, with lots of hot water. And double crap, she hadn't done any homework over the weekend, which meant she knew how she'd be spending most of the evening. She tried to disentangle herself from Spike's arms without waking him, but failed miserably.

"Where you going?" he asked tiredly as she tried to slip out of his arms.

"Shower," she whispered. "And I need to do some homework."

""Don't want you to go," Spike pouted, and Willow smiled. He sounded just like a sleepy child.

"I don't want to go, either," she ran her fingers through his hair and placed a kiss on his cheek, "but I have to. You can stay here and sleep some more," she offered. "I'll just shower and do some homework, and then we can go out and get something to eat. Okay?"

"'Kay," he agreed without loosening his grip on her.

"So, you gonna let me go?" she asked after a couple more minutes of snuggling.

"No," he whined. "Stay here. Love being here with you like this. Only better place is inside you," he whispered, his breath tickling her neck. Willow shivered.

"Th-that was mean," she finally managed to get out. "I-I have work to do, and I can't be thinking about you...naked...all the time!"

Spike laughed.

"Why not? I think about you naked all the time," he leered at her.

"How do you go from sleepy-vamp to sex-maniac-vamp in, like, two seconds flat?" Willow asked pertly.

"Always wanna be inside you," he corrected, "only sleepy some of the time."

"Oh," Willow swallowed hard. "I, um, I need to shower," she squeaked.

"Want help?" he smirked.

"No!" she cried as she rolled away from him and got to her feet. With one last look at his naked form, she turned and ran for the bathroom.

Spike smiled as he watched her go. He stretched and gave her enough time to relieve herself and climb into a nicely warmed shower before climbing out of bed and following her.

***

An hour later they were curled up together on the couch. Spike held the remote in one hand and was flipping through the channels, while Willow read the next chapter in her chemistry text. She had class and lab tomorrow and needed to get the reading done.

When she was finished with her assignment, she closed the book and laid it on the coffee table before leaning back in Spike's arms and broaching the subject she'd been thinking about for the last couple of days.

"Spike," she began.

"Yes, luv," he replied, distractedly.

"You know I'm going to need help with the resouling spell," she said.

"Yeah," she had his full attention now.

"I think we need to tell Giles so he can help...,"

"Bloody hell! The Watcher'll stake me for sure!" Spike yelled.

"No he won't," Willow disagreed. "He kept Buffy from staking you...,"

"*I* kept the Slayer from staking me," he dissented. "And you. If the Watcher had the slightest inkling that I was even *thinking* about turning you, he'd dust me in a heartbeat!"

"I need his help, and Wesley's," she added. "He...,"

"No bloody way, Willow!" Spike threw the remote on the coffee table and stood up. Willow watched him pace the living room.

"Soulboy'll be just as bad, he thinks I'm gonna turn the Slayer's best friend!" he ran his hands through his hair.

"Wesley knows all about the curse," Willow continued, trying to keep her voice even, calm. "He's been studying it since he decided to stay in L.A. and help Angel, that's how he knew what the spell on my ring was."

"No!"

"I need help, Spike," she cajoled.

"What about the blonde witch?" Spike turned to her. "She can help!" he said triumphantly.

"She doesn't know anything about the curse...or the Romany," Willow said, her voice cracking from unshed tears. "It'll take much longer...,"

"That doesn't matter," Spike said, "we've got plenty of time. You're only 18, right?"

"Right," Willow agreed. "What if it takes years?" she asked, slowly standing. "Do we have years? What if it takes ten years? Twenty? When is it going to be too late?" she asked, the tears finally overflowing and running down her cheeks. "When will I be too old for you to want me anymore?"

"Willow," he tilted his head, blinking in confusion as he moved toward her, but she turned and ran from the room. She didn't want him to touch her. She didn't want to talk to him anymore, didn't want to see him.

She ran through the kitchen and out the back door, throwing herself on the same steps she'd sat on after her parents had left. She didn't know who she was more mad at, him for being so hard-headed, or her, for being so soft-hearted.

He was the one who wanted to turn her, for the goddess's sake! And she'd agreed! Barely gave it a moment's consideration, because she wanted to be with him, just asked that he not leave her soulless. She couldn't stand the thought of being like the soulless version of herself she had met last year.

She hadn't even thought about all of the things she'd have to give up, like sunlight, although she wasn't big on tanning. And food! Although, she wouldn't have to give it up exactly, just wouldn't need it. And a reflection! How did Dru put on make-up and do her hair, anyway? Come on, there had to be *something* else she'd be giving up! Stake juggling and holy water spritzers were definitely out, she thought sarcastically.

Sure, she'd live, or unlive, with Spike forever, but, oh, yeah, she'd be dead! Dead. Ew, yeah, and she'd have to drink blood. That would suck. No pun intended. Her facial expression softened as her thoughts turned to Spike. Spike. Forever. He was worth it. Their love was worth it.

And here he was, all...worried about being staked. Well, it was possible that Giles wouldn't take the news real well...at first. She was sure he'd come around. And why was that? Because he was a Watcher whose sworn duty it was to help the Slayer eradicate evil demons, including vampires?

Okay, maybe Spike had a valid point. A very small point. Giles wouldn't be thrilled, but she was certain she could make him understand her position, and that he would help her, eventually. Because she did need his help. She wanted that spell finished as soon as possible.

And Wesley would probably run straight to Angel, and Angel would race to Sunnydale to tell her what a big mistake she was making. But, would he stake his own childe? Hard to tell, since he really didn't seem to give a shit about Spike. He hadn't done anything to help him after he was chipped, after all. But what if he told Buffy?

Alright, now that she had a moment to think about it, maybe Spike was right. She wiped the tears off of her face and sat up straight. Shit, er, shoot! She hated being wrong. It was even harder to admit it.

Spike stood in the doorway, watching Willow. He wanted to go to her, touch her, hold her, but he didn't know if he'd be welcome. He shouldn't have been so negative. She was only doing what he wanted, trying to revise the resouling spell so he could turn her, have her forever, and he was already throwing up roadblocks.

He just knew that Giles and his ponce of a sire would be against it. And even if they didn't immediately try to stake him, they'd certainly try to talk her out of it. He was, after all, nothing but a soulless demon, and she was nothing but light.

Couldn't they understand that he wanted that light? He didn't want to corrupt it, he wanted to keep it always. He didn't want her body if the soul wasn't there. He just wanted it forever, was that too much to ask?

"Willow?" he stepped out onto the porch and softly called her name. She turned in surprise and looked at him through watery eyes. Her face was tear-stained and she looked sad. "I'm sorry, luv...," he started to say, when Willow stood and threw herself into his arms.

"I'm sorry, Spike," she wailed. "I just don't want to lose you!"

"I don't want to lose you, either," he said, lowering himself to the step Willow had been sitting on, and cradling her in his lap. "I love you."

"I love you, too," she cried against his neck, her arms wrapped tightly around him. "I'll talk to Tara tomorrow and see if she's willing to help me."

"No," Spike said, "you should talk to the Watcher."

"No!" Willow pulled away from him so she could look in his eyes. "I don't want him to stake you."

"Won't let him," Spike ran his hands soothingly over her back. "We'll just make sure he's far away from the weapons chest when we tell him, right?"

"We?" Willow asked.

"Didn't think I'd make you go alone, did you?" he asked, astonished.

"Might be safer," Willow said. "I could talk to him, make him see that I want this, and he'd have some time to cool down before he saw you and reacted in fear, or anger."

"Or he could try and talk you out of it," Spike retorted. "Not gonna give him a chance to do that."

"He wouldn't be able to," she leaned back into him. "I've already made my decision. Actually," she paused, "I think the decision was made for me, a long time ago, like fate." She lifted his hand to her lips and kissed his palm.

"I love you, truly," she said softly. "You're the destiny of my heart. We're meant to be together."

"You say the most beautiful things," Spike said, looking at her lips. "Makes me almost wanna try my hand at writing poetry again," he mused thoughtfully.

Willow froze.

"You wrote poetry?" she asked, amazed.

Oh...bloody hell, he thought. What a wanker!

"You know, it's getting late, and we still need to eat. And I could use a spot of violence. And you should call the Watcher, see when you can talk to him," Spike stood, babbling, and carried Willow into the house, kicking the kitchen door shut behind him. He set her on her feet and made sure the door was locked.

"Come on, let's get our coats, a couple stakes, and off we go!" he tried to usher her out of the kitchen.

Willow planted her fists on her hips and refused to move.

"You wrote poetry?" she asked again.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

On Monday, Willow stopped at Giles' apartment on her way home from school. She knew that Spike wanted to be there when she talked to Giles about the resouling spell, but now she was really afraid that one, or both, of them would overreact and someone would get hurt.

Willow knocked at the door, waited a few moments, and was just about to turn away in relief, when it opened and Giles stood in the open doorway.

"Willow," he said. "Is something wrong?" he asked after taking one look at her face. "Come in, come in," he urged, reaching out and pulling her inside. "What is it?" he asked.

Willow set her book bag on the table and took a deep breath before turning back to face Giles.

"Nothing's wrong," she said, and tried to smile reassuringly at him, "but I do need to talk to you."

"Is this about Spike?" Giles asked.

"Well, in a way," Willow hedged. "How'd you know?"

"I haven't seen you alone since you and Spike moved in together," Giles said, "so I guessed, I mean, reasoned, logically and unemotionally, that you were here without Spike because you wanted to talk about Spike."

"Oh," Willow said. "Very clever of you."

"Yes, well, I am a Watcher, you know," they both smiled. "May I offer you some tea?" Giles asked.

"Yes, that would be great!" Willow jumped at anything that would postpone their discussion. She followed Giles to the kitchen and sat at the counter, watching him as he made the tea. When they were both seated in the living room with cups of tea in their hands, Willow could put off the discussion no longer.

She'd been practicing her speech all afternoon, rehearsing it over and over in her head, so she could say everything calmly and succinctly. Her hands were shaking; she put the cup of tea down so she wouldn't spill it.

"Okay," she said. "I have something to say and...just let me say it without interrupting, alright?" she asked. Giles nodded, and Willow took a deep breath.

"I love Spike," she started, "very much. I want to be with him forever. We've talked about him turning me," she heard Giles' gasp, but hurried on, "sometime in the future, but we both agree that we don't want to do it without being able to give me my soul back. Permanently. I'm going to try to revise the resouling spell so the soul will be permanent, and I need your help," she finished, proud that she'd been able to get it all out without stuttering, and even prouder still that she'd managed to remember it all.

Giles didn't say anything. She looked at him closely, but he was just sitting there as if in a trance. She wondered if he had heard anything she had said after 'turning me'.

"Giles," she spoke his name softly, trying to get his attention.

How could this have happened, he thought. He had purposely not told them about the rest of the spell so that this would *not* happen, yet fate had intervened and taken the decision out of his hands. He should have known better. If fate had brought them together, fate wasn't going to let him stand in the way of 'true love'. Not knowing the rest of the spell wasn't going to keep it from happening.

He raised his free hand and rubbed his face. This was almost more than he could bear. Willow, his Willow, the young girl he cared for like a daughter, was going to become a vampire, and nothing he did could, or would, prevent it. He felt tears burn behind his eyes. Damn old fool, he thought bitterly.

"Giles," Willow was worried now. She stood up and walked over to him. "Giles, what's wrong?" She gently took the cup out of his hand and pulled his other hand away from his face. At the sad, tortured look on his face she felt tears welling up in her own eyes.

"Giles, please, what's wrong?" she asked worriedly.

"I love you, Willow, you do know that, right?," he pulled out his handkerchief and took his glasses off. It was very important that he say this, but it was difficult for him to speak of his feelings openly.

"You're like a daughter to me. All of you," he sighed, and began to clean his glasses, "the children I never had. And I know it's fate, true love and all that nonsense, but I'm so...*frightened*," he said.

"I don't want you to be a vampire. I've been taught, since the day I was born, that vampires are evil. And even if you have a soul, you'll still have the demon inside you. It'll be a difficult battle, Willow," he slipped his glasses back on and looked at her.

"Do you think I'll lose the battle?" she asked, concerned.

"Oh, dear lord, no!" he said, stuffing the handkerchief back in his pocket. "You're the strongest person I know, here," he touched her head, "and here," he lay his hand over her heart. "I just...hate the thought of watching you struggle with it. I mean, look at Angel and all he's gone through."

"Giles," Willow sniffled and knelt beside him, holding his hands in hers. "I love you, too. And I'm not looking forward to battling the demon. Spike said he didn't know how hard it would be. See, we have talked about it," she tried to reassure him. "I mean, really talked about it. But I'd do almost anything, Giles, to not lose him. I can't imagine being without him. Ever. But I certainly don't want to be like vamp me from the other universe! And he doesn't want that either. Because he loves *me*," she said, almost wonderingly.

"I still can't believe that he loves me. Sometimes I pinch myself, just to make sure it's not a dream. And I know Angel has to struggle, and that he suffers for the things that he did, but I won't have the same guilt he carries around, and so I hope that'll help. I mean, I don't know for sure, but I'm willing to take that chance, Giles, because I need him and, well, frankly, I think he needs me, too."

"Will you help me? With the resouling spell?"

"Yes," Giles gripped her hands tightly. "Yes, I'll help you. I don't like the thought of you being turned, Willow, but I know I can't stop you if that's what you want, so I will help you make sure you keep your soul."

"Thank you, Giles," she said, standing up and leaning over to give him a hug. "Um, Spike didn't know I was going to stop by without him, and he's probably going to be a little mad when I get home, but can we come by after sundown to talk about this some more? I don't want him to think I don't want him involved, I just didn't want the two of you to kill each other," she gave a nervous little laugh.

"Yes," Giles said, "bring Spike by after sundown. We have a lot to discuss."

"I, uh, also thought we could ask Wesley for help, since he knows so much about the curse and the Romany, but I don't want Angel to know. At least, not yet. I don't think he'll be as understanding as you have, surprisingly, been, and I don't want him coming up here and staking Spike or anything stupid like that...,"

"Willow, dear, breathe," Giles teased. "I think Wesley would be a big help. He's also quite versed in the magical arts. I will tell him this is to be kept under wraps for now, but I can't promise he won't let something slip, if he thinks Angel should know. We do need his help, but we'll be taking a risk, telling him what we're doing."

"Maybe we can tell him that we're working on the spell, uh, just in case one of us is turned. So we can do the resouling spell before we're used against the others. And actually," she tapped her finger against her chin, "that's not a bad idea. I mean, say one of us does get turned, the first thing we're going to do is go after those closest to us, right? Having that resouling spell, without the curse, would be a great help."

"Yes," Giles agreed, "I never thought of that. I mean, having one of you turned has been one of my worst nightmares over the years, but I never thought of using the resouling spell to keep everyone safe. That's a very good idea."

"Well," he continued, "I think I should be the one to speak with Wesley about this, but not until I've had a chance to talk with you and Spike. So, this evening, after sundown?" he confirmed.

"Yeah," Willow said. "Thank you, Giles."

Giles followed her to the table, and gave her a quick hug before she picked up her book bag.

"See you later," she called to him with a smile as she opened the door.

Giles watched her leave, then stumbled back over to the chair he'd been sitting in. Well, it looked like he'd be telling them about the rest of the spell tonight.

***

Willow unlocked the front door and pushed it open slowly. She stepped inside cautiously, and listened for Spike. There was no sound; no shower, no television, no microwave. She set her book bag down and peeked into the living room, then started up the stairs when she didn't find Spike there.

She stopped in the bedroom doorway and watched Spike sleeping, with a smile on her face. He was gorgeous, funny, sweet. Okay, possessive, and he liked his violence, but he was hers. And he'd been a poet! An awful one, if he was to be believed. With curly, light brown hair. She closed her eyes and tried to picture him with light brown, curly hair, long enough that the curls fell in his face.

She felt her body tighten at the image, and opened her eyes to see Spike looking back at her.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked slowly.

"You," she was breathing heavily, "with light brown hair, and curls that fall in your face."

"That a fact?" he asked. "You like that notion?" he took a deep breath and smirked at her.

"Uh huh," Willow swallowed hard. "A lot."

"Come on over here, luv," he held his hand out to her.

Willow walked over to him as if in a trance.

"Don't need these anymore, do you?" he asked as he tugged on her shirt.

Without a word, Willow pulled the shirt over her head and tossed it behind her. She toed her shoes off, then shoved her slacks down her legs and kicked them off. Spike let his eyes run over her.

"Where'd you get those?" he reached out and brushed a knuckle over her breast, covered in red satin.

"Might have picked them up when I was out getting the paper yesterday," she smiled at him. "Like?" she struck a seductive pose, then ran her hands over her body.

"Red's my favorite color," he took her hand and pulled her onto the bed.

"Thought that was black," she teased as she knelt beside him.

"Not when you look like that in red," he was breathing heavily, despite the fact that he didn't need to breathe. "You just buy the one?" he asked, one hand cupping her breast, the other curved around her waist.

"Might have picked up a couple sets," she waggled her eyebrows.

"What colors?" he asked as he moved his hand to her shoulder and pulled her down to him.

"A lovely...oh!" she squealed as he teased her nipple with his teeth. "Sapphire blue and...oh, goddess," he sucked on her nipple, then took her breast into his mouth. "And emerald green," she straddled his body and pressed her aching center against his hard cock.

He pulled the satin down and freed her breasts, then licked a puckered nipple. He cupped her ass in his hands and held her as he rubbed against her.

"No black?" he asked, then licked her other nipple.

"I might, oh, goddess, Spike!" she pressed against him, rubbing her clit over his cock head. "Might have gotten black, too, ah, Spike!" they moved faster.

Spike sucked on her nipples, then looked up at her face. Her eyes were closed and she looked like she was in pain, but Spike knew it was pleasure that made her brow furrow, made her bite her lip.

"Wanna be inside you," he whispered.

"Yes, yes, oh, yes!" Willow agreed. "Don't rip these!" she cried when she felt Spike's hands on her satin panties.

"Wouldn't think of it, luv," he drawled and Willow laughed. He flipped them and pulled her panties off, then thrust into her.

Willow gripped his shoulders as he pumped into her. She wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him deeper. She closed her eyes and pictured light brown curls falling into his eyes as he leaned over her.

"What are you thinking?" Spike asked, feeling her body's response.

"The hair," she gasped, "the hair!"

"The hair does if for you, eh?" he smirked.

"Yes, oh, god!" she ran her fingers through his short, bleached hair, but in her mind, it was longer, curly, and light brown. "Oh, god, Spike!" just a little bit more and she was gonna cum.

"Call me William," he whispered.

"What?" her eyes shot open and she lost the rhythm.

"Call me William," he repeated.

"William," she said. "William," she closed her eyes, and the hair was different, and this time she added the spectacles.

"Oh, fuck!" Spike groaned. "Now what are you thinking about?"

"Added the spectacles," she panted, her eyes still closed.

Spike smiled down at her as he drove into her. Who knew William, that poncy bugger, would get his Red all hot and bothered.

"Say something...rhymey," she said breathlessly.

"You want me to recite poetry while we're shaggin'?" he asked in surprise.

"Yes, yes, please!" she bucked beneath him.

"Alright," he said slowly. Willow opened her eyes and saw his lips purse as he thought. Then he nodded to himself and looked down at her. He lowered his lips to her ear and began to whisper.

"There once was a girl from Nantucket...," and Willow laughed. She opened her eyes and looked into his. They were bright blue, and lit up with mirth. He smiled down at her as she laughed, then burst into laughter of his own.

"Spike," she gasped. "Oh, god, Spike, I love you," tears ran freely down her face from her laughter. And then she was crying in earnest. "Oh, god, I love you!" she pulled him down and hugged him. "Everything about you. And the more I find out, the more I love you, and my heart, I think my heart's going to burst!" she laid her hand on her chest.

Spike reached between them and took her hand in his.

"I love you, too," he kissed her. "Love you so much!" he deepened the kiss. Willow tilted her head, kissing him back, hungrily, desperately. Her need grew and soon she was squirming beneath him. Spike began to move inside her again and Willow vocalized her approval.

"Yes, yes, Spike, please, William, Spike, oh, goddess, Spi-ike!" she screamed as her orgasm ripped through her, hard and sweet at the same time.

Spike watched her writhe beneath him, astonished that she didn't think less of him for finding out about his past. That she could love all of him was a revelation that amazed him. He didn't know what he'd done to deserve this woman, who loved him, all of him, with all that she was, but he'd do anything to keep her.

When she came, he continued to watch her. He loved the way she looked when she came for him, because of him. He felt his own body respond. His balls tightened and the muscles in his ass clenched, and then he was roaring her name as he pumped his release into her.

Drained, Spike fell on her. When he could move again, he tried to roll his weight off of her, but Willow squeezed her legs tighter around his waist, her arm around his shoulder, holding him in place.

"I'm too heavy, luv," he said.

"No, Spike, you're just right," Willow disagreed. "You feel good right here. I don't want you to move."

"Alright, luv, won't move," he agreed, then dropped his face into her neck, breathing in the scent of her. His woman. His mate. His. "Mine," he whispered.

"Yours," she agreed, her hand rubbing over his back. "Mine," she licked his neck.

"Yours," he shivered, squeezing her hand.

"Spike," she took a deep breath.

"Yeah?" he asked lazily.

"I stopped to see Giles on the way home from school today," she said hurriedly.

Spike lifted his head and looked at her.

"You did what?" he growled.

Chapter Forty

When Willow and Spike knocked on his door, Giles was still not ready for them. He didn't want to tell them that he had lied to them, and he didn't want Willow to think that the only reason he supported her decision to have Spike turn her at some time in the future was because it was fated. Although, that *was* the only reason, and he'd even fought against that, trying to find another explanation for the spell through his and Wesley's combined efforts. Which had all been for naught.

"Willow, Spike, please, come in," Giles invited, after he opened the door to them.

"Thanks, Giles," Willow smiled as she preceded Spike into the apartment.

"Watcher," Spike drawled, following her.

They removed their jackets as Giles shut the door. He turned and watched them for a moment, then stepped past them into the living room, standing on the other side of the coffee table.

"Please have a seat," Giles motioned toward the sofa. "Would anyone like a cup of tea?" he asked.

"Yes, thank you," Willow accepted as she pulled Spike into the living room and sat down on the couch.

"No tea for me, Watcher," Spike sat beside Willow, her hand clutched tightly in his. He knew the Watcher knew about his desire to turn Willow, and that he'd told Willow he would help research the resouling spell, but Spike couldn't believe it was that simple. Why would the Watcher agree so easily to something so anathema to his upbringing; the things he'd been taught as a Watcher; his entire life's work?

"Blood?" Giles looked up at Spike as he poured the tea into two cups, shoving a mug closer to the vampire with his other hand. Spike stared at it in surprise.

"Holy water in there? Garlic?" he asked suspiciously.

"No," Giles looked up at him in bemusement, "just blood. Although, it is pig. May not be to your taste these days," he handed one of the teacups to Willow, then took his and moved over to his usual chair.

He lowered himself and took a deep breath, as if he was going to start speaking, then took a sip of his tea. Willow and Spike each sipped their drinks as they watched Giles.

"What's up, Rupert?" Spike asked. "You got something more on your mind than the resouling spell?"

Giles looked up at him in surprise.

"Yes, actually," he replied. "But let's start with that. Willow has told me that the two of you discussed turning her in several years, and restoring her soul. I have agreed to help her research the Romany spell to see if we can remove the curse the gypsies added. I have further agreed to contact Wesley, who has studied the spell extensively since going to work for Angel," Spike snorted, and Giles raised an eyebrow.

"Don't blame 'im, do you?" Spike asked, then realized who he was talking to and what Angelus had done to the man sitting in the other chair. "No, guess you wouldn't," he looked away uncomfortably.

"Please continue, Giles," Willow said, squeezing Spike's hand reassuringly.

"Right, where was I? Oh, yes, Wesley. I would of course ask him not to let Angel know what we were doing, as Willow had some concern that he would come up here and stake you, should he find out," Giles said, with some sarcasm.

Spike just looked at him. Giles took another deep breath.

"I'm sure you're wondering why I capitulated so easily," he said. "The truth is, I lied to you both," he paused.

Spike jumped to his feet defensively, jostling Willow and spilling her tea.

"Spike!" she cried, but Spike ignored her as he looked around the room, straining his senses for other heartbeats.

"What are you...Oh, I didn't lie about not staking you, Spike," Giles shook his head. "Sorry, didn't realize how that would sound." He'd been too caught up in his own guilt to consider how Spike might construe that statement.

"Spike, sit down," Willow pulled on his arm with one hand as she dabbed at her jeans with a paper napkin with the other.

"Please, Spike, do sit down," Giles said. "I merely meant," another deep breath, "that I hadn't told you both everything about the spell we found on Willow's ring."

"What?" Willow said, rising to stand beside Spike. "There's more to the spell? What is it? Why didn't you tell us?"

"Let's sit down, luv, and let the Watcher tell us," Spike took put his arm around her and pulled her down to the couch with him. Now that he wasn't afraid of being staked, he could be the calm one. And how weird was that? "Well?" he looked over at the Watcher, who suddenly looked very small, and old.

"Yes, well, there was another part to the spell that we weren't quite sure about, so we decided to continue researching it before we told you about it," Giles explained.

"And that was?" Willow asked.

"The entire spell reads," he closed his eyes and recited from memory, "'Seek out my true love and reveal to me the destiny of my heart, that we shall be together for all eternity'."

"Eternity?" Willow asked.

"Yes," Giles nervously finished his tea.

"Why didn't you tell us this before?" she asked.

"We, well, mostly, I, was afraid that if you knew about the eternity portion of the spell, Spike might be tempted to, uh, try and, er, turn you," he sighed deeply.

Spike smirked.

"Good idea, keeping that under wraps," he mocked. "Keep us from getting ideas."

"Oh, do shut up, Spike," Giles said tiredly. "I'm sorry, alright? Although, not really, because if I could have kept you from turning Willow, I would have, but fate seems to have other plans. Damn her!"

"Giles!" Willow cried. "You swore."

"On occasion," he agreed. "And this does seem to call for it."

"Not from where I'm sittin'," Spike said, then pulled Willow close and kissed her. She smiled up at him.

"So, when do we start researching?" she asked Giles.

"Let me speak with Wesley this evening and see what information he has," Giles suggested. "We can start tomorrow if there are any books I have, or if we can find anything in that infernal machine to help us. I've mostly been twiddling my thumbs, because I don't have any of the books necessary to research the spell, and though Wesley had ordered some, they haven't arrived, and...What?" he asked.

"You were babbling!" Willow sounded amazed.

"Told you it was contagious," Spike whispered in her ear, and she elbowed him in the side. Spike tickled her in retaliation.

"Spike, stop!" she giggled as she tried to fend him off. Spike just laughed, trapped her arms, and tickled her with renewed determination.

Giles watched the two horseplay on the sofa and felt tears gather in his eyes. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Spike, William the Bloody, one-quarter of the Scourge of Europe, was tickling Willow, and laughing, *laughing*!

Spike pulled Willow into his arms and kissed her, oblivious of their audience. At that moment, the door was pushed open and Xander and Anya walked in.

"Hey, G...oh, god, I didn't just see that!" Xander said, halting in place and putting his hands over his eyes. "Is it over?" he asked.

"What?" Anya pushed him out of the way and saw Willow and Spike sharing a kiss. "Aw, that's so sweet," she said. "But Xander told me that public displays of affection were inappropriate," she continued.

"Actually An, I said that *groping* in public was inappropriate," Xander said.

"Well, that's how I show affection," Anya sounded confused.

"I think Mrs. Bradley would disagree that grabbing my ass in the frozen food section was affection," Xander explained patiently.

"Oh. So I should have grabbed something else then?" Anya asked.

Xander groaned, still covering his eyes. "I give up."

Giles took this opportunity to covertly swipe at his eyes.

"Sod off," Spike picked his head up to say, then immediately kissed Willow again.

"Hello, Xander, Anya," Giles greeted them. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit, and may I offer you some tea?"

"Research," Anya said, and Giles choked on the sip of tea he had just taken.

"Excuse me," he coughed, "but what did you say?"

"Research," Anya repeated. "We haven't researched in a while and you didn't tell us not to come over, so, here we are!" she said.

"Can I look yet?" Xander asked.

"No," Giles said dryly. He and Anya shared a smile as she walked into the living room and took a seat, leaving Xander standing in the foyer with his hands over his eyes.

"So, is there anything to research?" Anya asked.

"No," Giles said. "No research. At least, not on any specific demon," he clarified, "but I am still reading over that book of prophecies to see if there's anything coming up we have to worry about."

"Yay," Anya gave a fake cheer, "prophecies!"

"Guys?" Xander called.

***

There was a knock on the door. Xander turned around, one hand still covering his eyes, and pulled it open. He peeked between his fingers, and then pulled the door open wider.

"Oz, Tara! Thank god you're here!" he pulled them into the room. "Are they still kissing?" he inclined his head behind him, and Oz and Tara both leaned around him to look into the living room. Willow and Spike were sitting innocently on the couch.

"Who?" Tara asked.

Xander spun around to see for himself.

"Oh, thank god!" he said. "That was horrible. An, I don't feel so good." Xander walked toward the living room.

"That's from the twinkies, moron," Spike said without any heat.

"Watch it, fangless, er, bleached wonder," he corrected. Spike smiled toothily at him.

Oz and Tara stepped into the apartment and shut the door behind them.

"Hey, everyone," Oz said.

"Hello," Tara added.

There was a chorus of hellos back.

"Can I get you anything to drink?" Giles asked. "I have tea, although it might need to be heated up."

"I'll have some tea, Giles, thank you," Tara said.

"So, are we researching?" Oz asked.

"Yeah, prophecies," Anya said morosely. Giles looked at her. "I mean, yay! Prophecies!" she gave another fake cheer.

Giles turned away from her to pick up the tray from the coffee table before smiling. He carried the tray to the kitchen, feeling a bit lighter than he had earlier.

"So," Anya asked Willow, "have you started looking for an apartment yet?"

"Actually, a little," Willow said. "I checked out the classifieds yesterday and made some calls. There are a couple we might look at."

"You're looking for an apartment?" Giles was leaning his shoulder against the wall, waiting for the tea to be reheated.

"Yes," Willow said. "I forgot to tell you. My parents were here last week. They're moving to New York. For good."

"Oh, Willow," he said, "I'm so sorry."

"Me, too," she shrugged. "Anyway, they gave me the house and the car, and a little bit of money, and Spike and I decided to sell the house and get a place of our own."

"Really?" Giles said, as he removed his glasses. "You know, I think there's an apartment coming empty in my building," he turned and walked back into the kitchen before anyone could see the smile on his face.

"What?" Spike said, his face a picture of horror.

***

Buffy showed up an hour later, when they were all sitting around the dining room table reviewing some of the prophecies Giles had found.

"Hey, uh, everyone," she said, surprised to see everyone gathered around the table. "Research?" she asked worriedly.

"Prophecies," Anya rolled her eyes, and Giles smiled.

"Just looking over some interesting prophecies," Giles told Buffy. "Would you like to join us before you go on patrol?"

"Well, I, um," she glanced at Willow, who had looked back down at her book as soon as she saw who had entered the apartment, "I guess I could stay for a while."

"So," Xander said as soon as Buffy sat down, "what have you been up to?"

"Oh, you know," she pulled a book over, "school, patrol. Actually got some homework done over the weekend."

"Speaking of weekend," Oz said. "I drove up to L.A. to play with the Dingoes, and Tara went with me."

"Hey, cool," Xander said. "How'd you like it?"

"It was fun," Tara said. "I never dated anyone in a band before! There were all these groupies...," she paused when she noticed a tension in the room.
"Did I say something?" she asked worriedly.

"Of course not," Willow smiled at her. "I'm glad you had fun. Where were you playing?" she asked Oz.

***

After Buffy left for patrol, Willow offered to make more tea. She went into the kitchen and Tara followed her.

"Need help?" she asked.

"No," Willow said, "but I could use the company."

"Okay. Listen, about before," Tara began.

"Don't worry about it," Willow put her hand on the other girl's arm.

"I just, for a second there, I totally forgot that you and Oz used to date, and, everything," she said. "I hope I didn't bring up bad memories."

"They're just memories, now," Willow said. "I'm very happy with Spike. Too happy to let the past hurt me."

"You just said that 'cause you knew I was here," Spike poked his head around the wall and leaned on the counter. Willow smiled at him, then leaned over the counter and ran her hands up his arms. She pressed her forehead against his, and then kissed him.

"I love you, baby," she whispered.

"Love you, too, Red," he reached across the counter and grabbed her ass, lifting her, and deepening the kiss.

"Mmm," Willow moaned into his mouth as she kissed him back.

"Ack!" Xander yelped. "Giles, they're doing it again!"

"Doing what?" Giles asked without looking up from the book he was reading.

"Each other," Anya said.

"An!"

"Yeah, and on that note," Oz stood up, "I think we'll get going. Tara has an early class tomorrow. Tara," he called.

"Coming!" she came out of the kitchen at a fast walk. "Giles, you might want to check the water for the tea," she said as Oz helped her into her coat, "I think Willow got distracted."

~Fin~