Part 5 & 6

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Part Five

Buffy was walking through the cemetery, her hands swinging at her sides, each clasped in a cool grip. As she made her way through the tombstones, she looked to her left. Angel was walking beside her, his head down and his trench coat flapping around his legs. She called his name, but he ignored her and continued looking at the ground , watching his feet as they walked. She looked to her right and saw Spike, and as she saw him, he turned and smiled at her.

"Hello, cutie ."

Buffy looked from him to their hands entwined together. She was sure that she shouldn't be holding his hand, she probably should be fighting him, but as she looked at him, smiling at her, she discovered that she was not afraid . For some strange reason, she knew that she was safe with him.

She looked to Angel and once again tried to get his attention. He glanced at her, giving her a faint pained smile. As she looked at him, the familiar love rising inside her, his smile turned into a smirk. She watched, horrified, as his once clean face became covered in blood and gore. She gasped and tried to remove her hand from his grasp, but he held her too tightly. She looked over at Spike who just grinned at her and then she noticed that the sun was beginning to rise. Faint streaks of light hit the lawn and tombstones as the sun rose and shone over the wall of the cemetery.

As she watched, the line of lights slowly moved towards her. She was afraid, fearing that the light would hit the two vampires on either side of her and they would burst into flame. She tried to step backwards, but the two men held her hands tight, keeping her there. She saw the line of light inching closer, and began to panic.

As the line reached their shoes, she again tried to flee, but she was unable to move. She tried to command her feet to move, but she felt locked in place, like she was stuck in cement. She felt searing pain consume her feet as her shoes begin to smoulder catch her on fire. She looked at Angel and Spike's feet, but they were fine. The sun inched farther, now her legs were on fire. She looked at the two vampires, pleading with them to help her. Neither one looked at her, they just stared at the glowing orb that threatened to immolate her. Her pants were now completely aflame and she began to scream. As her shirt and hair burst into flame she heard Spike's voice, but when she looked to him, he wasn't speaking.

She heard the voice again, "Buffy, wake up, pet. It was just a dream. Wake up."

She continued screaming as her face began to melt, and as she took a deep breath, she felt the flames sear her lungs. She screamed, "Angel" and then opened her eyes.

She saw a dark room lit only by a small candle. She felt something cold in her hand and looked down and saw a hand clasping hers. She looked up at the owner of the hand and screamed when she saw Spike smiling at her. He looked startled at her scream and then pulled her into his arms, desperately trying to calm her. She struggled against his arms then realised that she was no longer on fire. The sun was nowhere to be seen; she began to relax. Spike tightened his arms around her and murmured, "It's alright now, luv. No more nasty nightmares."

She looked up at him, her breathing evening out, and placed her hands on his chest. Buffy smiled and whispered into his ear, "Get your fucking hands off me ." Pushing him as hard as she could, she sent him flying against the opposite wall hard enough to crack the plaster.

"What the fuck, Slayer! I was just trying to help you." Spike picked himself up and wiped the dust off his leather duster. He watched her as she stood and pulled herself into a defensive posture. "So, I guess that this is the point in which we fight, right pet? Fine with me." Spike put his hands up and moved around Buffy, looking for an opportunity to strike. She moved towards him, her right hand poised to hit, when suddenly she collapsed, her small frame racked with shudders.

"Oh, God," Buffy gasped, moaning as waves of pain coursed through her body. "Spike, what have you done? What is wrong with me?"

"Aww, shit. I almost forgot for a second there." Spike moved towards her, lifting her up and placing her back on the bed. Buffy lay there, her face wet with tears, her body convulsing with each unneeded breath. Spike walked to the small bathroom off the room and returned with a damp rag.

"Just for the record, I had nothing to do with this. This was all Angel's doing. I just rescued you before…" Spike knelt down beside her and proceeded to wipe the cool rag over her forehead. "Do you remember anything that happened before you woke up here?"

Buffy shook her head, her teeth clenched in pain.

"This is not going to be good news, luv." Spike paused, trying to find the right words. "Here it is, plain and straightforward. Angel fed from you and he turned you, from what I overheard. You're a vampire now. This pain that you are feeling is because you have been asleep for about twelve hours and your body needs to feed. Right now, you are like an addict that needs a fix."

Buffy looked at Spike, every part of her being hoping to see that smirk on his face, hoping that he was joking. Spike looked at her evenly, a sad smile twisting his full lips. "Welcome to the club. Nothing is ever going to be the same in this shitty little town."

"Noooo." Buffy screamed. Her shriek pierced the air until she stopped abruptly, lungs empty. Undaunted, she drew a deep breath, renewing her agonised wail. She continued until her voice was hoarse, and then the screams faded, replaced by choking sobs.

Spike remained on the other side of the room, watching her, but never attempting to calm her or go to her side. He thought it was funny, her breathing, but he remembered how long it took him to break that little habit. You can't spend your entire life depending on something to live and then just stop doing it. He understood what she was going through. He knew that she needed to get it out, release the pain and shock at losing her life. Especially since the giant poof probably didn't giver her much of a choice in the matter. So he stood there and watched her as the sobs faded. She just lay there and moaned, her body screaming for blood, her mind screaming for time to reverse and for her life to be given back.

Finally, Buffy sat up, her body weak from her tears and her thirst. She turned to Spike, looking at him for the first time since he had told her what she was. "There is something else wrong with me, isn't there? I can still feel, remorse, pity. I still have a soul."

"Well, that's the problem. See, it goes against the laws of nature for a Slayer to be turned. Peaches should have known better. Hell, he was the one that told me that." Spike tried to ignore the pain on her face as he mentioned her sire, well, their sire. "Your change into a vampire is going to be harder than normal. It will be more painful and it'll takes a bit longer for the soul to leave your body. Feeding will help speed up things. But even if you refuse to feed now, your soul will still leave eventually. It'll just take longer."

Buffy shot Spike a look of anger and pain. "So I just lie here and wait to die completely." Buffy clenched her teeth as a tremor passed through her. "Fuck, I am so going to kill Angel."

Spike laughed, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. "Now you are starting to talk like a vamp." He stood there chuckling as Buffy moaned, and then he remembered the scene on the Summer's lawn. "Just one problem with your murderous plans, luv. Nancyboy is already dead. The other Slayer, girl with dark hair, staked him. So, I figure if you have any tears you need to cry for him, now's the time. You know, before your soul leaves and you don't give a damn."

"Faith…" Buffy's voice shook with anger. For the first time since she had awoken, her eyes shifted to yellow as the demon visage came forth. "Faith killed Angel."

Spike smiled as he saw how angry she was getting. Rage was a good emotion, one that will aid her in the transformation. He decided that the best way to help out the Slayer, well ex-Slayer, was to get her good and riled up. Plus, he always loved pissing off Buffy.

"Yeah, that saucy little git staked him right on your lawn. Made some crack about you always being too weak to kill him. I got to tell you, that girl has got some moves that I think you could never learn. Be honest with me Buffy, she is the better Slayer, isn't she. Not to mention she's hotter too. Wouldn't mind a few rounds with that one."

Enraged, Buffy sprang up, glaring at him. Her knees were shaking, and she looked like she was about to pass out, but the rage that he had inspired gave her strength. Before Spike had the chance to move, she had him pinned against the wall, her hands gripping his throat tightly.

"Shut the fuck up, Spike, before I lose my patience and stake you." Her voice quivered with anger.

"Now you got it." He looked down at her, her face twisted into the vampire's mask and laughed. She tightened her hand around his throat and banged his head back against the wall. "Remember, Buffy. We are on the same side now. You stake me and you will be just killing one of your own. Vamps tend to look down at that sort of thing."

He looked at her and realised how strong she was. Must be that Slayer strength. He could see that she was starting to weaken. He grasped her arms and pulled her away, holding her at an arm's length. Spike was about to speak again when he saw her eyes roll back, her human face return, and her knees buckle. As she fell, he swept an arm under her, lifted her small frame and returned her to the bed. She looked up at him, her eyes enormous and full of pain.

"Spike, I am so hungry. I need something to eat." Buffy couldn't even believe exactly what she was saying, she was begging for blood.

He looked down at her and brushed the matted hair away from her face. "I know. I've got something for you. Hold on for a second, I'll be right back." Spike stepped out of the room and returned a few moments later, carrying a body thrown over his shoulder. He threw the young boy on the bed next to Buffy. She looked at him, her eyes shifting to yellow as her demon again took control. She rolled over and pulled the child into her arms. She looked at the boy, his eyes welling with tears and his small body shaking with fear. He tried to scream around the gag in his mouth but all that came out is a muffled keening noise. She returned her eyes to Spike's face.

"I kill him and the pain stops, right?"

"Right, luv. Just imagine that you're feeding on the Slayer. That image always works great for me."

Buffy caught his meaning and growled at him. She looked down at the boy and expected to find herself unable to feed on this helpless child. She expected to feel guilty. Looking down at his small innocent face, all Buffy felt was hunger and desire to feel his blood wash over her tongue and down her throat. She shook her head, trying to force the bloody images from her brain, but all she could do is stare at this helpless boy and feel…hunger, need. She leaned down and licked the boy's neck, feeling the pulsing jugular beneath her lips. She realised that she could hear his tiny heart beating and the sound nearly made her crazy with lust. She placed her mouth over the boy's tender flash and experimentally bit him. The sharp fangs easily into the boy neck just far enough to draw forth a few drops of blood. As the crimson fluid hit her tongue, Buffy shuddered with desire and bit as hard as she could, tearing out a large chunk of the boy's flesh. The blood rushed into her mouth, almost choking her as she gulped greedily. She sucked hard on the open wound, struggling to get each tiny drop. Too soon the boy was drained and Buffy moaned, still hungry. She pulled her head away from the corpse's neck and looked at Spike, licking her lips lasciviously.

"That was good. I never imagined it could be like that." She laughed feeling euphoric, sensations running through her body.

Spike smiled and moved to sit next to her on the bed. He looked down at the boy and slid one finger along the wound, picking up the last of the child's blood. He stuck his finger in his mouth and licked off the blood. Buffy watched as his lips surrounded his finger and felt yet another unusual sensation.

Just watching him savor that finger made heat course through her body and coalesce between her legs. Spike noticed her attention and returned the finger to the boy's neck, this time offering the blood to Buffy. She grasped his wrist firmly and then placed her lips around his extended digit, licking the blood and then drawing the finger into her mouth to the third knuckle. Spike shuddered as he saw her red full lips surround his finger and imagined what other body parts she could pull into that succulent mouth.

"There is nothing in the mortal world that can compare with feeding. Well, almost nothing." Spike took his other hand and placed it on her leg, feeling the taunt muscles twitching under the tight pants. Buffy smiled and stood slowly, liking how she was affecting him. She walked away from him, making sure that he had a good look at her swaying hips, and then turned and stretched, her arms lifting high above her head. Her shirt rose up, exposing a large sliver of pale flesh. She giggled as Spike swallowed heavily and his pants tented with his arousal.

"I feel good, wonderful." Buffy stood and ran her hands slowly over her body, noting how her movements drew Spike's attention. "I don't feel it anymore, my soul I mean." Buffy stood and walked the length of the room, testing her muscles. "I feel stronger than I was too."

"Right, the way I figure it, you have the strength of the Slayer as well as the strength of a vampire."

She returned to the bed and stood there, looking down at Spike. "Does this mean that I am still stronger than you?"

"Sure, pet. But since when is that news?"

"So, Spike. Tell me, shouldn't I stake you right here, right now? Why in the world would I keep you around to annoy me?"

Spike pulled her down to the bed, rolling her over so that he was lying on top of her. He brought his mouth down and licked her throat. She struggled half-heartedly against him but was unable to resist the heat that was beginning to build between her legs.

"Eternity is a long time to spend all by yourself. It's nice to have someone to pass the time with." Spike kissed her, pulling her tongue into his mouth, suckling on it. She returned his kiss, marvelling at how different it was kissing Spike rather than Angel. She wondered what the difference was. Right, my mouth is a cold as his, now. She chuckled at the thought, and then pulled her mouth back and rolled him over so that she was straddling him. She pinned him down and as he tried to regain control, she pushed him back and laughed.

"Get this, Spike. Do what I say and everything will be just fine. Piss me off, and your going to have a very dusty ending. Got it?" She leaned down and kissed him, her hands running over his hard muscular chest. She could feel him hard against her, and she moved her hips against him, smiling as he groaned. He must be just about ready to pop by now. She wanted to continue this little game that they were playing but she pulled back, knowing that she had to be sure that he was going to be loyal to her before she could give up the prize."Be good, Spike, and we will get along just fine."

He growled at her and tried to recapture her mouth, but she moved off him and walked into the bathroom, running the water and washing the lingering traces of the boy's blood off her face. When Spike realized that there was going to be no nudity in the immediate future, he jumped off the bed and began to pace, trying to work off excess energy as he waited for her to finish grooming.

"Are you about done there, pet? I have a present for you."

"Ohh, a present." Buffy jumped out of the bathroom and walked to him, a greedy smile on her face.

"Yeah, I got the little red headed witch tied up downstairs."

Buffy twisted her head around and looked at him, surprise etching her face. She realized now that he mentioned her friend; she could sense another human in the house. She could smell Willow's blood and she realized that the boy was too small to feed her. She was still hungry. She imagined her friend's face: that fair pink skin and her soft red hair. Just picturing Willow's face made her mouth flood with desire. A tiny part of Buffy's mind shuddered at her happiness over imagining her friend's death, but the other part - the stronger part - wanted to see her best friend bleed.

She turned and smiled at Spike. "Let me see her."

* ~ * ~ *

Buffy walked down the stairs and turned into the living room. Spike held back and let her lead. He wanted her to take control of this situation. The death of her best friend was the perfect way for her to cement her change, and Spike was more than a little curious at what Buffy would choose to do to Willow. The red head was chained against the fireplace. Her eyes were closed and her head lay against her shoulder. Spike watched the girl sleep, her fiery hair falling gently along her face. He sat down on the couch and lit a cigarette. Buffy moved towards her friend.

"She's sleeping."

"Yes, very peacefully. Are we going to wake her, pet?"

Buffy looked at Spike and considered what she wanted to do with her friend. "Not just yet. I still am not sure what I'm gonna do." Buffy turned back to her friend, watching her sleep. That tiny part of her, the part she supposed belonged to the Slayer screamed for her to save the girl, to kill Spike and flee this house. Buffy easily ignored that small whisper and found that it fell silent. She smiled and listened to her demon as it told her what she wanted to do.

"I bet she tastes yummy." Buffy licked her lips in anticipation. "She can't live. She is far too powerful. She is the only one that is able to do the spell that will return my soul, and I know my friends. That is exactly what they are planning. We have to kill her, Spike."

"Yes, we do, luv, but can I make a suggestion. We could use that kind of power on our side, perhaps we should get her to join us."

"But she would never…oh, you mean we should turn her." Buffy considered this as she looked at her friend. She brushed the lock of hair out of her face, taking care not to wake her. "Willow the vampire. I don't know. She is not exactly the most interesting person that I have ever known. Won't she be kinda boring as a vampire? I can see her, still making sure that she finishes high school and does all her homework on time."

Spike laughed. "I'm not so sure about that. Becoming a vampire tends to make certain people lose their inhibitions. Some of the most boring and shy people tend to make the most interesting vampires." Spike paused, remembering the person that he had been before he was turned. Buffy gave him a questioning look, which he pointedly chose to ignore. "You would be surprised. I can see that side of Willow, always have." He looked at the witch appraisingly, noting the blazing red hair that often represented a similar personality.

"You have thought of this before, haven't you?"

"Well, yeah. When I kidnapped her and bloody idiot you two trot around with, I thought that she would make a great companion." He gave Buffy one of his trademark smirks and raised that single beguiling eyebrow. "Just think of all the fun that we could have, just the three of us."

Buffy laughed, "Spike, you are not that lucky. But still, maybe it would be nice to have her with us, if she has the potential that you say." Buffy brought her hand up and caressed Willow's cheek. She hadn't really noticed before how beautiful she was, with that fine china doll skin and features. Plus, she had that great little body. Buffy had always yearned to dress Willow in clothes that would flatter her curves rather than hide them, and now it seemed as though she would have a chance to see the Willow that she always imagined her friend could be.

"So it is decided then?"

"Yup. So shall I do it or you?"

"Well, I hate to disappoint you, but as a fledgling, you probably don't have the strength to turn someone. You look as though you haven't fed enough as it is. I think that I will have to be the one that gets the pleasure."

Buffy scowled at Spike as his blue eyes dance at the possibility. "You don't have to seems so excited, Spike."

"Calm down, Buffy. There is no need for jealousy. We can be a nice happy family, and I bet that you can find some uses for the girl yourself."

Buffy raised her eyebrows at Spike's suggestion. She had never really thought of her friend in that way, but now, thinking about it, she found herself warming, literally, to the idea. "One big happy family." She mused to herself. She again caressed her friend's cheek. At Buffy's touch, Willow began to stir, her forehead wrinkling as she fought to regain consciousness. Buffy shot a look at Spike warning him to remain quiet and moved so that she would block the sight of Spike from Willow with her body.

"Willow, are you awake?"

Willow shook her head and then winced as the pain doubled in her head. "Buffy?"

"It's me, Will."

"Buffy, there is something wrong. Spike is back, and he…"

"I know, Will. Don't worry. You're safe now. I'm here."

Willow opened her eyes and blurrily tried to focus on Buffy's face. "My head hurts. It feels big again."

Buffy looked at the small trickle of dried blood the trailed the redhead's hairline.

Willow looked at her arms and weakly tried to move her restrained hands. "Buffy, why am I tied up? What is going on?"

"Shush, Will, it is going to be ok. I am looking for the key to unlock your chains, but first I need you to answer a few questions."

Willow looked confused. "But Buffy…"

"Willow, that spell that you did for Angel last year. Do you still know how to do it?"

Willow confusion grew and Buffy's question added a large amount of fear to her expression. "Buffy, what…I suppose. I don't have the ingredients."

"How long would it take you to get a hold of them?"

Willow looked at her friend, "What is wrong, has Angel lost his soul? Is that why he hurt you? Do you need me to re-curse him? I can get the ingredients in about a day."

"Damn, see, that is going to be a problem, Will." Buffy let her game face come to the surface and Willow gasped in shock. Buffy grabbed a hunk of Willow's red hair and pulled her head back sharply, chuckling as her friend hissed in pain.

"You see, Willow, I am not the same old Buffy anymore." Buffy leaned down and licked the witch's throat, sliding her tongue along the tender jugular. Willow squirmed and tried to pull her head away, but the hand holding her hair tightened painfully. "Keep still, you little bitch. The thing is... if I let you live, then you probably have the power to screw up all the plans that I have for this little shitty town."

"No, Buffy, no." At the sight of Buffy's vampire face, the last of Willow's emotional walls came down and she began to cry. She wasn't sure what was the most upsetting: the sight of Buffy as a vampire, the pain that her friend was inflicting, or the fact that it seemed like Buffy was planning to kill her.

"So here it is, Will, your one chance to live. Beg me for your life. Assure me that you won't try any magic stuff, and I will let you go."

Willow's mind raced, trying to find the best way to get out of this situation alive. She looked at Buffy's face, the naked hunger shining in her golden eyes , and she knew that Buffy was not going to let her go. Willow was always good at reading her best friend's emotions, and she knew that the decision had already been made. So she had a choice, she could go out crying and whimpering, which she already had a head start on, or she could be brave and strong and go to her death with dignity.

"No, Buffy." Willow blinked back her tears and put on her best Willow resolve face. "I won't do that. Kill me if you have to, but I will not play this sick little game with you."

Willow heard a little snort of amused laughter, and Buffy turned, revealing a smiling Spike sitting on the couch. With all her fear, Willow had forgotten about Spike.

"So, Spike, looks as though you were right. She has more spirit than I thought. It's kinda nice. But I don't like it when people don't do what I tell them." Buffy turned back to Willow and slapped her hard across the face. The pure strength of the blow sent Willow's face ricocheting against the fireplace mantle. The twin bolts of pain that exploded on each side of her head almost threatened to knock Willow out, but she struggled to remain awake, Willow refusing to pass out and make this easier on Buffy.

"Do it, Buffy. Kill me, but I will not let you break me."

"Dear, Willow. It is best not to taunt me like that. You know that I can never back down from a challenge." Buffy ripped open her friend's shirt revealing a conservative white cotton bra. "Spike, have we got any knives around here, perhaps a red hot poker or two."

Spike stood and placed a hand on Buffy's shoulder. Buffy looked at the hand and growled, but Spike ignored her and cast an admiring glance as the witch. "Now, now, Slayer. Let's not get carried away, right. Best to not damage the merchandise."

"But Spike, she made me angry and she won't do what I tell her."

"Yes, luv, but not every situation can be solved with violence. You never did learn that while you were alive. Now is your chance. Sit down and let me begin the lesson." Buffy shot the vampire a look of pure hatred, but when Spike refused to back down, she returned to the couch and sat. Her human face returned, which she promptly twisted into a pout. Spike chuckled and then turned his attention to the redhead.

Spike took the witch's head in his hands and lifted her face so that she could see him. He could feel the fear rising off her in waves. His demon grew excited at that smell and the sound of her heart fluttering quickly. His face shifted and Willow saw his eyes shift from their piercing blue to gold. She swallowed her fear, and looked Spike in the face, refusing to let him see her cower. He maintained eye contact with her and spoke to Buffy.

"Now, see, this doesn't have to be a contest of wills. You two can just agree to disagree. Normally I am always up for a spot of torture, but we just don't have the time for that now. Plus, if you torture someone that you are intending to turn, then things get messy and there is a recovery period and I just don't have the patience for that right now. You will have the rest of eternity to punish the girl for misbehaving, but right now, I just want to get this done."

Willow had been listening to Spike's little speech, and when she heard that they were planning to turn her, not kill her, she started shaking her head, trying to pull away from Spike's grasp.

"No," Willow's voice came out in little gasps. "Don't, you can't…I don't want to be a vampire…"

Buffy spoke from the couch a smile on her face, "Sorry, Will, you don't get that choice. See, I would have just used you for food, but Spike here thinks that we could use your power on our side. So, we turn you. Easy solution."

"You heard the boss, luv. Now, don't worry, this doesn't have to be a bad experience. We can make it fun for the whole group." He motioned to Buffy who came to his side. Spike looked along the tattered remains of Willow's shirt and drew his hand along the girl's bare shoulder and neck. He looked at her, his game face sliding away as his eyes travelling up and down her body. Desire painted his features, adding to the look of hunger that he already had.

"Cor, pet, but you are lovely." He leaned down and whispered in her ear, just low enough for her to hear, but not Buffy. "I have been dreaming of this for a long time." Willow blushed and tried to move away from him, but once again, her chains restrained her, and she was unable to move away from the hardness of his body that was now pressed against her.

Spike gripped Buffy and drew her to him, kissing her deeply. Willow watched as the vampires embraced, and Spike reached out for her, his hand travelling down the witch's body, landing on one hip. The hand didn't remain still, but slid to the small of her back, so that pressing Willow hard against Spike and Buffy. Spike kept his fingers moving, his thumb tracing little circles on her hot skin. Willow shuddered under his touch, only due in part to fear. Spike removed his hand and turned to Buffy.

Willow was afraid, terrified by the vampires' plan for her. Yet under her fear was a shameful and reluctant excitement. As Buffy and Spike embraced, the aura of sex hung heavily in the air. Willow realized that she had never been in a situation like this. Her careful fumblings with Xander and Oz never neared this intensity and heat. She actually found herself wondering what they were going to do to her, and if she would enjoy it.

Finally, Buffy and Spike broke apart. Spike turned his head to Willow and smiled. "Don't worry, luv, I don't intend to hurt you." He looked back at Buffy, "I think that it would be possible for us to do this together. Are you hungry?" Buffy nodded.

Spike pulled Buffy onto a tight embrace. Spike's hands slid into Buffy's shirt and Buffy arched into him, her mouth moving to nibble on his ear as Spike suckled on her shoulder. Willow blushed watching the two of them devour each other, but embarrassed as she felt, she was unable to look away. The intensity of their kiss grew as Buffy and Spike's hands explored each other, sliding along each other's clothed skin. As their passion grew, first Spike, then Buffy's face melded into the demon's. They broke apart and looked at Willow, their sexual energy merging with their hunger.

Spike moved so that his body was pressed into Willow's right side and placed Buffy so that she was on the left. He brought his hand up to caress Willow's face and he leaned across her to give Buffy another kiss. Pulling his lips away from Buffy's, and he leaned down, placing his mouth on Willow's neck, lightly caressing the pulsing vein.

The ex-slayer copied him, tracing a trail along Willow's fragile skin, along her shoulders to her jaw, before settling on her throat. Spike murmured, "gently," and then his teeth broke the surface of the skin.

As Willow cried out, Spike brought his hand up, threaded it through Buffy's golden hair, and pressed her face into Willow's neck Buffy opened her mouth and bit Willow harshly, her control much weaker than Spike's.

Willow screamed and almost immediately felt herself weaken, the two vampires consuming her, overpowering her. They drank until Spike sensed Willow's heart

Tottering on the point of death. He took his mouth away from Willow's neck, and when Buffy didn't follow, he yanked her head up by her hair. She snarled at him, but when she saw Willow, her eyes closed and her breathing shallow, her demon receded and she looked to Spike for direction.

Spike pulled Buffy to him and kissed her, Willow's blood smearing over their lips. He brought Buffy's mouth to his throat and commanded, "Bite me, but don't drink much." She grinned happily, her demon returning and bit into his neck, taking a tiny sip before she forced her lips away. Spike then drew Willow's mouth to his neck, urging her to drink, but although she was weak, her resolve was still strong and she closed her mouth, refusing to taste the offered blood.

Spike shrugged at her refusal, and slid his tongue along his sharp teeth, cutting. Buffy salivated at the sigh, but quietly watched as he kissed Willow, sliding his tongue into her mouth, giving her the blood she would need to live. As the coppery substance filled her mouth, Willow's body screamed for the rejuvenating fluid. In the face of her blood loss, her mind was not strong enough to refuse, and she swallowed convulsively as the damning liquid trickled down her throat.

Spike returned Willow's mouth to his neck and this time the redhead drank greedily, despite her mind's shuddering at her body's need for blood. Spike let Willow drink from him and then, as he started to weaken, he brought Buffy's wrist to his mouth, tearing the flesh and sucking the russet nectar into his mouth. Buffy shuddered and gave him a wanting look and he motioned for her to return to Willow's neck. Buffy returned to the wound in her friend's neck, completing the circle. The stolen blood moved from Willow to Buffy to Spike and then back again, tying the three together and strengthening both the bonds that would hold them together, and the demon that was now taking over Willow's body.

* ~ * ~ *

Part Six

As the early morning sun rose , Faith paced the Summers house wondering what to do next. Sure Giles was her pseudo -Watcher for now , but she knew where his loyalties lay. She hated feeling this way. Helpless. It's the way she felt when her Watcher died.

"I'm going to go look up on her." Mrs. Summers told Faith before walking slowly up the stairs.

Faith stared after her. Buffy would awaken as a vampire, and if Willow wasn't here to restore her soul before the demon took over then Faith would have to stake Buffy.

The dark-haired Slayer shook her head, troubled. Despite their less than sisterly history, she was reluctant to take a stake to the other Slayer, even a vampire Buffy. And, Faith wasn't sure she would be able to pull it off if it came down to it. Her defeat at Buffy's hands when they had fought over Angel was vivid in her mind. Buffy was a great fighter, and as a vamp she'd probably be even more powerful. Faith sat down suddenly, tired and pessimistic. She had a bad feeling that everything wasn't going to be five by five.

* ~ * ~ *

Giles, Oz, and Xander searched every inch of Sunnydale. No Willow and no Buffy. Oz looked worried, Giles panicked, and Xander distraught. In a matter of hours their whole world had changed. Buffy was dead and about to be reborn as a demon. The only person who could possibly redeem this situation - Willow - was missing. And, although none of them were ready to admit it, the disappearance of both girls was a little too convenient and definitely ominous.

"This is too much to fathom. Where could she be?" Giles muttered as looked at the mid -morning sun.

"Could Buffy have woken up? Maybe she heard us about giving her soul. If she was already taken over by the demon, then maybe she…." Xander couldn't even finish the sentence.

Oz just drove on silently.

* ~ * ~ *

Faith grabbed an apple from the fridge and walked into the living room to see Joyce standing frozen in the middle of the floor. Mrs. Summers' face was ghost white.

"What's wrong? What is it?"

"Sh-she's gone."

Faith dashed up the stairs and flung open Buffy's door to see nothing in the bed. "Shit!" She ran back down the stairs just as Giles, Xander , and Oz walk through the door. "B's gone." By their lack of reaction, she knew that this was not news to them. "So no one thought I was important enough to tell?"

"Faith , we…."

"Faith what? Joyce is like freaking because she thinks her daughter is now a blood-sucking fiend somewhere and you guys knew she was gone all along. You Scoobies want to deal with everything on your own? FINE. I'm outta here."

Faith grabbed her jacket and stomped out of the door. "Merry fucking Christmas."

* ~ * ~ *

"I think that we should set up shop somewhere else pet." Spike pulled Buffy in a crushing embrace. Buffy looked at him wondering exactly what he meant. "Well , I think that Angel's digs were a pretty good place."

Buffy's face clouded over for brief second, memories of her last visit to the mansion flashing through her mind. "I can't wait to get a hold of Faith."

"Now, now, Pet." Spike smiled, giving her a crushing kiss that seemed like forever. He finally broke away, staring with affection into her passion-bemused eyes. "I had the boys go and get you some treats and goodies. They have them back at the mansion."

"Presents? For me?" Buffy smiled.

"For you and Red here." He turned back toward the bed, looking at the dead redhead. Her awakening wouldn't happen for another day, so he and the slayer had plenty of time to play.

"Spike?"

"Yes Slayer?"

"I'm not a Slayer anymore." Buffy replied.

"You are my Slayer. What's the question?"

"Will I be yours, or will Willow?" Buffy asked, glancing down at the redhead. Spike was actually a bit surprised at her question. The demon had taken the Slayer over quicker then he had anticipated, or maybe it was just Buffy's inherent insecurity prompting her anxious question.

"You'll always be mine, Pet." He snarled as he grabbed her close to him, "I'm your sire now."

He placed a hard kiss to her tender cold lips and revelled in the feeling as her hands began to possessively consume him. Spike was surprised at Buffy's responsiveness. But he thoroughly enjoyed the feel of her cold sculpted body against his. When the kiss finally broke , Spike smiled. For once I'm loving Sunnydale.

* ~ * ~ *

Buffy was surprised to find the mansion decorated with furniture and thick oriental rugs. Two minions carried Willow's body up the stairs, towards a bedroom. Buffy felt Spike's hands snake around her waist as he pulled her close. "Like the look, Pet?"

"It looks great. Much better than the barn." Buffy smirked. "Where's my room?" (Did we have Spike take them to a farmhouse or a barn? I don't remember. WE should look that up and make sure that they match.)

"You mean our room." His voice dipped low. The ex-Slayer felt a tingle at the base of her spin. Spike guided her up the stairs.

They stopped before an ornately carved wooden door. Buffy slowly opened it and Spike gently ushered her into the room. He turned on the light as Buffy looked in awe at a large four-poster bed situated against the wall, covered in black satin sheets and pillows.

"Wow." Buffy jumped on the huge bed and began to roll around on the pillows.

Spike watched her, marvelling at how beautiful her pale skin looked against the black sheets. He prowled around the room, moving with a predator's grace, his eyes never leaving the stunning body draped across the sheets. Buffy was wearing a skimpy blue sundress that rose high on her hips as she lay on the bed. Spike caught a glimpse of tiny black panties and became almost painfully aroused. He had wanted to take her the first minute she had awoken, but with Willow's turning, he hadn't had any time to make his intentions clear. As his eyes followed her slender thighs to the lacy triangle, he figured that there was no time like the present.

Buffy had scooted to the top of the bed and was leaning back against the pillow, her hair contrasting brightly with the dark satin. Spike walked to the bed and quickly shed his shirt. His arm and chest muscles rippled as he knelt on the bed, stalking the former slayer on his hands and knees. Buffy sat up and watched him slowly move closer, her eyes drawn to the remarkable way that his body moved. She felt a moment's flush of fear, but quickly suppressed it.

Spike reached her side, and faster than she could follow, grabbed a fistful of her hair in his hand, pulling her head to his. Their mouths met with a bruising force, their tongues fighting for dominance. Spike trailed his hand up her naked legs to black lace damp with arousal. His fingers pulled, the lace splitting and ripping apart. Spike broke off the kiss and held up the tattered fabric, a smile of triumph overwhelming his features. Buffy belatedly tried to cover her partially naked body with frantic hands, her very human modesty still in place. Spike's demeanor immediately gentled as he remembered that she had not yet adjusted to his vampiric lack of shame. He smiled reassuredly, and threaded his fingers through hers , bringing her hand up to his mouth for a gentlemanly kiss. Buffy begun to relax under his touch.

"Pet, you have nothing to fear here. And nothing to be ashamed of either." Spike let his gaze move to the triangle of tufted brown hair. "You're beautiful." Spike kissed her again, this time their mouths met with camaraderie, each giving power rather than trying to take it. He could feel Buffy's hesitation fading as she wrapped her arms around him, clutching him close. His hand returned to her body, moving upwards from her waist to cup a naked breast. Buffy arched into his hand and moaned- the sound swallowed in their kiss. He fingered the taut nipple, and Buffy rewarded him by moving so that she was sitting on his lap, her legs twisted around his back. He could feel her downy center caressing his stomach , and his need for her almost consumed him. He wrenched his mouth from hers, ignoring her protests.

"You wearing too much clothing, luv. Have to do something about that." Buffy obediently raised her arms and Spike pulled off the dress , tossing it in the corner. Leaning away from her, he devoured her body with his eyes, memorizing every last detail, from her tight stomach, pert small breasts , and long lithe neck. Needing to taste her skin, he nibbled at her neck, growling at the residual scars left by his sire and hers.

Buffy sensed the cause of his anger. "Don't worry, Spike. I am all yours now. Always should have been yours." He looked at her, meeting her eyes and saw that she was speaking the truth. Her regret for all the times in the past when her thoughts revolved only around Angel was plainly evident.

"Damn right." Spike returned his attention to her neck, his hand s trailing down to cup each buttock and lift her so that she was pressing into him. Both of them were so involved with each other that neither heard the door opening.

"Um, Master." Spike looked up with a growl at the intruder.

"I said that we were not to be disturbed. Get the fuck out of here."

The minion cowered under Spike's baleful glare, but found the nerve to speak again. "Y-y-you wanted me to let you know when t-t-things were s-starting. That t-t-thing that we were t-t-talking about earlier." The minion stuttered.

Spike looked at Buffy, and saw the questions on her face. He ignored her and stood.

"Right, let's go."

Buffy scrambled off the bed , her nakedness forgotten in her anger. "What? Go where? What is going on, Spike?" Her voice deepened, a trace of a growl filling the last word.

"Sorry Pet, gotta go, things to do. Hang out. Amuse yourself. I will be back before dawn." Spike pulled on his shirt and moved towards the minion.

Buffy's hand shot out and grabbed Spike by the arm. "First of all, you are not finished here. Second, you are going to tell me what is going on and quit with this 007 crap. And finally, you are not leaving me here in this mansion to play with myself. If you are going anywhere, you are taking me with you."

Spike could feel the anger rising. He had been interrupted at a crucial moment, the tightness of his jeans was seriously wounding the family jewels, and now he had to deal with the pissy little lady. "Listen, Slayer. You are not going anywhere. Now if you want to survive 'til dawn you will remove your hand and sit back down on that bed. The last thing that I need while trying to deal with underworld types is a very famous and very sought-after dead slayer. I have things to do and you are just going to get in the way." He shook off her hand and walked out, slamming the thick wood door behind him, shaking the entire floor. Buffy moved back to the bed and pulled on her dress, ignoring the tattered panties.

"I will be damned if I am going to sit at home like a suburban wife." She muttered to herself as she crept after Spike, treading carefully until she was sure that he had left the mansion . "Time for me to have a little fun."

* ~ * ~ *

A quick survey of the bedroom revealed a closet filled with non Slayer-friendly clothing. Buffy quickly changed out of the rumpled sundress into a black leather mini skirt and a blood red halter-top. In a way, she was glad that Spike wasn't around. Tonight she had things to do, and he probably would have tried to stop her.

A minion approached Buffy as she left her room.

"Ehmm, Mistress." Buffy kept walking. "Ehmm, Mistress Buffy."

She halted , turning around slowly.

"Spike told us to stay with you at all times."

"What? I need bodyguards now?"

The sharpness of her response sent prickles down his spine. He was thankful for distance between them. "Well, he thinks that you are too young."

He ducked his head, hoping to appear unthreatening. His new vantage point allowed him to take in her shapely legs and an inadvertent leer crossed his face.

"Like what you see?" Buffy goaded.

"Ehmm , no Mistress." Buffy's eyes opened wide at his false admission. "Well yes , Mistress , but well…" The minion cowered as Buffy stepped closer, pressing her body into his. The minion was suddenly trapped between the wall and a hostile and super strong vampire.

"Let me see your human face." He let it descend and Buffy was suddenly staring into dark brown eyes that reminded her of Angel. "Bleugh." She moved away from him and rolled her eyes, "So how many 'bodyguards' do I need?"

"Well there is me, Mitch, and Steve."

"Fine, you better get moving then 'cause I need to pay someone a visit and I need some food. But don't get in my way and listen to what I say." Buffy commanded as the minions followed her out of the mansion.

* ~ * ~ *

Joyce took another drink, her hands shaking as she brought the harsh liquid to her lips. She grimaced as the alcohol burned her raw throat but that didn't matter. She was glad her house was empty. There was no need to feel, no need to react. No need to be anything but numb. Everything that she had lived for had been ripped away in one night -Christmas night. There would be no joyful celebration, only the harsh unreality of her daughter's wake.

The doorbell rang, the sound resounding through the house. Mrs. Summers didn't even move to get out of the chair until she heard a familiar voice call out from the other side of the door.

"Mom? Mommy?"

Joyce dashed to the door and flung it open to see her daughter standing before her. She instinctively reached to enfold Buffy in her arms. Joyce's joy lasted only a brief second before she noticed the coldness against her skin where she pressed her cheek to Buffy's.

"Isn't the snow pretty, Mom? I hope it melts tomorrow. I hear it looks bad when it's dirty."

Joyce stepped back across the threshold.

"Aren't you gonna invite me in, Mom?" Buffy waited . "I guess not. Well, I came to tell you thanks."

"Thanks?" Joyce gasped in confusion.

"Yes, thanks. Thank you for being so dense that you didn't know for the last four years that I was a vampire slayer or even that vampires existed. Thanks for being so blind that you couldn't see the turmoil that I went through last year with Angelus." Buffy's laugh sent shivers through her mother, "And I so want to thank you for abandoning me when I needed you to understand last summer, you were great then Mom." Buffy snorted at her sarcasm, "And thanks for being the huge simpering moron that I always knew you were. Angel didn't kill me. You did a long time ago. Do you realize how pathetic you are? How ridiculous you are? A Barbeque fork, a scavenger hunt, and the gem of all excuses a gang on PCP. You believed it all. Jeesh, what a brainless wonder you are Mother. You didn't even believe in vampires when one was dusted right in your face. Why don't you go have another drink. Besides being a complete fucking idiot that's the only other thing you are good at. And I want you to know that I will never try and kill you. Your pitiful lonely existence is much more torturous, I think. That's it, Mom. Luv ya!"

Joyce watched in shock as Buffy spun around laughing, her black wool coat billowing around her as she strode down the walkway. Joyce sank to her knees as not only the reality of Buffy's words hit her, but as she also realized that her daughter was truly lost forever as she crumbled into tears.

* ~ * ~ *

Faith strolled through the darkness of the cemetery, her feet dragging along the snow-covered gravel. After a while she realized that she wasn't even paying attention to her surroundings. Her focus was the repeating mantra in her head: I'm finally Number One. The only 'Chosen One'.

The distracted Slayer walked toward the mall, which was bustling on Christmas night. There was a long line at the movie theatre and people were playing in the snow. Faith headed towards the alley behind the mall. A trail of blood droplets lined the untouched white snow leading into the alley opening.

Slayer senses alert, she pulled out her stake and slowly walked into the alley. Four bodies lay like heaps on the ground in the dirty passage. Faith recognized the victims : Harmony, Scott, and two familiar-looking Sunnydale students. Their bodies had been torn apart. Harmony looked as though she was missing an arm, and something horrifying had been done to Scott's face. Faith looked closer and saw that his eyes were lying in Harmony's lap. Faith shuddered. She had seen a lot of blood in her tenure as the Slayer, but this was more extreme than most vampires had the stomach for. Faith thought of the stories that she had heard about Angelus. Looks like Buffy gotten a taste for torture from her sire. She shuddered again and looked up at the wall above the corpses. Scrawled in blood was a message for her.

* ~ * ~ *

Buffy and the minions watched from the rooftop as Faith stealthily left the alleyway.

"Is that the other Slayer?" Mitch asked.

"She's the 'Chosen One' now." Buffy smiled . "But she won't be for long. Let's get back to the mansion."

* ~ * ~ *

As Buffy entered the mansion, she could hear the minions talking about Willow's rebirth.

"It's about time that she was up." Buffy grumbled to herself as she reached the upstairs hallway. She opened the door to see Spike handing Willow a teen-age girl. Willow looked up at her sire , and then calmly licked the trembling girl's neck before shifting to game face and sinking her teeth into the fragile flesh. Spike smiled, then noticed the sliver of light from the opened door.

He glided across the room to wrap his arms around the ex-slayer's slim waist. Buffy watched over his shoulder as Willow continued to drain the girl, the redhead's eyes never leaving the blondes . Eyes locked with Willow's, Buffy kissed Spike deeply and deliberately . As Buffy's tongue suddenly invaded his mouth, it hit Spike that she was marking her territory. He smiled against her soft lips, but didn't break the kiss.

Willow finally let go of the body in her hands and dumped it with a hard thud on the floor.

"She tasted great, Spike." Willow smiled.

"I thought we would finish what we started earlier." Buffy said , ignoring Willow.

"Uhmm, maybe later Pet. I have to run an errand and see an old friend. But I do intend to keep my promise."

Buffy pouted.

"Maybe you and Red here can keep each other company." Spike kissed Buffy one last time before leaving the two girls alone in the room.

A brief silence hung in the air.

"So what did you do with Angel?" Willow asked licking her blood-soaked lips.

"Nothing really Wils. I went to stop him from committing suicide, and the next thing I know, I started feeling weak. It took me a while to even realize that he had bitten me. Then I woke up ."

"With Spike?"

"Yeah, with Spike." Buffy walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge. One of the minions scooted in and took the body without a word. Willow patted her belly and stretched out beside Buffy on the bed, just like when they talked about boys. Buffy suddenly realized that her jealousy of Willow might be unfounded.

"But where's Angel?"

"Dust from what I understand , courtesy of Faith."

"Faith. Couldn't stand the ho." Willow laughed . "But hey , maybe we could torture her. I'd love to hear her whine like a lost puppy while I torture her to death."

"You want a puppy?" Buffy rolled her eyes, smiling.

"I always wanted a puppy." The new-born vampire said thoughtfully . "I guess it must suck that you don't have Angel though."

"Not really. Souled boy would have worn thin , and I don't think that he would want to risk the soul losing thingy again. But I don't have to think about that. We have other worries that I don't think Spike has considered."

"Like?"

"Giles, Xander, Oz?"

Willow paused at the mention of her boyfriend. Buffy watched her friend carefully for signs of remorse or pain at Oz's name, but Willow just shrugged and her face unclouded. "You are right. And we have to be careful of Faith."

"Faith is a side note. I could whop her ass while I was at slayer strength. She definitely can't beat me now that I have the strength of a slayer and a vampire. But Giles knows the spells and Xander and Oz will be able to help him." Buffy stated looking around the plainly furnished room; it was nowhere as extravagant as hers.

"But we have Spike. So then it's three against three: Giles, Oz, and Faith. Xander doesn't count."

Buffy roared with laughter, "I guess you are right. Hey, what about you and Oz? Did your special night happen Christmas Eve?"

"Nope, he didn't take me up on the offer. Maybe if he had, I wouldn't be here virginity all intact."

They both exploded with laughter.

"Too bad I can't turn him. I don't think a werevamp would be a good thing."

"I have to agree. But hey , there is always Xander."

"True. So have you? With him?"

"Have I ehhh… Oh! You mean sex with Spike." She huffed . "No."

"Oh?"

"Not YET, anyway." Buffy assured her best friend. "You want to go hunting tonight?"

"Sure." Willow smiled.

* ~ * ~ *

It had been nearly a week since Buffy was turned. So far, Spike had successfully kept her location and his presence in Sunnydale secret.

Buffy came back from feeding and went straight to her room to take a quick shower. As she dressed, Buffy became aware of noise and movement in the hallway outside her bedroom. Probably Spike and his stupid plan. She hadn't seen the blonde vampire in nearly two days. Apparently he had some secret scheme underway that no one seemed to know about but him.

Buffy was bored out of her mind, not to mention frustrated. Since their interrupted tryst on the first night in the mansion, she and Spike had not had a moment alone together. Buffy had resorted to satisfying herself and she was sick of it. When she had turned, Spike had made it clear that there would be no lack of good sex, but apparently he was not going to make good on that promise any time soon. She was getting seriously pissed and was at the end of her rope.

"Spike back?" Buffy asked one of the minions straggling around.

"He had something to take care of. Besides I think you should be…" The minion felt her strong grip around his neck.

"I think crushing your throat will take a while to heal, won't it?" Buffy squeezed tighter. "Don't ever think that you can tell me what to do."

"Ple…ase," he begged.

She let go of him sighing. "I'm bored. Where did he go?" Buffy pouted . Her glare fell on another vampire, walking with two large boxes into a room down the hall.

"Whose room is that?"

"That is Mistress Willow's new room."

"New room. And the boxes?"

"Spike's presents to his childe."

Buffy grinded her teeth . Her doubts about turning Willow were suddenly rekindled. "What kind of presents?"

"Things that she will need, I assume, to … ehmm… keep his attention." The minion stepped back out of arms length of the ex-slayer.

"His attention?"

"It is what your sire would have done for you."

The thought of Angel sent bile from her stomach to her throat. "My sire would never have done any of that. Besides, Spike is my sire now, and you better take note of that. Willow in there?"

The minion remained silent.

"Well?"

"I think that she should be up soon." He replied, not very confident of his lie, knowing that Willow was awake and Spike was with her.

Buffy nodded and was walking back towards her room when she heard the unmistakable sound of ecstasy come from the direction of Willow's old room. She turned abruptly. Spike's minion blocked her path.

"It's nothing, Mistress. Probably bad dreams." He tried to keep the fear from his voice, but Buffy could see him shaking. She placed her hands on his chest and pushed with all her strength. The minion flew across the hallway and into the wall, cracking the plaster, and then he slumped to the floor, unconscious. Buffy stalked to the door of Willow's room and wrenching it open, stopping abruptly at the sight before her.

The redhead was naked, her hands fastened above her head, attached to the headboard with handcuffs. Spike was kneeling on the side of the bed, his platinum head buried between her legs. Willow's head was thrown back, and her eyes were closed. The sounds of her ecstatic whimpering filled the room.

Buffy paused for a moment, and then her anger spurred her forward. She moved to Spike, her face shifting, and grabbed a hold of his hair, jerking his head up. Willow hissed at her lover's departure, and Buffy backhanded her before throwing Spike against the wall. Willow used all of her strength to break the handcuffs. But even with her hands free she couldn't fend off the infuriated vampire and a final punch from Buffy sent her flying across the room.

Spike shook crumbles of plaster off him and sprang forward, grabbing both of Buffy's hands, keeping her from continuing her assault on Willow. The redhead had scratches along her arms and face that healed as he watched while he struggled with the irate blonde.

"Calm down, Slayer." He muttered as he sought to control her.

Buffy shook off his hands and decked him, his body flying back from the force of the blow.

"Fuck you, Spike. Or better yet, fuck her," she said, pointing to her friend. "You are not getting anywhere near me, ever again." She turned and stalked out of the room, Spike watching her leave with regret.

"Bloody hell." He turned back to Willow, her body shaking with anger and fear. "Come now, luv. Everything is ok." As he gathered his red childe in his arms, he felt his passion re-ignite. Willow was panting with need, obviously excited by the violence of the encounter with Buffy. He kissed her as her hand settled on his head, pushing him back down to the joining of her legs.

* ~ * ~ *

Buffy only saw red as she left the bedroom, her rage consuming her. She turned to run down the stairs. Instead she ran into a minion, his arms out to stop her.

"Son of a bitch." Buffy said as she hit the ground, wincing as she landed flat on her ass. She got up quickly and punched the demon standing in her way. He fell off the balcony onto the first floor with a loud thud. She jumped down to where he landed, grabbed the lapels of his jacket, and threw him into the fireplace, cracking the marble mantle. The minion tried to get up and defend himself but instead screamed as Buffy slammed her fist into his mouth, shattering his jaw. He growled and rose to attack her, but paused as he saw the fury in the petite blonde's eyes. He backed away, knowing that this was a battle that he couldn't win.

Buffy looked around and discovered that everyone was gone. She looked at the new furnishing, her rage burning higher from all the gifts that Spike had provided for his girls. She had never been treated like a possession until now, now that she was more powerful than ever. Spike was in for a big surprise if he thought that she was just his toy. She was going to teach him some manners. She looked at the coffee table where Spike's most prized lighter lay next to the bottles of rum and whiskey that the minions had bought for their master. The ex-Slayer opened a bottle of rum and poured the liquor over the brand new leather couch. She brought the remaining droplets to her mouth and crinkled her nose at the strong taste. Throwing the bottle to the other side of the room , she moved to gather up the remaining bottles, an idea forming in her mind.

The remaining minions crouched in the hallway, hiding from and watching their master's surrogate childe flick on the lighter.

Dave turned to the other minions. He was made first, so he supposed that he take charge. He tried to control the quiver in his voice as he spoke to the others. "I'm gonna go get Spike. This chick is gonna burn this place to the ground if we don't stop her. Hell, it's daylight outside. What is she trying to do, kill us all?" He nodded to the others, motioning them to stay and watch Buffy as he ran to the kitchen and used the back stairs to reach the second floor.

* ~ * ~ *

Spike lifted his head from between Willow's legs, her cries of ecstasy filling the room. She kissed him ravenously, licking all traces of her fluids from his mouth.

"How'd you like that, my little strawberry tart?"

Willow giggled at the pet name and moaned in satisfaction. "Uhmm, Spike. That was just…amazing. Do it again."

"Little commanding aren't you, pet? Nope, I think that it is my turn. I want to bury myself in that little quivering passage of yours to the hilt. Make you scream all over again." He slid his fingers inside her and she squirmed onto his lap, fumbling at the buttons on his jeans, releasing his cock. Biting into his shoulder and raising herself up on her knees, Willow positioned herself above him. She captured his mouth in a searing kiss, and then shrieked as the door slammed open, interrupting them once again. She flung herself off of Spike's lap as the irate vampire rose off the bed, his voice rising in anger.

"Bloody hell, people. What does a man have to do to get laid around here?" He advanced towards Dave, doing up his pants and grabbing a stake from the bedside table. "That is the last time that anyone is interrupting us." He raised the stake and then paused as fire alarms rang throughout the mansion.

Spike looked at the minion looking at him, his eyes darting to the stake held over his heart. Spike, shrugged and thrust the stake into Dave's heart, turning him to dust.

"Shouldn't have interrupted us, even if the building is on fire." He threw the stake down and ran to the stairs, looking down at the main room in shock. Another minion rushed up the back stairs, yelling as he reached Spike's side.

"Spike, she's setting fire to things and beating the hell out of us downstairs."

"She's doing what…?"

"Buffy's gone crazy."

Spike ran down the stairs to see minions running around, frantically trying to put the fire out. He watched as Buffy tore off her tank top and dowsed it in whiskey. She carefully inserted the dripping fabric in the neck of the bottle, leaving a small tip sticking out of the top. Buffy laughed maniacally and lit the end of the cloth. She looked around her, spotting three minions trying to unpin the extinguisher. She giggled and threw her makeshift molotov cocktail in their direction, a huge ball of fire erupted from the shattered glass, engulfing the demons in flames. Their screams of terror were only masked by Buffy's laughter. The other minions stopped dead in their tracks, common sense taking over as they ran out of the room. She turned on her heels and headed back up the stairs. She stopped on the landing, looking at Spike. Her growl reverberated in the back of her throat as she walked past him. Spike noticed her game face never appeared , but her eyes were amber the whole time. In that one moment, she had let him know that she wasn't going to play second fiddle to anyone.

* ~ * ~ *

"Are we going to kiss and make up luv?" Spike smiled as he walked into their room.

"You smell like her." Buffy said flatly as she began shovelling clothes into a bag.

"I'm sorry, luv. I…" Before he knew it, he was being pushed into the hallway, his back was against the wall and a stake was pressed firmly against his chest. "No need to get drastic, pet."

"I'm leaving Spike. And you are not gonna stop me."

"Listen pet, I'm sorry."

"I don't like being second best. And I don't like sharing. So you either choose Willow or choose me."

"Slayer, it's not that simple."

"Fine Spike. Until you can decide, don't bother stepping foot in my bedroom door. Go ahead and do whatever you want with Willow." Buffy entered her room and slammed the door shut, rattling the solid wood door's frame.

Spike sighed as a minion entered the hallway, "Sir, there was a phone call during all the commotion. He needs your help to get something. He said it might take some time."

"Fine. Tell the chits I'm leaving."

"Me?"

"Yes you. Who the bloody hell else is around here?"

"Sorry Spike. By the way, have you seen Dave?"

"He's dust. I gotta go." Spike stormed down the hallway.

* ~ * ~ *