Title: Blinded With Science
Author: Jonquil
Email: serpyllum@yahoo.com
Distribution: Just ask.
Rating: R (strong language, violence, sexual references)
Spoilers: Fourth season, post-Oz, pre-Tara
Summary: Willow has re-fanged Spike, and must deal with the consequences. Followed by "In the Company of Wolves".
Feedback: reinforces the desired behavior.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to large corporations, and were created by the brilliant writers for Buffy and Angel.

Chapter 4


Spike was taken aback. She makes it so easy to write her off. So easy to overlook the brain under the diffidence and the mannerisms and the baggy orphan clothes. "Pet..." For once in his afterlife, he was at a loss for words.

He tried again. "Witch... You want me to tell you how to keep me from killing you? Isn't that a bit optimistic? What's to keep me from lying?"

Willow nodded. "You see the problem. It's sort of like knights and knaves."

Spike cocked the scarred eyebrow. "Knights? Knaves? Are we back in fairy tales, luv?"

Willow sighed. "It's a kind of logic puzzle. Knaves always lie, and knights always tell the truth, and you run into somebody, and you don't know if he's a knight or a knave, and you only get to ask one question, and you need to ask a question that will give you the right answer whether he's a knight who tells the truth or a knave who lies. I really like those puzzles, but I'm not sure how to apply them to vampires, because a simple 'Yes' or 'No' doesn't really help here."

Spike nodded gravely. Now there's a piece of mortal knowledge I could have used. Although lying all the time is straightforward compared to most demons I've met. "So what you need is a way to get a trustworthy solution from somebody you don't trust."

Willow's entire face lit up. "Exactly. And I thought, because you've spent your life -- well, your afterlife -- around demons, you must have had to make deals with people -- uh, demons -- you couldn't trust before, and you could tell me what the procedure is."

Spike sighed. "I'm going to need a cigarette to think this one out, and the tosser up front called the police last time I lit up in here. Care for a walk?"

"Okay." Willow looked distastefully at the remains of her latte, then got up and carried the cup and saucer over to the bin. Spike headed for the door without a backward look; sighing, Willow dropped a tip on the table, scooped up his espresso, carried it to the bin, and followed in his wake. Boy, that coat sure can make an effective exit. Of course, it does hide... Stop that, brain! Bad thoughts! By the time she reached the door, he was ten feet away, in full stride, cigarette glowing in the night.

Willow scurried to catch up. "Hey, wait up!"

Spike looked back disdainfully, never slackening pace. "Do you want the information, or don't you?" Can't let the chit know she's holding all the cards.

Willow bit her lip. Who is helping whom here? "Where are we going? Because I need to be home in time to get some sleep tonight."

Spike suppressed a grin. "Dunno. Around. I think better on my feet. So, the question is, how can you trust me when you know I'm evil?"

"Yes. But it isn't a lifetime trust. It's just a trust about one specific question. What do you do when you need to trust another demon?"

"I don't. Wouldn't have lasted this long if I did. Stupid question."

Willow stopped still. "Are we having this conversation, or aren't we? Because if you're going to waste my time, I could be tracking down a memory leak, something that I can actually make progress at."

Spike strode on without a backward glance. "We're having this conversation, as long as you don't ask stupid questions. Bore me enough, and I'll just keep on -- pacing, was it?"

Willow sighed, and hurried once more to catch up. I am NOT going to ask him to slow down again. I can just walk fast. Short legs really bite sometimes. His just keep on going... "Okay. Sometimes you need something from another demon. How do you get it?"

Spike gave her a wolfish grin. "Well, beating him up's always favourite."

"Now who's being stupid? I couldn't beat you up if I had -- "

"You could try..." The grin became somewhat more carnivorous, then faded. "Usually, you don't negotiate unless the two parties are matched. If one party is significantly stronger, he just takes what he wants; no muss, no fuss. Not practical here... There's always hostages."

"What?" Willow gulped. "I've been a hostage. I didn't like it. And anyway, I can't think who could be your ...." Uh, oh. I can think, actually, and we shouldn't go there. Besides, she isn't here, and I could no more keep her prisoner than I could beat up Spike. Before he could reply, she continued, "I can't keep a hostage, because I couldn't hurt the hostage if you hurt me. It would be wrong."

Spike sighed theatrically. "Pity you spotted the catch there, luv. So, no force, no hostages ... you really do need a credible threat. Basic requirement of living, ducks. Or unliving."

"The credible part is the problem. Where are you going?" They were rapidly running out of town, and chip or no chip, Willow didn't like the idea of being alone with Spike outside civilization. And I am not going into the cemetery after dark without Buffy or Giles.

Spike glanced around. "Nowhere, pet. Like this conversation."

Willow snorted. "In that case, you can walk me back to the dorm." Spike raised an eyebrow, but she continued, "You walked me out here, you can walk me back to safety." Borrowing a trick from his book, she turned around and strode off without looking.

Spike stood watching her for a moment. Do I let her win one, or do I call her bluff? Before he could decide, the witch spun around, her face alight.

"Spike! I can't hurt people, but I can hurt things! You could give me a -- a thing hostage! Something that you want, but that I could damage! Like your coat!"

Spike began closing the gap between them. "Pet... If I grabbed Chubs and you had my coat, which one do you think would bleed longer?" Suddenly he loomed over her, reminding her how fast he could move at need. I do hope that chip's still working...

"Oh." She hung her head, and they walked a block or so in silence.

Spike thought. If I don't let her win, I lose. Bit tedious, having to play both hands myself. "The only other bargaining chip I can think of is pride. Sometimes the weaker party can blackmail the stronger party." Strong enough hint for you, luv?

Willow's brow crinkled. "Hmm. I could tell the other vampires ... no, I'm not getting near any more vampires , one's plenty. Or two, if you count Angel, but he isn't here any more..." Her voice trailed off.

Spike remained silent, slowing to match her pace. Come on, Red, use that brain. If I have to feed you the answer, you'll start wondering about the catch.

About a block from the dorm, Willow cleared her throat, then fell silent.

Last call. "Yes, witch?"

"What if ..." The next sentence came out as one word. "What if you wrote a letter saying you loved ... umm ... NSync ... and I gave it to Willie the Snitch to hold?"

Spike looked amused. "And I would trust Willie the Snitch because...?"

"That's a detail. You write the letter, I'll figure out someplace to put it so that Willie gets it if I die, and we're set!" She was glowing with the satisfaction of a problem solved.

"It's a bargain, Pet." And we won't mention the vampire literacy rate, will we?

Willow beamed at Spike. "I've got to set some things up with friends. I'll let you know when it's ready!" And she scampered off to the floodlit door, swiped her card through the reader, and vanished into the dormitory.

Spike stood for a moment, watching the door. Honors to me, I think. He spun on his heel and strode off toward the graveyard.




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