Title: In Dreams
Author: Wildecate
Email: Wildecate@hotmail.com
Rating: R
Summary: Two redheads are sharing the same dream

Xander watched Willow from across the table where she was deep in a book on, Xander bent his head to read the title, the book was on dreams. He watched her eyes flick across the page, speed reading. She was looking for something. He turned his attention to the pile of books next to her which she was working her way through. All were on the same subject. There was a theme going through her research although Xander wasn't aware of any problems in Sunnydale other than the usual vampires. He looked back at Willow who was looking worse for the wear. She looked as if she had not slept for several days, longer than that, he amended. There were bruises beneath her eyes accentuating her tiredness. She finished her book and started on the next without even looking up.

"What are you looking for?" he asked and was rewarded with a look from Willow, a sudden flash of green as she glared at him. He has broken her concentration and he felt guilty for it.

"Can I help?" he asked and she shook her head, returning back to her book.

That night Willow was asleep almost before her head hit the pillow and the dream began nearly immediately. She was in a dark place, alone. It didn't seem to matter whether she had her eyes open or not, it made no difference. There was no sound except for her own breathing. She was sat on a solid surface and although she reached out with her hands, she could not feel anything around her. Night after night, this dream had plagued her - the loneliness affecting her through her waking hours to the extent where she was sitting in her lessons nodding off. She could feel it beginning as her eyes closed.

Willow had spoken to Giles about it when he had expressed his concern over her. He had suggested that she have a flick through the books about it or try the net. Willow had already spent hours looking through the Internet but was unable to find anything of help. Giles' books contained mostly the interpretation of dreams which was great if you were dreaming about things like fish, weddings or flowers. But there was no actual dream. Just her in the silence of her head.

This night though the dream was different though. This time she was not alone.

Willow decided that tonight she would not just sit there and wait for it to be over. She got to her feet and cautiously started walking, testing the ground in front of her before she placed her foot down. It seemed as if she had been walking forever when there she saw a glow ahead of her. She moved quicker now, surer of her feet. As Willow moved closer she could see that the glow was actually a person. Did she really want to meet someone in this place? she questioned herself, someone who was obviously powerful enough to bring her here night after night. She was going to have some questions for whoever this was approaching.

But when Willow finally saw the figure before her she found she couldn't breathe, let alone speak.

His hair was thick and deep red brown, his skin somehow tanned and not the usual redhead pale, his eyes deep blue and laughing. He stood close to her, close enough for their breath to mingle but he did not touch her.

He smiled down at her, the smile reaching his eyes lighting them up and making them sparkle. Willow felt as though she had come home.




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