Title: In The Company Of Wolves
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. Sequel to "Blinded By Science".
Feedback: reinforces the desired behavior.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to large corporations, and were created by the brilliant writers for Buffy and Angel.

Chapter 2


All too soon, Spike came whistling in the door. He locked it, shrugged the duster on to the easy chair, and turned to her. "Miss me, Red?"

Willow took a deep breath and began the conversation she had planned. "I set you free. Why did you pay me back like this?"

"Because I can. Because, for the first time in months, I can do anything I bloody well want to." His eyes sparkled. "And, oh, yes, because you're a trusting fool and I am not."

Keep him distracted. "Where are we going?"

"Sorry, it's not Question Time." Spike sauntered over and sat down next to her on the bed. "And now, luv..." he placed pale hands on either side of her head and leaned in.

Now or never. "Wait."

Spike paused an inch from her lips, his own lips curling in amusement. "Red, I don't think the cavalry are coming this time."

"I don't need cavalry." Willow rushed onward, tripping over words, desperate to finish while she still had space and air! to talk. "One year from today I'm meeting my lawyer at noon in the park in Sunnydale. Alone. If I tell Joanie I'm okay, she throws the tape in the incinerator. If I don't show up, or I'm not alone, or I say I'm not okay..."

Spike pursed his lips, bringing them even closer, and looked thoughtfully into her eyes. Bloody Hell. Left her time to think again. "I see."

It's working! "So if you'll just let me go, I'll call Buffy to come get me, and we're back where we started."

Willow smiled, hoping she looked firm, in control, and not to be trifled with. Unfortunately, she looked like what she was: a woman dancing on the edge of a cliff and hoping it wouldn't crumble.

Spike met her hopeful smile with his usual shark grin. "Not quite, Red. I am not letting you loose while that tape exists."

He held up a finger and traced the curve of her cheek to her ear. "You could trip over a shoelace and die."

Two fingers, down the line of the cheekbone to the jaw. "You could blame me for one of your little friends' getting a hangnail."

Three fingers, lifting her chin. "You could get bored." He caught her chin in a bruising grip. "While that tape exists, you remain under my eye."

Salvage what I can. Willow looked Spike in the eye and put on her best Resolve Face. "All right. But if you lay a hand on me again, you won't like what happens in a year."

"Truce, then." Spike released Willow's face and sat up. "I admit, that does take some of the thrill out of the evening. If you'll excuse me..." He stood up, turned away, and strode toward the door.

"Let me go!" Willow began to thrash.

Without turning or slackening stride, Spike responded, "Not likely, pet. Not before time."

"If you don't unchain me, you'll be sorry!"

Then Spike did turn, presenting a completely expressionless face. "Willow." His voice was soft and deadly. "Don't tell me I have nothing to lose by killing you now."

Willow met Spike's eyes. There was no court there to which she could appeal. Willow saw no gratitude, no mercy, not even humor.

Last try. "My arms hurt. If I promise I won't try to escape, will you please let me loose?"

"No, pet. But we can probably find a more comfortable position for you to be restrained in. Unless you'd prefer Plan A." The glint in his eyes explained Plan A all too clearly.

"No, thank you."

Spike returned to the bed and unlocked the handcuffs. When Willow sat up and rubbed her wrists, he waited, then tied her wrists and ankles, this time with cord. He travels with a complete set of restraints? Ick. After tying her, Spike stood and strode again to the door.

"Lights on, pet?"

"Off, please."

"As you like. You'll be keeping vampire hours from here on, though. Best get accustomed quickly." And he left her alone with her regrets.




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