Title: Returning
Author: Kylia
Email: kylia_bug@yahoo.com
Disclaimer: Nobody belongs to me, unfortunately. They belong to Joss & Mutant Enemy, and a few other people I don’t know.
Rating: PG13 (for now, although that may change)
Spoilers:
Category: Willow/Spike
Summary: Willow and Spike are forced to return to Sunnydale when Angelus returns.
Distribution: Fire & Ice, WitchFanFic, anyone else, ask, and you shall receive
Author's Notes: This takes place a few years into the future.
Dedication: For Elka & Inell for providing me with a never-ending Fic fix!

Willow walked into the house bracing herself for the questions that would follow. She knew they would wonder what Angel was doing there and what she had to discuss with him. She also knew they wouldn’t want to hear her answers.

“Willow?” Buffy asked as she sat in the big chair in Giles Living room.

“What was that about? Why is he here?”

Willow sat across from her old friend and smiled, “I don’t know why he was here. He said he was in the neighborhood, I assume that to be true. I didn’t really get a chance to ask. Maybe he’ll tell you tomorrow?” Buffy nodded and continued to fill her in on her nightmares.

As Willow listened to Buffy describe her dreams, she was struck with the notion that they were somehow directly connected to Angelus’ return. She had been honest when she told him she didn’t care how it had happened, but now she wondered if there was something else going on.

After almost two hours of talking to Buffy, and trying to convince her everything was fine, Willow stood up to leave. “I have to go. I’ll be back tomorrow, hopefully with some new news.” Willow headed towards the door giving Giles a hug as she left.

After she had walked several feet she realized she was being followed. She stopped and turned around.

“Anya.” She smiled easily as the former demon. “Is something wrong?”

Anya returned the smile. “No. But I just thought I would warn you.”

“Warn me?” Willow asked, slightly confused.

“Spike is coming? Angelus is here. They will not understand. But…”

Willow looked intently at the ex-demon, trying to grasp what she was saying, “But... you do?”

Anya nodded, “yes. If you need some interference, call me.” Anya turned and left before Willow had a chance to respond.

It was dark, not a star in the sky. She frowned. She liked the stars. She wondered what had happened to them, but then she remembered. Daddy had returned, this time without the nasty slayers help. She smiled wickedly as she walked out of the door, leaving her latest demon lover sprawled across the bed, oblivious to her departure.

Spike entered Sunnydale in his usual fashion, knocking over the welcome sign. He had to laugh. At first he was unsure of where to go first. Would his lover be at the watcher’s? He glanced at the clock and realized it was sunrise. She wouldn’t have remained there this late. So he headed to the house they had lived in before their move to Europe. They had never sold it, so that was most likely where she would spend the day.

Angelus sat in the old house waiting. He wondered for a moment if Willow had decided to spend the day with the watcher, but then realized that wasn’t very likely. He thought about going to look for her when he heard someone enter the house.

He knew it wasn’t willow. It only took him a second to realize who it was. He walked out into the living room to greet his favorite childe, wondering how long it would take him to sense the change. He didn’t have to wait long.

Spike entered the house knowing he was not alone. He walked into the living room and saw his sire standing in the middle of the room. He appeared to be admiring the décor. Spike chuckled to himself as he saw a familiar spark in the older vampire’s eyes. “Angelus.”

When Willow approached her house, she heard laughter coming from inside and she briefly wondered if Angelus had brought someone with him. But as she entered the room, she felt the familiar pull. Spike. He had arrived. She smiled as she entered the living room. Both Vampires looked up and smiled.

“I see you’ve found him.”

Willow walked into the living room and smiled. Spike and Angelus were sitting and talking. Not killing each other, not growling, just talking. They seemed to be reminiscing about some time long ago.

Willow couldn’t explain what it was that told her that Angelus had returned. She had just known. She felt it when he entered Giles house. There was an energy in the room. A presence. A force to be reckoned with. Something that was absent in Angel.

She had loathed the terror he brought down on Sunnydale almost a decade ago. But there was something about Angelus that had sparked her interest. He was intriguing. She had found him to be somewhat intoxicating, so much so, that a part of her was sorry to see his soul restored. But only a small part. She realized the necessity. Angelus was dangerous. He needed to be stopped. Since that time, she found herself wondering what he had been like, before. Before he had lost his soul for the second time. When Spike had first known him.

Spike had told her stories of the old Angelus. The one he had missed. The one he had hoped had returned. Willow felt bad for her lover when she had heard all of the stories of the several months Angelus had spent on the Hellmouth. He was evil. Sadistic, even more so than he had been in the past. He was so angry and revolted over his feelings for the slayer, that he had let it cloud his mind. The Angelus that Spike had known was gone. Only to be replaced by a creature not to his liking.

Looking at her lover and his sire, Willow realized that Angelus had returned. Not the Angelus she had known, but the one from before, the one she wanted to know.

Cordelia drove her car into the Sunnydale city limits and sighed. She noticed the welcome sign had been run over, and realized that Spike was already here.

After she had explained what had happened, Spike had left. He didn’t tell her where he was going, but after a few well placed phone calls, she had discovered that Willow had returned to Sunnydale. It didn’t take a genius to realize Spike wouldn’t be far behind.

She only hoped that Angel was there as well. It had been almost five days since she’d heard from him. Even Doyle was getting worried, and that concerned her even more.

So they had decided to go to Sunnydale and see for themselves. Cordelia didn’t dare call Giles, or the others. She didn’t want to have to explain to them that Angel had disappeared. If it turned out he was there, and nothing was wrong, she would look like an idiot. And if it didn’t… well, she’d worry about that later.

After she parked her car in the parking lot of the hotel, she turned to her passenger. He was sleeping. She nudged him, softly at first. And then harder. He finally opened one eye.

“We’re here.” She told him flatly. She was tired. She hadn’t slept in days. “I’m gonna get us a room. Can you get the bags?” Cordelia climbed out of the car and headed into the building.

She knew she should have gone straight to see Giles, but she was exhausted, and she looked like shit. She wasn’t in the mood to deal with anybody just yet.

Buffy went home to change and take a shower. She had spent the night at Giles’ house, not wanting to go home to her empty house. It was strange. Willow had been gone for so long that she had almost forgot what it was like having her around. But she had changed. Buffy had to keep reminding herself of that. She looked almost the same, but she was different. She could see the subtle differences. She was sorry that she hadn’t kept in better touch with her friend, and silently vowed to change that.

After her shower, Buffy thought about everything that had happened the previous night. Willow didn’t seem to be too surprised when she had told her about her dreams. It was almost as if she had been expecting them. Even when she had told her about the one, which told of an evil, force returning to the Hellmouth. Something that would try and re-open the portal which led to the demon dimension. The dreams had started out as flashes. Nothing concrete, but then, the images began to form into something else. No two were ever the same, but there was one constant. Angelus. They scared her. She wanted to believe that they were just dreams, but she was afraid that if she ignored them, what she saw in them would come to pass. She knew that if what she saw in the dreams was real, Angelus would try and re-open the portal, just like he had before, with Acathla, and she didn’t think she could kill him, again.

Buffy had tried to call Angel several times. But every time she would either get the answering machine, or Cordelia would tell her he was out. She would actually breathe a sigh of relief when Cordelia answered. Then she would know everything was fine. If it wasn’t, Cordelia would tell her, wouldn’t she?

The demon sat back and watched. Everything was falling into place. Angelus had returned to the Hellmouth. No one knew he was back, save the redheaded witch. But she hadn’t told anyone. He hadn’t expected that. She was smarter than he had given her credit. He figured she would have run and told the slayer. Instead she had lied. He briefly wondered why, but then decided it didn’t matter. She couldn’t stop what he had set into motion.

He realized she could try and restore Angelus’ soul, like she did before, but that was impossible. It was lost forever. He had made sure of it.

The demon chuckled to himself while he waited for events to unfold.

She sat on the train and watched as the clouds parted in the night sky, to allow her to see the stars. * They’re prettier than I remember * She thought to herself.

She was anxious. She couldn’t wait to get to Sunnydale. To her Daddy. She briefly wondered if it had changed. She wondered if the Slayer was still there with her merry band of do-gooders. Then she remembered, and she giggled evilly at the knowledge.

Willow walked over to Spike and kissed him tenderly. “I missed you.” She whispered. He wrapped his arms around her as he pulled her onto his lap. Spike attacked her warm lips passionately, oblivious to the amused witness sitting only a couple of feet away.

Willow pulled her lips away from Spike, gasping for breath. “How was your trip?” She asked, “Successful?” She smiled mischievously at her lover.

“Very.” He smirked cockily at her, and then turned his attention to his sire.

“Are you responsible for this?” Spike was looking at Angelus, but his question was clearly aimed at Willow.

“Me? No. Why would you think I had anything to do with this?” She asked innocently, eliciting an amused chuckle from Angelus.

“What?” She turned her gaze to the dark-haired vampire.

Angelus laughed. It was a deep, hearty laugh. Nothing like what could be heard coming from his souled counterpart. “You forget, little one, I know you. I was on the receiving end of many late night phone calls. How soon we forget.” His voice was silky, laughing, but not mocking. Not taunting, the way she remembered Angelus to be. It was then that Willow was reminded once again that this Angelus was not the once she had known almost a decade ago.

Willow grinned. “Yes, I suppose I did. You’ve changed.” She turned to look at Spike, “But I didn’t do this. I wouldn’t do this, not without telling you. You realize that, don’t you?” Her voice had grown serious, imploring Spike to know that what she said was true.

“Yes, luv. I know. But that doesn’t explain how it did happen.” He looked pointedly at his sire.

Angelus grinned wickedly, a sparkle in his eyes, “How do you know it didn’t happen the same way as before?”

Willow shook her head. “Not bloody likely.” She smiled at her use of Spike’s colorful inflections. “You, the other you, wouldn’t have risked it. Besides, it couldn’t have happened that way. I made sure of it.” She paused, and noticing the confusion on the faces of both vampires, she continued, “When I did the soul restoration, I modified it. Your soul was permanent. Or at least it should have been. No act of happiness should have removed it.” She stood up and walked around the room for a few moments.

“No, this was deliberate. Whoever did this, did it on purpose. It would have required powerful magic. Not very many people would have been able to pull it off, at least not many that knew you, and that would have been a necessity.”

“Could you have done it?” Angelus’ words were almost a whisper.

Willow turned and glared the vampire with angry green eyes.

“I didn’t say you did it, I just asked if you could.”

Willow’s temper calmed as she considered his question. “Yes, I could. But, I didn’t, which begs the question who did? And why?”

Buffy went to sleep that evening feeling better than she had in days. The dreams still terrified her, but she knew that Willow help them figure out what was going on. She deeply regretted her separation from her red-haired friend. She had told her many times that she didn’t blame her, but the truth was she did, and she had for a long time. She tried to forget about what had happened six years ago, but the memory haunted her. Willow had made her choice all those years ago, and although she had told Buffy it didn’t mean she didn’t love them anymore, her place was somewhere else. She had tried to understand, at least she told herself she had tried, but she hadn’t not really.

Buffy had tried to compare her relationship with Angel with Willow’s with Spike, but even as she tried, she knew it wasn’t the same. The love was there, maybe that was the same, but that was where the similarities had ended.

If Buffy were being honest with herself, she would admit to ignoring certain parts of Angel. She tried to pretend he wasn’t something that he was. She treated him as though the demon didn’t exist, as him that was separate, when it wasn’t. When he had changed, it was like a brutal slap in the face. As much as she loved Angel, she hated Angelus, and she couldn’t reconcile the two.

When he had returned from hell, Buffy tried to rekindle their love, but she couldn’t pretend he wasn’t a demon, not anymore. And she couldn’t completely love him, knowing that part of him was still there. Willow tried to console her. She told her about the modified curse. How there was no danger of Angelus returning. That knowledge somehow made it worse. Things would never go back to the way they were, and Buffy wasn’t sure she wanted them to.

Willow was different. She loved Spike completely, demon and all. She didn’t try to ignore parts of him, she reveled in them. Willow had changed when she got involved with Spike. At first Buffy tried to tell herself, Spike had changed her. He had tainted her purity, her innocence. It wasn’t true. Willow was still good, pure of heart. She wasn’t innocent, but she hadn’t been for a long time. Everyone had failed to see the changes, but they were there just the same.

Buffy tried to accept the new Willow, and might have succeeded, had it not happened. The event that changed all of there lives. It was evil, not unlike any they had faced together before. But this time, they weren’t together. This time, they were divided. It was then that Buffy realized things would never be the same again.

Anya watched as Xander silently scowled. She knew it wouldn’t be long before he buckled under the pressure and asked her about Willow’s visit. She hadn’t spoken to him since she returned. She didn’t tell him about her meeting with Willow, or that Angel had returned. It was more accurate to say that Angelus had returned, but that was something she wasn’t going to reveal, yet.

Anya had meant what she said about helping Willow, when the need arose. She wasn’t sure how she knew it was Angelus, and not Angel, that had shown up at the watcher’s house. She just did. She had met Angel only a small handful of times, and then only briefly. And she had only met Angelus once, but that was nearly two centuries ago. Her memory of him had been etched into her brain. He wasn’t someone you forgot, no matter how long it had been. He had been young then. She had just finished cursing a village boy for some indiscretions and had decided to stop and pay and old friend a visit.

Angelus was Darla’s newest childe and it pleased her to show him off to her old friends. Anya had been taken with him then, and had she not had duties to attend to, she may have stayed longer. She had thought about him frequently over the centuries. It was a strange bit of irony that she be stuck, as a mortal, with the same people that knew him; even it was a different him than she had known.

She wondered if Angel remembered her. He never let on that he did, and she was sure he never mentioned her to Buffy.

A small smile came to her lips. Things were about to get very interesting. And she would have a front row seat.

She walked slowly, albeit deliberately through the night air. A change was coming, she could feel it. The stars were whispering to her. Actually it was more like a growl, but there nonetheless. Things were righting themselves. Her Daddy had come home. She wasn’t sure why, or how, but this time, things would work out. Things would be perfect.

As she neared Sunnydale, she could smell it. There was power. A great power in the air. It made the feel of the Hellmouth weak in comparison. Soon, she would be back where she belonged, with her family.

The demon Chuckled to himself, knowing that his wait was almost over. Soon, The world would end, and his master would be free, to reign once again.

Willow took slow, deliberate steps through the living room, stopping every once in awhile to look between the two vampires. Angelus watched her with interest. He could see the wheels turning inside her head. He turned to his childe. “She’s fascinating.” Spike nodded. “Pet, C’mere. Tell me what you’re thinking.” He motioned for Willow to sit on his lap. Willow turned towards her lover and started to walk towards him when she got this dazed look in her eyes. Spike had seen that look before. He could almost see the hair on the back of her neck standing up. “Luv, What is it?” He asked cautiously. Willow stopped and turned her gaze towards the front of the house as they heard the front door open.

From the position of the living room, they couldn’t see who had entered, but both vampires could feel the presence. It was strong, familiar.

Willow walked into the entrance way towards their visitor, and smiled, “Druscilla.”

The raven-haired vampiress swayed towards Willow. “Little Tree.”

Willow chuckled at Druscilla’s nickname. “Spike didn’t tell me you were coming.”

Druscilla took a step closer to the witch, “I didn’t tell him.” She lowered her voice a notch, “Is Daddy here?” She asked.

Willow grinned. “Come, I’m sure he’ll be delighted to see you.” She headed back into the living room, followed by Druscilla.

The demon watched the scene unfolding. He was very pleased with himself. All of the elements were together now. It was only a matter of time before Angelus completed his task. He chuckled, thinking of how pleased his master would be.

Buffy awoke in a cold sweat. Her dream had been worse than any before. She looked at the clock and wondered it if was too late to call Giles. Four-thirty. She wondered if Willow was still awake. She tried to shake the images out of her foggy mind but they wouldn't go away. Buffy picked up the phone and dialed the number Willow had left her. On the fifth ring, it was answered.

“Hello?”

“Hello? Is Willow there?” Buffy asked wearily, not recognizing the voice on the other end.

“Who’s calling?” Marcus asked.

“Buffy” She answered.

“Hold on a second.” Buffy thought she heard the man growl, but decided she must be hearing things. After several moments of silence Buffy heard an extension being picked up.

“Buffy?” Willow’s concerned voice calmed Buffy slightly.

“Willow. Sorry. Did I wake you?”

“No. I was just filling Spike in on everything.” She told her old friend.

“You told Spike?” Buffy asked incredulously, and then realized what Willow had said. “Spike… Spike is here?” She asked, her concern growing.

“Yes, Buffy,” Willow started, trying to remain calm, “We don’t have any secrets.”

“I know, Willow, I’m sorry. I just… I don’t know, I’m sorry.”

Willow smiled, “It’s okay. What’s wrong? Did you have another dream?”

Buffy sighed. “Yeah. It was worse than any of the others. Do you think you can come over?”

“Yeah, sure, but it’ll have to wait a few hours. I need to take care of some things here first. Will you be okay until then?” She asked worriedly.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine. I’ll see you then.” Buffy hung up the phone and smiled sadly, wondering what things Willow had to take care of. She hoped nothing was wrong.

Willow couldn’t help but giggle at the look of astonishment on Angelus’ face when Druscilla walked into the room. She came and sat down next to him after giving Spike a hug.

“Druscilla? What are you doing here?” He was shocked. He hadn’t seen his insane childe since he was sent to hell, nearly a decade earlier.

“Daddy. You’ve come back.” She hugged him tightly, and then turned her gaze to Willow. “Little Tree, Do you know why Daddy has returned?”

Willow shook her head, “No, It would have required strong magic.”

“I don’t care about who, I want to know why!” Angelus snapped.

“They want to darken the skies,” Druscilla told her sire, “They want you to bring the evil forth.” Her eyes had glazed over and her voice had taken on a singsong voice. Willow walked up to the vampiress and gently took her hand and led her away, “Come with me Druscilla.” Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper. The two women disappeared down the hall.

Angelus turned to his favorite childe. “Where is she taking her?” He asked, perplexed. Spike chuckled, “Willow is going to help clear her mind. A lot had changed since you’ve been … away.”

Willow led Druscilla to an empty bedroom. It was decorated in softly colored satins. Druscilla sat on the bed and looked at Willow, as if she didn’t really see her but was looking at something past her.

“Dru, sweetie, I want you look at me. Look into my eyes. Can you do that?” Willow asked in a soothing voice as she sat down next to the vampiress. Druscilla looked into Willows eyes and for the first time it appeared that she could see into her very soul. “Little Tree has power.” She said with a smile.

Willow nodded, “yes, Dru. Can you see the power? Can you feel it? It won’t hurt you, okay?” Druscilla nodded, and Willow continued. She looked deeply into Druscilla’s eyes, until she could see inside of her. To her core, her very center. She saw the chaos there, and was pleased to discover it was less chaotic than the last time she had come here. The last time she had brought sanity to the vampiress. She felt her power reaching out, like tendrils to embrace the vampire. They reached past the surface, past the demon and into the expanse of nothingness that seemed to claim her. After several moments, Willow could feel the piece rejoining one another. Like shards of a broken glass that were being mended to perfection.

When she was finished, Willow closed her eyes, breaking the connection between the two. Her head felt heavy, her body weak. Druscilla gently laid Willow down across the bed to rest. Somewhere in the back of her mind, Willow heard the telephone ring.

“It’s the slayer.” Druscilla whispered. “She’s had another dream. She knows what’s coming, but she can’t stop it. She won’t know how.”

Willow smiled at the sanity interspersed in Druscilla’s words. She stood up on shakily legs and tried to regain her balance as Marcus Entered the room.

“Mistress? You have a telephone call. The Slayer.”

Willow smiled at the irritation in the vampire’s voice and she picked up the telephone.

Druscilla walked back into the living room. Spike grinned at her. “Dru? How is Willow?” He asked, seeing the clarity in Druscilla’s eyes.

“She’ll be fine. She’s talking to the slayer. She’s had another dream.” She smiled wickedly at her sire.

“Another dream?” Angelus asked, as Willow returned to the room.

“That was Buffy, and I think it’s time we figured out what exactly is going on. I don’t like being a pawn in somebody else’s game.” Willow’s voice was sharp, her green eyes glinting dangerously as she joined the three vampires.




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