I Put a Vampire Love Spell on You 

Authors: Cyndy & Sara
[email protected]

Rating: PG-13
Pairing: W/S and W/A 
Summary: Spike kidnaps Willow...again!
Spoilers: Through to 'I Was Made to Love You'

Notes: Tara and Willow are just friends
Feedback: We love it! Please send it to [email protected] 
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Joss Whedon. No profit was received from this work.  

Part 1

Willow frowned as she searched the shelves of Giles' magick shop. She 
had volunteered to close-up so she could find a certain magick text. It was 
an obscure book that she had seen only once. 
She had run across it while researching some demon, when Giles realized 
what she was reading he had quickly taken it out of her hands, saying that 
text would contain nothing of value. But, she had seen a spell that just 
might be helpful now. "Yes!" she said happily as she found it on the shelf. 
Willow sat behind the counter and quickly found the passage that she 
sought. To Beckon a Vampire. She assumed the spell's purpose was to use the 
services of the vampire. Willow laughed at the absurdity of it. Who would 
want to attract one? Willow knew she could accomplish this by taking a late 
night walk with a fresh paper cut. No magick necessary! The author obviously 
hadn't lived on the Hellmouth. 
Willow bit her lip as she translated. The spell was written in French 
and she was having trouble with some of the verbs. She worked through the 
spell slowly. Willow assessed her translated text and figured out how to 
reverse the intent. It was a now a spell. . .To Repel a Vampire. She 
thought this might be the strangest summoning spell she had ever seen. Some 
of the ingredients were also used in love spells. She shrugged it off, 
intent on her work. Actually, it made sense in theory. One should be able 
to stimulate an attraction of any kind with the ingredients of a love spell. 
She assembled all the necessary herbs and magickal tools she needed. She 
poured a circle of salt around her on the floor and lit three off-white 
candles. Willow looked around nervously, looking for any sign of her 
friends. If anyone knew I was going to dabble in powerful magick myself 
again. . .Goddess, I'd be in trouble for a month. She shuddered to think how 
many cookies she would need to bake to rectify that. But Willow knew that 
this spell was vital and she felt like she had the necessary power and 
experience to control it. 
She thought about the events of the last few days as she spread out her 
athame, incense burner, and herbs in preparation. Spike had kidnapped Buffy 
and professed his love for her, Buffy was incensed, and Spike had almost let 
Drusilla kill the slayer. Buffy and the rest of the Scooby gang had refused 
to have any further dealings with Spike until his fixation subsided. There 
was also Glory. Everyone was afraid that she would realize that Dawn was 
"The Key." Buffy was nearly powerless against the Hellgodess. Willow shook 
her head . Right now, they needed all the help they could get, even Spike's 
reluctant , cash-induced help. Her decision made, she knelt in the center of 
the small circle and began to perform the ritual. 
****** 
Willow could feel the energy flowing through her. It made her skin 
tingle and her heart beat faster. She gazed at her hand and could make out a 
slight silvery aura around it. As she came to the end of the spell, she 
spoke the awkward words. She had wondered if this spell was devised by some 
lawyer who played in magick. "Any vampire in this vicinity who harbors love 
and affection for the slayer shall have that emotion replaced by dislike and 
distaste. . ." Willow didn't want Spike to hate Buffy, they needed his help. 
He had always disliked the slayer. Willow peered at the spell book. What 
came next? Something caught her attention, a small handwritten note which had 
fallen out of the book. It must have slipped from the appropriate place when 
the book was shelved. It was Giles' handwriting and simply said "Do not 
use! Vampire Love Spell." 
"Oh no. It's not a summoning spell. . .love magick." she said softly. 
Uh-oh, I've had awful experiences in love magick. I just reversed a vampire 
love spell, so it was a vampire hate spell now? She began to panic, she 
needed to balance the energies that she was working with. She couldn't 
replace love with dislike. Dislike was too weak. Love was only equal to 
hate. Unless. . .I'm a genius! She could channel that love to another 
person. Make the vampire fall in love with someone else! "May the vampire 
transfer his or her affections to the first suitable prospect." The intensity 
problem was solved and her dislike portion of the spell was just an added 
request. 
******* 
The next evening Willow carefully made her way to Spike's crypt. She 
knocked on the heavy door. 
"Hold on a bloody minute!" Came the vampire's voice from other side. 
"Who is it? " No one I know knocks. Better not be one of those bleedin' 
salesman that had always knocked on Giles' door. If so, whoever it was would 
get a nasty surprise. 
The door swung open to reveal Spike, clad only in his trademark black 
jeans and in full demon face. 
"Hi, Spike." She didn't even blink at his appearance.. "It's nice to see 
you!" 
"Oh, really?" He said peevishly as he reverted to his human features. " I 
wasn't aware we were on speaking terms, luv." 
Just the other day, the Scooby gang had shunned him in the magick shop 
and told him to never come back. "I didn't make that decision. Giles 
decreed. . ." 
She noticed that Spike was not listening to what she had said. He just 
gaped at her, his expression unreadable. "Come in, Willow." She did, taking 
in the view. Eww. A crypt. Complete with bones. Buffy had told her about it 
but she had never actually been here. 
"I'm sorry, Spike. About the other day, I mean. I want you to know that 
I stood up for you, but I was overruled." Willow had tried to talk her 
friends out of it. She never thought anyone should be punished for their 
feelings. 
"It's okay, luv." Spike was putting away some clothes into a drawer, but 
he was still watching her as he did so. 
"Are you alright?" Willow thought he looked dazed. "Are you sick?" 
Vampires didn't get sick ,did they? 
"No, I'm fine. Have a seat." He pointed to the couch. She did so and he 
sat down next to her. She was so beautiful. Spike reached out a hand to 
touch her face and then stopped. Willow didn't notice because she still 
studied her surroundings. Why did I waste all this bloody effort on the 
stupid slayer when she was right here the whole time? Red was intelligent, 
kind, thoughtful. . . 
"So. . .how have you been?" Still want to sleep with Buffy? 
"Fine. A little lonely." He gave her half-hearted smile. Spike knew 
what he was doing, knew she couldn't resist this tactic. 
She placed her hand on his arm and gave him a comforting squeeze. "Oh, 
Spike, I'm sorry. I am sure this whole thing will blow over soon." 
"I'm sure you're right, Red." This is the kind of girl I should be with. 
He wouldn't follow her around as he had done the slayer. Spike knew that 
Willow responded to directness. There was a wildness in her that she never 
allowed to completely surface. She had trembled as he held her pinned 
beneath him on her dorm room bed but something in her answered his call. She 
would have asked him to turn her. Willow would have been mine. . .will be 
mine. 
Sensing some inner turmoil in Spike, Willow had kept silent. But unable 
to bear the tension, she blurted out. "Do you still love Buffy?" 
"Why? Are you jealous, pet?" The smile he gave her was wicked. Spike 
knew what that smile did to women. He waited a few moments for her to 
compose herself. When she didn't respond he winked at her knowingly. 
Woah! He just winked. Something in his eye? "No. I was just. . 
.curious. No reason at all." 
He leaned forward "No, luv, I've moved on, as that idiot Watcher put it. 
I don't even like the slayer now. " 
Willow beamed at him. The spell worked -- yippeee! I'm a good witch. The 
next thing she knew, Spike pressed his mouth to hers and kissed her hungrily. 
Wait a minute?! No! I'm a bad witch, a bad witch who will be baking cookies 
for eternity. She pushed him back. 
"What? Oh, I'm sorry, luv. You need to breathe. I forgot. Won't 
happen again." He leaned forward. 
She jumped up. "Spike? Listen to me. I did a spell -" 
"Shhh, luv. The only thing that matters is this." He pulled her into his 
arms and kissed her again. Willow put her hands on his chest to push again. 
Feels like marble, so smooth and hard. . .Nasty thoughts! She pushed again 
and he let her put a few inches of space between them. He pressed his 
forehead to hers. "Oh, Willow. I -" Time to go, Willow! Reverse that spell 
pronto! Well, maybe just another kiss. . . 
"I have to go now, Spike. I will see you later." After I've reversed 
this spell and taken a cold shower. Buffy might be able to resist the blond 
vampire but Willow was having trouble. Before Spike could protest she was 
already out the door. 
******* 
Willow wracked her brain as she swiftly walked to the shop. What did I 
do wrong? She hadn't specified herself as the object of vampire attention, 
she didn't even think about herself when performing the ritual, a mistake 
some novices made. The phrase " first suitable prospect" came into her mind. 
Oh, no! Wait a minute - ‘I'm suitable?' She shouted to the sky, "What is 
wrong with you? I'm not ‘suitable' for a vampire!" 
"Why not?" a deep voice asked. 
She swung around to see Angel leaning against a tree. "Angel!" 
He stepped into the light of the street lamp and held out his arms. She 
hugged him and was about to step back when he pulled her closer. "What's 
wrong, Willow? Why were you shouting?" 
She pressed her face into the front of his shirt. "I'm an idiot, Angel! 
They are going to be so angry with me. I performed this ritual. . .and then 
I was visiting Spike and then he. . .and then he kissed me. I'm in so much 
trouble." 
"Kissed you?" Angel snapped. 
"Yes. Well, it was kind of nice - I mean, it just happened. No big deal. 
It's not like I liked it or anything. Um. . .Angel, could you let me go?" 
His hold had tightened on her. 
She pulled back and looked up into his face. His eyes were so intense, 
that familiar sadness. . .and. . . what was wrong with him? Where had she 
seen that expression before? Spike! Oh, no! This just got worse, much worse. 
With a sinking feeling she asked,"How long have you been in town?" 
"I've been here since last night." Willow just about passed out. Spike 
hadn't been the only vampire in town with feelings for the slayer. Buffy will 
NEVER forgive me for this. He bent to kiss her. 
She put her fingertip to his mouth. "No, you can't do this. What about 
Buffy? Or. . . don't you have a new girlfriend in LA? What about your soul? 
" She added desperately. 
"Buffy?" He seemed distracted. " I don't won't to talk about her right 
now. There is no one else. As for my soul, I now this is wrong but I just 
can't seem to stop myself. Just one kiss. " He kissed her finger before 
removing it and leaning in to kiss her mouth. "Willow, my Willow." he 
muttered against her mouth. 
"MY Willow, peaches. Hands off!" Spike appeared behind Angel. Before 
the older vampire knew what was happening, he was laying on the ground. 
Spike smiled at Willow. "Sorry, luv, I had to get dressed. Took me 
awhile to catch up." She groaned. 
Angel stood up and Spike whirled around to face him. "Come on, poofter. 
You've had a beating coming for a long time. I'll enjoy giving it to you." 
They began to circle each other. 
Willow quietly backed away. More determined then ever, she walked in the 
direction of the shop. With any luck, she could put things right without 
anyone's help or involvement. 
******* 
Willow bit her lip. There were several footnotes that she had missed in 
her enthusiasm to do the spell last night. As a rule, human love spells were 
subtle. Evidently, this spell was not. It brought out strong territorial 
feelings in vampires. In fact, it stripped away the will of the vampire, 
leaving only their compulsive love and a desire to be near the object of it. 

The footnote said that performing this particular spell was extremely 
risky. A little footnote! Why wasn't this in bold print and underlined? It 
should only be performed in a controlled environment on one vampire. 
Goddess! She read aloud " . . .if two vampires answer the call of this 
spell, the outcome is not favorable. At best, the caster will find him or 
herself turned by one of the vampires and claimed as a childe. At worst, 
death. This usually occurs at the hands of the vampires as they fight to 
keep the object of obsession." 
The door of the shop was swung open with force. Spike and Angel 
entered, there were cuts and bruises on both of them. They were both 
seething. She couldn't tell if the anger was directed at her or each other. 
"Why did you leave?" Spike demanded. "Come on, we're going." Spike made 
as if to grab her arm but she danced out of his reach. 
"She is not going anywhere with you, Spike. Willow, come here." Angel 
held out his hand. 
Taking a deep breath, Willow started to explain. "Okay, you are both 
going to be angry with me, but I performed this spell. . .well, it made you 
have these emotions but they are not really your feelings. . .they are not 
real-" 
"Willow, what are you saying? No spell could make me feel this way. I 
love you, I always will." Angel said as he took her hand in his own. 
"It was a spell! It's not real." She said firmly, trying to pull her 
hand back. 
Spike pondered this a moment. She noticed his eyes were blazing because 
Angel was touching her. "A spell? What the hell are you talking about, Red? 
I love you and you are mine. End of story." He fixed Angel with a pointed 
look. " Let her go!!" Spike had reverted to game face and took a menacing 
step forward. 
"Stop!" she shouted, sensing another battle. Angel smirked at Spike. 
Changing tactics, he scooped her up in his arms and was out the door in 
seconds. He deposited her in his waiting car and drove off to leave a 
stunned Spike on the sidewalk, furiously running. The car was much too fast 
for him. 
"Angel, where are we going?" Willow was trying to remain calm. Angel 
would never hurt her. In fact, he was one of the gentlest people she knew. 
Her only hope was to make him see reason and let her reverse the spell. 
"I have a room at a hotel in the next town over." He had composed 
himself since they were away from Spike. He had even turned on a radio 
station and was humming along to a song. Angel pulled her closer to him on 
the seat, resting her head on his shoulder. Willow closed her eyes, she would 
never admit to anyone, but this one of her schoolgirl daydreams come true. 
She used to have a crush on Angel. But Willow had firmly decided to never act 
on them though for the sake of her relationship with Buffy. She felt that 
her friendship was more important. 
"Our life together will be wonderful, Willow. You'll see." he promised. 
Willow was confused. He wanted a life with her, but he didn't try to be 
with Buffy, his soul mate? This spell was only supposed to transfer the same 
affection. Did something happen when she translated the spell? Damn verb 
conjugations! Another thought struck her. He was acting more like a vampire, 
jealous and possessive. This spell brought out vampiric traits. "Angelus?" 
she asked fearfully. 
He chuckled. "No, I'm still Angel." 
She exhaled in relief, believing him. If he were Angelus, she'd probably 
be dead by now anyway. "Let me go, Angel. I have to undo this spell." 
"No, Willow. This isn't some silly spell. This is real! Can't you feel 
the energy between us?" He pulled the spell book from inside his coat. He 
must have took it from the counter when he grabbed her. Willow held out her 
hand eagerly for it. Angel smiled as he threw it out the open window. 
"What did you do that for?" Willow screeched, she looked behind them 
frantically. 
"No more talk of spells, Willow. I had to prove to you that I don't care 
how this happened. It just did and I don't want to lose this feeling. Don't 
worry, I will take you home later. Now, you can focus on me, on us." 
******* 
"Open up!" Spike roared as he banged on the slayer's back door. The 
patio light flicked on and an irritated Buffy appeared in the doorway. 
"What the hell are you doing? I told you I am not interested, Spike. 
Okay? Get past it. I don't love you and I never-" 
"Shut up! This isn't about you, Slayer. " 
"Then what do you want?" 
"She's gone. We have to go rescue her." He impatiently pushed a hand 
threw his short blond hair as she continued to stand there. "Don't you have 
some sort of bat-signal or something? We have to get the rest of the Scoobys 
and go!" 
"I'm the slayer. Not Batman." She glared at him. "Who the hell are you 
talking about?" 
"Willow, of course! Why aren't you calling your Watcher? What's the 
hold up? I thought you guys had walkie-talkies or something!" 
"Spike, wait a minute. Who's taken her?" 
"You know, before I got this damn chip, the minute I tried to have a 
bite to eat, there you all were, breathing down my neck." He mimicked her 
voice. "Put her down! Don't bite him! I'll stake you! " He was growing more 
exasperated. " But Angel takes off with one of your dearest friends, and 
you're all like --- what're you talking about? I need more details. Let's 
go to the bleedin' library and look some stuff up! Come on! Let's go already!" 
"What?! Angel? You're mistaken. He would never hurt Willow.' She 
thought of a reasonable explanation. " Maybe he needed her help for some case 
he's working on in LA." 
"Don't be daft!" He rolled his eyes, "I just bet he needs her help on his 
‘case' alright." Buffy stared back at him through unsure eyes. He needed to 
convince her somehow. He pulled out a cigarette and lit it, his eyes 
sparkling with a new idea. "Fine. I'll wait here while you try to decide 
what to about Angelus." 
************ 

Part 2

Giles answered the phone on the second ring. "Buffy, what's the 
matter? You sound upset? Is that Spike I hear?" Giles listened carefully 
for another minute. "Angelus? Are you sure? Well, no, I don't know why 
else he'd take off with Willow. I'll pick up Xander and Anya and be right 
there. And Buffy? Don't let Spike back into the house." 
******* 
Xander's eyes widened as Spike related the events of the evening to them. 
The vampire still stood on Buffy's back stoop. Spike had decided to leave 
out the love spell part. No sense in getting Red in trouble and it's not 
like they respond well to me having the warm fuzzies for one of them, anyway. 
As far as the Scoobys were concerned, it was a case of ‘When Angelus 
Attacks.' Spike hoped they staked him on sight. 
Giles cleared his throat and looked at everyone morosely. "We must 
consider the prospect that Angelus has taken her simply to kill her. Willow 
may be dead already." He took a deep breath. "We have a copy of the gypsy 
curse. Unfortunately, Willow is the only one who can perform it. Angelus 
didn't choose her by accident." 
Spike snorted. "I've heard enough of this. Let's go, people! Grab the 
stakes, get some holy water, and bring the crucifixes! Move!" Who knows what 
the poofter is doing to Red. 
Xander, stepping back from the horror of the situation, said. "Why are 
you so eager to help? What are you getting out of this?" 
Spike looked momentarily taken aback. He was having trouble formulating 
a lie. "I-" 
"Who cares, Xander? Let's go." Buffy said. For once, she and Spike 
were in agreement. This was her worst nightmare, she might have to kill 
Angel. . . again. Spike told them which direction Angel's car had taken as 
they all slid into their respective vehicles. 
******* 
Angel and Willow sat in two wing-backed chairs in the hotel room. He had 
upgraded his room to the honeymoon suite. Willow stared at the heart-shaped 
bed with a mixture of horror and hilarity. She closed her eyes. One. . .two. 
. .three. She opened them. Yep, she was still here in a honeymoon suite 
with her best friend's soul mate. 
"I want to marry you." Things just got weirder. "I am going to arrange 
for us to take a night flight to Las Vegas. We can be back here before the 
sun rises." 
Willow had determined earlier that reasoning with him was out of the 
question. He was unable to be rational. "Well, Angel, I had hoped to have a 
big wedding with all my friends and family. I can't get married without my 
parents." Ha! That'll take a year to plan! Take that! 
He picked her hand up and kissed it reverently. "I promise we'll have a 
big ceremony and a renewal of our vows for our one year anniversary." No! 
Think Fast! She could almost hear the Jeopardy theme playing. 
Willow would have to do something drastic. She could not marry Angel. 
Buffy's Angel. He leaned down to kiss her. Frantically, Willow put her 
hand up to his chest to stop him as an idea popped into her head. 
"R-r-ring!" She managed to squeak out before his lips touched hers. 
" What?" He straightened. 
"I want a ring. If we're getting married, it's only right that you 
should give me an engagement ring." 
"Willow," he said cajolingly. "I'll get you a ring later. A beautiful 
one. I promise." He continued to stroke her hand. 
"You got Buffy a ring and you weren't even going to marry her. This 
proves that you don't really care about me. You don't care about my 
feelings." She squeezed her eyes shut. Time to act. Sorry Buffy. "You're 
still in love with that stupid slayer, aren't you? You don't love me!!" And 
she promptly burst into tears. 
"Willow, please don't cry. I don't love her, I swear. I love you !" He 
dropped to his knees before her. His words were filled with deep anguish and 
self-recrimination. "I didn't mean to upset you. I am so sorry." 
Goddess, he's handsome. Think about Buffy! "Then you'll go get me a 
ring?" He nodded. "Right now?" 
"Anything." He touched her face and smiled tenderly at her. "You can 
come with me. We'll pick it out together." 
"NO!" She shouted. He look perplexed. "I mean, it wouldn't be right. 
It's not tradition. If you want a marriage to last, you have to follow 
tradition to the letter." Yes, throw in a little superstition. She nodded 
her head for emphasis. "Don't you want us to last forever?" 
Angel took a moment to think about this. On the one hand, it seemed odd 
that she was being so cooperative. But then he hadn't even known how much he 
loved her until today. Maybe it was affecting her, too. Still, women were 
strange about the whole wedding thing. He had made the mistake of getting 
Cordelia talking about weddings once. She already had hers planned and she 
didn't have a groom yet. "Of course I do, precious. I'll go get the ring, 
right now." 
"And the flight tickets." She thought about this a moment. "I want to 
be married at the Excaliber in Las Vegas. You'll have to call them and make 
arrangements. And I need clothes. 
"Are you going to be able to pay for this?" She looked hopeful. "We 
could wait until you have enough money . . ." 
"I carry Visa and American Express." He threw the latter onto the desktop 
for her to see. 
"Well then, let's continue. I also need a dress. And a suitcase." She 
looked at him. He was staring at her in astonishment. "And toothpaste. And 
floss. Flowers. Shouldn't you be writing this down? Aren't you even 
listening to me?" She had watched her mother's manipulations for so long, it 
almost seemed second nature. It was getting easier. And sort of fun. She 
almost giggled. Bad witch! 
Angel went to the desk and removed a paper and pen. He nodded his head 
to show that he was listening and ready to write down her instructions. She 
took a deep breath and continued. "I want a limousine. And champagne. And 
shoes to match the clothes. And especially to match the wedding dress. It 
should be off-white to complement my complexion. Not cream, not beige, not 
ivory. Off-white." 
"Off-what?" He looked baffled. 
"You're over two centuries old and you don't know what off-white is?" 
"Oh, off-white." He said as if he had misheard her. 
"And a purse. And while you're in the jewelry store, I'll need earrings 
to match the dress. Pearls. Off-white. And I'm hungry. Will you bring me 
back something to eat? Pickles, lox, bagels, some Hershey's chocolate ice 
cream, ginger ale and, um, pancakes!" 
"You want pickles AND pancakes?" 
"Yes, please." She smiled sweetly at him. "Now, shoo. Hurry, or we 
won't be able to go tonight." She made swishing movements with her hands. 
He turned as he reached the door. "I will be back as soon as possible. 
Wait for me." He leaned down and kissed her goodbye. She shoved him back 
and toward the door. 
"Hurry!" She looked at his vaguely hurt face. Willow's resolve almost 
crumbled, but she held it together. "The sooner you get back the sooner I 
can stop missing you." She slammed the door in his face. 
"Willow!" He called from down the hall. 
She opened the door back up. "What?" 
"What was that color again?" 
"OFF-WHITE!" 
*********** 
In the room next door the Scooby gang listened in dread. They were 
pressed against the south wall of the room with glasses to their ears 
listening in to the conversation. Spike was pacing, he could hear without 
implements. 
They had managed to find Angel's car in the parking lot and had bribed 
the doorman to find out which room the couple rented. When they had learned 
it was the honeymoon suite they had all thought it was some sort of sick 
twist in the game Angelus was playing with them. The concierge looked 
vaguely concerned that a middle-aged gentleman, two young men, and two young 
women wanted the other honeymoon suite for the evening but had not remarked 
on it. 
"What the hell is going on here?" Xander whispered furiously. "Are we on 
the Twilight Zone or something?" Evidently, Willow had agreed to marry 
Angelus and was actually helping him make wedding plans. 
"Maybe she loves him." Anya offered helpfully. Everyone glowered at her. 
"My mistake." 
Spike was listening intently. "Doesn't know what off-white is!" 
Buffy stared at him. "You are questioning his fashion sense when you 
still have eighties hair?" Spike sneered at her and made an obscene gesture 
as she turned her back to him. 
"What color is off-white?" Xander asked curiously. 
"Silence!" Giles said. " This doesn't sound like Angelus." He looked 
mystified. 
"Well, I think its obvious what's going on here. Angelus has gone mad. 
He's going to marry poor little Red and then kill her on her wedding night. 
Vampires have been known to do this occasionally to human females." Spike 
said quickly. 
"They have?" Giles' curiosity was peaked. "Fascinating. I must 
investigate this phenomenon further, find out what the Watcher's Council 
knows about this. But. . .back to the matter at hand. We must rescue 
Willow. Now, he's probably using some sort of mind control, or a spell 
perhaps, to take over her will. She might fight us when we try to rescue 
her." 
Spike went to the door. "Not to worry. I'll just pop over and case out 
the place. Make sure its safe. See what my vampire senses tell me and what 
not. Wait here for me." Bloody idiots. Red deserved an Emmy for that 
performance. He was thinking about how to make a good dramatic entrance for 
their audience, when he ran smack into something. "Oh, bloody hell." 
"Spike! What are you doing here?" Willow rubbed her forehead. "And 
where are you going in such a hurry?" She gave him a guarded look. 
"To rescue you!" He announced with a grin, sweeping her up into his arms. 
"Put me down. I don't trust you." He's still under the influence of the 
spell. 
He put a finger to her lips. "Hush, I'm here with your mates. After 
that bloody poof ran off with you, I went and got the slayer!" He waited for 
her to acknowledge the great sacrifice he had gone through to get her back. 
She seemed unimpressed. "Here," he put her down and pushed her back into 
the room. "Look out the window. Do you see Xander's car?" 
"And Giles!" She jumped and clapped her hands in glee. Spike cast a 
worried look at the wall. 
"Shhh. You don't want him to come back." He whispered. "We vampires 
have excellent hearing." He cupped his ear for added effect. He leaned 
against the desk and something skittered to the floor. An American Express 
card. . .Angel's American Express Card. He grinned, Don't leave home without 
it. Bloody good advice. 
She lowered her voice. "Oh. I guess you're right." 
"I'm supposed to sneak you out of here in my car, while your friends 
drive in different directions to divert his attention." 
"How will we get out of the hotel?" She looked nervous now that she was 
almost rescued. 
"Well, thanks to your performance, we have a little bit of time." He 
reached out and stroked her hair. "You pretend to be my girlfriend and hide 
your head in my shoulder until I get you into my car. Then we'll drive to my 
crypt." 
"What? Your crypt? But why?" She gave him a suspicious look. 
"Because, Angel knows where all of you live. He doesn't know about my 
place. It's not like we're mates, y'know. I don't throw undead dinner 
parties." He put his arm around her shoulder. "Let's go, luv." 
********* 
As they left the hotel, the Scooby gang was still straining to hear what 
was going on in the room. 
Xander put his water glass down with disgust. "I can't hear a thing." 
"That's because they left. Fifteen minutes ago." Said Anya as she 
studied her nails. 
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Xander stared at her. 
"Well," She said slowly, "They argued for a minute, then he picked her up 
and put her in the front seat of his car. And then they drove off." 
"Damn it!" Buffy hit her fist on the wall. "We should have known better 
than to trust Spike! Kill her on her wedding night, my ass!" 
"You mean he made that up . . .?" Giles asked, he looked as if his heart 
was broken. He never got to discover anything new for the Council, even 
living on the Hellmouth. They were always like. . .Been there, watched that. 

"Giles?" Buffy looked at him with lifted brows. 
"Oh, right. . . back to the matter at hand." He turned to Anya. "How 
did you know that? Do you still retain any of your uh. . . demonic powers?" 
He asked curiously. 
"No." Anya looked puzzled at the lack of comprehension. "I was looking 
out the window." When everyone stared at her, she added, "Was that not part 
of our seek and rescue plan? I'm still new at this." 
******** 
Willow grimaced at the blond vampire next to her. What were the odds of 
being kidnapped by two vampires in one night? Well, pretty good on the 
Hellmouth. But two vampires who loved you? A million to one odds. It was 
becoming obvious that Spike had lied to get her in his car and away from her 
friends. She had been foolishly placated by their presence and figured that 
Spike wouldn't attempt to run off with her while the Scoobys were so near. 
"So, are we really going to your crypt? Or did you lie about that too?" 
Willow asked wearily as they sped along the highway. 
"Red, I'm hurt. I only lied to you because I love you. You didn't 
really want to marry the poof, did you?" She shook her head. He looked 
relieved. "Luv, were you serious about being married at Excalibur?" 
"Why?" 
"Just answer me." 
"No." 
"Good. I have a better idea. Ever been to Mardi Gras, pet?" 
"No . . ." 
"The night life is incredible! You're going to love it." He smiled. 
"But we have to have dinner at that Emeril guy's restaurant. I just love 
the way he cooks." 
"Spike, why would I go to New Orleans with you?" 
"Well for one, because that's where we're going to get married. And 
two, because I'm not letting you out of my sight until we get there." 
"Stop the car!" When he didn't slow down, she added, "I'm going to be 
sick! All over your upholstery." 
He pulled over to the side of the road. She pushed the door open and 
stumbled onto the grass, gasping. "Luv? What's the matter?" 
"What did you say was the first reason again?" 
Ahh. He understood now. He had made the same mistake Angel had. Willow 
wanted romance. He dropped to one knee before her and took his hand in 
hers. "Willow?" 
The odds on proposals from two vampires who loved you in one evening? 
"Oh no. You've got to be kidding me. You're not going to prop–" 
"Will you marry me?" 
She looked him in the eye. "Do you have a ring?" 
********* 
Angel struggled with the awkward packages down the hall to his suite. He 
was surprised to see the door standing open. "Willow? Did you want sweet or 
dill pickles? I got both just in case . . .Willow? Willow?" He dropped the 
various bags on the heart shaped bed. "Willow?" 
"She's gone." Giles stepped into the room. Buffy, Xander and Anya filed 
in behind him. "Spike took her." They watched Angel carefully. They knew 
Spike had probably lied about Angel changing to Angelus, but it was better 
not to take any chances. 
Angel sat down on the side of the bed, looking lost. "But I bought her a 
dress. We're getting married." His eyes began to flash. "Spike did this! 
She would never have left me willingly. We must find her!" He stood up, 
hands clenched with determination. 
"Hold on, we need a plan. Now where would he take her?" Mused Giles. 
"Let's hope its not Vegas!" scoffed Buffy. "How lame is that?" 
Angel scowled at her, fighting the urge to let his demonic visage cover 
his features. 
"Giles, get on the phone and see what late flights are leaving tonight. 
Call ring stores, too. Just in case." Buffy turned, "Xander, you . . ." 
Angel held the white hotel towel up to the shoes he had just bought and 
showed them to Xander. "White. Off-white. Very distinct difference." 
"Xander!" 
"Sorry, Buffy." 
"Take Anya and go check the crypt, just in case." 
"Angel, come with me. Maybe we can find them." 

Part 3

Spike shifted his hand and reached into his pocket. Before he had run 
after her earlier, he had found this little token of affection in his casket. 
It was the first ring he had ever given to Drusilla. It was a ruby on a 
silver band and quite small. It had taken Dru an hour to get the finger out 
of it. He produced this with a flourish. 
Damn. She looked at it for a minute as he tenderly slipped it on her 
finger. Perfect fit. It looked so familiar. Where have I seen it before? 
Suddenly, looking into the glinting red stone, it occurred to her how he came 
to have this ring. "This was hers, wasn't it?" 
"Whose? What, I . . ." "Don't even try it, mister. This is a used ring." She sniffled. " 
What am I, her replacement? I'm not even worthy of my own ring?" She was 
about to continue the waterworks, when he crooked a finger under her chin and 
lifted her dry face up to his. 
"No dice, pet." He smiled. "I am not a great poof, and I will not fall 
for your antics. We're going to the Big Easy. Right now." 
He helped her back into the car. As they continued down the road, she 
noticed the smirk on his face. "Why are you smiling?" She snapped. 
"Because luv, I just noticed something." he reached over and took her 
left hand out of her lap and raised it to his lips. "You're still wearing my 
ring." 
******** 
Xander and Anya looked around the Spike's crypt. "Nasty." Xander 
commented. "He left my comfy basement to live in this dump?" Anya patted his 
shoulder comfortingly. It was apparent Spike and Willow were not here. Anya 
and Xander were on the highway headed to Giles' in minutes. 
******* 
Buffy watched as Angel paced the floor in front of the terminal waiting 
area. A flight bound for Las Vegas was taking off in twenty minutes. So far, 
there had been no sign of Willow or Spike. Angel was getting angrier by the 
second. Buffy had never seen him like this. He was muttering under his 
breath. Every once in a while she was catching words like "stake" and "pile 
of dust." Willow's loss had caused this fury. Buffy felt a little twinge. 
When had Angel fallen in love with her best friend? Something just wasn't 
adding up here. 
"Angel?" 
"What?" he snarled. 
"When did you start loving Willow?" 
He threw her an exasperated look. "We don't have time for this. We have 
to find her now. She's mine! Spike has my bride." 
" What the hell is going on here? " She pulled him closer and said 
fiercely. "I thought I was your soul mate." 
"What? Oh, that. I did too, once. But, Buffy, things change. 
Sometimes things happen that are out of our control. And Willow is so. . ." 
he broke off when he noticed a flicker of hurt in her eyes. " What about 
Riley? I thought you loved him?" 
Not wanting to address that particular issue, Buffy fell silent. 
******* 
"We're driving there?" She asked Spike. She couldn't see out the 
windows, they were painted black to block all the sunlight out. Willow 
surreptitiously pulled at the ring on her hand. It didn't budge. 
"No. We're driving to the Limo service." 
"Limo service?" 
"Yeah. You said you wanted one." He smiled. "Complete with a mini bar." 
"Great." She slumped down in her seat. At least she would ride to her 
doom in style. "Black or white?" 
"Off-white." 
Willow sputtered. "How long were you listening to us?" 
"A while. And Willow, off-white does not compliment your complexion." 
"Oh no?" 
"No. I like you in black." He looked over at her. She looked near 
tears. "Don't look so upset, pet." He gestured to a package on the floor 
behind his seat. "Here, I was saving this for a wedding present, but you 
can open it now." 
She pulled it onto her lap and ripped the paper away. It was her spell 
book. "How did you . . .?" 
"I found it by the side of the road. I figured that wanker probably 
threw it out the window. Knew you'd be upset if you lost it, so I brought it 
with me." She gave him a shining smile. I could kiss him. "Now don't get 
any ideas. I ripped that Vampire Love Spell right out. Although, pet, I'm 
flattered. No one ever cast a spell on me to get my attention before." 
I'm going to kill him. "You did what?!" 
"Tore it right up, luv. It's blowing down the highway in little bits as 
we speak." 
"No!" she cried. "What is wrong with you? I cast a spell and it did this 
to you! Don't you want me to undo it?" She wasn't sure if she was going to 
break down in hysterics or commit homicide. Well, vampicide. Or would that be 
when a vampire kills a human? She shook her head. I'm losing my mind. 
"Luv, I don't care if some spell started this. I only know that I feel 
this way and that is all that matters. I love you! We will be together 
forever." He was smiling. 
Willow looked around the car. Where was a piece of wood when you needed 
one? 
"Feel like staking me don't you, luv?" His face was neutral. 
Even though he was chipped, Willow was loathe to make an enemy of out 
of a powerful vampire like Spike. She was about to deny it when she saw him 
raise an eyebrow. "Tell the truth, luv." 
She nodded and he beamed at her. "Good! Dru felt that way about me for 
nearly a decade before she fell in love with me. I'm starting to get to 
you." 
******* 
Angel and Buffy continued to patrol the airport looking for Spike and 
Willow. Angel stopped walking and turned to her. "Buffy, it's obvious that 
they are not coming here." He looked at his watch. "We only have two hours 
before dawn. He wouldn't have time to catch a flight before the sun comes 
up. Either they're in Sunnydale and laying low or he's driven off somewhere 
with her. We're wasting valuable time." 
Buffy sighed. He had a point. But where would they go? She took some 
comfort in the fact that Spike could not hurt Willow anymore. But, she still 
remembered being chained up by the love-crazed vampire and she knew that 
Willow must be afraid of him. She shuddered to think what he might be 
planning. 
"Come on. Let's talk to Giles. Maybe he has some ideas on how to track 
them down." 
******* 
The Scoobys and Angel all stood in his magick shop. No one seemed to 
have a clue where Spike had taken Willow. Everyone's emotions were pushed to 
the limit. Angel was still irate, Buffy was worried, Xander was distraught, 
Giles was confused, and Anya looked bored. 
Giles cleared his throat. "Um. . .I have found traces of some herbs and 
candles that are only used for a certain ritual." He produced a piece of 
paper with Willow's handwriting. " I also found this in the wastebasket. It 
appears Willow cast a vampire love spell. " 
"Why would she do that? I know Oz left. But why would she want to date 
a dead guy? Aren't there plenty of live ones on campus?" Xander asked 
incredulously. 
Angel glowered at him, allowing his demonic visage to appear. Xander 
paled, "What's wrong with you?" 
"It looks as if she tried to reverse the intent of the spell. She was 
trying to make Spike dislike Buffy and fall in love with someone else." He 
peered at the paper. "Some of her translations are off."Giles suddenly 
dropped it as if it had burned him. "It looks as if she has created some sort 
of powerful vampire obsession spell. " He stared at Angel. "This is 
responsible for your behavior. You are consumed with the desire to be with 
Willow. Every moment apart from her is causing you pain. 
"We have to get her back. Now!" Angel said, clearly still in the throes 
of the fixation. 
Giles motioned to the others to come closer. He began to speak quietly 
about the spell's other effects, namely the death or changing of Willow. 
Angel was oblivious to their whispering. 
"But, Will's safe." Xander protested. "He's chipped. He can't harm her 
or change her." 
"No Spike can't. But any other vampire could change Willow. Spike could 
then kill that vampire and take Willow as his childe." He sighed, "If Willow 
goes along with Spike right now and doesn't upset him, he should be pacified 
enough by her presence. We will have some time to intervene before he decides 
to make their relationship more permanent." He gestured to Angel. "The more 
time he spends away from her, the worse he will become. We need to find 
Willow so that she can undo this spell. But, where are they?" 
"I've got an idea where they could be." Suddenly a small voice came from 
the back room. They whirled around. Buffy stared in shock at the figure 
that stood framed in the doorway. 
"Dawn! What are you doing here?" Buffy said. 
"Look, Mom told me that Willow was missing and you just said that you 
didn't know where Spike could have taken her." She took a deep breath, as 
she glanced at Angel. She knew that he had a soul, but she still had 
nightmares about him coming in to her room to watch her sleep and draw 
pictures of her to give to Buffy. "But, I do." 
Xander crossed the room to stand beside her. She was trembling. It 
always made her nervous when she had a chance to prove herself to the Scooby 
gang. Having Angel there didn't help. He put his arm around her shoulders 
for a brotherly hug. "What do you know?" 
"For the past two weeks, he's been watching Interview With the Vampire. 
Well, that and the food network. " She took another deep breath. "I think 
they went to New Orleans." 
****** 
Willow sat on the opposite side of the black limousine from her captor. 
She had been up most of the night and her eyes were periodically drifting 
shut. Sensing that she wasn't in any immediate danger, her body had begun to 
demand sleep. 
"Why don't you rest, luv? I'm here to watch over you." Spike said 
affectionately. "There's plenty of room on that seat, so you can lay down." 
"Wouldn't that make things a little too easy for you?" She gave him a 
pointed look. 
He was offended. "I don't have to force myself on sleeping women! 
Besides, Red, I would never hurt you, not now. I don't know why you people 
won't give me a chance. " 
Willow was feeling absurdly guilty again. He had kidnapped her but his 
concern for her was genuine. "Just when I think I have you figured out. . ." 
Her voice trailed off. 
He moved forward on his seat until his knees touched hers. "What?" He 
cupped her face with his hand. 
"I just don't know how I feel about. . .uh, what to think about you." She 
looked at him, seeing if he caught what she had been about to say. He leaned 
forward and kissed her. Willow let him, unwilling to think about anything 
but this moment. 
He broke off the kiss and gazed into her eyes. It's time to see the 
hidden reckless side of my prim little witch. "Feel like being bad, pet?" 
******* 
Xander's and Giles' cars sped down the highway. The interstate was a 
yawning ribbon of gray in front them. They had determined that Spike and 
Willow had rented a limousine earlier that evening. The Scoobys discovered 
Spike's car in a roadside rental company's parking lot. They had asked the 
attendant some questions and discovered that Spike had rented a black 
limousine. He had at least an hour lead on them. 
Angel lay in the back of Giles' car, covered in heavy blankets to 
protect him from the sun. He was asleep now and theywere grateful, he was 
becoming increasingly impassioned. They hoped to find Willow before he woke 
up. 
Buffy sat next to Giles in silence. Sensing her thoughts, he said. "It 
was the spell, Buffy. He doesn't really love Willow." 
Buffy looked at him. "I know. It's just, I thought-" 
"You thought he had replaced you. " 
"Yes, I know that he I can never be together. But I always thought that I 
was special to him. That he loved me more than anyone else. It was the only 
thing I had left." 
"It will be alright. The spell will be reversed." She nodded and settled 
down into her seat. 
"But if Spike hurts Willow. . .I'll kill him. I don't care whether or 
not he can fight back." 
"If he hurts Willow, I'll enjoy helping you." Giles said with a quiet 
intensity. He gave her a fatherly pat on the arm and Buffy allowed herself to 
fall asleep. 
******* 
"Oh, Goddess, Spike. This feels so good." She cried. 
"Knew it would, pet. You just lay back and enjoy yourself." 
"This is all new to me, you'd tell me if I were doing it wrong, wouldn't 
you?" 
"Of course, luv. But believe me, you're doing just fine." 
Willow lay against the leather seat. She held a large snifter of brandy 
and was smoking one of Spike's cigarettes. She giggled wickedly. Then she 
coughed for about five minutes. Then she hit the cigarette one more time 
and began snickering again. Yep, I'm sitting in a limousine with a vampire 
while smoking and drinking. "I'm such a bad witch!" She leaned forward to 
whisper in his ear. "But it feels fabulous." 
Spike beamed at her as she reclined back on the seat once more. What an 
appealing little baggage. "I do believe your foxed, luv." 
"Fox?" She made a show of looking under their seats. "I don't see one, 
Spike." She hiccuped and then took a healthy swig of brandy. 
"No, luv, I mean your drunk-" He broke off when he realized she wasn't 
listening to him. He snapped his fingers to get her attention. " How many of 
those have you had? Three?" 
"Hmm. . .I don't know. I hardly ever drink, cuz Buffy says I just can't 
hold my alcohol." She closed her eyes, serious once more. "Spike, you think 
that I can hold my liquor don't <hiccup> you? " 
"I-" 
She cut him off, gesturing wildly with her glass. "I mean, everyone 
thinks they have to look out for me. That I'm the goody two shoes of the 
group. But I'm not. Inside, I am bad, too. " Her brows knit together in her 
"serious face". "Really, really bad." 
"Really?" Spike was bemused. 
"Oh yes." She nodded her head. "I'm a bad girl, it's just nobody knows. 
I hide it. But I do terrible things." 
"Like what, pet?" 
"I get parking tickets on campus. " She gave him her best impulsive look. 
"And sometimes, I pay them late!" 
"Ohhh, you're wicked." He smiled. "Not sure if your fit to be in 
society anymore." 
"Buffy never listens. She doesn't think I'm bad. I never get to be 
naughty around her." 
"I believe you, luv. Don't worry. You're free to be however you like 
around me." He smiled. " Just wait till we get to New Orleans. I'm going to 
show you the time of your life." 
******* 
Xander and Anya followed Giles' car. Anya was flipping through radio 
stations, she was listless. "Do you think Dawn will be ok?" 
"I'm sure Tara can protect her for one night." Xander had spoken very 
little during the trip. He was worried about Willow and what Spike might be 
doing to her. He may no longer have romantic feelings for her but he still felt 
protective. She knew what was on his mind. 
"Don't worry about her Xander. It's the females with unrequited love 
that get really vicious. " She smiled at him. "Trust me. I should know." 
"Spike isn't a mortal, Anya." Xander replied impatiently. "If his 
"love" is "unrequited", he'll just decide he's thirsty and boom. My best 
friend is a vampire." 
"But he has that chip. He's not going to be taking a bite out of Willow." 
"That doesn't mean he can't find a way and then . . ." 
"Xander, " Anya took his right hand in hers. "Why are you so scared?" 
"You don't understand." He sighed. "Willow and I had a friend named 
Jesse. And he was turned into a vampire five years ago. We grew up with 
him. Then, well, you know what happens to the vampires that hang around us." 
Anya's eyes welled up with sympathy. She now had a good understanding of 
what a friend was. She also had a new appreciation for loss. "Buffy staked 
him?" 
"No. I did." 
********* 

Part 4

Willow's eyes sprang back open, sobering up a little. "And just what 
does that entail?" 
"Well, it . . ." Spike searched for terms to put it in. 
"You get me drunk, put me in a limo, give me a used ring and now you're 
‘going to show me the time of my life?!'" 
Spike stared at her incredulously as she tried to stand up in the moving 
car. She was turning red with indignation. "Maybe you should sit down while 
you yell at me, pet." 
"Don't tell me what to do, you kidnapping . . . kidnapping . . .vampire!" "Ouch, luv." He pretended to be hurt by her remark. 
"I went to the prom! I know what happens! And unlike Harmony, I don't 
do that all the time." She scowled. "Little bleach-blond piece of tr–" 
"To be fair, luv, I don't think Harmony actually went to the prom. As a 
matter of fact, neither did I. I went to balls but it's not the same thing. 
So, I'm not quite sure what you're driving at." 
"Oh, don't pretend you don't know what I'm saying! I know all about your 
nefarious intentions." 
"Are you saying you think I'm trying to take advantage of you?" 
"I went to the awareness seminars on campus. I read Cosmopolitan! Well, 
most of it. . .some of those articles. . .ewww. But, I know your evil plan." 
She stared at him accusingly. Then she swayed on her feet. He reached up 
and caught her, and pulled her down on the seat beside him. She hiccupped. 
"I hate you, Spike." 
"I mean to take you dancing and out to dinner, actually. The food here 
alone is worth the trip. Then, I thought I would take you to pick out your 
wedding dress." He put his arms around her and pulled her head onto his 
shoulder. "Luv, if I was going to do something like that, I wouldn't bloody 
well bother with the rest of it." He smoothed her hair out of her eyes. "I 
care about you. I want to make you happy. The least you could do is give me 
the benefit of the doubt." He looked like he was . . .well, pouting. 
"I'm sorry!" Her eyes welled up with tears. Her mind, in its 
alcohol-induced fog felt like she had terribly misjudged him. "You must be 
so mad at me!" And she started to cry and wail. 
"Willow. Willow, luv, don't." She continued to squall. He took her by 
the shoulders. "Please don't cry, luv. I'll buy you something pretty when 
we stop, I promise." 
"Y-y-you're so so s-s-weet and now. . .oh no. . .I got you wet. I'm 
sorry for crying on you." She hiccuped again. "I love you, Spike." 
******* 
As the sun went down, the heap of blankets in the back seat began to 
stir. Angel began to mutter in his sleep. "Cordy? Is that you? Where are 
we going?" 
Buffy picked up the pillow she'd been resting on and threw it in the 
back. It hit Angel in the head with a dull thud. "We're just across the 
border of Louisiana. It's about time you woke up." 
"Buffy?" He seemed confounded. 
"I have heard that vampires can be very disoriented when they first 
awaken. Their sleep is reported to be much deeper than ours, with over seven 
cycles" 
"Giles! Just drive, ok?" 
"Err, right. Of course." Giles said, staring straight ahead. 
"How far away are we?" Angel leaned forward, his head in between them. 
"Don't worry about it. When we get there, you'll notice." Buffy crossed 
her arms in front of her and stiffened against the back of the seat. 
"What's the matter?" He asked with restrained politeness. 
She stared at him for a moment. "Not a thing. I'm just worried about 
Willow." 
"Don't worry. Once we get her back I will protect her and make sure 
she's happy for the rest of eternity." His voice was dreamy. "She's so 
beautiful. She deserves to be protected, sheltered from the evils of this 
world . . ." He looked like he was about to continue when Buffy lost her 
patience. 
She smacked the side of his cheek. He looked stunned. "What was that 
for?" he said angrily. 
"Shut up! I will get her back, because I am the slayer. And when I do, 
I'm sure as hell not going to give her to you, so you can -" 
Angel decided he had enough of this, he opened the rear car door. 
Giles' eyes met his in the rearview mirror. "Angel, we're going nearly 65 
miles an hour. If you jump out that door, even with your superior strength-" 
"Then slow down." Angel said dangerously. 
Buffy spun in her seat and faced him. "Angel, don't get out. We're in 
the middle of nowhere." 
Giles stopped, not willing to risk Angel's wrath. He sprung from the car 
and began walking without even glancing at them. Buffy looked at Giles. 
"Keep on going. He's a big vampire now, he can take care of himself." She 
settled back in her seat. 
"You're certainly taking this well." He said quietly. 
"Drive." 
******* 
Anya peered out the window. "Why are they stopping? We just got gas 
thirty minutes ago. Does Buffy have to use the restroom again? " She gave an 
irritated sigh. Oh, there's Angel." She waived. "Hi, Angel." The brooding 
vampire didn't even respond. 
******* 
Spike was rapidly realizing why Buffy did not want Willow to drink. The 
red-headed witch was presently opening the moon roof so she could see the 
sky. "Uh, luv, I don't think you should do that, you might fall out of the 
car." She had gotten interested in the contraption shortly after she had 
professed her love. Spike sighed, it was a shame that it was just the brandy 
talking. Soon, she would say it and mean it. 
She grabbed the lapel of his duster. "Spike, stand up! You gotta try 
this!" The window between the passenger and driver compartments whirred as 
it was opened. 
"Sir, we need to stop for gas soon." The chauffeur said. 
"Oh, right. Stop at the nearest gas station." 
"Um, sir? It's against company policy for people to be um. . .sticking 
out of the moon roof-" 
"Red will do as she likes." He said dismissively. Spike resisted the 
urge to show the man his fangs. It would make me laugh but the wanker would 
probably swerve and kill us all. 
******* 
Angel made his way inside the BP station. He blinked as his eyes 
adjusted to the bright flourescent lights. He went to the pay phone and 
began searching through the yellow pages for a rental car company. "Whoo!" 
He heard a familiar voice say. 
Angel glanced up to see Willow half in and half out of the roof of a 
black limousine. She held a hand to her mouth, she was turning a shade of 
green that Angel had never seen before. "Off-green?" He mused. And if 
Willow was here, so was Spike. Angel ducked behind a aisle display as the 
couple made their way inside. 
Willow was swaying on her feet and moaning as she held her stomach. It 
was evident that Spike was trying to get her to the restroom as quickly as 
possible. When they passed, Spike looked up for a minute. Angel tried to 
make himself smaller. Spike shrugged and opened the door for Willow to enter 
the restroom and walked in behind her. Angel hid behind the enormous soda 
dispenser to get a better view of the door. 
Two preteen girls, overly made up and carrying huge purses entered the 
restroom right behind them. Angel heard a shriek and then "Bloody hell!" A 
shaken Spike was pushed out the bathroom door. 
"And stay out, you pervert!" 
" Gross! Who does he think he is, anyway?" A valley-girl voice said. 
"Like I was looking at them, anyway. Jail bait!" He grumbled. "Fine! 
I was just tryin' to help. I'll just wait out here!" 
He leaned against the wall next to the water fountain. He hoped she was 
okay. She had told him that she never drank, but he hadn't really thought 
she meant it. He grimaced. He hadn't seen anyone so sick since he and his 
friends had snuck into his father's wine cellar when they were ten. 
After about ten minutes, the two young girls exited. To his astonishment 
they stopped to talk to him. "Is that your sister in there?" Asked the 
first one. 
"She's really sick." The other one added while batting her eyelashes at 
him. 
Spike smiled. Just like little girls. They want to flirt with you. As 
long as you respect their privacy. "Look, little bits. You'd best be 
leaving. No place for young gir- um, women to be hanging about, now is it?" 
They giggled at being called women and ran back out to their car. Willow 
still did not appear. He took a deep breath and bravely reentered the 
Ladies Room. Angel took the time to run past the restrooms and out into the 
night air. 
"Cyndy, Sara, what in the world took you so long in there? You are 
fourteen. You should be able to go to the bathroom by yourselves." Kim, 
their older sister of seventeen, impatiently ran a hand through her died 
blonde hair. She nodded her head towards the cherry red convertible. "Get 
in. Let's go." 
"Is that invitation an open one, miss?" Asked a silky voice from behind 
her. Angel stepped into the light and grinned at the young girl. 
"It is now, stranger." 
"Kim!! What are you doing?" hissed Cyndy. 
"Shhh." giggled Sara. "He's even hotter than that blond guy." 
"Is not." 
"You're just saying that because you have a thing for Billy Idol." 
"Do not." 
"Do too." 
"Where you headed?" Kim asked. 
"New Orleans, but I would appreciate however far you can take me, miss . 
. . ?" 
"You can call me Kim." Angel smiled. This was working out perfectly. 
He wasn't about to make a scene in front of everyone in the massive gas 
station. But a little further down the dark highway was a different story. 
Kim stared at the suddenly grinning man. What was she thinking, picking up 
hitchhikers? Looking for a little insurance that he was a good person, she 
asked politely, "And your name is?" 
"Angel." He grinned wider. 
******** 
"Why are we meeting in a cemetery?" Whispered Anya. 
"Lafayette Cemetery is one of the most historical in the United States . 
. . " 
"Giles!" exclaimed the group. 
"Sorry." 
Xander put his arm around Anya. "As Scoobys, this just seems to be a 
comfortable place to meet. Graveyards are the same no matter what city you're 
in. Grab a couple of stakes, a bottle of holy water, and this place is just 
like home." 
"You people have been living on the Hellmouth a little too long." Anya 
replied solemnly. "What happened to Angel?" 
"His legs got cramped sitting in the back." Buffy answered sullenly. 
"So he decided to take a flying lea- I mean , a walk." 
"Oh-kay, back to the topic of Willow save-age." Xander redirected. 
"Asking if anyone has seen a black limo around here is like asking if anyone 
has eaten a crawdad lately." 
"What's a crawl dad?" Asked Anya. 
"It's uh, umm." Xander looked to Giles for help. 
"It's a crustacean, usually served in a garlic and butter sauce." He said 
absently. He turned to Buffy. "We should the hotels. They'll need some 
place to stay." 
"Great. Just not the honeymoon suites, okay? I don't want anymore weird 
looks, G-Man." 
"Xander," Anya said. "You promised you'd explain why they were looking at 
us that way?" 
"Later, Anya." 
Buffy handed Xander his copy of the Louisiana map they had picked up at 
the BP station up the road. "Here, we will search the Garden District and 
the French Quarter. You will take-" 
"The crappy areas of town that Giles' doesn't want to sightsee through?" 
Xander said. 
"We are here to find Wills. Let's go." With that, they got into their 
cars and began searching for hotels. 
******** 
Angel smiled as he climbed out of the car. "Thanks for the ride." 
Kim smiled back a minute. Then she dug something out of her pocket, and 
reaching out towards his coat, deposited it in his. "Call me sometime, ok?" 
"Uhh, sure." He winked at the twins in the back seat. "Bye." He set off 
in the direction of Bourbon Street. He knew William like the back of his 
hand. 
******* 
Willow dizzily raised her head from the starched hotel pillow. An odd 
humming was coming from the closed bathroom door. "Spike?" 
"You awake then, luv?" The humming stopped and he poked his head out the 
door. She wearily nodded at him. "I put some aspirin and a glass of water 
beside the bed. " He stepped out with a towel wrapped around his waist. She 
stared at his bare chest for the second time in two days. She hadn't known 
vampires participated in naked time. Although, she had to admit, she didn't 
mind. He noticed the direction of his gaze and stood a little straighter and 
puffed out his chest. Her eyes flew to his face and he rose his scarred 
eyebrow. Her eyes fled from his, was he psychic? "I also set some clothes 
and towels out for you in the bathroom." 
She stood up and wobbled into the bathroom. Sitting, folded on the 
counter was a pair of black leather pants, and a red lace shirt. "You expect 
me to wear this?" 
"If you want to wear clean clothes, yes, luv. I do." He grinned at her. 
Willow stared back at him. There was nothing she could say about the 
clothes. But that didn't mean she couldn't get him back. "What were you 
humming a moment ago?" 
"I don't know what you mean, pet." He said quickly. 
"Sounded like, we're going to the chap-el and we're-" 
"Shut up!" he shouted. "Hadn't you better be getting ready?" 
"going to get marr-ied. We're goin" 
"Unless you want some assistance in there, I'd hurry if I was you." 
"Hey, if you can sing in the shower, why can't I?" She teased cheekily. 
She shut the door just as a pillow came sailing her way. "Going to the 
cha-a-apel . . ." 
******* 
Half an hour later, Willow examined her face in the mirror. Her 
clean-washed countenance didn't match the vampy attire Spike had chosen. She 
bit her lower lip. It would have to do. She stepped out of the bathroom. 
Spike was lounging in one of the chairs by the door, having a cigarette. 
"You look gorgeous, luv." Then he turned his head to the side, "You're 
uncomfortable. What is it?" 
"This isn't me, Spike." She confessed as she wrapped her arms around 
herself. 
"What?" He tried to look confused. "I thought you were the next big 
bad?" She blushed and looked at her feet. He knew what she was thinking. 
"Nonsense, luv. This is exactly you. You're just missing the whole look. 
Sit down, there." He gestured toward the bed across from him. She looked at 
him dubiously. "Oh, go on." 
He walked back into the bathroom and took a small off-white bag from the 
drawer. He sauntered over and sat next to her. When he opened it, she saw 
that it was full of cosmetics. Pleasantly surprised, she asked. "Spike, 
how? Why?" 
"Look, Dru made me." He answered defensively. "Well, she couldn't look 
in a mirror. Hey, it takes a real man to do make-up. It's bloody difficult! 
Completely manly. Nothing sissified about eyeliner, I can tell you that." 
She smiled at him, somehow the image of Spike patiently applying make-up 
was heart-warming. He opened the packages which contained eyeshadow, blush, 
powder, foundation, and lipstick. He began applying the foundation with a 
cotton ball he took from the bag. "Uh, Spike, I can look in a mirror, you 
don't need to do this." 
"I know, Red, but I want to." He grinned. "Call it a Richard Gere/Julia 
Roberts make-over kind of thing. " He was hoping she'd be moved by his 
knowledge of romantic comedies. 
She frowned. "And does that make me a prostitute?" She looked down at 
the revealing outfit in dismay. 
"No!" Spike spread his hands out, spilling a dot of foundation on the 
bedspread. "It's all part of that 'time of your life' I was talking about." 
"So you thought I'd like to dress slutty-" He gave her an indignant 
look. "I mean seductively while I drink and smoke." Then she gave him a 
devilish grin. "This might be fun. Can we go to a bar?" 
"That's the spirit, pet. But I think you've drank quite enough for one 
night." She looked mutinous but acquiesced. He began applying the make-up 
once more. "I'll take you to get that present I promised you."

To be continued...