A Very Ordinary Evil- Page 2
Part 5 � Rumours, Bargains and Lies
The following day
Willow emerged from the depths of her thoughts, to realise that she had been sitting and thinking for hours. It was daylight, and Spike had fallen asleep on the chair. She got up and closed the curtains, to keep the sun away from him.
She walked to the kitchen, needing coffee. As she prepared it, she continued to think, aware that now she had made her decision, all she felt was a great calmness. She poured the coffee and walked back to the living room and sat, looking at Spike. Her mind drifted, seeing images of them together. Erotically, romantically, simply as friends. The images began to blur, one into the next. She got out of the chair and went to sit next to her sleeping lover. {How strange that I think of him as my lover when all we�ve done is kiss.}
Willow realised that the hardest part was still to come. She had to explain it all to the rest of the gang. The Goddess alone knew how Buffy would react, but she had an idea to thwart her most likely immediate reaction. Xander would just wig out totally. Angel, well, she just didn�t want to think about his reaction at all. Cordelia and Anya though, how would they react? And Giles, given his reaction to Buffy and Angel, what would he do? Would Spike want them to know?
The �phone rang, startling her and also jolting Spike into wakefulness. Willow answered it. �Hello?�
�That you Wills?� Buffy asked.
�No, This is the Scott Antarctic Base.� Willow responded, grinning widely as she did so.
�Har Har Har Willow. Why�re you at home?�
�I�m entertaining a gentleman friend, Buffy. So I won�t be able to talk too long.� Willow could hear Spike sniggering in the background.
�Sure Will.� Willow could hear the sarcasm and disbelief, so she beckoned Spike over. �Can you hold on a moment Buffy?�
Willow whispered to Spike �Can you do accents?�
�What?� he looked confused.
�Accents, can you make your voice sound different?�
Spike nodded, grinning as he deduced the redhead�s plan.
Slipping into a perfect Mississippi accent, he walked up to Willow, wrapped one arm around her and leant forward so the mouthpiece would catch his words. �Y�all gonna tawk fu�evah? Daddy wants to play.�
Willow could hear Buffy�s shocked gasp. �I�ll see you later Buffy, bye!� She hung up.
They looked at one another and laughed. �Oh, that was fun Spike. You should have heard her.�
Spike grinned wickedly. �Pet, at times you amaze me. You�re not the little innocent you pretend. In fact, after that little performance, I�d add one more characteristic to your vampiric self � game player.�
�Do you want anything Spike? Like coffee, or � y�know.�
�Coffee luv, please.�
Willow went back into the kitchen to pour him coffee.
On her return, Willow sat opposite him, and looked down. �Spike, I�ve decided. I want you. Now, forever, for eternity. But � I also want to ask something of you.�
�What pet?� Spike�s eyes hooded slightly.
�Well, I want to keep trying to find a permanent version of the soul spell. I couldn�t be with you and have the current version. It would drive us both mad. Is that a problem?�
�No Red. I love you. Your soul is part of who you are. Part of what I love. If we can�t find a permanent spell, I�ll teach you to control your demon the way I do. Deal?�
Willow�s eyes lit up, her joy evident. She walked to Spike and sat on his lap, wrapping her arms around him. �Thank you� she simply said.
She leaned in and kissed him on the lips, this time taking the dominant role. Her tongue flickered out, and began to explore his lips. She felt him respond, mouth opening to allow her access. She was surprised at the coolness she encountered, but its very difference only enhanced the sensations she was feeling. She began to explore him, feeling the contours of his teeth and palate. He tasted of tobacco and coffee. She began to hear the very quiet murmurs they made as they continued the kiss. She felt her senses focus onto what she was doing, sensing only Spike.
Spike felt the passion that he had always known existed inside Willow begin to surface. She tasted sweet, almost like cinnamon. The heat she generated astonished him. On the few occasions that he�d previously kissed humans, he had not noticed it as much, somehow, this was different; she was different, special.
Willow pulled away gently, breaking the kiss. �Oxygen�s a good thing.� She giggled.
�We do need to talk about some other things though, Spike. What do we tell everyone?�
�We�ve got a saying back in the old country pet. �Tell the truth and shame the devil�. I love you, I�m proud of the fact that I love you, and no-one will keep us apart.�
�So, what do we do if Buffy goes berserk?�
�Simple pet, before we tell her anything you make it quite clear that if she misbehaves, you turn her into a cockroach.� Spike�s grin was not pure evil, but a strange mix of that and mischieviousness. �I�ll bet that, slayer though she is, when she sees a �roach, she shrieks.�
Willow giggled and nodded. �She�s terrible. It�s the one time I have to protect her. It�s �Willow! Kill it! Kill it! Kill it now!� She is such a tosser.�
Spike looked at her, astonished. �What did you call her?�
�A tosser�
�And where precisely did you pick up language like that?�
�Online. I asked some friends recently about British slang. What to use and what the words mean.�
Spike looked at her blankly.
�Well, I thought that it�d be nice if I knew what half the words you use meant. The proper meanings, not the words themselves. Is Angel really gay?�
Spike laughed. �Pet, most vampires are � experimental when it comes to sex. Back when he was Angelus, before the curse, he just wasn�t fussy. That�s not why I call him a poof though. The word also carries connotations of effeminate. In his case, in the soul-having wanting to defend the weak way. From a demonic viewpoint, that�s effeminacy.�
Willow nodded as he continued. �Pet, to change the subject,� Spike grinned �You haven�t told me what you think about us � coming out of the closet.� He grinned at the look on Willow�s face. �What, I can�t use extended metaphor?� She giggled and pecked him on the cheek.
�I can do without having to sneak around and hide things. I�ve been thinking about it. As best I can guess, Buffy, Xander and Angel will all go ballistic, Anya and Cordy will be supportive. Giles, I don�t know about Giles. I think he�ll be upset, but not angry.�
Spike chuckled. �Well, pet, there is one thing we�ll need to do before we tell all. That�s your experiment. I think you�ve got a slim chance at best, but if we try to do it after we tell people about � us, you�ll have no soddin� chance at all.�
Willow looked at him. �True,� she said, obviously thinking. I�ll start to make some calls. You�ll have to go and catch us a vampire and a wimpy bad demon.� Spike looked surprised at the crispness with which Willow started giving orders. He looked at her, slightly bemused. �Well, Spike, hurry up, we don�t have all night.� His jaw dropped. �Who�s the scientist here anyway? Now go and catch me some feeble baddies.�
Spike felt overwhelmed by Willow�s sudden assertiveness. He half expected her to clap her hands at him. Pulling himself together somewhat, he asked, �Why do we need feeble baddies?�
Willow looked at him, shaking her head. �Spike, we�re going to have to keep them here until the experiment. I so do not want to have to explain the extensive damage to my parents, should one escape!�
Spike looked at her again, understanding dawning. �Okay pet, you obviously know what you�re doing. I�ll head off and get some baddies.� So saying, Spike dragged his duster on and left.
* * * *
Willow went to the phone. The first person she called was Giles. She thought what she was going to say as the phone rang.
�Hello?� a mellifluous Oxford accent answered.
�Giles, it�s me, Willow. Listen, I�ve just had an idea. I think that we can work out what Spike�s chip, what it does.�
�That�s wonderful.�
�There is one problem though. I need people for Spike to hit, or to try to.�
�Pardon?� The tone is Giles� voice spoke volumes, he was beyond confusion after hearing the redhead�s little bombshell.
�We know that Spike�s chip goes off whenever he tries to attack a human, right?� She began to lead Giles through her thought process.
�Er, yes, that�s true.�
�We also know that when he attacks the soul-less, Vampires and demons, it doesn�t. Right?�
�Y-yes�
�So, what we need to do is to carry out tests using the following subjects. A slayer, a human, a vampire with a soul, a vampire without a soul, a benevolent demon, and a malevolent demon.�
�Er, that would seem logical, but � but how will we � can we?� Giles began to blather as he tried to absorb all the implications.
�Giles, if we could find out precisely how Spike�s chip works, then we would be in a great position to use that knowledge more humanely. What the initiative did was simply wrong. You can�t just place chips into reasoning beings� heads, to modify their behaviour, whatever their personal morality, or amorality.� Willow was beginning to get enthused now. �Well, not without giving them help, like food and money and stuff ...�
�Willow,� Giles interrupted, �These aren�t people. They�re demons. Creatures without pity.�
�Giles, if we do things like they did to Spike, and then leave them to starve, are we any better?�
�Willow, it�s questions like that that drive me, and the Watcher�s Council, insane.�
�Sorry Giles. Anyway, I�ve sent Spike off to catch a fledgling and a feeble bad demon. What I want you to do is to convince Buffy and Xander to do their part.�
�That shouldn�t be too hard. What is it that they have to do?�
�Literally? Sit in a chair. And not move.�
�Even Xander should be able to manage that.�
�Okay, look Giles, please get them involved. I need to ring Angel. He�s the only vampire with a soul that I know.�
�Ah. A-alright then. I�ll speak with you later Willow.�
* * * *
�Hello, Cordy? Is that you?�
�Hiya Willow. What�s new?�
�Sorry Cordy, I don�t really have time to speak now. We�ll catch up later. Promise. Is Angel there?�
�Yeah, hang on Wills. Brood Boy�s in.� Cordelia transferred the call, surprised, even startled by this new take-charge Willow.
�Yes?�
�Angel, this is Willow. I need a favour. Do you still see Whistler?�
�Yes.�
�Well, I need your help. Both of you.�
�What�s happened?�
�Nothing. It�s more an experimental thing. I think I know how to work out what Spike�s chip does. Can you come down? I need a vampire with a soul.�
�Why should I care about Spike.�
�Angel, don�t be mean. It�s been very hard for him. He�s still a demon, remember.�
�I really don�t see why I should bother, Willow. He�s Spike.�
�Angel, stop being a pain.�
�Willow, why should I do this?�
�Because I asked. I did give you your soul back. You owe me. And if I have to, I can always uncurse you!�
�Willow!�
�Angel, it�s important. I need you here and Whistler as well if you can possibly swing it.�
�All right, all right.� Angel sounded resigned, almost defeated. Willow had hated to have to threaten his soul, but the experiment was important, too important, to jeopardise because he threw a tantrum.
* * * *
Spike returned with an unconscious vampire thrown over one shoulder. �Okay Red, Where should I bung �im?�
She looked blankly at Spike, then thought. �In the cellar, it�s windowless and only has one door. There�s nothing he can damage or use down there, it�s empty. Will you have time to get the other?�
�He�s outside pet, trussed up and ready to be brought in.�
�All right, you better get him then. Angel is collecting Whistler and coming down immediately.�
�Peaches agreed? How the hell d�ya do that luv?�
�I threatened to take his soul away.�
Spike gawped. �Bloody hell luv, remind me to never annoy you. You play dirty. You�d give me a soul if I did the wrong thing.�
Willow giggled and grinned. �Perhaps. Go and get the demon please � pet.� She asked, sweetly.
Spike looked at her, once more dumbfounded. �Where did all this come from? The orders and threats I mean.�
�That? Oh, once I get set into a project, I have no time for people who obstruct me.� Willow smiled apologetically.
�Oh.� Spike said, totally inadequately, turning to collect the demon.
Part 6 � Dr Willow Von Fronkensteen
Two days later
Willow looked, gloatingly, at her finished product. It was like a flak jacket, but it wrapped around the upper chest, extending above and below the heart. She had made the item from one of the few pieces of scrap in her parent�s garage, a torn kevlar sail from her father�s brief flirtation with yachting. At the core of the abbreviated jacket were discarded pieces of half-inch thick steel armour, which she had scavenged from the local Military scrap heap. It would certainly keep Spike safe long enough for her to defuse anything that may start.
It was getting towards dusk, the time she had arranged for Angel and Whistler to arrive. She had also called Giles, to make sure that he brought Buffy and Xander at around the same time. She looked around the kitchen once again, making sure that all six chairs were placed correctly. She smiled, her mischieviousness rising to the top.
Hearing a knock, she went to the door �Come in Angel. This must be Whistler, Hi!� She smiled, trying to make clear to Angel that she was willing to move on.
Angel glowered as he entered the house. �Willow.� His greeting was almost a growl. He was obviously still out of sorts about her pressuring him into helping.
Whistler seemed to be a lot happier. �Yep, that�s me, Whistler. And you must be Willow. Hi. So, Angel tells me you�ve got some ideas about what the chip that young Billy�s got actually does. Great, y�know, it�s time us good guys did some scientific research too, instead of leaving it to the other side all the time. Yer got anything to drink?�
Willow was amused, it wasn�t often she met someone who babbled more than her. �Please sit down, Whistler, I�ll explain everything once all the participants are here. And what would you like to drink?�
�Scotch would be nice.�
�Umm � okay. I�ll try and find some.�
Before Willow could even leave the room, the doorbell rang again. �Sorry, Whistler, I better get the door.�
So saying, she opened the door, to see Giles, Buffy and Xander all there. �Come in.� Willow turned, leading them to the lounge. The new arrivals looked surprised at the gathering. �Okay, all of you sit down and introduce yourselves. I have to go and get the rest of the participants.�
She went and banged on the door to the cellar. �Okay!� She yelled, �bring them up now!�
Spike emerged, flak jacket under his shirt, dragging the firmly trussed vampire behind him. He went straight to the kitchen, forced the creature to sit and tied it firmly to the kitchen chair.
�Spike was in your cellar?� Buffy queried.
�How do you think I got the other vampire and our other unwilling volunteer?� Willow asked her.
�Volunteer? I thought you were going to tell us what you�d discovered about the chip.� Buffy sounded confused.
�No, I have a set of theories, but to be certain which is correct I have to carry out an experiment.�
Spike emerged from the cellar again, dragging a pallid yellow creature of roughly humanoid appearance, but scaled and fanged. The beast also had vicious claws.
Spike dragged the demon into the kitchen and tied it at the other end of the row to the vampire.
�Please, could you all move into the kitchen. Now, Buffy, can you sit there, Xander, over there please, Angel, could you sit next to the tied up demon, and Whistler, next to the other vampire. Good.
Now, what I was able to work out, was that the chip is one of three things, but I don�t know which. The only way to be sure is to have Spike hit each of��
The protests, yelling and complaints erupted. Buffy was standing, waving a finger and shouting. Xander looked confused. The fury on Angel�s face was clearly evident. The vampire was bellowing in no uncertain terms and the yellow demon was ululating wildly. Nothing could be understood. The only person seemingly unaffected was Whistler.
Willow reached into her pocket and pulled out a whistle. The piercing tone immediately cut through the enormous din being made.
�Good, now sit down, listen this time and don�t interrupt.� Willow put on her resolve face. �Now, the only way to be certain of what the chip does is to see Spike�s reactions when he acts violently. He will hit you each, once, hard but not dangerously. He knows perfectly well that, if he doesn�t follow those rules, he�ll be turned into a radish with a soul. As for you, what we learn will be very important. It�ll tell us what the Initiative�s overall goal was, not just ADAM, but the other things we still don�t know about. It�s worth a small amount of pain.�
Buffy looked up at Willow. �I don�t understand what you�re doing Wills.�
�Buffy, can you just trust me please. I�ve given you my trust often enough.�
�Is he still going to hurt when he hits me?�
�Definitely. I wish I could connect him to an EEG to get actual brainwave readings of each event, but beggars can�t be choosers.� Willow smiled lopsidedly as she concluded.
Buffy still looked somewhat sulky, but nodded. �Okay, but one punch only.�
Willow smiled. �Spike, are you ready?�
�Oh yes pet, I�m looking forward to this more than you can possibly imagine.�
�Let�s begin then.�
Spike smirked, walked up to the tied and helpless vampire, hauled back and drove his fist hard into the unfortunate creature�s face. �Well, pet, that didn�t hurt, it was � neat.� He looked back at the vampire, now unconscious, its head lolling forward and chuckled.
�Do you just want me to move along the line pet?�
�That�s easiest Spike. Sooner this is over, the better. Remember, not too hard, Whistler�s one of the good guys.�
Spike sighed and walked up to Whistler, snapping a jab from the elbow. It caught Whistler on the chin with a resounding crack. �Owwwww!� Whistler was obviously hurting. Willow noticed that Spike seemed to be suffering no ill effects from the blow.
Spike was grinning. �Still feeling good. I could get to enjoy this Red.�
�Spike, just carry on, and try not to gloat too much please.� The redhead�s voice was firm and even. Spike was instantly reminded of a schoolmistress.
Moving towards Buffy, Spike allowed his game face to slip on. Grinning evilly he hovered in front of her, savouring the moment. Buffy snarled �You are going to be so dust once that chip�s out,� as Spike fired in a rapid finger strike at her. As the blow landed, Spike�s back arched and he screamed in pain. He reached for his head as he fell from the severity of the effect. �Some things are worth waiting for,� smirked Buffy as she rubbed the base of her nose where Spike had made momentary contact.
Spike looked up at her from the floor, saying �Remember slayer, just one good night.�
Buffy looked down at him, contemptuously. �But never you.�
Willow walked over to Spike, and helped him rise. He shook off her assistance, missing the momentary hurt in her eyes as he did so.
�Well, Chubs, ready?� The mocking tone in Spike�s voice obvious.
�No, but I can�t see you worrying about that, Junior.�
�All too true, pup.� Spike lashed out at Xander, connecting solidly, even as He once again fell, screaming as the chip cut in. Both were on the ground, Xander with a probably broken jaw, and Spike in agony from the chip. Everyone else in the room was stunned. Spike stood, groggily and reached down to haul Xander up. �Sorry mate, I could smell the fear, so I thought I�d make it easier for ya by swinging when you weren�t expecting it.� He looked at Xander carefully, running his fingers across the already bruising jaw. �It doesn�t look broken, just ice it and you�ll be fine.�
He looked around at the astonished expressions on all the other faces. �What? It�s meant to be an experiment, not a brawl. I hit him too hard, that�s all.�
He sauntered over and peered over Willow�s shoulder as she made notes, then walked up to Angel. �According to Red�s list, you�re next, Peaches. I�m really going to enjoy this.�
Angel glared as Spike fired a full-blooded haymaker at him. Connecting solidly Spike saw his Sire fly backwards out of the chair. He started the follow up moves before he realised and brought himself, with difficulty, to a halt. Angel looked stunned, a massive welt forming over his mouth. Buffy, Giles and Whistler all glared at the blond vampire, while Xander watched on in glee.
�Was that you, or your demon, Spike?� Willow�s voice was quiet, but in the silence that followed the ferocity of the single blow delivered to Angel, the question may as well have been delivered with a bullhorn.
�Demon, pet. Even my demon detests Grandpa there.�
�Are you hurting at all Spike?�
�Not in the slightest pet. In fact, I haven�t felt this good in a long time.�
Spike moved quickly towards the helpless and now thoroughly terrified demon at the end of the line. He snapped out a pivot kick that broke the creature�s neck with a snap like a dry twig. �No pain there, either.�
�I so want to kill you Spike!� Buffy�s voice dripped venom. �Now Wills, have we finished your stupid idea?�
�Buffy!� The tone of command in Giles� voice surprised most of those there. �Willow�s idea was anything but stupid. She told me of her three possible outcomes, and one was correct. Now lets all listen to what she has to say.�
�The idea is so simple,� began Willow, �that I feel stupid about not thinking of it sooner. The chip can only work in one way. Like a detector.�
�What kind of detector?� Whistler asked.
�That was why I needed this experiment. I could only think of three types. A demon detector, a soul detector�which is why I needed you, Angel�and a �goodness� detector; hence you Whistler. Since the only time Spike showed any pain was when he tried to hit Buffy and Xander, we know now that the chip only works in the absence of demons. Therefore, it�s a form of demon detector.�
�How does knowing what the chip in Blondie�s head does help us?� Buffy was still smarting, both from the reprimand, and the fact that she suddenly felt like a hanger-on rather than the centre of the group.
�Simple really,� Willow answered quietly. �It tells us what the chip is capable of. With that information, we can try to duplicate it, or make something that does the same thing, but isn�t unnecessarily cruel. They didn�t need to implant the chip into Spike, including it in a collar or in handcuffs would have worked just as well.� Also, if they can make something that works as a demon detector, we could make proper ones, and use them as early warning devices on patrol.�
�Another thing you may want to think about, slayer. It�s a demon detector, right? So that tells us something about the Initiative. I don�t just mean ADAM, I mean its underlying goal. They want to eradicate demons. So you can bet they haven�t shut it down, just shifted their base of operations.� As he said this, he turned and casually staked the still unconscious vampire.
Buffy felt confused and left out. Now Spike was getting into the middle of things too, contributing voluntarily. She hated to admit it, but he had a point, it wasn�t like the government to simply shut down an organisation like the Initiative.
�Well, why don�t we return to the magic shop tomorrow evening to discuss this further. I don�t think that we�ll get anywhere tonight, while pride and egos are bruised.� Giles spoke calmly, but firmly.
Part 7 � Start Spreadin� the News
Willow�s house, after the guests have left.
After they had been left alone, Willow and Spike embraced. �No-one saw you come into my bedroom through the french doors?� she asked, concerned.
�No pet, they all toddled off to talk about your discovery and to moan about me being able to belt �em a bit.� Spike grinned happily at the memory, still holding the girl close.
Willow laughed and shook her head. �Honestly, you�re hopeless. What am I going to do with you?�
Spike flashed her a wicked grin. �It depends pet.�
�Depends on what?�
�Whether you want to � consummate our love before or after you break the news to the others.�
Willow began to flush and she pulled away from the blond vampire who was teasing her. �I d-don�t really f-follow.�
�Pet, I�m just asking if you want to tell your friends about us before or after we first make love.�
Willow looked at him, open-mouthed. �I-I-I � what?� The last word came out a full octave higher than did the others.
�From where I sit, I don�t know which is better,� Spike acknowledged. In one case, Slutty stakes me before I can corrupt your youthful innocence; in the other, she stakes me for corrupting your youthful innocence.�
Willow giggled, despite the gravity of the situation. �I do see your point. Sorry, inadvertent pun.� She moved back into his arms, sighing softly.
Spike brought her in closer to his body, his fingers slowly trailing through her hair. He loved its scent; it�s texture and the way it flowed, like liquid copper, through his fingers. �Red,� Spike whispered, �it doesn�t matter to me which decision you make. I want you to feel as comfortable as possible.�
She looked up at the man she wanted to remain with throughout eternity, and whispered �Thank you.� Then Willow began to sob quietly.
Spike lifted her and carried her to the couch. He sat, letting her rest in his lap. �Talk to me pet, what is it?� Spike�s words were quiet, soothing and even. He was trying to ease her pain with the tone of his voice. �You can do it luv. You�re brave and strong, a real fireball. Now, just look at me and tell me, in your own words and at your own pace, what�s upsetting you.� As he spoke, he gently tilted Willow�s head up, finger on her chin, so she could not avoid his gaze.
�I�m so scared Spike, so scared. I�m scared they�ll all hate me, that they�ll try and hurt you, that I�ll be left alone because they hurt you. I don�t want to be alone. It hurts me so much, Please Spike, don�t let them h-hurt me.� As she sobbed and spoke, her knees came up, until she was almost in a foetal position.
The look in her eyes, a look of pleading, imploring him to be her saviour, hit him like a runaway truck. He realised in that moment that he was hers alone, and for eternity. The awareness that this was his last partner, regardless of the path taken by their relationship, stunned him. He became of a connection to Willow far deeper, far more profound than his Siring bond or his love of Drusilla.
�Shhhhhh, pet, I won�t let them hurt you. Let�s face it, they�ll either accept what we have, or they won�t. But I�ll work my arse off to try and mend bridges for you.� As he was talking, Spike had begun to unconsciously rock, soothing Willow as he spoke. His hands repeatedly stroked her hair, his words diminishing to a whispered croon as he did so.
As Willow slowly calmed, she began to think about the question Spike had posed. She knew she had no intention of hiding their relationship. She had always despised hypocrisy and deceit. So, his question was fair. Before or after. She felt a burning need to be with him, her loins heated and moistened at the very thought. She could feel that his arousal was equally intense, just as difficult to control. As she thought, she became aware that she could literally feel his arousal. She tried to think. Was it more important that she tell the others before she took this glorious man to her bed, or was it more important for she and Spike to express their love?
She slowly came to a clear understanding of what should be done. �Spike,� she whispered, �I know the answer now.�
�Answer?�
�To your question.�
�So, pet, what have you decided.�
�To tell them first. I want you to know my reasons for this. I know how you�re feeling�� Willow blushed as she spoke, her eyes turning away from the bleach blond vampire. �I just think that it�s important that they learn before we make love, so that they can�t accuse us, or more likely me, of hormonal overload or �lying� to them.�
�So when do you want to do it luv?�
�Tomorrow, we�re meeting tomorrow night at the shop to talk over the experiment. When that�s done, I�ll tell them. And then you can add whatever you may want. After that, we�ll be friendless and alone in the world.� Willow sighed dramatically as she finished speaking, but she wondered how many friends she would have left in twenty-four hours.
* * * *
The meeting the following day was almost as acrimonious as that of the previous night. There was no general consensus reached, other than an agreement to try to obtain further information on the functions of the chip.
Willow realised that she should make her little announcement before people began to drift off. She looked around at the familiar faces. Buffy and Giles, Anya and Xander, Spike. Clearing her throat, she began. �Everyone, I have something very important that I want to say.� Everyone turned and looked at her. Most of the looks were bafflement, whilst Giles and Spike looked apprehensive.
�Now, I know this is going to make some of you angry�� She was stopped by the expected chorus of protests. �As I was trying to say, I know this will make some of you angry. So, I�m going to simply say it. Spike and I are in love.�
The reaction was all that she had expected and more. Everyone began yelling at once. Willow drew her whistle out again and, winking at Spike, blew it hard. The piercing tone cut through the voices like a knife, leaving everyone looking at her.
�I said you were going to be angry with me. I didn�t say raise the roof of the shop with incomprehensible caterwauling. Now, I�m going to listen to all of you, but no violence.�
�Willow, I�m going to stake him, just fucking deal with it.�
�Buffy, you even try and I�ll turn you into a cockroach.�
�No, you won�t.� As she spoke, Buffy threw a stake directly at Spike, with deadly accuracy. It struck home, on target. Spike should have been dust. But the stake merely ricocheted off the armour Willow had made him.�
�What!� Buffy�s shriek echoed around the shop.
�Simple,� Willow smiled, �I made Spike some armour just in case you tried something this stupid. Now listen Buffy, I love him. I want to be with him. And, if you�re a true friend you�ll support me. By the way, try anything to hurt my man again and you�ll suffer more than you can conceivably imagine.�
�He�s not a man, he�s a fuckin� vampire for God�s sake Willow! You�re mad. Giles, how can we help her?� Buffy appealed to the Watcher, appalled and shocked at Willow�s announcement.
Spike moved close to Willow and wrapped his arms around her waist. �You okay Red?�
Willow nodded, and began to bury herself into his chest.
�Leave her alone.� Buffy�s words were directed at Spike. They were flat, emotionless. Killing words.
Spike looked at her. �No. I love Willow just as surely and completely as she loves me.� The calmness with which he said it surprised Buffy. No strutting, no threats. He was behaving � differently, and she was unsure how to react.
Anya moved into the breach with all the tact of which she was capable. �So, are you having sex yet?� She asked in her own inimitable style. �You should, I feel closer to Xander when we have sex.�
�Ewwwwwww! Disgusting much!� Buffy squealed as she reverted to a high school mentality. �If you do, Spike, I will kill you.�
�Buffy, I�m warning you! This is your last chance!� Willow�s voice sounded like a whip cracking. Every eye in the room turned to her.
Spike, responding fastest, saying �Pet, I am impressed.� and then chuckling quietly.
�Willow, you obviously need help...� Buffy began.
The redhead interrupted, saying, �Yes, I need you to listen, to try and understand. Not erupt.�
�He�s a vampire! What else needs to be said?�
�Can I possibly get a word in edgeways?� Giles asked in a plaintive tone.
Willow continued, not even noticing Giles� request. �Angel is a vampire too. Are you saying the rules are different?�
�Don�t you dare bring Angel into this!�
�Buffy!� Xander interrupted the growing argument. �I don�t like what Wills is doing, but fairs fair. And vamps are vamps. Why is it different?�
�Because Angel has a soul, you moron!� Buffy screamed at Xander.
�And Spike has a chip � given what happened to Angel�s soul, I�d say the chip was a better bet.� Anya remarked. �Face it Buffy, Willow is a big girl, she can make her own decisions.�
�Oh great advice coming from the ex-demon there. Of course you want to see them together. That way you won�t feel such a freak!� The fury in Buffy�s voice was palpable.
�Damn it Buffy! Don�t talk to Anya like that!� Xander shouted, infuriated at the accusation hurled at his lover. She tried so hard to be human, and now Buffy threw it back into her face.
�She�s my friend Xander, and she�s fucking a goddamn vampire!�
�Not yet.� Willow�s voice was quiet, but carried to everyone.
�Thank God!� Buffy�s heartfelt relief was self-evident.
�I wanted you all to know before we made love. I don�t want to hide anything from you. All I ask is your acceptance and your tolerance. Giles, you haven�t said anything yet.� Willow looked directly at the Watcher, the man that she truly considered her mentor, who she loved as the father she had wanted, but never had.
�Well, I thought I�d wait until all the dramatics had finished.� Giles� wry sense of humour made the redhead giggle.
�Willow, you�re an adult. And you�re the daughter I never had. As a father I want to scream �No! Not him!� but I ask myself �don�t all fathers say that?� It�s your life, your decisions.� Giles turned to look at Spike. �I�ll avoid the traditional �hurt her and you�re dust speech� and simply say good luck. Oh, and that if I have to, I�ll find you. Wherever you may hide.�
�Why aren�t you helping me!� Buffy shrieked. �He�s a demon, a killer and he�s stealing our Willow! Okay, I�ll do it myself! Like usual.� The last sentence was muttered under her breath, and only Spike heard the egotism it contained.
Willow sighed as Buffy rose from her seat. She took something from her pocket and threw it at the slayer. As she did so, she chanted. �Mea lumen, mea lux.� There was a bright flash, and when it had cleared, Buffy had gone. In her place was a large and very ugly cockroach.
All eyes turned to the redhead, the expressions ranging from the amused to the horrified. She smiled and muttered �Contrario.� Another flash. When this flash had cleared, Buffy was standing there, looking confused.
�I warned you Buffy. Next time, I don�t revert you. Am I clear?�
Buffy nodded, stunned. She had no idea what to do. She knew now that she would never be able to kill Spike. Her mind recoiled from that revelation.
�I-I want to go home.� Buffy�s voice was small, and scared, like that of a frightened child.
�It�s all right, Buffy, I�ll drive you home.� Giles voice was calm and placid, soothing the fear away. He gently led the blonde to his car, helped her in and drove away.
Xander looked at Willow, fear, shock, horror and amusement warring on his features. �That was � amazing Wills.�
Willow smiled depreciatingly. �I�m sorry I had to do that, but she wasn�t going to take no for an answer. I hope she can forgive me. Can you?�
Xander considered the question seriously. �Well � I can forgive you turning Buffy into a �roach. That was cool. But, I don�t know so much about Junior. I�m scared about what�ll happen when he gets his bite back.�
�Now, I�ve kept bloody quiet through this whole mess.� Spike announced, �And I�m fed up with everyone worrying about Slutty�s feelings. She damn near killed me. Would�ve done if Red hadn�t come up with this.� He rapped his chest letting the armour plate ring. �I want to know how the pair of you feel. Sod Slutty, she doesn�t matter.�
�I don�t care who you sleep with.� Anya�s characteristic bluntness showed again. �It�s no-one else�s business.�
Xander looked at Anya, surprised. �I really don�t know. And that surprises me. If I�d been asked it before, I would have said I would have been the one with the stakes. I just don�t know Wills. I think I�ll need to work things out.�
�Thanks, both of you.� Willow smiled softly. �So, there�s only one person here who really can�t accept it. Of course, we still have to let Angel know.�
Spike growled at the thought of Angel�s reaction.
The conversation dropped away, and Willow moved over to Spike, wrapping herself into him. Spike lifted her to his lap and they sat, whispering to one another.
�Are we that bad, Xander?� Anya asked, pointing at the other couple.
�Ummm � I don�t think so, but I�m probably not the best person to ask.�
�You�re never the best person to ask, Xander. About anything.� Giles� amused voice came from the doorway.
�Well thanks G-spot, I mean G-man.� Xander riposted.
Giles walked into the shop, ignoring Xander, and immediately asked Willow �What did you do to Buffy? How did you do the spell so quickly?�
�Oh, I worked out a way to--store I suppose is the right word�spells in these little crystals. Then when I want to activate it, I throw the crystal at the target and intone the words to shatter the crystal, releasing the spell.�
Giles looked shocked. �I�ve never heard of that before Willow. But that�s not really important. What is important is that Buffy�s in severe shock. Her mother told me Buffy�s phobic about cockroaches.�
�I�m so sorry Giles. She never told me. I knew she got me to kill them, but I honestly thought it was the usual girly ewwww thing. Did that make any sense at all? I�m babbling, aren�t I? I�ll stop now.�
�Willow, I understand your reaction. You defended your lover. And you did it without any intention to harm Buffy. I admire your restraint. However, we now may have to deal with a mentally disturbed slayer. And yes, you were babbling.� Giles sighed as he spoke. The Council had never considered such a prospect.
Giles continued �We can�t do anything now. Everyone just go home. Be back here tomorrow at sunset. I�ll have more news about Buffy�s condition then.
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