Willow's Ripper

Seeking

by Kaz

Willow moaned quietly in pleasure as she felt something trace up her leg teasingly. Her arms were stretched out above her head, leather cuffs encircling her wrists, which in turn were secured to the headboard of the queen size bed. Her ankles were restrained by similar cuffs, tied to the bottom corners of the bed, causing her legs to be spread wide. A blindfold covered her eyes, magnifying her senses of hearing and touch. She could feel the mysterious object continued to tease her leg, then her hip, then her side. Dimly in the back of her mind, she identified the feeling of leather.

"Now, girl, how are you feeling?" Spike asked, standing over her and running the crop lightly up her side to carefully outline her breasts, being sure not to touch her erect nipples, which begged for contact.

Willow caught her breath and wet her lips with her small pink tongue when she found her heavy breathing had caused her lips to go dry. "I feel good, Master," she managed to say; gasping as Spike brought the crop down on her breast hard enough to leave a slight stinging sensation. Her back arched slightly as the biting sting ran through her breast, causing her nipples to harden further. She moaned as Spike repeated the teasing and slap on the other breast.

He trailed the crop down her stomach slightly before stopping just above her pubic hair. He sighed in vexation as he heard the phone ring and the answering machine pick up. He heard a British voice echo out of the machine's speakers.

"Willow, Spike? I suppose you aren't in. This is Giles, I've some important information for you. Please give me a ring at your earliest convenience," Giles said, worry and concern evident in his voice. "It's about the new slayer. Um�yes, well I will talk to you shortly then." A click indicated he had hung up. Spike rolled his eyes and began to move the tip of the crop lower. He was stopped by a question from Willow.

"Excuse me, Master. But, that sounded fairly important," Willow said, trying to ignore the feeling of the crop lightly brushing her wet labia, almost touching her aching clit. ::Oh, Goddess that feels good. But I have to call Giles back. Something's wro----OH!:: Willow's thoughts were interrupted by Spike lightly slapping her inner thigh with the crop. She gasped as he continued; first one thigh then the other. She moaned in disappointment when he stopped.

"So, girl. Do you really want to call the watcher back or would you rather wait 'til later?" Spike asked. He knew that if she really felt she had to, he would uncuff her from the bed and allow her to make the call. He understood that on the Hellmouth certain things took precedence over play time. Calls from Rupert Giles were often one of them, especially when he sounded so concerned.

Willow's brain tried to process the question. She was awash with feeling. Her head was spinning slightly, her pussy and nipples ached with need and want, while her thighs stung wonderfully from the crop. She swallowed and furrowed her brow. Finally she shook her head, knowing that even if she called Giles back now, it would not be good. She was too deep in subspace to function on the level needed for intelligent discussions with Giles. "No, I'll call him later. Afterwards," she replied.

Spike smiled. "Good. Where were we then?" He asked, as he began to lightly strike her cunt.

Willow languidly rolled over, thoroughly exhausted but incredibly satisfied with the evening's activities. As she cuddled into Spike's cool, lean body, his arm wrapped around her, pulling her even closer. She sighed happily, closing her eyes, fully intent on falling asleep in his arms when his voice startled her out of her doze.

"Are you going to call the watcher, pet?" Spike asked amused that she had managed to forget the small interruption in their evening. He felt Willow tense as she lifted her head to look at him in confusion.

"Why would I call Giles?" She asked, yawning. Spike smirked, but said nothing, knowing that it would not take her long to remember. She thought silently for a few moments before sitting up quickly, pulling herself from Spike's arms. She looked at the clock quickly and groaned. "He called almost two hours ago! Oh goddess Spike! That sounded important! I can't believe you let me put it off like that!"

"I did ask you what you wanted to do. Not my fault I'm such a damn good lover that you didn't want to stop," Spike said smugly.

Willow rolled her eyes at him, then grinned. "See? Then it is your fault!" She retorted, getting up from the bed and pulling on her robe. She quickly walked to the answering machine and replayed Giles' message. Her brow furrowed. It wasn't as if he sounded worried but simply stressed or hesitant, as if he wasn't sure how they would react to whatever he had to tell them. She picked up the cordless phone and quickly dialed the number for Giles' apartment. The phone was picked up almost immediately by the British watcher.

Spike heard her dial and begin speaking as someone answered. He listened, grinning as he heard Willow stammer out an excuse as to why neither of them had answered the phone. ::Watching a movie pet? I would have thought you would be more original than that!:: Spike thought to himself. ::We got to work on your lying skills. You'd think, after three years with me, she would've picked up at least one of my bad habits! But nope, still as outwardly innocent as the day I kidnapped her. Though inside there is a hellion waiting to be set loose, even if she doesn't know it. How Slutty and the rest miss that is beyond me. She'd be more dangerous than Angelus on a bad hair day if she had to be! And she's mine!:: He thought with a possessive smile. Lost in his thoughts, he didn't hear her return to the bedroom.

"Spike? Spike!" Willow called loudly after not getting an answer from the blond vampire lying on the bed. She smiled softly at the faraway expression on his face, wondering what had caused him to look so amazed and covetous. She walked up to him, staring at him for a few seconds before waving a hand in front of his face. He refocused with a start, jumping slightly.

"Whattuz that for?" Spike asked, caught somewhere between annoyed that he looked like an idiot and embarrassed that someone had got near enough to him to stake him without him noticing. Not that Willow would ever do so, but still, it was the principle that mattered. He was the Big Bad. He had a reputation to maintain. ::A reputation that's been ludicrous ever since you've starting helping the Slayer. Doesn't help that you're shacked up with the witch now either,:: his demon grumbled, still annoyed that the chip prevented him from wreaking havoc on the world. ::Oh shut up,:: Spike told his demon half crossly, not enjoying being reminded of his incapacitated state. ::'Sides, you love her as much as I do, so stop complaining!:: His demon apparently had nothing to say to that and kept silent.

Willow ignored his question, oblivious to his inner debate as she stripped the robe from her body and headed toward the bathroom. Spike watched her go, admiring her firm, subtly-rounded behind, her smooth back, and her shapely legs. Spike groaned, feeling himself immediately harden at the sight. "Willow love, what are you doing?" Spike asked, his brain finally noticing that his beloved was moving toward the bathroom, rather than the bed which was where she should have been heading.

Willow continued on into the bathroom, turning on the taps. Over the sound of the water, she answered his question. "Giles says we should get to his apartment as soon as we possibly can. It's not an emergency but�he wanted us there about two hours ago."

"Bloody hell pet! Do we have to go now? I was hoping that we'd be able to spend the night in bed shagging, again!" Spike complained, throwing off the covers and standing up. ::Nummy. Wet, naked Willow. I'm sure I can convince her to stay in for a little longer. All I need to do is get into the shower with her!:: Spike thought triumphantly, striding into the bathroom, fully intent on taking his witch in the shower.

"Later baby, I promise," Willow replied as she stepped into the shower, closing the curtain behind her. "Oh, and so we don't get distracted, you can use the other bathroom."

Spike sighed, muttering to himself about redheaded witches being too smart for their own good as he grabbed his towel and headed off to shower.

Spike and Willow walked up the sidewalk toward Giles' door exactly 19 minutes later. The door opened before they could knock revealing a somewhat bemused Xander Harris.

"Hey Wills! What took you two so long?" Xander asked, smiling knowingly. His smile turned into a grin as Willow's cheeks flushed red with embarrassment while Spike's lips turned up in a smirk.

::Even after three years, she still gets embarrassed when they get "caught" having sex,:: Xander thought, amused at his friend's innocence. Even at 23, through all the demons and Big Bads, and through Spike somehow she had refrained from losing what made Willow�Willow. (Xander wasn't sure which he considered the greater threat to Willow's innocence, the big bads they fought, or the big bad in his best friend's bed.) The innocence was still coupled with the devastating intelligence and positive outlook on life. Knowledge about what went bump in the night had in no way diminished those traits. It never ceased to amaze Xander.

"Oh Xander, hush," Willow said, fighting the blush that had rose as she moved past her best friend and into the living room. She saw Buffy curled up on the couch, clutching a pillow to her chest. Anya was flipping through a magazine idly as Xander sat on the arm of the chair . Obviously whatever had effected the slayer had not effected Anya. Willow noticed that Xander's previous amusement had vanished to be replaced by sadness. Willow looked at Giles quickly and saw lines of concern etching his face. "What happened? What's wrong?" She asked urgently.

Giles cleared his throat as Willow's question caused Buffy to lean into Riley, seeking comfort. "Yes, well, I have received a call from the Council. Apparently, there has been an incident involving Faith. As you know, she was released on parole last year. After she came here to apologize to everyone, she returned to the Council and has been working for them diligently and well on various assignments. Unfortunately, this last assignment was a bit more involved than originally estimated. There were three Nikler demons, rather than the one that Faith was told about. She was fatally injured and died last night."

Willow felt Spike's arm wrap around her waist to support her. ::It's not as if Faith had been close to anyone from Sunnydale since high school. I mean�she kidnapped me and tried to kill us all. But she apologized and was trying to turn her life around. She was doing well and now she's gone 'cause of bad information! It's just not fair!::

"No, love, it's not, but then life isn't fair," Spike said softly into her ear. Willow hadn't even been aware she had been speaking aloud. Keeping one arm tight around Willow's waist he maneuvered her to the couch where he sat her down gently. "Who's the new slayer, Ripper?"

Giles took off his glasses and began polishing them as he spoke. "A girl by the name of Belinda Morgan from Long Island. Her watcher is Alistair Singleton, an American of all things. The Council sent his parents over here when he was young and he thinks of himself as American rather than British."

"Geez, G-man. You make it sound like being an American is a bad thing!" Xander said jokingly in an attempt to lighten the mood. His sally brought a faint smile to Giles' face and an outright grin to Spike's.

"It is!" Spike muttered, almost to himself, earning glares from Xander and Anya. "Bloody barbarians can't even play cricket," he continued blithely.

"Being an American is a privilege! We are the greatest democracy on the planet! Our government is of the people, by the people, and for the people! We take in the huddled masses, yearning to breathe fr--" Anya began, looking up. She stopped mid-spate at Xander's touch on her arm. She had apparently been reading the political party pamphlets that were circulated around voting days. It had been five years since she was turned human and she was still getting the hang of acting normal. Fortunately for those who had been inflicted with some of her more racy comments, she didn't talk about sex nearly as much as she had in the previous years. She now extolled the virtues of being an American. It was a welcome change. At least these comments usually didn't make mothers gasp in outrage and pull their children away, glaring angrily.

"When�" Buffy said, her voice shaky. She cleared her throat and tried again. "When does she get here? Or does she get here? Is she going to go someplace else?"

"The Council wants her to stay here for a few months to get experience on a partially controlled Hellmouth. Actually, Buffy, it was hoped that you would be willing to assist in her training," Giles commented.

Buffy's eyes lit up and she smiled softly. "I'd love to Giles! If you think I can," she replied. Willow smiled softly at Buffy; glad that Buffy would be able to interact with the new Slayer. ::I hope they get along better than Buffy and Faith did. Though they did speak on the phone occasionally since Faith was released.:: Willow thought idly to herself.

"I certainly do think you can. Otherwise I wouldn't have recommended it to the Council!" Giles said, smiling as his slayer absorbed his words, grinning. "Well, now that that's settled, we should all go home and get some rest. Alistair and Belinda will be arriving here in about twelve hours. So please be prompt," Giles pleaded, knowing it was a semi-futile request.

"Check G-man, oh-twelve-hundred hours," Xander promised as the Scoobies stood and walked toward the door.

"Xander, how many times do I have to tell you? Don't call me that!" Giles said, sighing as the group filed out, leaving only Xander to hear Giles' comment.

Xander turned and grinned. "I don't know, G-man. Just keep telling me. It's bound to sink in sometime."

Giles response was to shut the door firmly.

Willow and Spike pulled up to Giles'apartment complex in Willow's blue, two-year-old Volkswagen Cabrio. She was quite proud that she had been able to buy a new car as soon as she left college. Between her savings and the signing bonus she had received when she was hired as a computer consultant, Willow had been able to afford the car she wanted. It wasn't fancy or terribly expensive, but she loved it. In a fit of whimsy, she had named him Otto and lavished him with attention and care. It became a standard joke to tease Willow about her auto named Otto. Willow simply shrugged it off, completely content with her choice. The tinted windows, she was aware, also provided Spike some measure of relief from the deadly rays of the sun, as long as she kept the top up of course.

Willow glanced over at her lover who was preparing for the quick jog into the Watcher's apartment. She smiled as she waited for him to adjust the blankets that would be his only protection. She turned off the ignition and waited patiently. "Ready?"

"Yeah. Though don't know why Ripper couldn't have made this meeting a little later in the day; after sundown would have been nice." Spike grumbled as his lover got out of the car. He grabbed the handle, flung himself out of the quasi-protection of the automobile and into the sunlight. With a curse, he closed the door with the toe of his boot and ran toward Giles' door. They reached the entrance only to find it being held open by Buffy.

"Oh, it's just you two. I heard the car and thought you might've been Belinda and Alastair." Buffy said, peering over Spike's shoulder in hopes of seeing the two expected guests. Spike snorted and shook his head, hopping from one foot to another in a futile effort to keep the UV rays from penetrating his blankets.

"Gee, thanks Buffy." Willow teased gently. The Slayer turned embarrassed eyes upon her best friend as Willow continued. "It's okay, I understand. We're all anxious to meet them."

"I'm not! And get out of my bloody way? I'm burning up out here!" Spike snapped as smoke began rising from the blankets. Buffy and Willow quickly stepped out of the way to allow the vampire into the sanctuary of the house. Buffy shut the door after checking once more to make sure the new slayer and her watcher weren't approaching.

"A watched pot never boils." Willow advised her friend. "Though I guess it'd be a watched door never knocks. Not that the door is doing the knocking, it's the person on the other side of the door. Well, we do live on the Hellmouth so a knocking door is always a possibility but?"

"It's okay, Wills. I got your point." Buffy assured her, smiling. "I'm just so nervous! I mean, I'm going to help train a slayer! What if I mess up? What if ... what if she's like I was? How will I cope?"

"You'll do fine. Besides you're going to be cool older sister type person, not watcher authority type person. You'll get to have fun with her and be a friend, and not have to worry about being all strict. It'll be just like having another Scooby, except this one will be able to lift heavy objects and will have the super-speed healing. And Giles trusts you." Willow pointed out. She could understand Buffy's apprehension. Taking on the responsibility of helping to train a slayer was a daunting task, but she felt with Buffy's experience (not to mention the help of the rest of the Scoobies) this new slayer could become one of the best.

Buffy smiled nervously as the two moved into the living room, seating themselves on the couch. "Yes, for some strange reason, he does trust me. But, I'm just so worried I'll let him down somehow. Or ... or I'll forget something really important."

"That's what her watcher is for. You won't have to do everything, just give her the benefit of your experiences. Giles knows you and he knows your strengths. He wouldn't have suggested this if he didn't think you were capable of doing well! All you have to do is be yourself. And you've had lots of practice at that. You've perfected the art of being Buffy Summers." Willow said, grinning.

Buffy grinned back. "Well, after 24 years of doing something, you're bound to be good at it!"

Spike came up behind the girls with a mug of warmed blood. He perched on the arm of the sofa and took a sip. Glancing down at the two on the couch, he coughed suddenly, nearly spewing his mouthful across the room. Willow looked up at him in concern.

"What's the matter, Junior? AB negative not to your liking?" Xander inquired from his seat on the chair. He reached for his soda, his expression innocent.

Spike shot him a look that promised retaliation. He waited until Xander took a sip before answering. "Actually, I was wondering what the bloody hell the slayer is wearing. Raid the watcher's closet, love?"

Xander glanced at Buffy's outfit and proceeded to have a coughing fit of his own, while Spike smirked in satisfaction.

Giles had come into the living room in time to hear Spike's comment as well as see Xander's reaction. For the first time that day, he noticed his slayer's attire. She wore a plaid ankle-length skirt, a crisp white button-down blouse, neatly tucked in, and low heels. He suppressed a smile as he replied. "I assure you Spike, that my skirts are knee-length at most."

This caused Xander to cough again, while the others restrained giggles. Buffy, however, was examining her outfit in chagrin. "I look watcher-y? I don't want to look watcher-y. I just wanted to look responsible and adult. I better change." she said, grabbing a black bag from behind the sofa and heading to the bathroom.

Giles looked at the closed door in perplexity. "I'm quite confused as to why she's so nervous."

"She doesn't want to disappoint you, Giles. She's taking this assignment very seriously." Willow explained.

"And besides, if I had to be partially responsible for the possible death, dismemberment or maiming of a sixteen-year-old girl, I'd be nervous too." Anya pointed out, coming from the kitchen carrying a tray of snacks. Xander gleefully pounced on the chips and dip, oblivious to his fiance's comment. Giles turned slightly green while Willow glared at her.

Spike chuckled at Anya's matter-of-fact explanation, causing Willow to turn her glare on him while elbowing him in the stomach. "Oooh, there pet. Be careful. Almost spilled the blood all over the watcher's sofa." he warned, setting the mug down on the edge of the coffee table.

The bathroom door opened then and a more relaxed-looking slayer emerged. She was dressed in classic Buffy-attire ... black pants, a tight, form-fitting blue sweater, and black boots. "Better?" She asked hopefully, looking to the others for their approval.

Willow nodded enthusiastically. "Yup. Definitely more Buffy than watcher." she observed.

"Good! Two watchers will be more than enough for the tweed-factor." Buffy replied, tugging absently on her sweater. She glanced down at her watch, noting the time. "It's 12:20. You don't think anything has happened to them do you?"

The others were forestalled from answering her by a sharp knock at the door. Buffy eeped softly to herself, smoothing her hair and giving her sweater one last tug. She forced herself to take a deep, calming breath as Giles opened the door.

Giles opened the door to be greeted by a frowning blond man. Alastair Singleton was the antithesis of what the Scooby gang had come to expect from the Watcher's Council. He was wearing jeans and a casual blue sweater rather than the traditional tweed. Also, his longish hair was gelled back, making him appear quite young ... in his mid twenties at the oldest. He straightened as he saw the door open, taking full advantage of his 6' 4' frame.

A tall, slender auburn-haired girl stood behind him, also wearing jeans. Her sweatshirt was emblazoned with the emblem of a prestigious college. Although her dress was casual, her demeanour suggested a haughtiness that belied her outward appearance. She silently surveyed her surrounding and examined Giles. After dismissing him as insignificant, she turned her attention to what she could see of his house. She was obviously less than impressed.

"Alastair Singleton? Belinda Morgan?" Giles asked, raising an eyebrow. When Alastair nodded, Giles stepped away from the doorway and motioned them inside. "I'm Rupert Giles. Won't you please come in?"

The two entered, glancing briefly at the Scoobies who had risen and stood waiting for an introduction. Alastair turned to Giles. "We were given to understand your slayer would be here." he stated.

"Hardly *my* slayer." Giles answered with a slight grin.

Buffy smiled hesitantly and stepped forward, her hands wiping against her pants to remove any nervous sweat that she had accumulated. "Hi! I'm Buffy Summers. Pleased to meet you." she said, holding out her hand to Belinda. The younger girl took it, squeezing it hard and painfully. The smile left Buffy's face as she retrieved her abused hand. She stepped back into the protective company of her friends.

"I'm Belinda Morgan. The slayer." the auburn haired teen said with a slight smirk.

Buffy bristled, her back straightening and her jaw tightening. "*A* slayer." she replied, her eyes narrowing.

Belinda simply shrugged, turning her attention first to Xander and then to Spike. She examined them like they were something she was considering purchasing but wasn't sure if she would get her money's worth.

Anya's eyes widened in surprise, before clutching Xander's hand. She met Belinda's eyes. "This is Xander. He's mine. I'm the only one he gives orgasms to."

Belinda startled, surprised at Anya's bluntness. She rolled her eyes and glanced in Spike's direction only to find that Willow had stepped between her and her view of what she thought was a fairly nice specimen of masculinity. Willow didn?t say anything, but allowed her body language and raised eyebrow convey what words couldn't.

Alastair watched in amusement at the adolescent posturing taking place. He stepped forward, pasting a smile on his face and looking at Buffy. "Ah, Buffy. It's nice to finally meet ya. I'm looking forward to talking to you about your ... experiences. I hope that I'll be able to prevent Belinda from making the mistakes you did."

Buffy's face lost her smile as she nodded curtly. Deciding that the best course of action was to bring up a new topic, she adopted the role of hostess. "Um, let me introduce you to everybody. The redhead is Willow, behind her is Spike, the blonde is Anya, and you, uh, have already been introduced to Xander."

Alastair nodded to each while Belinda maintained a bored expression throughout the introductions. An awkward silence descended on the room as a staring contest began. Finally Giles cleared his throat and gestured toward the various seats around the room. "Um, why don't we all sit down? Would you like something to drink?" He asked, his manners overcoming his immediate distaste for his guests.

"Coke." Belinda said, not even looking at him as she answered.

"Coffee, cream, two sugars, Rupert." Alastair replied, though he did incline his head in a wordless thank you.

Giles nodded shortly and walked quickly to the kitchen. The rattle of glasses and cups being all but thrown onto a tray clearly evident in the quiet.

Belinda looked up suddenly, an unreadable expression on her face. "Buffy. What kind of name is that anyway?"

Buffy was caught off-guard. "Um, it's ... it's just a name my parents ... liked I guess."

"Ah. I was wondering. Tell me, does it scare off alot of vamps?"

Spike snorted, earning glares from the Scooby gang. He schooled his face and threw an apologetic look at Buffy. Sighing, he knew he had to speak up. "Didn't used to. Does now though. That happens when you're as close to unbeatable as the slayer is."

"Unbeatable" I would disagree with that statement." Alastair put in. Spike cocked an eyebrow and invited him to continue. "She was killed by the Master of the Order of Aurelius, an order of the deadliest vampires on the planet. Not to mention, she disgraced both herself and her watcher by running away a few years ago."

Buffy stiffened and glared at the watcher, but Spike stepped in once again, preening somewhat over Alastair's description of the Order. "How many Apocalypses have you averted, Slayer?"

"None, yet." Belinda replied.

Spike chuckled almost menacingly. "Not you. I meant *the* Slayer." Spike replied, making the emphasis clear to everyone.

Willow bit her lip to keep from laughing at the expression on Belinda's face. Fury, annoyance and resentment flooded across all at once. Her watcher's hand on her shoulder stopped her from snapping back a reply.

"Are you implying that Belinda isn't a slayer?" Alastair asked coldly.

Spike nodded. "Actually, I'm not implying it, I'm stating a bloody fact. Evil nasties won't count her as a slayer until she proves herself. You and your Council may say she's a slayer. Hell, you might even believe she is, but out in the real world, she's nothing more than an untried little girl. Sure, she's got the speed, the agility, and the fast healing, but she doesn't have any experience or reputation. Experience and rep are what count. Buffy's defeated every demon that has crossed her path, including some who've carved former slayers in half without a second thought. Buffy has the experience and the reputation. Your girl doesn't. And if you don't get rid of that attitude, she won't survive long enough to get them." He grabbed his mug from the coffee table and took a gulp, wrinkling his nose in distaste as the cold liquid slid down his throat.

"And how would you know what the 'evil nasties' think?" Belinda snapped, unable to keep her temper any longer.

The Scoobies looked at her in shock. "Don't you know who he is?" Willow asked, amusement thick in her voice. Blank looks were her only answer as both Belinda and Alastair scrutinized Spike for clues to who he was.

Finally Belinda rolled her eyes. "Why should I care who you are?"

Spike growled low in his throat. "You should care, ducks, because if you don't, you'll be dead." he said, his voice deadly. He let his demon slip to the fore just enough to make his eyes glint with golden flecks. "Some slayer you got there, mate. Can't even sense a vampire within arms reach of her." he commented to Alastair, shaking his head mockingly.

The reaction from Belinda was immediate, her hand reaching into her jeans and pulling out a wooden stake. As she moved to step toward Spike, her staking arm raised, Buffy stepped in front of Spike and snatched the stake from her. She threw it to the floor and grabbed hold of the girl's wrist with her hand, preventing her from moving her arm. Willow stepped up to the other side of the girl.

"Don't you ever try to harm Spike again. If you do, you will regret it. Permanently." she warned in a low voice.

"Don't threaten my slayer!" Alastair said, finally deciding enough was enough.

"Don't threaten my boyfriend." Willow retorted, refusing to back down. She met Alastair's eyes. They were cold, impassive and calculating. More suited to some of the evil nasties they had fought than a human being. But Willow had come to realize that some of her fellow humans were far more evil and nasty than a vast majority of the so-called demons. It was always disturbing when this revelation reasserted itself.

Alastair raised a hand to physically move both Willow and Buffy away from his slayer. His arm appeared to be trying to push its way through the air, finally coming to a stop by his shoulder. He looked at it in confusion, his face becoming red with the effort to move it. He looked at Willow and Buffy in anger. "What have you done to me?" He snarled.

The two women stepped back in shock. When Buffy released Belinda's arm, it too was seemingly frozen in midair. The younger slayer squeaked in surprise, her face showing her fear, as she realized that her arm wasn't the only part of her that couldn't move. "Alastair! What's happening? I can't move!"

"What's going on here?" Giles asked, having reappeared with a tray of drinks. He studied the curious tableau in front of him as he slid the tray onto his desk. He looked to Willow. "Did you freeze them?" He asked, his voice neutral, though his eyes expressed amusement.

Willow shook her head. "It wasn't me. There wasn't time." she replied, her face showing her sincerity.

Giles blinked before turning to Anya with a questioning look. The ex-demon shook her head. He frowned as he turned his attention to the frozen duo. "Is anyone else having difficulty in moving?" He asked absently, taking off his glasses to polish them. A chorus of 'no' greeted his question. "I suppose it must have an origin in the Hellmouth then."

"You suppose? Well, Rupert, you better find out now!" Alastair ordered, his face contorted with fury. He continued to rant for a minute or two until Giles fixed him with a cold stare.

"Would you be quiet? You've been nothing but rude since entering my home. You've insulted my slayer, threatened my friends, and are now issuing orders that you have no right to even consider making. If you want us to unfreeze you, and I assure you nothing is closer to my heart than getting you both out of my house as rapidly as possible, then I suggest you shut up and let us work." Giles snapped. Both Alastair and Belinda quickly closed their mouths. Giles turned toward the rest. "Let's go. You know what we have to do."

His order was met by stifled groans as the slayer and the Scoobies got up and headed for the stack of books that was permanently kept at the watcher's home. They held the more common and well-known prophecies and demons. Giles wasn't sure if this particular threat would be in the books or not. He, too, sighed as he headed for his desk with both Alastair and Belinda complaining about their predicament. "And I suppose it would have been too much trouble for whomever did this to add an inability to speak to the spell?" He muttered just loud enough for everyone to hear as he flipped open the first book.

6 hours later

Giles closed the dusty book with a sigh. He looked around his living room with a sense of forboding. After turning up nothing in the books he kept at his apartment, he had sent Xander and Anya to the Magick Box for others, vainly hoping that one of the more esoteric texts would hold a clue as to why he now had an irate fellow Watcher and his new slayer frozen in his living room. Unfortunately for all involved (although Giles guessed the frozen duo was actually enjoying this aspect), the spell had not frozen their mouths, and thus they had kept up a steady stream of complaints since fifteen minutes into the research. Giles glared at them, mentally bidding them to be quiet.

"Well, I haven't found anything," Willow spoke as she closed her book with a muted thud. She wrinkled her as she reached for another only to discover that she had already examined it.

"What? What have you been doing all this time? Just how hard can it be to find out what's keeping us frozen?" Alastair snapped, shooting dagger-filled looks at the other occupants of the room.

Willow turned to him, a cold expression on her face. "How many times have you researched something like this, Mr. Singleton?"

Alastair looked at her, his face showing some surprise and hesitation. "Well, I've actually never ... that is to say, I've aided others in researching, but--" He attempted to wrench his head around to glare at Anya who sniggered at his response. Unfortunately for him it only emphasized his inability to move, causing him become even more frustrated with both the situation and with the Scoobies.

"So you haven't actually done anything have you?" Willow asked, with exaggerated innocence.

"I resent that remark! I've done plenty to help my fellow Council members!" He blustered, looking as affronted as possible for a man frozen in the middle of a room could.

"What were you, gopher-boy? Did you fetch tea and crumpets for the big boys?" Willow questioned, her head cocked to the side. Both Giles and Xander made protesting noises at that remark. Willow shot them both apologetic glances before returning her gaze to Alastair. He didn't reply, merely turning his glare to the others in the room. Willow pressed forth, determined to prove her point. "You've never actually done research where the effectiveness of your research will affect those around you. And I know you've never researched on a Hellmouth. So until you have that experience, I suggest you close your mouth and be quiet and let us work!"

As Willow finished speaking, Xander stood, saying "Speaking of gopher boy, anybody want anything from the kitchen?" A chorus of no's answered his question as he hurried into the kitchen.

Belinda sighed loudly, obviously put out by the redhead's interrogation of her watcher. Willow turned her attention on Belinda, raising an eyebrow. "Yes, Belinda? You wanted to add something?"

"Why are you all being so mean? You don't know what this feels like, being so helpless! Having something take over your body that you have no control over!" She whined, pouting.

Xander snorted, having returned to the room in time to hear Belinda. The others bit their collective lips to keep from laughing at her facial expression. "What?" She asked suspiciously.

Xander looked at her, smiling thinly. "Funny you should mention something like that. See, back in high school, I got turned into a hyena. I wasn't there when the rest of the pack ate the principal, but let me tell you, not of the fun. And we can't forget the Halloween where Ethan turned us all into our costumes. No sir, being turned into a soldier is a little bit hard to forget."

Willow spoke up next, not giving Belinda a chance to think of a retort. "Well, that was one Halloween I definitely won't forget. Though going through walls was kinda neat," she said, smiling.

"Going through walls?" Belinda asked, tentatively, obviously aware that she had blundered when she brought up the subject of helplessness.

Willow nodded. "I got turned into a ghost," she replied.

"A ghost of *what* we don't know exactly," Xander muttered, assuming an innocent statement when Willow glared at him.

Buffy raised her hand next, getting their attention. "Oooh, oooh! Me next! I got turned into a 18th century lady and Spike almost ate me! Oh, and on my 18th birthday, Giles gave me some drugs that stripped my slayer powers away," she said, wrinkling her nose at her Watcher. She turned to Belinda and stage-whispered. "That, by the way, is SOP for the Council. Just thought ya should probably know that little bit of info."

Belinda looked at her in shock, glancing at Alastair almost fearfully.

"Well, Buffy. I have apologized to you on numerous occasions about that dreadful incident. And let's not forget that you did try to kill me when Ethan turned me into a Fyarl demon," Giles pointed out, fighting a smile. He and Buffy had long since forgiven each other for their various mistakes of the past and could now make jokes about their decisions.

Buffy grinned impishly in return. "But I didn't," she replied.

Spike spoke up next. "You made quite a good Fyarl demon, Ripper. I liked your sense of humour then. Me? Been kidnapped. Got a chip implanted in my brain so I can't hurt humans. Bloody ridiculous if you ask me. A vampire who can't bite," he grumbled, almost to himself. He stood quickly, grabbed his mug and stalked to the kitchen.

Willow sighed, even after all these years it still upset him to talk about his deficiencies in the biting, killing and maiming area. While she was glad that she didn't have to deal with the emotions being in love with someone who killed human beings to survive would bring, she also realized that it would be many years (if ever) before the blond vampire would be comfortable with who he now was. It could take years to become accustomed to something new, especially if the opposite had been ingrained for a long time. Spike had spent over a century to getting in touch with his dark and deadly side. She could only imagine how it felt to have something so fundamental being ripped from you without warning.

"So you see, Belinda, we do know what it's like to feel helpless," Willow said softly, her attention focused on the muted sounds from the kitchen. "Excuse me," she said, rising from her seat and making her way into the kitchen. "Baby?"

Spike turned to her and forced a smile. "Hey pet. I would like to point out that you looked bloody hot that Halloween. Took my breath away, or it would have if I had any."

Willow didn't reply, she simply walked up to him and put her arms around his waist. She tilted her head up so she could see his face and was rewarded with a light kiss. She smiled almost sadly. "We'll get it out you know," she whispered.

Spike stiffened minutely and nodded sharply. "Course we will. And then we'll solve world hunger, bring about world peace, and fight to assure that every little kiddie has access to the 'net to look up naughty things they shouldn't."

Willow sighed and pulled away, her resolve face firmly in place. "We *will* find a way. They put it in, I will find a way to take it out," she said, resolutely.

Spike pulled her back into his embrace. "Sorry, love. It's just ... I get frustrated. And have you thought about what will happen when it *does* come out? I'll be able to feed on humans again," he pointed out.

Willow gaped at him. "You'd ... you'd feed on humans again?" She gasped out, shocked and dismayed. She hadn't really considered the possibility that he would kill again for food. Intellectually she knew it was a possiblity, but she hadn't really acknowledged the fact until he said it.

Spike rolled his eyes. "I'm a vampire, baby. It's what I do."

"Not all vampires do. Angel doesn't!" Willow knew she made a mistake in bringing up Spike's grandsire as soon as the words left her mouth. She opened her mouth to apologize but shut it quickly when she heard Spike's growl.

"I am *not* the Poof. If you want the Poof, go visit him in L.A.," Spike snapped, pushing Willow away.

"Spike, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that," Willow said softly, her face mirroring her inner turmoil at causing her lover pain. She reached out a hand to him, her lower lip trembling.

Spike stared at her hand for a moment before relenting, taking it. "I know you didn't, pet. Just sick of being compared to him is all."

"I know, I'm sorry." Willow searched for something else to say to try to ease the pain of her gaffe.

"Don't worry about it," Spike said sharply, wanting the conversation over. He sighed as Willow winced at his tone. He cleared his throat and decided to change the subject. "So, something about the predicament of two out there seems familiar."

Willow blinked, her mind quickly shifting gears back to the current problem. "What is it? Have you seen this before?" Gripping his hand firmly, she led him back into the living room where Alastair and Giles were involved in a staring contest.

"Spike says this whole thing is familiar to him." Her simple statement got the attention of the room.

"Really? Please, tell us more, Spike," Giles said, putting his glasses back on.

"Why didn't you say that before?" Alastair snapped. A growl from Spike quickly shut him up.

"Actually, I gotta go with E.W. II, on this one, Junior. Why'd you make us sit through their whining if you knew what was wrong?" Xander asked.

"E.W. II??" Belinda asked, outraged at the attitude toward her mentor.

"Yep. See, Gwendolyn Post was the original Evil Watcher. Now Wesley ... he was boring and English, but not too bad in the end." Xander explained, gesturing toward Alastair. "So he's Evil Watcher II. Hey, Giles? What is it with you Watchers anyway? Do you guys draw lots at Watcher College to see who goes all Darth Vader-y on us? 'Cause I gotta admit, G-man, I would really vote for more Obi-wans." Xander said, his face showing his amusement.

"Um, excuse me? Can we get back to the topic on hand?" Alastair asked, preventing Giles from replying to Xander's teasing.

Spike cleared his throat. "The reason I didn't say anything is 'cause I couldn't figure out what I was seeing."

"So what is it?" Anya asked, becoming annoyed that nobody was getting to the point. She had plans later that evening involving Xander, handcuffs and whipped cream. While she knew she would upset her friends if she mentioned it, that did not stop her from thinking about it and lamenting to herself that this entire frozen issue had thrown off her time table. Now she'would have to rethink certain aspects of her night.

"Good question, ducks. Still not entirely sure," Spike said. He froze and looked toward the door, a surprised e-xpression on his face. "Though I think we might be about to find out."

"What?" Willow asked, confused.

Spike grinned and pointed to the door. "Go answer the door, love."

"But no-one has knocked on the door. You don't open the door unless someone knocks. Or rings the bell. Both are acceptable ways to show that someone wants to be let in," Anya said.

Spike merely looked wise and pushed Willow toward the door. She shook her head, confused by her lover's action. She gave him one last, perplexed look before turning the knob and opening the door. She stepped back in surprise.

"Little tree!" Drusilla squealed, clutching a package to her chest and bouncing on her toes. "Just who I wanted to see! I've just come back from Rome and I brought you a pressie! I do hope you like it, I had to search for weeks and weeks to find the right one." She said, holding up a meticulously wrapped gift box.

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