Willow's Ripper

Waking Wakefield

by Robin2

�� The last thing Willow Wakefield expected to find three nights before her wedding day was her fianc� snug in the arms of her best friend. Naked. In her bed. Well, that and the blizzard. Oh, and the man she�d found slumped outside her bedroom window unconscious and in danger of freezing to death. But there it all was, staring her in the face. Plain as day. In less than three hour�s time her life had become an almost unbearable clich�.

Willow swore loudly and slammed the microwave door shut. She jabbed at the buttons like she�d wanted to poke at Cammie�s big green eyes. She couldn�t do that, oh no. She had to remain calm sensible Willow, nurse to the world�s ego. Doormat to the world�s muddy boots.

�Yep,� she muttered as she bent her knees to peer in the microwave. �That�s me, one big calm, sensible, doormat.�

�Wills.�

Richard�s heavy voice sounded from the doorway. She kept her back to him. Let him simmer in guilt. Let him get all wrinkly. Let him drown for all she cared.

�You can�t shut us out like this. It�s not fair,� he said.

�There are knives in here, Richard,� she said quietly as she busied herself opening cabinets in search of the hot chocolate. She hoped the threat carried across the room. �Don�t make me use one.�

In a while, when the roads cleared enough for everyone to go home, she�d have her breakdown. Willow sighed. �How�s the man?�

�Cammie�s taking care of him,� Richard said. �She�s having a difficult time raising his body temperature, though.�

�I�d think she be perfect for the job,� Willow said finally turning to face her fianc�. Ex-fianc�, she quickly corrected herself.

�She didn�t have any problems raising your temperature,� she said, then looked pointedly at his crotch and cocked an eyebrow. �Or anything else if memory serves me.�

The microwave sounded and Willow turned around and jerked the door open. The water she�d heated for hot chocolate bubbled. So tempting, she thought, so damn tempting just to throw it at him. She kept her hands busy putting mugs and packets on a tray and when all was loaded lifted it from the counter and turned.

Richard blocked the door and spread his hands. Willow stopped short unsure of his intentions, but damn sure she wasn�t going to touch him. Unless it involved his physical discomfort.

�I�ve been meaning to tell you for a while, Wills,� he said. His brown eyes widened. �There was just never a good time.�

�Never a good time?� Willow repeated in disbelief. She turned and slammed the tray on the stove. Mugs clattered and water sloshed. Later she would revel in the fact that he had jumped, but now she was too angry.

�When was a good time, Richard?� She demanded. She felt her voice rise and struggled to keep it low. �After our vows? Our honeymoon?�

She shook her head and brought her hands to her face. If she let go now she�d be useless to help the man on her couch. That thought alone helped her focus. She could do something about him. Richard and Cammie were a lost cause. The merely took up space and air. She snatched the tray off the stove and stepped forward.

�You�re in my way,� she reminded him.

�Don�t be like this,� Richard whispered. �I made a mistake.�

Willow stopped short again. She felt the blood vessels expand in her face as the furious blush crawled up her neck.

�Get out of my way,� she enunciated each word.

When she saw him pause she groaned and pushed past him.�The instant the roads get passable, you�re out of here,� she called over her shoulder as she made her way to the living room.

She stopped just inside the doorway long enough to see Cammie leaning over the man on her couch. All of Cammie�s blonde goddess appeal radiated around the room, and for the first time in years Willow allowed the latent jealousy to rear its ugly head to join its not so latent partner, self-doubt.

Sure, Willow thought as she forced herself to cross the room and look at Cammie, You can have any man in the world you want, and probably have, her jealous voice chimed in, and you choose mine. And now you�re showing off your goods to the knocked out pervert on my couch.

�We should call 911,� Cammie said. She pulled the blankets tighter around the man�s shoulders. �He looks dead.�

�Why don�t you get out there and write help in the snow?� Willow suggested as she set the tray on the coffee table.

�The phones are out, remember? Big blizzard and all?� Cammie glanced up quickly.

�I�m serious, Wills,� she said. �I think he�s dead.�

Willow stood and walked to the man�s side. She stared down at him, fully prepared to point out what an idiot Cammie was but the fact that the man�s chest didn�t move stopped the words on her lips.

�Oh my -� she sputtered. Then put her hands to his cool wrist. Nothing. She let it go and it dropped with a muted thud back on the couch.

Her mind raced with nothing-something-everything as it tried to make sense of the situation. A dead pervert on her couch was something she�d never even considered handling before.

�What do we do?� Cammie asked. Her voice took an alarming pitch to it and she looked helplessly to Willow.

�I don�t know,� Willow stammered. She felt her knees start to give and sank to the hassock.�I don�t know.�

In the distance she heard Cammie shrieking for Richard, but could really only focus on the dead blonde man who took up her couch. How long until he started to smell? Should she move him back outside to keep him fresh? She didn�t want to say it served him right for peeping in on her, but�.

�Good Lord, Wills,� Richard exclaimed drawing to an abrupt halt just before the couch. �What are we going to do?�

�Why does everyone keep asking me?� Willow demanded. She stood and turned to face the stricken couple. �I thought I had enough to worry about today.�

Both Richard and Cammie took a step back.�We wanted to tell you,� Cammie said. She faltered a weak smile and reached for Richard�s hand.

�But you didn�t,� Willow fired back at her.She felt herself on the edge and brought her hand to her temple.

�Now, instead of my wearing my big white dress and greeting 258 of my closest friends and relatives I�m stuck at home with a dead guy, a lousy ex-fianc�, and a bitch of an ex-best friend, while a blizzard rages outside.� She shouted the last three words then stormed from the room.

Willow stopped in the hall and turned in a half circle. Her house wasn�t that big. There weren�t many places for her to escape to and the bedroom wasn�t an option. It�d take weeks of sterilizing for her to get the stench of the betrayal that had taken place there.

In a fit of temper she growled then headed for the bathroom. At least she had something to read to keep her occupied long enough should Cammie and Richard decide they have to use the facilities.Let them suffer, she thought putting down the toilet lid and grabbing a magazine.

Spike raised an eyebrow and pried open one eye. The blackouts had been occurring at least once a month for a little over a year now and never with a pattern. He�d be there happily munching on some unfortunate stray and then BAM, out cold.

Bloody chip, he swore to himself. Bloody Initiative. Bloody Scoobies. He moved to sit up and the usual post-black out blinding stab of pain exploded over his left eye. He brought his hands to his head and groaned.

�Bloody hell.�

It was then that somebody screamed. Two somebodies actually. The scream itself didn�t bother Spike, he was rather used to people screaming because of him. Or, he corrected himself sourly he had been before that blasted chip had been inserted.

What made him jump to his feet was the flurry of activity that surrounded him and then the pregnant silence.It�d been a while since he�d fed or the sparkles and stars that whirled before his eyes would have been gone in a human�s instant.

Yet in the less than ten seconds it took for his eyesight to return to normal he let his more primitive instincts guide him.He smelled them, a man and a woman. And he smelled their sex. Not to mention the fear. Spike blinked and his eyes refocused. What he saw brought a slight smile to his lips.

�Stand back,� the man commanded. �Just stay right there.�

Spike spread his arms then pointed to the ground.�Here, mate?� he asked.

He raised an eyebrow then he took a step toward the cowering man who struggled so hard to be brave but whose shaking limbs more than gave his fear away. Bloody poufter, he thought and then rolled his eyes.

�Or here?�

Spike grinned over the man�s shoulder. That blonde chit wasn�t so bad; a bit too much with the big hair, but otherwise quite pleasing to the old groin.

�Hallo, cutie,� he said. He nodded at her and was pleased to see her smile and shake her hair from her eyes.

�You leave her alone,� the man said.He reached his arm behind him and Spike could see that he pulled the blonde even closer. Spike couldn�t help but smile. In the pre-chip days he would have considered this playing with his food, but now he enjoyed it for what it had to be - a good old-fashioned pissing contest between the wanker and himself.

�Protecting your woman,� Spike said. �Isn�t that adorable? Now, do you think you can control that nancy-boy heart of yours, mate? That pounding is giving me a headache.�

�Y-you were dead,� the man accused. He held out a shaky hand and pointed to the vampire.

�I�m always dead, Peaches,� Spike sighed.God, for the good old days. This prat would have already been dinner and his blonde chit desert.

His stomach rumbled.�Don�t suppose either of you are demon?�

A flurry of activity drew his attention to the hallway where a red-haired woman stood with her pretty mouth hanging open. He inhaled deeply, but needlessly, and frowned. There was no fear in this one, or at least none he could smell.

Before he could say anything she rushed toward him. Spike tensed for two kinds of pain, whatever her hidden weapon would impose and whatever the chip would do when he tried to defend himself.In an instant she was all over him, assaulting his senses with worry, and admonishments to rest. Spike gave up protecting himself and succumbed to sitting back on the couch. No one had been this kind to him since-

�Willow,� the wanker prince spoke. �He�s-�

Spike raised a brow. Willow? Another red-haired Willow?

�Yes, I know, Richard,� she said leaning down to pull the blankets from the floor.

Spike smirked in appreciation of the view she gave him. Same hair, same name, much better ass.

�But he almost died.�

Spike watched in silent amusement as the woman pulled rank on the other two and ordered them here and there. Not only did she have no idea what he was, she had something interesting over the two humans. He shrugged into the pillow, this could be fun. Her glare stopped him and he pulled a straight innocent face.

�What, Red?� he asked. How long had it been since he�d used that particular term of endearment? When she spoke her voice was direct and no nonsense and she leaned in so they were practically eyeball to eyeball. Blue eyes, like his. Not like the witches, Spike noted.

�Listen, pervert,� she said.

Pervert? I like her.

�I�ve had a very bad day and I know how to use knives and hot water.�

Knives and hot water? Had he reached Nirvana?

�Don�t try anything funny and I won�t have to tie you up.�

Now I really like her. Kinky and cute.

Cammie returned with the tray and set it as far away from him as she could then went to Richard�s lap.

Spike frowned at the poufter then returned his attention to the busty and spunky woman who jerked the covers around his chin. Then handed him a mug of hot something. Probably chocolate. Spike nixed the idea of asking for warm blood, much as he craved it. He should probably leave, the weather, aside from sun had no mortal affect on him, but something was amiss here and he knew it was too good to pass up.

�I promise, Pet. I�ll be good.�

Willow frowned and backed into the nearest chair. She sat down, reached for a mug and brought it slowly to her lips. Strange. He�d been dead moments before, she�d been sure of it. Cold, no pulse, pale. That pretty much spelled dead in her book.

You�re no doctor, Wakefield, she reminded herself.

Richard and Cammie whispered back and forth and cast wary looks at their guest, and Willow�s stomach rolled at the cozy sight of the two of them cuddled together. She wanted to cry, but she was still too mad, and life had taken a surreal turn. Probably in shock, she thought. It�s not every day you get betrayed, probably almost robbed and raped, and have a dead man come back to life on your couch.

She studied the blonde man who lay silently taking in his surroundings. His hot chocolate sat untouched. Willow knew she should probably tie him up, or at the very least lock him in a closet. He had, after all tried to get into her house.

Everything about him screamed lazy danger; short bleached blonde hair, almost white, razor sharp cheeks, full lips, amazing blue eyes. She blinked, surprised, then corrected herself. Amazingly shifty eyes. That was it. There was nothing remotely attractive about him. Nope. Nothing at all.

�At least he�s not armed,� Richard said.

You just keep cowering in the corner, asshole, Willow thought, irritated with his sudden bravado.

�I still think we should tie him up,� Cammie chimed in. �We�re not safe, Wills. He tried to kill us.�

Willow opened her mouth but the man cut her off. He sounded as annoyed as she felt.�I did not try to kill anyone. I can�t kill anyone,� he paused as in thought, �At least not anyone human.�

English. Definitely English. Gawd, the accent. She gave herself a mental shake. Knock it off, Girl.

�I was passin� by on my way to the butchers and I heard you two goin� at it. Decided to have myself a looksee. Quite the little show,� he licked his red lips and cocked his head to the side.

Despite herself Willow groaned. It had been quite the show. She closed her eyes and shook her head at the fresh memory.

�Wait a tick,� the man said slowly.

Willow opened her eyes.

�You talk a lot for someone who almost died,� she said, hoping he�d hear the warning she tried to put in her voice.

�I know that look,� he continued, ignoring her. He certainly did know that look. He�d had it a few times himself. "Dicky here was being naughty with Cammie.�

�That�s none of your business,� Richard yelled from across the room. He looked ready to pounce.

At least mildly threatening, Willow disparaged.

Willow hated that she jumped the same time as Cammie and settled herself back in the chair.

�Let me guess,� the guest continued. Willow scowled at his barely contained amusement. �You walked in on them and Tricky Dicky was all bare assed up?�

�That�s one way of putting it,� Willow said. She stared down at her drink, then looked up quickly to him. �But it�s none of your business.�

He continued as if he hadn�t heard her,�So, now you�re all stuck here together courtesy of Mother Nature.�

He paused and tsked at Richard. �Quite the predicament, eh, Ducky?�

He turned to Willow. She scowled at his accusing expression.

�You�re going to let him get by with this? What is it with you little trees? Quit being so damned meek.�

�I�m not meek,� Willow sputtered. �I�m� stunned.�

The man sat up and waved his hand in the air like he was brushing away a fly. Willow felt her pulse increase as her stomach tightened.

�And who the hell are you?� she asked. �I could have left you outside to freeze to death, you know.�

No, I couldn�t, she argued with herself but she pushed the usual onslaught of maternal thoughts away. He sat back against the cushions and shrugged. Stop that, she thought furiously.

�Don�t take it out on me, Pet,� he said and then sighed. �Take it out on them. They�re the ones who got us into this mess.�

�I�m not taking it out on anyone,� Willow said.She crossed her arms over her chest. Who is this guy? She watched as he gave a curt nod then swung his booted feet up on her couch and settled back in the pillow. She refused to acknowledge her appreciation at his well-defined arms.

�Suit yourself, Red,� he said with a lazy shrug.

�I mean, it�s not like they don�t know how hurt I am,� Willow explained.She raised an eyebrow at Richard and Cammie.

They seemed to sink further into their chair under her scrutiny. Cower. Go ahead, and�be all� Willow struggled for the word, Cowering.

�Or how incredibly pissed I am. How I�ll never forgive either one of them. How just looking at them makes my ass twitch.�

Her guest�s stifled laugh brought her focus back on him.

�It�s not the first time, Pet,� he said. He flicked his eyes back to Richard and then winked. �There�s been at least two others, eh, Peaches?�

Willow felt her jaw drop as she looked from man to man. Richard�s red face was at stark contrast with her guest and instantly gave him away. She looked back to her guest and saw that he inhaled. A slow grin eased across his face.

�Last night? Two at the same time, Mate? I�m almost impressed. You don�t look the sort.�

Spike smiled. This was almost as much fun as annoying Barfy and the Scoobies. Xapper hadn�t even given him this much to work with. Besides, the wanker Richard, and his nancy-boy hair deserved this. He settled in the couch to watch the fireworks explode.

�You said nothing happened, just poker,� Cammie squealed. She pushed herself angrily from Richard�s lap.

�Oh, he poked them alright,� Spike threw in at the same time Willow said, �Isn�t that supposed to be my line?�

�Nothing happened,� Richard swore. He looked pleadingly up to Cammie and then Willow. �I swear.�

�And don�t you play so innocent,� Spike tsked at Cammie. �Ducky here�s not the only one who�s�.�

He wiggled his eyebrows. Damn, this was fun. The most fun he�d had since leaving Sunnyhell twenty-five years ago.

�How do you know this?� Willow asked. She squinted her blue eyes at him and a single line burrowed between her brow.

�They reek of it, Pet,� he said simply.Richard and Cammie fought in the background, but he tuned them out. Same old, same old, he thought blandly. How could you do this to me� blah, blah, blah. But this Willow was all together more interesting. Maybe it was the name, or the hair. He wasn�t sure.

�Name�s Spike,� he introduced himself suddenly wishing for a ciggy. He spied his duster across the room, hung neatly on the coat rack.

He watched Willow�s face cover the range of surprise to disgust and she shook her head.

�I don�t care,� she informed him incredulously. Her blue eyed gaze darted between him and the dueling new �couple� in her living room.

�Sure you don�t, Pet,� he said.

Kinky, cute, and feisty, he noted. Quite the combo. Quite the attractive combo and each second looking less and less like the red haired witch who�d been the second person to touch his unbeating heart. No, this one wouldn�t take any crap. Not for long any way. Rosenburg had been strong, but much too nice for his liking.

Another thing this little tree had over the original was life. Red and the others had long since been dead. Old age, some. Bad luck, others. He shrugged off the memory and concentrated on the Willow at hand.

�What the hell kind of name is Spike, anyway?� she asked, pulling her attention away from the hallway Richard had just chased Cammie down.

He sighed. �One to be feared,� he answered. Out of the corner of his eye he saw her stiffen. �At least it was a long time ago. Lots of things have changed. Regrettably.�

�What?� Willow gave a bitter laugh. �They called you Spike in grade school? You talk like you�re two-hundred years old.�

Spike smirked. Do I, Red?�How old do I look?� he asked.

At least she wasn�t brooding about the wanker and the slut who, by the smell of things were getting to the making up part of their fight.

Willow strained to look over her shoulder to where he guessed the back bedroom was and then shrugged and looked back at him.

�I don�t know,� she answered. Her expression clearly told him she couldn�t care. �Late twenties? Early thirties?� Early thirties? He sat up straighter, offended. No one had ever said that. Early thirties?

�You don�t look that much older than me,� she continued giving him the once over.

A loud clatter from the backroom pulled her attention away. Spike leaned forward. He didn�t know why he cared, but he did know the feeling of betrayal. He�d had a few mortal lifetimes to dwell on what Dru had done to him.

�Why do you care about that sod, anyway?� he asked. He gestured to his coat. �Mind if I smoke?�

�Yeah,� Willow said. �I mind.�

Spike nodded and leaned back in the couch. She certainly had spirit, he had to give her that.

�Look, the way I figure it,� he said, �you can either play dead or fight dirty.�

Willow curled one foot under her and shook her head. �That�s not my style.�

�Which one?�

�Either,� she said.

�Looks like you�re playing dead.� He intentionally goaded her. It felt good. Hadn�t had a really good match since Barfy, and this one showed colors of being up to par. He saw her cheeks darken. The color suited her.

�Where are you from?� she asked, not rising to the challenge. �I�m assuming England.�

�Duh.�

�Bite me,� Willow shot back.

Spike smiled at the unaccustomed warmth her retort sent through his near empty gut. Ah, the memories, he thought.

�If I could, Red. If I could,� he muttered under his non-breath.There was a moment�s pause.

�My wedding�s in two days,� Willow murmured. �My godparents are flying in from California. It took me six months to find the perfect dress. I think I�m entitled to a little pout, don�t you?�

�Don�t get sad, Luv,� Spike said. �Get even.�

�I�m sorry,� Willow said. She shook her head and smiled at the sensations it caused. �I just can�t call you Spike. Reminds me too much of a dog.�

When it had become apparent that Cammie and Richard weren�t coming out of the bedroom any time soon she�d forgone the hot chocolate in favor of the liquor cabinet. This time Spike did join her. That had been over an hour ago and they�d already downed a bottle each. She poured herself another glass and settled back in the couch. Closer to Spike.

�You�ve got to have another name.�

�An wha would that be, Pet?� he asked.

Willow giggled. Even slurred his accent was adorable.

�I dunno, Luv,� she said in imitation. She leaned her head on his shoulder and inhaled. Tobacco, sherry, and soap wafted upward reminding her of nights in an out of the way jazz bar. Not that she�d ever been in one.�You smell yummy.�

Spike laughed. �So do you, Red.�

Willow laughed and pulled away from him. She hadn�t smoked in years, not since she�d met Richard, but then again, she hadn�t had a drink since then, either. Not that she�d been a true smoker - just when she drank, but right now, she had the urge. What the hell? She giggled and steadied herself on her feet before crossing the room.

�Wha you up to, Red?� Spike called after her.

Willow smiled at him over her shoulder and then turned to search through the deep pockets of his duster. Red, she thought with a little thrill. People had tried to call her that all her life. It was an annoying little nickname, but not when it came from him. She smiled triumphantly as her hand closed over a crumpled pack of cigarettes. She pulled them out triumphantly.

�You smoke?� Spike looked surprised.

�I do now.�

**************

�And that�s the story of Willow and Dicky,� Willow said.

Spike watched in fascination as she blew a near perfect smoke ring then crushed his last cigarette out in Richard�s favorite mug. She�d designated that their ash tray early on in their tobacco fest. He lifted his arm and settled it around her shoulders as she changed position. They now sat on the floor leaning against the couch and watching the fire from the gas logs crackle.

�That was epic,� he said dully. �A love story for the ages. Woman afraid of becoming a spinster accepts proposal from the first bloke who offers. Can�t wait for the movie.�

�Like you can do any better?� Willow asked.

She looked up at him, her blue eyes half-mast and heavy with drink, and sexy as hell, Spike thought.

Spike considered for a moment retelling the saga of him and Dru, but decided against it. Who hasn�t been miserable?

�Probably not, Pet,� he murmured against her hair instead.

They sat a while longer in silence. Willow was close to falling asleep. He felt her pulse slow and the slow drop in her body temperature. She turned and the side of her breast brushed against his chest. Spike grinned. Not exactly the worst feeling in the world. Hell of a lot better than a stake through the heart.

The sound of fabric against fabric mixed with the crackling of the fireplace as he searched for a clock. He could smell the dawn approaching and the large windows that covered the front of her house would be very little protection against the morning�s light.

�What�s say we kick those two losers out of your room,� he suggested casually, carefully. No need to scare the little tree.

�Is that what you meant by playing dirty?� Willow�s sleepy voice answered him.

Her voice might have been sleepy, but he could tell by the rush of blood through her veins that something inside her had woken up.Willow shifted on the floor then used the couch to pull herself to standing. Red hair tumbled around her shoulders and into her face. Spike smiled as she lifted a small hand to push it free from her eyes then rubbed vigorously at the end of her nose.

�You�re adorable,� he said still looking up at her. Willow blinked at him for a few seconds then sank to her knees. Spike�s eyes widened in genuine shock when she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his.

�Don�t look so surprised,� Willow said when she pulled away. �I�m three sheets to the wind and on a serious rebound. I�m pretty much a sure thing.�

�I�m insulted,� Spike lied already feeling himself harden. A completely unexpected turn of events. If I wasn�t a demon, I�d thank God.

Willow grinned and sat back on her heels. She nonchalantly popped the first button of her blouse and then the second.

�Unless,� she said, �you�d rather not.�

Spike swallowed as she exposed more of the tender flesh. He felt his tongue snake out to moisten his bottom lip. Just one taste.

�Now, I never said that, cutie,� he managed. �But I can�t promise you anything more than a really good time.�

He emphasized the word really and waited for her response. He gulped as another button popped.

�And I don�t want anything more than a really good time. It�s been quite a while since I�ve had a�fun.�

The meaning was not lost on him. He got to his knees and slid his arms around her small waist.

�Oh, I�m good at fun,� he assured her.He leaned forward and nipped at her protruding lower lip then touched it lightly with his tongue. Her sudden inhale and scent of arousal were his rewards.

**************

Let him think I�m drunk, Willow thought as she lifted her body to meet his mouth. He seemed like a no strings kind of guy who, at that moment was exactly what she wanted. Their conversations, in the hours before that very moment (right then, when he�d run his moist tongue down past her navel) had all been leading up to then.

She giggled at the memory of Richard�s expression when Spike, what a great name, and she�d burst through the door and announced that it was their turn to shag. Shag. What a great word. So� succinct.

�That tickle, Luv?� Spike murmured barely looking up from her belly. How long has he been there? Making love to my belly button?

Willow squirmed under his cool touch. Has Richard ever done that? She couldn�t remember. She didn�t care. Coherent thought left her and her brain stem took over when Spike�s cool tongue touched lightly on her mound then expertly darted between the lips. She heard a groan and felt the telltale wave start to rise.

�Not yet, Pet,� Spike said hoarsely. He moved to kiss her inner thigh and slid his hand up from her ankle to her sex. Sweet torture. Sweet Jesus. Willow squeezed her eyes tighter together and exhaled slowly willing away the impending orgasm. How long had it been since a man had given her that sweet escape? She couldn�t remember and stopped trying when Spike�s mouth joined his hand. She tried to hold back, but couldn�t. Only one thought invaded her mind and broke through her lips.

�Yes.�

Spike felt his demon surge forward and felt his face morph as Willow called out her release. Always he was grateful for the position, but especially now. He wasn�t sure if he�d ever need let her know his true nature, but was especially sure that tonight wasn�t the night.

He struggled as her pulse thundered in his ears. So sweet, he thought. She tasted so sweet that her blood would surely be as intoxicating. His demon growled and a familiar ache started behind his left brow.

Spike groaned and lay his head on her trembling thigh.His body ached for its own release, but the sudden fit his demon pulled warned him against possibly exposing himself. He groaned again. Bloody chip. When he finally had himself under control he raised his head and looked across Willow�s flat stomach.

�There you are,� Willow whispered. She opened her arms for him and he moved into them, and rested his head between the comforting fullness of her breasts.

�Where were you just then?� she asked quietly.

Spike practically purred as she laced her fingers through his short hair, but stopped himself. Bloody Sunnyhell, he swore. Being there made me all soft. As if to remind him otherwise his still swollen member twitched.

Spike grinned. �I believe I was escorting you to paradise." He felt her chest rise with a short but happy enough laugh.

�Nice place,� she mused as her fingers found a short curl at the nape of his neck. Her throaty voice betrayed her exhaustion.�I�ll have to take you there.�

Spike nodded, then reluctantly pulled his head from her breasts. Willow scooted down and drew the covers tighter around them. Spike leaned up on one elbow and supported his head in his hand as he gazed down at her. He leaned down and kissed her forehead chastely.

�Maybe after you rest, Pet,� he said. I�m getting bloody daft, he thought, trying to rile up some good old-fashioned indignation. The old Spike would take her right now. You�ve become some bleedin� heart wanker. Angelus would be so proud.

His stomach rumbled its dissatisfaction, but he pushed it to the back of his thoughts. First and foremost on his mind was the woman who�d just turned on her side and snuggled that sweet ass into his crotch.

�Help yourself to anything in the fridge,� Willow murmured as her eyelids dropped and her breathing deepened.

Wouldn�t happen to have a nice bag of pig�s blood in there, would you, Pet?, Spike thought wryly. Instead he lifted the hair from her shoulder, kissed the newly exposed skin and assured her he�d definitely help himself.

*************

When Willow finally rolled over and stretched three things greeted her, a pounding head, extremely bad morning breath, and a still blonde man who lay sprawled on her bed wearing nothing but black jeans. She resisted the urge to stroke his chiseled cheekbones.

Then came the flood of memories. Bottles of alcohol, cigarettes, oral sex. She lay still for a moment caught between embarrassment and pride. She, Willow Wakefield, the world�s muddiest doormat, had had her first one night stand. She looked again at Spike and bit her lower lip to stop the smile. Not a bad choice. Not a bad choice at all, Wills.

She lay her big head back on the pillow and rolled it to the other side to see the clock. Already it was after three in the afternoon. Had she really slept that long? Granted she�d stayed up all night, but three in the afternoon?

Her Wow changed to Ow as she made her first attempt to get out of bed.

�Be still, Pet,� Spike murmured. He rolled to his side and captured her with an arm around her waist. �It�s not time to get up yet. Sun�s still out.�

Willow closed her eyes to the bellowing whisper and forced out the only word she could.�Aspirin.�

�Thins the blood.�

�Stops the headache.�

Spike nodded and released her. She didn�t miss his one eye opened grin at her as she stumbled around the room balancing herself on this piece of furniture and that as she looked for her robe.

�At the risk of sounding redundant,� he said. �You�re adorable.�

Willow stopped at the dresser, thankful her back was to him, and let the pleased blush crawl from her stomach to her face. That accent, she thought, with a pleased sigh. That tongue. She closed her eyes and whimpered. My head.

�Aspirin,� she said again as she pulled her robe off the back of her bedroom door and gingerly slid into it then opened the door.

She paused a few seconds outside her bedroom and listened as Richard and Cammie made homey little sounds in the kitchen.

How precious, she thought insolently. They�re setting up house. Too bad it�s in my house. Wonder if I�ll be a bridesmaid.She took a deep breath and went into the bathroom. Fortunately the aspirin bottle was still on the second shelf in her medicine cabinet. She fumbled a bit with the adult proof cap and then shook three little white pills into her hand.

She attributed morning clumsiness with her next smooth move and knocked the glass off the counter. She closed her eyes to the painful sigh then bent to pick up the mess.

*********

This is a life I can get used to again, Spike noted as he stretched under her sheets. He inhaled her delicious scent still on the pillow next to him and ignored the stench of the two other. He pulled the cotton jersey tighter around his chin and sighed needlessly. His stomach growled again. He�d have to feed soon or he�d get very�.

Spike sat up quickly. Blood. The sweet metallic smell of blood came from outside the door. He felt the demon surge then fought quickly to repress it when he heard Willow curse and fumble with the knob. Couldn�t have been one of the other two, could it?

�Damn. Damn. Damn,� Willow swore as she entered the room.Spike saw straight away that the hand towel she�d wrapped around her injured hand already had blood wicking through to the outer layer.

�That looks nasty,� he said as he sat up on his knees then crawled across the bed to reach her. And nummy.Willow winced and swore again.

�Let me see, Red,� Spike urged as he gently unwound the towel to reveal the jagged cut. His stomach growled again along with the demon.

�It�s not too deep. You won�t need stitches,� he said through clenched teeth. He would not transform in front of her. Not yet, anyway. Probably never, as soon as the sun set he�d be on his way.

�Don�t suppose you�re a doctor,� Willow asked through clenched teeth

�Best I can do is kiss it and make it better,� Spike said. He took a longing look at the blood that welled up along the wound and then forced himself to smile at her. He hoped it was a reassuring one and not gruesome. Hunger clinched his stomach. He turned her by the shoulders and nudged her toward the rumpled mass of sheets.

�You get in bed, and I�ll be back in a second.�

Spike waited until she pulled the covers around her then cracked open the bedroom door and looked for streams of sunlight. The span of hallway before him remained comfortably dark, as did the living room it led into.

He frowned then stepped from the room. Something was not right. He smelled death and�without a second thought he pulled his game face�someone very familiar.

�Hallo, Peaches,� he said forcing himself to step casually around the corner.

He crossed his arms and bared his fangs to his grandsire.Angel sat in the armchair with Cammie slumped casually across his lap. Richard lay sprawled out on the couch. To the casual observer, if they could ignore the gaping hole in Richard�s throat, he looked to be resting comfortably.

Angelus grinned and stroked the blonde girl�s hair.�I saved you some,� he offered. He smiled. �She�s still alive.�

As if on cue, Cammie moaned. It was low, barely there, but Angelus hadn�t drained her. Spike smirked and rolled his shoulder off the wall. He would feed. He had to feed, but he wouldn�t appear too eager. She was nearly dead now. The damage had been done. There was no way to save her. In fact, he would be showing her mercy. He took a step closer.

�Aww, Grandpa,� he teased knowing how much that term irked his elder, �You shouldn�t have.�

�Feed, William,� Angelus ordered. He flipped Cammie�s body to Spike with a mere flick of his wrists.

�Aren�t you one of the good guys now?� Spike asked catching the limp girl in his arms as easily as he would a pillow. This is going to taste so good.

�Darla took care of that�affliction,� Angelus said. He wiped the corners of his mouth and patted his belly.

Spike nodded. That bitch still around? He took a delicate test nibble and waited. Nothing but a dull thud. His demon rejoiced. He stifled a groan and sank his fangs deeper into the woman�s neck. He closed his eyes at the rapture that rolled into his mouth and down his throat.In the back of it all he heard Angelus stir and sensed him near, circling him.

�Get your strength back, William. Darla and Dru have found someone to remove the chip.�

Spike�s eyes popped open. The chip finally gone? Dru? Dru�s back?

When Cammie�s pulse stopped, Spike let her body drop. He swaggered for a second, drunk with blood and information, then swiped the back of his hand across his mouth. He turned to see Angelus staring toward the back room.

Willow.

�She�s still alive?�

Spike straightened his spine, his senses suddenly alive.

�Not bloody like I could kill her,� he announced with more bravado than he felt. Why should you care? He chastised himself. But he did.

His demon reared possessively when Angelus said,�I can take care of that little problem. I�m in the mood for a game or two.�

�That one�s mine,� Spike said throwing his arm out and catching Angelus in the jaw. Angelus growled then rubbed his jaw. He narrowed his yellow eyes dangerously.

Spike squared his shoulders, ready for a fight. How long had it been? He smiled and motioned Angelus forward.

�Feel like a go, old man?� He rolled his head to the side. �I�ve got the urge. Nothin� but time.�

He didn�t miss the knowing that slid across Angelus�s eyes.

�We can take her back for Dru. She�s been whining about needing a new doll,� his elder said.Spike rolled his eyes.

�Still singing that old song, is she? Should have let the slayer dust her when she had the chance.�In a rush of air he felt himself being lifted and slammed into the wall.

�She is my childe,� Angelus warned him. �And your sire.�

�Yeah,� Spike agreed. �And she left me for a chaos demon. I�ve no love for her. The insane bitch.�

Angelus�s growl turned into what could pass as a laugh and he lowered Spike to the floor.Both demon�s turned guiltily when Willow�s voice floated down the hall.

�Spike?�

�Go back to bed, Pet,� Spike called. �I�ll be there in a minute.� He rolled his eyes at the two dead bodies that littered her living room. Now you�ve done it. He smelled her blood coming closer.

�Go back to bed,� he called again.

�I heard something,� Willow said. She rounded the corner.

Almost every part of her body throbbed, Willow groaned. No more alcohol. No more smoking. No more one night stands, she promised herself. She tried to sit up but could do little more than lift her head. She licked her lips.

�Spike?� she called.A cool hand caressed her forehead.

�My Spike and my Daddy, are out, little tree,� a deliciously rich female voice informed her.

Cammie? Willow squinted and tried raising her head again. Pain shot through to her eyes and she groaned, nearly losing what little food she had left in her stomach.

�My dolly�s sick, Granmama.�

What the hell? Has Cammie gone over the edge?Willow let her head fall back as another woman�s impatient sigh cut through the room.

�Your dolly�s got a concussion. Now leave her alone and go feed your bird.�

�I don�t like this dolly,� the first voice whined. �She smells of my Spike.��

�Ow,� Willow exclaimed as the woman grabbed a handful of her hair and gave it a sharp tug.

�Watch it,� she warned, then cursed as her own voice reverberated in her skull. Who�d Cammie invited over? Have the roads cleared?

She pried open her eyes again and slowly the world came into focus. A delicate looking blonde woman leaned over her and held out a glass of water.

�Drink this,� she instructed.

As quickly as she could Willow scrambled from the bed and found herself in the corner of her bedroom. Her heart pounded.�

�Who are you?� Willow demanded. She felt her knees grow weak.�

The blonde smiled and brought a manicured hand to her chest.

�I�m Darla and the twit looking for her bird is Dru. We�re your new best friends.�

�Where is Richard? Where�s Cammie?� She snatched the alarm clock off the nightstand. �Where�s Spike?�

�Richard and Cammie died.� Darla sighed dramatically. �Tragic, really. They were so young.�

�D-died?� Willow stuttered. She lowered her arm slightly. Oh, God. And I was so mean to them.��An accident?�

I told him to get his tires changed. Willow blinked back the tears that stung her eyes.

�Not really. Angelus ate them. Well, he ate one of them,� Darla explained. She sat on the foot of the bed and picked a small ball of lint from the comforter.�

�My Spike enjoyed the girl. Full tummy for Spike,� Dru returned from the closet. Her eyes sparkled and she smiled.

Just as quickly a pout replaced the happy expression. She turned to Darla. �Miss Edith and my bird are gone, Granmama. The stars say they�re in the ground.�

�Are you high?� Willow asked. She clutched the clock to her chest.Her mind raced with a thousand reasons why these two women would be here. They had to be high. Spike was a dealer and had phoned his friends and invited them over. And there they were talking crazy stoned out of their gourd. She�d seen 20/20 episodes on just this very thing.

�Where are Richard and Cammie?� she demanded again. �And don�t tell me someone�s eaten them.�

Dru stepped forward, she looked eager. Willow yelped and pressed further into the wall.

�My Spike did eat the girl. His head didn�t hurt and he fed. When he and Angelus return what pains him will be gone and our family will be together.�

Dru bounced on her toes as she spoke. She turned back to Darla and clasped the cool blonde�s hands.�I must prepare a tea party.�

Both Darla and Willow watched as the brunette Dru glided happily from the room.

�Is she for real?� Willow asked.

Darla rolled her eyes and shook her head. Then patted an empty spot beside her.�Come. Sit. Let�s chat.�

Willow shook her head and held the clock back up.�No way.�

�I won�t hurt you,� Darla sounded impatient, yet polite. �We�ve got a lot to talk about before the boys get back.�

�Where are Richard and Cammie?� Willow asked again.

�In the living room. Resting comfortably,� Darla said. She patted the bed again. �How�s the hand, by the way? It was a nasty cut.�

Willow squinted at her then looked down at the neatly bandaged palm. �It throbs,� she said.

�Spike was worried. He made sure you were all tidied up and neatly arranged before he and Angelus left.�

Darla smiled as she let her straightened elbows prop her up. She crossed her legs. Play by play of the previous night�s activities rolled through Willow�s head.

She grimaced.�Oh yeah,� she said. �He�s a saint.��

Darla laughed, deep and throaty. �Not even close. Now sit. You�ve got a lot to decide before the boys return.�

�I�ll sit here,� Willow said. She pulled her robe tighter and sank to the floor. No way was she getting any closer to the crazy people than she had to.

�Suit yourself,� Darla shrugged. She cocked her head toward the hall.

�That twit thinks you�re going to be her dinner,� she explained. �But I�m willing to bet that Spike has other plans for you.�

Willow gulped and pulled her knees in protectively.�You�re speaking in euphemisms, right?�

�Dru�s a nice girl, but a little�� Darla paused then continued, �flighty. I�d stake her myself, but we�ve got that whole sire childe thing happening.�

Humor them. Isn�t that what all the professionals said? Humor the insane? Willow took a calming breath.�What exactly am I deciding?�

Darla looked startled. �Life or death, of course. Well, not really life. More of a�rebirth into the night.�

Great, Willow thought. She sucked in her cheeks and nodded her head. A gothic cult. Figures.

�So, you�re vampires,� she said as calmly as she could.�Of course they�re vampires. What self-respecting Goth would deny a kinship with the Dark Prince? Her eyes darted around the room for another weapon or means of escape. Just keep her talking.

At that revelation Darla took what appeared to be a refreshing breath and smiled.�Exactly.�

�So, what exactly does this entail? Being a vampire, I mean?�

At this Darla looked almost giddy.�Living in the finest hotels. Dining on the finest waiters. Seeing places you�ve always dreamed of seeing. Never growing old. Never dying �� she paused and a quick frown passed over her forehead. �Unless you run into a slayer.�

Again the smile returned and she waved her hand reassuringly.�But there�s very little chance of that. The current one�s still young and not very good.�

�And if I chose not to?� Willow asked.

�Then you die.�

�But I�ll be dead if I�m a vampire,� Willow pointed out.�

�You�ll have more freedom as one of us than you�ve ever dreamed possible,� Darla said. �Minus that whole pesky sunlight thing.�

�But my job? And what will happen when people notice I�m missing?�

Darla shrugged.�A band of crazed teens broke into your house, trashed it and killed everyone.�

�And if I refuse?�

Darla repeated herself. �Only, they�ll find your body.�

Willow jumped but Darla smiled brightly when they heard the front door smash open.

�Honey,� a distinct male voice announced, �we�re home.�

�Angelus,� Darla whispered. She stood and smoothed her black skirt. �Think about the offer,� she threw over her shoulder.

Willow watched as the small hips carried Darla from the room. She hurried to her feet when she no longer heard the woman�s footsteps in the carpet and looked around her room. In an instant she�d slid open the window and popped the screen to the bushes below. Frigid winter air greeted her bare feet and legs as she hoisted them over the sill, but Willow didn�t care.

She had to get away from those nutcases. She�d make it to her neighbors and hide out there.Adrenaline pumped through her body as she traveled four then five feet away from her house. Her feet burned above the cold wet snow but it only registered in the farthest regions of her mind. Willow cursed the thigh high drifts but kept moving. The Thomas house was only twenty more yards away. She�d call out, but she didn�t want to alert her intruders.

A full body block sent her tumbling face first into the snow. A hand on her neck caught her scream as an impossibly strong arm jerked her back.

�You wouldn�t be trying to leave our little party, would you?� A man�s soft voice whispered threateningly into her ear. �Drusilla would be so disappointed.�

Willow knew her body shook it had to have with the combined weather and terror, but she couldn�t feel it. She could feel nothing but the man�s hand entwined in her hair and his cool breath on her cheek.She looked up into chocolate brown eyes that should have housed so much more than what they did.

Don�t hurt me, her mind raced over and over as her heart threatened to rip through her chest. Angelus, she assumed, pulled her to him and kissed her mouth. She cried out when she felt his teeth break the tender skin of her lip.

�Peaches,� Spike�s familiar voice brought an unexpected flood of relief through her.�Willow felt her knees buckle and she leaned into Angelus despite her best efforts not to.

�You have Darla to play with,� Spike said.

Play with? Was this some kind of game? Willow felt the tears sting her eyes once more. I�m going to die. She strained to look over Angelus�s shoulder and saw Spike swagger to the front porch. A clean white bandage covered his brow, but otherwise he looked none the worse.

�This one�s mine and I don�t like frozen dinners.�

Angelus looked down at her. He smiled. Willow forced herself to stare back. You might kill me, but I�m not dying a coward. With seemingly little effort he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the porch.

They stopped just before Spike.�I trusted you,� Willow accused.�

Spike stepped back in pretense to leave room for Angelus and the girl to pass, but in reality his motive was to escape Willow�s betrayed expression.�

�Take her back to the bedroom,� he ordered. �And guard the bloody window this time.�

A conscious wasn�t new to him, he�d had one all his unlife. He�d been quite content to ignore its incessant ramblings until he�d gotten mixed up with the Buffy monster. Underneath all their name-calling and inept torture they�d showed him respect. Not out of fear, either � he still wasn�t sure how he sat with that one. In the end he�d called them friends, although never to their faces and never aloud.

Stop being such a bloody nancy-boy, he scolded himself as he watched Angelus pull Willow into the living room by her raised elbow. You�re a demon. End of story.

�How�s your head?� Darla asked. She walked up to him and gently smoothed the Band-Aid.

�Hurts,� Spike answered shortly. It hurts like hell. But well worth it to have that bloody chip gone. �Where�s Dru?�

How many years had it been? Thirty at least? How many others had she shagged in that time? His sire was not known for her monogamy. Or her loyalty. He growled. Drusilla, Daddy�s home. And he�s right pissed off.

Spike didn�t miss Darla�s indifferent raise of the brow. She motioned vaguely toward the kitchen.��In there I suspect, planning a little tea party.�

�Still babbling about that bitch Miss Edith?� he asked. God, he hated that doll. He hated all dolls for that matter.Darla sank easily into the couch and indicated that he should do the same. �

�Aww, Spikey,� she cooed when he crossed his arms over his chest and stayed put. �Come sit by your sister.�

He forced a laugh.��I thought it�d come full circle between you and Daddy,� he mused.

Darla laughed. �Are you kidding? It took months of torture before that twit and I managed to get our Angelus back.�

Spike winced at the emphasis she put on the word �our�. It brought to life images of his Dru entangled in Angelus�s arms and legs and thoroughly enjoying herself. In front of him, no less. Slut.He felt his jaw tighten but shook it away.

Darla had barely tolerated Drusilla�s ramblings when they�d been a team, and that was with him and Angelus running interference. Bitch is up to something.

�What do you want?�

She smiled and stretched her arms over her head. Any other demon would have taken that simple revealing action for what it�d been meant to be, but Spike had learned long ago that she was only open to Angelus. He frowned. She toyed with him and he only liked games he could win.

�We need that new girl in our family,� Darla said slowly. �She�s got a fire in her.�

Spike fought a smile. He�d tasted that fire. Her scent was still strong in his nostrils. He cocked his head to the side. It wasn�t such a bad deal, that. He could spend an eternity looking at Willow�s face and finding out what treasures she hid. But for what purpose? He narrowed his eyes at his new �sister�.

�What�s in this for you?�

�Really think you can handle two women, William?� Darla asked. She stood.�

�I�ve done it before. Quite amusing if I remember,� he said. He let his eyes darken. �Although, I prefer one on one.�

Darla practically pounced on him.�Then choose,� she half-whispered half-hissed. �Someone new and exciting and far from insane ��

�Spike,� Angelus�s voice came from the bedroom.

�Or the one person who makes you weak?� Her eyes sparkled.

�And the one person who holds power over you,� Spike finished her thought.�

�Spike,� this time Angelus�s voice demanded his response. He waited another few seconds before he took his time crossing the room. Angelus might have gotten the bloody chip removed, but he doesn�t bloody well own me.

Darla�s thin but powerful hand grabbed his collar and halted his progress.�The girl dies if you refuse,� Darla said. �Dru is very hungry.�

Angel called again.

�I�ll not be used, Darla,� Spike said. He purposefully kept his voice low.�Kill my sire? That�d only bring every bloody bounty hunter one step closer to his door. He already had enough to answer for as it was. Damn Scoobies. He gave her one last scathing look then swaggered down the hall.

�Don�t get your knickers in a bunch, Peaches,� he called. �I�m comin�.��

Willow had scurried to the farthest corner of her bedroom and wrapped her arms around her knees. Besides the obvious, something was very wrong. This man who towered menacingly over her looked to be more the banker type � possibly an actor. He didn�t fit the crazed killer he so obviously was. Did crazed killers have perfect hair? Did they wear black Armani sweaters and slacks?�

�You stay the hell away from me,� Willow tried to command. Her voice shook and betrayed her.

�How cute,� Angelus said after a short humorless laugh. �It�s trying to be tough.�

He leaned over her and tugged at her hair. �A word of advice. Never use a welcome mat. Who knows what�s likely to take it for face value.�

She chose that moment to unleash her anger and struck with both feet momentarily stunning the monster who taunted her. Die, she thought wildly as her feet pushed at his shins and knocked him just enough off balance so that she could scurry to another corner.

The door had been an option, but there was nothing out there except three more killers and one of them apparently still stoned and wanting a tea party. Despite her misgivings Willow knew she had a better chance surviving one attacker than four all at once. These people � Angelus growled and whirled around to face her. Her heart froze in her chest.

My God. Yellow eyes, yellow eyes, yellow eyes. The phrase ran through her head and then she leaned back her head and screamed. She closed her eyes from the sight of the transformed creature before her but still sensed him closing in on her. He clamped his strong hand over her mouth. Despite her instincts Willow opened her eyes and found herself face to face with what she could only describe as a demon.

I�m going to die.

�You�re not going to die�yet,� he whispered as if he�d read her thoughts.

Angelus pulled his hand away slowly, Willow steeled herself for another scream but his expression convinced her otherwise.

�Nah, lass,� he said slipping into a brogue.�

Willow watched in horrified fascination as his human mask hid the demonic ridges.

�From the smell of things you�re goin� ta be a lot of fun to have around. They�ll be plenty of time for screamin� later. Save yer strength.�

Then, in one quick move he swooped in a pressed his lips harshly to hers and forced his tongue between her unyielding lips. Tears stung Willow�s eyes as she felt her own teeth being forced into the tender flesh inside her mouth. Then just as suddenly Angelus�s lips left hers.�

Sick with apprehension she felt her stomach revolt and she rolled to the side and heaved the contents of her near empty stomach. In the background she heard a short shuffle and Spike�s familiar voice. A small part of her rejoiced at his intrusion but a larger part of her hated him and what he�d brought into her home. She sat up slowly and wiped the back of her hand across her mouth.��

�Touch her again and you die,� Spike hissed furiously at the older and larger vampire.

His arms trembled as he held Angelus up against the bedroom wall. He�d be no match for Angelus for a few days thanks to the surgery, but that was beside the point. Willow is mine, he thought possessively. Mine.

Damn. What a bloody spot to be in. He hadn�t intended for this to happen. He hadn�t intended to be found just yet, but there they were, Darla, Peaches, and his Dark Princess, offering him what no one else could. There was no way he�d pass up a chance to get that sodding chip removed.�

Angelus laughed and Spike let his demon loose.��She�s mine.�

�Boys, boys,� Darla�s throaty voice cut into the fun. �There�s time for that later.�

She crossed the room and bent next to Willow. Spike watched, barely containing his rage as Angelus�s mate stroked the unwilling girl�s cheek. No one touched what was his.

�You�re frightening her.�

If he�d had a heartbeat it surely would have raced at the sight of Willow�s bright blue eyes against her pale skin. She looked like tortured death. Wild red hair framed her pasty skin. Beautiful.

She moaned softly and lifted a small white hand. �Your face,� she whispered.

�You�ll get used to it, Pet,� Spike assured her.�

He hated the smug smile that crossed Darla�s lips. She turned to him and raised an eyebrow. Go ahead and think what you want, bitch.

He slowly lowered Angelus until his feet touched the floor.�

�Mine,� he said again. He stared the man down until Angelus did the closest thing he would do to conceding. It was quick and almost imperceptible, but Spike saw very clearly the lowered gaze.

�Dru�s tea party is set up,� Darla said.�The soft fabric of her skirt rustled as she stood. She smiled brightly at Angelus as she stepped forward and held out her arm.

Spike clenched his jaw tighter as she brushed past him. Bint�s pulling out all the stops. �Shall we go?�

�Wouldn�t miss it for the world, lass,� Angelus said. He winked at Spike then took his lover�s offered arm.

Spike sat on the edge of the bed and studied the woman who sat curled up before him. She kept her head lowered to her knees. Broken already? He wondered.�

�Seems you and I have a few things to discuss, Red.�

He raised his brow in delight when she whipped her head up. The glare she gave him sent a thrill through his back. There�s the fire, he thought triumphantly.�

�Where are Richard and Cammie?� Willow demanded.

What was it with women named Willow? Loyal to an �effin� fault.

�What do you care?� he asked. He leaned back and fished a cigarette from his pocket. �It�s not like they cared about you.�

He exhaled and relented under her fiery stare. �They�re having tea with the others,� he said. �But it�s nothing ��

Willow scrambled to her feet and ran. Easily Spike grabbed her arm and jerked her to a stop. �It�s nothing you need to see.�

He knew his family listened to their conversation so he wrapped he pinned Willow�s arms to her side and pulled her in to him. She struggled and he held her closer.

�They�re dead,� he whispered in her ear trying to ignore the intoxicating perfume of fear, rage, and desire that surrounded her. �And you will be too unless you do what I say.� � �

Willow moaned again and felt her knees buckle. Dead. Richard and Cammie dead. I�m next. She felt the room swim around her and despite herself let Spike support her while the tears spilled from her eyes. She opened her mouth to draw in a breath that would not come.

�There there,� Spike comforted her.

In a rage Willow pushed against his chest and managed to separate them. The surprise that flickered in Spike�s eyes egged on her fury. He would pay, so help her God.

�You killed them,� she shouted. I have to destroy something. She whirled around intent upon breaking the first thing she saw. With one swipe of her arm she knocked the jars and kitschy stuff she�d loved onto the floor. The resounding sound of shattered glass and bouncing plastic did little to placate the need to hurt.

�Angelus killed them,� Spike corrected her. �Well, I finished off the slut, but nothing could have saved her after what he did. Besides, I was hungry.�

A small noise at the doorway drew Willow�s attention. She felt the vessels behind her eyes pop at the sight of the dark haired woman. A wash of red blurred her vision.

�Tea�s getting cold, Spike,� Dru scolded him.

�Be there in a minute,� Spike said.

�I found a lovely new frock,� Dru said. She giggled and swished the skirts about her feet. �Do you like it?�

�That�s. My. Dress. Bitch,� Willow raged.�

I�m dead already, but I�m not going without a fight. She knew she probably lunged at her death but no longer cared. The element of surprise was on her side, as the vampiress barely had time to morph into her true creature before Willow had thrown herself full force into the petite woman and knocked her to her back. Oh no you�re not wearing my wedding dress, bitch. She only managed a few satisfying blows to the creature�s ridged forehead and nose before the demon managed to throw her off.�

Willow recognized the feel of air rushing around her, the sense of flying, and then the hard wall that cushioned her fall. She bit into her tongue, grunted, then slid to the floor with the metallic taste of her own blood in her mouth. The world blurred with black about its edges but Willow fought it.

You will not pass out, she thought wildly. Then there was darkness. �

�Spikey,� Dru whined. She put her hand to her now smooth forehead and pulled back her bloodied fingertips. Her brown eyes widened and she held out her hand for him to see. �She hurt me, Spike. My dolly hurt me.�

�Take off the dress, Dru,� Spike ordered. Damn you, he swore at his mad princess. �And mind the blood on the lace.�

Bloody hell. Red was a fighter, he thought proudly. She would do his family proud. Gently he lifted her from the floor and put her back into bed.

�But the stars are singing again,� Dru said. She dropped her hand to her side and looked up to the smooth ceiling to listen better. �They lie, my love.�

Spike looked up from smoothing the covers around his Willow, barely able to contain his irritation. Where�s the patience? He wondered. Where�s the need?

�What do they say?� he forced himself to ask. Bloody stars always singing. What a friggin nutter.A drop of blood fell from Dru�s eye. She looked beautifully stricken.�

Bloody stars always singing. What a friggin nutter. A drop of blood fell from Dru�s eye. She looked beautifully stricken.�

�They say you�re leaving me. I would be lost without you.�

Spike closed his eyes and willed what little patience his demon allowed him. Seemed to know your way to several chaos demons.��The dress, Pet,� he said again.�

��The stars are lying, aren�t they?� Dru asked. If possible she appeared even more vulnerable. Then, just as suddenly, she straightened her spine. �But Miss Edith doesn�t lie.�

Spike stood warily at Willow�s bedside. Don�t forget the dying bloody daisies. But he held his tongue. Until he was up to full strength he wouldn�t be able to properly protect Willow. Drusilla had let down her guard once. He knew it wouldn�t happen again and the next time the girl would not get off so easily.Dru took a step forward.�

�Miss Edith doesn�t lie,� she repeated. She cocked her head to the side and her dark hair tumbled over one shoulder. Her eyes accused him even before she spoke.�You�ve chosen another.�

Spike shrugged. He knew that look. She�d latched onto a truth and wasn�t about to let it go. Love those lucid moments.�

�People change, Dru.�

�We�re not people,� Dru yelled. Her hands balled into small fists and she stamped her foot.

Spike shrugged again. �Demons then. I do have my pride, you know.��He watched her carefully as she paced slowly in front of the door. Despite her insanity, her prowl still took away his non-breath.

�I,� she screamed the word and brought her hand to her breast. �I am your pride.�

�Once,� he said softly his eyes never leaving her eyes. Would she attack? And where was the Pouf? He always did manage to interrupt a good moment. Spike could think of no better than moment for Angelus to break the mood.

�I am your sire,� Dru reminded him. �I created you.�

�And then you abandoned me,� Spike reminded her. He stopped and took a needless deep breath to calm himself.

When he spoke again his lowered his voice.�I�m worth more than that, Dru.��He rolled his eyes. Nice, mate, he congratulated himself. Now you sound like a bloody talk show whiner.

�You reeked of the slayer,� she hissed the final word. She stopped pacing and stood still before him then flicked her gaze over his shoulder.

�This one is not worthy.�

Spike grinned and gently wiped his thumb across the still fresh cut Willow�s rampage had caused. He didn�t miss the passion that flashed in her eyes because of the pain he caused. Nothing in his body stirred. No arousal. He brought his thumb to his lips and tasted her blood. He tasted nothing but the bond.He raised his brow and smirked. His newly chosen had done him proud. Not even reborn and already up for a good brawl.

�Looks like she might be, Luv.�

Darla watched as her boy�s expression turned from interest to anger. She suppressed a smile. Sensitive hearing was one of the many perks in her life. Spike and Dru certainly did put on a good show. She arched an eyebrow then reached out to straighten Richard�s head. They always did.

�We should have killed her,� she said.She smiled demurely at his warning growl, already feeling the wetness build between her thighs. Tonight would be good to her.

�She is my childe. Your sire,� Angelus reminded her needlessly.

Darla sighed and looked to the ceiling. I�m all for tradition, but really, it�s time to cut the cord.

�She is a detriment. Look what almost happened to us in Montreal. The silly twit almost got us caught. It would have made Prague look like a massage.�

She closed her eyes and counted to three. Spike understood. Why couldn�t her boy? Always that twisted sense of responsibility. A nasty byproduct of the lost soul? She shifted in her seat then tossed her napkin on the table. It was time to pull out the big stakes so to speak. She stood and made her way slowly around the table.

�Angelus,� she said sliding her leg between his lap and the table. She straddled him then slowly lowered herself onto his lap. He did not disappoint her as she felt him harden beneath her.She leaned forward and gently kissed below his jaw line then nipped at his sensitive lobes.

�My Angelus,� she whispered. She ground her hips into him slowly. A deep purr from the depths of his throat urged her.

�No one can rule me,� Darla breathed. �It kills me.�

Angelus�s strong fingers dug into her hips and then up the sides of her skirt. Darla smiled. He wasn�t able to deny her. He never had been. She lowered her mouth to the smooth skin just above his collarbone and dragged her tongue across it tasting the salt.

�Her insanity is my greatest accomplishment,� Angelus murmured. �It is intoxicating.�

Darla groaned and rolled back. He�d been so much easier to persuade 200 years ago. �It�s annoying.�

�She is not to be harmed,� Angelus said. With one quick movement he�d pushed his chair from the table and shoved Darla from his lap.Darla growled at the sharp pain and indignity of her bottom meeting the hardwood floor.

�Angelus,� she called no longer trying to suppress her anger. Her childe�s retreating backside was his only response. �I am your sire.�

A small ray of hope shot through her when he stopped, but instantly he shot it down.

�I will not be ruled.�

�Come, Dru,� Angelus said gently. He took his childe�s arm. �It�s time to feed.�

Despite himself, Spike let the relief wash over him. Angelus, pouf that he was, had bought Willow time. He was careful though to keep his posture the same. No sense in showing weakness.

�I�ll feed on that one,� Dru said. She arched her brow and pointed to Willow. Spike growled and narrowed his eyes in warning.

�Come, Dru,� Angelus urged. He lowered his voice and leaned into her ear.Spike strained and heard the words orphanage and children�s hospital.

It was no surprise to him when Dru�s face lit up and she clapped her hands.�Daddy�s taking me to dinner,� she said pertly. She smiled prettily up at her sire.

�I�ll just change my dress.�

Both men watched as she bounced from the room.

�She�s too cute,� Angelus said with a smile. Spike smirked and crossed his arms over his chest. Once, he thought.

�I expect business will be taken care of when we return,� Angelus said. He looked pointedly at Willow.

Spike bristled but controlled the demon. He knew that he was no match for Angelus, not now. Two bloody nights, mate, he thought. Give me two nights.

Instead of a confrontation he nodded over Angelus�s shoulder at an overtly excited Dru.

�Looks like she�s ready.�

Spike waited a few minutes after he�d heard the front door open and his �family� crunch merrily down the road. They were alone, aside from the quiet couple Richard and Cammie who Dru had so neatly set up around the kitchen table.

He gave up a smile. Twisted. Served them right, though. He�d watched the show they�d put on for Willow, he�d seen her endure it.As if she sensed his thoughts Willow stirred. Her groan sent a chill through him. So vulnerable, he thought. The image of her attacking Dru flashed through his head. He smiled. But far from weak.

She probably had a concussion, judging from how hard she hit the wall, but soon it wouldn�t matter. He circled the bed and knelt down next to Willow.She groaned softly as she rolled her head to face him.

�Shh,� he soothed brushing her hair from her face.He studied her face, large wide set eyes, light eyebrows, pert nose, and full red lips; it was a face he could definitely look at for all eternity.

The familiar cliches ran through his mind. I hardly know her. Am I ready for that kind of commitment again? I should just kill her and end everyone�s misery. He frowned.

�Richard,� she whimpered.

Spike rolled his eyes. Bloody terrific. Another mate who can�t get a former boyfriend off her mind. He groaned and let his forehead drop to the mattress. He�d rather drain her than live through that again.

�Richard,� Willow breathed again. �You asshole.�

Spike grinned. Dare he hope that she attacked Dru solely because of the wedding dress?

�I�ll get you all the pretty dresses you want,� he promised and then laughed. Unlife was just too perfect sometimes.

***********

Her head throbbed. Her back throbbed. Her hand throbbed. Willow heard herself groan. Such terrible dreams and the laughter and the monsters, what had she eaten? A cool hand soothed her forehead and she turned into its caress.

�Quiet now,� a vaguely familiar voice said. �Don�t move too fast, you�ve had a nasty - flight.�

So familiar, Willow thought. Slowly she opened her eyes then groaned again. It�s real. Tears slipped from her eyes. They were dead. She was going to die. What had her mother always said about taking in strays? Well, Mom, Willow thought sadly. You were right. One of them bit me in the ass.She licked her cracked lips.

�Why am I still alive?� She asked. And why are you hovering?

�We�ll take care of that soon enough, Luv,� he assured her.

I should be scared, Willow thought, but she only felt numb. She nodded and rolled her head away from the blonde monster.

�If I don�t do it, the others will kill you. Can�t have that, can we?�

Willow grimaced. It didn�t matter who killed her. She stifled a moan when the mattress sank under his weight. She hoped death was less painful than what she felt at that moment. She closed her eyes.

�Dead is dead,� she mumbled.His sudden laugh infuriated her. Despite the crashing headache she had Willow sat up.

�Don�t glare so, Luv,� Spike said when he�d regained his composure. �I am unliving proof that dead is not dead.�

�I�d rather be dead than be like you,� Willow said.She pressed her heel to her forehead.

She cried out when he jerked her from the bed and shoved her roughly across the room. Her legs gave out and she landed with a thud and a cry between the doorway.

Just roll over, her mind commanded play dead. But her primal core struggled and she found herself kicking out at him as he reached for her. We�re alone, she thought wildly. I can fight him and escape. The fight, however was in vain.

With a growl Spike jerked her from the floor and muscled her into the kitchen.Willow felt her eyes bulge from her head and her breath caught in her throat along with the bile when Spike held her chin in his hand and jerked her head to face the scene Dru had arranged.

�That will be you, unless you cooperate,� Spike said. His voice lost all trace of emotion.Willow gagged at the macabre sight. Richard and Cammie, sitting in chairs, wearing hats, and holding tea cups. Cammie�s head slumped forward so her hair hid her face and throat but thestiffness was far from natural.

�No,� Willow whined.

�Look at his throat,� Spike commanded. His fingers dug into her chin.

Obediently Willow studied Richard, his raw wound crusted in spots and glistened in others. What was wrong with that picture, aside from being dead? Willow blinked as her mind refused to acknowledge that her boyfriend�s throat had been ripped out. She almost welcomed Spike�s cool breath on her cheek.

�Is that how you want your mother to find you, sweets?�

Unshed tears stood in her eyes.

�My. Mother�s. Dead,� she said. Her own voice sounded foreign.

Spike groaned and turned her to face him. He held her shoulders and bent his knees so that they stood eye to eye.

�I�m making a point here, Red,� he explained as patiently as he could. �I won�t do this to you, but the others will.�

�Then let me go,� Willow said. She felt a small rush of desperate hope and grabbed his forearms. Her heart crashed when he shook his head. �Damn you.�

�Been there, done that. Can�t let you go, Pet. I�ve taken a liking to you. And I keep what I like.�

�I don�t like you,� Willow said. �Do you want to spend forever with a woman who hates you? Because nothing you can do will change that.�

She hated the way he cocked his head to the side and tsked at her.�So sure, Luv?�

She pulled her gaze away from his probing eyes. In a rush of adrenaline she jerked free of his hold.

Willow closed her eyes to his reminder that she didn�t hate him the night before.He lifted her chin. God, she hated how his eyes twinkled.

�In fact, I think you quite liked what we did last night,� he said. �Imagine an eternity of that. Because those are your only choices, Red. You become mine or -�

Willow held up her hand. She didn�t need to hear the rest. Buy time, she thought. There has to be a way out. She swallowed.

�Do you have to turn me right away?� Spike paused and her hopes peeked upwards. A loophole? She jumped at the silence.

�I mean, I get a choice, right? Death or, well, death.�

�That�s what I�ve been saying.�He sounded mildly irritated.

She hid her smile.�Then give me time to decide,� she said when she finally pulled the hope from her eyes.

�You planned for a wedding, anyway,� Spike reminded her. �A lifetime with that pouf or an eternity of almost no limits.�

�And yet, somehow, I�m still not convinced,� Willow said. She turned so she could no longer see Richard and Cammie. She couldn�t afford to lose focus. She lowered her voice to a whisper so that he had to lean forward to hear.

�Convince me.�

Dear God, let this work.

He smelled her revulsion, her fear, and something else. Her strength? How cute, he thought, she�s trying to connive me. He raised a brow and smiled at the woman who sat on the couch and stared at him with quick intelligent eyes. I like that.

�Tell me about Drusilla,� Willow said. �She�s weird.�

"Don�t hold back, do you?" He licked his lips. Was this something she needed to know? Was it anything he wanted to rehash?

�I shagged her a few times,� he lied with an easy shrug. And loved the hell out of her. Willow heightened her brow and her full lips formed an �o�.

�That�s why she says things like, �my Spike.� And, �I don�t like her, she smells of my Spike.�

Spike fought a smile. He had an actress on his hands. Willow slipped easily into Dru�s timing, phrasing, and accent.

�We�re a possessive lot,� he explained.

�She left you,� Willow accused.

�Did not,� Spike lied. He relented under her narrowed eyes and shifted uncomfortably in his chair. �Yeah, well, she�s a bit flighty.�

�So, I�d be your other woman,� Willow said matter-of-factly. She shook her head. �Been there. Done that. Bought the wedding dress.�

Spike ground his blunt teeth. Maybe her acting wasn�t as endearing as he�d thought.

�Dru is not an issue,� he said as evenly as he could.

She smiled, and as usual, it didn�t reach her eyes. �I�ve probably got the concussion and bruised ribs to prove that she is.�

�Next question,� Spike forced through his teeth. She�s good. If he changed her Dru would flip out.

�The big guy, where does he fit into all this?�

�Peaches?� Spike scoffed. �Big, brooding, nancyboy.�

He shrugged. Willow set her mouth and raised a brow.

�Shag him, too?� she asked sweetly.

�In your bloody dreams,� Spike retorted and shifted uncomfortably. That�s one question I�ll never answer.

�He wants me,� Willow said simply.

�For lunch, maybe,� Spike scoffed.He�d seen the way Angelus looked at Willow and he hadn�t liked it one bit. He�d take care of that little problem later, when he had his full strength. Willow smiled. He growled.

�So that�s two who�d just as soon have me for lunch,� Willow ticked off the small number on her long fingers. �Tell me again why I�d want to spend eternity in this dysfunctional little family of yours?�

Feisty. Like the slayer. Cute. Like the witch. And not a drop of insanity in her blood. Does it get any better than this?

�You�d be with me,� Spike assured her. �We wouldn�t stay with them very long.�

�Can�t you imagine it? You want bloody Rome? We�ll take bloody Rome. A designer wardrobe? You can have that.�

�All in exchange for my soul. What a bargain,� Willow countered.

He growled again and stood to pace.

�Darla,� Willow said simply.

�Bitch,� Spike answered. �But she likes you.�

�And still I find it mildly unsettling.�

Spike stopped pacing and pinned her shoulders to the couch. She was stalling and they were running out of time. If the quick movement scared her Willow didn�t let on.

�Look, anyone who hurts you answers to me,� he said. �And no one is stupid enough to do that. Or they won�t be once word gets out that the stupid chip is gone.�

�Chip?�

�Long story,� he pushed aside her question. �You�ll have plenty of time once you say yes to me.�

Christ, she was stubborn.

�What�s for you here?� he asked pulling out the wild card. He didn�t miss the pause and the sadness that flickered across her eyes. He leaned in even closer, until their foreheads almost touched.

�I can give you everything you�ve ever wanted.�

Did she always smell like sleepy sex? He felt himself harden. Tryin� awfully hard, mate, he warned himself. And for what? So the girl died. So what? There�d be others. Where�s the fear? Where was the racing heart? He swallowed as he listened to Willow�s blood flow rhythmically through her veins.

�Except my freedom,� she realized sadly.

�Freedom to do what you want when you want is included,� Spike said.He now straddled her slender thighs effectively pinning her to the couch. Slowly he let go of one shoulder and pushed her robe from her shoulder. Pale skin glowed at him. He felt his demon stir, incited by the sudden lust.

�What you felt with me last night can be yours forever,� he whispered then brushed his lips across her forehead. So warm. Her heart rate increased, he heard it, he felt it.

What are you doing, Wakefield? Willow yelled at herself. She closed her eyes as Spike kissed her temple and then her jaw. It feels so good. So good. His voice soothed her, offered her the security her life lacked. Despite her best intentions she heard herself whimper when she felt his tongue at her neck.

�Forever,� Spike whispered in her ear. �I won�t leave you.�

She felt a tear slip down her cheek as she felt her resolve weaken. How many people have told me that?

�Don�t say that,� she breathed. She felt Spike pull back and opened her eyes.

�Tears, Luv?�

Willow nodded. So sweet, she thought, he sounds so convincing.

�How can you be sure?�She heard her own shuddered breath as he used the tip of his thumb to massage the rise of her breast. When had he let go of her other shoulder? Why don�t I fight him?

�I take care of what�s mine,� Spike said. Gold flecks sparkled in the depths of his blue eyes. �And make no mistake of it, Willow, you will be mine.�

The threat was clear; resoundingly so, but the manner in which he spoke, so confident, so possessive urged the heat between her thighs.

Willow frowned, struggling to hold on to whatever it was within that wavered. �Will you be mine, then?� she asked. Damn, she�d wanted to sound sarcastic, but even to her own hears she heard the passion.�Or am I to be a prisoner?�

"Might be the other way �round,� Spike murmured. His eyes darkened and she felt his breath on her lips.

Willow�s heart pounded in her chest. He was going to kiss her, the psychotic killer was going to kiss her and she ached for it. Was there something wrong with her?

Fight, fool. His defenses are down. Fight. Yet, she couldn�t, all she could do was accept the fire from his lips and then return it.Cool hands stripped the gown off the other shoulder then pushed the soft flannel away from her breasts.

Willow felt like liquid gold as she melted down until she lay on the couch with Spike positioned over her. She buried her fingers in his back as he first licked then nibbled the sensitive peak of one breast while he teased and coaxed the other with his fingertips. She groaned and arched upward.

I�m on fire, she thought anxiously. She rubbed the soles of her feet into the soft fabric of her couch to ease the burn.

�Please,� she whispered. Please what? Make her forget everything she�d seen? Erase the past day? Possess her? Relieve the sweet ache his tongue now created between her thighs?

Each time she felt the tide rise Spike eased away and found a new spot to torture. Delectable frustration flowed and ebbed and slowly Willow realized that he was learning her, studying her, worshipping her.

She called out, babbled to her God and whoever else would listen. She whimpered in disappointment when she felt him leave the couch. But the rustle of fabric hitting the floor and his silken lips on hers quickly quieted her.

She felt his hardness against her thigh and spread her legs in a subtle invitation. Cool, thick flesh parted her slowly, then plunged into her depths. She closed her eyes and surrendered her body to the pace he set.

He took her as she knew he would; aggressively, letting there be no doubt she was his. So different from Richard. The thought floated lazily in the back of her mind. So much better. She raised her lashes and peered up at him and only then realized that he spoke.

��mark you�. Let them know,� he groaned. �Let everyone know.�

She watched him struggle to maintain his human form in awe of the battles he fought simultaneously.

�Say yes, Willow,� he commanded driving himself more forcefully into her.

She cried out, felt the tears slip from her eyes, then bared her throat to him, willingly.

Willow�s heat engulfed him. Can�t lose this, he thought in the back of his mind, but his beast roared for a mate. Or for a meal. Lovely warmth. He would mark her. She would be his and when she was truly ready, he would turn her. She would join him. She would love him.

I�ll turn her on my time and not because they told me to. Yeah, Spike nodded. He ran his unlife. No one else. Especially not his poor excuse of a sire.

�Willow, luv, I�m going to mark you.� Bullocks, is my voice shaking? �It�ll let them know you�re mine. You�ll be safe. It�ll let everyone know.�

Spike�s demon raged with the want to kill. Her blood pounded just centimeters beneath him. It demanded to seize and destroy the human whom he had conquered. He growled, as the control he�d maintained faltered.

Say yes, he thought wildly, before it wins, say yes.

�Say yes, Willow.�

Then there it was, her tears, her throat, and the whisper of a word.

�Yes.�

He loosened his hold on the demon, felt his features shift then came as he punctured the tender flesh just above her shoulder.

He reveled in the exchange. Dead seed replaced with life force. Her rich, thick blood, danced down his throat speaking to him, telling him her secrets, giving him her passions.

The demon roared at his conquest, he�d chosen wisely. She suited him. She had darkness.Spike felt Willow�s warm arms snake around his back and hold him to her. He smelled how her uncertainty wrestled with her resolve. He�d felt her withhold the cry when he broke her flesh and now he felt her urge him on.

Reluctantly, he pulled away, drunk with her essence and the control. He�d taken enough. The mark had been made. There would be time later.

�Is that it?� Her trembling voice broke the silence.

He felt her body tremor beneath him. Spike raised his head and studied her face. He frowned. Was that it? What had she bloody expected?

�I haven�t said this in a few lifetimes, Pet, but it will get better for you.�

Her laugh surprised him. �No. Am I a vampire now?�

He tucked his head back into her shoulder to hide his grin. �Not yet, Luv,� he assured her.

Her chest heaved. A sigh? Of relief maybe?

�Because I don�t feel any different.�

He frowned again and pulled his head up. Cor, how good did he have to be? �Not at all?�

�Tired,� she said after a moment�s pause.

Spike rolled them to their side and absently cupped the soft flesh of her breast. He licked a stray bubble of her blood from her shoulder.

�That�s it?�

�My neck hurts.�

He groaned then sighed. You will not fish for compliments, he scolded himself. �Anything else?�

Damn. He nipped at her chin as playfully as his demon allowed. Did she laugh at him?

�Insecure?�

He scowled. She was laughing. �Never,� he lied. �You?�

He caught the almost imperceptible pause.

�Always,� she whispered.

*****************

Spike felt them before he heard them, that sting in his dead heart told him Dru and the rest of his family was home. Carefully, so as not to awaken his Willow, he eased from the bed. She�d wanted to stay, sleep on the couch but that wouldn�t have done. Willow had issued a challenge when she�d accepted him, one that Drusilla would not ignore.

He pulled on his jeans and shrugged into his unbuttoned shirt, then rolled his head to either side. The bursa broke with a satisfying pop. He felt�good, ready, he glanced over his shoulder at the beauty in his bed, he felt right. He opened the bedroom door stepped into the hallway then closed it behind him. It would do no good to turn the lock.

He sensed her fury, Darla�s amusement, and Angel�s arousal. Bloody ponce always did get off on porn.

Dru stood before him swaying soundlessly to music only she could hear. Beautiful as always. Beautiful for eternity. She stopped just as suddenly.

�The moon whispers to me. It tells me things. My pretty dolly has been naughty.�She opened her eyes just a tad too wide and turned her gaze to him. Spike waited.

�So have you. I smell her on you.� She sniffed the air obscenely. �I can taste her all around me.�

So can I, Pet. He caught Drusilla�s arm as she tried to rush past him.

�Angelus said I could have her,� Drusilla whined. She looked over her shoulder. �Didn�t you, Daddy?�

Spike didn�t have to look to know Angelus grinned. Insipid moron. �She�s wasn�t his to give away.�

�I will kill her,� Drusilla singsonged. She was back to swaying. �You will be proud of me and be mine again.�

�Touch one hair on her head, one lovely inch of skin, and I will kill you,� Spike warned. He raised his yellow gaze to include Darla and Angelus. Especially you, Peaches.

Drusilla smiled and clapped her hands. She turned excitedly to her sire and grandsire.

�My Spike is flirting.�

Spike rolled his eyes. How many years had he struggled through that nonsense? Enough to know there was no use reasoning. Drusilla would see in her own time. In the meanwhile his job was to protect his Willow. And do a right better job than you did.

�Dru?� he drew out her name. She turned back to him and crossed her hands demurely in front of her. �Not. One. Hair. Understand?�

She nodded quickly. �I�m a princess.�

You�re a nutter. �Yes, Luv,� he said, he eased his guard a bit, �You�re a princess.�

�I�m your princess,� she continued.

Spike shook his head. �Not anymore.�

It was the feral cry that pulled Willow from her dreamless sleep. The screams, the sounds of breaking furniture and crashing glass all urged her from her bed.

My house, she worried stumbling over shoes. She pulled Spike�s black t-shirt over her head and opened the door. My Spike�.*My Spike* My God. She rushed to Spike�s side and grabbed his muscled arm.

�Let her go,� she screamed. Dru remained pinned to the wall, snarling and kicking. �You�ll kill her. Let her go.�

�Get back in the room,� Spike said darkly.It was then that she noticed the ridges in his forehead.

She jumped back with a yelp as Drusilla turned her yellow eyes to her and hissed.

�Spike,� Willow tried again.She clung to his arm and stood just an inch too close. Drusilla�s arm shot out and razor nails cut clean swipes across her forehead. Willow stumbled back. There was numbness then a sting of fire spread across her head. Already streams of warm blood ran over her brow.

Blood? A dark anger spread through her stomach. Come in my house, wear my wedding dress, pose Richard and Cammie for tea, then you cut me?

�Bitch,� Willow heard herself shriek.In a fit of darkness she lunged forward intent on only one thing: pain.

It should have registered that Drusilla was a powerful vampiress. It should have registered that she was completely outnumbered. Yet it didn�t. Something in her wanted the conflict. Something long dormant craved the battle she sought.

Hands jerked her back and crisscrossed around her neck with one on either side of her head. She growled and kicked in frustration. Growling?

�Not yet, Willow,� Darla whispered in her ear.�Soon, though.�

She felt the blonde�s body pressed into her backside. It was slight and comforting and arousing. The anger ebbed. Willow whimpered and blinked away the blood that ran into her eyes. What�s happening to me?

�I said not. One. Hair,� Spike yelled.

Willow watched with fascinated horror as he slammed the slight brunette�s body into another wall. Jealousy coiled from her bowels when she saw that despite the blood that oozed from the corners of her mouth, Drusilla loved it.

At least she loved it until her deceptively fragile body met the glass panes of the living room window.Triumph eased Willow�s tension as she saw Drusilla writhe under the first rays of the morning sun.

�Angelus,� she mewled caught between fetal position and a struggle for shade. Her pleas for help pierced the otherwise silent morning air.

Angelus snarled at the three, grabbed Willow�s discarded robe from the couch. He threw the robe over his head and ripped open the front door obviously intent upon saving his childe.

Mesmerized, Spike, Darla, and Willow moved to the window.

�This is far from over, Spike,� Angelus threatened. He grimaced as he dropped the robe to gather Drusilla in his arms. Once situated he tugged the flannel over them and struggled off in the snow.The stench of burning flesh wafted through the living room. All three took a step back.

Willow watched Angelus and Dru head east. She felt Darla slide away from her as Spike pressed into her back and wound his arms around her waist. He rested his chin on Willow�s shoulder.

�I love family reunions,� Darla said. She returned to Willow�s side, stood on tip toes and licked the blood off her forehead.

Willow closed her eyes and leaned into the bath.�Will they come back?�

�Wouldn�t be any fun if they didn�t, Pet,� Spike answered her question then kissed her cheek.He released her then stepped in front of her. He bent his knees and studied her forehead.

Relief ran through Willow�s veins. He�s taking care of me.

�Now, let�s take care of this then get out of this place. I heard snow plows earlier.�

Darla smiled and stretched. Her breathy voice floated over her shoulder.�I love travelling,� she said. �I�ll pack you a bag.�

�The sun?� Willow questioned. I�m going along with this.

�Your car has tinted windows,� he said. �Saw it in the garage. Nice set of wheels if I do say so myself.�

Willow shook her head.

�The BMW was Richard�s. I parked my car out by the curb.�

Spike smiled. �That pile of junk is yours?�

Willow nodded, then smiled broadly despite the stinging. No limits. Freedom. She lowered her voice and leaned in.

�We�ll borrow Richard�s,� she said with a wink. �I�m sure he won�t mind.�

The End

Back to Willow/Spike
Back to Fiction Index

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws