Just last night he had been buried within Harmony with her writhing away beneath him and all he could think about was the witch and how she smelled and felt when he�d brushed against her the other night. He had fantasised that their conversation had turned out differently and they had ended up against that tree with his cigarette butts littering the ground and he had taken her hard and fast and then slow and deep, her head thrown back in ecstasy making breathy moans and calling his name telling him that she was nearly there, and that she was coming.
He had roughly come back to earth as Harmony asked him what he was thinking about. He had bitten down into his lip so as not to blurt out the truth and had told her that he was thinking about her. It wouldn�t do for her to walk out on his because he called out Willow�s name; where else would he get rid of his frustrations?
He reached under his chair and pulled out that mannequin he had gotten from the dump to train on. He had needed to take his anger out on something that was vaguely human if not alive and didn�t set off the chip, the bust of the mannequin worked wonders. At least it had until he came across a red wig in a hairdresser�s, without even thinking he had stolen it and bought it home. Now his mannequin wasn�t just some nameless, faceless human; it was Willow. He caressed its cheek, feeling the smooth, unblemished surface wondering what Willow�s cheek felt like. Would she be as soft, would she be as cool or did she have flaws up close? Maybe cute little freckles or delicious dimples? His smile softened as he thought about her, what it was that drew him to her. Her strength, her vitality, and her ability to care and love and cherish those she was with. She hadn�t dated since that Musician left, how the guys in Sunnydale passed her by for so long he had no idea.
He was so lost in his musings that he didn�t hear the door to the crypt open and Harmony walked in, he quickly stashed the mannequin under his chair and tried to tune in what she was saying.
�Hi baby!� she chirped in that annoying way she had.
Spike sighed; he wished she�d stayed away for a while longer
�Hello, sweetbreads. Have fun?�
�Uh, it was so exciting. You wouldn't believe it. I went to April Fool's, and absolutely everything was on sale.� She dropped her shopping bags on the floor meaning she missed Spike�s incredulous expression
�You *paid* for it?�
Harmony chuckled �Oh, no. I just killed the clerk. Still, a bargain's a bargain.�
Spike frowned and shook his head in bewilderment of her. She continued as if he hadn�t interrupted her
�Oh, I ran into Carol Beets. You know. She sired Brandon, Brandon from the sewer gang ... and she said the Lei-Ach demon... was recruiting his brethren to kill the slayer!�
When she first started spouting her �he said-she said� stuff, his initial reaction was to tune her out but she had finally said something interesting.
�How's that?�
�Apparently, he got recruited by some big nether-wig and now he's on a mission. You think they might actually do it? Kill her?� she turned to Spike who was looking thoughtful.
It was what he had always wanted, this damn Slayer dead, but she was Willow�s best friend. What would Willow say if Buffy were to die? She would be so hurt and sad and that light would disappear from her eyes. But still, it would still be a dead Slayer.
�God, that would be ... pleasant.�
Harmony continued to prattle on �Well, if they do, I think we should do something. Like a gift basket or something. Where are you going?� While se had talked Spike had gotten up and grabbed his jacket.
�To get a decent seat. If the slayer's gonna die ... I'm gonna watch.�
Willow leaned against the table and dropped her head slightly staring at the book she had started to research in. Xander say next to her also absorbed in his volume. Dawn was sitting next to them happy that Willow let her research with them. They were still trying to find something about this Dagon sphere that Buffy found. After last night she had found some references and so research at least had some direction but they were all tired and beginning to see things. For example, the door had just opened seemingly by itself.
�I didn�t open it.� Dawn said with a frown.
Willow smiled softly at the teen, she was so pleased to be included with the Scooby�s, it had been Tara�s idea. She had asked Willow to make Dawn feel more like one of them. Maybe it had been the shy girl�s way of saying that she too felt a little left out, after all she wasn�t anyone�s family or lover. She was just Willow�s friend and occasionally her casting partner. After a few awkward kisses between herself and Tara that Willow made sure Buffy didn�t know about, she had decided that they were just good friends.
Buffy was currently training in the back trying to work out some of her frustration over what was wrong with her mother out on some dummies.
Willow felt bad wondering what was going on and whether to confess to Buffy that Dawn wasn�t exactly what she appeared to be.
Suddenly she heard Buffy scream for Giles and Xander jumped up and rushed towards the back room. Before he could enter the room he was struggling as if caught in a net.
Willow was confused, wondering what the hell was going on; Xander looked like he was fighting against the air. Dawn scrambled behind Giles as Xander suddenly flew backwards and grabbed his own throat as if someone was choking him.
She heard Buffy scream that there was something in there with her and Willow grabbed her chair. If something was in there with Buffy it could also be out here attacking Xander. She lifted the chair and smacked it down on top of whatever was on Xander. Xander sighed and choked as if whatever it was had let go and Willow felt her arms vibrate with the force of how hard she�d hit whatever it was.
�Where'd it go?� Anya yelled panicked.
Willow wanted her to be quiet so that she could concentrate on feeling it�s presence but before she could make any sort of noise to tell Anya to be quiet she was suddenly viciously smacked backwards, her head hitting the desk.
She could hear Dawn calling and asking if she were okay but her ears rang and she felt all fuzzy.
Spike opened the door to the back of the Magic box hearing the sounds of a fight. He waltzed in and saw Buffy struggling with the demon. She kicked out at it, shoving it off her. Spike grinned, even though there was only two demons and there was little danger of eth Slayer actually dying, he could still watch her get her ass kicked in lieu of actually doing it himself.
His grin faded as the Slayer didn�t even turn when the second demon stomped behind her and grabbed her by the waist. She gasped as if surprised and Spike saw the first demon get up from the floor. It was obvious that something was going on, the Slayer wasn�t even aware of the threat that was lumbering to his feet. Suddenly a dilemma posted itself. He could just stand back and watch as they killed Buffy; it was clear that that was a possibility here. Just think, he could watch the Slayer die and then he could kill the demons and take credit for the kill, they would all be afraid of him; he could get his reputation back. But his triumphant thought turned to the way the witch would look, her eyes brimming with tears and her face crumpled in pain and betrayal. She would never look at him as anything other than a monster. There would be no way that she would touch him or kiss him or�
Mind made up, he rolled his eyes in exasperation and tackled the first demon to the ground; he wrestled with the demon while Buffy fought the other. She flipped it into a wall, hearing a crash and pausing for a moment to see if she would be attacked by anything else.
She ran towards the door not even acknowledging Spike on the floor with the demon in a stranglehold.
�You�re welcome!� he called out sarcastically. Stupid bitch might give me a hand. He thought as the demon reached up to punch him.
He could hear commotion from the other room, it sounded like all the other Scooby�s were in there. This meant that the witch was probably in there with another demon. She could be in danger and needing his manly rescuing so he better quit playing and get in there.
The demon got in a lucky punch as he was distracted and Spike hit the wall where the Slayer kept all her weapons. Spike picked up a short scythe and grinned at the look of fear on the demon�s face as it rushed for the door. It didn�t make it as it tripped over Spike�s foot and Spike brought the weapon down to hack it to pieces.
The demon moaned and shuddered as its blood spilled over the training mat. Spike smirked as he thought of the Slayer slipping on it the next time she trained. He turned his attention to the other room and heard Buffy yell.
�Tara, where is it? Can you see it?�
He frowned as he looked through the doorway, the damn demon was right on top of her and she couldn�t see it? The scene in the training room suddenly made sense, she hadn�t been on top form because she couldn�t see the demon�s�therefore she couldn�t see him. It seemed none of them could as they were all staring around frantically. Except Willow�s blonde witch friend who was panicking.
�Oh ho, looks like a spell went wrong.� He joked and turned to look at Willow who was just getting off the floor. He walked over and stood close looking her over for injuries, she seemed all intact�and compact. He peered down her top.
�Blind Cadre a, lift your veil. Give evil form...and break my spell.�
Spike scrambled back into the training room at the blonde witches words. If she was changing the spell to get rid of demons there was no way he wanted to be in there when she did. He wanted all his bits in working order thank you very much.
Willow felt the oppressive presence move away from her and she could breathe easier then almost as if she blinked she could see the demons in front of her�and so could Buffy.
The demon rushed at Tara and punched her before Buffy could catch it, but when Tara was down it turned its attention back to the Slayer.
Buffy knocked it hard and they heard bone crack under her fist, then it grabbed her arm and threw her to the floor, she tumbled over in a roll.
Willow�s attention was suddenly caught by the arrival of Tara�s family who looked horrified at the scene. Her father called out Tara�s name which attracted the demon who rushed at him.
Buffy tripped the demon and quickly snapped its neck with her heel making a sickening crunch.
�What in god's name is that?�
Spike had been listening and when it appeared that none of his important parts would drop off and that in fact it seemed whatever spell the blonde had done was now over and they could see him, he swiftly entered the room to survey the damage and let them know that he was there.
�Lei-ach demon. Fun little buggers, big with the marrow-sucking.�
He watched as the angry looking man glared at the witch sitting on the floor.
�I don't understand.� He said crossly
Buffy folded her arms and stared at Tara. �I'm not sure I do either.�
The little witch sniffled and shook
�I'm sorry. I'm s-s-so sorry. I was- I was trying to hide.�
Hide what? Spike wondered as he watched Willow move forward to comfort the shaking girl. She knelt in front of her and inclined her head.
�I didn't want you to see ... what I am.�
Willow wasn�t sure what was going on, all she knew was that her friend was hurting and she had cast some spell to stop them seeing something.
�Tara, what?�
But before Tara could answer Buffy broke in
�What do you mean, what you are?�
�Demon. The women in our family have demon in them. Her mother had it. That's where the magic comes from. We came to take her home before... well, before things like ... this started happening.�
Willow looked at Tara who looked away ashamed. Willow was a little hurt that Tara had lied to her but really, did she think it mattered? Willow had dated a werewolf, Xander was dating a thousand year old ex-demon, and Willow was friends with a Vampire- Tara knew all about Angel. And there was always Spike, they hadn�t killed him yet.
�You cast a spell on us, to keep us from seeing your ... demon side. That's why we couldn't see our attackers.� Giles filled in for those who weren�t paying attention. Xander nodded thanking Giles for spelling it out.
Buffy looked behind her at Dawn and Willow knew that she was thinking about what would have happened if she had lost her sister.
�Nearly got us killed.� Her voice was cold and Willow�s heart sank. Would Buffy be mad at Tara?
�I'll go. I'm very sorry.� Tara scrambled to her feet and apologised to Buffy. Willow could see misery etched into every corner of Tara�s face and her heart went out to her friend.
�The camper's outside.� Mr Maclay�s voice was triumphant.
Willow grabbed onto her as Tara went to move �Wait! Go? I- she just did a spell that went wrong. It-it was just a mistake.� They couldn�t chuck Tara out for that, Willow herself did spell�s that went wrong all the time and they didn�t get rid of her. Not if she didn�t want to go.
�That's not the point and it's not your concern. She belongs with us. We know how to control her ... problem.�
Willow looked at Tara in distress. The blonde seemed seconds away from tears.
�Well, do you wanna leave?�
�It's not your decision, young lady.� Mr Maclay said abruptly and Willow felt a rush of rage towards him for pushing this on Tara.
�I know that! Do you wanna leave?� tears spilled down Tara�s face at Willow�s soft tone and she shook her head.
The older man glared at them all and spoke harshly �You're going to do what's right, Tara. Now, I'm taking you out of here before somebody *does* get killed. The girl belongs with her family. I hope that's clear to the rest of you.�
Willow knew she couldn�t keep her here if Tara followed her father�s ruling but she knew how unhappy Tara had been when her family had shown up and by the way her cousin held herself, always looking down when any of the men passed by she had a shrewd idea why.
�It is.� Buffy said narrowing her eyes at Tara. Willow looked up at Buffy and felt hope burgeon in her heart, she knew that Buffy glint anyway.
�You want her, Mr. Maclay? You can go ahead and take her.� As she whirled to face him she added �You just gotta go through me.�
That wiped the satisfied look off his face and Willow saw Tara look up in amazement as she began to hope.
�What?� the look on his face was incredulous
�You heard me. You wanna take Tara out of here against her will? You gotta come through me.� Buffy�s chin went up and she did her tough guy pose and Willow had never loved her more. This was the Buffy she knew.
�And me!� Dawn chirped as she moved next to her big sister.
Tara smiled a beautiful smile that got rid of her tears.
�Is this a joke? I'm not gonna be threatened by two little girls.� He spat at them
�You don't wanna mess with us.� Dawn stated and Willow bit her lip to keep from insane grinning.
�She's a hair-puller.� Buffy added and Giles walked up behind them.
He gave Willow a reassuring smile and put on his glasses, backing them up all the way.
�And ... you're not just dealing with, uh, two little girls.� they all smirked at that statement. Willow more since she knew they were all doing this for her.
�You're dealing with all of us.� Xander stood up straighter.
�'Cept me.� came a voice from the back
�'Cept Spike.� Xander finished
�I don't care what happens.�
Willow had forgotten that Spike was there. His voice was petulant as if he was annoyed at being ignored and had to make a comment to make sure they didn�t forget him. She had to smile at that. Sometimes he was like a child.
�This is insane.� Mr Maclay was annoyed that he hadn�t gotten his own way �You people have no right to interfere with Tara's affairs. *We* ... are her blood kin! Who the hell are you?�
They all stood there proud and together. Even Spike who moved closer as Buffy�s words rang out loud, clear and true.
�We're family.�
Willow beamed even as Tara sniffed back her tears at being accepted.
Mr. Maclay looked angrily at them all and his son suddenly piped up
�Dad. You -- you gonna let 'em just... Tara, if you don't get in that car, I swear by god I will beat you down.�
They all hissed at his statement and Xander stepped forward more imposing and angry than they had seen him.
Only Willow knew why. Xander had seen enough women beating in his own home to last him several lifetimes. When he finally got old enough and big enough to put a stop to it he had. Willow had never been prouder but it left him with scars, one of which being that he couldn�t let that proclamation go unchallenged, there was a hardness and edge to his voice as he promised
�And I swear by your full and manly beard, you're gonna break something trying.� Donny looked cowed at Xander�s sudden venom and backed away.
Tara�s cousin Beth looked half shocked and half jealous as she said bitterly �Well. I hope you'll all be happy hanging out with a disgusting demon.�
�E-excuse me. What kind?� Willow turned to look at Anya who was waving her hand in the air like she was at class.
Beth was taken aback �What?�
�What kind of demon is she? There's a lot of different kinds. Some are very, very evil. And some have been considered to be useful members of society.� She smiled proudly and Xander turned to smile back at her.
Beth was suddenly unsure of herself �Well, I-I ... what does it matter?�
�Evil is evil.� Her uncle agreed with a self righteous nod.
They all stared as Anya spoke suspiciously
�Well, let's just narrow it down.�
�Ohhh. Why don't I make this simple?�
Willow turned to see Spike stalking towards them. What was he going to do? Punch out Mr Maclay? He couldn�t do that, his chip would go off.
She watched as Spike shot her a look that she couldn�t quite decipher and then tapped Tara on the shoulder. As she turned he punched her in the face.
Tara grabbed her nose in pain. Spike mirrored her as he grabbed his head and flinched in agony.
�Oww!!� he yelled
Willow didn�t see why he had just punched her friend. �Hey!� she yelled and felt sudden concern as he touched his head, why did he do that he knew he got pain when he hurt�
�Hey...� she realised why he did it and her voice broke out happier.
�He hit my nose!� Tara said wondering why Willow was pleased.
�And it hurt! Uh, him, I mean.� Willow gestured at the Vampire who was still holding his head. The look of pain in his face made her pause as Buffy explained things to Mr. Maclay.
�And that only works on humans.�
Spike shook of his expression and backed her up �There's no demon in there. That's just a family legend, am I right? Just a bit of spin to keep the ladies in line, Oh, you're a piece of work. I like you.� He smirked, making it clear that it wasn�t a compliment.
Tara looked elated �I'm not a demon.�
�You're not a demon.� Willow smiled with her, feeling her friends relief at having this hold over her lifted and it was all due to Spike.
�He hurt my nose.�
�Aw.� They both grinned knowing that it didn�t matter. They hadn�t lost their friend and they were gonna be okay.
�Yeah, you're welcome.� Spike glared and stalked off to get some aspirin from the Watcher� cupboard.
�Mr. Maclay, I would say your business here is finished.� Giles smiled Ripperishly at him and he glanced away, to stare at his daughter.
�Tara. For eighteen years your family has taken care of you and supported you. If you wanna turn your back-�
Tara stopped with her gentle words �Dad ... just go.�
He spat out �Magic.� as he walked out followed by his son.
Beth gave Tara a dirty, envious look �Are you happy now?� she retorted hatefully.
A slow smile spread across Tara's face as Beth followed the men and they all heard the slam of doors as the Maclay�s drove away.
Spike sat in the training room trying to get his head to stop pounding. He could hear them all in the other room congratulating themselves and having a hug fest. It was sickening; they all hugged Tara and then the Li�l bit and laughed at how they had vanquished the demons. He clutched at his jaw feeling the ache begin to fade slightly. Well it sounded like they were all off to the Bronze to celebrate the chit�s birthday. He didn�t even realise that it had been her birthday, not that he would have gotten her anything. She was okay for one of the Scooby�s but she wasn�t Willow. He knew he could sit there for a few minutes until they had all gone, odds were they wouldn�t miss him anyway and then he could steal some of that spicy root to go in his blood before going back to the lair and Harmony. He shuddered at the thought. Being with Harmony was getting harder; she just didn�t feel right anymore. For one thing she was blonde, maybe he could get her to colour her hair?
Just as he debated whether it was worth the hassle to get Harmony to think that red was this year�s colour he heard the door to the training room open and in she walked.
She looked cheerful, her eyes glinting with happiness and a smile playing around the corners of her mouth. If he had breath he knew it would catch at the way she walked in and looked at him.
�Hey Spike, I�m glad you�re still here.� She did that little half breath thing she did whenever she was nervous and shifted her feet.
�That right?� he asked cockily, she was glad he was here?
�Yeah, I wanted to say thank you.�
Spike was taken aback; when was the last time someone had thanked him, for anything?
�For what?�
Willow glanced down at her feet �F-for what you did for Tara. I know you knew it would hurt and yet you did it anyway so she wouldn�t have to leave.�
Spike found himself hiding a look of astonishment. She was right. He had never smelled anything even remotely demon-like on the girl and she didn�t act like any demon he had ever heard of. He�d had his suspicions when he saw the smug look on her fathers face and when her father started talking about coming home so they could control her �problem�, he knew. He knew that she was Willow�s friend, the only one that had been there when she was getting over the dog boy and he saw the look on her face when she thought that her pal would be torn away from her, she was devastated and anything he could do to get rid of that was worth any amount of pain. He just didn�t want her to know because he was acting like a damn poof, caring about a sodding human and their pain. Pansy
�Don�t know what you�re talking about Red.� He denied, not looking at her.
Willow ducked her head �Oh okay.�
�And even if I did, I have this reputation to maintain; okay it�s pretty much in tatters but-�
�You still scare Tara.� He looked up hopefully
�I do?�
Willow nodded earnestly �A-and me, sometimes.� She shrugged embarrassed.
Spike bit his lip and looked up at her �I don�t mean to scare you, pet.�
Willow glanced up at his odd tone �W-well anyway, you helped me, us. And I wanted to thank you. How�s your head?� she reached up to touch him and quickly pulled back as if he would snap at her.
Which one? He wanted to ask but refrained from being coarse. �Better.�
�I could�can I?� she gestured to his head and Spike shrugged not sure what she wanted.
Willow put her soft hands on his temples and chanted a few Latin words.
Spike felt the sharp pain ease to a dull ache and then a low throbbing before it vanished totally. He stared at her in surprise.
�What was that?�
�Standard healing spell.� She said semi-proudly and ran her tongue across her bottom lip �Gets rid of most aches and pains.�
�That right?� he leered �Well I have this other ache doc, wanna take a look see?� He put his head on the side suggestively and she blushed furiously.
�T-that�s o-okay Spike.� she stammered and took a few steps backwards �We were all going to the Bronze for Tara�s party, I�m sure she wouldn�t mind if you came with.�
Spike shook his head �Thanks for the invite witch but I have plans.� He didn�t want to spend the rest of the night watching her dance with the rest of the Scooby�s while he stood on the outskirts and got glared at by the Slayer and her pup.
�Course you do.� she smiled �See you later Spike.�
She walked over to the door and than stopped as if she was considering something then turned and walked quickly back to him. She took a deep breath and threw her arms around him. She brushed a quick kiss against his cheek.
�Thanks again.�
She hurried to the door while he was still reeling from her swift hug and kiss.
�Hey Red!� he called and she turned her face which was a pretty red to match her nickname.
�Don�t mention it, and I mean that!� she nodded at him and left.
Spike sat there with his fingers touching the warm spot where her lips had been. His insides tingled and he knew he would have plenty of fantasy material for tonight with her brief touch. He felt like a human male, not a demon, just a guy who had been kissed by a beautiful woman. She had kissed him and hugged him, voluntarily. That was a good sign, right?