Disclaimer: Everything BtVS and AtS is owned by Joss, ME, and all them over there. Everything Anita Blake is owned by Laurell K. Hamilton

American Beauty

Willow lay on the ground where she landed laughing her head off. Spike glared at her from where he stood safely away from the sun. He glanced around and saw that the lobby was blessedly empty.

Getting up, he walked over to his mate. "What the bloody hell is so funny? I almost combusted! And you're laughing!"

Willow just laughed harder. "I've never seen you panic before, baby. It was funny as hell."

"Witch..." Spike began.

"Yeah, you've got that right, Spike. Witch. I'm a witch. And a powerful one at that. Do you honestly think I would have let you get hurt? If I had actually thought that you were in real danger ..." Willow said.

Spike's glare hardened. "You let me suffer?"

"Suffer? Oh, please. Bottle in the face ring a bell? Scaring the shit out of me in my dorm room that time?"

Spike couldn't help but grin at her logic. "Payback's a bitch, innit, luv?"

Willow just started laughing again. Spike heard a noise and turned towards it.

He smiled at the man who had appeared at the front desk. "Good morning, I have a reservation. The name's Hathaway," Spike said as he approached the desk.

Smiling, the man nodded. "Ah, yes. William, correct?"

Spike nodded. "That's right. I expect you'll be needing my credit card, ay?"

As Spike settled things with the clerk, he saw- out of the corner of his eye- that Willow was no longer on the floor. Taking the key-card from the man, Spike turned to see his love standing with a middle-aged couple talking rapidly and very wide-eyed.

He approached slowly, gaining her attention. She smiled at him and motioned for him to join her.

"Wondered where you got off to," he said as he walked up to the small group.

Willow's smile widened as he wrapped his arm around her waist. "William," she said in greeting.

"The friend you were telling us about, dear?" the man asked.

Willow nodded. "Mom, Dad, this is William Hathaway. William, these are my parents, Ira and Sheila Rosenberg."

Spike's eyes widened in shock. "Hello," he said in his 'sophisticated' voice, reaching a hand out to Willow's father. "This is certainly a surprise."

Ira laughed and shook Spike's hand. "Oh, and for us as well. We're in town for a seminar, and imagine our surprise when we see our daughter in the lobby!"

Willow smiled. "We're on our way back to Sunnydale- this is just a day trip. We've been in England most of the holiday break."

Sheila's eyes lit up. "England? Which city?"

"London, Mom. I was meeting William's family," Willow answered.

Ira smiled. "And they loved you, of course," he said brightly.

"She was simply smashing. Would you two care to join us for breakfast?" Spike asked.

Together Ira and Sheila shook their heads. "Oh, we couldn't. We've got to get over to the University- our first seminar is in an hour and I'm afraid we're not positive on where to go..." Sheila said, trailing off.

Willow nodded. "Of course, Mother. I'll see you and Dad in April, right? That's when your tour ends?"

Ira thought for a moment before nodding. "Yes, we'll be in Sunnydale for about three weeks in April, we'll have to get together then for dinner."

"Sure," Willow said.

Spike watched the scene in shock. Lost in thought, he merely mumbled that it was nice meeting them and watched them walk away. Turning to Willow with his eyes full of questions, he waited for her to speak.

"Yeah. Those were my parents. It used to really bother me, the way they are, but now ... well, I guess I'm used to it. They give me money and pay for my school, and I see them about once a year. Sometimes twice, it just depends on their schedules."

Spike saw the hurt in her eyes even though she was trying to hide it. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he kissed her temple. "You hungry, luv?"

Willow shook her head. "No, but I'd like a bath."

"I do believe that can be arranged. Shall we?"

_____________________________________________

Willow woke slowly and looked at the clock. It was only two in the afternoon. Smiling she rolled over and kissed Spike's cheek.

"I'm getting up now, Spike," she said quietly, thinking he wouldn't hear her.

His arms tightened around her as she tried to get out of the bed. "Where exactly do you think you're going, Red?"

Willow allowed him to pull her back onto the bed. "Spike, I have something I need to take care of. I've never been to New York and there are some people I'd like to meet. People I kinda work for ... so, let me up, okay?"

Spike growled, still not releasing her. "People you work for?"

Willow smiled. "Yeah- you remember me telling Stephen Greene about the Atlantis Corporation?"

Spike nodded into her hair. "Yeah. Seems your investment tip paid off- I'm now the proud owner of quite a bit of their stock ... apparently they just sold something and the investment just became much more lucrative."

Willow giggled.

"What's so funny, Red?"

"I kinda inside traded." Willow said.

"You work for them? You are employed by this Atlantis Corp.?"

Willow nodded. "Have been since I was 17. I develop software programs for them. That something that they just sold? I developed it."

"You're a bad girl, Red," Spike said as he kissed her neck.

"I'm a rebel," Willow said, turning to face her vampire. Their lips met in a sensual kiss.

Willow pulled away, breathless. "You're taking me out tonight before we leave, right?"

Spike nodded, running his hands over her body. "That's the plan."

Willow kissed him again before getting out of the bed.

Spike glared at her. "Witch-" he began.

"Spike, I told you- I'm going out for a while. If I agree to stay in bed, well, you'd convince me to stay all afternoon. And I want to go meet my employers. If it's such a big deal you can punish me later."

Spike hardened instantly at her words. "You don't know what you're saying, pet."

Willow grinned and looked back at him. "I don't?" she asked.

"No."

"I guess you'll have to teach me, then," she said as she entered the bathroom.

_____________________________________________

Spike glanced at the clock. Willow had been gone for hours. She was supposed to be with him. He'd wanted to shag her senseless all day before showing her the town. Looking outside he saw that sunset was nearing, and his internal clock screamed that he had about forty-five minutes before night began. Rising from the bed, Spike headed off to shower.

Twenty minutes later he emerged from the bathroom to find the room still Willow-less. Growling softly, he began to get dressed for the evening. He was putting on his shoes when he heard the key-card slide into the door.

Willow entered the room slowly with a dazed look on her face. She walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge.

"Hi," she said.

"Pet." Spike answered, his voice tight.

Willow looked up when she realized something was wrong. Her thoughts vanished as she saw the look on Spike's face.

"Spike?" she questioned.

"Where have you been?"

"I told you, I went to the Atlantis Corp.-" she began.

"You've been gone for hours, Red."

Willow nodded. "I know. It was ... this afternoon ... I need to sit down."

Spike eye's narrowed at his mate's behavior. "You are sitting down," he said.

"Oh- yay."

"Willow, what in the hell is wrong with you?" Spike demanded.

She glanced up at him and managed a small smile. "Sorry. Just a little overwhelmed. They offered me another job."

"Oh, really?" he asked, intrigued.

Willow nodded. "Yeah. In LA. I'd be developing software programs at the branch there. Spike, they offered me a full scholarship to UCLA. And an apartment. And a car. And a really amazing salary."

Spike sat down on the bed beside her. "What did you say?"

Willow reached out and took his hand. "I told them that I would have to talk to my fiancee. I hope you don't mind me telling them that we're engaged. I didn't think they'd understand what a mate was..."

Spike was floored, his anger dissipating. "You told them you had to talk to me first?"

Willow nodded. "Of course. I mean, we are together, right? You're not going to break up with me once we get home, are you?"

Spike turned and grabbed her face in his hands. "I said forever, Witch. Don't think for one second that I didn't mean it. You're mine."

Willow smiled and raised her lips to his.

After a few moments, Spike broke away from the kiss. "LA, then?" he asked.

Willow hesitated before nodding. "I want to. I really, really want to. But then, there's this part of me that keeps saying that abandoning my friends to the Hellmouth would not be of the good."

Spike sighed. "Willow, you can't let loyalty to that bunch keep you from starting a very good career. And besides, they don't deserve you."

She bit her lip. "Spike, they're my friends. My life is in Sunnydale. And I love them."

Spike took her hand and looked into her eyes. "Yes, luv, I know. And if they're truly your friends, and if they truly respect you, they'll understand."

Willow raised an eyebrow. "You sure are surprisingly supportive, Spike. What's up? Why are you so fuzzy all of a sudden?"

Spike glared at her. "I am not fuzzy. I just know a good thing when I hear it. And besides, I'd love to get away from those bloody people."

Willow's eyes darkened. "Oh."

Spike looked at her in question. "Oh what?"

"I just realized something. You may not be able to leave Sunnydale as easily as I can ... what if Riley-"

"If he poses a problem? What do you mean if? Of course he will! He'll pitch a bloody fit. Slutty too, most likely. They all will, pet. If it becomes too big of an issue, we'll deal with it. We'll just have to leave quietly."

Willow nodded, but she knew it wouldn't be that easy. "They're not going to like this. Us, I mean. I've been avoiding thinking about it, but I can't do that anymore. They'll try to keep us apart."

Spike growled. "That will never happen. I will not allow it."

Willow's mind was whirling with thoughts and images of things that could happen. Her eyes filled with tears at the thought of someone staking Spike in order to 'protect' her.

"Oh, Goddess. Spike! They'll kill you."

Spike's mind rebelled at the thought. The majority of his brain screamed that not one of them could ever kill him. But a smaller, more insistent part reminded him that because they were all human he couldn't do a thing to stop them if they tried. Except run. He had no way of protecting himself. Or Willow, for that matter.

"We've got some roadblocks ahead for sure, luv."

Willow nodded. "I just wish I knew that I'd be able to protect you from the human variety of roadblocks ... but unless I resort to using my magic on my friends ..."

In Spike's heart, he knew the witch was right. His mind ran over the issue at hand again. The fact was that he couldn't defend himself from a human without causing himself severe pain. And he certainly couldn't protect Willow if they tried to physically take her away from him. Sighing heavily, he knew what he had to do.

"It'll be all right, Willow. I'll take care of everything."

"Spike..."

He shook his head. "Nope. Don't wanna talk about this anymore."

Willow's eyes widened at his tone. "Oh. Well, um, what do you want to talk about?"

Spike eyes flashed amber as he stalked over to her. Grabbing her arms and pulling her roughly to him, he answered, "Your punishment."

The smell of Willow's arousal filled the air and Spike threw her down on the bed. "Now, I can't punish you fully because we're in this bleedin' hotel room. But, seeing how you did leave against my wishes this afternoon..."

Willow's eyes darkened at the prospect. "Yes, I did. And I should be punished, Spike. I've been bad."

Instantly hard, Spike pounced on top of her. "Yes, pet. Very bad."

________________________________________

Willow stepped out of the bathroom dressed to the nines. She was wearing a sleeveless emerald green dress that fell almost to her knees. It was satin and beautiful. Her mate's fresh mark bared proudly on her throat, Willow smiled at him.

Spike's eyes widened when he saw her. The cigarette he was smoking forgotten, he got up from his seat on the bed and walked over to her.

"Willow, you look smashing, luv," he said right before his lips met hers.

Willow sighed in contentment and wrapped her arms around Spike. "You sure know how to compliment a girl."

Spike grinned down at her.

"You sure you want to do this?" she asked, her voice betraying how tired she was.

"Go out?" Spike questioned, ignoring her discomfort. "Of course- what you want to let some realizations about Sunnydale and the future ruin our night?"

Willow shook her head. "No. You're right. We'll worry about home when we get there. I'm just tired. You wore me out with the punishment and the making me wait through an hour of teasing before you let me..."

Spike grabbed her and crushed her lips under hers in a hard kiss. "Keep talking, Little One, and we'll never get out of this room."

Willow giggled. "I don't think I could do anything more for a while, Spike. I meant it- you wore me out. But, I think I'll manage to survive your plans for tonight."

Spike just grinned. "You'll have fun, pet. And they'll be plenty of time for rest later."

Willow nodded because tired as she was, in truth, she wanted to go out. Spike was fun to show off.

"So, who were you on the phone with?" she questioned.

Spike looked at her with a blank _expression on his face.

"Spike? I heard you on the phone when I was in the shower. Is everything okay?"

Slowly, Spike nodded. "Course it is, luv. Just needed to take care of something, s'all."

Willow wanted to ask for more details but let the subject drop. "You look great, by the way."

Spike looked down at himself and the black on black suit he was wearing. "Why wouldn't I look good? I am me, after all."

Willow slapped his arm. "Ego much?"

Spike grinned. "Ready?"

Willow nodded and took his outstretched arm. Grabbing their jackets, they headed out the door.

_________________________________________________

Their evening had been wonderful. Spike had managed to find a demon friendly playhouse and they'd gone to see King Lear. Willow had enjoyed it almost more than any other play she'd seen, but watching demons perform Shakespeare had thrown her slightly.

They had eaten at a nice restaurant- again run by demons. Willow wondered silently throughout the evening if every city had places like this, and if so, how did people not know about them? When she'd questioned Spike on the subject he'd just laughed and asked her how old she'd been when she'd discovered vampires and demons. Willow had just grinned and told Spike about the LSD excuse. They'd enjoyed a quiet dinner and were now dancing on the small floor offered at the restaurant.

Willow rested her head on Spike's shoulder, her arms wrapped tightly around him. They swayed together in silence, the music surrounding them. The other people on the dance floor had faded away and for the two of them, the night was perfect.

"I love you." Willow whispered.

Spike tilted his head down and smiled. "Love you, too, Red."

"We should go, though. We've got to make the flight."

Spike nodded. "Change on the plane?" he asked.

"Bags already there?" she questioned.

"Took care of everything, luv."

Willow smiled. "You always do."

Together they walked out of the small restaurant and into the night. Spike hailed a cab and they began the short journey to the airport. They rode quietly, speaking only pleasantries. They never broke contact, though. His hand always held hers, and she leaned closely against him. It was a contentment that neither of them had ever felt. And both silently vowed that nothing was going to keep them apart.

The flight to Sunnydale was uneventful, both of them sleeping soundly in each others arms. They arrived at four in the morning and quietly made their way to the Rosenberg house. There was a battered truck sitting in the driveway when they arrived causing Willow to tense.

"S'alright, luv." Spike said soothingly.

They watched a young black man get out of the truck and head over to them. Spike pulled Willow close to him and waited.

"You Spike?" the man asked.

"What of it?"

The man smirked. "I'm Charles Gunn. Angel sent me."

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