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

Chapter 6

Once the pizza arrived, Willow and Spike settled on the couch and turned the on the TV. Spike found an old horror movie as Willow went and retrieved some plates. �Don't forget drinks, luv,� he called out to her.

�Got them,� she called out. Making her way into the living room, she set down the drinks and handed him the plates. As they sat down, Willow glanced at him. He was everything she had missed for the last three years. Here she felt like she was home. Here she almost felt complete.

Spike sat down with her and grabbed a piece of pizza. <This is what it's supposed to be like. Being with her just feels right. Comfortable but nervous. Now, I've just gotta get the nerve to tell her how I feel.> They continued to eat in silence, each one lost in their own thoughts, until they were both full.

Spike saw a yawn escape her lips. �Tired, luv?�

�Not really.� She turned to look at him. �Well, maybe.�

Spike took her plate from her and placed it on the table in front of them. Then he casually draped his arm against the back of the couch.

Willow saw the gesture and smiled. She moved closer to him and leaned against him as she rested her feet on the couch. She wanted to curl her arm around his waist but decided she wouldn't want to stop there�so she kept her hands to herself.

Feeling her body next to his, he closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the feeling. All he had to do was tell her. Was it really that hard to voice his feelings to her? Yes! As he opened his eyes, he let his hand slide up and down her arm in a comforting gesture as they continued to watch the movie. Eventually his arm curled around her shoulders, holding her close to him.

As the movie came to an end, he picked up the remote and turned the TV off. �Willow?� he whispered. �Luv, are you awake?� He heard nothing but silence. �Wi-llow? Luv, we should get up.�

�Mmm,� she mumbled as her arm circled his waist.

�Well, that's that, isn't it?� He picked her up slightly and held her body to his as he maneuvered his body onto the couch with her. Grabbing the blanket off the back of the couch, he covered them up. Spike smiled when he felt her snuggle into his body. She seemed to melt into him and he knew he had already melted into her. �How am I supposed to tell you I love you, pet?� With those last words, he joined her in slumber.

Willow woke the next afternoon, snuggling into her pillow. Her eyes darted open when she realized her pillow had a heart beat. She looked up and saw Spike looking down at her. �Hey,� she said quietly.

�Hey,� he returned. �I was wondering if you were ever gonna wake up.�

�Sorry,� she mumbled.

�Don't be.�

�I fell asleep, huh?�

�In the middle of the movie. Told you you were tired.�

�Did I sleep on the couch the whole night?�

�WE slept on the couch the whole night. You kinda put your arms around me and didn't want to let me go.�

Willow started to blush at his words. �Oh.�

�And just between us, I love it when you blush.�

That only made her blush harder. �I feel bad that I fell asleep.�

�You know you can make it up to me tonight.�

�Um�what exactly did you have in mind?�

�Accompany me to dinner? I was kinda hoping you would say yes since I left earlier and already got you a dress.�

�How could I say no?� she told him seriously.

Spike held her close to his body as he leaned into her ear. �That's the idea,� he whispered as his lips brushed against her ear. Spike felt her lean into his touch and moved his lips down to her neck. He started to place several small kisses against her skin before she pushed him away.

�We can't,� she told him trying to catch her breath. �I mean dinner yeah but no kisses.�

�Why is that? You seemed to have enjoyed them.�

�I did�I mean no. No. We just can't. When do we need to leave for dinner?�

�An hour. The dress is laying on the bed.�

Willow jumped off the couch. �I should go and get dressed.� Willow started to walk away but stopped and then turned around. �I'm sorry. I did enjoy�and I do want�I just can't. You came back for this incredible girl. You came back from the dead for her, her love and I just�I don't want to ruin things between you and her.�

�Luv, you don't understand. The girl is��

�I don't want to know. I really don't want to know.� She rushed off to the bedroom, pleading for the tears not to fall.

Chapter 7

Willow pushed back the tears and gasped when she saw the dress. She walked over to the bed and picked up the dress, letting the material glide through her fingers. The dress was black silk, sleeveless  and draped almost to the floor. She noticed a zipper on the back as she set the dress back on the bed. Looking to her left, she saw an assortment of other items he had left for her. Stockings, shoes, perfume, a necklace, hairclip and a pair of lace panties. As her eyes widened , she pulled off her clothes and picked up the dress once again.

Forty-five minutes later, she was ready. She had piled her hair on top of her head and had put on a little makeup. The dress and stockings felt amazing against her skin. Suddenly she heard a knock on the bedroom door. Checking herself once more in the mirror, she nodded and opened the door. As she stood in the open doorway,  she forgot to breathe  for a moment. She let her eyes graze over his body . He was wearing black slacks with a blue silk shirt . He left the top button open and had on a black jacket, for appearance sake.

Spike let his eyes linger for a moment on her body. She looked amazing. There were no words to express what he was feeling. �You look beautiful, Willow.� He watched as she started to blush and found himself wondering how far that blush went. �Shall we go?� he squeaked. As she nodded her head yes, he led her out of the apartment and down to their ride.

Willow saw the limo and quickly turned to him. �A limo? It's ours?�

�It is. Do you fancy it, luv?�

She smiled at him. �I love it!�

Spike opened the door for her. �Climb in, luv.� He climbed in after her and felt the vehicle moving the moment he closed the door. The restaurant was only fifteen minutes away but it was fifteen minutes he would get to spend alone with her.

Willow could feel her whole body tingling. Between the limo she was riding in, the silk she was wearing and Spike next to her; she felt like she was in heaven. She turned her head to look at him. �All of this, it's��

<Does she not like it?> �It's what, pet?�

�You didn't have to do all this. I mean,  I'm the one that fell asleep on you.�

�I wanted to do this,� he replied softly. Feeling the car stop, he reached for the door. �We're here, Red.� Spike climbed out of the limo and held his hand out to her.

Placing her hand in his, he helped her out of the car. She watched as Spike shut the door and then placed his hand on the small of her back guiding her into the restaurant. As Willow walked through the doors,  she became overwhelmed by everything. It was beautiful. The walls were done with a deep color of wood. The columns had intricate designs carved  on them. The candles that were placed throughout the restaurant gave a warm glow to everything. When they reached their table, she smiled as Spike pulled out her chair for her, motioning for her to sit down. Once Spike sat down, she leaned over the table. �Everything is so beautiful here.�

He looked directly into her eyes. �Yes it is, especially you.� Willow started to blush at his statement as t he waiter appeared at their table.

�Good evening. Our specials tonight are��

�No need mate,� Spike interrupted. �We'll start with a bottle of wine and should be ready by the time you come back.�

�Very well, sir.� He left the menus and rushed to get the wine.

�Spike, wine? I don't usually drink.�

�And I don't usually go out to dinner with a beautiful girl. Look over your menu, pet. He'll be back shortly.�

Conversation flowed easily throughout  dinner. It was as  if they had known each other forever. And the fact that they had gone through two bottles of wine didn't hurt the situation. After dinner, they both climbed back in the car ready to go home. Willow leaned against Spike in the limo as he let his fingers graze across the side of her neck. Spike could feel the wine floating through his body and figured she probably felt the effect of the wine too. �So beautiful,� he whispered in her ear. �You were always beautiful but I never told you.�

Willow turned her body and looked at him. Suddenly she became very nervous.

Spike saw her watching him and snaked his arms around her waist. He pulled her closer to his body and brought his hands up to her face. Without another word, he leaned towards her and placed his lips against hers.  The kiss was tender and soft,  yet demanding and needy. He felt her open her mouth and he slipped his tongue inside, tasting her. One of his hands went to her back as the other one held the back of her head to his. They kissed until they were both out of breath.

Willow finally pulled back when she was out of breath. �This�we can't�it's the wine,� she announced.

�Sure about that, Willow?"

�Yeah. Yeah. The wine. Wine does funny things to people.� At that moment the car stopped and they both got out of the limo. Spike paid the driver and took Willow's hand in his, both of them walking to the apartment, thinking about the kiss.

When they both got inside, Spike shut the door and locked it. He turned to her, searching for something to say. �I had fun tonight, Red.�

�Yeah me too. It's been a long while since someone made me feel�beautiful.�

�You are. No denying that.�

�I'm just gonna change out of these clothes and into something a little more Willowy.�

�I'll be out here when you're done.�

Willow walked away and closed the bedroom door behind her. She kicked off her shoes and pulled off the stockings. After she took off the necklace, she reached for the zipper but couldn't pull it down. Willow looked to the door and took a deep breath. �Spike,� she called out. �Could you come here for a moment?�

Spike had already kicked off his shoes and taken off the silk shirt. He was only wearing his black slacks when he opened the door. �You ok?�

�Actually,  there's a problem.� She turned her back to him. �The zipper, I can't undo it.�

Spike stepped up to her and took the zipper between his fingers. Slowly he slid it down, letting his fingers brush against her back. Spike waited for her to move but it didn't happen. He reached up and unclasped her hair, letting it fall down around her face. He brought his hand up and pushed her hair to the side. Leaning down he placed a small kiss on the back of her neck. When he didn't hear her protest, he started kissing his way over to her shoulders. Spike brought his lips up to her neck as he felt his whole body respond to her. He could feel her head lean back as he took another step forward, their bodies touching. As he continued to kiss her neck, he started pushing her dress forward, letting the garment slide down her body.

Chapter 8

As he continued to kiss her neck, he started pushing her dress forward, letting the garment slide down her body. Once the dress hit the floor, he reached his arms around to circle her body, when he heard her voice.

�Don't regret me,� she whispered.

Spike frowned and slowly turned her around. �What are you talking about?�

Willow started to bite her bottom lip. �Sometimes when two people go out to dinner and then drink and then�sleep together, well the next morning they regret it.�

Spike cupped her face in his hands. �I could never regret you. Ever.�

Willow nodded her head. �Ok.�

Spike circled his arms around her waist, pulling her to his body. �No regrets,� he whispered in her ear. �I want you.�

�Goddess, I want you too,� she breathed.

Spike took control and started to kiss her tenderly. He let his fingers drift through her hair as he deepened the kiss. His tongue battled for dominance with hers as he tasted her. He could practically feel her humming through his body.

When Willow felt him take control of the kiss, she drifted her hands over his chest. His skin was so warm and inviting. She let them linger at his pants for a moment before she started unzipping them. When she pushed them over his hips, he pulled back gasping for air.

Spike kicked the pants away from his body and picked Willow up, carrying her to the bed. He laid her down gently, climbing into bed with her, his body slowly covering hers.

�I need you,� she whispered. She needed to touch him. To feel him. To know this was real and not just another dream she was having.

He started nibbling on her ear. �Do you now? What do you want from me?�

�Anything,� she whimpered.

�I can definitely do that.� He started to kiss his  way down her body, nipping and licking at her skin. The more she moaned , the more aroused he became. He pulled off her lace panties and dropped them to the floor, the garment joining the other clothes already on the floor. He returned back to her body and finally reached her curls after teasing the rest of her body and let his tongue drift across her slit. Her body arched for more contact with him. Spike held her hips in place as he gently breathed across her wetness. He could feel her frustration.

�Spike,� she growled.

�Patience, my luv.�

�Screw patience.�

�If you insist,� he smirked. Letting his tongue taste her, he started to  suck gently on her clit. He felt her hands intertwine through his hair as her breath started to speed up. He could feel it in her body. He started to suck harder when her hips began  to rock against him.

Willow felt like she was in heaven, but she wanted him. Now! �William,� she moaned.

Hearing his real name, Spike pulled away a bit surprised.

�Spike?� she asked confused.

�Say it again.�

�Say what?�

�My name. Say it, luv.�

�William.� When he didn't move, Willow leaned forward and reached out to grab his cock but Spike pushed her  back on the bed and kissed her hard. �I love when you moan my name, luv. It's music.�

�William��

He cut her off mid-sentence. �I wanna be inside you.�

�Goddess, yes.�

Spike felt her spread her legs as he took his cock and positioned himself at her opening. Catching her eyes, he slowly slid inside her, letting her warmth trap him. He kissed her hard, swallowing her screams. Staying still for a moment, he felt a shiver go through him. As he felt her hands drift through his hair, he started to slowly move inside her. He could feel her hands drifting down his back and over his arms. It felt as if she was touching him everywhere. Keeping a steady rhythm, he started to kiss every inch of her skin. Her ear, her neck, her collarbone, her chest�

Willow felt as if his lips were everywhere. With each kiss, she could feel her body heat up even more. As he pushed into her, she raised her hips to him, meeting him for each thrust. When she felt his thrusts speed up, she spread her legs a bit farther and lifted her legs, letting him sink deeper.

With the new position, he felt himself sink into her until his balls were resting against her skin. An urgent rush of need came over him. He could hear her moans of �faster' and �harder' and wasn't going to argue with her about it. He pulled almost all the way out, thrusting into her roughly. Hearing her moan, he continued. Each time a little faster, a little harder. Closing his eyes, he heard himself moaning her name. Begging for her release. He knew he was close and was trying to hold back.

Willow could feel herself on the edge. �Almost there, baby,� she whispered. �William, William, William,� she started to chant in his ear like a mantra.

As he heard his name on her lips, he could feel her starting to flutter around him. He couldn't hold back anymore. He thrust hard into her three more times before he shot his release into her. Feeling her body arch up, he snaked his arms around her, holding her close to his body. Somewhere in the distance he could hear them screaming each other's names in the usual silent night.

Spike collapsed on top of her, each one of them still shaking from their release. Reluctantly, he pulled out of her and lay down next to her, pulling her close to him. His lips met hers in the most innocent, tender, passionate kiss either one of them had ever experienced. When he pulled away, he wiped a bead of sweat away from her face and leaned back on the mattress with a smile on his face. They were both silent for a moment until Spike decided to speak up.

�You're the first person I've slept with since I became human, pet.�

Willow couldn't believe the confession he had just made to her. �It's been almost three years.�

�Yeah,� he said quietly. �Have you�um�have you been with anyone, Red?�

�No,� she replied just as quietly. �When you died, a part of me died with you. It felt like a piece of me was missing.� She looked into his eyes. �Until now.�

Spike smiled at her. She was finally his. The question was, did she know it? �Get some sleep, luv. We'll talk more tomorrow.�

Chapter 9

Willow woke up the following morning and frowned when she didn't feel Spike next to her. She felt�complete. She knew she belonged with him, but there was a sadness to her.  She never got around to telling him and now it was too late. She never told him that she would be leaving today. Hearing the water running in the shower, she climbed out of bed and put on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. She placed her bag on the bed and started to throw her stuff into it. Ten minutes later, she was still packing and never noticed Spike behind her, standing in the doorway.

Spike dried off from his shower and slipped on a pair of jeans. He had never been so happy before. He made his way back to the bedroom, wanting to surprise Willow but froze in the doorway when he saw her packing. He felt as if his heart was being pulled out of his chest. �Luv? What are you doing?� he asked her. His voice was shaky.

�I'm packing.�

�I see that, but why?"

�Because I'm leaving tonight.�

He froze. �Did I do something wrong?� he asked her.

She turned around quickly. �What? No! You were�great. Being here with you�I was happy.�

�Then why are you leaving?�

�I told you in the bookstore I was on vacation. I don't live around here, Spike. I have a life back home.�

�A life that you don't even like. You went out searching for something and�I thought you had found it. You found me.�

�Don't make this harder than it is.�

�I don't want you to leave! How do you want me to react?�

�You could spend the day with me, kiss me good bye and we'll go our separate ways.�

�No,� he told her shaking his head. �I can't do that.�

�This isn't your choice. I'm going back to my life. I fly out tonight. And you can finally have your chance.�

�Chance? What chance?�

�A chance with that girl you came back for.�

�Is that what this is about?�

�Spike��

�It was you, luv.�

�What was me?�

�The girl I came back for. I came back  for you.�

�No you didn't.�

�I loved you. I never told you and I regret that. I'm saying it now. I love you. I just found you. Please don't leave me. Last night, I had never felt so happy, so complete.� He walked over to her and grazed the side of her face with his fingers. �Don't leave me. Stay.�

�Stay?�

�Stay here with me. Move in. We can build a new life. Just you and me.�

�You're serious?�

�Willow��

�I love you, Spike.�

�What?�

�I loved you before and I never told you.�

�Stay with me?�

�Buffy will want to come out . She'll make a trip out here to see that I haven't completely lost my mind.�

�That should be interesting.� He paused for a moment. �Is that a yes? You'll stay?�

�I'll stay.�

His lips met hers and he lost himself�again. �Go call her, pet. We have plans this afternoon.�

�What plans?�

�You and me in my bed.� As she started to walk into the living room, he smiled to himself. Everything in his life was perfect. He walked out to the main room to offer his support to Willow as she sat on the phone with Buffy.

�No Buffy, I haven't lost my mind�Yes I know what I'm doing�I know you don't understand how I fell in love in a couple of days but it's kinda hard to explain�that's tomorrow! You want to come tomorrow?�

�Give her the address pet, so we can get this over with.�

Willow gave Buffy the address and hung up the phone. �Buffy and Xander are flying in tomorrow just for the night and then they're flying back. They want to meet you.�

�Should be interesting. Now, lets get back to bed pet.� Willow let him pull her back to the bedroom where they stayed the rest of the day.

Chapter 10

The following day, Spike watched Willow as she paced the apartment, waiting for her friends arrival.

�Pet, relax. You're wound. The place is picked up. The food is cooked. And if you don't calm down, we're gonna have to replace the carpet.�

Willow sat down next to him on the couch. She turned her head to look at him. �We?�

�Yes, we. You are still planning on staying, aren't you?�

�Yes, it's just�you really love me?�

Spike cupped her face in his hands. �I really do.� He leaned forward and placed a small kiss on her lips. �Now they should be here soon. I'm gonna go change and I want you to stay seated on this couch.�

A grin came across her face. �Ok. Love you.�

�Good,� he yelled out as he walked down the hallway to their bedroom.

About ten minutes later, Willow heard a knock on the door. �William,� she called out. �There's a knock.�

�Answer the door, pet. I'll be down soon.�

�Right, answer the door. You can do this.� Willow pulled the door open slowly. Buffy and Xander both stood there with smiles on their faces. Xander was the first one to step forward.

He wrapped his arms around her. �Hey, Wills. You got any food?�

�Actually, yes. Lunch was made but you'll have to wait.� She watched as Xander passed her and started to glance around the living room. �Buffy.�

Buffy rushed to her, embracing her in a tight hug. �I've missed you.�

�I missed you too.�

�You're really not coming back?�

Willow shook her head. �I'm not. I'm happy here. I'm in love.�

�How is that even possible? You've only been gone for a couple of weeks and suddenly you're in love?�

�I am.�

�Does he make you happy?�

�He does.�

�Well, where is he? Is��

Suddenly, they heard Xander from the other room. �Food! Wills, did you make all of this?�

Buffy and Willow went to where Xander was, never noticing Spike in the doorway. �Wills, I thought you couldn't cook?� Buffy asked her.

�She can't,� Spike said. �But I can.�

Xander and Buffy slowly turned their heads to look at the person that was connected to the voice. �It can't be,� Buffy whispered. Her eyes were wide with shock.

�You were dust. Sunnydale burned away. You burned.�

�I did and now I'm here. Xander�Buffy�will you take your seats so we can eat?�

�You called me Xander.�

�It is your name.�

�Why can't I sense you?� Buffy asked. �What the hell is going on?�

�Sit down and I'll explain,� he told them both. Spike and Willow sat on one side of the table, while Buffy and Xander took their places on the other side of the table. Once everyone was seated, he began to tell them bits and pieces of the story. ��so you see, I was allowed to come back for love. I came back for Willow.�

�This is defiantly on my weird scale,� Buffy muttered.

Xander looked at Spike and then at Willow. �Does he make you happy?�

�He does.� Willow blushed as Spike took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles.

�I guess I'll have to come up with a new nickname. Dead boy doesn't really work anymore.�

Buffy turned to Xander. �You're giving them your approval?�

�I've know Wills a long time. It Spike is what makes her happy, then I'm ok with it. Now let's eat.�

Lunch was eaten in silence. In fact the whole afternoon was quite silent. Once Buffy and Xander left, Spike shut the door and Willow collapsed on the couch. �Finally tension free,� she remarked.

�So luv, what do you do now?�

�What do you mean?�

�With you life? What do you want out of your life?�

�I don't know. I mean well you obviously.�

�Do you mean that?�

�Of course.� She could see he was nervous. �What's wrong?�

Spike kneeled in front of her. �You're everything to me, Willow. I love with my heart, with my life.� He pulled out a ring from his pocket and presented it to her. �Marry me?�

Once Willow could find her voice, she responded. �Yes, very yes.� She allowed him to slide the ring on her finger. �It's beautiful.�

�It was my mother's.�

�Spike��

�I'll love you till my dying days.�

�Till my dying days,� she agreed.

THE END

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