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 1

Willow had spent all day in the public library. Even though she was out of high school now, she loved being surrounded by books. More often than not, she could lose herself in them. She felt as if she was in her element. Willow suddenly looked up at the clock. "Darn," she mumbled. "Only an hour before sundown." She gathered her stuff and left quickly, heading towards Giles' house. As she walked through the streets of Sunnydale, enjoying the last hour of daylight, she remembered she needed to pick something up from her house. <It's on my way there. I'll just run inside, grab the blank disk and leave.> Looking up, she saw the sight in front of her. Her parents cars were in the driveway.

<I wonder what they're doing here? They're never here.> Willow walked up to the door and pushed it open, seeing her mother in the living room. She looked around the room, noting that her father would probably be in his study.

"Willow, I'm glad you're here. We need to talk," her mother told her.

"Just a minute. I'll be right back. I just need to pick up something from my room."

"Willow," she called out but her daughter had already made her way upstairs.

Willow pushed open her door and froze. Her eyes glanced over the room. After the initial shock wore off, she made her way downstairs and saw her mom watching her. "My stuff, where is it? Why is my room empty? There's nothing in it. NOTHING!"

"Now, sweetie. You need to calm down."

Willow took a deep breath but her emotions were still strong. "What did you do with all my stuff?"

"Well, there seems to be a new storage place that opened up; not far from here. The movers came and picked everything up. They were fairly quick about it, actually."

"I'm confused."

"Honey, me and your dad are moving back into the house. Which means you're leaving."

"What?!"

"Well with you living here, it just wouldn't help with the sort of impression that we want to set for people. Our colleagues, our friends, even out clients."

"You can't kick me out. Where will I live? What about college?"

"Well, you have some money in your bank account. You'll need to make a choice. You can either pay your way through college. Of course you'll need to obtain a job because you don't have that much in the account. Or I guess you can try to find a place of your own and work."

Willow was shocked with everything. "I can't believe this is happening."

"I don't see the surprise, Willow. It's not a secret to you that neither one of us have wanted you as a daughter for awhile now. You don't meet our standards with anything you do. You're more of a disappointment than anything else." Sheila looked over at the phone when it started ringing. "You should leave now, Willow. Don't get any ideas. The locks will be changed the minute you leave and our phone number has already been changed." Sheila pointed to a bag in the corner of the room. "That bag in the corner is yours. It has your clothes. And here," she said as she pulled out a piece of paper from her pocket. "This is the address of the storage place. You're not wanted here anymore." She walked away towards the phone as Willow walked towards the door.

~~~ @@@ ~~~ @@@ ~~~
"Spike."

"Watcher."

"Look, Willow's late. I want you to find her. Make sure she gets her safe."

"You want me to purposely go out and find the chit to make sure she's safe?!"

"That's right."

"I could care less if the lot of you are drained. Send your Slayer."

"I'm sending you."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then I'll be forced to chain you in the bathtub again."

"Bloody hell," he mumbled. "Fine. I'll go and retrieve the girl."

As Giles watched the vampire leave, he returned to his book.

~~~ @@@ ~~~ @@@ ~~~

Willow hid her bag in a set of bushes near Giles house but far enough away so they wouldn't notice. A couple minutes later, she saw Spike approaching her.

"Witch."

"Hey Spike," she said softly.

"You aware it's after sunset?"

"Yeah, I just..."

"I'm sure your answer is interesting if I actually cared but I don't. Watcher sent me to come get you. Personally I could care less but I was threatened with the being chained in the bathroom bit so here I am." They started walking towards Giles house in complete silence. To Spike, it was unnerving. "Why were you crying, pet?"

"I wasn't..."

"I can smell it."

"Like you really care."

"You're right. I don't." He glanced at her as she focused her eyes on staring straight ahead. Something about the look on her face was unsettling to him.

"Does Giles send you after me often?"

"Here and there."

"I know you hate me and you would've killed me it it wasn't for the chip and I know we're enemies but nest time, when they send you after me. Lie."

"Lie?" <The shy good girl witch was telling him to lie to her friends?> "Wanna give me a reason?"

"Not really. Why do you need one?"

"It's my unlife on the line. I don't fancy becoming dust." Spike stopped with Willow in front of Giles' door.

"Can't tell you Spike so drop the subject."

"Not can't. Won't."

"Can we just go inside now or do you want to tell me how much you can't stand me and my friends?"

Spike took one step closer to her. "Let's get one thing straight," he told her as he stared into her eyes. "I wouldn't have just killed you. I would've turned you. There IS a difference." Spike held eye contact with her for a few more moments and then pushed the door open. "Watcher," he called out. "I brought you the witch."

Chapter 2

Willow glanced around the room at her friends. She felt like she was there but at the same time she felt like she wasn't. Nothing at that moment felt real. It felt as if she was looking into someone else's life.

Spike glanced around the room. He was beyond bored. He settled his eyes on the redhead. Watching her face __expression, he knew something wasn't right. And it seemed that he was the only one that saw it. Looking down at his nails, he started to chip away at the black nail polish. <I wonder why she was crying. Gods below, she the best out of the lot. What do you care? She's a human. Nothing more than a meal if this chip ever comes out.>

Two hours later..........

Giles closed his book and glanced at the people he had come to know as family. "Let's continue this tomorrow, shall we? Buffy, start with Cloverend cemetery. Spike, cover Restfield."

"Was that a question?" Spike asked.

"Just do it," he replied irritated. "You're at opposite ends of the area. If you don't patrol together, there's no fighting."

Willow watched as everyone started to leave, either to go home or to patrol. She slowly turned to the door. When she turned, she saw Spike watching her.

"Need an escort home, Red? Protect you from the evil of the night."

"Oh...um...I'm fine. Armed."

Spike felt a bit of disappointment at her turn down of the offer. He shrugged his shoulders. "Suit yourself." Spike walked out the door and into the darkness.

<Great. Now what?> Willow put the last book on the shelf and walked into the darkness. Gripping the stake tightly, she started to make her way down the street to get her bag out of the bushes.

One hour later.....

Patrol had been slow and Spike was itching for something to do. Something to kill. Someone to shag. He would even settle for just someone to talk to at this point. He strolled out of the graveyard and turned the corner. Spike suddenly stopped and looked at the sight in front of him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. <Red.> He reopened his eyes and took a couple steps closer to her. Her red hair framed to her body like fire. He glanced over her body, noticing that it was screaming defeat. He also noticed the bag she was holding while staring directly in front of her. Spike looked up and saw what she was looking at. The mansion.

Willow didn't know where to go. She didn't know what to do or even who she could turn to. She felt so alone. Hesitantly, she took a step towards the mansion.

"Wouldn't do that, luv."

Willow spun around, her heart beating frantically, noticing the vampire. "Spike! Wouldn't do what? And what are you doing here?"

"Finished patrol. What are *you* doing here?"

"I was gonna go to the mansion."

"Because you favor being dead?"

Willow crinkled her nose. "Huh?"

"A nest of vampires are in there, pet. Moved in a couple days ago. Let me take you home."

"NO! I-I can't go home."

"Alright," he said slowly. "How about I take you to the Slayer?"

"No! No one can know. I just..."

Spike became concerned even though he knew he shouldn't be. He could see her body gently starting to shake. Strong waves of hurt and anger were coming from her body. Whatever happened to the girl, he knew it had almost broken a part of her. Destroyed a part of the fire that she had burning within her. Spike wrapped his arms around her, holding her close to him. "Sshhh, luv. I don't know what happened but it'll be ok."

Willow broke out of his grasp and took a step back. "Ok? Ok? It's not ok!"

"You can't stand out here all night. And I don't really fancy staying out here all night. Let's go."

"I can't go to see Giles."

"And I'm not taking you there."

"Then where are we going?"

"Let's go," he growled.

Hearing him growl, she jumped and quickly moved to his side. Spike smirked at her movements. That one action actually made him feel like he didn't have a chip in his head.

After walking for ten minutes in silence, Spike stopped which made Willow look up. "We're at a gas station."

"And a liquor store." Spike took a twenty dollar bill out of his pocket and handed it to Willow. "Take this money and buy whatever you want. Food, caffeine..."

"I shouldn't have caffeine. I get..."

"Maybe you should. If you want it, get it. I'm gonna get a bottle of whiskey and I'll meet you out here in five minutes."

"Do you want me to get you anything?"

Spike was taken back at the offer even if it was his money. "Sure, luv. Whatever you'd think I'd like."

Five minutes later, he watched her walking towards him.

"Now where to?"

"Just down the street, pet."

"You gonna drink the whole bottle tonight Spike?" she joked.

"No. You're gonna help me."

"I...uh...I don't drink."

"You do tonight. Look at that, we're here."

"Where is here?"

Chapter 3

Willow looked in front of her and then at Spike. "It's a crypt," she stated.

"Yeah. So?"

"It's a crypt," she repeated.

"I AM a vampire."

"Well, I'm not."

Spike moved to stand next to her. "And you have so many other choices?" Seeing her face fall, he continued. "Well then, let's go." He started walking forward but noticed she wasn't moving. Grabbing her wrist, he pulled her into the crypt.

When Willow entered the crypt, she found herself in the darkness. <It's dark. This is so not good. I'm in a crypt, in the dark, with a master vampire.> Suddenly she saw a flame before her eyes.

Spike pulled out his lighter and flicked it on. The flame caused a warm glow surrounding them. "I can see fine but I figure you don't really fancy walking around in the dark." Spike pointed to a ladder against the wall. "There it is," he told her. They walked to the ladder in silence. "Down you go, Red."

Willow tried to look down the ladder but only saw darkness. She looked up at him. "I don't think so."

"What?" His patience was running short.

"How do I know there isn't some vamp waiting down there to drain me?"

"There's not. I would sense them."

"And you would tell me the truth because why?"

Spike grabbed the back of her neck, pulling her closer to his body. He suspected the chip never went off because he wasn't trying to hurt her. He leaned his face into her neck and then up to her ear. "The only vamp that will sink his fangs into your skin will be me," he whispered.

Willow listened to his words carefully. His words were deadly and held a sense of promise. She felt a wave of shivers travel through her body.

Spike took a step back from her and started to smirk. "You can either climb down the ladder or I'm gonna throw your ass over my shoulder and carry you down. Your choice."

"I'll go down the ladder," she mumbled.

Willow made it to the lower level, willing her eyes to adjust to the darkness. Moments later, she watched as Spike started lighting candles. The warm light seemed to float around and gave her a sense of comfort. Willow started to look around at the crypt. There was a bed, a small TV, a couch and a styrofoam cooler. She placed her bag against the wall on the floor and looked back at Spike.

He found himself watching her. He wanted to know what was going on. Whatever it was, she couldn't go to her friends. And now she was here with him. "Have a seat, Red." He watched as she slowly moved to the couch and sat down. He grabbed the bottle of whiskey and sat down next to her. "You wanna talk about it?"

"No," she said quickly.

"Then we drink."



An hour later, most of the bottle was gone. Spike and Willow had taken turns drinking from it. Most of the hour had been in silence except for the casual conversation. Willow was now leaning against the arm of the couch, her legs stretched out in front of her. She let out a low sigh. "Not wanted," she said out loud. She was talking more to the air than to Spike.

Spike turned his head and cocked it sideways. "What's that, luv?" He knew the alcohol was humming through both of their bodies.

"Not wanted. Never wanted." He could see the unshed tears in her eyes. "Wasn't good enough for them," she whispered softly.

He was staring straight ahead again and closed his eyes when he heard her words. His mind drifted back to his human days. The poet in him declaring his love for one girl who in return crushed his emotions, destroying a part of the man he once was. She claimed he wasn't good enough for her. That he was beneath her. As he reopened his eyes, he let out a low growl. <That was a long time ago, mate. That bitch isn't even worth my thoughts.> Spike realized that he may not know exactly what was going on with Willow, but at the same time he knew a part of what she was feeling. Looking over at the redhead, he noticed her asleep. He let out a smile, a real smile and set the bottle on the floor. Spike stood up and whispered her name. When he didn't receive a response from her, he took off her shoes and socks. Picking up her body, he walked over to the bed and placed her on it gently. Spike draped the sheet over her body and walked over to the food she had bought earlier. He put some of the items in the cooler to keep them cold and kicked off his boots. He shrugged out of his duster, throwing it on the couch, and climbed into the bed next to Willow. Usually he didn't sleep with his clothes on, but he made an exception for the human in his bed.

Spike was laying on his side when he felt her body move closer to his. Her body was nuzzling into his, her head leaning into his chest. He could hear her start to mumble in her sleep. He heard her mumble 'never wanted' and 'disappointment'. He frowned at the thought of what might be going through her mind. Spike wrapped his arms around her body, holding her close to him. "Shh luv," he whispered gently in her ear. He was surprised when his voice seemed to calm her. <You're imagining things, mate.> "I don't know what happened but I'm gonna make it better. You'll see." He closed his eyes and drifted to sleep, taking comfort in sleeping next to a warm body.



The next afternoon, Willow opened her eyes slowly. She closed her eyes, mentally trying to wake herself up. Realization then hit her. She was in an embrace. A cold embrace. Opening her eyes again she realized it was Spike. <Spike?> Then she remembered last night. <I was about to go into the mansion when Spike came by. We started to drink and talked for a bit.> Focused on where she was, she then noticed where her hand was. Her arm was draped around his waist and her hand was resting under the bottom of his shirt. Her fingers against his skin.

Spike knew the witch was now awake. He was wondering how she would react. Sometime during the night, her hand came to rest on his skin. The warmth of her hand was heating his whole body. He knew that once she left his crypt, everything would go back to the way it was. His unlife would suck once again. He wasn't ready to let go of her yet.

Willow started to slowly pull away. She didn't want to wake him. She didn't exactly want to move either. Being in his arms was comfortable...content. <Get that thought out of your head right NOW!> After she pulled out of his embrace, she felt the loneliness creep into her body again. Quietly she walked over to her bag.

"I'll turn away if you wanna change you clothes, luv."

Willow spun around. She saw Spike sitting up, halfway leaning against the wall. "Spike! I didn't want to wake you. I tried being quiet."

Spike started to chuckle. "You were, luv. I decided to sit up when you left my arms."

"Um...about that..."

"Don't worry about it. Whatever you wanna say, I've already heard it. I'll turn around so you can change. You're probably crawling to get out of here." Spike turned towards the wall to give her her privacy.

"Not really," she mumbled. Pulling out a t-shirt and a pair of jeans, she changed quickly. "You can turn around now."

Spike climbed out of the bed and stalked towards her. "Did you mean what you said?"

"What?"

"You said not really. You didn't mind staying here...with me?" "No," she told him softly. "Why would I mind?" The only thing she heard was silence. "I guess I should get going."

"Right then. You can leave your bag here if you want. Pick it up after the scooby meeting. That way your friends won't suspect and you don't have to dig through bushes to find it."

"Thanks." Willow sat her bag back down. "Thanks for everything."

"It was just one night, luv." He watched as Willow climbed the ladder and disappeared. He sat down on the bed and held his head in his hands. "Bloody hell! What am I doing?"

Chapter 4

Hours later.....

The Scooby meeting was unusually, slow which allowed Willow's mind to drift and think about her current situation. She was pulled out of her thoughts when she heard Buffy talking to her.

"So Willow, what's going on?" Buffy asked.

A wave of fear went through her body at the idea of them knowing. "What...what do you mean?"

"I called your house last night but I got a recording. It said the phone number had changed. What gives?"

Willow could feel Spike's eyes watching her. "Oh that. My parents came home and uh...decided to change the number."

"Do you know the new one?"

"Not yet."

"When you get it, I want it."

"Yeah," Willow softly replied. She watched as Buffy stood up and started up a conversation with Xander. Willow let her eyes drift until they reached Spike. Their eyes locked with each other's for a moment before she looked away.

<Her parents? What the bloody hell is going on?>

"Perhaps it's time for patrol," Giles stated. When no one moved he continued. "Buffy. Spike. Patrol."

"Right then."

About two hours later.....

Willow had made her way back to the crypt. She picked up her bag but realized she still didn't have anywhere to go. Letting out a loud sigh, she put the bag back down. Willow pulled out her stake and sat at the end of the bed, waiting for Spike to come back. She didn't have to wait long. Moments later, she saw a figure descend down the ladder. Willow gripped the stake tighter just in case it wasn't him.

As Spike hit the floor, he turned quickly; feeling another presence. He stared at her for a moment before he spoke up. "Red?" He then saw the stake in her hand. "You gonna stake me now?"

"What?" She looked down at her hand. "Oh, um no. It was for...in case someone came in here. Someone that wasn't you."

"So...what can I do for you, Red?"

"I just came for my bag."

Spike looked at the bag against the wall. "Well...it's right where you left it." He looked back at Willow seeing the thoughtful ___expression on her face. "What's going on?"

"I need a favor."

"Don't do favors."

Willow started biting her bottom lip. "What about deals? You make deals."

"What do you need, witch?"

"I don't have anywhere else to go. Can I stay here tonight?"

"We did that last night. Let me take you home."

"NO!" Willow hopped off the bed and grabbed her bag, heading towards the ladder. "I'll find somewhere else to stay."

"Wait," he growled. "What do I get in return? This is a deal after all."

"What do you want?"

"Your blood?"

"Not in your unlife."

"I can make it very enjoyable," he purred.

"No."

"How about we leave it as you owe me?"

"No blood and no sex."

"Luv, you take away all of my fun hobbies." Seeing her serious and pleading ___expression, he relented. "It's a deal. Now let's go."

"Go?"

"If you're gonna stay with me tonight, you need to get some food in you. I know a place."

"I don't think..."

"I'm not asking. I'm telling you. And you're hungry. My car is right outside. Go," he growled.

For the next few hours, Willow wasn't concerned about anything. She was actually enjoying herself. Spike had taken her to a small hamburger diner on the outskirts of Sunnydale. He had ordered for both of them. Rare for himself and well done for her. As they waited for the food, they enjoyed each other's company. Conversation. Laughter. Two things that they both seemed to need. Before she knew it, they were headed back to the crypt.

After they climbed down the ladder, Willow turned to look at him but wasn't sure what to say.

He saw her hesitation and decided to help the conversation. "It's late, pet. You should think about getting some sleep."

"Yeah. Thanks for dinner. I was hungry."

"Sure." He watched as she kicked off her shoes and climbed into bed. He lit one candle and moments later joined her. As he crawled into bed, he attempted to place his arm around her. Feeling her body tense, he frowned and slightly pulled away. "Was it that bad?"

Willow turned her head to look at him. The golden flame seemed to soften his features. "Was what that bad?"

"Waking up in my arms," he stated.

"No," she replied softly.

"Let me hold you?" he asked. Before she could say anything, he circled his arm around her body and pulled her close. "I won't hurt you," he whispered looking into her eyes. Spike felt her relax against him and watched her drift off to sleep. He turned his head, blew out the candle and nuzzled into her neck. Hearing a contented sight escape her lips, he let himself fall asleep.
tbc

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