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 5

The following morning.....

Spike had just woken up when he felt her stir next to him. He watched as she slowly opened her eyes and turned her body to look at him.

Willow turned on her side and saw him lying on his back, with his head turned, watching her. "You're awake."

"That I am, luv." Spike pursed his lips together. "You're not gonna run out the door like yesterday?"

"No," she replied softly. Willow looked into his eyes. "Unless you want me to leave?"

"Not really. It's nice having someone around." <That just sounded like the poof. Say something else.> "Don't take it to heart, luv. Being here by myself...it gets bloody boring."

"Yeah, I guess it would." Spike sat up and leaned against the headboard. He lit a cigarette and took a drag. "Remember that debt you owe me?"

"Yeah," she said slowly.

"I know what I want."

"You, uh...you do?"

He put out his cigarette and turned to look at her. "I want to know what's going on. I wanna know why you won't tell your friends. And why a decent chit like you has spent the last two nights with a demon like me in this crypt."

"Spike, I can't..."

"It's either that or your blood, Red. Your choice."

"Choice? That's not a choice. I tell you and then what? You insult me? Make fun of me? Gee...can't imagine why I haven't told you sooner?" she sarcastically remarked.

He could see the fire dancing in her eyes and his demon loved it. "Think you got me figured out, pet? You know NOTHING about me except what you might read in those books. Who else are you gonna tell?"

Willow knew he was right. Who else was she gonna tell. She kicked the sheet off and sat up, facing him. "I'm doing this against my better judgment."

"Noted. But I don't care. Now tell me."

"My parents came home and moved back into the house. They had movers pack up my stuff and put it in storage. They changed the locks and the telephone number." Now he understood the lie she told the Slayer. As Willow continued talking, his demon was thinking of all the ways he would torture her parents.

"They told me I couldn't stay there. It wouldn't set the kind of impression they wanted. They said that I had the money in my account. It was supposed to be used for college but it looks like I'll need it for a place to stay. I don't even know if I really want to go to college anymore."

"Pet..." he started. He wanted to console her. She shouldn't of had to go through this.

Willow brought her hand up to silence him. "There's more."

"More?

" Willow shook her head yes. "They told me I didn't meet their standards. That they didn't want me as a daughter and I was nothing more than a disappointment."

Spike noticed her voice was almost void of emotion. "Luv, all of that...it's not true."

"Maybe it is."

Spike frowned at her statement. "What about your friends?"

"I'm not telling them. I figure Xander will figure it out sooner or later. We've been friends since I was five."

"What are you gonna do?"

"Actually I was thinking of going to L.A. I was thinking about going to see Angel."

"No," he growled.

"No? You can't tell me no."

"Stay here. Let me take care of you."

"I don't need you."

"Maybe not. Maybe I want you to need me." Spike took a deep breath. "I just want you to know you don't have to run to L.A. To him," he spat out.

"This isn't about Angel."

"No it's not. This is about you. Hell, this is even about me. Being needed...just don't go. Stay here."

"Spike..."

"What do you have to lose, pet?" He looked into her eyes as he said the next sentence. "Take a chance on me?"

Chapter 6

"A chance? You want me to take a chance on you?! You'd kill us if given the chance. You hate us."

"Not all of you," he mumbled.

"Whatever this is...I don't like this. This...this game you're playing. Don't play this game with me. Not right now."

Spikes eyes started to flash golden. "Game? You think this is a bloody game." Once his demon had quieted, he continued. "If that's what you think I'm doing then get the hell out!" His face had become void of ___expression.

Willow glared at him. She wanted to give him a chance, she really did but on the other hand she knew he was a vampire. "Fine," she said coldly. "I'll go." She never saw him move to stand in front of her.

Spike used his vampiric speed to move in front of her. He was the only thing blocking her way to opening the door. "I know how you feel Red," he told her with understanding in his voice. "I know how it feels when someone makes you think you're not good enough. When someone makes you think that you're beneath them. When you walk out that door I want you to remember that you had a chance. Had a chance in me. For me to take care of you and you're the one walking away from that. If you'd just let me..."

"Why? So you can somehow use me against Buffy?"

"I'm not Angelus!" he growled. "Might do you some good to remember that."

Willow watched him suspiciously. "What do you get out of this, Spike?"

Spike shook his head a couple of times and then stepped aside. "Just leave," he told her. "Go."



That evening.....

Willow was sitting at her computer at the Magic Box. The rest of the gang had gone on patrol while she looked up a couple of things on 'that contraption'. When the door opened she looked up, seeing Spike.

"Red."

"Hey, Spike. Everyone's on patrol if you wanna catch up to them."

"Actually came to see you." Spike strolled over to her and placed a piece of folded paper next to her computer. He then walked over to the couch and sat down, not knowing what to say.

Willow looked at the piece of paper for a moment before she reached for it. "What's this?" she questioned him.

"You asked me what I get out of it. It's right there on that piece of paper. Go ahead and open it."

Willow picked up the paper and walked over to the couch and sat down next to Spike. She looked at him for a moment and then unfolded the paper twice. She read the following silently:

companionship
friendship (someday)
purpose

Spike watched her read his reasons silently. She then folded up the piece of paper once again and slid it into her pocket. "So, luv...what kind of pizza should WE take back to the crypt?"

"Why do you want to do this?"

"I'm a soulless demon that's been leashed because of a chip. I'm not a white hat and will never be. I don't want to make amends for the things I've done. But taking care of you, it gives me a purpose. You're different than the rest of this lot. I wanted to turn you. You have this amazing fire and I don't want to see it die out."

Willow gave Spike a sincere smile. A smile she felt like she hadn't given anyone in a long time. "We should get a deluxe. Everything on it."

Chapter 7

Later that evening in the crypt.....

Willow and Spike were both sitting on the couch eating pizza. Willow had so many thoughts rushing through her head, she started to feel like a word search puzzle. <What do I do now? Why isn't Spike saying anything? What will he expect of me? Will he expect anything? What if he changes his mind? What will happen when my friends find out I'm staying with Spike?>

Spike knew her mind was in overdrive. He could tell by the drifted off look on her face. <If nothing else, I'm gonna teach that chit to relax.> "So...what's next?"

His voice pulled her out of her thoughts. She turned her head slightly to look at him.

"Next? For what?" she asked.

"Your life, pet. Now that you have a place to stay, you thinkin' about college?"

"I don't know. I mean I've spent most of my life trying to please others. I never really thought about what I want for myself. How to live for myself."

"It's about time you start."

"Well, I guess I'll need to get a job."

"A job?"

"Well yeah. I'll need money."

"Money for what?"

"Well, food is a given cause I don't drink blood. And...a bed."

"What's wrong with my bed?"

"Besides the fact that you sleep in it?"

"You didn't seem to mind these last two nights."

"I don't want to invade your space."

"Pet, look around. You're in a crypt. Us invading each other's space is a pretty much given. Now, like I was saying...you weren't minding so much these last two nights." He saw her blush and took it as a sign of embarrassment. "Guess I'm not good enough," he mumbled. After he said it, he froze and took a chance to look at her. He saw her eyes downcast and could smell the tears that were threatening to fall. Spike wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer to his body. "I'm sorry, luv. I didn't mean it. I didn't mean it," he whispered in her ear over and over.

Willow looked up at him and saw his regret for his comment. She felt him tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. "Why did you say it?"

"I thought you were embarrassed to be here with me. I was told once that I wasn't good enough to be with someone I loved long ago."

"Spike?"

"Hmm."

Willow relaxed in his embrace, feeling the comfort that he was willing to give. "You're more than good enough."

Spike couldn't help but to smile at her confession to him. He started rubbing small circles on her back to comfort her. "What else do you need money for?"

"Why didn't they want me?" she asked softly.

He drifted his hand from her back to her hair. Spike started drifting his fingers through it. "I don't know, luv." <I can't imagine anyone not wanting you. You're a decent chit.> "Sit up and look at me." He watched as she did what she was told. "Forget them," he told her. "I'm gonna take care of you. Now what else do you need?"

Willow started biting her bottom lip trying to think of all of the things she would need. "I'll need to get some clothes."

"Tell you what, I'll take you shopping. You let me pick up the bill."

"Spike, I can't ask you to do that."

"You didn't ask. I offered."

"The money..."

"It's not a big deal, luv. I have a credit card and I have cash. This is part of me taking care of you." He could see her still hesitating, so he decided not to offer anymore. "We're gong shopping tomorrow, luv. Cancel any plans you might have had. You're going to let me pick up the bill and I get to pick at least one of your outfits. Then one night WE'RE gonna go out."

Willow knew she didn't have a choice. He was telling her, not asking her. "The Bronze?"

"We can start there, but there's a place I want to take you."

"Where?" she asked cautiously.

"There's an underground club close by."

"Really? I've never heard of it."

"It caters to demons, pet."

"But I'm not..."

"It's pretty empty during the week, we'll go then."

"Why are we going there?"

"Because that's where I want to take you."

"Spike, I'm human."

He knew her concern was about her safety. "You're a witch, luv. Your scent holds power and they can detect that about you. You're known among demons around here and you had no idea about this, did you?"

"I don't understand."

"How about I explain more tomorrow?"

"You're avoiding the question."

"And you need to get some sleep."

Knowing that he wasn't going to answer anymore of her questions tonight, she reluctantly agreed. She changed her clothes and climbed into bed. Noticing that Spike wasn't going to bed yet, she felt alone. "Are you going on patrol or something?"

"No. I'm staying in."

"Well...um..."

"What is it?"

"Would you join me? I mean you don't have to but I don't feel alone with you next to me and it feels weird without you in the bed and I have no idea why and...I'm shutting up now." Willow slid under the covers and pulled the sheet over her head.

Spike chuckled at her ramble. And for the first time in awhile felt like he was part of somebody's life. He pulled off his shirt and climbed into the bed with her. Willow felt Spike climb into bed and turned to face him as his arms circled her waist, pulling her closer. "No shirt?"

"Usually I sleep naked. I made an exception for you." Seeing her blush, he started playing with the ends of her hair and felt her relax against him. As she closed her eyes, she snuggled closer to him. Thriving on his comfort.

tbc

Chapter 8

Spike entered the crypt about an hour before sundown and threw the blanket that had protected him to the side. He set his purchases on the floor and made his way down the ladder. When he reached the lower floor, the sight before him made him smile. The redhead was still asleep, wrapped in his sheets. Spike shrugged out of his duster and quietly made his way to Willow.

Spike put one knee on the bed and leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Luv," he started.

"Mmm," was her muffled reply.

"Willow," he whispered. "Need to wake up, pet. We still need to go to the Watcher's."

"Don't wanna," she replied sleepily. Willow slowly opened her eyes and looked at him. Suddenly alarm went through her body. "Spike! What time is it?"

"About an hour before sundown," he replied casually.

She sat up quickly and placed her feet on the floor. "You let me sleep all day."

"I'm a vampire, Red. You'll be keeping my hours soon enough."

"Sorry, but not this girl. And we were supposed to go shopping. Not that I like shopping but...clothes. I need some."

Spike started to chuckle at her ramble. He placed two fingers over her lips to silence her.  "I did something," he started.

Her eyes narrowed at him. "What did you do?"

"Climb the ladder, pet."

"What?"

"Just do it."

"There's not gonna be some hungry demon up there waiting to eat me is there?"

"Red," he growled.

Willow climbed the ladder, not knowing what to expect. As she reached the upper level, she looked around, her eyes in shock. "Spike!" she squealed and quickly turned around to face him.

"I went shopping for you. In the sun. I think I deserve something for that."

"What...um...what do you want?"

"I intend to collect later on, pet. You can count on it." <What am I doing? I will not flirt with the witch. She's here for me to take care of her.>

Willow drifted to the bags and started to open them. As she glanced over the clothes, she looked back at Spike with a worried __expression. "Um...Spike? Leather and silk...it's not really me."

"Well I was kinda hoping it would be part of the new you, Red. But for the time being, there's two more bags for you to open. You'll find jeans, t-shirts, that sort of thing." He paused for a moment and watched her as she went through everything. "Go and get ready. We need to leave."

Willow took one of the outfits and climbed back down the ladder. Minutes later, she came back up. She had changed into a pair of jeans and a black semi-form fitting shirt. Spike held out a bag that he had previously hid from her. "What's this?" she asked him.

"A gift."

"Spike, you've given me too many gifts as it is."

"The rest of that was because I told you I would take care of you. This is a gift, pet. Now just open it."

Willow slowly opened the bag and her eyes became wide. She pulled it out and gave Spike a smile. A leather jacket. "I love it! It's beautiful."

Spike took the jacket from her and slipped it around her. Happy that he could make her smile.

About thirty minutes later, they arrived at the Magic Box. Spike had stuck to the shadows while they walked over, as the sun was just setting. Now they were sitting around the table, looking aimlessly through books. Willow looked around the room. She was sitting with her 'family'. Giles had always been the father she never really had. He had become a mentor and a friend. Xander and Buffy, who at the moment were clueless as to what was really going on with her. They didn't even notice the clothes or the jacket. And then there was Spike. The vampire that had told her that he would take care of her. That went out and bought her clothes and even a gift. The thought of her sleeping in his bed for the last couple of nights brought a blush to her face. He had been caring and protective. He had been there for her when there was no one else.

After an hour of doing nothing at the Magic Box, she leaned over to Spike. "Do we have to be here?"

"No. Wanna leave, Red?" He watched her shake her head yes and then he stood up. He looked at the rest of the group. "Witch wants to leave. I'm seeing her home."

"Goodnight," Giles told both of them while the others didn't say a word. Spike and Willow started walking through the streets of Sunnydale towards the crypt.

"Thanks for getting me out of there. I just didn't want to sit there."

"Don't have to tell me twice. I..." Spike stopped in mid sentence.

"Spike, what's wrong?" Spike snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her against his body. "We got company," he whispered. "Play along."

At that moment another vampire jumped out at them which only insured Spike's grip to become more possessive. "Hello, mate. And what can I do for you?"

The vampire looked at him and then at Willow. "Well if you're not gonna drain her, I'll just take her off your hands."

"You think so? You think I'm just gonna hand over what's mine?" he asked the younger vampire with venom in his voice.

"She's got no marks." Spike tilted Willow's head to the side.

"I don't need to leave a mark," he told him. Spike then vamped and lightly scraped one of his fangs across her neck, carefully so he wouldn't break the skin. He slipped back into his human visage and placed a kiss on her neck. Spike looked up at the other vampire, his eyes blazed golden. "Mine," he growled.

tbc

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