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
Willow watched as the men carried in the last of Spike's new furniture. �Just in time,' she thought, �Buffy will be back tomorrow.' Giles was so happy about having Spike out of his apartment he had even helped them paint. That's what they had been doing all week, painting and buying furniture. Unfortunately you couldn't have furniture delivered at night so she was stuck there supervising.
Giles and Spike would be there as soon as the sunset to help arrange the rooms the way Spike wanted them. Giles was even sort of getting along with Spike, but Willow was sure it was just the thought of getting his bathroom back that was causing Giles' new found patience. Spike had spent most of the last week with Willow anyway, which made her wonder if Giles knew what was going on.
He wasn't going to be happy, she knew that much. So, if he suspected anything he was keeping it to himself. She should just tell him, she couldn't hide it forever. She was also going to have to tell Buffy and Xander, she thought, pushing the door closed as the last delivery man left. She'd tell Giles tonight, maybe he'd calm down before she had to tell the others.
Grabbing the phone on the kitchen counter Willow called her dorm room. She might as well tell Spike her plan; he should know what's going on. She set the phone back in its cradle, the line was busy. Well he'd be surprised tonight then, it's not like he hadn't wanted her to tell Giles.
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Spike looked up from the book he was reading at the familiar sound of the beeping from the computer, alerting him to a message. Willow must have left it on again; one of her friends was trying to find her. He'd just go shut it off for her. Walking over to the desk, he saw that it was a message from Angel's cheerleader.
Cordelia: Willow? Great you're online. What happened last time you talked to Angel? He's been in a seriously bad mood.
He put Angel in a bad mood? His work that day hadn't been wasted after all.
Cordelia: He's been mumbling about the bleach seeping into someone's brain. Says he's not sure who's though.
Spike sat down and began to type his reply.
Probably pissed about me and the slayer.
He wasn't going to bother pretending to be Willow this time. He could fluster the cheerleader just as easily without the false pretense.
Cordelia: What are you talking about�? You're not Willow.
Spike: Nope. It's Spike.
Cordelia: That explains the bleach comment. What are you doing on Willow's computer? Or in Sunnydale?
Spike quickly explained the chip, as well as his and Willow's new found relationship.
Cordelia: No way in hell is Willow� Not with you� What about Oz?
Spike: The wolf is gone, left to find himself or something.
Cordelia: Poor Willow. But if you and Willow� Buffy hasn't dusted you?
Spike: Slayer doesn't know yet. She's out of town.
Cordelia: Ooh! Can I be there when she finds out? It'll be great, either her head'll explode or she'll stake you. Either way, it'll be a good day for me.
There was a knock at the door, Spike glanced at the clock and realized it was probably the Watcher.
Spike: Watcher's here gotta go. If her head explodes I'll send you pictures.
Spike quickly shut off the computer and opened the door. Giles had his fist raised to knock again.
�What took you so long?�
�Sorry, sleeping.� Spike stretched then reached for his duster, �Ready to go?�
Giles turned and walked back down the hall, the vampire trailing behind him.
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Willow began putting away the groceries and kitchen supplies while Giles and Spike arranged the furniture. They had decided to order a pizza rather than cook something that night. Glancing into the living room, she saw Spike looking at the directions for his stereo, surrounded by a large tangle of wires.
�Spike, do you help with that?�
�I'm fine.�
Giles walked into the kitchen and stood behind Willow, watching her put away the last of the dishes.
�Willow, I think we need to talk,� he said when she turned around.
�Yeah, we do� About what?�
�You and Spike.�
�Me and�� Willow looked at the watcher in surprise, �You know?�
�Well I only suspected but now�� Giles began, �Willow, he's��
�I know all the reasons why it's wrong, Giles,� Willow shrugged, �But it doesn't feel wrong. We have fun together. He doesn't try to change me, or tell me not to use magic. He's different when Buffy's not around.�
�I know,� Giles said, �He doesn't try to�annoy me nearly as much when Buffy and Xander are not around. But I'm still not sure that��
�Giles, you have to trust me. And let's face it; we know Spike is capable of a long term relationship. He was with Drucilla for over a hundred years, and she left, not him.�
�Willow�� Giles sighed, of the three kids she was the one he least expected to do something this rash. She did have very good judgment, and if he could tolerate Anya then he could certainly deal with Spike, �Does Buffy know?�
�Not yet, I'll tell her tomorrow. It'll help if I know you're on my side.�
�I'm not happy about this, but if it's what you want� You'll be careful?� he asked.
�I give up,� Spike said, walking into the kitchen and tossing the stereo directions on the counter, �Careful about what?�
�You.�
�You told him?� Spike asked with surprise.
�Yeah, he's not happy but won't stake you,� Willow said, hugging him.
�So, I'm not the only one that told without permission,� Spike said smiling.
�You told someone? Who?�
�The cheerleader.�
�The cheer�You told Cordelia?!� Willow was now staring at the vampire in shock, �Giles won't stake you, but I might.�
�She's all the way in L.A., what's the harm?�
�What if Buffy stops in to see Angel before she comes back?� Giles asked, not surprised the vampire acted without thinking, �Why were you talking to Cordelia anyway?�
�Red left the computer on.�
�Spike, can't you just ignore the damn computer?� Willow asked, �Okay, so let's hope Buffy doesn't talk to Angel before we do.�
Willow left the room to answer a knock at the door, grabbing the money for the pizza on her way out.
�If you hurt her�� Giles began, stepping closer to the vampire.
�I won't.�
�Pizza's here,� Willow yelled from the other room.
The two men made their way to the other room. They would deal with Buffy in the morning when they had too.
Chapter 7
Willow could hear the phone ringing as she unlocked the door to her dorm room. It was two in the morning, so she lunged for the phone as soon as the door opened assuming it must be an emergency for someone to call that late. �Hello,� Willow said grabbing the receiver just as the answering machine picked up. �Willow?� Buffy asked. �Yeah, Buff, what�s wrong?� �I want you to tell me it isn�t true but since you obviously were too busy to answer the phone I guess�� �I wasn�t busy I just got home.� �Whatever. Is it true?� �What?� �Are you and Spike�Are you�� �Yes,� Willow said with a sigh, she had hoped this conversation wouldn�t happen until tomorrow. �How did you find out?� �I�m in L.A. Got here a couple hours ago.� �Cordy?� Willow had hoped the former cheerleader wouldn�t say anything. �Actually Angel told me.� Buffy said, �Willow Spike�s�� �Evil, I know. But he�s not really and look, Buffy its late can we talk about this tomorrow.� �Why is he there? Does Giles know?� Buffy was barely containing her anger, �I swear when I get back I�m going to�� �Do nothing Buffy. And Spike isn�t here he�s at his apartment. And yes Giles knows, and he�s okay with it.� �Giles is happy about�� �Didn�t say happy, I said okay. And I�m going to bed, we can talk when you get home. I�ll meet you and Xander both at Giles around two okay. I have classes until then.� �Willow�� ��Night Buffy.� Willow hung up the phone on her friend. She didn�t want to have this fight tonight with her and then again tomorrow with Xander. Willow grabbed her pajamas and quickly changed her clothes, before reaching for the phone and calling Giles and Spike to let them know. At least she knew Buffy couldn�t hurt Spike before they talked since she didn�t know where the new apartment was. !~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~ Willow walked into Giles apartment a few minutes before two the next afternoon to the sound of her best friends yelling at Giles. She decided to listen for a moment before anyone realized she was there. �Giles, how could you let this happen?� Xander paced the room, �He�s Spike.� �I didn�t let it happen. She�s a grown woman Xander, she can do what she pleases.� Willow smiled, at least someone had noticed that she wasn�t a child. �She�s too upset over Oz to think straight. This is a mistake,� this time it was Buffy yelling at the Watcher. �I should just stake him.� �Yes, of course Buffy. Stake Spike that will be a big help, won�t upset her more at all.� �He�s going to hurt her. He�s doing this just to piss me off,� Buffy raged. �Because it�s just not possible that he could want me for me right. It�s got to be about you,� Willow said dropping her books on the desk as she stormed over to her friends. �Will, that�s not�� Xander began. �Spike and I are together, deal with it both of you. I don�t citizen your dating choices.� Willow looked at Xander then over to Anya. �Angel tried to kill me Buffy, but I accepted it when you started dating him again.� �Willow It�s�� �It�s Spike. I know. I�m not saying I love him. But I want the chance to find out. He can�t hurt me, not physically. And neither of you can stop anyone from hurting me emotionally.� �I have to agree with her,� Giles said, �Spike is different when the two of you are gone. You can�t protect her, Buffy. And she�s not asking to be protected.� �I can�t do anything about this?� Buffy asked finally. �No.� �Can�t change your mind?� Xander asked. �No. I love you guys, but you don�t know Spike, not really. Give him a chance.� Willow suggested quietly. �I don�t want to lose you guys, but I won�t lose him because of you either.� �I think Spike is perfect for you,� Anya said from the chair where she had been watching the whole argument in silence. �You do?� Four heads turned to face the ex-demon. �Sure. Spike is handsome, and really very smart, though I know none of you realize that yet,� Anya explained, �I think he will be very good for you and they should leave you alone,� She motioned to Xander and Buffy. �Thanks Anya.� �And if he hurts her you can always stake him later right?� Anya smiled at Buffy. �I don�t have to be nice to him do I?� Buffy asked. �I�ve been trying to convince him to be nice to you guys. But if aren�t nice to him, no promises.� �I�ll try,� Xander offered, �But I can�t promise.� �Me too.� �Thanks guys. So anyone want to see his new apartment?� Willow said hugging both her friends. ~!!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~ Spike pulled open the door, and smiled at Willow. Before stepping aside to allow everyone to enter the apartment. �How�d you get this place Spike?� Xander asked, �Kill the last tenant?� �So much for being nice,� Giles mumbled to Willow. �Have money moron.� Spike watched as Buffy wandered through the apartment. �Not hiding any living meals Slayer.� �Spike,� Willow warned. �This is a nice�Place Spike.� Buffy said, ignoring his last comment. �So Willow helped you find it?� �Yeah,� Spike raised an eyebrow. �Everyone has agreed to call a truce and try to get along,� Willow explained to the confused vampire. �Unless you hurt her in any way,� Anya continued, �Then its vampire hunting season again.� �Got it,� Spike replied. �So is anyone hungry?� �Whatcha got?� Xander asked. �Well, blood. But we can order something,� Spike offered, �I�ll pay.� �Wow, he�s even paying, let�s eat,� Xander said, grabbing a pile of take out menus Willow had left the day before. Buffy and Giles joined Xander as he sorted through the menus. Willow, and Spike watched quietly from behind, as Anya wandered through the apartment. �They really okay with this?� Spike asked, hugging Willow. �They aren�t happy. But they�re dealing with it.� �Guess it�s the best we can hope for right?� �For now.� Willow smiled and leaned up to kiss the vampire. The end.