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 was walking up to Giles' front door when it suddenly opened. "I'm so glad you could come by. I won't be gone more than an hour."

She stepped inside and glanced around the room. "Giles, where's Spike?" Before he could answer, she heard the angry voice of the vampire echo through the small home.

"Watcher! Let me out of this bloody bathtub."

Willow turned to face Giles. "You chained him? I thought you weren't gonna do that anymore."

"He was driving me crazy. I had no choice. Oh...and I've hidden the key. I'll unchain him when I return."

Willow watched as Giles left, leaving Willow alone with Spike. She slowly made her way to the bathroom and pushed open the door. Spike looked up as the door opened. "Watcher...witch, what do you want?" he snarled.

"Oh...um...just letting you know that Giles left. He'll be back soon. He said he'll undo the chains when he gets back."

"So he brought Sabrina to watch over me. Just soddin' perfect."

"Hey," she protested.

"Don't get your knickers in a twist, luv."

"Knickers? Who even says that?"

"I do. I know it's not like the loser talk you're used to..."

"Loser."

"Yeah. Loser. You and the moron trailing after the Slayer." Before he could say another word, she had walked away from him, anger in her stance. "Great, now I'm alone again. Should have kept my bloody mouth shut. She was at least a spot of company."

Willow returned about ten minutes later with a mug of blood. Without a word, she walked into the bathroom and sat on the side of the tub. "I thought you might be hungry," she said softly.

<I insult her and she brings me blood. Loyalty, why can't I find someone like that?> "Thanks, luv."

Willow could see him fighting his demon. "You can change Spike. To the demon. It's a part of you."

"You shouldn't have to watch me feed."

"Yeah...well, you shouldn't have to rely on us for food. Although kinda thankful for the chip, cause well, I wouldn't be me. I would be vampire me. You don't want to meet her." Willow paused for a moment. "Actually, you might have liked her."

"Vampire you?"

"Spell gone wrong. I'll tell you about it sometime." Willow held the mug up to his lips and watched intensely as he morphed into his vampire visage. She tipped it slightly, allowing him to drink the contents. When he was finished, she took the cup away and watched his human face come forward once again. Willow gave him a small smile and stood up. "I'm gonna go clean this out." As she reached the door, she heard his voice.

"Didn't it disturb you, Red?"

"What's that?"

"My demon."

"No...I'm gonna go now. Giles should be back soon."



Giles and the rest of the gang had met up at his house, discussing the latest demon. It couldn't be killed by fire, stabbing, decapitation or any other way they knew of. Giles disappeared to let Spike out of his chains and came back quickly. When he saw Spike take a seat and light a cigarette, he took a deep breath. Giles turned towards everyone and addressed them as a group. "There is one way to kill it."

"Just tell me what weapon to use," Buffy told him.

"No weapon. It calls for a bonded vampire."

Spike lifted his head at the mention of the phrase. "Where do you plan on finding a vampire that has been bonded that will willfully help you lot?"

"Spike," Giles said seriously. "Have you ever considered being bound to a human?"

Spike put his cigarette out and cocked his head to the side. "You're for real. Let me ask YOU something Rupert. Have you ever considered eternal life? Because your answer will probably be the bloody same as mine."

Chapter 2

"Eternal life," Giles stuttered. "Heavens, I would never..."

"And I will never bloody well bond to a human," Spike spat out.

"It clearly states that a vampire..."

"Who is not me," Spike interrupted.

"...must bond with a witch."

"Not just any human. Want specifics do you?"

"Yes and I thought Willow..."

"What?" Willow blurted out. "You thought what?"

"Well I suppose I thought that you and Spike would create the bond between the two of you."

"I don't want to bond to him. Or anything else, just so we're clear on the subject."

"Yeah, well I'd rather be staked than be bound to the likes of you."

Buffy stood up. "I can do the staking part right now."

"Buffy sit down," Giles commanded. "Now Spike..."

Spike stood up. "Bugger this." He turned around and walked out of the door, slamming it behind him.



Spike walked around Sunnydale for the next few hours, killing any demon within his sight. Finally, he made his way to Willow's house. When he saw her house come into view, he realized she hadn't made it home yet. "Hmm...no invite. I'll just wait. How long could it take?" He sat down on her front steps and waited.



About forty-five minutes before sunrise, he saw her walking up the pathway. Anger and worry had flooded his senses. "Where the bloody hell have you been?"

Willow was taken aback by the fact that Spike was sitting outside of her house. "Research. Hanging out. What are you doing here?"

"Don't know. Thought we might talk."

"I don't have anything to say to you."

"Maybe I have something to say."

"Say it then so I can go inside and go to sleep."

Spike looked up at the sky, he could feel that sunrise was coming too soon for his liking. "Luv, sunrise is just around the corner. Could we go inside?"

"You want an invitation...to my home?"

"Well...yeah. You don't want me to turn to dust do you?"

Willow let out a loud sigh. "Why are you here?"

"Fine. Look you know as well as I do that Rupert isn't gonna give up on this. I figured we might as well talk about it."

"And gee, I thought you would rather be staked then be bound to me."

"I would," he growled. "I'm not saying I'm gonna do it. I just wanted to talk to you about it."

<What is this? Some kind of joke?> "Sunrise is soon. I suggest you find some shelter, Spike."

As he saw her unlock her door, he placed his hand on her arm. "I don't wanna be alone, alright?" he mumbled.

Willow pushed open the door and walked in. "I invite you to come in, Spike."

Chapter 3

Willow turned around when she heard the door close. "So now that I've invited a demon into my home, you wanna tell me why you were waiting on my steps?"

"I don't know," he told her as he shrugged out of his duster, throwing it on the couch. "All I bloody know is..." The sentence died on his lips as he looked around the room. "Why are your windows already covered, luv?"

"Keeps the sunlight out. The sun is too bright. I could always take then down...just for you, of course."

"Funny, luv. But I don't really fancy being dust. As I was saying before...Rupert has it in his mind that me and you are the lucky candidates for this soddin' spell. What are we gonna do about it?"

"We're not gonna do anything. There is no WE in this equation. I can't believe I gave you an invitation. I'm going to sleep. If you want, you can sleep on the couch." She turned and walked to the closet. Before he could say anything, a pillow was flying towards him. He threw himself and the pillow onto the couch. Spike stretched out and closed his eyes.

About two hours later, Willow climbed out of bed. She couldn't sleep. She walked down the hallway and froze when she saw Spike sleeping on the couch. <He looks so peaceful.> Willow quietly opened the closet and pulled out a sheet. She walked over to Spike without making a sound and stood in front of him. She unfolded the sheet and draped it across his body. Just as she was about to walk away, she felt his arms circle around her waist and pull her to the couch.

Spike couldn't sleep for the unlife of him. When he heard the witch walking down the hallway, he pretended to be asleep. When he felt the sheet being draped over his body, he pulled her down on the couch with him, circling his arms around her body.

"Spike!" she squealed. "Let me go," she told him as she tried to scramble away from him.

"Quit struggling," he growled. "Am I hurting you?"

"No," she said as she quit squirming. Her body was still tense.

"Relax, luv."

"I don't think so."

"Why the hell not?"

"Maybe it's the you wanting to kill me thing. Or the kidnapping thing. Or maybe the bottle in the face thing." Willow took a deep breath. "Now let me go," she ordered.

"No. I'm not. Turn around and face me."

"I hate you, Spike."

"I know," he whispered. When she had said to him those words, he felt like a part of him was dying all over again.

<I don't hate him. I just...grr. The vampire made me mentally growl. What does that say?> Willow turned around in his arms and faced him. "I don't really hate you."

"Yeah you do, pet. It's only right that you do. I'm a demon. And if it wasn't for the chip, you would be dead or turned."

"But I don't hate you," she whispered. "I don't want to hate you. You just...you just aggravate me so much."

"It's the fire."

"Huh?"

"Your fire. I fight with you cause I know you'll fight back. You're not all about the insults, luv." He pulled her closer to his body and placed the sheet over her body as he intertwined their legs together.

"What are you doing?"

"Going to sleep, luv."

"Won't I...won't I be a distraction or something?"

"I sleep better when there's someone beside me. And your body radiates heat. It's nice." Willow placed her hand on his chest to push him away but he caught her hand with his instead. "Just relax. I'm not gonna try anything and I'm not gonna hurt you." When he felt her hand relax in his, he started tracing imaginary patterns on the back of her hand. Spike could still feel the tension in her body. "Do me a favor," he whispered. "Relax and just enjoy the moment. Just pretend," he added in barely in a whisper.

Willow looked from their joined hands up to his face. She could hear the sad tone his voice carried. When she saw his eyes closed, she let her body relax against his and closed her eyes, drifting to sleep.

Chapter 4

Spike woke the next afternoon when the phone started to ring. The phone was on a small table directly behind the couch they were sleeping on. They. Spike looked down at Willow and a wave of emotions started to rush over him. He didn't know how to distinguish one emotion from another. He hated her, right? She was the Slayer's best friend and... The constant ringing of the phone pulled him out of his thoughts. He couldn't answer it, but he could yank it out of the wall and throw it across the room. His eyes turned golden as he started to growl at it. As his growls became louder, the redhead in his arms started to wake up.

"Spike?" she whispered. "What's wrong?"

"The bloody phone is what's wrong. Answer it or let me pull it out of the bloody wall."

Willow sat up a bit and grabbed the cordless, resting back on the couch as she hit the talk button. "Hello."

"Willow, is that you?"

"Giles? You did call my house. Who else would it be?"

"Well, yes, of course."

Willow heard the tone in his voice. "Uh-oh. What's wrong? That's your 'there's something dire' tone."

"Have you seen Spike?" Willow glanced at the vampire that had wrapped his arms around her body. "Um...Spike?" She saw his head shoot up at the mention of his name. "I haven't seen Spike. Why are we looking for him?"

"It's important that I speak with him. If you see him, please inform him...I just need to speak with him."

"Is it about a prophecy?"

"No, but it is dire."

"I hate the word dire," she mumbled. "If I see him, I'll let him know. I'll be over soon."

"Goodbye, Willow."

"Bye."

Spike looked at her, wondering if the Watcher knew what was going on. He hardly looked for Spike on purpose. Would he of told Willow? Spike decided to play innocent. "What's going on, luv. It's not a prophecy, is it? Cause I would really like them to leave my name out of those bloody things."

"No, it's not." Willow tried to get up but heard Spike growl at her. "Let me up."

"No. We're not done. What did he say?"

Willow let out a loud sigh. "If I found you, I'm supposed to tell you that he needs to speak with you."

"What about?" he asked as he started to play with the ends of her hair. Willow frowned for a moment and looked at his fingers. "Stop that. And I don't know what about. He didn't tell me." She looked into his eyes. "We should get up. I'm expected over there soon."

Spike kept a hold on Willow and held her close to his body. "Soon isn't now, right? I mean you can stay here...with me...in my arms for a few more minutes, right?"

"Um...ok. Spike, you do remember you hate me, right?" But all she heard was silence.

About forty-five minutes later, they both entered Giles' home. "Giles?" Willow called out. "Where are you?"

"In the kitchen. I'll be out in a moment. Did you find Spike?"

"Um..."

"Yeah, the chit found me. Can we get this over with?" Giles entered the living room and took a look at the vampire. "Why, yes of course. I had wanted to talk to the both of you about the ritual but I'm afraid I have some other news for you. Actually Spike it's for you."

"About the ritual, mate..."

"Actually I think we should talk about this other thing first."

Spike's face hardened. "Sure." Spike saw Willow turn to leave. "Where are you going?"

"Well...it seemed like a private conversation."

"It is," Giles added.

"The chit can stay if she wants to."

"I don't think..." Giles started to say.

"Look, mate. It's about me. If she wants to stay, she stays."

"I'll just stand," Willow whispered.

"Alright. Ever since we called the Watcher's Council for help with Angel..."

"You called them for help, for a vampire?"

"Yes, well he was poisoned at the time. Of course they declined."

"Of course," Spike mumbled.

"Ever since then, they have kept tabs on the Aurelius family."

"Joy."

"Spike..."

"I know Watcher. It happened two days ago."

"You knew, but how?"

"She was my sire, mate. Besides I have my informants."

"I'm so sorry."

Willow watched as Spike's face hardened. "Spike, what happened?"

"Not now, luv."

"Yes, now."

Spike stood up quickly, the action causing the chair to fall on its side. His eyes were flashing golden. "I...SAID...NOT...NOW!"

"Spike..."

"What does it matter, witch? Why so you can run along and make jokes at me? Lash out at me? Go ahead." He saw Willow reaching out to touch his arm. He hissed at her."Don't touch," he growled. "You wanna know, pet? It's like this. Drusilla was the bloody love of my unlife until she didn't want me anymore. SHE DIDN'T WANT ME!" Spike picked up the chair and threw it against the far wall, watching it shatter. Willow and Giles both took a step back. "She listened to the stars, Red. And they told her to walk in the bloody sunlight so she did. She dusted herself. My sire is dead." He stalked towards Willow, sensing her fear. Spike placed his hands on her chest and pushed her against the wall. "She was my everything. Evoked things in me that will NEVER stir again!" He leaned down into her neck. "Was it really that important for you to know?" he whispered. He leaned back. "Not that it matters." Spike vamped, staring into Willow's eyes. "Look at me," he growled. "I'm a demon. Your little group tends to forget that. They shouldn't make that mistake."

"Spike," she whispered in fear.

"Shut up, bitch. I didn't say you could talk. Look into my eyes and see what I really am."Willow did what she was told. She looked at his eyes for a few moments but quickly looked away. He leaned into her neck, making sure only she could hear him. "What? Realize I'm a demon? Just remember, last night you were in MY arms." He could feel her start to struggle against him. "I always did like a struggle, pet." He smirked. "You're not worth my time," he snarled. Pushing her to the side and letting her fall to the floor, he strolled out of the room as if he owned the place.

Chapter 5

After the door shut, Giles and Willow stood there in a moment of silence. He finally turned to her. "I'm sure he didn't mean the things he said, Willow."

"He meant it," she said softly, her voice crackling with emotion. "I'm gonna head home for the night."

"Do you need me to drive you?"

She shook her head no. "I'll be fine." As she stepped outside of the door into the night, she could feel the tears starting to fall down her face.

About fifteen minutes later, she got to her house. Willow took a deep breath and pushed open the door. She walked in, closed the door and locked it and then switched on the light. She couldn't believe the sight before her. Spike was sitting on her couch. She felt the emotions crashing down on her from earlier.

Spike stood up quickly. He could sense the anger rolling off of her in waves. "Pet..."

Willow shook her head quickly. "No," she growled at him. "GET OUT!"

"Luv, you don't mean that."

"Don't I? You pushed me against the wall, called me a bitch and basically threatened me."

"Red..."

"And you think I don't remember that you're a demon? How could I not? You kidnapped ME! You tried to bite me! Does the bottle in the face ring a bell to you? How could I forget you were a demon? You won't let us. You won't let me. Now get the hell out of my house."

"I can't do that. Just give me five minutes. Hear me out."

"You said enough earlier."

"I fucked up. Ok?"

"No. None of this is ok."

"Just let me say what I should have in the first place. Then I'll leave and you can go back to being angry with me."

"You have two minutes so you better hurry."

"Right then." He rushed over to her. "What happened back there..."

"Was everything you wanted."

"What?"

"I'm the Slayer's best friend, Spike. So, how long have you been waiting to lash out at me for?"

"It's not like that." He cupped the sides of her face with his hands. "Listen to me."

Willow felt his hands on her face. <For such a bad ass vampire, he has the softest touch.> "Get your hands away from me."

"Listen to me!" he told her without removing his hands. He pulled away and took a step back. "Bloody hell! I lash out at people that I care for. I'll just leave." When he had reached the door, he heard her voice.

"But you don't care for me."

Spike turned around for a moment. "Don't I?" He then left, shutting the door quietly behind him.

Willow sat down on the couch, trying to sort everything out.

The next afternoon, Willow entered Giles home. "Giles, I'm here. Where are you?"

Giles came around the corner and saw Willow. "I'm glad you're both here."

"Both?"

Spike walked up behind her. "Hello, luv."

"Please sit. Both of you."

"Why are WE here Giles?" Willow asked.

"After yesterday I don't even want to see Spike."

Spike turned to look at her, the hurt on his face evident. "Right," he said softly. "I deserved that, pet."

"You deserve a lot more and I'm not your pet."

"I need you two to get over this...whatever it is. You are the only two that can kill this demon."

"I'm not being bound to him, Giles."

"Like I want to be anywhere near you, Witch." Spike turned to the Watcher. "What exactly does it say in those books of yours about all this."

"Which books?"

"Watcher's diaries, Rupert. What does it say?"

"Well, there isn't exactly a written description of this particular demon being vanquished. They've never known of a witch and a vampire that would bond to each other willingly."

"Yeah, well you haven't met one now," Willow added. "

Lets say me and Red here decided to hit our heads real hard and agree to this. How exactly to you expect to form this bond between us?"

"Claiming."

"Excuse me."

"You would have to claim, Willow."

"You want me to claim the chit? I'm over a century old and I have NEVER claimed anyone, let alone a human."

Willow turned to Spike. "What's a claim?"

"Why don't you ask the watcher?"

"Because you're the vampire. What is it?"

"He wants me to bite you, luv. A claiming bite is done along the neck and it's deep. I would have to drink a good amount of your blood. Not enough to kill you obviously but enough for you to be mine."

"Yours? What the hell..."

"Other vampires and demons will see you as mine. They'd be able to detect a scent. It's a form of protection. And it doesn't fade."

"What do you mean it doesn't fade? What? I'll have a scar?"

"From what I know, a claiming bite will provide us with a link to each other. But when you claim a human...It's a serious thing, pet. You can't just undo a claim. It's permanent. Our lives will be linked."

"There's a spell to undo it," Giles added.

"I don't know what rubbish you've been reading. You can't undo a claim. If I were to claim her, it will always be with her. It will always be with me."

"Is there another way?" Willow asked.

"There is one. You can bind yourself with Angel."

"No," Spike growled as his eyes flashed golden.

Willow was a little taken back with his gesture. She then turned to Giles. "I won't bind myself to Angel. I don't trust him."

"And you trust Spike?"

"More than I do Angel."

"Willow..."

"Giles, I just want to go home. I have a lot to think about. Could you drive me?"

"Yes. Of course. Let me get my keys." When she saw Giles leave, she turned to Spike. "You're kinda quiet."

"Yeah, a bit. I need you to know something, Willow." The use of her real name, grabbed her attention.

"What is it?"

"I don't hate you. Far from it actually."

"Look, I don't know  what's going on with you. You need to grieve for Dru, Spike."

"I don't love Dru, pet."

"What?"

"I mean, yeah I'll miss her. And yeah it was a bit of a shock. I did love her because she was my sire. But my heart, my heart gave up on her awhile back. I was never good enough for her. She always wanted her daddy. Even when she was mine, she really wasn't. I was always second in her life to everyone else." He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I don't do apologies, luv. But what happened here yesterday...hell, I know you're angry with me...I would never hurt you. Never."

Giles came into the room. "Ready to go."

Willow jumped out of her chair. "Um...yeah...I just...I'm ready."

Spike watched Willow climb into Giles car. When the car door shut, he watched as she stared out the window at him. Her eyes were unreadable. Spike didn't know why he had just volunteered the information he had. It had been the truth but she hadn't said anything, which worried him. Lighting a cigarette, he watched as they drove away. He turned and headed towards his crypt, replaying everything the Watcher had said.

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