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

Spike pulled Willow out into the cool night air and shut the door behind them. He couldn't help but to grin at the thought of claiming her. He had wanted to for awhile. Spike knew there was a fire in her, begging to come out. At the same time, he didn't want to screw things up. Willow had become...well, the closest thing to a best friend he was ever gonna get. He had never confessed his feelings to her. Ever. He didn't want to risk the only friendship he had. He then glanced at her and realized he knew her, but he didn't *know* her. He knew basic things. Everyday things. But everyone knew those things about her. He wanted something more. Something he could feel. Something he could hold on to. He had been coming over to her house the last couple of weeks. It was nice not to be alone, even if they were just friends. He had even pretty much taken over the spare room, just so he wouldn't have to go back to the crypt. He couldn't believe he was finally gonna get to claim her. To taste her blood. Her life. Her very being.

Willow couldn't help but to think about Spike as they walked outside. He had started hanging around her house the last couple of weeks but she had no idea why. She thought for a moment that he might have some sort of plan because that was one of the things that was written in the Watchers diaries about him. He was always with the plans, just not the patience. Quickly she pushed that thought from her head. She knew he would have nothing to gain by just hanging around. Which led her to her final question--why? What did he want? Willow snuck a quick glance at him and then looked away. She was intrigued with him. With the way his mind works. With the demon that he is. With the man that he was. Although she never did have the courage to ask him about his life, about his past. She was afraid he would get mad and stop coming to see her. She enjoyed having him around. If she was truthful with herself, she would have to admit that he had become her best friend as of late.

"Did you see their faces Spike?" she asked him as she started to laugh.

"That I did," he said with a low chuckle. "It was priceless, luv."

"Definitely a picture moment." Suddenly Willow stopped walking. "Oh! I almost forgot."

Spike stopped and turned to her, wearing a small frown. "Forgot what?"

"Frunat quit," she whispered.

"What was that?"

"I lifted the spell."

"You what?"

"The spell, I..."

"I heard what you said, pet. I thought..."

"Did you see Buffy's face when you were talking about claiming me? It was priceless. Oh, and that line you said. What was it? Oh you said, 'I never wanted anything more in my whole unlife'. That was perfect. You could be an actor Spike. That was definitely awards material. With the little statue and everything."

"So what you said about you becoming mine. About you wanting to be..."

"Yeah."

"It was an act?" Spike asked through gritted teeth.

"Well, yeah." <It doesn't have to be. I do want to be yours.>

"Bloody hell," he mumbled. "I should get you home, Red. Slayer would stake me if anything happened to you."

They both walked the rest of the way to Willow's house in silence. Spike looked up at her when they arrived at her house. "Here you are."

The silence they had shared earlier was awkward. "Are you staying?" she asked nervously.

Spike shook his head no. "Better get inside luv," he told her coldly. He then walked off and headed towards his crypt.

Spike pushed the door open to his crypt. He looked around at his 'home'. It didn't seem like home anymore. It didn't feel like him anymore. He picked up a empty glass bottle and threw it at the wall, watching it shatter. "Bloody game," he growled. He continued to trash his crypt, throwing and breaking everything. "Bloody fuckin' game," he yelled. When he was done destroying his crypt, he stormed out the door; planning on leaving everyone and everything he knew behind.

Chapter 2

Spike started wandering through the streets of Sunnydale, not even paying attention to where he was headed. His mind was solely focused on the fact that Willow didn't want him to claim her. When he finally stopped, he looked up; trying to figure out where he had ended up. <Red's house. So much for leaving everyone behind. Not like I have anywhere else to go.>

After Willow had changed into a pair of shorts and a tshirt, she headed to the kitchen. <I hope Spike is alright. Him and his sudden mood swings. What got into him anyway?> Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard someone banging on the door.

Spike started banging on the door. "RED," he shouted. "Red, let me in."

Willow quickly opened the door, recognizing the voice. "Spike," she said concerned.

The only thing Spike could do was stare at her. He was afraid that if he spoke, if he said anything, it would ruin the moment.

Willow saw him watching her. "Spike, come inside." He wouldn't move. She placed her hand around his arm, pulling him inside. "What happened?" She reached up and touched his face. "You're hurt."

He pulled away from her touch. "I'm fine," he growled. He saw her body cower away from him slightly when he started to growl. "I need a favor," he said quietly.

"What kind of favor? What do you want?"

<You. Forever.>"Can I stay in the spare room for awhile?"

Willow shrugged her shoulders. "Sure. Why not? Besides I don't expect my parents home time...well, ever. How long are you gonna stay?"

"I don't know. Awhile."

"I don't mind you being here but what happened to your crypt?"

"Destroyed." With that one word, he turned around and walked up the stairs.

Willow headed into the bathroom and started gathering first aid supplies. <I wonder what's going on. Remember, he's your best friend; no matter how bad you want to kiss him.> Moments later, Willow reached his bedroom door. She knocked once and waited for him to open the door.

Spike opened the door and took in her appearance. To him, she was breathtaking. "Luv?"

As he opened the door, Willow's breath caught in her throat. He was only wearing his jeans which were unbuttoned at the top. She pushed past him and walked into the room. "You're hurt. I'm gonna clean up the cuts."

"Vampire healing, pet." He had a feeling this was about more than the wounds he had. He had a feeling she wanted to tell him something.

"Just sit down." He walked back over to the bed and sat down in front of the redhead. As Willow started to clean the wounds, she felt the need to talk. "Spike?"

He looked at her with concern. "Hmmm."

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry? About what?"

Willow was looking at anywhere except into his eyes. "About what I did to make you mad. You left and then came back with wounds and then you growled. And I know you always growl but this wasn't a playful growl. This was a get away from me growl."

"Pet," he said in a stern tone. He couldn't believe she thought all that. "Look at me. In my eyes."

Willow shook her head no quickly. She continued cleaning his cuts.

Spike brought his hand up to her hand, the one that was currently tending to his cuts. He wrapped his fingers around hers, holding her hand to his bare chest. He brought his other hand up to her face and lightly touched the side of her cheek. When she didn't pull away, he continued. "It's not you, luv. It's me. You have nothing to apologize for." As she looked into his eyes, he could feel his entire being longing for her.

Chapter 3

Willow felt a wave of shivers throughout her body as his fingers touched her cheek. Her eyes remained locked on his as she gave in to the sensations she was feeling. And at that moment, she wanted to touch him. To possess him like he was possessing her. With the hand that he was holding to his chest, she flattened her palm against his skin. Slowly, she drifted her hand along his chest; feeling his cool skin under her warm touch.

Spike was afraid if he made any sudden movements, this moment would stop. He wanted it to last. When he felt her press her palm to his chest, he dropped his hand from hers. Spike felt her fingers as they started to drift over his chest. All thoughts left his mind. He drifted his hand that was caressing her cheek, down to her lips. Lightly, he grazed her bottom lip with his thumb. That one gesture seemed to break the moment.

Willow pulled her hand away from his chest slowly when she felt his thumb brush across her lips. "What are we doing?" she whispered.

Spike reluctantly pulled his fingers away but continued to keep eye contact. "What do you think we're doing?" he answered softly.

"I-I don't know."

Spike brought his hands up to her face, cupping it gently. "I *do* know." He leaned forward, ready to capture her lips with his.

Willow saw what was about to happen. She could see the kiss. And she was so afraid that one kiss would mess everything up. Quickly she stood up from the bed and took a step back. "I can't. We can't do this."

Spike saw her take a step back for him and frowned. "Red?"

"Look, you've been hurt tonight and need some rest." She quickly made her way to the door.

Spike knew he had to say something and he needed to say it now. He stood up from the bed, still not taking his eyes off of her. "Don't go," he pleaded. "Stay here...with me. In this room. Just for tonight, luv."

He watched as Willow turned around and saw the unshed tears in her eyes. "If I stayed, even for the moment...and..and something happened..." Willow let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. She looked away from him and then finished her statement. "You'd eventually leave and I..." She couldn't finish the statement. She couldn't tell him how she'd fall apart if he decided he didn't want her. "You're the closest thing I have to a best friend, Spike." With that final statement, she closed his bedroom door and walked into her room.

Spike fell back on the bed and stared up at the ceiling for a moment. <That couldn't have gone any worse, mate. I want the girl so much. She mesmerizes me. Why won't she just give me a chance?> For the next couple of hours, he couldn't sleep. All he could do was listen to her tossing and turning in her own room.

Willow climbed into bed and let the unshed tears fall. She was so close but she pulled away from him. She wanted nothing more than to stay there with him, in his arms. But yet again, she pulled herself away. Willow tried to sleep but it was hopeless. The only thing she was managing to do was toss and turn. Finally giving up on sleep, she climbed out of the bed and headed to the kitchen.

Spike made his way to the kitchen, thinking Willow had finally gone to sleep. As he turned the corner, he found her staring into the refrigerator with her back turned to him.

"Ugghhh. I need to go to the grocery store." Shutting the door, she turned around and froze. "Spike!"

"Yeah, pet."

"Well..I..uh..didn't expect you there."

"Apparently."

"Well, I'll just be heading back to my room." Willow knew she had spoken but she couldn't move. She didn't want to.

"Before you leave, I have one question."

"Yeah. What is it?"

"What was that earlier, Red? In my room. Between us. What happened?"

"Well," she started as she started biting her bottom lip. "I guess it was..."

"A moment?" he finished.

"Yeah a moment," she agreed.

Spike started to advance towards her like she was prey and he was hunting. He noticed that every step he took towards her, she took one back. She had finally backed into the counter while Spike was still advancing towards her.

Spike started to smirk when she had found herself backed against the counter. "No running this time, luv." He closed the space between them so that their bodies were practically touching. "If that back there was just a moment, that why is your heart pounding?"

Willow reached for any answer she could think of. "Because you're a vampire? Yep, vampire. I'm afraid?" She knew they sounded like questions and not statements.

Spike leaned closer towards her neck to whisper in her ear. "You don't smell of fear, luv." He leaned back and looked into her eyes.

"Spike," Willow started but was interrupted.

He brought his fingers up and placed then against her lips, signaling her to not speak. "Just for a moment, don't talk. I want you to listen. What if something did happen and I didn't leave. I would never leave you, pet. I could never leave you." He took a step backwards and brought her hand to his lips. Gently he kissed the inside of her palm and placed her hand back at her side. "Night, pet." He turned around and left the kitchen, leaving Willow behind.

After she saw him leave the kitchen, she found her voice again. "Night Spike," she whispered and made her way back to her own room.

Chapter 4

Willow woke up the next morning and looked at the clock. It wasn't early but, as far as vampire hours go, it was early enough. She wanted to avoid the conversation that she knew was due to happen between herself and Spike. Quietly, she climbed out of bed and changed into a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Willow combed out her hair, grabbed her bag and headed downstairs. When she reached to bottom step, she froze.

Spike knew she was awake. He heard her the moment she moved. As he heard her reach the bottom step, he turned his head to look at her. "Mornin', luv."

"Um...hey, Spike." She placed her bag against the wall. "Whatcha doing?" she asked casually.

His eyes drifted to her bag and then back to her eyes. "Going somewhere?"

"I was...um...I..."

"Leaving?"

Willow walked over to the couch and sat down next to him. "Just to the Magic Box. Aren't most vampires asleep at this hour?"

"Couldn't sleep."

As Willow sat there she pretended to stare at the TV screen. Every few seconds she could feel him glancing at her. She couldn't take it anymore. Willow turned to face him. "WHAT? What do you want?"

Spike turned the TV off and turned to face her. "I wanna talk about last night."

"We did enough talking last night."

"No, we really didn't luv. I talked. You didn't say a word." He watched as emotions played across her face. "Last night, what I told you...it was the truth. Talk to me, Willow. Tell me how you felt about last night. Tell me anything," he pleaded.

"I can't," she whispered softly.

Spike stood up from the couch and grabbed his jacket. "I won't stay where I'm not wanted."

Willow also stood up from the couch. "I never said you weren't wanted."

"You never said I was."

"Please don't go, Spike."

"Why? Tell me why and I'll stay. Tell me what you felt last night. That it wasn't just a moment thing."

"I-I can't."

"You can. You just don't want to. Don't bother looking for me. I'm leavin' town for awhile."

"You can't go. Please. Isn't please good enough?"

"No, luv. It isn't."

"It's sunlight out now." She could hear her voice wavering as she spoke.

"I'll stick to the shadows," he said softly. He didn't want to let her know how much it hurt him to walk out that door. Spike took an unneeded breath. "I do want you to know one thing before I leave. The game you played with your friends about you being mine...about me claiming you...it wasn't a game to me. You are meant to be mine. You just don't want me." Spike leaned closer and gave her a soft kiss on her cheek. He then left quickly before she saw his tears fall.

Before Willow could react, he was gone. She spent the next few hours in a daze.. She had been in a daze at her house, the Magic Box and now in the dark as she was walking home. Lost in her thoughts about Spike, she never saw the two vampires advancing towards her. When she looked up and realized her situation, she knew she was in trouble. She wasn't even carrying a stake.

Spike had been consumed with his thoughts about the redhead for most of the day. He tried to leave, but he couldn't leave her behind. He didn't want to. Spike suddenly smelled fear. He quit walking and looked up. It was then that he saw Willow with two hungry vampires advancing quickly on her. With vampiric speed, he rushed over to her.

Willow suddenly felt a cold arm snake around her body and pull her against the hard body behind her. <This is it. I'm gonna be a vampire buffet.>

As Spike pulled her against his body, he glared at the other two vampires. "Hello boys. What can I do for you?"

"You can get away from our dinner," one of the vampires told him. Spike knew Willow was surprised when she tried to turn her head to look at him. Instantly, he leaned into her neck; his eyes blazing golden.

"The girl belongs to me," he growled.

"There's no claim."

"I. Don't. Need. A bloody claim. Do I need to remind you of your place, childe?"

Willow watched as a form of recognition came across the vampires' faces. <Childe?>

Spike tightened his hold on Willow. "She's mine. Don't touch."

One of the vampires decided to speak up. "We didn't know, Sire."

Chapter 5

<Sire? He has childer?>

The other vampire spoke up, interrupting Willow's thoughts. "*Our* Sire wouldn't keep a human. He'd fuck em' and kill em'."

Spike imagined what Willow must think of him at this very moment. He realized that his childer hadn't seen him since he ran with Angelus. They didn't know he killed his own kind. And they didn't know about the chip. "The girl is not just a human. She's a witch."

"If she was really yours...If she really belonged to you, William the Bloody, there would be some kind of mark. Cuts, bruises, a CLAIMING BITE!"

Spike's eyes flickered golden with fury. "How dare you question me? Who the fuck do you think you are? *I* am *your* master. You'll do well to remember that. As for the girl, I'll mark her when I turn her." His eyes narrowed at his childe. "When I fuck her or when I decide to turn her is none of your concern," he told him in a threatening tone.Taking a deep breath, Spike let his fingers dance across her stomach. "Red, meet my boys. This is Jonathon and Michael."

Willow looked at both vampires carefully. Jonathon had a less than stocky build. He had blond hair with brown eyes and seemed to have a well reserved quiet side. Michael seemed to be the opposite. He had black hair with hazel eyes. His body was built and had a threatening stance to him. Unlike Jonathon, Michael had an outgoing and harsh side to him.

"How long you two in town for?"

"Couple days. Maybe a couple weeks," Michael told him.

"Y'know this here is a Slayer's town?"

"Why haven't you killed her yet?"

"The Slayer? Her blood is probably rancid." Spike took out a cigarette and lit it. "How much do you two know about the current Slayer?"

"She's a Slayer. What do we need to know? You kill a Slayer, another one is called."

"You boys should do your research. This Slayer isn't like the others. She has friends that help her fight. And she's the best fighter I've come across in awhile. This chit even screwed Angelus."

"A Slayer and a vampire?"

"That's right."

"Where is our grandsire?"

Spike started to smirk. "In L.A. with a bloody soul, fighting the good fight." The looks on their faces were priceless.

"And Drusilla? She was your love after all."

"Gone. She left." Spike knew they would continue to ask about Drusilla. They were two of her favorites. "Where are you two staying?"

"Is that an offer?" Jonathon asked.

"No. I just wanted to know."

"The mansion. We're going hunting. Will you be coming with us?"

"Not tonight. I have things that I need to do."

"We should go, Sire."

As Michael watched the conversation between Jonathon and their Sire, he looked at Willow and lowered his voice. "You're just a replacement for Drusilla. Always remember that."

Feeling Willow tense under his embrace, he glared at his other childe. He wondered what had just happened. "We're leaving," he said sternly. "I'll see you two around." Spike pulled her away from them quickly.

Willow and Spike went in one direction as Jonathon and Michael went in the other direction. Spike kept a tight hold on her until they reached her house. When they were both inside, he reluctantly left her side.

"We have a problem, pet. My childer are in town."

"O-kay?"

"You don't understand. They think you belong to me. We have a situation, Red."

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