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

"Why do we have a situation? And when did you make childer?" Willow followed Spike over to the couch and sat down beside him. "I don't remember reading about you having childer in the Watcher's Diaries."

Spike began to grin. "Read up on me, did you?"

"Um ... well ... it was kinda research. The first time you came here to kill Buffy. We stole them because she wanted to see what Angel was like, but well...I was kinda curious about you ... and what was I talking about?"

Spike knew he was still grinning, but he didn't care. <Even a couple years ago, the chit wanted to know about me and NOT Angelus.> "Childer," he reminded her.

"Yeah, childer. You wanna explain?"

"Not much to say. They are both my childer. I turned Jonathon about fifty years ago and Michael about sixty years ago. They know of Angelus through Dru. Our paths cross every now and then and that's it." Spike leaned back into the couch trying to sort through the situation they were in now.

Willow wasn't sure what to say to him. He had just told her about his childer and now there was a silence between them. She knew there were things being unsaid, especially on her part. Willow turned her head to look at Spike. He looked tense but relaxed at the same time. "You came back," she softly told him.

Spike turned his head at the sound of her voice. "I couldn't leave," he shyly admitted. "I couldn't leave you." Suddenly, he jumped off the couch and started to pace in front of it. "Bloody hell! Do you know what we've managed to get ourselves into?"

Willow looked at him confused. "Spike, I don't understand."

Spike sat next to her, looking at her with concern. "My childer think you're mine. They think you belong to me."

"O-kay."

"Pet, as a vampire...I'm possessive by nature. You could say I'm hands on. I like to touch what I consider mine."

"Touch?" she asked in a high pitched voice.

"Yes, touch. Hands. Skin. Biting. Well not so much anymore. If they find out about the chip or the fact that you don't belong to me, I don't know if I'll be able to protect you. Having a verbal claim is one thing but it can be overridden." Spike tried to figure out what she was thinking but for the first time her face was void of _expression.

Willow thought about everything Spike had just told her. She sat up straight and took a deep breath. "What do we do?"

"We play a game."

"We already played a game and..."

Spike's eyes started blazing golden. "I won't lose you," he growled. Hearing him growl, startled Willow. As she watched his face, she could see him fighting back his demon. His eyes were golden and she could see all of his emotions across his face. She started biting her bottom lip. "What do we have to do?"

His eyes returned to blue and his face became serious. "You have to pretend to be mine. Pretend that you belong with me. Only until they leave. My childer can't see you with the Slayer. And you can't tell the Slayer about my childer. I won't have the bitch stake them." Spike took a deep breath. "That's the game. And why aren't you saying anything?"

"It's...a lot to take in."

Spike knew she was holding something back. He narrowed his eyes at her, trying to think of what it could be. "Red?"

"Yeah," she said softly.

"When you were in my arms earlier, your body tensed. Why? What happened?"

"Oh ... um ... nothing. It was just..."

And then he knew. "My childe said something to you, didn't he?"

"Spike..."

"Didn't he?" he growled. "What did Michael say to you?" Willow stood up but Spike was too quick. He stood up after her and grabbed her wrist. "Tell me, NOW!"

Willow looked down at the floor. She couldn't look into his eyes. "He-he told me I was a replacement. For Drusilla. He told me not to forget that."

His demon was outraged. Spike knew at that exact moment that he would have to pay a visit to his childe. Still holding onto her wrist, he pulled her closer to his body. "What do YOU think, luv?"

"We're not together."

"Then why did it upset you?" Spike let go of her wrist and tilted her head up to meet his.

"It-it didn't," she lied.

"You're lying to me. You believe what you want." Spike looked away from her, afraid she would see the strength of emotion he had for her. "You should get some rest, luv. You're probably tired after tonight." He watched her walk away from him slowly. Spike called out to her when she reached the bottom of the stairs. "Is it so hard for you to pretend that you want to be mine? That you care for me?"

"I wouldn't have to pretend," she whispered.

Spike stood there stunned. His vampire hearing had barely caught her whispered confession. "You are mine Red," he whispered after he heard her bedroom door shut. Grabbing his duster, he left the house, heading towards the mansion.

Chapter 7

Spike strolled into the mansion looking for Michael. His demon was on the edge and wanted to play. He turned his head when he saw a figure come out of one of the bedrooms. It was Jonathon. "Childe," he nodded.

"Sire. I wasn't expecting to see you again tonight."

"I've come to take care of some business. Where's Michael?"

"He's..."

"I'm right here, Sire."

Spike advanced towards Michael. "Have a nice chat with my pet, did you?"

"That excuse for a human? I told her the truth."

Spike's eyes flashed golden as he punched his childe. "Who the bloody hell do you think you are? YOUR so called truth is wrong. You told her she was a replacement. Think again." Spike never saw the punch coming towards him.

"So our Sire has sunk so low he'd rather be with a human than one of his own kind."

That comment sent Spike over the edge. Spike and Michael both morphed and then it started. For the next twenty minutes they traded punches and kicks. Spike could smell blood on both of them. Finally he swept his legs out from under his childe and watched as he fell to the ground. Spike loomed over his childe's body. "She's to be my mate. If you try anything like this again, I will dust you. I made you and I have the right to destroy you." Without another word, Spike walked out of the mansion with his thoughts on Willow.

As he pushed open the front door, he took a deep breath. He shut it quietly and turned around. He wasn't expecting to see the redhead on the couch. "Red?"

She lifted her head when she heard his voice. Willow never even heard the door open. "Spike?"

He took a step forward. "Luv, why aren't you asleep?"

"You left," she automatically answered. When the moonlight hit his face, she saw the  blood. Willow jumped off the couch. "Goddess, you're hurt."

"I'm alright."

"Sit on the couch. I'll be right back."

Spike watched her leave and slowly made his way to the couch. He shrugged out of his duster and sat down. Moments later, she returned with the first aid kit.

"Where did you go?" she asked while tending to the cuts on his face.

"Just had to go out for a bit. Then I got into a bit of a fight."

"I thought you had left. That you weren't coming back."

As he felt Willow cleaning a cut on the side of his face, he placed his hand over hers. He brought their hands down, away from his face. "Why would you think that?"

"Because you have everything you want. Your childer are in town, Spike."

Spike took a deep breath. "There is one thing I don't have."

"What's that?"

"A mate," he replied simply. "Someone to spend my unlife with. Someone I need. That I crave and hopefully she'll need me just as bad."

"Oh," she said quietly. <I can't believe I'm sitting here listening to what he wants in a girl.>

"That someone is you, luv."

Willow met his eyes. "Me?"

Spike wasn't sure how she was taking his latest confession. "Red, it's been a long night. I'm just gonna stretch out on the couch for awhile and relax."

Thinking he wanted her to leave, Willow quickly stood up until Spike grabbed her hand.

Spike grabbed her hand, feeling the warmth of her skin against his. "Lay down with me? Just for awhile."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah." Spike started to grin when she climbed onto the couch with him. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close to him. Her head fit right under his chin.

"Spike?"

"Yeah."

Without moving her body, she continued. "About the comment Michael said to me...the one I told you about..."

"Shh, luv. We don't have to talk about this." Willow was silent for a moment before she continued in a whisper. "You were right. It bothered me." Willow kept one hand on his chest as she felt his arms hold her close. She tilted her head and looked up at him only to see him watching her.  "I'm agreeing to your game."

Chapter 8

Spike woke up sometime during the next afternoon. Feeling Willow still in his arms, he started to smile. It was then that he noticed she was awake. "Red?" he whispered.

Willow lifted her head to look at him. "Hey you," she said softly.

"How long have you been awake?"

"Not very long. Maybe an hour." Willow paused before she continued. "I've been doing some thinking."

Spike started drifting his fingers through her hair. "What bout'?"

"Your childer."

"What about them, luv?"

"What if they don't believe I'm really yours? Cause I'm not yours. And I know this is a game, but what if they don't believe it? Will they hurt me? What will they do? What..."

Spike placed his fingers over her lips to quiet her. One of the comments she made stuck out in his mind. 'Cause I'm not yours.' <Does she want to be mine?> "We'll make them believe, luv."

Willow was still worried but accepted his answer. "Where did you go last night?"

"Last night?" he asked trying to play innocent.

"Last night, Spike."

<You might as well tell her the truth, mate.> "I had some business to take care of. I went to the mansion."

Willow's _expression became one of genuine concern. "You went there because of what I told you last night."

"No," he corrected her. "I went because of what HE said to YOU."

"I don't see the difference."

"I had a verbal claim on you, luv. They knew it. What he said to you was a sign of disrespect. Not only to you, but to me. I couldn't just not do anything."

Willow lightly laid her head upon his chest. "What happened to your crypt, Spike? When you came to my house, you were pretty scratched up."

"I don't think we should have this conversation, pet."

"Spike...you're staying here and I'm playing along with your game. I think I deserve to know."

"I dsoy t," he mumbled.

"What?!"

"I destroyed it! Happy?"

Willow was confused. <Why would he do that?> "You destroyed your own crypt? Why?"

Spike took a deep breath. "You didn't want me," he said softly.

Willow looked up at him but saw he was looking away. His face was so full of emotion.

"When you did that spell, I really thought you wanted me to claim you. It wasn't real though. I wanted to claim you, to make you mine but you didn't want me." Spike took a chance and looked at her. Realizing everything he had just said, panic ran through his body. "Let me up," he told her. When she didn't move, he tried again. "Let me up now," he growled while trying to sit up.

"No," she told him. Willow pushed his body back down on the couch and wrapped her arms around his body. She leaned against his body as she felt his fingers run along her arms. Willow started biting on her bottom lip. "I thought you wanted an easy out. I didn't think you really wanted to claim me so that's what I did. I gave you an easy out. No guilt or anything."

Spike watched her as she rambled. He watched her turn away from him. "Red, I need you to answer something for me. If you had known that I wanted to claim you, would you have reversed the spell?" He watched as she silently shook her head no. That one gesture warmed him.

Willow looked into his eyes. "What if they don't believe us?" she whispered.

Spike placed his hands gently along the side of her face. He leaned down and gently pressed his lips to hers, begging for entrance. When he felt her open her mouth, he deepened the kiss. Allowing his tongue to explore her, to taste her. Pulling away from the kiss, he held her body firmly to his. "I don't think it'll be that hard to convince them," he whispered into her ear. As he started placing small kisses along her neck, he felt her hands slide up his shirt, grazing over his chest.

Chapter 9

Suddenly the reality of the situation hit Willow. She stopped moving her hands and leaned back. She could see the confusion in his eyes and knew it mirrored her own. "I didn't...we can't..." Willow climbed off the couch.

"Willow?" He stood up quickly and made his way to her.

"Things just went a bit too far."

Spike placed his hands around her waist and frowned as she tried to get free. "Pet..."

"It's just we can't do this. We need to focus on the pretending thing, make your childer believe that we're together."

He couldn't believe she was trying to push him away again. "I chose you, Red. I chose you for my mate. I want you to be with me. I thought..."

"That was cute, Spike. But you don't have to lie." She struggled free and made her way to her bedroom. Once she closed the door, she let her tears fall freely.

"Bloody hell," he mumbled. "If she would just give me a chance. She doesn't want to give me one, I'll just take it."

The next afternoon, Willow woke up and changed her clothes before heading downstairs. She was oblivious to the pair of eyes watching her every movement. She opened the fridge and looked for something to eat. Finding nothing appetizing, she decided that she would pick up something on her way to the Magic Box. Turning around, she headed towards her front door...only to see Spike standing there. "Spike!"

"Hello, luv. Going somewhere?"

"Yeah, out. I guess I'll..."

"You can't go anywhere. We're supposed to meet my childer tonight. They'll be looking for us the second the sun goes down."

"Well, I'll come back."

"You're NOT leaving!"

Anger coursed through her. <Who does he think he is? Telling me what to do?> "Spike, get out of my way. You can't keep me here."

"Wanna test that, luv?"

"I'm not playing around."

"You're right. No more playing."

Willow saw him advancing towards her and she started to back up. "What...what are you doing?"

"Yesterday when I told you I chose you for a mate, it wasn't a game. It was the truth."

"You don't..."

"IT WAS THE TRUTH! For some unknown bloody reason you can't get that through you mind. I didn't leave for you. I came back for you. Maybe you just don't want me."

Willow could feel the emotions pouring off of his body. "I do," she whispered.

Spike looked at her eyes. "You do?"

"I do...want you. It's just..."  

Spike's actions became very tender towards her. "It's just what?" he asked softly.

"It's just that want will turn into love and love is usually a craving and devotion-worthy and after we're done...pretending with your childer...what happens then? You leave? Cause I don't think I could bear that. You stay and not love me? That's torture in its own right. It's a no win situation. Goddess, I've said way more than I should of." Willow tried to move away, but he held her body in his arms, her back against the wall.

"What if I loved you and stayed? Loving you would be so easy. If you'd let me."

"Spike..." Spike forced himself to look away. "Just go," he said softly. "I'm not gonna hold you here. I just want you to know. I could love you. A part of me already does. Choosing you for my mate, speaks volumes. It's not a one time thing. It's having you with me always. By my side. Loving you always." Spike took an unneeded breath. "Just remember to be back by sundown for our little act."

Willow watched as he turned around and walked into the kitchen. Walking over to the door, she opened it but then closed it. Looking towards the kitchen, she walked over to him slowly. "What does it mean?"

Spike turned around in surprise. "I thought you left. What does what mean?"

"Being a vampire's mate. What does it mean?"

"Rupert has a book. It's called Demon Habits and Rituals. You should read the last chapter. You could probably finish the chapter before we need to leave tonight."

"Why can't you just tell me?"

"Why can't you just give us a chance?"

"Spike..."

"This is real, luv. Me and you."

Willow reached out to touch the side of his face but was surprised when he caught her hand with is. "I would love to touch you, to kiss you, to worship you for hours but I'm a vampire, baby." He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Read the chapter," he whispered.He walked away from her, hearing the front door shut moments later.

Chapter 10

Willow pushed open the door of the Magic Box and looked around in awe. The Magic Box was filled with people. Seeing Giles at the counter, she picked up a piece of paper off of a nearby table. It was a sales ad. "That always brings in people," she mumbled. Carefully she made her way to the back room, only having one book in mind. As she slipped through the door, she locked it behind her, trying to drown out all of the other noise. Willow walked over to the bookshelf and quickly looked over the titles, finding the exact book she was looking for. She carried it over to the small couch and made herself comfortable. Opening the book, she flipped to the last chapter.

'Finding a Mate for Demons and Vampires'. She skimmed through the text that referred to the demons until she found the part that concerned vampires. She read it silently to herself. 'It is not rare for a vampire to claim someone, but it is rare for that someone to be human. Vampires seek out certain qualities for their mate or life partner. The vampire will claim the individual by placing a deep bite along the neck, therefore bonding them for life. They will be able to sense each other through the bond as well as the other's emotions. The bond will last until one of them dies. This is not a temporary bond. If the individual accepts and is human, they will eventually be turned. To be a vampire's mate is to be their other half in every sense of the word. The mate will be a stronger vampire when turned because of the bond.'

Willow closed the book and placed it back on the bookshelf. A bit light-headed, she sat back on the couch staring at the floor, dazed. <I would be his other half.> Willow picked herself up off the couch and made her way into the main room. The mass of people had thinned out. This time Giles saw her.

"Willow, have you been here long?"

"Not long. You were pretty busy."

"Yes, very. Will you be staying tonight for research?"

"Actually there's something I need to do tonight, but I will be here tomorrow."

"I'll see you tomorrow. Do be careful."

"Always." Willow walked out the door and realized night had already fallen. In fact, it looked like the sun had been down for awhile.

Spike was furious. The sun had been down for about an hour and she was nowhere to be seen. His anger wasn't directed at her, but the fact that something could have happened to her. The only other thought that went through his mind was that she read the chapter and realized that this was not what she wanted. Walking through the night, he ran into the two people he didn't exactly want to see at the moment. His childer.

"Well, well...and where is your pet?" Michael asked. He spat out the word pet as if it was venom.

Spike glared at him. "Don't." All of a sudden he saw a flash of red hair. He turned back to Michael. "You wanna know where she is? Turn around and look," he told him with a smirk.

When Willow saw all three vampires watching her, she stopped. She didn't trust his childer. She didn't know enough about them. Willow was still afraid they would hurt her. She knew that Spike had put a verbal claim on her but a verbal claim only went so far. Nervous, she started biting her lower lip.

Spike knew she was nervous and she had every right to be. "Jonathon...Michael...go feed."

"Sire..."

"Now," Spike growled. Seeing them walk off, he started towards Willow. Standing in front of her, he wasn't sure what to do. He didn't want to mess anything up but if they were gonna be convincing, they needed to do something soon. "You're late," he told her icily.

"I know. I'm sorry. I didn't realize it was so late and..."

Spike took another step towards her and cut her off in mid-sentence. "I thought something had happened to you," he told her softly. "Thought you might blow me off tonight. Hang out with your friends instead."

Willow took step towards him and felt their bodies touching. "Have you been out long?"

"Since the sun fell. Ran into those two shortly after."

"Where are they now?"

"I sent them to feed." He saw the look in her eyes. "They're vampires, pet. You know where the Slayer is, cause I don't fancy them trying fight her?"

"She's with some new guy. Buffy's not patrolling until later tonight."

"Good. One less problem then." Spike saw Willow looking at him strangely. "What is it?"

Instead of using words, Willow wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his.  Once over his initial shock, he wrapped his arms around her and crushed her body into his. Spike pulled back for a moment and looked into her eyes. They seemed brighter tonight. Her skin flushed. "They're not here, pet. We don't have to pretend yet."

Willow let her fingers drift through the ends of his hair. "I wasn't pretending," she whispered.

Understanding her words, he pulled her against his body and kissed her, begging for entrance. When she granted it, he kissed her deeply, enjoying the unique taste that was Willow until she was out of breath. He pulled away but kept her close to his body. "So..."

"I...I read it."

"I figured that much. Do you understand now?"

"Understand? Yes. I just kinda don't believe it yet. I mean are you sure you want me?"

"I want into your heart. I want to taste your blood." He pressed his body more firmly against hers, allowing her to feel his arousal. "And I was to slide my hands all over your body, listening as you scream out my name."

"It's permanent," she whispered.

"It is. Do you care for me, pet?"

"Spike..."

"I need to hear it."

"My feelings for you, they scare me."

Spike frowned. That wasn't the answer he was expecting. "Why's that?"

"They're strong. Stronger than anything I've ever felt. I tried to keep it from you."

"No more of that," he told her. "You're everything to me, pet. Do you care for me," he whispered

. "Always," she replied softly.

Nuzzling her neck, he heard a contented sigh escape her lips.

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