Disclaimer: Everything BtVS and AtS is owned by Joss, ME, and all them over there.

Chapter 6

Spike sat in his old ratty recliner, staring off into space after the Slayer left. He just let her leave with the witch. Sitting for what seemed to be forever to the restless vampire, he waited for night fall.

He felt the urge to kill something, preferably the Slayer, but since that was currently an impossibility he'd settle for the first demon to cross his path. Grabbing his duster, Spike went out into the night to kill, maim, destroy, and generally wreak havoc to ease the turmoil that was going on inside him.

He was mumbling the entire walk. What few humans were out could hear snippets of "bloody Slayer," and "those damned Soldier boys and their bloody chips."

Spike stopped. He recognized the small clearing in the graveyard. This was where he found her, neck attached to another vamps mouth. He kicked the nearest headstone, breaking it in half.

When he turned back around he noticed a bag sitting on the ground. Willow's scent was coming from it and teasing the vampire. He grabbed the duffel bag and headed for her house. 'You're getting as bad as the great Poof himself,' he thought. 'Going around rescuing girls and taking their stuff to them, and bloody taking a liking to a human. A witch at that!'

When Spike got to Willow's house he stopped just short of the porch. Through the front window he saw that Buffy, Giles, and Xander were talking. He slipped closer to the window, keeping to the shadows to listen.

He was faintly surprised at the topic of discussion. Him. He listened closer.

"But Giles," the Slayer whined, "he had Willow in his crypt! That's totally stake-worthy!"

"No Buffy. He saved her life," Giles said cleaning his glasses.

"Did he?" Xander asked.

"How do we know he didn't do this himself and just covered it up? Willow didn't say much other then she was attacked, woke up at Spike's for a few minutes then woke up again here. Maybe I should stake him for good measure, you know, to make sure," Buffy said holding Mr. Pointy.

Spike snorted. 'Like she could,' he thought.

"No, Buffy," Willow said coming down the stairs slowly. She had changed into her pajamas. Spike noticed how pale she was from blood loss. His first instinct was to rush in and tend to her, but he clamped down on it. Getting dusted by the Slayer was not high on his priority tonight.

"Willow," Giles got up and went over to her to help, "are you all right?"

Spike snarled at Giles touching Red. The snarl caught Spike by surprise. It was an overly possessive gesture, and she wasn't even technically his. He looked at her neck and saw the bandage covering the bite from the other night. She has someone else's mark on her. The thought made him growl this time.

"I'm fine, Giles. Just a little lightheaded and hungry. Need food," Willow headed for the kitchen with Giles in tow. "Oh, and Buffy, Spike didn't bite me he saved me. So no staking please?"

"But Wills, he took you to his crypt! That's just ew..."

"Where would you have had him take me? The hospital so they could ask him questions he couldn't answer? The dorm because you are always not there? Or to Giles' because he would have been so understanding. Or here? Yeah, I can totally give an invitation unconscious. How about to Xander's because he wouldn't have tried to stake him as soon as he saw the condition I was in?"

Spike puffed up, proud of his witch for showing them. 'Bloody hell,' he thought, 'the chit is good. Probably saved my hide.' They were moving into the kitchen now to get Willow something to eat.

Spike knew better then try and see Willow now with a house full. Instead he went up to her balcony to wait until she came back up. He sat in a corner so he could see in but not be seen himself. Spike didn't want the Slayer in his face right now.

He sat on the balcony smoking and listening for Red to come back upstairs. 'So you can do what mate?' he asked himself. 'Make sure she's ok? Tell her your dreams consist of nothing but her for the past few weeks? I'm being a bloody ponce I am. Well sod that.' Spike got up and went to the edge of the balcony, then remembered the duffel. He took out her laptop and left the clothes on the balcony in front of the doors.

Spike reasoned she would want her laptop safe, and who knew when she would be on the balcony next. It could rain or something. Truth was he just needed a reason to come back.

"Need me a drink," Spike mumbled and headed for Willy's.

----------

"C'mon Wills why? Why can't I stake him?" Buffy asked. "I mean he's not doing us any good. He's constantly complaining and being a complete pain in the ass. Besides, if he didn't have that chip he'd have killed you, not save you." Buffy was trying to convince Willow to let her stake Spike. It wasn't just so much that it was Spike, although a good enough reason to her, she was mainly itching for something to slay.

"You two have a lot in common," Willow murmured on her way to her room.

"What? What do you mean? Me and the Bleached Wonder?" Buffy asked offended.

"I'm sorry, Buffy. I'm just tired. Never mind. Sleep now," Willow yawned and climbed into her bed.

Buffy stared at Willow for a few minutes. 'I'm nothing like him,' she thought. 'He is really annoying, rude and needs to be staked. But,' she reasoned, 'he did save Willow's life. Wonder why?' Buffy left her room and headed downstairs.

"Hey, could one of you guys stay the night with Will? I have to go patrol?" Buffy asked when she got to the living room.

"I will," Xander said. "I'll just go call Anya and let her know."

"Very good, then. Buffy do you need some assistance with patrol?" Giles asked.

"Uh, no Giles, thanks. Riley's gonna back me up."

"Okay, be careful then Buffy."

"I will, Giles. Xander, call if you need anything for Willow."

"'Kay, Buffy," Xander said.

"Night guys." Buffy walked outside to go find Riley and get some slaying done for the night.

----------

Spike sauntered into Willy's and sat at the bar. Ignoring the growls and sneers coming from the other patrons, he ordered a shot of whiskey. He knew he wasn't welcome here but he was the Big Bad, William the Bloody, Order of Aurelius, one quarter the Scourge of Europe, and so on. He could do as he bloody well pleased, and right now it pleased him to have a drink.

Willy set Spike's drinks down and asked tentatively, "So, uh, she found you?"

"Who?" Spike asked quirking an eyebrow. 'Who'd be looking for me,' he wondered. 'Not Slutty. She never asks, just finds and pounds.'

"The red-haired girl. Think she's a friend of the Slayer," Willy said.

"Red? She came here looking for me?"

"Yeah, she came in and asked if I knew where you were. Little thing isn't she. Hard to believe she works with the Slayer and them."

"Yeah," Spike said, lost in thought. 'She went to a lot of trouble last night, it seems.'

"So what's a little girl like that doing looking for you?" Willy asked breaking through Spike's thoughts.

"She's not a little girl. She's a powerful witch," Spike said somewhat proudly and remembered the power he tasted in her blood. He wanted more, needed more. Ached for more. His demon cried out for it.

Before Willy could say anything else on the matter Spike threw down some money and walked out into the night.

--------

"Buffy, where are we going?" Riley asked as he caught up to his girlfriend.

"I saw that Gorthax demon head this way. I want to see where it's going," Buffy answered.

"I thought Giles said you didn't need to worry about it. Come on there're some fresh graves over here."

"No, Riley. I'm following this demon. Besides Spike was the one who said it wasn't evil, not Giles. For all we know it could be sacrificing poor little puppies," Buffy said. She watched as the demon ducked into a near by crypt.

Riley just shook his head as Buffy crept around a crypt to look in the window.

"Riley, come here," Buffy whispered. "Look."

Looking through the window they saw the demon. Magical supplies were spread all around the table it was standing at.

"See, told you," Buffy said.

The demon was chanting. It reached for a pile of red hair and took a few strands to drop into a cauldron it had sitting on a table in front of him. Red smoke billowed for a few seconds then the demon repeated the action with another pile of blonde hair.

"What is it doing?" Riley asked.

"A spell I think. See I told you following it would be good. We should go tell Giles."

The pair left to finish their patrol and head to Giles'.

----------

"C'mon Luv, I've got somthing to show you."

"Spike?" Willow asked, looking around. She saw a stone table in the middle of a clearing in the woods. Woods she didn't recognize. "Where are we?"

"Shh, come here," he led her closer to the stone table, she could see magick ingredients laying on top of it.

"A spell? I'm here to do a spell?" Willow asked. 'Spike isn't being very helpful,' she thought. 'Sage, two black candles, two white candles, an anthame, a piece of rose quartz, a cauldron, incense burner, innards of something, and a few herbs she didn't recognize,' she mentally listed. 'Yep all the things for a spell. A spell for what though?'

"Don't you see Luv? It's all you need. Memorize it and this place. It will come in handy soon. Oh if you only knew Willow. It will be great," he leaned in and kissed her deeply and lovingly.

Willow melted into it for a minute then realized she still had questions. "Spike, I need all this for what spell? What will be great? What is this place..."

"Shh, don't worry right now. Just memorize."

She looked at Spike for a moment. 'He's sounding like Drusilla, his crazy Sire,' she thought. "Spike, are you--"

"Shh, look," he cut her off and turned her head toward the stone table.

Instead of fighting him she looked at the ingredients, memorizing them. Then she looked around the clearing. It wasn't big, and definitely not in Sunnydale. It was just a vague feeling she had.

Spike came up behind her and kissed her temple. "Time to go, Pet."

Willow woke and sat straight up in bed. Frantically she looked around, recognizing her room she calmed a bit. 'What the heck was that,' she wondered. With a groan Willow got up and found a piece of paper to write down everything about the dream. The stone table, the look of the clearing and what tree's she could recognize, the spell ingredients, and descriptions of the ones she didn't recognize, were all written down in a studious Willow fashion.

"I miss my laptop," she lamented leaving it behind. Resolved to go get it and her clothes in the morning, she continued her writing. After everything from the dream was written down she looked at the clock. Five am.

"Sleep," she mumbled lying back down, thinking about the dream. 'What spell?' she asked herself. 'Why was Spike showing me that place, and where was it located? I'll ask Giles about it tomorrow.' With that she was asleep again.

Chapter 7

Spike stomped out his cigarette and jumped off Willow's balcony. He had come back to see Willow but she was asleep. Instead he just listened to her heart beat and her softly whispering his name. It was starting to make him wonder about the chit. This was the second time he'd heard her say his name in her sleep, and not in a 'he's gonna kill me' way either.

Spike headed for his crypt. The sun would be up soon and he needed some blood. Just being around Willow had made his demon cry even harder for it. He got in his crypt, tossed his duster over the recliner, grabbed a bag of blood, and bit into it. His demon only slightly sated, he groaned and laid down on his old mattress to sleep.

Sleep, however, was not being friendly. Spike decided to get up and watch some TV. Grabbing his duster he rooted around in the pockets looking for his cigarettes and lighter. He found a small book. The diary he had taken from Willow's dorm room. He had forgotten all about it.

Instead of television Spike settled down for a good read. Most of the diary contained the normal teenage stuff. Hot boys, which Spike was surprised to see him and Angel listed, school, friends�the usual.

Spike continued flipping through the diary, stopping every now and then when a particular entry caught his eye. He finally got to the passages of the past few weeks. She'd been having dreams. Dreams that sounded a lot like what he was experiencing. She had seen the same shadowy figures. The same elusive kisses and touches that left her wanting more. 'What the bloody hell is going on,' he wondered. 'Red and I are going to have to have a serious talk. As soon as the Slayer leaves her alone for more then two soddin' minutes.'

There were a few other passages that had peaked Spike's interest. Especially the one about the Vampire Willow from an alternate universe. Spike closed his eyes and pictured the innocent redhead in the leather outfit, about which Willow had gone into great detail about in the diary.

Spike slipped easily into sleep with thoughts of a leather clad Willow dancing in his head.

----------

"Spike, look, you have to see this."

"Red?" Spike asked. He looked around for her and saw her standing in a clearing near a stone table. She was radiant in the moonlight. Her red hair was shoulder length, not as long as he liked it but beautiful none the less. Her hair was set off by her milk white skin and the white flowing dress she was wearing. It was simple, but so like his Red. It looked dazzling on her, all trimmed in green, the same color of her eyes. It caught in the wind in all the right places. He didn't move, he was so enthralled with the image of her. Almost like a nymph she was.

"Come on, Spike. Come see what's in store for us," she said, motioning him to come closer.

He started to tentatively walk towards her, ever the cautious vampire, he searched the surroundings with his senses.

"Luv, what's all this about? Why'd you bring me here?" He was a little apprehensive. She was his Red, but not somehow. He couldn't describe it. Something was just ... off about her, and the place.

He came closer, eying her carefully. She was grinning broadly and looking at him with those huge eyes. He got close enough to a stone table, that was in the middle of the clearing, to see what was on it.

"Oi, what's going on? A spell?"

"Shh, don't worry. It'll be great. I promise," she moved closer to him and brushed her hand along his cheek, then moved in to kiss him lightly on the lips.

Spike automatically deepened the kiss, running his tongue along the inside of her mouth, memorizing every detail, just in case. When he finally opened his eyes he was back in his crypt.

'What the bloody hell was that?' Spike wondered. The sun had come up a while ago. He laid back down and thought about the most recent installment of the dream. Something wasn't right. Usually he could tell when he was in a dream, except that time. That time it had seemed so real. So... vivid. Everything had been normal like he had actually been there, except for the witch. She was herself, but...not. However, there was nothing he could do about it right now. He'd have to wait until sundown to go see Red.

----------

Willow was just getting up from a nap. Xander had had Anya come over last night to help watch Willow. In the morning they had made her breakfast and made sure she had everything she needed until Buffy was out of class. Buffy was coming over later to check on her.

Anya had told Willow to get plenty of sleep, take bubble baths, and eat ice cream (the chocolate kind) because she�d read somewhere that's what females do in this situation. Well, Willow had taken her up on the nap. Now it was time for the bubble bath.

She filled the tub with hot water and lavender scented oils. Willow also lit a few candles she had sitting around, to complete the whole relaxing atmosphere. Then she disrobed and climbed in. She moaned in pleasure. The bath was just what she needed.

Willow heard Buffy come in just as she got out of the tub.

"Wills?" Buffy called.

"In the bathroom. I'll be down in a minute," Willow called back down to her. She dressed quickly and went down to see her friend.

"Hey, Buff. How was class today?" Willow said smiling.

"Only you, Willow, would get excited about learning what happened in class while you were gone," Buffy said rolling her eyes.

"Did you bring the notes?" Willow asked, ignoring her friends jibe.

"Yes, be grateful. Professor Walsh nearly had me give a complete account of your attack and all details surrounding it."

"Oh," Willow said worriedly, "You didn't, umm...tell her about Spike, did you?"

"What, and try to explain why I haven't brought Hostile 17 in yet? No way Wills!"

"Speaking of Spike, have you seen him lately?" Willow asked tentatively, keeping her focus on the papers Buffy had handed her.

"No, not since the day I found you in his crypt. Why? What's going on?" Buffy asked, concerned.

"Nothing. I just, well, I wanted to thank him, for, you know, saving my life. He didn't have to you know, but he did and I'm grateful. Maybe I should get him something as a 'Thank You' gift or a card. I wonder..."

"Uh, Wills? Are you sure you're ok?" Buffy asked. She was concerned about her friend. This wasn't her usual Willow behavior. Well, ok, admittedly the babbling and the concern for the 'Thank You' gift was pure Willow, but the concern for Spike? Buffy wasn't sure she liked that.

"I'm fine, Buffy. I should really get some of this homework done," Willow said, trying to change the subject.

"You need anything else?"

"No, I�m good. Thanks again."

"No problem! If you need anything don't forget to call Xander or Giles. I've got a date with Riley before patrol. We'll stop by then to check on you, ok?"

"Sure, thanks." Willow sighed as Buffy left.

Willow wiled away the hours by watching TV, cleaning the house, and eating dinner. Giles stopped by once to make sure she was alright. He'd brought her some books too. 'Just to pass the time,' he'd said. She was grateful. So, after everything was set for the night Willow grabbed the books and headed to her room for some reading in bed.

Chapter 8

----------

Willow was starting to get a headache from all the reading. She needed some fresh air. She missed the simplicity of standing on the balcony and looking at the stars. Before she met Buffy, she would sit out there every night. Now if she went on the balcony she went loaded with a stake, holy water, and a cross.

Willow walked out to the railing of the balcony, leaning on it. She breathed deeply of the night air. Smiling to herself she gave a small thank you to the goddess for such a beautiful night. She turned to look out at the street. Willow watched as Spike went up to her door, or so she assumed because only part of the walkway was visible from the balcony, and walk back to the street. 'What is he doing here?' she wondered, 'and why hasn't he knocked yet?'

"Spike?" Willow called out.

Spike almost jumped at the sound of his name, and then silently cursed himself for not paying attention to his surroundings like a good vampire.

"What?" Spike called back.

"What are you doing here?" Willow asked.

"Nothing, just out," he said lighting a cigarette and walking closer to the balcony so they didn't have to talk so loud. Well him at least.

"Right, Spike. Just out having a nice stroll between my sidewalk and the front door?" she asked incredulously.

"Did you do a spell on me?" Spike blurted out.

"A spell? No. Why?" Willow asked baffled.

Spike looked at her hard. He didn't know if she was telling the truth or not. From what he read in her diary he figured she wasn't lying. He shook his head. "Can I come in? We need to talk. Besides I'm not a big fan of Shakespeare, and don't bloody well feel like climbing up there." Spike said.

"Go to the front door. I'll be there in a minute,� Willow said and walked back into her room. 'What's this spell he's talking about?' she wondered. She walked down to the front door and opened it. She stood staring at Spike for a few seconds weighing the pros and cons of letting him into the house.

"Come in, Spike," Willow said.

"So Spike, what's this about a spell? I don't understand," Willow said and went to make herself comfortable in the living room. She gestured for Spike to have a seat.

"Did you do one or not?" Spike asked glancing at her.

"No, Spike. It's been a few months since I've done anything. Now, are you going to tell me what's going on? I like a good puzzle as much as the next person, but I'm tired and hungry, so if you don't mind, tell me what's going on," Willow said. Her curiosity was getting the better of her. She was hurt that he would accuse her of doing a spell on him, but at the same time she wanted to know why. She waited patiently for him to start explaining.

"Well Red, it's like this," Spike said pulling a cigarette out and lighting it. "I've been having the same dreams you have and for the same amount of time--"

"What do you mean having the same dreams as me? How would you know? And no smoking in here Spike,� Willow asked cutting him off.

Spike gave her a withering look and put his cigarette out on the bottom of his boot. Then he reached into his duster and tossed her the diary he'd stolen from her dorm room just a few nights ago.

"Where did you get this Spike?" Willow asked standing up and shaking her diary at him. "What right do you have going through my diary? I should stake you right now! I can't believe you Spike!"

"Are you done? Can I continue? I don't mind waiting. You're bloody magnificent when you�re angry,� Spike said with his trademark smirk.

"Whatever," Willow said sighing, and sat back down. "Go on with what you were saying."

"Right then, the dreams, they are or rather were, exactly like yours. A person that was nothing more then a shadow. Then in one dream I heard your voice and saw your hair. It was you. I still don't know why. I thought you'd done another bloody spell again."

"Well, I didn't,� Willow said. 'Has he had the dreams of the clearing yet?' she wondered.

"Right. Well, I don't mind having dreams about you, Red," Spike said smiling at her, "but I don't fancy the latest one."

"What do you mean?" Willow asked. 'I guess that answers my question,' she thought.

He was getting agitated. 'I don't sodding want to tell her that the dreams are getting...unreal. I'm a bloody master vampire,' Spike thought to himself. He was pacing and trying to decide how much to tell her. He had no idea that she�d had the dream too.

"See Red, it's...you. You came to me in the dream," he said. 'There. Give her something, see if she bites.'

Willow just sat there and stared at him. She knew what he was talking about. It was a rare occasion that two people have the same dream. 'This can't be good,' Willow thought. 'This is definitely Hellmouthy.'

"Spike, I think we have a big problem,� Willow said.

"Bloody hell," Spike said with a sigh and sat next to Willow on the couch.

Chapter 9

"Well, first, tell me what you remember about the last dream," Willow said.

"No. I've shared all I plan to. It's your turn. Story time,� Spike stretched out on the couch, getting comfortable.

Willow sighed. She really didn't want to let Spike know everything about the dream. She knew he would find some way to tease her about it. That's what Spike, did best after all.

"Fine. You came to me in a dream and showed me this clearing in the woods. There was a stone table set up in the middle with a whole bunch on ingredients on it, different herbs, and crystals and things. You told me to memorize them. Then I woke up," Willow said quickly.

"Bloody hell," Spike mumbled.

"What?"

"Did I tell you it was for a spell?" Spike asked, not looking at her.

"Yeah, you did. Spike, what's this all about?"

"I have no bloody idea, Pet."

Everything was happening too fast for Willow. First the dreams of Spike. Then Spike actually kissing her. Then getting attacked and waking up to Spike licking her neck. Now they are having dreams of the same place. It was enough to make Willow want to hide and cry. But she couldn't do that.

"We should call Giles. Or, better yet, go talk to him. Maybe he knows, or can help us find out, what's going on,� Willow said standing.

She was on her way to the stairs when Spike grabbed her arm. He yelled and grabbed his forehead as his chip fired. When the pain subsided enough to think, he turned back to Willow. "No, Pet. I'm not going to the Watcher. Can't you just get on that computer and look it up?" Spike asked. He really didn't want that wanker to know. 'They might try to truss me up in bloody chains again,' Spike thought. 'Learned my lesson, I did.'

"Well I can only look so much up on the computer," Willow said. "I mean Giles has access to more then I do. Not to mention some of his connections."

"I'd rather ask Peaches than the bloody Watcher," he said to himself. The minute he saw the look on the red-head's face he wished he could have taken it back.

"Now look here, Pet. I didn't actually mean for you to ask the Pouf. I was just...giving a comparison. Yeah, of the, uh, lesser of two evils. I wasn't suggesting you actually ask for his help. Just merely the fact...aw bloody hell," Spike said sighing. He searched his pockets for a cigarette. He really needed one. He'd dug himself a hole and he knew it. Lighting up, he ignored the dirty looks from Willow.

"I said no smoking in the house," Willow sighed.

"Well bollocks to that. Unless you promise not to call Peaches for help," Spike said. He inhaled deeply on the cigarette and exhaled a large puff of smoke.

"All right. I won't call Angel," Willow said waving the smoke away. "Now outside with it." She pointed to the door.

"Join me, Luv?" Spike asked heading for the front porch.

"No, I'm hungry. Go ahead. I'll come out when I'm done."

Spike nodded and headed out to sit on the porch. Willow went into the kitchen to make a sandwich, and a phone call. She wasn't going to call Angel. She'd told Spike the truth. However she hadn't said anything about Wesley. True, she would've preferred Giles' assistance, but she was willing to compromise.

Willow dialed Wesley's number on the kitchen phone. She's copied it from Giles one day when she'd seen it lying on his desk at his apartment. Never knew when you might need it, was her reasoning. It rang a few times before the answering machine came on and asked her to leave a message at the tone.

"Wesley, this is Willow. Umm, could you give me a call at 555-6913? I have a favor to ask you. Don't worry, it's not an Apocalypse. Give me a call when you can. Thanks. Bye," Willow said and hung up. She was glad Wesley wasn't home. Willow wasn't sure if Spike would've come back inside to stop her. She took her sandwich and juice, and walked out to the porch to sit with Spike.

"I thought I told you no calling the Watcher, Luv," Spike said, glaring at her through a haze of smoke.

"Oh, well, I thought you meant Giles. I called Wesley. Different Watcher entirely. This is what you get for not using people�s names," she said smiling. Spike was speechless. There was nothing he could say in retaliation that wouldn�t make him sound like an arse. Willow smiled smugly at Spike and bit into her sandwich. She knew she'd gotten one on him. She was still smiling when Spike jumped up.

"What's wrong?" Willow asked.

"Slayer, Pet. I've got to go," Spike said.

�What? How do you know that?�

�Anyone can bloody smell her perfume from a mile away.�

"Oh, umm, you can hide in the house. We still need to talk. I'll try to get her to leave quickly," Willow said standing up. She looked around for Buffy and saw her and Riley walking up the street. Thankfully Buffy was too busy talking to Riley to see Spike on her porch.

"I don't think she saw you," Willow said to the space Spike had previously occupied.

"Spike?" Willow called. When she got no answer she shrugged and assumed he'd gone off somewhere. Willow walked back into the house to put her dished in the sink, and await the arrival of Buffy. Willow heard a knock on the door just a few minutes later and went to answer it.

"Hey Buffy, Riley," Willow said cheerfully, stepping aside so they could come in.

"Hey Wills," Buffy said as she walked in, and headed to the kitchen to get a drink of water.

"Hello, Willow," Riley said, stepping into the foyer. "How are you feeling?"

"Oh, I'm fine. Why?" Willow asked.

"Well, the vampire bite..."

"Oh! That. Yeah, I'm good,� Willow said, laughing nervously. The recent events with Spike had made her forget all about the attack.

"Obviously," Riley said smiling. Buffy had walked back into the living room and was sitting on the couch making herself comfortable.

'So much for getting them to leave quickly,' Willow thought. She and Riley walked in and sat down: Willow on the recliner and Riley next to Buffy.

"So, how was patrol?" Willow asked.

"Not very exciting. Only dusted two vamps," Buffy said frowning. No matter how hard she pretended to hate her calling, she now took it in stride, if not seriously sometimes.

"Oh, that's good right?" Willow asked.

"Yeah," Buffy said. "Hey, did Giles tell you? Riley and I trailed the Gorthax demon the other day to a crypt. We saw it doing a spell. Giles needs you for research tomorrow if you up to it."

"Sure," Willow said. "A spell, huh? Could you see what was going on?"

"Well it was putting what looked like red and blonde hair into a pot. Smoke rose up the same color of the hair. Nothing special really. A few herbs I've see you and Giles use. A book. Other then that, nada," Buffy said. "Then again, he could have been fixing his dinner."

"Huh. What did Giles say?" Willow asked.

"Oh, you know� He called for full research mode."

Before Willow could say anything the phone rang. 'Please don't be Wesley. I can't talk to him right now with Buffy and Riley here,' Willow thought. She excused herself and went for the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey Wills! How's it goin'?"

"Hi Xander. I'm good. What's up?" she asked, grateful it wasn�t Wesley just yet.

"Nothing, just checking on you. Has Buffy stopped over yet?" he asked.

"Yeah, she's here right now with Riley. You want to talk to her?"

"No. I'm cool. Just have her stop by after she's done there."

"Ok. Will do."

"Do you need anything?"

"No, I'm fine Xander. Thank you."

"Ok, I'll talk to you later. Bye."

"Bye," Willow said, and hung up. She walked back into the room, but didn't sit down. She wanted them to leave, as bad as that sounded.

"That was Xander. He wants you to stop by on your way back to the dorms," Willow told them.

"No problem," Buffy said, standing. "We'll get out of your hair. Get some rest Willow."

"Yeah, get better soon," Riley added awkwardly.

"Thanks guys," Willow said faking a yawn. "I could really use some sleep. Take care and be careful." She ushered them to the door and they exchanged goodbyes again.

Willow watched from the door as they walked down the street. Looking around, she expected Spike to materialize from some shadow. When he didn't she sighed and shut the door. She turned and went to her room and flopped on her bed. It had been a long day.

"You should wear this more often Luv," Spike said from her closet. Willow yelped and jumped up from her bed. Spike chuckled.

"Spike! Don't do that! You just about gave me a heart attack. And what are you doing in my closet?" Willow demanded walking over to him.

Spike held out the leather pants and bustier Willow had bought after sending Vamp Willow back to her dimension. Willow blushed crimson and ripped the clothes out of Spikes hands. She glared at him. �It's not nice to go through other people's things, you know," Willow said stuffing the leather outfit into the back of her closet.

"I don't really care, Red. You know, Big Bad and all. Besides leather would look great on you," he said. He was leering at her in a way that made Willow both nervous and slightly embarrassed.

"Yeah, well, just don't do that anymore. I thought you left when Buffy came. If I had known you would go through my things I would have told you to go home."

"Naw you like having me near." He was just trying to get a rise out of her. Or so he told himself.

The phone rang before Willow could say something to Spike. 'Thank goodness. He's really getting bad. I hope it�s Wesley this time.'

"Hello?"

"Uh, yes, Miss Rosenberg?"

"Hi, Wesley. Thanks for calling me back so soon. I'm sorry to bother you."

"I assure you it's quite alright. What can I help you with?" Wesley asked, curious.

"Oh well, this is complicated. See, Spike and I are having dreams of each other. They started out just being shadows of someone, and then we were able to see the other. Now they have developed in an odd way that really has nothing to do with the first dreams, except that we star in the dreams. We are dreaming of each showing the other a clearing in the woods. There's a stone table with spell ingredients on it, and we tell each other that I'm going to do a spell. We just don't know what the spell is for. Do you have any idea on what�s going on? About the dreams I mean,� Willow said, barely leaving room to breathe. By the time she was done she was panting slightly, and waited eagerly for Wesley to tell her what he thought.

"Spike? Are you talking about William the Bloody?" Wesley asked stuck on that part.

"Yes you wanker, she's talking about me. And if you ever call me sodding 'William the Bloody' again I will have to kill you," Spike said from the living room phone. He'd snuck down there to listen when he heard it was Wesley. He hadn't planned on speaking up but, hell, might as well.

"Spike, get off the phone. Sorry Wesley," Willow said.

"Where are you Willow? Are you in some kind of trouble?" Wesley asked, concerned. If the dreams hadn't gotten to him, then Spike talking on the phone did.

"I'm fine, Wesley. Don't worry about Spike he can't hurt humans anymore," Willow said.

"Bloody hell, Pet. Must you tell everyone?" Spike asked.

"Shut up, Spike, please. Sorry again, Wesley," Willow said.

"Umm, it's uh, quite alright. But, may I ask how Willia...I mean Spike is kept from hurting humans? Vampires are not well known for their...well, control," Wesley said. He seemed more interested in that than the dreams.

"Well that's a long story. I--"

"Not going into it, Pet. Just find out about the bloody dreams!" Spike practically yelled, cutting her off.

"Fine. Don't get nasty, Spike. So, Wesley, can you help us?" Willow asked.

"Well--"

"Better do it, mate. If not they're liable to chain you to a bloody tub and force you to eat from a mug that says 'Kiss the' bloody 'Librarian'."

"Are you still bitter about that? I'm sorry; you know that wasn't my idea. Buffy, Giles, and Xander thought--"

"Yes, well as nice as the background information is, I do think we may need to get more into the dreams themselves if you want me to help you," Wesley said.

"Right, so here's the deal," Willow said. She went on to tell him all about the dreams. Spike was even semi-helpful and threw in some tidbits on his dreams. After about an hour of questions from Wesley, he promised to help them out and get back to Willow when he found anything. Spike had made him swear on his life that he wouldn't tell Angel about any of this. Wesley seemed reasonably scared and agreed. Little did they know that Angel had been listening in the entire time. Silently fuming.

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