Spike entered the room with a bag of groceries balanced in his arms as he opened the door. He hoped he'd brought food that his doll would like. He didn't have too many choices. The tunnels only gave him so many options. Luckily, there'd been an exit in a very dark alley behind a 7-11 and he'd been able to get into the back room. He then stole some lunch meat, bread, cookies, chips, and some soda, putting them all into a bag and hightailing it back out the rear door just as the sales clerk came back and began yelling at him in Arabic. Cursing
a blue streak if Spike's rusty recollection of Arabic wasn't faulty. Normally he'd have tortured and drained the human for speaking to him like that. But Spike had a doll at home who badly needed food. And after how good she'd been to him, he was loath to keep her waiting. So he'd simply sped out the back door and down into the tunnels, eager to get back to Willow with her food.

He noticed that Willow had crawled under the blankets after he left, but obviously had not left the bed. Her clothes were still on the floor where he had thrown them in his eagerness earlier that day. And when he came in, she sat up hastily, looking as if she was expecting him to rebuke her for not tidying the room. He cursed himself
inwardly for making her so afraid of him, then chided himself for being so damned soft. Oh, well. The girl deserved a bit of soft treatment after the way she'd given herself to him that day. He closed his eyes and almost groaned at the memory. She had been so warm and yielding, so pliant and accepting. And she'd pleased him so much, surrendered herself so completely. Surely that merited some gentleness on his part.

"Don't worry, pet," Spike said as he moved to sit next to her on the bed. "I wouldn't expect you to be up and about so soon. A girl's first time can take a lot out of her. Here, I brought you something to eat. I'll bet you're hungry. Worked up an appetite." He leered slightly as he spoke the last sentence, but kept his voice soft and
even, hoping to coax her into saying something in return. He missed her voice so much. And hearing her moan and say his name once during their coupling had made him as hungry to hear it again as she must be for food.

"Thank you," Willow said, so softly and tentatively that Spike nearly didn't hear it.

And with that, he couldn't help himself. He grabbed her and held her tightly to him. There it was, the lovely voice that had first drawn him to her. The sweet, caring voice that he so enjoyed hearing. Spike kissed the top of Willow's head and then began to unload the bag.

"I didn't have a chance to really look around, pet. Had to pick up what first came to hand. But I hope there's something here that you like," Spike said as he pulled out the bread, lunch meat, chips, cookies, and sodas one by one from the bag. "There, now let's get some food into you. Need to eat, pet. You're looking a bit run-down."

Spike didn't want to acknowledge that it was his own fault his little doll was so weak and hungry. Wouldn't do to go apologizing to her all the time. He was being soft enough as it was. But his _expression softened as Willow looked at him, her eyes full of gratitude.

"Would you like a sandwich first, pet?" Spike asked, wanting desperately to hear her say something more.

"Yes, please," Willow said softly, obviously worried about speaking up.

That wouldn't do. Spike wanted his doll to fear him a bit, that was all to the good and would keep her obedient. But he didn't want her to be so afraid of him that she wouldn't speak. After all, he'd taken her for company, to have someone to talk to. Sure, she listened well. But a bloke could get tired of the sound of his own voice. He wanted Willow to talk to him. So he decided a little more softness was in order.

"Pet…Willow…it's okay to answer me when I ask you a question. I like to hear your voice. It's pretty. Almost as pretty as you are."

With that, he leaned forward and kissed her gently. Then he pulled back. No use starting something right now. He wanted his doll to eat.

"There now, eat your dinner, pet," Spike said.

"Thank you," Willow said again. She began to eat, obviously struggling to keep from wolfing down her food. Spike smiled and patted her head as he got up and began to walk around the room.

Looking around, he noticed how spare and uncomfortable their home was. Maybe he needed to get some more furniture, perhaps a television, some books, maybe a little refrigerator and a microwave. His doll might open up to him more if she had a few comforts. Maybe something to do to occupy her time while he was out. By now, he
figured he had her trained well enough that a few presents wouldn't make her think he was weak. Besides, he wouldn't mind having a more luxurious abode himself. And after all, a pretty doll like Willow deserved to live in a pretty house.

The End.