Drugged

Willow breathed out a long sigh. Tara's arms were around her waist, the two of them lightly covered in soft, crimson bed sheets. She looked into Tara's blue eyes and gently kissed her. "Sex is always better after you save the world."

Tara laughed gently. "You didn't save the world, you saved me."

"You are my world," Willow replied, snuggling closer to Tara's warmth. She wished Buffy had turned down the air conditioning before she'd left to talk with Spike. She let out a small shiver.

Tara squeezed tighter. "I'm so proud of you, Willow." She paused. "You've done so much for me. When I heard the gunshots -I wasn't even sure what they were at the time- I was so confused. I s-saw that look on your face. I was so scared."

"Why, baby?" Willow stroked Tara's arm softly.

Tara looked down. "Because, it was my fault we weren't together. I left you alone to face your problems…time we could have spent together. All because I wanted you to get control of your magic."

"Well, it worked!" Willow smiled. "Seeing as I have no magic now, I'd say I've got great control."

"I'm sorry you had to do that, Willow," Tara said quietly.

Willow rubbed the sheet with her hands. "Anything for you, baby. I will always come for you."

Tara smiled that devious smile. "I guess this just means you'll have to do what I say from now on, because I'm the one with power now."

"Mmm, yes, ma'am," Willow said smoothly.

Tara pulled Willow on top of her and they kissed, lost in each other's embrace.

"Spike?" Buffy called, pushing open the gray stone door to the crypt. It grated to a stop, revealing the small room, dimly lit by a few candles.

There was a TV, turned on to some soap opera, and a cushioned reclining chair in front of it, turned away from her.

"Okay, Spike," she said, voice instantly turning diplomatic, "I'm not going to play games. Tell me who's siring vampires in L.A."

The chair remained resolute.

"Spike!" She said through gritted teeth.

Still nothing.

She walked over to the chair and swung it around.

Clem fell out of it, letting out a startled cry, roused from sleep. "Please! Please don't- oh, it's you. Hey, girl, what you been up to?" He got to his feet.

Buffy, feeling slightly embarrassed by her mistake, replied, "I'm looking for Spike. You know where he is?"

Clem rubbed his chin with one wiggly hand. "I'm pretty sure he went to the demon bar."

Buffy turned and stalked towards the door.

"But, hey! Maybe you could stick around! I made brownies."

"Maybe later," Buffy said over her shoulder, slamming the door behind her.

Spike gulped down a frosty mug of scarlet blood, licking his lips for every last drop.

"So, how come you decided not to go through with getting "the power"?" queried a slime demon next to Spike. "I thought you wanted the slayer dead."

Spike laughed. "Love makes you do crazy things, mate. Like this one time-"

"Everyone out," commanded an all-too-familiar voice behind him.

Angry whispers rose, but were quickly silenced as they saw who was behind the voice. Buffy stood in the middle of the room, demons and other creatures heading for the exit.

"Hey now. I don't want any trouble!" defended Spike nervously.

"Then this should be easy," replied Buffy, scowling. "I don't like easy." She charged at Spike, slamming him down onto the counter.

"Bloody hell!" he exclaimed.

"Tell me who's been siring vampires in L.A. and I'll let you live." Spike's face calmed. "Maybe."

"There are thousands of vampires capable of siring, what do you-"

Buffy slammed his head against the marble surface. "Don't play games with me! We had him ID'd. His name was Steven Damar."

A brief flash of recognition shown in Spike's eyes, but then his face became resolute again. "Don't know him."

She slammed him down again. "Tell me!"

"Or what?" he taunted.

She grabbed a wooden spike from her waist, bringing it to a stop above his chest. "Or I'll kill you."

"You would not."

"Try me," she growled.

"Okay! Okay," Spike relinquished. "I don't know much! Only that he did some jobs for Dru and in return, she'd sire him. But that's all I bloody know!"

Glaring at him, she released her grip, spinning on her heels and walking towards the door.

"Yep, she still likes me," he muttered to himself with a grin.

In return, the wooden spike came flying at him. He threw up his hands, the spike impaling both with a bloody spurt.

Buffy walked out the door.

Willow now stood in front of the stove, making pancakes. Tara came up behind her, wrapping her arms around Willow's waist. "Hey, baby," Willow said, leaning back into the embrace. "I don't know why I'm making these. You're way better."

Tara laughed. "It's fun to watch you though."

Willow smiled. "So, where's Dawn?"

"In the living room. She's really glad we're back together."

Willow giggled. "Well, so am I." She turned and kissed Tara. "Is Giles really back in England?" Tara nodded. "He was just here! How could he leave so soon?"

"I know, sweety. He did what he had to. His job is still in England; he has to do what they tell him to."

"I guess." Willow looked down at the sizzling batter.

The door slammed open, and Buffy stalked in.

"Didn't go well?" Willow asked.

"Oh, it went great," replied Buffy, walking into the living room.

Willow looked at Tara, raising an eyebrow. Tara gave her that knowing look.

Buffy returned, holding the crossbow, an axe, and a few stakes.

"Okay, where are we going?" asked Willow, walking over and grabbing a stake.

Buffy snatched the stake back. "I am going to L.A. Apparently Drusilla is the cause of Tara's possession. I'm going to kill her."

"And I'm coming," Willow replied.

"No, you're not. You have no power; I can't risk you getting hurt."

"Buffy, I'm coming. It's personal. I can handle myself." Willow walked over to Tara, giving her a kiss. "Ill be back soon, baby."

Tara nodded, "I know."

Willow stuck a stake in the waist of her jeans and strapped the crossbow on her back. "Let's go."

Normalcy had returned to the demon bar, and Spike was once again downing a pitcher of blood, bandaged hands holding a mug.

On his right were two vampires, fiercely making out. He turned his head to them. "Careful now, you may draw blood." He laughed as the two of them fell to the floor, hungrily groping each other.

While he was fixated on watching them, a black cloaked figure stopped on his left, leaning over the counter and sprinkling some pinkish powder into the pitcher of swirling blood, then quickly walked away.

Spike turned back to his drink, pouring himself some more.

He placed it to his lips and poured the cool liquid down his throat.

"Ah, the glorious taste of blood!"

Dawn yawned. She lay in bed staring at the shadowed ceiling. Tara had gone to bed an hour earlier, but Dawn just couldn't sleep. She was so excited Willow and Tara were back together, and now Willow had to leave! So soon!

She closed her eyes, turning to her side. The pillow was nice and cool. A low sliding sound came from behind her, and a cool breeze brushed her arm. A shadow of a person appeared on the wall, cast by the silvery moonlight. She turned slowly to face the window, heartbeat quickening.

Spike stood silhouetted in the room, teeth glinting sharp and deadly.

"Spike!" she exclaimed. "Wh-what are you-"

He lunged at her, teeth sinking into her neck.