Part 7
High
Spike was on the way back to his crypt when he heard a female giggle from a nearby alley. It sounded familiar so he moved towards it. What he saw almost made him fall over. Willow was hanging all over a guy. She'd giggle and smile every time he touched or kissed her. He was about to walk away, but he couldn't shake the feeling that the girl was off.
Spike wanted to walk away. He wanted to not care. Willow hurt him and he shouldn't. She didn't care about him. He finally had enough when the guy started touching too much and pushed Willow against the wall. Spike quickly strode over and tapped the guy on the shoulder.
"What do you want?" the guy snapped
"Spikey!" Willow cried happily
"Why don't you get out of here, mate. The girl is obviously drunk or something." Spike tried to seem not to care.
"Uh-no, but you can." The guy said sarcastically
"Be nice to Spike, Kevin. I like him." Willow smiled
"Its Devin and I don't care." The guy went back to Willow and she giggled happily. Spike tapped the guy on the shoulder again. "Look, if you don't go…" He stopped when he turned and came face to face with a vamped out Spike.
"You will be the one leaving." Spike growled. Devin looked between Willow and Spike before running out the alley. "So much for chivalry" Spike muttered.
"Why did you do that?" Willow pouted. "We were gonna have some fun."
"Yeah, well, you would have been having less fun if I was a different vampire." Spike watched Willow as she started to sway. She still had a smile and a dazed look in her eyes though. At first Spike thought she was drunk, but now he doubted that. Her scent was different…off even. Before he could get further in his thoughts, Willow spoke.
"He helped me." Willow pointed to a garbage can. "Watch" Spike watched as the garbage can floated in the air then came back down. "All it took was a little tour and then Poof, my magic's back." Willow smiled proudly
Spike was about to question her, but she started swaying dangerously. "Pet, are you okay?"
Willow looked at him confused. "Spike" Her voice finally came back to its normal level. It wasn't so high and far away now. Willows eyes widened in fear right as she fell forward into Spike's arms.
"Bloody hell" he murmured as he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the Summer's house. He was barely in front of the house when Buffy, Giles, and Xander ran over to him.
"What the hell happened to her?" Xander cried
"Is she alright?" Buffy asked frantically
"Let's get her inside." Giles said moving the two over so Spike could carry Willow in. "Bring her to her room." He instructed Spike.
Spike laid Willow down in her bed after Giles moved the blankets back. Giles pulled the blankets back up then looked at Spike expectantly.
"I found her in an alleyway near the Bronze playing nice with some guy.
Oh my God, did he touch her?" Xander looked horrified.
"No, she was enjoying it. I'm pretty sure they didn't get any further than kissing, but they were close to it. That's beside the point though."
"That is the point." Xander said. "She was in an alley with some guy. She hasn't been seeing anyone."
"And how would you know?" Spike snapped
"She would say something."
"Uh-huh…she's changed Zapper, she tells you less than you think."
"And what, she tells you everything?"
"That's enough." Giles stepping in. "Spike, what you think the point is?"
"At first I thought she was drunk, but she hasn't had any. I'm sure you could smell that too. But she got her magic back some more. After making a garbage can float she said that he helped her." Spike explained.
"The guy" Buffy asked
"I don't think so. She said it took was a little tour and her magic was back."
"What do you think that means?"
"I've heard that before." Spike looked down. "I've seen witches and others go to this guy named Rack…"
"Rack" Giles head shot up. "You can't be serious."
"That's what he says. I'm not absolutely sure about it, but that's my best guess. He does frequent the Bronze though."
"She wouldn't do that." Giles insisted. "Those are junkies that go to him…people who are desperate."
"And she's not?" Spike said.
Giles was about to say something when Buffy spoke. "Who's Rack?"
"A drug dealer, only with magic instead of coke"
"Willow could never, ever, do that! It's just not her." Xander exclaimed.
"How well do you know her?" Spike question loudly. "Have any of you stopped to look at her. She's not the same! She's miserable. Sure, Angel helped her, but he didn't cure her. She's back from the dead and barely made any improvement. Look at her, she's thinner than ever. There are circles under her eyes and everything she seems happy about is forced." Spike looked around at the people in the room. "Am I the only one who's noticed this?"
"You're wrong." Xander insisted
"No he's not." Buffy said quietly
"What?"
"She has to rebuild everything, Xander. I think we've been trying to do everything we can to help her, but in the end we missed what she really needs."
"What's that?" Giles asked
"She needs her friends to talk to her, to take her out, to not treat her like she's going to break." Buffy said sitting next to Willow and holding her hand. "She's not the same as she was last year. She may never be." Buffy said with tears in her eyes.
Willow opened her eyes and was hit with a pounding headache. She rubbed her eyes and groaned a little. Her memory was hazy. She was grateful that the shades were closed at least.
"Good morning!" the unusual chip voice of Spike said loudly. Willow groaned some more. "I brought you some breakfast." He said quietly. He held a glass of water and two aspirin in front of her.
"Thank you" Willow said taking the offered relief. "Why are you here? Its morning, isn't it?"
"Yeah, the sun came up about twenty minutes ago." Spike sat on the end of her bed. "Why did you do it?"
"Why did you go to Rack?" Willow looked at him surprised. "You're not the first I've known to go to him. I can figure out the signs."
"What are the signs?" Willow snapped. She didn't mean to, but it just slipped out.
"Like a witch acting drunk and hanging on some guy she probably doesn't even know or remember." Spike snapped back. "So why did you go to him?"
"I didn't."
"Uh-huh."
"I didn't. I met him in the Bronze and he knew I was a witch. I followed him outback. Before I knew it he touched me and sent this weird feeling through me."
"He dosed you." Spike said simply
"What does that mean?"
"It means you should never go to him again." Giles said walking into the room. "How are you feeling?"
"Okay, what's so bad about this guy?"
"Short version…" Spike said. "He gets his power from draining others. He gives them a feeling that they gained something, but they actually have less than they did before seeing him. You said he gave you your magic back, but he actually took more from you."
"I did magic?" Willow questioned
"Yeah, I saw you lift a garbage can."
"Its in you Willow, you don't need him to let it out." Giles said quietly
"If you go back to him again, you will get hooked. He will get more power, because lets face it, you are powerful." Spike looked straight in her eyes to prove he was serious. "If you get hooked you…you will die."
The gang was at the Magic Box later that night researching the latest big bad to inhabit Sunnydale. Buffy closed one book and picked up another with a loud sigh. Before beginning to read the next book she stole a glance at Willow on the computer. To someone who didn't know Willow, they would say she was fine. But now that Buffy really looked at her, she could definitely see something was different. She thought back to the last few months and realized some things. Willow barely babbles anymore. She barely talks like she used to. She's more introverted now. She spends more time away from the group on her own too. Buffy realized that Willow would come home at odd hours of the night. When she would question Willow about it, the answer she received was she was on a walk and got sidetracked by something.
The thing that bothered Buffy the most was that Willow was getting closer to Spike. Buffy brushed it off at first, but now, thinking back, she could remember all the looks and thought to be secret touches between the two. It happened often, and she wanted to talk to Willow about it, but didn't know if she should or if she should just let it be. Besides, Spike couldn't hurt her. Buffy was brought out of her thoughts by Xander's complaints.
"I agree with Xander." Anya whined. "We don't need to research anymore, do we Giles?"
Giles took his glasses off. "Well, I guess that's enough for tonight. You guys go have fun, and I'll close up." Giles offered.
"Thanks G-man." Xander said standing. "So what's the plan?"
"We could go to the Bronze." Anya offered
"Anya…" Xander said quietly
"It's okay Xander." Willow said standing. "You guys go and have fun. I think I'll head home."
"No way Wills." Buffy broke in. "You're long overdue for a night out with your friends. You are coming with." Buffy demanded.
"Buffy…" Willow tried.
"No" Buffy said. "I will not take no for an answer young lady. You're coming even if I have to drag you."
"Yeah, come on Willow." Anya said. "That guy won't come around if we're there. He's not stupid."
Willow let out a sigh and smiled. "Alright, since you put it that way."
The group of four walked out of the Magic Box. Buffy and Giles shared a look before Buffy walked out the door. They could both see the forced smile and enthusiasm from Willow.
Willow sat down at the table with a smile on her face. She was surprised at how much fun she had dancing with her friends. She needed a drink so she was just going to take a little break then head back out. She smiled and waved when she saw Tara head towards her.
"Hi-hi Willow" Tara said
"Hey, Tara…what's up?" Willow said happily
"Nothing really, I'm just here with Molly. She went to the bathroom. How are you doing…honestly?" Tara sat in an empty chair. "You looked like you were having fun with your friends." She observed
"I was. It was the first in a long time." Willow smiled
"That's good. So you are doing better?"
"Yeah, I guess it is slowly getting better." Even though Willow didn't completely mean it, she said it anyway. It was sort of true.
"That's good. You know I'm always here if you need me. I can imagine how different it must be being back. But just remember you are normal. There is nothing wrong with you." Tara rested her hand on Willow's.
"I don't think Molly would like this very much." Willow said
"Molly is a little overprotective. But she's nicer once you get to know her."
"I know how that goes." Willow said quietly
"Do you have a boyfriend like that?" Tara asked interested. "Or did you?" Willow let out a humorless laugh. "Oh, I'm sorry. I don't mean to pry." Tara added
"No, it's okay. I wouldn't call him my boyfriend. I don't really know what he is." Willow confessed.
"How can you…oh, I'm sorry." Tara asked quietly, "Is it Spike?" Willow looked up shocked. She didn't think Tara would know. "I thought it was kinda weird how he seemed too protective over you when we first met. What you said the other night…"
"Yeah, it's him."
"There's nothing wrong with that you know." Tara said comfortably. "He seems nice for a vampire." Tara smiled at Willow. "He's cute too. And that's coming from me."
"Thank you for saying that. I don't think the others would be as understanding as you though."
"Why not; Spike helps, doesn't he? I mean, I know he's not a vampire with a soul, but he seems good enough…with the chip though."
"Yeah, but the others don't trust him. I'm surprised that Angel left. I thought they hated each other."
"Who's Angel."
"Vampire with a soul" Willow looked a little confused. "You just said that. I thought you knew."
"No, I just thought…"
"…it was a myth. Nope, he's real. He and Buffy used to date. Soul went away; soul came back, Angel goes to L.A."
"Wow…what happened with his soul?" Tara was truly interested.
"Gypsies cursed him a long time ago. He used to be known as Angelus. The only way he could lose his soul was if he had a moment of true happiness. He had that with Buffy…they…"
"I get it." Tara urged Willow to continue.
"He then went back to being evil. It took awhile, but we found the restoration spell. I performed it, but it was too late." Willow stopped for a moment. "Buffy had to kill him because he opened a portal. Then he came back, and then he went to L.A." Willow finished. "That's the short version."
"That's…that's wow."
"I know, try living through it."
"Is he the other vampire?"
"I have to watch what I say." Willow mumbled into her hands. "Yes, he is. And now his soul may be permanent because I willingly gave myself to him."
"That's amazing. Does Buffy know?"
"Buffy I slept with the ex love of your life that you still love, but now he has a permanent soul." Willow smiled. "I don't think that would work out to well."
"I guess your right. But, she can't be to judgmental about you and Spike."
"There's no me and Spike anymore. He found out about me and Angel."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
Willow was about to say something else when Molly came up. Willow smiled, "Hey Molly."
"Hi Willow…are you ready to leave baby?" Molly asked Tara
"Oh, uh sure; Willow, are you okay?" Tara asked standing
"Yeah, I'll be fine. Go have fun."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, she's sure." Molly said impatiently.
"Ok, well I'll see you around Willow."
"Tara!" Willow called before they got too far. Tara turned. "You won't tell anyone, right?" Willow asked nervously.
"I won't tell anyone, Willow." Tara assured
"Not even Molly…please." Willow almost begged
Molly looked suspiciously at Willow. "I won't tell her Willow, if that makes you feel better." Tara said.
"Thank you."
Willow watched the two head through the crowd. She rested her head in her hands. She wasn't expecting to have a conversation like that. She jumped out of her seat when she looked up.
"I can't say I'm surprised that your back."
"I didn't come here to see you." Willow snapped at Rack.
"Maybe not intentionally…" He stepped closer to her and touched her hand. Willow felt a shock go through her. "I'll be out back." He whispered
Willow watched him go then looked back at her friends. One more time wouldn't hurt, right?
Xander looked over to the table where he checked every so often. Willow said she was going to be right back, but then he saw her talking to Tara. Now looking up, he didn't see her. He, Buffy, and Anya walked over to the table.
"Maybe she went to the bathroom with Tara." Anya suggested
"No, I saw Tara leave with someone else. Let's check the bathroom." Buffy said. The three walked over to the bathroom and Buffy went in to check. "She's not there." She said when she came out.
"Where could she be?" Xander asked when they got back to the main room. "I don't like this." Xander admitted.
"Don't like what, Zapper?" Spike asked from behind grinning.
"We can't find Willow." Xander replied simply. "Have you seen her?"
Spikes grin fell. "No, why was she here on her own? I told you Rack likes to come here." Spike almost snarled as he headed to the alley. The three followed closely behind him.
"Do you really think she would go back to him?" Buffy got her answer when Spike threw someone against the wall. "Spike; the chip"
"I don't think he's very human." Spike held an arm against Rack's neck. "Where's Willow?"
"You can't hurt me, vampire." Rack smiled. Everyone was shocked when Spike flew across the alley and hit the wall. Xander stepped back and stayed in front of Anya, and Buffy got ready to fight. "Don't even try, slayer. You can't hurt me." Rack said cockily. "Red…she wondered off happily." He waved off.
"I swear…" Buffy seethed. "I will find…"
"Meaningless threats" Rack brushed off
Giles was driving home from the Magic Box when he saw someone stumbling along the sidewalk. He no sooner put together that it was Willow. He swiftly pulled the car up next to her. She didn't even notice and kept walking on.
"Willow!" he called rolling down the window. She continued walking; either ignoring him or she didn't hear him. Giles got out of the car and caught up with her. "Willow" he said lightly touching her wrist.
"Giles" She said happily. "What are you doing here?" Willow started walking again but tripped over her own feet. Giles was quick and caught her before she hit the ground. He held her shoulders until she stopped swaying. "Oops." She laughed.
"Giles immediately knew what was wrong with her. "Willow, we need to get you home." He tried to stay calm.
"Aww…but the nights still young. We could go out and do something." Willow smiled. "Come on, we never spend any time together." Willow pouted.
"Willow…" he held her wrist. "…you are a danger to yourself and others in this state." It was hard, but he stayed calm. He could tell that she wasn't taking him seriously. "You need to get home." He tightened his grip a little.
"Ow" she complained. "Don't do that. You're not Spike."
"Ex-excuse me" Giles stuttered.
"Spike is the only one who gets to do that." Willow frowned. "Although, I don't like how he left marks last time."
Giles lifter her sleeve up and saw some finger marks around her pale wrist. "Willow, get in the car." He demanded
"No" Willow defied
"Willow…" His voice was low. "Get…in…the car."
Willow stared at him for a moment before moving to the passenger's side. "Grumpy." She muttered under her breath.
Giles got in the car and put his seatbelt on. He was about to put the keys in the ignition when the car started moving on its own. He looked at Willow and saw a large grin on her face. "Willow" he said warningly.
"Look Giles, you don't even need keys."
Giles tried to use the breaks, but the car got faster and faster. "Willow, stop this now." He tried to sound strong. But the truth was that he was terrified. He looked over at her when he heard her laugh. He could see the mischief in her eyes. "Stop this now!" Willow wouldn't listen. Giles watched in horror as the car swerved down the street. "Willow, please stop. We could get seriously injured." He tried to reason. He thought about rolling out of the car, but he couldn't leave Willow like this. He looked out the front and his eyes widened in terror. They were heading straight for the pull. "Willow!" He yelled. He heard and saw her take a deep breath. Her face went deathly white. "Willow" he tried to get her attention. He could tell the high was wearing off. He looked at the pole again and they were almost there. Willow was still looking straight ahead.
"Giles" She said desperately and then the car jerked.
Giles realized that Willow lost her hold on the car. He held the wheel tight and slammed his foot on the brake. The car swerved and she flew forward hitting her head on the dashboard.
"Willow" Giles said quietly when she didn't sit up. "Willow, please say something." He gently lifted her and saw tears in her eyes. "Willow…"
"I'm so sorry." She said before her eyes closed and she fell back.
"Me too" Giles whispered. It was the first time he realized Willow wasn't buckled. He reached over and fastened it. "Me too"
Giles pulled up to the front of Buffy's house and saw Buffy, Xander, and Spike on the front porch. When they saw Giles they immediately ran to the car.
"What happened?" Xander asked frantically as he lifted Willow out of the car and saw the cut on her forehead.
"I'll explain once we get her upstairs." Giles said. "Where's Dawn?"
"Anya is with her. I wasn't sure if…" Buffy felt guilty about what she was about to say.
"It's okay Buffy. She can not be predictable like this." Giles comforted.
Buffy nodded and followed Xander inside. Spike was about to go with but Giles stopped him.
"What's wrong, Watcher?"
"I don't think you should be here." He said simply
"Whys that?" Spike asked
"You know why, Spike." Giles said turning towards the door. "I have to say I'm afraid to ask you to."
"I can't hurt you…only her."
Giles turned back to Spike. "What?"
"You heard me. Something's different about her. The chip picked up on it."
"Go away, Spike." Giles sounded tired.
Spike eyed Giles a minute before turning to leave. Giles didn't go in until Spike was out of sight.
TBC…
