Merry Christmas to you!
Then There Were Two
Leaves crunched under his feet as he ran through the forest towards the distant shouts of his friends - correction - acquaintances. Their usefulness was that of a band of drummer boys in an army brigade, only, without the rhythmic morale boost. A branch caught the corner of Spike's mouth. He licked the blood away, and he looked to the corner of his eye. The light, quick steps behind belonged to Willow. Spike could practically feel her magic intensity flowing off of her. She wanted to cast death bolts from her fingers now and ask questions later. I'm watching you witch. Threaten Buffy's life one more time and I'm coming off the sidelines. He suddenly felt a sharp pain in his mind, as if Willow had heard his thoughts. Spike kept his eyes focused forward, hoping intensely that it wasn't the case.
Willow's eyes suddenly widened and she gasped. "Tara! She's losing strength!" From the strain in her voice, it was like she was witnessing the event before her eyes.
Spike caught sight of a small glimmer of light. There was shouting and the sound of something shattering, like glass breaking repeatedly. The light vanished and Spike felt a burst of energy behind him. Willow flew past him at immense speed.
When he caught up to the scene, he saw Willow crouched to the ground with Tara, who looked unconscious, in her arms. His eyes lingered onto Drusilla's figure. She stood with her back towards him, and he felt something surge inside his being. She looked mysterious, a sight that Spike admired. He expected a coy smile as she turned to him, but her expression remained sombre and he was reminded yet again that Drusilla's love was forever gone. He casually looked away from her.
Giles slouched with his back against a tree. He held a palm over his right shoulder where a red stained blotch soaked the brown fabric of the sweater. Xander was crouched down over a dead demon, which was lying face first in the dirt with a double-ended axe protruding from its back. The man didn't look injured, but from his despaired expression, Spike could tell something else was bothering him. Anya stood apart from the scene with a spell book held tightly against her chest. Her expression was distant and emotionless, a look shaped by the countless horrifying scenes she had witnessed in her demon life.
Xander's voice was unexpectedly cheery. "So, who's up for some demon sushi?" His smile faded and he looked down at the sword limp in his hands.
Giles gazed at him, appearing to understand something that wasn't evident. He pushed on his knees to stand and half chuckled doing so. "Not bad for a left arm I'd say."
"Coming from an old man, it really was quite the throw," Anya said. "Really Spike you should have seen it."
Giles glared at her.
Spike looked down at Tara. Her face was serene. "Is she alright?" he asked Willow.
"She couldn't hold it," Willow spoke softly still staring at Tara. "She promised me before we went out here tonight, that she wouldn't over do it. She promised she would keep herself safe. She'll be alright though. I just need to get her back home."
Xander stood up. "I help you-"
"No it's okay Xander, I'll bring her back."
"It wasn't such a good idea bringing all of you along," Buffy said. " I really appreciate what you guys are trying to do, but I think it's safer if Spike and I look for the other organs on our own."
Spike's gaze met with Buffy's and he made a tight lipped smile.
"Yes, I think I've had enough close calls with death for one night," Giles said. "Do be careful Buffy. These demons are rarely hunted for a reason."
"I will." She smiled warmly to assure him.
"The spell linking our dimension to theirs will only last another six hours," Willow said.
Buffy nodded. "Right, so find demon, slay demon and don't touch the metal rim when I go in for the organ, gotcha."
"I'm sorry Buffy."
"Will don't be. Tara's wellbeing is priority right now, so go and get her safely home."
Willow closed her eyes and white dust began to circle her and Tara. It sparkled brightly and thickened into a cloud that rose from underneath the witches and carried them into the air. The moonlight shining brightly on the couple illuminated their skin and hair making them look like spirits ascending into some divine place.
. . . .
Buffy took a moment to smell the pine trees, closing her eyes as her feet glided between roots and fallen branches. She was glad she could still appreciate something as petty as the smell of nature.
Spike muttered something. She faced him with wide eyes. "What?"
"You admire them," he said looking calmly ahead.
"Who?"
"Them."
"Who's them?"
"Willow and Tara."
"Oh." She paused. "They have their speed bumps, but I think they really are meant for each other."
"Is that what you believe," he said rhetorically.
"Yes it is. What makes you think they aren't?"
"Well, let's see. Willow's gone into the dark end of the magics and now she's got a demon inside of her. She's almost inhuman wouldn't you say?"
Buffy scowled. "No I wouldn't say. Willow is Willow. No amount of magic is going to change that."
Spike chuckled. "Oh Buffy. If only you see what I see." His voice turned serious. "She's dangerous. I feel it."
She stopped walking and stared at him in the eye. Her voice was steady. "I trust Willow. I trust her with my life Spike. If you have issues with her then that's your problem. Don't come to me thinking anything's going to change because you've got a feeling."
"And that little tiff you and her had earlier? You told her 'people should be afraid of you'. Or did you forget?"
Buffy didn't respond and then continued walking ahead of him.
"Wait Buffy," he said sounding apologetic. "I'm just trying to understand."
She turned back and faced him. He no longer looked confident in himself, his soft gaze moved on her like and abandoned puppy's. "You're trying to understand what Spike? Why I don't hate Willow?"
"No." He walked towards her as if yielding to her anger. His magnetic eyes were locked into Buffy's, not allowing her to look away. "There's a demon inside of me Buffy. Why can't you see me the way you see Willow?"
"You've killed people Spike."
"Well not anymore with this bleedin chip in my head," he said frustratingly.
"Huh so it is still in there."
"I'd never hurt you Buffy."
Buffy's frown faded and she turned away. "I know."
