Disclaimer: The same ole' thing. Joss owns all and I own nothing.
Dedicated to everyone who reviewed my story, especially Nayru Ikari, who wanted to read more. Thank you!
Chapter 2
It had been two weeks since she met Spike at Morrigan's Lair. They had been the best two weeks of her life. For someone who spent most of her life being ignored it was a nice change to have someone care for her and put her first. And who would have thought that she and Spike would have so much in common? Sometimes she looked at him and she couldn't believe that he wanted her. It wasn't as if she was the most beautiful person in the world. She certainly wasn't Buffy but Spike assured her that she was far more beautiful than Buffy would ever be.
The first night, when they met at Morrigan's, she'd been afraid of him. After all, he was a vampire. One who had tried to kill all of them on more than one occasion. Except, he decided that he wasn't going to kill her. They actually had a nice conversation and the more time she spent with him, the more relaxed she got. He even walked her home and gave her the most passionate kiss she'd ever experienced.
Buffy would freak out if she knew that she invited Spike into her home that night. She wanted to be with him that night but once they were inside old fears surfaced and, despite her new attitude, she told him she wanted to wait. Instead they spent the entire night just talking about themselves. He told her about his life before he was turned and she still wasn't over the fact that he'd been a poet or that he was brilliant. The word genius was the last thing that came to mind when you looked at him. When they finally drifted off to sleep, he just held her and didn't try to force her into anything she wasn't ready for.
Every night since then they would meet at the club and dance the night away, go to the movies, or get mochas from the Espresso Pump and head up to Kingman's Bluff in the DeSoto (She really loved that car!) before going to her house to sleep. The only reason she ever went to the dorm anymore was to study between classes. Buffy and Xander were both starting to get impatient with her because she hardly saw either of them. Her appearance at Scooby meetings was virtually nonexistent unless they were during the day. Giles had been extremely upset that she didn't show up to help with the translation of the prophecy even though it turned out that it was destined to occur in twenty two years. He was the only one, though, who was pleased that Willow had gotten out of her friend's shadow. Being relied upon solely for your intelligence was not a fun experience. He should know.
Buffy and Xander had also taken to criticizing her new wardrobe. Spike had taken her shopping and replaced everything she owned. She dressed confidently now and everyone was noticing it. Anya was the only one who told her that she looked wonderful. Giles had tried but ended up a stuttering mess, wiping his glasses to hide his embarrassment.
Xander's comments were the most caustic because they'd been friends forever. Hearing the words 'silly' and 'out of place' come out of his mouth had infuriated Willow. All she wanted to do was to be this new person that she had found hiding inside.
She glanced at the clock and noticed that it was almost nine o'clock. She was supposed to meet Spike at nine fifteen at her house. She checked her reflection in the mirror, tugging slightly on her black leather skirt. Her boots were laced up to her knees and she had on an emerald green corset. Her hair was tousled again and she applied pale green eyeshadow and shimmery glitter to her eyelids then outlined them in black kohl. She went with her standard peach lip gloss because Spike liked the taste.
Butterflies flitted around in her stomach. She thought about the black lace bikini underwear that she was wearing beneath the skirt. Spike was in for a treat tonight. She knew that tonight she wanted more than just kissing, she wanted to be with him. She also knew that she was going to have to tell Buffy, and soon, if she wanted to keep Spike alive.
She was about to head out the door when Buffy came strolling in. "Hey Wills, I thought we could…"she trailed off when she saw how Willow was dressed. "Are you going out?"
"Yeah." Willow glanced at Buffy to see her reaction.
"Oh. I thought we could make it a girls night and watch movies and eat popcorn," she said, upset that quality girl talk would have to wait. She was dying to know what was behind the drastic change in Willow. The new clothes and attitude were so different from the best friend she'd known for so long. She'd been wrong to criticize Willow's new look. Truth be told, she looked amazing. This was supposed to be her chance to make it up to her.
"I'm sorry Buffy, but I have a date." This was the perfect opportunity to tell her about Spike. She was in a good mood.
Buffy's ears perked up when she heard that. Willow was dating someone? When did she get over Oz? How long had this been going on? Why was she only finding out about it now? Had they drifted so far apart because of her inability to accept this new side of her friend? With a million questions running through her head, she asked quietly, "Who's the guy?"
"Just a guy. You know him actually. But its been a while since he's been around. You met him junior year of high school."
"He went to school with us?" Who was this guy? Willow never really knew a lot of guys from school, and the ones that she did know usually turned out to be freaks…like the one guy Chris who was playing Frankenstein with his brother…. She mentally slapped herself trying to get her thoughts back on track.
"No, he didn't go to school with us. I just said that you met him. He's actually out of school. He was when we first met him."
"How old is he?" Buffy asked, her gross out factor being tested. Willow was dating some guy that was old. Oh God! I hope it's not Giles. EWWW!
"Oh, he's around 23…I think."
"You think?" She sighed mentally. Not Giles!
"Yeah. I never asked him how old he was when he was turned," she said, grabbing her watch from her desk and clasping it on her wrist.
Buffy seemed to freeze as everything Willow just said clicked in her mind. She spun on her friend and yelled, "You're dating a vampire?!" Her face was flushed with anger and she could hardly see straight. Then she focused enough to ask "Who?"
"Well, it's like this…" she said, trying to think of the best way to phrase it. After a moment she just decided to blurt it out. "I'm seeing Spike."
"Spike?" Buffy's face was turning red and Willow could practically see the steam coming out her ears.
"Yes, Spike. We've been seeing each other ever since the night I was supposed to help Giles with that translation."
Buffy sort of collapsed onto her bed, shock suffusing her system. "Please tell me you're joking," she choked out.
"It's the truth, Buffy."
"You haven't invited him in here have you? After all he's probably just using you to get to me, so he can bag his third slayer." She blinked, realizing how stupid it was to say that out loud. She noticed the anger rising in Willow and knew she was about to bear the brunt of it's release.
"No I haven't invited him in here. Why would I? After all, I live with the slayer and I wouldn't want him to end up dust. Not everything is about you Buffy. In fact, he's never even mentioned you, except to tell me that I'm far more beautiful. After living in your shadow for so long it's nice to have someone notice me!" She was seething. "I invited him into my house and he's been staying with me every night. Where did you think I was, or did you even care?"
Buffy's jaw opened and shut and she looked like a fish out of water, gasping for air. Finally she composed herself. "You're sleeping with him!" It wasn't a question.
"Not yet," Willow said, smirking when Buffy just gaped at her. "But I'm hoping to change that tonight."
Buffy leapt off the bed and grabbed a crossbow and Mr. Pointy from her closet. "How could you be so stupid as to invite him into your home?! The first chance he gets he'll have you for a midnight snack."
"Oh I hope so," Willow joked. Buffy just glared at her. "What he's cute, and sexy, and treats me really well. What more could you ask for in a guy? Besides we have tons in common. He's way smarter than me. I couldn't believe it. He's a genius. And he knows what's it like to be overlooked because it. He's mine Buffy. I'm falling in love with him."
"Willow, this is Spike we're talking about! He tried to kill me and Angel on more than one occasion."
"So this is about Angel?" She saw Buffy tense up. "I'm sorry he left Buffy, but I won't let you destroy this. I'm happy with Spike. I'm happier than I have been in a long time. I know that it doesn't make sense and it probably never will… for you…but he makes me feel so alive. I've never felt so good about myself. Can't you just be happy for me?"
Buffy just shook her head sadly. "I'm sorry Willow, but Spike is evil and he'll show his true colors sooner or later. He's only going to hurt you. I'm going to make sure he's dead…er, dust… before he gets a chance." She stormed out the door and began to run down the stairs, heading toward Willy's, determined to find and dust the Bleached Wonder.
Willow on the other hand hurried to her house where Spike was going to meet her. She had to keep him away from Buffy. There was only one place in Sunnydale to keep him safe...Morrigan's.
He was sitting on her front porch, a cigarette hanging from his mouth, the red tip glowing and the soft puffs making clouds in the night sky.
"She knows Spike," she said, not even bothering to sit next to him. "We have to get to Morrigan's. Like now. You need to lay low for a while."
"You told her?" He was surprised that she was willing to admit it to the Slayer. He thought they'd be keeping it a secret, but it pleased him to know that she wasn't ashamed of him.
"I told her. Now she's gunning for you. I tried to tell her that you weren't out to hurt me or her in any way, but she just wouldn't believe me." He stood up and wrapped his arms around her. "Nothing is going to happen to me, luv. I've been fighting for a good long time. I'll make sure that I avoid her, and if I do come across her I'll make sure that I leave her alive."
"How considerate of you," Buffy said, trying not to retch at the sight of Willow holding onto Spike as if her life depended on it.
"Buffy…" she began, but Spike put a hand on her arm and she stopped, willing to let him try to talk to her irrational friend.
"Hello, Slayer."
"Spike, I never thought you would sink so low. You were a worthy adversary once, but the fact that you've resorted to using my friends against me, well, it destroyed any shred of respect that I had for you."
"I know you won't believe me, Slayer, but I'm not using her against you. I don't want to hurt you or any of your friends. All I want is Willow. It's always been her. Ever since I kidnapped her she's been in my mind and my heart. And I'm not going to let you or anyone else stand in our way. I won't kill you but I won't let you break us apart."
Buffy stood there, unable to believe what she was seeing. He actually looked sincere. She'd seen him with a lot of different facial expressions, but now, when he looked at Willow all she could see was awe. He was awestruck. It was more than she'd ever seen in his eyes when he looked at Drusilla. He looked at Willow like he was proud that she had chosen him. With Drusilla he'd taken care of her for so long that he didn't know any other life. He'd become more of a caregiver than a lover. She could see that with Willow it was different. He was glad she was strong and capable. She was his equal.
She lowered the crossbow. Willow glanced at her hope filling her eyes. Buffy sighed, realizing that her friend had fallen for a soulless vampire. Would any of her friends ever have a normal relationship or did her presence in their lives destroy any chance of them leading a normal life? "I can't say that I like this. Spike and I have been enemies for too long." She sighed, knowing she couldn't say anything without sounding like a hypocrite. But Angel had a soul…. "I also know that I can't object to it...after all…Angel. I will say, though, that if I catch you feeding from a human all that will be left of you will fit into a dustbuster. And don't you ever think of hurting Willow!"
She expected some sort of sarcastic comment or argument about not feeding on humans. She expected him to prance around all arrogance and swagger. Instead he clung to Willow, his arm around her waist and his head buried in her hair.
When he looked up at her, she could see the tears in his eyes and it was the last thing she expected. He nodded, a sign of thanks and probably the only concession she would ever get from him. As she walked away she looked back over her shoulder just in time to see Spike kiss Willow gently and with such reverence it nearly made her cry. If she needed any more proof that Spike was telling the truth it was in that kiss.
As she got closer to the dorms she couldn't help but wonder at how Xander and Giles' would react to Willow's news. Just the thought of it spread a slow smirk across her lips.