Disclaimer: I own nothing. All belongs to Joss Whedon, etc.
Summary: The next chapter will probably be the last one, unless my brain figures out a way for me to keep it going. Warning: Character Death. Sort of.
Chapter 7
Things were going so perfectly for her she knew something was wrong. She was happier than she'd ever been in her life, but most of the time it felt like she was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Buffy and Anya said she was paranoid, but Xander was out there somewhere trying to figure out a way to kill Spike.
She hated thinking of her best friend like that. They'd been friends for so long. When Jesse was alive they were the Three Musketeers. Jesse. It'd been forever since she thought about him. So long since he'd died at the hands of the Master. Things had been so much simpler back then.
She smiled as Spike walked into the living room, taking a bite out of the Red Delicious apple in his hand. He was a strange vampire. Angel never ate human food, but Spike loved it. He loved lots of things that humans brought to the world.
"So what are we doing tonight, luv?" he asked, lifting her legs up off the couch so he could sit down, then laying them back across his lap.
"I don't know. It's been a while since we've been to Morrigan's. I was thinking we could maybe invite Anya and Buffy."
Spike glanced at her, not too keen on the idea. "I don't know if it would be a good idea to let the slayer in there. It's supposed to be a safe haven for us demons, remember?"
"I know. I was just thinking that if we talked to her beforehand and explained things then maybe…"
"I doubt Morrigan would like it. And I can't imagine the slayer actually relaxing in a club full of vamps, demons, and witches."
Willow sighed. He was right. Buffy would never relax in that type of atmosphere. "So we Bronze it?"
"Sure. Why don't you call the slayer and Anya and tell them to meet us there."
"You could call her by her name you know."
"Who?" he asked, a completely innocent look on his face.
"Buffy. You don't have to call her the Slayer. That's not who she is. It's what she does."
"So you're saying that I have to call her Buffy?"
"Yeah, I am."
"And what do I get for performing this great deed?"
"Lots of sex."
"And if I don't do it."
"I bet I can hold out a hell of a lot longer than you can," she said, smirking at him, before running up the stairs to call Buffy and Anya and get ready to go.
Buffy kept glancing at Willow and Spike, unable to believe that just a two months ago her friend had been…well, boring. Willow was great, she always had been, but now that she had this whole new style and attitude she was a blast. They were on their way to the Bronze for a night of dancing. She got the feeling that Willow wanted to go somewhere else, but that taking her in wouldn't have been a good thing. She was fine with that. There were some things in Sunnydale she just didn't want to know about.
She smiled as Anya went on about how she and Giles were going on a date Saturday night. She was happy for them. After Jenny was killed she thought he'd never date again. And Anya was really perfect for him. Sure she talked a lot and said the wrong things sometimes but she was smart, funny, and loyal to those she believed deserve it.
They were walking through the park to get across town when Buffy heard a slight whizzing noise. She looked around trying to find where it was coming from but couldn't see anyone or anything around them. That's when it happened. Spike cried out in pain as an arrow imbedded itself in his shoulder. Lucky it went all the way through.
"Bloody hell! Where'd that come from?" he shouted before breaking off the shaft and reaching behind himself with his good arm and pulling out the arrowhead.
"Oh God! Spike! Are you okay?" Willow said, worried about him.
"I'm fine Red. It's just a small wound. It'll heal in no time." He glanced down at his new leather jacket and black silk shirt. Willow insisted he start dressing somewhat normal…at least part of the time. So he bought some nice clothes, though he still insisted he looked like Peaches. "Ruined my new clothes though."
She smiled. "You can always buy more. It's not like you're going to run out of money anytime soon."
Buffy was scanning the area searching for any sign of life. "You're rich?" she asked, stunned by the idea.
"What? I've been alive a hundred and twenty six years, not counting my human years. You honestly think I never learned to save a dime in all that time? I bet demon girl has even more stashed away than I do."
Buffy looked at Anya who just blushed. "Why are you always money, money, money, if you have piles of it stashed away?" she asked.
"Well, I just want more. You can never have enough money. Besides, I like to buy things, and sometimes my shopping trips can get a little out of hand."
"I hate to break up this little money fest, but did anyone happen to see who the bloody hell shot me?" Spike broke in.
"I did." It was a soft voice, yet low and gravely. It came from behind them and they all turned to see who spoke, except no one was there. "I'm over here the voice said and they faced back the direction they'd been going and there she stood, like a tall, unmovable ice princess. Except she wasn't ice, she was fire. Shimmering black hair hung to her waist in dark waves. Her eyes practically glowed in the light of the moon. She was wearing a pair of gold leather pants and a matching gold leather bikini top. More fascinating that her was the golden bow she carried. It was ornately detail with hand carved symbols all over it. The arrows were wood, but dipped in gold paint to match the bow.
"Who are you? Why did you shoot him?" Willow asked while Buffy fell into a defensive stance.
The woman just looked at Buffy as she raised her bow, drawn tight with another arrow aimed at Spike's heart.. "This does not concern you or your friends, slayer. I have no quarrel with you. Just the vampire."
"Well that vampire is a friend and I don't leave here without all of my friends. Now who are you?"
"I am Nemesis."
Willow's eyes widened. "That's not possible. Nemesis was a goddess. Granted she was a minor one, but she was a goddess all the same."
"I am not a goddess. But I do her work, in her name."
"You're an assassin," Anya said. "I believe we met once. I hired you to kill a cheating lover of mine. But that was almost three hundred years ago."
"I remember you well, Anyanka. Please go. My business is with him."
"What do you want with him?" Willow cried, holding onto Spike tightly. He wasn't moving, wasn't saying a word. She could tell he was trying to figure out a way to get them out of there without anyone else getting hurt.
Nemesis remained quiet. It was Anya who told her. "Someone hired you to kill Spike, didn't they?" Still no response. "Let me guess. Dark haired boy, about average height with a slight weight problem?" Finally Nemesis nodded. "Xander," Anya sighed.
She was about to try to talk Nemesis out of killing Spike when Xander walked out from behind some bushes and grabbed Willow's arm, dragging her away from Spike.
"Now!" he shouted.
Buffy ran at Nemesis hoping to get to her before she released the arrow, but she was too late. She tackled the assassin just after the arrow left the bow. Willow screamed and broke away from Xander's hold, jumping in front of Spike to push him down, only to feel the arrow pierce her back.
"Nooo!" Spike screamed, his cry full of anguish. He caught Willow in his arms as she began to fall. Gently he laid her on her side on the ground. The arrow had pierced her all the way through her chest and he could hear her wheezing breath, realizing that the arrow must have punctured a lung. "Oh God, Baby! You're going to be all right he murmured, cradling her head in his lap. "You're going to be just fine." He kept whispering to her as Anya ran to call an ambulance.
Buffy saw Willow fall and couldn't move. Next to her Nemesis disappeared, probably realizing that it was in her own best interests. Xander knelt beside Willow. "It wasn't supposed to be like this, Will. Why couldn't you just stay out of the way?" Tears were running down his cheeks.
Willow opened her mouth a couple of times, trying to speak, but the words weren't coming easily. Finally she managed to choke out two words. "Love…him." Xander fell back, the realization of what he'd done finally hitting him. Buffy crouched next to Spike and tried to comfort her friend.
"Ambulance should be here in fifteen minutes," Anya said, running up.
"Too..long," Willow whispered, a tear tracing a path down her cheek.
"It is not too bloody long! You are not going to die on me!" Spike shouted. "Don't you remember? You're my soul! This was supposed to a forever deal! You and Me! Don't you dare leave me, Red!"
"Dying, Spike."
He shook his head, tears streaming down his cheeks. He knew it was the truth though. He could hear her heartbeat beginning to slow down. Buffy just looked at him, tears in her eyes, as if she expected him to save her. But what did he know about saving anyone. He was Death.
They all sat there, Anya huddled next to them, keeping vigil over their fallen friend. Xander watched as they banded together to help Willow. It was all his fault. Willow was dying because of him.
Willow's eyes closed momentarily, worrying everyone, but then they opened again, pain glazed and tear filled. "Turn me…" she whispered, loud enough for everyone, including Xander to hear.
He was the first to jump up. "No!" he shouted. "You will not make her a monster!"
"Shut up, Xander!" Buffy cried. "This is all your fault! You don't get a say anymore!" She was surprised when he backed down.
Spike looked down at Willow and thought about everything he loved about her. She was warm and radiant, with a fire and passion that he'd never seen in anyone else. Her mind was quick and she was witty. He loved everything human about her. He couldn't make her like him. He'd lose all of that. "I can't do it, luv. I won't make you like me. You couldn't live your life in the darkness."
"Spike!" Buffy shouted. "Do it. It's the only way she'll survive."
Willow looked up at him. "Turn me…Morrigan…restore my soul…."
Her heartbeat and pulse were getting threadier and they still heard no sirens. He looked at her and just like that first night, he saw nothing but trust in her eyes. She wanted him to do this, so he'd do it. For her. "Buffy," he said, calling her by her name instead of Slayer. "I need you to break off the shaft of the bow and pull the rest out the front." Buffy did as she was told, cringing when Willow screamed in pain.
Anya watched the whole macabre scene horrified. It was the first time she'd ever experienced sadness like this. She'd never had a friend on the verge of death before, never realized that she was caused similar feelings of pain for other people. At that moment, for the first time since it happened, she was glad to be human.
Spike adjusted his body so that she was laying back against him, her back to his chest. He tilted her neck and ran his fingers over the smooth skin, feeling the blood calling out to him. He refused to let his demon come forth. "Love you forever," he whispered as his lips closed over her neck. His fangs descended, piercing the skin ever so gently. Willow moaned and he paused to look at her. She nodded for him to keep going.
Her blood was like the font of life. It was sweet and tasted of oranges and passion, just like she did. There was a fire in her blood that he never wanted to extinguish. He listened careful as her heartbeat slowed until it almost stopped. He lifted his mouth from her neck, his fangs pulling out of her skin. Lifting his wrist to his lips, he bit into the skin, puncturing a vein. He held it up to her mouth and watched as she placed her mouth over the bite, taking his blood into her. For several minutes she drank from him, before his wrist fell from her mouth and she passed out.
They could all hear the sirens in the distance and realized that the ambulance was almost there. "We have to get out of here, now!" Buffy said, rising then brushing the tears off her face. "I won't let them take her and have her waking up in some morgue. We're going to Giles."
Spike stood and lifted Willow into his arms, taking care not to handle her roughly. Slowly he followed Buffy and Anya out of the park, knowing that they were taking a path that would steer them away from the ambulance. He knew the boy was there behind him somewhere, but at that moment he didn't really care. All he wanted to do was get Willow to Giles. She was going to be hungry when she woke up, so he'd have to have someone get some blood from the butcher or the house.
It only took them ten minutes to get to Giles' place. Buffy pounded on the door, screaming for him to hurry up. A few seconds later a tired, cranky Giles pulled the door open. "Is it too much to ask for you children to let me have one decent night's sleep?" He put his glasses on and surveyed the group. "Oh my. What happened?"
"Willow's going to wake up in few hours and she's going to be very hungry," Buffy said, as Spike walked in and laid down on the sofa, holding Willow in a similar position as he had at the park.
"Again, I repeat, what happened?"
Buffy was suddenly filled with anger. Knowing that Willow was going to be fine, even if she was now a vampire, released all the sadness that had been inside her. All she felt now was rage and most of it was directed at Xander. "Why don't you ask, Xander? I'm sure he'd be happy to explain how he hired an assassin to kill Spike. Only things backfired. He dragged Willow out of the way so that the woman could get a clean shot, but before the arrow reached Spike, Willow broke free and jumped in front of him to push him down, only to be struck by the arrow herself. She was dying and wanted Spike to turn her." Giles looked at the couple on the sofa and could see the tears on Spike's face. It couldn't have been easy for him to give in to her request. He then looked at Xander. The boy was an idiot. He always had been and always would be.
"What were you thinking?" he shouted. It was taking all of his control not to let Ripper out. "Do you ever think about the consequences your actions might have? Haven't you caused enough damage to the people you supposedly love? First Cordelia gets impaled on a piece of metal rebar and now Willow's been shot by an arrow, from an assassin's bow, and the only way to save her was to turn her. Are you happy with yourself? Did you get what you wanted?"
Xander just stood there, taking it all. "I just wanted Spike out of her life. He was changing her, making her like him. I thought that if I could get rid of him, she'd be Willow again." He looked down at his shoes, knowing now how wrong he'd been.
"You stupid, foolish boy. She was always Willow. It was you that couldn't handle the fact that she changed. I thought you would have dealt with her new ways like an adult. But I should have realized that was expecting too much from a child." He paused, looking at Anya, then Buffy. He knew they would agree with his next statement. "Get out," he said calmly.
"But Willow's my…"
"Your what? Best Friend?" He gave a small laugh. "I think that ended when your actions got her killed. Now please leave. We will tend to Willow." Giles turned his back on Xander, as did Buffy and Anya. They all hovered over Willow or comforted Spike. Without a sound, Xander slipped from the apartment, feeling his world come crashing down around him, knowing that there was no way to stop it.
When Giles heard the door shut behind Xander, he turned to Buffy. "What will we do when she wakes?"
"We need blood, either from Willow's or the butcher."
"There's no need, I have some in my refrigerator," he said. Buffy raised an eyebrow. "I keep it in case Angel is in town, so I'm afraid there's only two packets."
"That's enough for us to get her to someone named Morrigan. Isn't that the witch Willow was training with?"
"Yes. I had a meeting with her this afternoon, actually. She's a very pleasant woman."
"Willow mentioned something about the fact that Morrigan could restore her soul. But what about the clause?"
Spike took his eyes off Willow for a moment, though his hand still stroked her hair softly. "They figured out how to do it without the clause. It was supposed to be a gift for Angel." He knew that by telling them, he was voluntarily letting go of his claim on his sire. Angel would never choose him over the slayer. He was fine with that, though. Willow was more than enough for him. Sometimes he just wished things between Angelus and him could have been different. But if they had, he'd never have Red in his life.
Giles watched Spike carefully and knew how hard it was for the vampire to say those words. In one night he'd been faced with losing Willow and now knew that if Angel's soul was anchored, that he would not be the one Angel chose. He was giving up one love to help another and Giles couldn't have been more fascinated. Spike was certainly the most human vampire he'd ever seen. He was broken out of his reverie when Anya said, "She's waking up."
"Willow?" Spike asked, hoping that she was okay. He lifted up her shirt and examined her ribcage. The wound was already healing. He couldn't help the smile that spread across his face as he hugged her tightly.
"Spike? Where am I?" she asked, still very groggy.
"We're at Giles', luv."
"Oh. Are we doing research?"
"No, luv. You were injured in the park. We brought you here."
"Am I okay?"
"You'll be fine, sweetheart. Just fine." He looked down at her sweet face as she was about to drift back to sleep and hoped it was true.
Just as her eyes were almost completely shut, she whispered, "Spike? I'm hungry."
And they watched as she fell into an exhausted slumber.