Willow and Tara watched as Heather fought the vampire. It had been a month since Willow had shown Tara what she was capable of. They had grown very close. Tara was showing her how to keep her control. Willow was learning to let people in, again. She and Heather had become friends. Not as close as Buffy, but closer than anyone in a long time. Besides Tara.
It was only a few minutes before the vamp was history. Willow smiled at her young friend. "Buffy would have been proud." Heather smiled in return. "Sorry."
Heather laughed. "That's all right. It's an honor to be even somewhat compared to the infamous Buffy. She was one of the better slayers." Willow nodded in silent agreement. "I just hope that I can be even half the slayer that she was."
"That wouldn't take much," a deep male voice boomed from the shadows. His platinum blonde hair glowed when he stepped into the moonlight. "Well, well, red. Looks like you've moved on after Buffy's death." He looked at Heather and than at Tara. "Not one girlfriend, but two. What's a matter, luv, can't make up your mind?"
"Spike." Willow felt the power inside her churning. He had almost killed her and Xander last year. Tara quickly came closer. She took Willow's hand in hers. It was like taking an instant relaxer. Willow felt most of the magicks calming inside her. But they were still there, if she needed them. "What? No Drusilla at your side? Can't you keep a girlfriend for two seconds?"
Spike glowered in response. Heather stepped beside her two friends. "Who is this guy? I know he's vampire. But who is he?"
Spike growled. "You mean little miss kill things hasn't heard of the big bad?" Spike shook his head. "Red, what have you been telling these girls?"
"About you, nothing. I was more into telling them about how Buffy always kicked everyone's ass." She smiled. "Do you remember me telling you about the loser vamp who teamed up with Buffy because his ho of a girlfriend couldn't keep her hands to herself?"
"Oh," Heather smiled. "That Spike. Am I supposed to be afraid of him?"
"What!" Spike glared at Willow. "You've gotten a nasty little side to you since I've been gone. I guess losing your best friends, your boyfriend, and your watcher pal made you a little bitter, hey little witch."
Before Willow could say anything, Tara said, "b-back off. Leave her alone."
"Or you'll do what? You three little girls don't scare the big bad."
Heather lunged her self at him. She had a stake in her right hand. "Leave my friends alone." Before she could even make contact, Spike punched her, and threw her to the ground.
"Watch." Spike grabbed her by the collar. Before either Willow or Tara could react, he had sunk his fangs into her. Willow ran at him, but it was too late. Heather fell to the ground, all her blood drained.
"You bastard." Willow felt the magicks rising in her again. 'No,' she told her self. Instead, she grabbed a crucifix from her back pocket. Spike hissed and backed off. "You may have killed her, but I won't let you turn her."
Spike smiled. "Well, well. It looks like I've found me a new playmate." He looked at Willow and than at Tara. "You better watch out, luv, this one is full of power." He looked back at Willow. "Maybe I was wrong, the last three years. Maybe I shouldn't have gone after the slayer. Maybe I should have gone after you." He smiled. "Be see'n you." Spike disappeared into the shadows of the forest that surrounded the cemetery.
Willow looked down at Heather's lifeless body. 'Goddess, please let me deal with this better than I did last time.' That's when she felt Tara slip her hand into hers. She looked up to see tears in Tara's eyes. Willow sighed. "You're here." She whispered.
Tara smiled but thought, 'I hope it's enough."