Part 11

Stepping into Darkness

Part 11

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There was a stunned silence as everyone tried to process their own interpretations of the prophecy. Willow stirred and slowly opened her eyes. She raised her head from Spike's chest and glanced around the room in confusion as everyone looked at the ground, no one making eye contact. The silence screamed at her.

"The fallen angel..." Everyone turned to look at Fliq.

"What?"

"The other week...those vampires...they said 'Well, if it isn't the fallen angel and his midget sidekick.'"

Spike chuckled and everyone turned to look at him. "Sorry, short stuff," he grinned openly. "How long did they live after that?"

"About as long as you will if you don't watch your damn mouth, William."

Spike cleared his throat, "So Angel's the fallen angel. Gee, why didn't I come to that conclusion? Oh wait a minute, I did." Spike rolled his eyes, "What I don't get is the whole pulling from the arms of love. From what I know, the last person the Slayer was shagging was GI Joe." Spike smiled good naturedly at Buffy, who glared, as Angel tried to hide his smile.

"What's going on?" They all turned to Willow as Giles handed her the book and pointed to the prophecy. She quickly scanned it before looking around the room, "A flame of power?"

"I think that means you, Red."

"Me?" Willow's eyebrows shot up and she stared at Spike.

"Well, your sexy, leather-clad double, anyway."

"As much as I love to listen to Deadboy Jr. coming on to Will," Xander shuddered, "is there anything we can do now?"

Giles sighed, "I don't think there is. We don't know enough about it. And I think we all need some rest."

"When this is all over, we're going to some sunny beach, what d'ya say Fliq?" Buffy smiled at her, "preferably in our own bodies."

"I don't like the sun. I burn too easily."

"Oh come on," Buffy pouted. "Please? That's what sunscreen is for."

"I burn like there's no tomorrow, Buffy," Fliq sighed as she looked at the disappointed look on Buffy's face. "Fine. Find me a nice piece of shade and I'll go. But if I look like a lobster this time, you're never gonna hear the end of it. Last time I got sunburned I looked like I'd fallen in a bucket of blood, and Spike, stop licking your lips and get your mind out of the gutter, I was seven."

"Hey! Who said my mind was in the gutter?" Spike asked innocently.

"Because I know you and we've had this conversation before."

Spike grinned, "I remember." Suddenly Fliq looked away and shook herself, before she walked off to the kitchen, Angel following her. She pulled a cup from the fridge, which Angel pulled out of her hands and began to drink. She hit him lightly and pulled out another before shutting the door.

Suddenly his mobile rang and he pulled it from his pocket, "You took my car." Angel answered, "No I didn't expect you to walk, but you took my car."

Willow looked at Buffy as she stared at Fliq and Angel. She moved to the couch to sit beside her and Xander, "You're looking kinda...well, dare I say, green eyed monster?" Buffy turned to Willow and smiled. Willow gave a sympathetic smile back, "You think your Slayer buddy's got a thing for your ex honey?"

"I think Cordelia's after your ex honey." Spike smirked.

"I think Fliq's gay."

Both Willow and Buffy turned to face him, "Xander!" Buffy exclaimed.

"What?"

"Well, maybe she is, and maybe she isn't, but what's so wrong with it?" Willow asked quietly.

"No offence, Will, but considering your first attempt at a female squeeze is trying to kill us, I don't think you're wise to input...ow, ow, ow."

Willow turned to see Spike's hands wrapped tight around Xander's throat as he tried to ignore the pain in his head. She smiled, "Spike."

After a few moments eye contact, Spike let go, grabbing onto his aching head as Angel and Fliq entered the living room. Fliq placed the cup into Spike's hands and smiled at Buffy. She turned to Willow, shaking her head for the girl to follow as she walked back into the kitchen. Willow stood and followed her while the others tried to keep their mind off the impending doom, and Spike's hands off Xander's throat.

"So..." Willow glanced around the kitchen nervously.

"How're you holding up?"

Willow glanced shyly before answering, "I'm okay."

"Are you sure?" Fliq looked at her through a furrowed brow. "'Cause everyone seems to be overlooking or ignoring your feelings about the fact that you just found out your girlfriend is trying to kill us all." She smiled, "Except Spike, of course."

"Well...he's just...I mean..."

"Calm down, Red," Fliq sighed. "Look, I know I don't know you all that well but...but I do know Spike and I want you to be careful...okay?"

"Of course. We're just friends."

"Okay. So how are you, really? About the Tara thing, I mean?"

"I'm..." Willow looked at the ground. "Is this what's going to happen every time?" She looked back up at Fliq, "I mean, Oz left me and now Tara." She looked around the room as she continued, "Things were never the same after the stuff with Glory. She was different, colder. She wouldn't let me touch her at all and she didn't speak to me. In front of everyone else she was just fine, the old Tara, but when we were alone" Willow allowed Fliq to pull her into a hug.

"You loved her Willow, never forget that and don't let people push you into getting over this. Take all the time you need to to move on. You might have to push it to the back of your mind while we fight this, but don't forget to grieve. Okay?"

Willow raised her head and looked at the Slayer through blurring vision, "Yeah. I...I just wish that I could forget about everything, even if it was just for one night. I wish I could get away from it all, from the pain."

Fliq smiled, "I think that might be something I can help you with."

Willow looked at her, confused, "How?"

"You're Wiccan, aren't you?"

"Yeah, why?"

"You wanna forget everything for one night?"

"Yeah..."

"How do you feel about tattoos?"

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END OF PART 11