Author's note: This story and its contents are the property of Rebecca
Graves, and may not be reproduced or published without the written consent
of the author. (please! if you want to post this fic somewhere, email me at
dayetriper@sbcglobal.net and ask my permission first)
Disclaimer: The characters in this story are property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, 20th Century Fox, yadda yadda yadda... I only borrow, I promise I'll give them back when I'm done! :-)
Spoilers: See story description; through Season Six. Doesn't spoil Season 7, but may spoil A:tS Season 4 in chapters 6 and after, so be warned... on to the story!!!!!!
Author's Note: HEY BUFFY FANS!!! Help our voices be heard regarding Buffy! Fill out the Buffy survey at the link in my author profile, and let the world know how your love of all things Buffy has affected your life! Do it today!
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
When Buffy arrived home that evening, she was indeed surprised; surprised to find Giles over for dinner, something that had rarely happened since he'd been back; and equally surprised to find a disaster area in the kitchen. Apparantly the three of them had thought they could whip up some Chinese food for Buffy. The result was a flour-dusted, giggling Dawn, a fairly beaming Giles, and Willow simply laughing out loud, which shocked Buffy, who couldn't remember when she'd heard her friend laugh in recent memory, when it didn't sound harsh or forced; and a kitchen covered in a fine dust of flour, a countertop littered with broken eggshells, and a lovely blackened scorch mark on the ceiling above the stove. But all in all, Buffy was in fair spirits, as there was a lovely buffet of Chinese food cartons from her favorite take-out restaurant spread across the dining room table for her when she got home.
They ate and chatted merrily, though to Buffy, Willow seemed a bit preoccupied. Confirming that fact, she excused herself from the table as soon as she finished her meal and went into the den. Buffy had just arisen from her chair to follow when Willow reappeared in the doorway, her hands held behind her back.
"Dawn?" she called softly. The girl looked up smiling, then a momentary flash of worry crossed her face.
"Y-yes...?"
Willow brought her hands from behind her back, holding out the book to her. "This is for you..."
Dawn slowly rose and crossed the room, reaching out and tenderly taking the book from Willow's hands.
"Go ahead, look at it," Willow murmured.
Dawn slid the book from its leather sleeve, and gently opened the cover. As her eyes traced across the page, reading Tara's words, they filled with tears. Carefully, she closed the book and replaced it in its sleeve, then hugged Willow tightly, the volume pressed awkwardly between them.
"Oh....oh, Willow..." she sobbed, "Thank you so much... I'm so - so sorry...."
"Shhhhh..." whispered Willow. "It's ok, she wanted you to have it, and now it's yours... take good care of it, and I'm sure she'll be very proud of you."
Dawn nodded, wiping tears from her eyes. "I'm going to go put it in my room," she called to them as she climbed the stairs, reverently clutching the book to her chest.
Willow watched her go, then turned back to the others, who were both smiling at her. "Do you need my help to clean up the... mess in the kitchen?" she asked, cringing at the thought of it.
"No, that's ok, Will, I think Giles and Dawn and I can get it," Buffy replied, smiling at Giles' sigh; guess he thought he'd be able to make an escape before the cleaning started, she thought to herself. "Why, did you have plans?" she asked hopefully.
"Well... no, not really... I just thought I'd go for a walk, it's been so nice these last few nights," she replied, unconsciously placing her hand in her pocket and feeling the warm talisman still faintly pulsating with life within it.
Buffy frowned a bit; why on earth would anyone want to walk, alone, at night, in Sunnydale? But she forced herself to stay calm; after all, Willow seemed to be feeling so much better, and besides, she could more than take care of herself, as they all knew... she smiled at Willow. "Sure, Will, go ahead... we'll just clean up here and then I'm off to bed, I'm exhausted..." Then she realized she hadn't patrolled tonight, and sighed. "Or, on second thought... guess I have to patrol..."
"No, that's all right, Buff, you deserve a night off... I'll keep an eye out, and if I see anything suspicious, I'll get you or Xander and Anya... just relax and take a rest," she replied, hoping against hope that Buffy wouldn't insist on coming with her. How could she try out the necklace with her along? She'd never let anyone get close enough for Willow to test it!
Buffy sighed with relief. "Thanks, Will... that's awesome. Are you sure?"
"Sure, it's no big deal; it's a nice night for patrolling anyway."
"All right then... come on, let's get started, Giles..." He groaned in reply, and began to gather the empty cartons into his arms as Buffy did the same, chuckling.
Willow jogged upstairs and pulled off her clothes to change, since they were still spotted with flour and bits of dried egg. Unconsciously, she reached into her closet and pulled out the white shirt she'd been wearing that day... it still had small brown dots of blood stained on it in places, they'd never washed out, and she hadn't really tried to get them out anyway. She pulled it on over her head, and pulled on a pair of black jeans and black hiking boots. Running a brush through her hair, she glanced in the mirror. The small dark spots were noticable... she reached into the closet again and removed a black messenger-style bag, filled with stakes and crosses and other patrolling supplies, and crossed the strap over her head and across her chest, so that the bag rested against her abdomen, effectively hiding the worst of the spots so that the others wouldn't notice them, should they happen to see her on her way out.
Reaching into her pocket, she withdrew the chain and slipped it around her neck, the talisman sliding beneath the white cotton of her shirt to rest on her skin, its warmth filling her again. Smiling, she bounced back down the stairs and listened a moment to the sounds of the Summers sisters and the Watcher laughing, water splashing from the faucet into the sink, pans clanking together as they cleaned... the sounds of a happy home. She quietly closed the front door behind her, locking it and checking to make sure she had her keys.
"All right... here we go..."
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
The vampire, his black clothing blending into the shadows of the graveyard, couldn't believe his luck. Entering the gates of the cemetery before him was the red-haired witch, the Slayer's best friend... And ALONE, no less! He stalked toward her, keeping to the darkness, avoiding the small patches of moonlight along his path. He'd be upon her in a second and she'd never know what hit her!
The moon passed behind a large cloud bank, and still darkness fell over the graves; not even the wind was blowing. He could still see her perfectly, of course, and she was coming his direction, moving purposefully...
She stopped a few feet short of him and peered into the darkness... he felt nervous for a moment, it was as if she could see him there. He held still as a statue, waiting to see what she would do.
She removed the large black bag from around her neck and tossed it a few feet away from her, where it came to rest against a tombstone, a few stakes and crosses falling from its open mouth. What was this trickery, he wondered...? He'd heard tales that the witch had a death wish, and wanted only to join her lost lover in eternity... well, he could certainly oblige, if that's what she wanted!
He stepped into her path, expecting her to jump or scream. She did neither, but merely tilted her head back an inch or so, her red hair falling away to expose her smooth pale neck and the pulse that beat beneath it...
"Ah..." he growled as he stalked toward her, his fangs protruding from his lips. "It's not every day that you find one who welcomes Death... are you prepared to meet your Maker?"
He reached out and grasped her shoulders, rearing back to strike...
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
Spike exited his crypt and wandered slowly between the graves, enjoying the stillness and quiet of the night air. Miss Kitty purred happily and nuzzled under his chin. He gently stroked her as he walked, humming a tune to himself... deep in his mind, he realized that the music was the same as he'd heard in his dream the night before. How odd... he wished he could remember it; the fact that he couldn't unsettled him.
Suddenly he halted, and his vampiric features slid over his face as he listened. He could hear voices, very faint, coming from ahead. He peered into the darkness and could just make out two figures a few feet away. Sliding into the doorway of the nearest crypt, he watched and listened.
The girl removed the large black bag from around her neck and tossed it a few feet away from her, where it came to rest against a tombstone, a few stakes and crosses falling from its open mouth. What was this? Spike focused his gaze on her and could make out the dark red tresses, the pale white skin... it was Willow!
The vampire stepped into her path, expecting her to jump or scream. She did neither, but merely tilted her head back an inch or so, her red hair falling away to expose her smooth pale neck and the pulse that beat beneath it...
"Ah..." the fiend growled as he stalked toward her, his fangs protruding from his lips. "It's not every day that you find one who welcomes Death... are you prepared to meet your Maker?"
He reached out and grasped her shoulders, rearing back to strike...
Spike began to race toward them, intent on saving Willow from destroying herself, but had only gotten a few steps from his hiding place before he stopped in his tracks. The wind had begun to pick up, swirling around Willow at an ever increasing speed. Her attacker stopped in his descent toward her throat and backed away a step, worried...
"No, not just yet," Willow replied softly, menacingly, "but tell her 'Hello' for me..."
Spike could see the small ties at the neck of Willow's shirt had fallen open, and a small glowing orb hung from a chain around her throat. He could hear her voice mumbling in Latin, growing steadily louder as the glow increased. The pupils of her eyes seemed to glow wih an inner fire; wisps of red hair licked her forehead and cheeks like flame, the air around her shimmered with heat...
Realizing what she meant to do, he dived headlong through the crypt doorway, Miss Kitty leaping out of his arms to safety as he fell into the shadows. Willow's voice was shrieking out in the darkness now, calling out, "LOVE, LIGHT MY WAY!" in Latin, over and over again. Spike risked a quick peek through one of the barred windows, then curled up into a ball in the corner, praying that he'd be safe --
Willow suddenly threw her arms above her head, and a large ball of fire, a miniature sun, blossomed in the air between her hands. Her attacker screamed in agony as his body exploded in a cloud of dust. Exhausted from the effort, she instantly fell to her knees, breathing heavily, sweat pouring down her face from the heat, tendrils of hair clinging to her face...
Spike risked opening one eye during the climax, and had seen the crypt around him flooded in sunlight, streaming in through the small windows. Luckily he'd picked a corner where he was in a small bit of shadow -- he was incredulous. He couldn't believe what he'd seen... it had been nearly 200 years since he'd seen a sunset or sunrise, but Willow, in the moment he'd gazed at her before hiding, had looked as if she were the living embodiment of one... a pair of tears coursed down his cheeks, it was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen...
"Meow?" he heard Miss Kitty call from a nearby corner.
"It's all right, love, it's over now," he whispered, patting his thigh. She leapt over to him, purring. He reached into his pocket and withdrew the note he'd written earlier, and gently slipped it under the cat's collar. She watched him do so, and seemed to nod once in understanding. Licking his hand gently, she meowed softly again, and then jumped from his lap, exiting the crypt and heading for her master.
Spike watched from the shadows, a small smile on his lips. "So long, Kat... maybe I'll see you again sometime..." he whispered.
Willow couldn't believe what she'd just done... it was amazing! That so much power could be contained in such a small thing... she would have to make one for Buffy, and Dawn; even they would be able to use it, without having any natural magickal abilities. Of course, she'd have to change the incantation a bit... her mind raced at the possibilities. She was removing the pendant from around her neck and replacing it in her pocket when she heard a small "Meow?" coming from her right. She whipped her head around and cried out, "Miss Kitty?!"
The cat raced to her and began to rub against her chest, as Willow wrapped her arms around her tightly and sobbed. "Oh, baby, I thought I'd never see you again! Where have you been?" The cat purred and meowed softly as Willow petted and stroked her.
Willow felt a small piece of paper wedged under Miss Kitty's collar. "What's this?" she wondered aloud, removing it and peering at it in the darkness.
The front of the note said "Willow" in a dark, firm script. She frowned as she opened the note. Who...?
The inside read simply, "I'm sorry...", and at the bottom right corner was signed, "William."
Willow instantly jerked her head up, scanning the darkness for any sign of the author. A tremor of fear passed through her, her mind not making the connection at first. After a few moments, her eyes drifted slowly down to the black cat, gazing up at her inquisitively, and then to the parchment in her hand... and then her thoughts returned to the figure she'd seen outside her window the night before...
William...? No... It wasn't possible.... was it? "...Spike?" she whispered to herself.
Spike saw her mind working, and decided this might be an appropriate time to make his exit; he wasn't sure he was ready for this... not yet. As he walked away into the night, he called out to her, as an afterthought,
"See ya around, Red..."
Her head flew up again, searching the shadows for the sound of the voice, but he was long gone. How on earth....? How could he know about Tara; he'd already left before she...
How would she ever explain to the others? After what he'd done, or tried to do, to the Slayer, if the gang discovered he'd returned, they wouldn't rest in hunting him down, she was almost certain of it. But her thoughts returned to the signature on the note... William?... Her mind worked furiously, then it came to her. Almost instantly she discarded the idea. There was no way... was there? But she could think of no other explanation. She would have to tell Buffy what had happened, and Giles, and see what they thought... But how could she ever begin to convince any of them (except maybe Dawn) that it was even possible, let alone actually happening...?
She had an idea; gently she creased the note he'd given her, and tore it in two, folding the half with her name written on it and placing it in her pocket. The other half she folded over again. Standing up, she reached over and picked up her bag, feeling within it for a black ink pen.
"Meow?" Miss Kitty asked, circling around Willow's ankles and gazing upward.
Willow studied Spike's writing for a moment, then scribbled a large "B" on the cover of the note. Not bad, she'd probably buy it... Willow sighed. It was a start, anyway... it would smooth things over until she could figure out how, and why.... She started for home, Miss Kitty following loyally, her mind a tangle of questions with no answers... yet...
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
TBC - Please review and let me know what you think, suggestions are welcome! Thanks for reading!
Disclaimer: The characters in this story are property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, 20th Century Fox, yadda yadda yadda... I only borrow, I promise I'll give them back when I'm done! :-)
Spoilers: See story description; through Season Six. Doesn't spoil Season 7, but may spoil A:tS Season 4 in chapters 6 and after, so be warned... on to the story!!!!!!
Author's Note: HEY BUFFY FANS!!! Help our voices be heard regarding Buffy! Fill out the Buffy survey at the link in my author profile, and let the world know how your love of all things Buffy has affected your life! Do it today!
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
When Buffy arrived home that evening, she was indeed surprised; surprised to find Giles over for dinner, something that had rarely happened since he'd been back; and equally surprised to find a disaster area in the kitchen. Apparantly the three of them had thought they could whip up some Chinese food for Buffy. The result was a flour-dusted, giggling Dawn, a fairly beaming Giles, and Willow simply laughing out loud, which shocked Buffy, who couldn't remember when she'd heard her friend laugh in recent memory, when it didn't sound harsh or forced; and a kitchen covered in a fine dust of flour, a countertop littered with broken eggshells, and a lovely blackened scorch mark on the ceiling above the stove. But all in all, Buffy was in fair spirits, as there was a lovely buffet of Chinese food cartons from her favorite take-out restaurant spread across the dining room table for her when she got home.
They ate and chatted merrily, though to Buffy, Willow seemed a bit preoccupied. Confirming that fact, she excused herself from the table as soon as she finished her meal and went into the den. Buffy had just arisen from her chair to follow when Willow reappeared in the doorway, her hands held behind her back.
"Dawn?" she called softly. The girl looked up smiling, then a momentary flash of worry crossed her face.
"Y-yes...?"
Willow brought her hands from behind her back, holding out the book to her. "This is for you..."
Dawn slowly rose and crossed the room, reaching out and tenderly taking the book from Willow's hands.
"Go ahead, look at it," Willow murmured.
Dawn slid the book from its leather sleeve, and gently opened the cover. As her eyes traced across the page, reading Tara's words, they filled with tears. Carefully, she closed the book and replaced it in its sleeve, then hugged Willow tightly, the volume pressed awkwardly between them.
"Oh....oh, Willow..." she sobbed, "Thank you so much... I'm so - so sorry...."
"Shhhhh..." whispered Willow. "It's ok, she wanted you to have it, and now it's yours... take good care of it, and I'm sure she'll be very proud of you."
Dawn nodded, wiping tears from her eyes. "I'm going to go put it in my room," she called to them as she climbed the stairs, reverently clutching the book to her chest.
Willow watched her go, then turned back to the others, who were both smiling at her. "Do you need my help to clean up the... mess in the kitchen?" she asked, cringing at the thought of it.
"No, that's ok, Will, I think Giles and Dawn and I can get it," Buffy replied, smiling at Giles' sigh; guess he thought he'd be able to make an escape before the cleaning started, she thought to herself. "Why, did you have plans?" she asked hopefully.
"Well... no, not really... I just thought I'd go for a walk, it's been so nice these last few nights," she replied, unconsciously placing her hand in her pocket and feeling the warm talisman still faintly pulsating with life within it.
Buffy frowned a bit; why on earth would anyone want to walk, alone, at night, in Sunnydale? But she forced herself to stay calm; after all, Willow seemed to be feeling so much better, and besides, she could more than take care of herself, as they all knew... she smiled at Willow. "Sure, Will, go ahead... we'll just clean up here and then I'm off to bed, I'm exhausted..." Then she realized she hadn't patrolled tonight, and sighed. "Or, on second thought... guess I have to patrol..."
"No, that's all right, Buff, you deserve a night off... I'll keep an eye out, and if I see anything suspicious, I'll get you or Xander and Anya... just relax and take a rest," she replied, hoping against hope that Buffy wouldn't insist on coming with her. How could she try out the necklace with her along? She'd never let anyone get close enough for Willow to test it!
Buffy sighed with relief. "Thanks, Will... that's awesome. Are you sure?"
"Sure, it's no big deal; it's a nice night for patrolling anyway."
"All right then... come on, let's get started, Giles..." He groaned in reply, and began to gather the empty cartons into his arms as Buffy did the same, chuckling.
Willow jogged upstairs and pulled off her clothes to change, since they were still spotted with flour and bits of dried egg. Unconsciously, she reached into her closet and pulled out the white shirt she'd been wearing that day... it still had small brown dots of blood stained on it in places, they'd never washed out, and she hadn't really tried to get them out anyway. She pulled it on over her head, and pulled on a pair of black jeans and black hiking boots. Running a brush through her hair, she glanced in the mirror. The small dark spots were noticable... she reached into the closet again and removed a black messenger-style bag, filled with stakes and crosses and other patrolling supplies, and crossed the strap over her head and across her chest, so that the bag rested against her abdomen, effectively hiding the worst of the spots so that the others wouldn't notice them, should they happen to see her on her way out.
Reaching into her pocket, she withdrew the chain and slipped it around her neck, the talisman sliding beneath the white cotton of her shirt to rest on her skin, its warmth filling her again. Smiling, she bounced back down the stairs and listened a moment to the sounds of the Summers sisters and the Watcher laughing, water splashing from the faucet into the sink, pans clanking together as they cleaned... the sounds of a happy home. She quietly closed the front door behind her, locking it and checking to make sure she had her keys.
"All right... here we go..."
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
The vampire, his black clothing blending into the shadows of the graveyard, couldn't believe his luck. Entering the gates of the cemetery before him was the red-haired witch, the Slayer's best friend... And ALONE, no less! He stalked toward her, keeping to the darkness, avoiding the small patches of moonlight along his path. He'd be upon her in a second and she'd never know what hit her!
The moon passed behind a large cloud bank, and still darkness fell over the graves; not even the wind was blowing. He could still see her perfectly, of course, and she was coming his direction, moving purposefully...
She stopped a few feet short of him and peered into the darkness... he felt nervous for a moment, it was as if she could see him there. He held still as a statue, waiting to see what she would do.
She removed the large black bag from around her neck and tossed it a few feet away from her, where it came to rest against a tombstone, a few stakes and crosses falling from its open mouth. What was this trickery, he wondered...? He'd heard tales that the witch had a death wish, and wanted only to join her lost lover in eternity... well, he could certainly oblige, if that's what she wanted!
He stepped into her path, expecting her to jump or scream. She did neither, but merely tilted her head back an inch or so, her red hair falling away to expose her smooth pale neck and the pulse that beat beneath it...
"Ah..." he growled as he stalked toward her, his fangs protruding from his lips. "It's not every day that you find one who welcomes Death... are you prepared to meet your Maker?"
He reached out and grasped her shoulders, rearing back to strike...
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
Spike exited his crypt and wandered slowly between the graves, enjoying the stillness and quiet of the night air. Miss Kitty purred happily and nuzzled under his chin. He gently stroked her as he walked, humming a tune to himself... deep in his mind, he realized that the music was the same as he'd heard in his dream the night before. How odd... he wished he could remember it; the fact that he couldn't unsettled him.
Suddenly he halted, and his vampiric features slid over his face as he listened. He could hear voices, very faint, coming from ahead. He peered into the darkness and could just make out two figures a few feet away. Sliding into the doorway of the nearest crypt, he watched and listened.
The girl removed the large black bag from around her neck and tossed it a few feet away from her, where it came to rest against a tombstone, a few stakes and crosses falling from its open mouth. What was this? Spike focused his gaze on her and could make out the dark red tresses, the pale white skin... it was Willow!
The vampire stepped into her path, expecting her to jump or scream. She did neither, but merely tilted her head back an inch or so, her red hair falling away to expose her smooth pale neck and the pulse that beat beneath it...
"Ah..." the fiend growled as he stalked toward her, his fangs protruding from his lips. "It's not every day that you find one who welcomes Death... are you prepared to meet your Maker?"
He reached out and grasped her shoulders, rearing back to strike...
Spike began to race toward them, intent on saving Willow from destroying herself, but had only gotten a few steps from his hiding place before he stopped in his tracks. The wind had begun to pick up, swirling around Willow at an ever increasing speed. Her attacker stopped in his descent toward her throat and backed away a step, worried...
"No, not just yet," Willow replied softly, menacingly, "but tell her 'Hello' for me..."
Spike could see the small ties at the neck of Willow's shirt had fallen open, and a small glowing orb hung from a chain around her throat. He could hear her voice mumbling in Latin, growing steadily louder as the glow increased. The pupils of her eyes seemed to glow wih an inner fire; wisps of red hair licked her forehead and cheeks like flame, the air around her shimmered with heat...
Realizing what she meant to do, he dived headlong through the crypt doorway, Miss Kitty leaping out of his arms to safety as he fell into the shadows. Willow's voice was shrieking out in the darkness now, calling out, "LOVE, LIGHT MY WAY!" in Latin, over and over again. Spike risked a quick peek through one of the barred windows, then curled up into a ball in the corner, praying that he'd be safe --
Willow suddenly threw her arms above her head, and a large ball of fire, a miniature sun, blossomed in the air between her hands. Her attacker screamed in agony as his body exploded in a cloud of dust. Exhausted from the effort, she instantly fell to her knees, breathing heavily, sweat pouring down her face from the heat, tendrils of hair clinging to her face...
Spike risked opening one eye during the climax, and had seen the crypt around him flooded in sunlight, streaming in through the small windows. Luckily he'd picked a corner where he was in a small bit of shadow -- he was incredulous. He couldn't believe what he'd seen... it had been nearly 200 years since he'd seen a sunset or sunrise, but Willow, in the moment he'd gazed at her before hiding, had looked as if she were the living embodiment of one... a pair of tears coursed down his cheeks, it was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen...
"Meow?" he heard Miss Kitty call from a nearby corner.
"It's all right, love, it's over now," he whispered, patting his thigh. She leapt over to him, purring. He reached into his pocket and withdrew the note he'd written earlier, and gently slipped it under the cat's collar. She watched him do so, and seemed to nod once in understanding. Licking his hand gently, she meowed softly again, and then jumped from his lap, exiting the crypt and heading for her master.
Spike watched from the shadows, a small smile on his lips. "So long, Kat... maybe I'll see you again sometime..." he whispered.
Willow couldn't believe what she'd just done... it was amazing! That so much power could be contained in such a small thing... she would have to make one for Buffy, and Dawn; even they would be able to use it, without having any natural magickal abilities. Of course, she'd have to change the incantation a bit... her mind raced at the possibilities. She was removing the pendant from around her neck and replacing it in her pocket when she heard a small "Meow?" coming from her right. She whipped her head around and cried out, "Miss Kitty?!"
The cat raced to her and began to rub against her chest, as Willow wrapped her arms around her tightly and sobbed. "Oh, baby, I thought I'd never see you again! Where have you been?" The cat purred and meowed softly as Willow petted and stroked her.
Willow felt a small piece of paper wedged under Miss Kitty's collar. "What's this?" she wondered aloud, removing it and peering at it in the darkness.
The front of the note said "Willow" in a dark, firm script. She frowned as she opened the note. Who...?
The inside read simply, "I'm sorry...", and at the bottom right corner was signed, "William."
Willow instantly jerked her head up, scanning the darkness for any sign of the author. A tremor of fear passed through her, her mind not making the connection at first. After a few moments, her eyes drifted slowly down to the black cat, gazing up at her inquisitively, and then to the parchment in her hand... and then her thoughts returned to the figure she'd seen outside her window the night before...
William...? No... It wasn't possible.... was it? "...Spike?" she whispered to herself.
Spike saw her mind working, and decided this might be an appropriate time to make his exit; he wasn't sure he was ready for this... not yet. As he walked away into the night, he called out to her, as an afterthought,
"See ya around, Red..."
Her head flew up again, searching the shadows for the sound of the voice, but he was long gone. How on earth....? How could he know about Tara; he'd already left before she...
How would she ever explain to the others? After what he'd done, or tried to do, to the Slayer, if the gang discovered he'd returned, they wouldn't rest in hunting him down, she was almost certain of it. But her thoughts returned to the signature on the note... William?... Her mind worked furiously, then it came to her. Almost instantly she discarded the idea. There was no way... was there? But she could think of no other explanation. She would have to tell Buffy what had happened, and Giles, and see what they thought... But how could she ever begin to convince any of them (except maybe Dawn) that it was even possible, let alone actually happening...?
She had an idea; gently she creased the note he'd given her, and tore it in two, folding the half with her name written on it and placing it in her pocket. The other half she folded over again. Standing up, she reached over and picked up her bag, feeling within it for a black ink pen.
"Meow?" Miss Kitty asked, circling around Willow's ankles and gazing upward.
Willow studied Spike's writing for a moment, then scribbled a large "B" on the cover of the note. Not bad, she'd probably buy it... Willow sighed. It was a start, anyway... it would smooth things over until she could figure out how, and why.... She started for home, Miss Kitty following loyally, her mind a tangle of questions with no answers... yet...
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
TBC - Please review and let me know what you think, suggestions are welcome! Thanks for reading!