Willow's Savior
Chapter 2
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Buffy: The Vampire Slayer. Joss Whedon does, the lucky guy.
Authors Note: Rated PG-13 for a few curse words. About the same as an episode. Takes place after Spike got the chip and no Tara.
I'm not sure how long I was unconscious, but I woke with a start, jackknifing into a sitting position.
"You're safe now pet." A voice startled me by saying. Who belonged to that voice was even more startling.
"Spike?!?" I practically screamed while backing away the few feet I could hitting the head board of the bed I was on.
"Calm down, Red. I can't harm humans remember." The bleach blond Billy Idol look-alike said trying to reassure me.
"Am I dead?" I asked while trying to keep my body from visibly shaking, considering the last time I was alone with him he tried to make me his undead childe.
"Of course not, just a bit bruised is all." Spike responded.
"What happened? The last thing I remember three vamps had me cornered against a wall, then I hit my head." I asked, still confused about how I managed to get to Spike's crypt.
"I was out looking for a spot of violence when I heard a scream. I figured it was a demon or some such and followed the commotion. Imagine my surprise when I found you about to get your pretty little neck chomped on by a bunch of fledges. Hmpph.. That's sacrilegious. Well, seeing how the White Hats were no where to be found I dusted them. Couldn't very well leave you on the street, could I then?" Spike explained in his typical arrogant manner.
"Well thanks a lot, I was in serious trouble. If you hadn't arrived when you did… um, I'll just be going now." I said as I forced myself to stand on shaky legs, attempting to leave as quickly as possible. As soon as I got into a standing position the room dipped out in front of me and I felt myself falling. Before I could hit the ground however Spike, using what I can only assume to be vampiric speed, caught me in his arms. I couldn't speak for a few seconds as my thoughts were consumed with the fact that I, Willow Rosenberg, was in the arms of the former Scourge of Europe. These types of things would never happen P.B. (pre-Buffy.) I wasn't scared however, probably due to the little mechanical chip imbedded into Spike's skull. The sensation of having his strong muscular arms wrapped around my waist as I gazed into his ice-blue eyes, caused a delicious shiver to race up my spine.
"Steady luv, wouldn't want you to fall." Spike murmured to me in an unusually husky voice. Of course my hormone-fogged imagination could have had something to do with that.
Before I stopped to think I found myself whispering "too late" in a wistful voice. I can only assume he didn't hear me because my response went with out comment. Thank god for small favors. I quickly got my reaction to Spike under control or tried to anyway. As I pushed myself slightly out of his arms my traitorous legs swayed slightly without the support.
"I'm fine Spike, really. Just a rough night." I said in what I hoped was a steady voice.
"No offense luv, but you look like hell and you can barely stand. You're not bloody fine." Spike practically snarled at me, while placing a gentle hand on my arm to keep me steady. I didn't know how to respond so I kept quiet. Spike stared at me as if expecting an answer but once it became clear that I wasn't going to respond he picked me up in his arms, eliciting a startled gasp from me, and gently placed me back on the bed.
"Thanks, Spike." I murmured against his cheek as he carefully rested my head against a pillow.
"Think nothing of it, pet. Now get some rest. We'll chat more later." He said in a reassuring voice as he moved to get up from the bed. Panic suddenly overtook me when he wasn't near and I grabbed his arm.
"Spike…could you, um, maybe…" I whimpered unintelligibly with unshed tears in my eyes. I couldn't (or wouldn't) ask a master vampire to stay with me to help me sleep, but I found that I didn't want to be alone after the two near misses I had tonight. Of course I didn't explain all that to Spike. But my begging must have gotten the point across because he slowly sat down on the edge of the mattress, as if checking to make sure that was indeed what I was asking.
Once he inched close enough to me to touch, I grabbed him forcibly by the neck and shoulders and pulled him to lie down next to me. In the darkness of his crypt the last of my defenses fell and I found myself in tears. First a few, and then before I knew it I was sobbing. I tried to weep quietly, so as not to disturb the vampire next to me, but that damn vampire hearing allowed him to hear what I was so painstakingly trying to hide. I may be just a Scoobie to Buffy's Slayer, but I had my pride too, and that didn't include showing weakness to a former enemy. I wasn't embarrassed for long however, because he unexpectedly tightened our haphazard embrace. In the shadows, I heard a comforting purring sound through my tears, not to mention Spike was rubbing soothing circles on my back. Slowly I managed to get myself under control, although I didn't move from Spike's grasp. Once my sobbing subsided, I found myself exhausted from my harrowing night. Spike loosened his grip on my waist, although I was still encircled by his arms, and kissed my forehead lightly.
"Sleep now Red. The Big Bad will watch over you." Spike murmured in my ear. Any other time that statement would have struck me as ridicules , but it didn't even register as odd in my sleep-dulled brain.
I just snuggled closer to Spike's chest and mumbled "'kay" before falling into a peaceful sleep with my head still resting on Spike's shoulder. Had I been awake I would have seen Spike stroking my hair and face gently or the almost reverent look on his face. It was a rare moment of peace for the usually loud-mouthed vampire. Of course I saw none of this because I was already sitting at Morpheus' right hand.
Chapter 2
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Buffy: The Vampire Slayer. Joss Whedon does, the lucky guy.
Authors Note: Rated PG-13 for a few curse words. About the same as an episode. Takes place after Spike got the chip and no Tara.
I'm not sure how long I was unconscious, but I woke with a start, jackknifing into a sitting position.
"You're safe now pet." A voice startled me by saying. Who belonged to that voice was even more startling.
"Spike?!?" I practically screamed while backing away the few feet I could hitting the head board of the bed I was on.
"Calm down, Red. I can't harm humans remember." The bleach blond Billy Idol look-alike said trying to reassure me.
"Am I dead?" I asked while trying to keep my body from visibly shaking, considering the last time I was alone with him he tried to make me his undead childe.
"Of course not, just a bit bruised is all." Spike responded.
"What happened? The last thing I remember three vamps had me cornered against a wall, then I hit my head." I asked, still confused about how I managed to get to Spike's crypt.
"I was out looking for a spot of violence when I heard a scream. I figured it was a demon or some such and followed the commotion. Imagine my surprise when I found you about to get your pretty little neck chomped on by a bunch of fledges. Hmpph.. That's sacrilegious. Well, seeing how the White Hats were no where to be found I dusted them. Couldn't very well leave you on the street, could I then?" Spike explained in his typical arrogant manner.
"Well thanks a lot, I was in serious trouble. If you hadn't arrived when you did… um, I'll just be going now." I said as I forced myself to stand on shaky legs, attempting to leave as quickly as possible. As soon as I got into a standing position the room dipped out in front of me and I felt myself falling. Before I could hit the ground however Spike, using what I can only assume to be vampiric speed, caught me in his arms. I couldn't speak for a few seconds as my thoughts were consumed with the fact that I, Willow Rosenberg, was in the arms of the former Scourge of Europe. These types of things would never happen P.B. (pre-Buffy.) I wasn't scared however, probably due to the little mechanical chip imbedded into Spike's skull. The sensation of having his strong muscular arms wrapped around my waist as I gazed into his ice-blue eyes, caused a delicious shiver to race up my spine.
"Steady luv, wouldn't want you to fall." Spike murmured to me in an unusually husky voice. Of course my hormone-fogged imagination could have had something to do with that.
Before I stopped to think I found myself whispering "too late" in a wistful voice. I can only assume he didn't hear me because my response went with out comment. Thank god for small favors. I quickly got my reaction to Spike under control or tried to anyway. As I pushed myself slightly out of his arms my traitorous legs swayed slightly without the support.
"I'm fine Spike, really. Just a rough night." I said in what I hoped was a steady voice.
"No offense luv, but you look like hell and you can barely stand. You're not bloody fine." Spike practically snarled at me, while placing a gentle hand on my arm to keep me steady. I didn't know how to respond so I kept quiet. Spike stared at me as if expecting an answer but once it became clear that I wasn't going to respond he picked me up in his arms, eliciting a startled gasp from me, and gently placed me back on the bed.
"Thanks, Spike." I murmured against his cheek as he carefully rested my head against a pillow.
"Think nothing of it, pet. Now get some rest. We'll chat more later." He said in a reassuring voice as he moved to get up from the bed. Panic suddenly overtook me when he wasn't near and I grabbed his arm.
"Spike…could you, um, maybe…" I whimpered unintelligibly with unshed tears in my eyes. I couldn't (or wouldn't) ask a master vampire to stay with me to help me sleep, but I found that I didn't want to be alone after the two near misses I had tonight. Of course I didn't explain all that to Spike. But my begging must have gotten the point across because he slowly sat down on the edge of the mattress, as if checking to make sure that was indeed what I was asking.
Once he inched close enough to me to touch, I grabbed him forcibly by the neck and shoulders and pulled him to lie down next to me. In the darkness of his crypt the last of my defenses fell and I found myself in tears. First a few, and then before I knew it I was sobbing. I tried to weep quietly, so as not to disturb the vampire next to me, but that damn vampire hearing allowed him to hear what I was so painstakingly trying to hide. I may be just a Scoobie to Buffy's Slayer, but I had my pride too, and that didn't include showing weakness to a former enemy. I wasn't embarrassed for long however, because he unexpectedly tightened our haphazard embrace. In the shadows, I heard a comforting purring sound through my tears, not to mention Spike was rubbing soothing circles on my back. Slowly I managed to get myself under control, although I didn't move from Spike's grasp. Once my sobbing subsided, I found myself exhausted from my harrowing night. Spike loosened his grip on my waist, although I was still encircled by his arms, and kissed my forehead lightly.
"Sleep now Red. The Big Bad will watch over you." Spike murmured in my ear. Any other time that statement would have struck me as ridicules , but it didn't even register as odd in my sleep-dulled brain.
I just snuggled closer to Spike's chest and mumbled "'kay" before falling into a peaceful sleep with my head still resting on Spike's shoulder. Had I been awake I would have seen Spike stroking my hair and face gently or the almost reverent look on his face. It was a rare moment of peace for the usually loud-mouthed vampire. Of course I saw none of this because I was already sitting at Morpheus' right hand.