Solitude and Sacrifice
Willow had needed a few days to herself, feeling over-stressed and exhausted, so she packed a bag and headed to her parents house. Not surprisingly Ira and Shelia Rosenberg were out of town and some convention or another. Willow didn't really care. All she knew was that for the next three days she'd have a little peace and quite.
The Scoobies had all be warned not to disturb the redhead over the weekend unless they desired to see a truly pissed off witch – which they didn't. Mid-terms had ended that week and Willow's brain was so crammed with information she thought her head might explode. So, in solution, she had stocked up on junk food and rented tons of movie, ready to simply veg out around the house for a couple of days before jumping back into Scooby-mode.
It was Friday night and for the first time in over four years Willow wasn't researching or demon-hunting or Spike-sitting or anything else she had become accustomed to doing. She was, instead, curled up on her bed completely enthralled in a book. It was perfect. Candles flickering against the walls, a cool breeze coming in through her open balcony. Willow was in pure heaven.
Or, she was for a brief moment in time.
Lifting her head to the sudden 'thump' on her balcony Willow unconsciously held her breath. Outside she heard shuffling feet and the undeniable sounds of someone in pain. Shoving the covers of her body and dropping her book onto her nightstand Willow walked slowly towards the doors. Gasping, she leapt back as Spike tumbled through the doorway, landing not-so ceremoniously atop the floor.
"My god, Spike," Willow exclaimed kneeling beside the near-unconscious vampire. Gently rolling him onto his back Willow felt the blood drain from her face. Someone had obviously tried to dust the chipped blond and very nearly succeeded. Bruises colored his face, neck, arms and chest and his porcelain skin was stained red but what severely concerned Willow was the hole in his chest where someone had attempted to stake the vampire but missed the heart by barely an inch.
Peering up through swollen eyes Spike murmured, "Red…?"
"Hush," Willow instructed. "Here, put your arm around my neck."
Struggling, the slight redhead managed to drag Spike onto her bed and remove his tattered shirt. Sitting beside him Willow did her best to clean and bandage his wounds but her eyes kept drifting to the still-bleeding gash below his heart. It should have, Willow knew, started healing by then but the vampire had lost too much blood.
Considering a trip to Willies to grab a bag of O+ Willow decided against it. Willies was too far and by the time she got back Spike could very well be a pile of ash. But he needed blood. Debating her options the redhead made a drastic decision. Leaning closer to Spike Willow lifted his head and looked into his eyes. "Spike," she whispered. "I want to drink from me."
"No," he managed to respond trying, vainly, to push away from Willow's grip but he was too weak.
"Spike don't argue with me," Willow said strongly. "You're dying and you need blood and I'm the closest there is."
The blond shook his head. "I can't."
"Yes you can," she responded. "I'm willing, Spike. The chip won't respond."
"No – "
Sighing, Willow took up the needle from the first-aid box. "I really wish you wouldn't make me do this, blondie. But you've left me no choice."
Dragging the sharp end across her neck, wincing slightly, Willow created a small train of blood knowing that the scent would immediately awaken Spike's demon who was desperately fighting for its life. Willow wasn't disappointed. As soon as the first sight of blood appeared on Willow's neck she saw Spike's demon emerge and before she could even cry out from the pain she felt his fangs break her flesh, his arms tightening around her.
Slowly, so slowly Willow felt the world turning black and didn't have the strength to push away from Spike before she fell unconscious in his arms.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Fluttering open Willow's eyes ached against the sudden brightness. Her head felt like lead and her neck throbbed. She was weak and tired and couldn't muster the strength to sit up. Groaning she turned her head, glancing at her clock. Five past noon. Looking around curiously she found herself tucked into her own bed, the curtains drawn over her balcony. Confused for a moment the redhead shut her eyes. Memory, however, suddenly flooded her mind and her hand moved immediately to her throat.
A relieved sigh passed her lips at feeling the gentle pulse beneath her fingertips. Touching the bandage on her neck she hissed, a jolt of pain coursing through her. Downstairs she heard rustling and wondered who it was. Reaching over to her nightstand Willow flipped on the light and tried to force herself up. She failed miserably and eventually gave up, sighing.
"How you feeling, pet?"
Startle, Willow jumped. "Damn you and your vampire stealth, Spike," she muttered. "You scared me to death."
Smiling Spike stepped into the room and sat beside Willow setting a tray on her lap. "Sorry, love. Old habit."
Eyeing him curiously Willow noticed Spike's bruises had all but disappeared, the swelling around his eyes and lips a faded memory atop his skin. "You look a lot better, blondie."
"You look worse," Spike commented.
Rolling her eyes Willow took a bite of the toast Spike had brought her. "Just rub it in, huh?"
Spike grew serious suddenly and asked, "How you doing? Really?"
Willow shrugged. "About as good as you'd expect considering the circumstances."
"That was a really stupid thing to do, red."
Meeting those piercing blue eyes Willow held Spikes gaze defiantly. "Yeah? Well you'd be tucked nice and tight into an ashtray right now if I hadn't have of done it so I think I deserve a little bit of gratitude here."
Shaking his head Spike ran his fingers through his hair. "I could have killed you."
Smiling Willow took Spike's hand in her own. "I trust you."