Not in the Job Description
Spinning, Willow's roundhouse knocked the vampire to the ground, her body poised to finish the job. Stake in hand the redhead lunged forward – the vampire's foot knocking the breath out of her. Falling to the ground with a 'humph' Willow rolled to the side, pushing herself to her feet. Behind her the vampire, an ex-schoolmate who used to tease Willow mercilessly, growled and glared at the hacker-witch. Adjusting her grip Willow raised her stake…
Poof.
Confused, the stake still raised above her head, Willow swatted away the falling dust and hissed in frustration. Dropping her arm she muttered a curse under her breath before turning furious green eyes upon blue.
"Spike," she spoke venomously. "What the hell did you do that for?"
Slipping his own stake back into the pocket of his duster Spike shrugged. "Lending a helping hand, love."
"But I had him," Willow almost screamed.
"Maybe," Spike pulled a cigarette from his pocket and light it, taking a long drag before adding, "But we don't want to see anything happen to you, now do we? The Slayer would kill me."
Huffing, Willow spun around and strode away from Spike. It didn't take long before she heard his footsteps following her. Pissed beyond belief Willow stopped, her teeth clenched and faced the approaching vampire – landing a solid fist across the unsuspecting blonde's jaw.
Stumbling back a step Spike raised shocked eyes to the redhead, his hand rubbing his quickly bruising chin. "What the bloody hell was that for?"
"Staking my vampire," Willow retorted turning and resuming her trek out of the park.
"Christ red," Spike whine stepping into stride alongside her. "You got some force in that fist."
Despite herself Willow smirked. "Well, you deserved it, deadboy."
"I was just trying to protect you, pet."
Glancing at Spike Willow sighed. "I don't need your protection, Spike. I was fighting off vampires and demons before you rolled into town. I know how to take care of myself."
"Of course you do," Spike chuckled shaking his head.
Angrily Willow spun around and shove Spike to the ground. Standing over him hands on her hips, Willow all but growled her words, "How dare you. I never asked you to jump in and play the knight in shining armor. I don't need you to at all, Spike. I'm the only one to give a flying shit about you and you turn around and treat me like some incoherent, defenseless child? I don't think so, blondie." She stood silent for a breath before taking a step away. "Next time you're looking for a little boredom-relief company don't bother coming to me. I don't want to spend my time with someone who pities me."
Left lying on the damp park ground, stunned and speechless, Spike watched the redhead storm off. For a long time he just sat there, looking in the direction Willow had gone, unable to understand what exactly had happened. Eventually, though, reality dawned on him and Spike groaned. He'd been a total ass.
Getting to his feet the blonde went after Willow, knowing she'd already be home and, hopefully, cooled off a bit. Standing on her front porch, starring at the door, Spike contemplated whether or not it was such a good idea to be there. Taking an unneeded breath he knocked. Too late to turn back now, he thought.
There was no answer so, hesitantly, Spike knocked again. When there was still no answer he sighed and turned to leave when he heard her voice, "I was wondering how long it'd take you."
Words failed the bleached vampire when he looked up at Willow. Standing in the doorway, dressed in blue pajama-bottoms and a white tank-top, the light from inside haloed Willow's pale skin and fiery hair creating a white glow that encased her body. Leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed over her chest Spike glimpsed the hurt in her eyes and silently cursed himself for putting it there.
Arching an eyebrow Willow stepped back inside and said, "Are you coming in or not?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Spike was proud and cocky and smug and hated to admit when he was wrong. Well, he was wrong that night and boy, did he know it. Willow's stare was like ice and he was constantly expecting her to take another swing. She didn't. What she did do, however, was sit in silence and the tension radiating between the two of them was enough to drive Spike into the sun. He, William the Bloody, who held more defiance then the whole of hell itself, couldn't bring himself to meet the eyes of a slight, human, redhead.
What a bloody poof, he chastised himself.
"Red," he spoke finally. "I'm sorry. I overstepped my bounds."
"No kidding?" Willow's voice bit with sarcasm and Spike winced slightly.
Turning his head away Spike said, "I was only trying to help."
When she responded Willow's voice softened a bit, "I don't always need your help."
"I know. It's just," pausing Spike forced himself to look at Willow. "It's just I don't want anything to happen to you, pet."
God, Willow hated how she could never stay angry at Spike. Shaking her head lightly she felt all her anger dissipate from the sheer magnitude of regret in Spike's eyes. "I hate you," she smiled. "You can't ever just let me be mad at you, can you?"
"Afraid not, pet," Spike returned the smile. "It's not in the job description."