Offers and Close-Ups

Author's Note: The song, "London Rain" is by Heather Nova.

          Angel had told Willow to choose any room in the hotel. So, logically, she aimed straight for the luxury sweet on the top floor – privacy and a view. Two bedrooms, a kitchen/dining area, two and a half bath and a living room the size of her parents house. Television and DVD player, stereo, comfy furniture and a fully stocked kitchen – all left by the former Hyperion Hotel owner. Not to mention the luscious bathtub and balcony.

What more could the redhead ask for?

Unpacking was easy enough. A few muttered words and her clothing moved itself into the appropriate drawers. Waving her hand the balcony curtains slid shut, encasing Willow in the light of the candles she'd lit throughout the room. After changing into a pair of sweatpants and tank top, pulling her short hair into a ponytail, Willow walked over to the stereo and flipped through the collection of CD's she packed. Choosing one she popped the disc in turned up the volume as she started to sing along to the lyrics.

"…and where I'm home, curled in your arms and I'm safe again.

I'll close my eyes and sleep, sleep to the sound of London Rain.

So keep me, keep me in your bed all day, all day.

Nothing heals me like you do. Nothing falls like London Rain…"

She didn't hear Spike come in until he spoke, "Never knew you were a diva, love."

          Startled, Willow shrieked and jumped near out of her skin. Clutching her shirt above her heat Willow narrowed her eyes at the blonde. "Can you not read the Do Not Disturb sign on the door?"

          "I read it," Spike smirked. "But I've never been good at following the rules."

          "You could have at least knocked," Willow scolded turning down the volume.

          Still grinning Spike answered, "I did, pet. You just didn't hear me."

          Willow frowned. "Oh."

          Gesturing to the stereo Spike asked, "Who is this?"

          "Heather Nova."

          Nodding Spike dropped down onto the couch, stretching his legs across the coffee table. Willow rolled her eyes. "What are you doing, Spikey?"

          "Making myself comfortable in my room."

          Arching an eyebrow Willow crossed her arms. "Your room?"

          "Uh, yeah?" Spike hesitated, watching the redhead's eyebrow rise further. "Not my room?"

          "I don't know yet," Willow responded. "I'm considering it. What do you got to offer?"

          Before Willow could react Spike had pulled her down onto his lap, his arms pinning her against him. Drawing her mouth to his they shared a deep, lingering kiss, Willow pulling away only when her lungs screamed out for air. Hovering his lips close to hers Spike whispered, "How's that for an offer?"

          "Hmm. Not bad," she answered. "But I'm still going to need more convincing."

          "Whatever the lady wants," Spike grinned slipping his hand behind Willow's neck, lowering her lips to another kiss.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

          Drawing her knees to her chest Willow flipped on the computer in Cordelia's office while simultaneously dialing Giles' number. As the phone rang Willow booted up the WebCam program and waited while the window opened. Holding the receiver against her ear Willow sipped the coffee she held in her hands.

          Finally, though, someone answered. "Hello?"

          "Turn on your WebCam Watcher-Man," Willow said.

          "Um, well, how, I mean – "

          The redhead smiled at Giles' fumbling. Giles hated computers and refused to use them, but the world was modernized and because of that Willow had convinced the Watcher to purchase one and took the liberty of installing a WebCam before she and Spike left for LA. "Take a breath Giles and get Buffy or Xander to show you how to turn it on."

          "Right."

          While Giles stressed over the WebCam Willow hit the 'Speaker' button on the phone and set it back into its cradle. Seeing the WebCam window blink on, and viewing her friends all lounging around Giles' living room, Willow said, "Hey guys."

          "Hey Wills," Buffy responded. "How's LA life?"

          Smiling at her friend Willow answered, "I've only been here for four hours, Buff."

          The Slayer shrugged. "So they've corrupted you already, huh? I knew it."

          "You sound Xander, Miss Conspiracy-Theory."

          Buffy mocked offense, gasping. "That's just low."

          "Hey," Xander exclaimed. The two girls laughed.

          "So how's the Vengeful-Demon-Clan-Extermination-Plan coming?"

          Buffy looked over her shoulder. "Don't know yet. We all just got here. Hold on."

          Willow watched Buffy set the phone down, pressing the 'Speaker' button, before walking over to Giles and the others. Giles sighed and mumbled something to his Slayer, who frowned in return. "But, you know how to fix this, right Giles?"

          Glancing at Buffy he said, "Research. Now."

          Willow saw the worried looks on the others. "So you can fix this," Xander prodded. "I mean, you're the Fix-It-Man."

          "I don't know," Giles responded. "I'm not sure what these demons are looking for in payment for the death of one of their kind."

          "But you know where to look?"

          Giles shrugged at Riley's question. "Not quite."

          Anya looked up and asked, "But you have an idea, right?"

          "Not exactly."

          "So," Xander spoke, "it's more of a hunch."

          "I wouldn't call it a hunch."

          "Would you say inkling," Buffy asked. "Please tell me you can at least say inkling."

          "Buffy – "

          The Slayer's face fell. "Oh my god, you don't have a clue do you? But, but Giles you're the one who's supposed to have all the clues don't, don't tell me you're clueless. Not now."

          "It's okay," Willow finally spoke seeing the frustration in Giles' eyes. "It's only been one day. I know you guys will come up with something."

          "You're right," Buffy smiled. "We're just getting a little wacky."

          "It's understandable," Willow replied.

          Xander slid into the desk chair, taking up the entire WebCam screen. "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille." Willow laughed and Xander sat back a bit. "So how's my Willow doing?"