Summary: Things in LA start off fine but after an argument with Willow Spike flees Angel Investigations. But when he returns the redhead starts to notice little oddities and begins to question the blonde vampire.

Disclaimer: Oh, how I wish I could claim ownership, here – but I can't.

Rating: PG

Author's Note: This is the second story in my "In the Stars:" trilogy and takes up after "Star Gazing and Beginnings".

Alone at Last

          Glaring at the vampire who had thrown her to the ground Willow motioned to the stake lying in front of her. With a nudge of her chin the wood rose into the air and hovered at her control. The vampire, who smelled like rotting milk, and turned his back to the redhead, grabbing Spike around the arm and tossing him against the nearest tree. Stumbling a bit Spike shook his head and growled, staking the other vampire before he had time to register what had happened.

          Seeing another vampire, female, slipping closer to Spike Willow yelled, "Spike, down."

          Dropping to the ground Spike felt the vampire's ashes settle around his body, the 'hovering' stake landing beside him. Dusting himself off he went over the Willow and helped her to the redhead to her feet. "Thanks, love."

          "That's what I'm here for," Willow responded, leaning down to grab her bag. Tucking her stake back into her jacket pocket Willow took Spike's hand and the two of them resumed their trek back to the Hyperion.

          Three weeks. That's how long Spike and Willow had been living with Angel at the Hotel. Back in Sunnydale the Scoobies were utterly baffled by the lack of information on the Hepà Demon – apparently the only direct mention of them was in a book delivered to the Magic Box on the day Buffy had first seen the demon. But that source gave very little information and from what Giles was able to translate Hepà Demon's were native to a Magic Dimension and very rarely left it but when they do their own magic is depleted quickly and they're forced to obtain a 'quick fix', so to speak, hence the attack on Willow.

          The redhead had begun to grow suspicious but against who or what she didn't know. It didn't make any sense that this demon would suddenly appear in Sunnydale for no apparent reason and go after Willow directly – there were, after all, more powerful people on the Hellmouth including both Buffy, with her Slayerness, and Anya, with her actually being a demon. There were also other witches in Sunnydale that were far more powerful then Willow yet the Hepà Demon at attacked only her.

It didn't make sense.

Explanations, however, were few and far between. What was apparent, or seemingly so, was that their either wasn't a Demon clan out for revenge or there was but they had decided not to take revenge. In either case Willow was fairly confident in her safely. The Scoobies, though, were taking no chances and practically ordered Willow to stay with Angel. Knowing better then to argue with her friends Willow had shrugged and agreed.

"Uh, Willow," Cordelia smiled pulling something from the redhead's hair. "You've got grass in your hair."

Running her fingers through her locks Willow frowned. "Do I?"

Cordelia nodded. "Yeah. So, what were you and blondie up to?"

"You're hopeless," Willow rolled her eyes at the ex-cheerleader. "We got a little sidetracked by a couple of vampires."

"Sure you did," Cordelia winked.

Hearing the door open behind her, and the distinct sound of male voice, Willow turned. Angel, Wesley and Gunn came moping into the Lobby all three dripping with some kind of yellow, demon ooze. Wrinkling her nose at the smell Willow took a step back from the trio. "Oh man," Willow covered her mouth and nose. "You guys stink."

"Thanks for pointing out the obviously," Gunn frowned.

"And their moody too," Cordelia chimed.

"What the bloody hell is that – " Walking out of Cordelia's office Spike stopped dead in his tracks and nearly collapsed in laughter. Despite themselves Willow and Cody joined in. Angel, Wesley and Gunn, however, didn't find the humor in the situation and glared at the others.

"Sorry," Willow straightened. "It's just – look at yourselves."

Rolling their eyes the three of them trotted off towards various bathrooms to shower and change. Glancing at her watch Cordelia hopped to her feet. "I'm meeting Fred at Caritas," the brunette said as she brushed out the door.

Grinning, Spike wrapped his arms around Willow. "Looks like it's just you and me, red."

"Alone at last," Willow wrapped her arms around Spike's neck.

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

          The night sky was clear, though the stars were harder to glimpsed through the Big City glow. But Willow could find the constellations with her eyes closed. Lying atop a blanket, on the roof of the Hyperion Hotel, Willow and Spike were, once again, star gazing. "Ursa Major," Willow traced the constellation. "It means 'the Great Bear' and those stars there," Willow traced the stars as she spoke, "the Bear's tail and its flank. That's the Big Dipper, an asterism."

          "A what?"

          "An asterism," Willow repeated. "A cluster of distinctive stars usually a smaller part of a constellation. Here," taking Spikes finger Willow held it between two stars. "Merak and Dubhe," she said. "Now if you move up five times the distance between those two you'll see Polaris. The North Star. There, see?"

          Letting his hand fall back to his side Spike said, "That's the star sailors used to use so they wouldn't get lost, right?"

          Willow smiled and nodded. "Yeah. The North Star is the only constant star in the sky and always points magnetic north. It's been called 'the Pathway', 'the Pointer', 'the Gate of Heaven',  'Lodestar', 'the Steering Star' and Stella Maris 'Star of the Sea'."

          Propping his head on his fist Spike looked at Willow. Her eyes turned towards the sky, the moonlight haloing her pale skin and her hair, red as blood, cascaded across her cheeks. She was beautiful. Breathtaking. Green eyes sparkled with so much delight and her lips were parted, a smile lingering there. Taking an unneeded breath Spike drew the redhead's attention.

          Worried Willow's brow furled, a frown touching her mouth. Spike smiled, tracing her cheeks and jaw. Returning the smile Willow grasped the blondes hand in her own, kissing his fingertips.

          Brushing his fingertips across Willow's neck elicited a giggle from the redhead. "That tickles, blondie."

          Spike grinned. "I know."

          "You're evil," Willow narrowed her eyes playfully.

          "See, now I always knew you were the smart one."

          Laughing Willow touch Spikes lips, saying, "Just shut up and kiss me."

          Their moment of romance was ruined as the rooftop door squeaked open and Angel's voice echoed through the air. "Sorry to interrupt."

          "Bloody hell," Spike grumbled. "The damn poof has the worst timing."

          Smiling Willow said, "It's okay."

          "Buffy's on the phone," Angel looked at Willow.

          Sighing the hacker/witch pushed herself to her feet. "Lead on, Peaches."

          Groaning, hating that Willow had picked up on Spike's little nickname, Angel started back down the rooftop staircase to the elevator – Spike and Willow following hand in hand.