Hey! It's been a REALLY long time since I last posted something but I've been going through some family stuff, Sorry! Anyways, thanks for the feedback. I know...lot's have people have been telling me that Tara being a vamp isn't a good thing...but this story isn't going to exactly be a fairy tale for Willow. It's pretty much going to rip Willow apart and then put her back again into a stronger person. Plus its just fiction!!! So to whoever wrote me hate mail about the Tara thing….tough! To everyone else, keep sending in the feedback! Good or bad, it doesn't matter. Just as long as it's not about the Tara issue!!
Sonya
*Los Angeles*
"Master Angelus, the call was made. They are approaching and should be arriving in an hour or so." the meek minion spoke as he bowed his head. "Good. Is everything ready?" Angelus inquired. With a nod the minion gave a response and with that, Angelus sent him away with the flick of his wrist. He then smiled to himself as if he'd already had victory and he was simply awaiting his prize. Willow. He imagined what it would be like to come face to face with the crimson witch. Angelus savoured the vision of having her at his will. After all, he had gone to hell and back and then trapped yet again with Angel in full control, all because of Willow.
She tormented him, even Angel. They both had suffered an eternity at the hands of one meek little witch. However, she was still a witch with immense power that would only maximize his own strength. She was the only one who could handle his true nature. Buffy was no match for him. She held no great promise of strength. Willow, on the other hand, was meant to be his. Only she could be held captive by him and at the same time be equal in dominance when it came to the fight. The fight for survival. Angelus wasn't one to give up and that meant Willow was in for one hell of a ride.
*On The Way to Los Angeles*
"Do you have to do that in here?" Willow exclaimed. "Luv, where else would you rather I do it? I can't bloody well stop that car every two minutes just because I need to have a smoke! We'd never get to see the poof at that rate!" Spike complained. "Well…I guess you're right. I mean…I'd rather die a slow death from second hand smoke than have my neck sucked dry by Angelus in the matter of seconds!" Willow sarcastically reasoned. "Red. Come on now. There's no need to be so bloody cynical! For all we know…I could be wrong and Angel's still Angel…hugs, kisses and all that other rot." Spike bit back.
Rolling her eyes, Willow shifted her head to gaze out the window. The warm wind lapped her face as she took in the view. Silently, she begged and pleaded to Goddess that Angelus was trapped deep down inside Angel and didn't have a shot in hell of ever returning to the surface. In soundless agreement, Willow made a pact with herself to permanently secure Angel's soul to him. That way Angelus would stop invading her thoughts and more importantly, her dreams. The last thing she needed was having the demon that had once terrorized her reality become a permanent fixture in her nightmares. Her dreams were the only sacred place where she and Tara would meet and be together. They were happy and safe inside Willow's mind. There was also no magic, no demons and vamps. Just plain old Tara and Willow in love with each other for all eternity. Quietly, Willow vowed to Tara that she would keep all they shared sacred.
"Red!" a voice shouted in annoyance, "WHAT!??" Willow whined back in brief alarm. "Luv, you really need calm down. You're so bloody strung! We're almost there... so get a grip." Spike advised Willow. Too distracted to reply, Willow realized that it was time to confront her nightmare and make it go away for that last time.
ONE HOUR LATER~~~~~~~~~~
The two slowly approached the dark Hyperion hotel. Willow wrapped her arms around herself in efforts of bringing some stability to her trembling hands but it was her anxious mind that truly needed solicitude. Spike could sense Willow's dread build rapidly as they walked up the stairs to the front doors. Just before entering, he turned to the frightened red head and gently spoke, "Just be calm, luv. I'll be with you the whole time. If it truly is Angelus then we'll make a run for it and then come back with some pointy sharp stakes. Remember…just breathe.". Unable to speak, Willow merely nodded and focused her attention back on the doors that would probably unleash her nightmare. Pulling the handle, Spike opened the door and stepped inside while Willow followed with a shaky breath.
Everything looked normal. Dark and gloomy just like it had always been and just like she remembered it. Scanning the shadows, Willow was confused as to why she couldn't find anyone. Usually, Cordelia was flouncing about in one of her famous superficial tirades but instead there was a deep silence. Hearing a rustling from behind, Willow turned around sharply only to see Spike ruffling through a stack of nearby books. "There's no one here Spike." Willow announced quietly. Suddenly, Spike sniffed the air and then brought a pale finger to her lips in a gesture to be quiet. His ambiguity perturbed her immensely.
In tortured silence, she followed him with her clouded green eyes as they watched Spike move towards the shadow of the staircase. Suddenly, he disappeared leaving Willow with desperate confusion that only made her more frantic to find him and get the hell out of the hotel. Gently, she called out his name. The more times she called out for him, the louder she got. Why wasn't he answering her? All of a sudden, a light flicker from the top of the staircase. Willow didn't know what to do. She really didn't want to go up there alone but she knew that Spike was missing and she had to find him.
Slowly but surely, she began to trek up towards where the light had flickered. As she reached the top, there was a long corridor with doors. Only one was open. Being ever so cautious, Willow crept slowly towards the wooden gateway until she could see inside the room. It was very large and decorated with iridescent silks painted in crimson, black and emerald green. Silently, Willow wondered if it was Cordelia's room but then realized that she was a bit more over the top. Walking into the room, she saw that there were red and white roses everywhere. They filled the room with their perfumed scent. Hastily, she touched the soft petals when a familiar voice from behind filled her senses. Whipping around, Willow was faced with the man who haunted her dreams and ruined her nights with Tara. "Angel?" she questioned even though she knew the answer. "What? You don't recognize me? I'm hurt. Really. You'd think that the one person who sent me to hell would remember me. Tell me, Willow. What do I have to do to get you to remember?" Angelus sarcastically questioned right before he lunged towards her. Unable to think clearly, Willow picked up the vase and threw it at the dark vampire. As he tried to duck, Angelus lost his balance and was temporarily down.
Taking her chance, Willow ran for the door and straight down the stairs. As she headed for her only known escape to the outside world, Willow saw dark figures on guard. Abruptly stopping, she turned in the opposite direction and began to run once again. As she did this, Willow looked up only to see Angelus come flying down the stairs after her. She finally reached a metal door and without hesitation she opened it and ran down. Angelus knew exactly where she was headed and took his time getting to her. He knew the basement would bring her back to the harsh reality he was building.
Willow flew down the stairs and realized that something was wrong. Turning to the cement wall beside her she saw the most horrifying scene, even her imagination couldn't comprehend. Bodies. There were dead bodies lying everywhere, scattered, in shards. Looking up, she saw a female body held up by her wrists. As Willow stepped closer to the body, she gasped and realized that it was Cordelia. Tears of overwhelming fear and sorrow blurred her vision until Willow knew that she was going to throw up. Trying to stay in control, she gently brushed her fingertips against Cordelia's pale skin and along her neck until she suddenly felt a thump and then another. There was still a pulse! Cordelia was alive!
Just before Willow could reach up towards the locks holding Cordy in place, Angelus came from behind and harshly growled, "I wouldn't do that if I were you". Causing Willow to jump, she turned around to question," Why? Why would you do this? They all cared about you! Fought by your side!" she was now hysterical. "You mean they fought by Angel's side. He's gone, Willow. Accept it. Come on! Do you actually think that Angel would ever be able to do something like this? His handy work only includes staking his own kind! Look closer. You'll find the demon that truly owns this body." Angelus boasted with a wicked grin. "I don't care!! Just give me Cordelia, Spike and anyone else who maybe alive and I'll leave and never come back!!" she tried feebly to bargain. Chuckling, Angelus spoke, "But you just got here! Why leave so soon. After all…This was all for you. Everything was orchestrated for you to come to me and now I'm not letting you go.". Noticing her confusion, Angelus elaborated, "Think Willow. You're vivid dreams of a dark stranger, invading your few peaceful moments. And then Spike! His senses are good but not THAT good. He led you straight to me. You're so naïve." Angelus tormented her until Willow lay on the ground sobbing.
"Spike wouldn't do that to me! You're lying! Just go back to hell!" Willow cried out. "I think she doesn't believe me. Spike why don't you come out here and show my little witch how powerful your sire can truly be." Angelus subtly ordered. Looking upwards, Willow saw Spike slowly move towards the light and gasped. The longer she looked at him the more frantic her mind battled her confusion. Unable to handle the turn of events, letting out a soft sigh, Willow slumped towards the coldness of the ground and lay in a long awaited rest.