It had been a week. Tara had given up her locator spells and went directly to talk to Spike. No one had seen him in awhile, but she figured he was just keeping to himself because of Buffy. She wanted to get their at dusk, she was hoping that was late enough for Spike to be awake, but early enough for some sun to still be shining. She knocked and remembered what happened the last time she was here. Maybe Willow was right, maybe she was being too judgmental. She liked Zoë, she liked her enough to introduce her to Willow and the gang, and she certainly wasn't evil. Maybe just misguided. Maybe if she had been less confrontational and more understanding Zoë wouldn't have disappeared. Where could she be, anyway? Spike's door opened, but it seemed like no one was behind it. Tara stepped in and hoped the barrier Zoë created wouldn't stop her. Before she could take another step she was yanked in to the crypt and thrown to the ground. Tara looked up to see two vampires grinning at her, and one looked a lot like Zoë. Tara tried to recite an incantation to protect herself, but she was scared and her stuttering problem kicked in at just the wrong time. Before she could get a word out, Spike reached down and snapped her neck. She flopped lifelessly to the ground.

"You said we could torture her," whined Zoë.

"Sorry luv, couldn't take a chance on her getting her magical mojo up." Zoë pouted and Spike pulled her into an embrace. "It's all right baby. You can torture the next one."

"Promise?"

"I promise," answered Spike, "Would you like first crack at her, before the blood gets cold."

"You're so good to me"

"And don't you forget it."

Spike watched Zoë as she happily drained Tara. He was proud of her. She had taken to vampire life a lot easier and quicker than he expected. Hunting, lurking, none of it was a problem for her. It had been a long time since he sired anyone of competence and she was the perfect mate for him. Drusilla's whimsy without the insanity; Drusilla's insanity did have its charm though. And Buffy's sense of humor without all the beatings. Zoë looked up at Spike as he stared at her.

"Aren't you going to feed too?"

"No thank you, luv. I'll pick up something on my way back. Gotta run an errand in a minute."

"What errand? Should I go with you?"

"No, you stay here. I'll be back soon," said Spike. Spike put on his trademark leather duster and headed towards the door. He didn't walk a block away from his crypt before he turned around and shouted in the darkness.

"I thought I told you to stay put."

Zoë stepped out of the shadows and said, "I missed you."

"Get back to the crypt. I'll be home later, I promise."

"What if I get hungry?"

"I left you a perfectly good dead body."

"What if I get lonely?"

"I'll be back later!"

"I want to come with you."

"No!"

"Why?"

Spike walked up to Zoë and backhanded her.

"I won't have any back-chat from you, now get!" Zoë was crying and Spike was feeling slightly guilty. He didn't want to hit her, but he had to let her know who was in charge. He was the sire, after all, and he wasn't going to spend the next hundred years catering to another woman's every whim. Spike held her and spoke softly. "I'm sorry I hit you, pet. I just need you to go back to the crypt and stay there. I'll be back in a few hours, I promise."

"Are you seeing another woman?"

"What? No, baby its nothing like that. Daddy just needs to take care of some business that's all."

"Okay," whispered Zoë as she headed back to the crypt looking like a sad puppy.

Spike gave a loud sigh and headed in the opposite direction. It didn't take him long to get to his destination: Willow's dorm room. Spike knew that if Willow found out what happened to Tara she'd turn him and Zoë inside out, or worse. It was going to have to be quick, no chance for any magic mumbo jumbo, just a clean strike.

Spike knocked and his intended victim opened the door.

"Spike! Tara was looking for you, have you seen Zoë?"

"I've seen her. I've seen Tara, too," said Spike. His face looked grave and Willow was concerned. In that moment, Spike had a plan that would be more fun than killing Willow outright and would make things up with Zoë.

"Where are they?"

"Hiding."

"Hiding? From what?"

"It's hard to explain. I don't understand it so well myself, but they sent me for you."

"Sent you? Why? What are they hiding from?"

"I'll explain on the way, but we should go. They shouldn't be alone with those guys looking for them."

"What guys? Should we get Buffy?"

"No! I mean, they weren't fighters, but they had some pretty powerful magic. Threw me into a wall with a wave of the hand. Course once he was distracted I returned the favor."

"Who he? Who they? Is Tara all right?"

"Scared, but all right. Come on we should go."

"Wait, did Tara ask for me to bring anything. Supplies or . . . anything?"

"Not that I can remember, but I am operating with a blow to the head, remember."

"Okay, I'm going to get some books, just wait for a sec." Once Willow got everything she wanted, two books, some candles, and some herbs, she questioned Spike some more. "Spike, who are these people? Why would they go after Tara and Zoë?"

"Witch hunters."

"What! We should get Buffy."

"Relax Red, you're safe with me. Besides, I don't think they'll be coming back to my crypt anytime soon. We can tell her later, but your girl really wanted to talk with you."

"Okay, let's go."

Spike held the door open for Willow. She didn't see the wicked grin he had after she walked out the door.

Zoë had been meditating after she drained Tara. For Zoë, magic worked by understanding the way the Earth worked and how everything was connected. The Earth still worked the same, but now her place in it was different. She was meditating on her new place in the Earth system when she picked up two familiar scents. Why would he bring her hear? What's he up to? Zoë dragged Tara's body away from the front room and down into the underground portion of the crypt. Zoë decided to stay out of sight, too. She didn't know what Spike was planning and didn't want to get in the way. She also didn't want to get smacked again.

Spike opened the door and Willow walked in already calling for Tara. She was very worried. Spike invented a story about witch hunters going after Zoë and her coming to him for protection. That was what she was doing the day Tara found her in his crypt. Zoë didn't say anything because she didn't want to put Tara in danger, but Tara came to Spike's crypt earlier that evening and the witch hunters followed and attempted to attack her and Zoë. There were only two, and they were human, so Spike had no trouble handling them, except for their magic, but they weren't as adept as Zoë, Tara, or Willow. Willow was so amazed she didn't think to ask Spike why he didn't tell Buffy and the Scoobies about it. Or how the witch hunters knew Tara was a witch. And if the witch hunters knew Tara was a witch, why didn't they attack her on her way to the crypt when she was alone and vulnerable? Maybe if she had asked him, he would have fumbled and she would realize something was wrong. Unfortunately for Willow, she was too concerned about Tara to question Spike's story.

"Tara? Tara? Are you here?" called Willow. "Spike, I don't think Tara or Zoë's here."

"Sure they are," said Spike from behind her, "Zoë, come out, pet."

Zoë creeped into the front room looking confused. Willow walked up to her and inquired about Tara. Zoë didn't know what to say that wouldn't get her and Spike flayed alive. Zoë didn't have to lie as Spike trapped Willow in a bear hug from behind and sunk his teeth into her neck. Zoë followed his lead and bit the other side. Willow muttered something and the inside of Zoë and Spike's mouths were scalded. They dropped Willow and Spike punched her in the back of the head. Willow's head was spinning. The blow and the blood loss were too much. She tried to look for an exit, but Zoë kicked her in the stomach and the face. Willow went out like a light and the vampires gulped down her blood; Willow died quickly. Spike had entertained the thought of turning Willow, but he wasn't sure he wanted two vampire witches around. It was hard enough to control Zoë. Willow seemed like she'd be better at magic and harder to control. It's a real pity; she would have made a great vampire.