Chapter 11
An Invitation

"But then again, what is college for if not experimenting, you know?
Maybe I can handle it. I'll know when I've reached my limit."
- Willow, 'Fear Itself'

The Grotto was mostly empty this early in the evening. Spike and Willow had found seats on one of the couches lining the walls of the small, underground café. Spike surveyed the other customers cautiously. He didn't think the soldier boy and his pals would hang out at a place like this, but it never hurt to be careful. His day had been humiliating enough so far, as it was.

Poetry! Of all the possible options Willow had to choose from for his supposed area of study, she chose poetry. Poetry! He hadn't written a verse in decades, and it still managed to find a way to haunt him. He could imagine the look on the Slayer's face when she found out the truth. He'd just have to make sure she never discovered who 'William' really was, that's all.

Spike took a long sip of his coffee, trying to regain focus. He'd had a reason for tracking down the redhead today, and her coffee invitation made it that much easier. Surely he'd be able to introduce his new scheme over a few casual cups.

They talked about inconsequentials for a while: Willow's schoolwork, her magic practice, her new Wiccan friend. Spike kept waiting for the right moment to introduce his big project. He wondered if there would be a right moment, today. Willow had declared them as 'just friends' only the day before, after all. But Spike needed to know her answer soon. He had plans to set in motion. Finally, he found a break in the conversation, and plunged ahead.

"What are you doing for your winter holidays, love?"

"Not much. I was going to take some classes over the break, but the ones I wanted were full. Why?"

"Well, seeing as how you and me are best pals now, I was hoping you would save a date for me. I've got a bit of a field trip planned for us."

"If I can, I will," Willow said slowly, clearly intrigued, "When did you have in mind?"

"Next weekend," he said.

"The whole weekend?" she cried, surprised.

"Yes, the whole thing," he confirmed, "I want to take you on a trip somewhere. Call it an early Christm…" A raised eyebrow from Willow was all Spike needed to know he'd misfired. "Er…Hanukk…um…Winter Solstice present." He wasn't sure which of the two she celebrated anymore, but better safe than sorry.

"Well, it'd be late for Hanukkah, actually, but still early for the Solstice, so that works. What kind of trip?" she queried, tilting her head to the side with curiosity.

"The kind that's a surprise." He saw her start to frown, and hastened to reassure her. "Don't worry, it's all expenses paid. I'll take care of everything. All you need to do is show up."

Clearly, he hadn't allayed all of her fears, though.

"I don't know, Spike. A weekend trip? You and me? That sounds pretty couplesome, don't you think?" Her tone was skeptical.

"Separate rooms, love, separate rooms," he pledged, hoping it would be enough. "You're under no obligation to be anything more than friends, I promise you." He tried dangling a lure once more. "I just want to do something nice for you, something I think you'll enjoy."

"What?" she asked eagerly, her curiosity peaked still further.

"That, you won't find out unless you come with me," he said teasingly.

"Oh, Spike, just a hint, please?"

He thought about it, while Willow folded her hands into a begging posture and looked at him with pleading eyes.

"Alright, your hint is that it has to be next weekend, or else Cinderella's coach turns back into a pumpkin. One time offer, only," he declared.

"That's my hint?" Willow was crestfallen.

"That's a big hint. You know that it's not just a getaway. We have time-sensitive plans there, too," Spike replied, well-pleased with himself.

"But that could be anything," she complained, "It could be a shrimp-catching festival somewhere."

"It won't be a bloody shrimp-catching festival, and you know it. But the only way you're going to find out what it is, is if you say 'yes'."

"One more hint? Please?"

Spike was not proof against the power of Willow's puppy eyes. Racking his brain, he tried to think of something that wouldn't give the whole plan away.

"Alright, just one, though. It's something that we talked about. Happy?"

Willow's look was puzzled. "Something we talked about," she said to herself, "Something we…Spike! We've talked about lots of things, how am I supposed to guess?"

"Well, I never said it would be an easy hint. That wouldn't be much fun. Now are you coming with me or not?"

"Can I think about it?" Willow pleaded, stalling for time.

"Don't think for too long, princess. I've got arrangements to make and all."

"One day," she promised, still clearly pondering the riddle Spike had given her. "I'll give you an answer in one day."

"What would you think if a guy asked you to go away for the weekend with him?" Willow asked.

She and Buffy were sharing a rare afternoon together, enjoying iced mochas at the Espresso Pump.

"William?" Buffy asked.

Willow nodded. "He wants us to go away…somewhere, next weekend."

"Somewhere?" Buffy's eyebrow raised at that.

"He won't tell me. Says it's a surprise."

"I'd be worried," the blonde confirmed, "Plus, I thought you two were supposed to be just friends."

"It's separate hotel rooms, he promised. And he seems to keep forgetting that we're just friends, now."

"Now?" Buffy seized on the word. "Meaning you were more than friends before? Why didn't you tell me?"

Willow blushed. "It was just a kiss. A few kisses. A few nights of kissing," she corrected, remembering evenings spent making out in the graveyards of Sunnydale, during their crypt hunt, "But then I got the letter, and…"

"You decided to wait for Oz. Will, are you sure about that?"

"No," the redhead confessed, "I'm not sure of anything these days. It seemed like the right decision at the time, but now, I don't know. And this trip sounds like a lot of fun."

"How can it?" Buffy protested. "You don't even know where you're going!"

"Just the idea of going away somewhere. Plus, I always have a good time with him."

"Yeah, too much of a good time," Buffy grumbled.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that at least twice that I know of, this guy's brought you home dead drunk. I don't think a full weekend is such a good idea."

"You're blowing things out of proportion," Willow protested, "Besides, both of those times it was because of Oz. That won't happen during this trip."

"Right, because you and this William guy are just friends now, and he's not trying to change your mind with a big mystery trip." Buffy's tone was dry.

Willow grimaced. "Stop calling him 'this William guy', would you? It's just William."

"Sorry, Will. It's just that I've never met this…William. I don't know what to think of him," Buffy countered.

"Well, he's been a good friend to me so far," Willow explained, "He's cheered me up lots of times. He's been a good listener, too. Especially as you've been kind of elsewhere, what with Riley and everything."

Buffy looked down into her drink and stirred it with her straw.

"I didn't realize I'd been ignoring you. I'm sorry if I have," she said.

"Not ignoring, precisely," Willow temporized, not wanting her friend to feel bad, "You've just been a little…distracted, that's all. And I want you to have a life, and everything. I don't expect you to drop it all for me. Plus, I've had William to keep my company."

Buffy looked dubious at that last comment, but let it slide. "Still, I've been a bad friend. I should make it up to you. Let's go shopping sometime. Say, next weekend?"

"Ha-ha, funny. You know I've got plans next weekend. Potential plans," she corrected herself.

"Sounds like you've already made up your mind," Buffy observed.

"I have to admit, the curiosity is driving me crazy. Which he probably knew. And the hints he gave me were useless. There's no way I'm going to be able to figure it out."

Willow gazed out at the street, once more trying to think of something she'd talked to Spike about that would give her a clue. They'd talked about his past a good deal. Could it be something historical? In a museum, maybe? Then why would it need to be next weekend, specifically? Or magic, perhaps. That had been another popular topic. But then, what would he have in mind? A witchcraft convention of some sort? That seemed absurd to Willow.

She realized belatedly that Buffy was waving a hand up and down in front of her face, trying to get her attention.

"Earth to Willow. You still there?" the blonde joked.

"Yeah, sorry Buffy. Just trying to decode these hints I've got," Willow explained.

"That's twice you've mentioned hints. What are they?"

"That it's something he and I talked about, and it has to be next weekend, or it won't be there," Willow recited

"Those are hints?" Buffy was incredulous.

"I don't think he wants me to guess. I've already searched the web for special events happening next weekend, but without knowing how far we're going, it's not much help."

"He could be taking you anywhere," Buffy observed.

"Well, there are limits," Willow said, eyeing the bright sunlight. Spike would need to travel in darkness, wouldn't he? That could be another clue.

"No, I mean it. He really could be taking you anywhere," Buffy said, with real concern. "Nobody would know where you were or how to reach you. We don't even know what he looks like. Once he had you in the car, he could take off for who knows where."

"Buffy, you're being a little alarmist, don't you think? Nothing's going to happen. English Lit. major, remember? He'll be a perfect gentleman, I guarantee it."

Willow just hoped it would be enough to quiet Buffy's fears. She couldn't explain about the chip, and the Initiative, and how Spike was staying close to Sunnydale in the hopes of getting the device removed. Or how Spike couldn't possibly overpower her right now, even if he wanted to.

"I don't know, Will." Buffy was clearly still dubious.

"Well, I do," Willow stated firmly, "I trust him. Can't you just trust me to trust him?"

"It's not that simple, though."

"Why can't it be? Why can't you say 'Willow, I trust you. Have fun on your trip.'"

"Because I care about you, that's why. And because I don't think your decision-making skills are the best when it comes to William," Buffy explained patiently.

"Oh, gee, thanks. A few rounds of drinks, and suddenly I can't make my own decisions?" Willow said, stung by her friend's words.

"I didn't say that. I just think maybe you don't see too clearly when he's involved. This trip is kind of over the top, don't you think?"

"No, I don't think," Willow answered primly. "I think it sounds like a fun adventure, and I want to take it. I've made up my mind, and you can't change it."

Buffy sighed. "Fine. But could you at least get a destination from this guy, in case we need to contact you?"

"And spoil the surprise? No way," Willow said stubbornly. "William's worked really hard on this, and I don't want to ruin it for him."

"Two minutes ago, you weren't even sure you wanted to go. Now you don't want to spoil the surprise?"

"Okay, yeah, sure, I still have some question marks about the whole thing, but I won't find out unless I go. And I really want to know what this trip is all about," Willow declared.

"Well, I still think you're making a mistake. I just don't trust this guy for some reason. Call it Slayer instinct. For all you know, he could be some kind of monster," Buffy pointed out.

"I know exactly what he is," Willow dodged. "He's not someone you need to worry about. Besides, even if something did happen, I've got my magic to defend me."

Buffy sighed once more. "Will, your magic isn't very reliable at the best of times. I mean, what are you going to do, anyway, throw a glamour on him? That won't stop him."

"Hey! I can do more than glamours. That's just what I've been working on lately. And my magic is much improved, now, thank you very much," Willow huffed, offended.

"Okay, fine, you're a wiz at magic. I still don't think you should go. But since I'm obviously not going to be able to change your mind, I'd rather not fight about it," Buffy said, turning back to her drink.

Willow frowned, but said nothing, focusing on her drink as well. She was disappointed. It was as if Buffy didn't support her at all, anymore. Lately, it seemed more and more as if Spike was the only one really there for her.

Thoughts of Spike brought her back to thinking about his mystery trip. Willow began to smile a little in anticipation. Whatever the plan was, it would be fun. She had convinced herself of that by now. She couldn't wait for next weekend, so she could finally find out what Spike had in mind. It was going to be great.