Chapter 6

Escalation

"Giles", Willow breathlessly exclaimed as she burst through the doors of the library. "Have you heard from Ms. Calendar? She wasn't in class today."

Sitting down the books he had been sorting the Watcher turned to the distressed teen. "We shouldn't rush to panic right away, Willow. She could simply be ill."

Dropping her backpack Willow sank into a chair. "Just got a wiggins. Angelus found out she cast that uninvite spell plus she's been working on a way to recurse him."

"I know it has been difficult to say least these past few weeks. Do try not work yourself up over something so insignificant." Giles placed a comforting hand on Willow's slumped shoulders. His concern for the girl was overwhelming. A master vampire had set his sights on her, and her best friend greatest protection from this threat was not understanding of the situation.

"Psst... there's a gypsy in the garden." Drusilla whispered to Spike as he rolled into the living room of the mansion.

With Dru you couldn't be sure if she was speaking in riddles, or the truth there was only one way to find out. "Is that so, luv?'

Giggling the dark haired vampire sat down by the fire. "Angelus planted her there, but she won't grow."

After centuries of caring for Drusilla he had come to understand her in a way not even her sire could. Her meaning was clear. Angelus had killed the Calendar woman and buried her in their garden. What didn't make sense to the bleach blond was why he hadn't displayed his kill as was his habit. Angelus loved a spot of mental torture almost as much as physical. Unless he was serious about the seduction of the Slayer's shadow.

Safely hidden in the rows of darkened bookshelves Angelus took stock of the library. Yawning and rubbing her tired green eyes Willow looked up from the book she had been reading. Giles poured over tomes in his office. The slayer lay sleeping on his couch. Xander and Cordelia had volunteered to go on a doughnut and coffee run, but knowing the teens they were most likely making out somewhere along the way.

Research on the latest baddie Thanos was slow going. Sighing she returned to the stacks in search of another book.

"Try the Innara Chronicles, little one." His hand automatically shot out to cover Willow's mouth. "Lets keep things civil shall we? No calling out for the Slayer."

Nodding her consent she warily observed Angelus. Once he removed his hand the teen took a calming breath. "Why are you helping us?"

"I'm making sure the dim witted Slayer can keep you safe", he responded swiftly. Angelus ran a hand through her fiery strands. He pulled the petite girl into his arms lowering his head for a kiss. He felt it the moment she surrendered to his kiss. Willow went from rigid to pliant in his embrace began to reciprocate his kiss. He slipped a hand under her shirt teasing her breast through the thin material of her bra. Arching upwards under his touch Willow moaned into his mouth. A nagging inner voice kept telling her this was wrong that he was the enemy, yet her body betrayed her.

"Willow are you still here?" Giles voice broke through her lustful haze.

Gasping for breath Willow pulled away from the vampire. "Y-yes, just getting more books for research." Pushing Angelus away she whispered, "you need before-".

Angelus silenced her with another deep demanding kiss. "This isn't over by a long shot."

Just as the vampire had said the Innara Chronicles did contain a wealth of information on the demon Thanos. "Giles I've found something here."

Looking over the information the teen had just found the Watcher declared the teens should go home and get some rest.

"I should go slay it. Slayer here." Buffy declared when Giles insisted they go home.

"It says here Thanos only appears in the mortal realm when summoned to deal out vengeance. When you stumbled across him killing that man he was just fulfilling his duties. It's very possible he has left this realm already. You of course should do a sweep for him tomorrow night just to be sure."

Willow stifled a yawn watching their exchange. Xander and Cordelia had still not returned, and she shuddered to think of what the two could possibly be doing. It was looking as if she would being dealing with Buffy's resentment on the walk home tonight.

The two girls bid the Watcher farewell and left the library. When they neared the school's exit Buffy turned to her friend. "Are you good walking home without a chaperon tonight?"

The witch was unsure whether to be relieved or concerned. Though it seemed her only worry at the moment should be in regards to her virtue. "You're exhausted just go home and get some rest. I'll be fine."

Smiling brightly Buffy gave Willow a half-hearted goodbye then set off in the opposite direction. The red head was less than a block away when she became aware she was being followed. Though she couldn't see the person stalking her Willow knew they were there none the less. Hesitantly she called out, "who's there?" She spun to look behind her no one was there.

Turning to resume her original path she came face to face with Drusilla. Jumping back in shock Willow tripped over a crack in the pavement. The vampire kneeled down leaning over the startled girl. "I'm Drusilla I've been waiting to meet you, but Daddy said it wasn't time yet."

Willow stared into the mad woman's penetrating blue eyes. "S-so, now is the time" she stuttered wishing the woman was not quite so close to her. The things she heard about Drusilla had her wishing she wasn't in such a vulnerable position.

"Angelus and Spikey don't know I'm here. You're going to be my surprise for Daddy." With the swiftness only her kind possessed the vampire struck Willow knocking her unconscious.