First half unfortunately has no bondage at all period.
Willow plopped down on the grass beside the picnic table in the park. She knew she had no business being out alone this close to sunset, but she couldn't dredge up the energy to care. Her parents were out of town, again; Buffy was training; Oz was with the band. Willow leaned back on her elbows and watched the sun sinking below the horizon. Some alone
time hadn't seemed such a bad idea, at first, but the evening was becoming interminable.
"I'm *bored*," the thought forced itself from Willow's mouth."Bored, pet?" a familiar British accent spoke from beside her.
Willow started as Spike dropped down onto the grass beside her. She scrambled to find her feet, but Spike grabbed her wrist and pulled her back down.
"Relax, Willow. I'm not going to bite," he said.Willow eyed him warily, "What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same question, love. Or were you planning to add a little zest to some vampire's meal?"
"I couldn't add zest to *anything*," Willow said forlornly.Spike raised an eyebrow, "Don't you believe it, little one." "What's that supposed to mean?" Willow asked."Have you forgotten, pet? *I* haven't forgotten that outburst, the way you stood up to me that night in the factory. That fiery defiance. Your fiery hair." He slipped his fingers through her silky tresses. She pulled away from him, and he caught her chin in his hand. "You'd make a delicious vampire," he told her.
"I think I'll pass," she replied. Spike chuckled, "How about a tasty diversion, then?" Before she realized his intentions, Willow felt Spike's lips on hers. "No--" Willow's words were cut short by the intrusion of Spike's tongue as he plundered her mouth.
He lowered her back onto the cool grass and covered her body with his. Willow had no idea how the vampire's hands could be in so many places at once, but the sensation of his hands caressing her body began to weaken any thoughts of
protest. "Spike," Willow found her voice. "We can't--"
"We are," he told her.
"Not here. What if someone comes?"
"Someone is definitely going to come, love," he promised with an evil
grin.
"Please," she breathed as his mouth found hers once again.
Spike pulled back with a sigh, "Where, then?"
Pushing all thoughts of consequences out of her mind, Willow grabbed his hand.
"C'mon," she said.
***
"You're going to invite me in?" Spike asked skeptically as Willow opened the front door of her house.
"Just tonight and you have to promise to be good."
"Baby, you've never met anyone as well as I am," he promised her.
Willow felt her blushing and swallowed hard as Spike chuckled.
"Come in, Spike," she said and led him inside.
The moment she closed the door, Spike had her in his arms. Buffy would be furious. Oz would never forgive her. But all that mattered to Willow now was the feeling of Spike's hard body pressed against hers, his strong arms pulling her closer to him, his tongue ravishing her mouth. He scooped the tiny redhead up in his arms and carried her to the bedroom.
"How did you know which room was mine?" Willow asked.
"You have no idea how many nights I've spent on that balcony, thinking about you all alone in this bed," Spike admitted.
Willow looked up at him in a mixture of surprise and alarm. Spike took advantage of her stunned silence to divest her of her sweater and bra with practiced swiftness.
He brought his mouth down to her naked breast and kissed it, teasing the hardened nipple before taking it into his mouth to suckle it gently. Willow moaned and arched into him. Spike unfastened her shorts and removed them, and her panties, in one motion. Willow toed off her sneakers and tumbled onto the bed as Spike all but tore off his own clothes. Her eyes traveled over his muscular body in undisguised admiration. She blushed fiercely as his eyes met hers. Spike laughed softly and joined her on the bed, pulling her body under him.
She felt the hardness of his erection against her stomach as Spike placed soft kisses on her forehead, her jaw line, her earlobe, her lips. He spread her legs with his knee and brought his hand to her opening. She was wet with desire for him. He gently brought her knees up and began to massage her clit with agonizing slowness. Willow gasped at the jolt of pleasure that shot through her body. Spike's tongue sought out hers as he continued the sweet torture between her legs. He brought her to the edge of her orgasm before removing his hand.
"No!" Willow gasped in desperation.
Spike brought his mouth to hers in a hard, bruising kiss as he drove himself fully inside her with one thrust. Willow cried out against his mouth, but he clenched her hair in his hand and forced her head still, deepening the kiss, drawing her senses away from the pain of his hard shaft embedded in her hot, wet channel. His tongue searched her mouth, and slowly her body relaxed and her tongue began to respond in kind as the discomfort was replaced by the exquisite feeling of being stretched and filled by his throbbing cock.
Spike began a slow rhythm inside her, and her body responded naturally, of its own accord. With one hand he continued to tease her clit as he quickened his movements. He felt her stomach muscles tense as her orgasm began to build. As she slipped over the edge, her walls clenched tightly around his rigid shaft, Spike let go and allowed his own orgasm to overtake him, spilling his cold seed deep inside her.
He kissed her, a long, slow, sweet kiss, before removing himself from her. He rolled over beside her and pulled her into his arms.
"I'm sorry I hurt you, love," he whispered as he stroked her back comfortingly.
"It only hurt for a little while," she smiled shyly.
"And then?" his voice teased.
"And then--wow," she breathed.
Spike chuckled against her ear and dropped a kiss on her shoulder. "Still bored, little one?" he asked as she snuggled against him.
"No," she smiled. "Not bored now."
"Good," he lifted her chin and kissed her softly. "I think *I* might be, tomorrow night."
"Mmmm....my turn to alleviate your boredom," she grinned sleepily.
"I'll count on it, pet. I'll count on it."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Willow's back was against the wall, literally. She looked up at the tall young man looming over her.
"What do you mean, you don't have the report? You were supposed to bring it with you tonight," the boy shouted.
"Mike, I told you I didn't think I'd be able to do it! I've been tutoring--"
"I didn't come here to listen to excuses. If I don't get that report, I don't pass the course," Mike growled.
"Why did you wait until the last minute? I don't have time to do the research and the writing now," the little redhead told him.
"If you've got time to prowl around the Bronze, you've got time to write a report," he argued.
"I was supposed to meet someone here--"
Mike grabbed Willow by the arms and pulled her up off the ground, "The hell you are. You're going to get your ass home and get started on that research. That scrawny loser you call a boyfriend can wait."
"Who are you calling a scrawny loser?" Spike asked from behind the boy.
Willow landed on the pavement with a thud as Mike released her and whirled around to face the vampire.
"You're not Oz," Mike stated as he found himself looking into a pair of very evil, very angry, eyes.
"Thankfully," Spike glared at the boy. "Do you make a habit of dragging women into alleys and threatening them, or is this a special occasion?"
"We were just having a little disagreement," Mike answered nervously as he backed away from Spike.
"Is that so? Your 'little disagreement' is over. Willow just won."
Mike raised his hands in surrender, "Hey, whatever you say. I'll leave her alone."
Spike nodded, "Sounds reasonable. If I catch you near her again--"
"No, no. I'll stay away from her. Sorry, Willow," Mike said and made a hasty retreat from the alley.
"Are you alright, pet?" Spike knelt down beside Willow.
"Yes," she smiled weakly.
He helped her to her feet, and Willow winced as she put weight on her left foot.
"Damn. I think I twisted my ankle," she moaned.
Spike grinned at the mild curse. He lifted her effortlessly in his arms and carried her out of the shadows.
"I can walk!" Willow protested.
"Be still, love. Let me play the hero," he ordered.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"To take care of that ankle."
***
"I'm sorry, Spike," Willow said.
Spike knelt in front of the sofa in the abandoned apartment house he had discovered one night after he had grown tired of his groveling minions. He gently placed a bag of ice on Willow's ankle.
Spike looked up at her, "Sorry for what, baby?"
"This," she sighed. "It was supposed to be my turn to cure your boredom."
"So far, it's working," he grinned. "What the hell were you doing at the Bronze all alone?"
"I was supposed to meet Buffy there. I went to tell her I couldn't spend the evening out with her. I'd just come outside when I ran into Mike," she explained.
Spike shook his head, "You need a bodyguard."
"Are you offering?" she teased.
He ran his hand up her calf and between her knees, "I wouldn't mind guarding this body."
"You did just fine tonight," Willow smiled.
Spike moved up onto the sofa, pulled Willow onto his lap, and gave her a hard kiss.
"Have I got the job, then?" he asked.
"It's all yours," she replied, looking into his eyes.
He kissed her softly, and Willow opened her mouth, seeking out his tongue with her own. Spike deepened the kiss and moved his hand up under her skirt. He pulled away slightly and looked at her in lusty surprise as his fingers came in contact with the soft curls between her legs.
Willow blushed hotly, "Well! You were supposed to be bored, and I--"
"And you leave me breathless, little one," he told her.
"That's not much of a compliment, coming from a vampire," she grinned.
"No? Let me put it another way," Spike suggested.
Willow suddenly found herself firmly pinned beneath her lover's body. His hands tore away her blouse, sending buttons flying, to discover she wasn't wearing a bra, either. Spike growled low in his throat and nipped carefully at the soft flesh of her breast. Willow moaned and gripped his shoulders in her small hands. She felt his cock harden against her, and her only thought was to have him inside her, now.
Spike removed the rest of her clothing and tugged off his own before bringing his hard, cold body down on her soft, warm one. She opened her legs to him, and he slammed into her wet pussy. Willow's hips rose with his, and she met him thrust for thrust, her walls gripping his hard cock as it drove relentlessly into her. Her orgasm shook her entire body, and she cried out his name. Spike buried his face in the luscious hair at her throat and grazed her neck with his teeth as he came hard inside her.
Spike remained inside her as he gently lapped at the tiny drops of blood on her neck. Willow moaned softly beneath him. He brought his mouth to hers and kissed her. He pulled away from her and brought her body to rest beside his. Willow panted softly and placed a kiss on his chest. They lay wrapped together in comfortable silence as their bodies relaxed and their senses calmed. Spike stroked her hair and wrapped his arm more tightly around her.
"No," Spike finally spoke, his voice soft and low. "It won't do."
Willow looked up at him, her eyes filled with apprehension, "Why not?"
"You were supposed to cure my boredom," he reminded her.
"Didn't I?" her voice was laced with worry.
"I haven't been bored since I met you, love," he told her as a wicked grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Sorry, pet. You'll just have to try again."
Willow giggled and settled back into his tight embrace. "No one ever called me a quitter. Next time you're bored, you just give me a call."
"Willow?" Spike said after a brief silence.
"Mmmm?"
"I'm bored."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
"Hey, where were you last night?" Oz asked Willow as they sat in the Bronze. "I tried to call you after the band finished. No answer."
"I was studying," Willow explained. "Big paper due tomorrow, lots of research. I turned off the phone."
"Reasonable explanation. I'd better go help the band set up," he gave her a quick kiss.
"Okay," Willow smiled.
"Hello, Willow," Angel appeared at the table and sat down across from her.
"Hi. Where's Buffy?"
"On her way, I guess," he shrugged. "Where were you really last night?"
"What?"
"I overheard you and Oz. You weren't home last night," he told her.
"Yes, I was. I--"
"You were here. At the Bronze. With Spike,"
Willow stared at him in mute shock. Angel covered her small hand with his.
"I saw you, Willow," he continued. "Outside. I was going to intervene, but you certainly didn't seem to be struggling when he grabbed you and carried you off into the darkness."
Willow refused to meet his eyes, "Angel, it isn't what you think."
"Isn't it? It sure looked like what I'm thinking."
"We're friends. That's all."
"Friends," Angel repeated. "Spike doesn't have friends. He has victims, minions, and conquests, but not friends."
"There's a first time for everything," Willow argued.
Angel leaned toward her, "What do you think Buffy is going to do when she finds out you're killing time with a killer?"
"You can't tell Buffy! Please!" Willow begged.
The dark vampire removed his hand from hers and gave her a long look before he spoke, "What about Oz? Do you know what this will do to him? Have you thought about any of this? How far have things gone between you and Spike? He's screwing you, isn't he?"
"That's none of your business!" Willow hissed.
"You're my friend, Willow. Probably the best friend I've ever had. Don't ask me to sit by and watch him destroy you. I can't do that."
"It isn't like that. I swear it! Please, Angel, you're in love with Buffy. You know what it feels like for a vampire and a human to be close," Willow reasoned.
"I have a soul, Willow. Spike is a cold, sadistic bastard. He isn't capable of loving, not the way you mean. Trust me; I've been there."
"Hey, guys!" Buffy called out as she crossed the room. "What are you two talking so seriously about?"
"Who, me? Serious? Never!" Willow exclaimed with feigned cheerfulness. "Well, now that you're here to keep the big guy in line, I should be going."
"I thought you were going to spend some time with us," Buffy replied.
"I have a huge exam on Monday. I need to hit the books," Willow explained. "I'll catch you later, though."
"Well, okay," Buffy said as Willow rose to leave.
Angel leapt from his chair and stopped her at the door, "You're going to him, aren't you?"
Willow sighed, "I'm going home. To study."
Angel shook his head sadly, "I wish I could believe you."
"Believe what you like. I have to go. I'll talk to you later." She pulled open the door and left.
"Yes, you will," he vowed as he watched the door close.
"Angel, what's going on?" Buffy asked after Angel returned to their table.
He took her hand, "Sit down, Buffy. There's something you need to know.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Spike moved silently behind Willow as she stood gazing around the shadows of the tombstones in the cemetery. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back against him.
"What are you doing out here?" he spoke into her ear.
Willow recoiled and turned to face him, "Looking for you."
Spike noted the anxious look in her eyes, "What is it, little one? What's wrong?"
"Angel knows about us," she told him.
"He knows--what, exactly?"
"He saw us at the Bronze last night," she answered.
"Bloody hell," Spike murmured. "He's talked to you, then?"
Her coppery hair gleamed in the moonlight as she nodded her head. "I just left him at the Bronze, with Buffy. He's going to tell her, Spike. I know it."
Willow was trembling slightly, and the blonde vampire hugged her to him and kissed the top of her head.
"It's alright, love," he whispered.
"No, it isn't. She'll come after you. They both will. I told Angel we're just friends--"
"But soul boy didn't buy it," Spike guessed.
"No. I'm scared," she admitted.
"I know, baby. I'll take care of it."
"How?" she asked, looking up at him.
"I'll talk to them."
"Spike, you can't! They'll stake you!"
"Not if they want you back," he replied.
"What do you mean?" fear reverberated in Willow's voice.
"Hey," he tilted her chin and kissed her long and deep. "I'd never hurt
you."
Willow put her arms around him and held him close, "I know that. I'm
sorry."
"But they don't," he reminded her. "That's our ace, pet. Come on."
"Where? The apartment?"
"No, it isn't safe there. I'm taking you to the lair."
Willow literally jumped out of his arms, "Are you crazy?"
Spike laughed and pulled her back to him, "Probably. Listen to me, pet. I've set up in an old warehouse down by the river. No one knows about it, not even the slayer. My boys are there; you'll be protected."
"Protected? By vampires?" she squeaked.
"They'll do what I tell them to. They won't hurt you," Spike promised her. "Angel and his blonde bitch will be desperate to get you back, especially if they think you were coerced into going."
"I don't know," she said.
"What's the alternative, love? Give you up? Not bloody likely. Do you
trust me?"
"I shouldn't," she answered. "But I do."
"Alright, then. Come on."
Willow allowed Spike to lead her out of the cemetery.
***
The warehouse was musty and dark. Light emanated from dirty bulbs suspended from the ceiling and pooled about the floors, creating eerie shadows in the sparsely-furnished room. Two burly vampires emerged from one of those shadows and eyed the little redhead with interest. Willow moved closer to Spike, and he curled a protective arm around her waist.
"She's mine, boys," Spike growled. "The first one who lays a hand on her will find himself hanging from the nearest flagpole to be roasted by the dawn's early light. Understood?"
The vampires nodded and backed off.
"Good. Willow's going to be staying here for awhile. She'll be in my room. I don't expect we'll have any company, but if anyone does show up and tries to take her, I want their entrails in a jar."
"We'll keep a careful watch," the taller of the two minions nodded.
"Right. Have you eaten, pet?" Spike asked Willow.
"No. Have they?" she answered.
Spike chuckled, "You're safe here, love." To the two vampires he said, "Get her something to eat. Knock on the bedroom door and leave it in the corridor."
The smaller vampire disappeared into the darkness to carry out his master's orders.
Spike took Willow's hand and led her to his bedroom. He ushered her inside and closed the door. Willow's eyes scanned the room, taking in the burgundy velvet armchair in the corner, the mahogany chest of drawers and king-sized bed draped with a black satin duvet.
Spike moved beside her and ran a hand through her hair.
"Want to try it out, sweet?" he asked as he followed her gaze to the bed.
Willow blushed, "We don't have time."
"We'll make time," he grinned.
He pulled her over to the bed and swept the green sweater over her head, dropping it to the floor. She shivered as his hand cupped her breast and his mouth met hers. He sucked gently on her lip and slipped his tongue inside her mouth.
He felt her warm hands against his cold flesh as she undocked his shirt and worked at the button on his jeans. Encouraged by the moan that issued from his throat, she pulled at the zipper and drew out his stiffening cock. It was Spike's turn to shiver as his lover gently drew her fingers down the length of his shaft. Their hands moved over each other as they quickly undressed one another.
Spike pushed Willow back onto the bed and lowered himself down on her. He propped himself on one elbow as his other hand found the sensitive core between her legs. He gently massaged her clit, readying her body for his. Spike trailed soft kisses down her neck as he entered her slowly, savoring the warmth of her wet channel. He grinned at her moan of desire and began a slow rhythm inside her.
No one had ever elicited the feelings in Willow that this undead man did. She ran her hands down his muscled back and gripped his hard ass, urging him to bring her the release she craved. He increased his thrusts, driving hard inside her. He felt the slight tremble through her body that signaled the fire that was burrowing its way from her pussy through her entire being. Willow gasped as her mind began to spin with the onset of her orgasm. Her pussy clamped around his cock, and Spike growled as the delicious pressure pushed him to the edge of his own orgasm. He came in a single, violent shudder.
Spike drew Willow's arms to the sides of her body and pinned them there. He took her mouth in a brutal kiss. His tongue ravished her mouth as he continued to drive into her, placing pressure against her clit. Willow tensed and breathed his name as her orgasm gripped her, driving everything, save the man inside her, from her consciousness.
Spike pushed himself off her and grabbed her in a satisfied embrace, pulling her against him. She was breathing heavily against his chest, and he calmed her with gentle caresses and soft whispers. Finally, she shifted so she was at eye level with him and kissed him slowly.
"No one else could ever to that to me," she told him.
"No one else ever will," he vowed.
He gently pushed her back down onto the bed and tugged at the duvet to cover her naked body.
"I have a vampire to meet," he reminded her as he moved off the bed and pulled on his clothes.
"Spike," Willow reached out a hand to him. He took it and brushed his lips against it. "Please, be careful."
"Rest now, little one. I shouldn't be gone more than an hour or two," he told her. "Don't leave this room, and keep the door locked."
"Alright," she said.
He bent to kiss her before leaving her to drift off to sleep. He stepped into the darkened corridor, where his minion stood waiting.
"See to it that she stays here. Don't let her leave that room under any circumstances," Spike ordered.
"What if she--"
"She won't," Spike snarled, then thought better of that statement. "If she does, stop her. Use force if you have to. But no biting. I'll be back in a couple of hours."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Spike leaned against the outside wall of the bar and waited. The slayer would pass by here on patrol, and since she'd be looking for more than vampires tonight, he knew she'd have Angel in tow. He heard their hushed voices from around the corner and stepped out onto the sidewalk. Buffy and Angel came to a halt as they found themselves in front of the blonde vampire.
"Spike," Angel hissed. "We've been looking for you."
"I'm touched. I didn't know you cared," Spike replied.
"Where's Willow?" Buffy asked.
"Don't you know? She's *your* friend," Spike answered.
"Damn it, Spike. We know she's been spending time with you," Angel snarled.
Spike smirked, "There's a lot of fire under all that red hair."
"Where is she?" Buffy asked again.
"The way I figure it, if Willow didn't tell you, she didn't want you to know."
"Or she can't tell us. If you've hurt her--" Angel took a step toward him.
"Why should I do that?" Spike inquired.
"To get at us," Buffy answered.
"Don't flatter yourself, Slayer. You're not worth the effort."
Angel reached out and grabbed Spike by the collar, "Answer the question! What have you done with Willow?"
Spike pushed Angel's hands aside, "Well, not quite everything, yet, but we're working on it. She's safe, for now. You're awfully concerned, aren't you, for someone who's shagging the slayer? Oh, sorry, make that past tense. Soul boy isn't allowed to get it up in mixed company."
Angel's fist connected with Spike's jaw. The impact sent him reeling back a pace. Angel grabbed hold of him and slammed him back against the brick wall. Buffy advanced from behind, stake in hand.
"Start talking, Spike," Buffy advised.
"I don't think so. I've got her. Why would I want to give her back?"
"Because she'll stake your dead heart if you don't," Angel answered.
"I doubt that. How are you planning on finding her if I'm gone? No one knows where she is except me--and Willow, but she hasn't the desire to leave. Or the energy. We rather depleted that."
"You and Willow--" Buffy couldn't bring herself to phrase the question.
"Believe me, she was more than willing."
"She'll come to her senses. She'll leave you," Buffy argued.
"She'll have to get past me first," Spike told her.
"Just stake him, Buffy. We'll find Willow," Angel growled.
"With her throat torn out. If I'm not back, the boys will see to it," Spike replied.
"Let him go, Angel," Buffy said.
Angel looked at her in disbelief.
"Let him go. We can't take the chance, not with Willow."
Reluctantly, Angel released his grip on Spike and stepped back.
"If it makes you feel any better, I have no intention of hurting Willow," Spike informed them.
"Unless she tries to walk out on you," Angel sneered.
"Well, I could always turn her instead. She'd make one hell of a vampire," Spike laughed at the pained expression on Buffy's face. "Don't worry, Slayer. I rather enjoy her warm little body."
His admission did nothing to ease the worry in Buffy's eyes.
"As much as I'm enjoying this little chat, I really should be going. I'll give Willow your regards," Spike's eyes danced wickedly.
"Watch your back, Spike, because this isn't over. We'll get her back," Angel spoke through clenched teeth.
"And when we do, you're ashes," Buffy promised.
Spike gave them an amused stare, "I think you'll find Willow has other ideas."
***
Sleep had fled Willow, and she was getting restless in the silent bedroom. She moved to the door and tried the doorknob. It was securely locked. A menacing growl from the other side of the door sent Willow scurrying back to the bed.
A few moments passed, and she heard a key in the lock. Spike pushed the door open, and Willow flew to him. He closed the door and took her in his arms.
"Did you find them?" she asked.
"Yes," he answered.
"And?" she pulled back to look into his piercing eyes.
Spike grinned, "They didn't give us their blessing."
"Will they at least leave us alone?"
"What do you think, love? We should be alright tonight. They think I'll hurt you if they try to come after you."
"You wouldn't, would you?" she asked.
"Willow," he whispered against her silky hair. "Do you really need to ask that question?"
"No," she looked down. "It's just--this place is so quiet and spooky. I start having all kinds of dark thoughts."
"You need a distraction," he suggested as he traced her jaw with his finger. "I'll bet I can think of something."
***
"I can't believe this is happening," Buffy breathed a heavy sigh as she
and Angel stood on her doorstep.
"Willow's a smart girl. We'll talk to her, make her listen to reason,"
Angel reassured her.
"What if she won't?" Buffy asked.
"Then we'll have to try something more drastic," he answered.
"He'll kill her, or turn her," she stated.
"Not if we get to her first."
"What do you mean? Angel, what are you thinking?" she demanded.
Angel smiled at her impatience, "Spike isn't the only one who can drag her off and hide her away."
Buffy shook her head, "She won't go for that."
"Who said she has to?"
"Kidnap her? Drag her away by force?" Buffy exclaimed.
"If it comes to that, if she won't listen to us. It would be better than letting Spike have her."
Angel watched as Buffy considered the idea.
"Well, maybe," she said.
"I'll make the arrangements, just so we're ready if we need to be. Try not to worry, Buffy. We won't let Spike win."
"I wonder if Willow realizes what a good friend she has in you," Buffy placed a hand against his cheek. "I love you."
Angel clasped her hand in his and kissed it, "Bring her to the mansion tomorrow."
"You think Spike will let her go?"
"I do," he nodded. "He's gotten to her; she's on his side, for now. Besides, people will be concerned if she's missing for very long. He won't want everyone else looking for her, too."
"Okay," Buffy agreed. "I'll get her to your place tomorrow evening."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^6
"Is it true?"
"Oz!" Willow closed her locker door and turned to face him and Xander, who was standing beside him.
"Is it true, Willow? Are you and Spike--"
"Is he fucking you?????†Xander asked bluntly.
Willow's mouth dropped open and a crimson blush stained her cheeks, "What the hell is this? Is Buffy running around the halls spreading the news to the entire student body?"
"Willow, I don't understand," Oz said with a mixture of pain and disgust. "How could you let him?"
"Oz, I'm sorry if you're hurting, but you know how things have been between us. It's always awkward when you and I are together, ever since--"
"You can't deal with living, breathing guys, so you're going after dead ones?" Xander asked. "What is it with you women and vampires, anyway? Is it their pearly white fangs, their pale complexions, their total lack of decency?"
"Shut up, Xander," Willow snapped. "You've been playing girls, like Oz plays guitar, for years. Why should you give a damn that I'm seeing? You passed me by long ago."
"This isn't you, Willow," Oz's voice was strained.
"Isn't it?" she argued. "I spent weeks trying to make things right between us. Every time I look at you, I see disappointment."
"That's your imagination," he told her.
"Really? I don't think so. I'm tired of should-have-been. Oz, I'll always care about you, but we have to move past this."
"Move past it to what? That bastard?" Xander spoke.
"You know something, Xander? I've just realized I don't give a damn what you think of me. I don't care what any of you think. Spike doesn't judge me. He doesn't try to make me something that I'm not. He likes *Me.*"
"Well, he likes part of you, anyway," Xander's eyes traveled down Willow's body.
"Screw you, Xander," she shot back.
Buffy heard their angry voices from the end of the hallway and quickly made her way over to the trio.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"Nothing. I'm leaving," Willow brushed past the two men.
"Wait, Willow," Buffy fell into step beside her. "We need to talk."
"Oh," Willow moaned. "I don't think I can take any more talk. I've heard enough for one day."
"Please, Willow, for our friendship's sake."
Willow gave her a sideways glance.
"Just come with me tonight. Hear Angel and me out. If you still disagree, we'll drop it," Buffy said.
"Okay," the redhead sighed. "If it'll put an end to all of this."
"Thank you," Buffy smiled.
***
"You realize this is a waste of time," Willow said as she sat on the sofa in the mansion."Come on, Willow, don't be like that. At least give us the benefit of an open mind," Buffy asked.Willow sighed, "I'm listening."Buffy and Angel sat down on either side of her."I don't know what Spike's motivation is in all of this," Angel admitted. "But I do know that it isn't altruistic. He's after you for a reason, Willow, and you're going to find yourself in the middle of something you can't get out of."
"Why do you assume that?" Willow gave him a cold look. "He can't just want to be with me? I know I'm not the most beautiful person in the world, but I'm not that bad.""That's not what I meant," Angel protested."I don't know what you do mean, and you don't seem to be able to express it. You just keep uttering the same, baseless warnings.""Baseless!" Buffy replied. "This is Spike we're talking about! He threatened to hurt you last night.""What do you expect him to do when you've backed him into a corner? Our relationship is our own business, and only ours. No one asked you to get involved."
Buffy ran a hand through her hair and stood up, "What the hell is wrong with you? I don't even recognize this person.""Willow, would you consider a suggestion?" Angel asked."Depends.""Stop seeing Spike for a couple of weeks, just to gain some perspective. Then see how you feel about him," Angel requested."No!" Willow refused emphatically. "My perspective is just fine. In fact, it's clearer than it's ever been. Our friendship is conditional. As long as I'm good, sweet, dependable little Willow, the stepping stone in the slayer's river, everything is fine. But the minute I decide to do something for myself, I'm scorned.""That's not fair," Buffy told her.
"Like you should talk. I told you this would be a waste of time. You've had your say. I've listened. I'm leaving," Willow rose from the sofa.Angel stood and put a restraining hand on her arm, "We're not finished.""You're not? I am. Leave me alone, and leave Spike alone, too. I may not be able to fight like Buffy, but I will make you regret it if you try to interfere with us again," Willow threatened.Relinquishing all hope of getting through to her, Buffy did something she never, even in her most bizarre dreams, imagined she would. She hit her best friend, hard. Willow collapsed against Angel, and he caught her up in his arms before she hit the floor.
Meanwhile Spike paced angrily back and forth on the cold cement floor in the warehouse. Willow was to have met him across from the bus terminal. He'd waited an hour; she hadn't shown. He'd gone by her house; it was dark and deserted. That had been two hours ago and still there'd been no sign of her. The streets were suspiciously void of the slayer. They'd taken her; he knew it. What he didn't know was *where* they'd taken her.
He'd sent half a dozen of his minions out to scour the town. The first to return with no information had been staked with a nail-embedded plank by his furious master. As the others had returned with the same lack of news, he'd realized it wouldn't be wise to kill all the messengers.
Spike brought his foot up under the low, well-worn table in front of him and sent it flying against the far wall. It clattered to the ground in splinters. "Damn it, Willow! Where are you?" he growled.