Inell's Fanfiction Archive

Willow smiled softly across the table at Graham. It had been a week since her rescue. She hadn't seen Spike since he had tucked her into bed after giving her a bath that night. She had tried to find him but he was gone. Graham had been there to help her though.

They were starting off as friends. So much had happened in the year they were apart that it seemed the only place to begin rebuilding a relationship. None of her friends knew about Faith. Buffy hadn't even been concerned when she was gone. Oh, initially she had been worried, but she had assumed that Willow with her old friend.

Faith. Willow sighed thinking about the slayer. They were getting her help. Graham knew some people that were able to get her a doctor. It seemed to be working. She was regaining her strength and she hadn't tried anything funny yet. She seemed apologetic for all that had happened. In fact, surprisingly, she and Willow were becoming friends. They had never been friends.

"You miss him" Graham said softly. He had noticed that faraway look in her green eyes again.

"I'm sorry. I can't help it. He means a lot to me."

"I know. You love him." Graham said, his voice resigned.

"Yeah, I do. I love you too though."

"Just not enough" Graham replied softly.

"More than enough" Willow said, her voice sure. "I just love him the same. You both mean so much to me. I hate not knowing if he is even around anymore. He told me once that I was what was keeping him from walking into the sun....what if he felt that he lost me?"

"I don't think that Spike is the type to take care of his issues by killing himself, personally." Graham commented, making her smile.

"I know...but I hate not knowing for sure. I can't forget him....."

"It's going to be ok. He'll come back. When he does, you know that you will have to make a decision don't you?"

Willow nodded slowly, "I know. Could you just hold me? Please?"

Graham stood, his eyes on her face. He moved beside her on the couch and took her in his arms. He ran his hand through her hair, calming her with his soft words.

"I miss him so much" Willow said, sniffling. "Why won't he come back to see me?"

"He will. Don't worry, Willow. I'm sure he's fine." Graham spoke quietly. He hated to see her in pain, but in another way he hoped the vampire had left for good. He honestly didn't know who she would choose.

***

Willow used her extra key and entered the apartment. She heard moaning and hid a grin. Rolling her eyes, she ventured to the kitchen. Faith screamed out loudly. Willow began to make herself a drink, looking around for the glasses.

"Hey Red" Faith said, wandering into the kitchen. She was wearing an old pair of sweats and a t-shirt.

"Didn't mean to interrupt" Willow said, looking at the fresh hickey on the slayer's neck.

"I was done" Faith said, sitting on the counter. "Where's soldier boy?"

"He had patrol tonight" Willow said, taking a sip of her soda. She offered one to Faith who immediately gulped it down.

"Man, sex sure makes me thirsty." Faith said, smiling.

"Thought it made you hungry...." Willow said, sitting on the table.

"Nah, that's slaying."

"Oh. Guess I got them mixed up."

"How are you?" Faith suddenly asked. She looked at Willow and saw the dark circles under her friend's eyes. She still couldn't believe that after everything the girl had forgiven her. Hell, she'd pushed her into getting herself cleaned up and on the right track.

"Fine" Willow said, smiling.

"Don't bull shit me. You miss him?"

"Faith, I'm fine. Graham is great. I still love him so much....."

"You just love the undead hottie too." Faith said, seeing the look of truth in Willow's eyes. "I should stake him for you."

"Why?" Willow asked, looking at Faith curiously.

"If he's too stupid to realize what he was giving up, he doesn't deserve you."

"Thanks...I think. But no staking. Besides, he's not even in town...." Willow's voice trailed off.

"Damn stupid prick" Faith cursed the blonde vampire. She hated seeing Willow so unhappy. The girl had done so much for her lately. She deseved to be happy.

"The reason I stopped by was to see if you wanted to meet us tonight for some food."

"Don't know. I planned to spend the night fucking but food might be good."

Willow laughed, "Well let me know what you decide." She stood and headed into the living room. "Talk to you later."

Faith smiled, "I'll call."

She felt an arm around her waist and looked up, smiling. A wicked gleam entered her eyes as she looked at her lover, "What do you say we spend tonight hunting?"

David laughed, loving the look in her dark eyes. "What are we hunting?"

"Spikes." Faith said, bringing his head down for a kiss. "Willow needs one...."

***

"Faith is gone" Willow said, sitting down and sighing.

Graham looked at her surprised, "Where?"

"She left this note. It says, 'Red, hate seeing you unhappy. D and I went to find Fang. Won't come back without him. Tell that human to take care of you or else...F' She and David went to find Spike...."

"You're unhappy?" Graham asked softly, knowing the answer.

"I don't know. I am but I'm not. I just really miss him. I can't believe her." Willow had to laugh.

"If anyone can track him down, Faith can" Graham said.

"I love you." Willow said softly.

Graham looked at her surprised, "What?"

Willow smiled, "I love you. Never stopped. I know I'm a complete twit and you probably are getting so sick of me and then we have this whole Spike complication that just sort of has taken over half of my heart right now and you probably would never even think about loving me again but I had to let you know."

Graham smiled slowly, "You love me."

"Are you still on that part?" Willow asked, smiling.

"Chosing to ignore the love of Spike thing right now" Graham said, nodding seriously. "Dwelling on the I love you part."

"Oh....I never said I loved Spike" Willow corrected.

Graham just looked at her, his gaze reading her soul. "Willow...I want honesty this time around...."

She sighed, "Fine. I think I care about him more than I should. He protected me when I thought David was trying to kill me."

"I know he cares about you...that's why he left" Graham pointed out.

"You think?" she had to ask.

He laughed, "Yes. Now, no more. I am not going to spend my time with you telling you how much some other man loves you. I need to spend my time telling you how much I love you."

Willow smiled, her eyes shining, "You love me? Even though I am a confused silly little twit?"

"Yes. Even if you are a confused silly twit. Hey, I fell in love with that twit" Graham said, laughing as she punched him. He caught her face, his mouth meeting hers. "I love you, so much Willow."

"Show me" she said softly, her eyes watching his.

"Are you sure?" Graham had to ask.

"Please?"

Graham kissed her again, slowly pushing her to the bed.

***

Faith looked around the alley, her eyes darting in every corner. She sighed when she saw David. Watching him move towards her, she felt a wave of lust. There was just something so dangerous and sexy about him. It could have been his half breed status. She didn't really care. She liked him...a lot.

"Well?" She asked.

He looked at her, frowning slightly, "Met a guy who has seen him. It doesn't sound good. This guy said he'd be surprised if he were still alive. Laughing about how weak the mighty Spike was...falling in love with a human....it is a big joke around here."

"He loves her?" Faith said, scowling. "That's why he ran. Damn stupid men. Why do you all mess things up so bad?"

"Stereotyping much?" David asked, smirking at the slayer. He couldn't believe he was falling for a damn slayer.

"Of course. Where is he?"

David sighed, "This guy said he last saw him down at the wharf. It doesn't sound too good."

Faith nodded, "We'll find him. For Red. She loves him, you know." She said as they walked towards the wharf.

"What about Graham?" David asked, not wanting to see his old friend hurt.

"Loves him too. Silly girl can't make up her mind. Oh well, she should just take both. They are major hotties."

"Kinky thing aren't you?" David said, smiling slightly.

"As if you have to ask?" Faith said smirking. "Here's the wharf. Let's find him."

The two searched for a half an hour before Faith spotted familiar white blonde hair. She stopped, her mouth falling open. "Good god."

David followed her stared, surprise in his eyes. Spike was barely leaning against a deserted building. He was skin and bones...appeared not have eaten in weeks. Dark circles were under his eyes.

"What do you want" he rasped, finding it hard to sit up. He glared at the slayer, knowing his time had finally ended.

Faith crouched down beside him, her eyes curious, "What happened?"

He laughed bitterly, "I can't feed. Can't even kill a damn cat. Red was feeding me...had to leave. She loves him."

"Damn it Spike. I thought you were the smart one. How are we suppose to take you back looking like death warmed over?" Faith protested. She made her decision suddenly.

"Not going back. Going to die here. Like the water. Peaceful." Spike said.

"She misses you" David said. "That's why we're here. She loves you for some odd reason."

Spike looked at him, "She loves the mortal."

Faith laughed, "Hey, she loves you too. Can't you share?"

"Go away. Let me die in peace without your constant yacking."

Faith felt anger towards him, "Listen you here undead bag of bones. Willow helped me. She was the only one that didn't just write me off. I owe her more than you can ever fathom. For some dumb reason, she loves you. She wants you back. So, are you going to come quietly or do I have to get rough?"

Spike almost laughed. "I can barely move. How do you think it would look if I had to crawl to her?"

Faith sighed, "Here." She pulled her knife from her belt, cutting her arm. "Drink. Slayer's blood. One hundred percent proof. Just don't like it too much."

Spike stared at her in shock. She was feeding him just to take him back to Willow. She really did care about the redhead. He smelled her blood and gave in. He had to see Red again. He'd gone and fallen for the human. He began to drink the offered blood, the elixer shooting straight through him. There was such power in the blood of a slayer. He drank until she pushed him away.

She ripped her shirt, wrapping the cloth around her wound. "Now, come one lover boy. We want to make it back to Sunnydale by tomorrow night. Why the hell did you have come to San Francisco anyway?"

He stumbled to his feet, still very weak. Her blood had been good for him, though. He was getting stronger. "LA had some bad memories. Come on. Quit the talking. Let's get back."

"You're welcome!" Faith yelled at his retreating back. She saw him falter before walking on.

"Damn it, Will. You better appreciate this...."

***

Willow woke up, smiling softly at the man laying next to her. Graham was sleeping deeply. She let her eyes wander his form, taking in the changes since their time together that summer over a year ago. He had filled out nicely. She let her fingers trail over a scar on his shoulder. She wondered how that had happened.

She got up quietly, slipping his T-shirt over her head. Barefoot, she made her way across his dorm room. She looked into the hall, grateful to see that it was empty. She went to the bathroom, splashing her face with cold water. Wouldn't do to run into Buffy here.

Her friend had no idea what all had been happening lately. She was so caught up with Riley and the Iniative that she didn't notice Willow's absence. Willow knew that there was no way she could easily explain Faith's reappearance and her connection with Spike. Buffy wouldn't listen. She loved her friend dearly, but she wasn't blind to the slayer's faults.

She went back to his room, smiling at his sleeping form. Last night had been wonderful. Everything she remembered and then some. Her love for him was stronger than it had been before. They had been through so much in the last weeks. She went to sit in the desk chair by the window. Looking out into the darkness, she wondered where Faith was.

She wondered if the brunette slayer was able to find Spike. She hoped so. She had to know that he was ok. She couldn't explain her heart to anyone if they asked. She loved Graham so much it hurt. But, she also had such feelings for Spike. She had thought it rather cliched when she heard women talk about loving two men at once. Now, she knew it was possible.

With Graham, she had a chance for a future. He loved her. He was alive. Spike wasn't. Spike also was evil. If not for the implant, she knew that she would most likely be dead. How could she love someone that she should fear? Both men were so different in many ways, yet in others they were alike. They were both intelligent, loyal, caring....they had saved her. Sighing, she closed her eyes and cradled her head in her hands.

Only she would fall in love with two men. If it came to a point where she had to choose, she wondered if she would be able to make a choice. She didn't think, in her heart, that that was possible. She felt such emotion for them both. She hoped that Faith found Spike. She also hoped that they didn't kill each other before she got Spike back. She smiled slightly at the image of the slayer forcing the blonde back into town for her. Only Faith would go to such lengths to prove her loyalty.

Willow sat up and went back to the bed. Her friend would find Spike. That she knew. Faith was more determined than anyone she had ever met. It was one of her best attributes. She snuggled closer to Graham, smiling softly as she watched him sleep.

***

Spike saw her and froze. He wanted to go to her, but something held him back. Hell, he was a demon. He wasn't suppose to feel joy and happiness. Yet, just the sight of her made him feel more alive than a hundred years with Dru. He hated this weakness. Not only was he not the vampire he used to be, he was turning into a bloody sap.

Willow felt him approach. She couldn't explain how she knew it was him. There was an energy running through her body that only he brought to her. She felt her breathing become erratic as she waited for him. She wouldn't turn around. She couldn't. He had been the one to leave.

Spike moved closer, smiling slightly as the breeze ruffled her red hair. He was feeling stronger. The slayer's blood had done wonders for his health. He still couldn't believe a slayer had willingly fed him. It amused him the lengths people would go to for Willow. He knew that there was nothing he wouldn't do for her if she asked. It was rather nice to know he wasn't the only one in that particular boat.

He caught a scent in the air and his smile died. She had been with the human. The old beau. Guess he taken his place back in her heart...in her bed. He felt a wave of jealousy towards the mortal. He had the one thing that Spike found he wanted. If this had happened even three months before, he knew exactly what he would do.

He'd have tortured her into loving him. Now, he didn't have that option. Because of that damn implant. It had been over a hundred years since he had had to woo a woman. He had no idea ever where to begin. He didn't even know if it was worth the humiliation of trying. She must not want him....she had chosen the mortal. He turned, ready to leave again.

Willow turned around, surprisd to see him starting to go. She started to call out but saw him stop before she could utter a word. She saw a determined look flash in his eyes as he looked at her. He was preparing to fight for her. She smiled softly, moving towards him. She had no control of her body. He was pulling her into him. She needed him.

Spike saw her face and knew that he would not give up this time. He would do whatever necessary to win her....to win her love. He reached his hand out to her, never saying a word. She touched his hand, their eyes never moving from the other's face. He smiled at her, his eyes speaking words that he could not verbalize. She nodded slightly as though she understood them all. She leaned into him, her arms going around his trim body.

Spike breathed in her scent, holding her tightly. Still no words had been spoken. He closed his eyes, laying his cheek on the top her head. No words were necessary. This was the way it should be. They could no longer fight it.

Graham watched from behind a tree. He had known of her feelings for the vampire, but seeing it made it more difficult. They looked as though they belonged together. He saw her smile and knew she was happy. Happy with another. He knew that she loved him. He also knew that it appeared she loved the vampire too. She had been distraught while the vampire was missing. He wondered if she would be that upset if he were gone. Now that Spike was back, where did that leave him? Sighing, he turned and walked back to his dorm, leaving the pair hugging under the moonlight.