Inell's Fanfiction Archive

"I'm sorry. I was a jerk. I never really thought about what you were going through. I was entirely selfish...a bad, selfish person. I just felt like I needed to have her stay." Willow said, sighing.

"It's ok pet. I know you were worried about the chit. You just should have asked first. You put both Peaches and I in a bad spot. We seemed like the bad guys here."

"Spike...I honestly was only thinking about Buffy and what she needed. She didn't need to be alone."

"Willow's right about that. It almost seemed like she was considering suicide in the beginning. She does seem much happier now."

"I never realized just how deeply the slayer felt about her pup. Oh well, she's young. She'll find another one."

He ducked as Willow reached to hit him. He felt a smile cross his face.

"You...you...demon!" Willow yelled, good naturedly. She had come to expect things like this from Spike. The only people he truly cared about were with him in this room, and the other one was over in Paris. She knew that he had sympathy for Buffy, he was just too damn stubborn to admit it.

"That I am ducks. So, the bimbo is leaving tomorrow? It'll be nice to get my house back."

Willow looked at Angel and rolled her eyes. Angel hid a smile. He knew the reason that Spike hated having Buffy around. He had to share Willow with her. He always would be a selfish brat.

"Is she planning on starting up regular patrols again?"

"Yes. She said that she needs to jump straight back in to it, so she doesn't lose her ability. I'm glad that she is doing so well. I was really worried when she didn't eat or leave the room. I guess she realized that life does go on."

"I'll go with her. She still seems a bit shaky to me. I would hate for her to get into a bad situation." Angel said.

"Always the knight in tarnished armor huh Peaches?" Spike replied, smirking.

"Fuck off Blondie." Angel returned.

"Go to hell Daddy."

"Been there, done that, got the T-shirt."

Willow smiled as she listened to her boys par back and forth. Yes, life did go on. It seemed like things might just be getting back to normal or as close as normal could ever be on the Hellmouth.

**********

"Buffy....are you ok?"

Buffy looked at her friend and saw the concern written on her face. "Yes Wills. It's just a little weird being here is all." The slayer took a deep breath and looked around her apartment. She has only been back once since Tyler's death. Long enough to grab some clothes and necessities. She went to her bedroom, remembering their last night together. Her eyes focused on a photograph that was beside her bed. She felt the tears forming, and fought letting them fall. She felt an arm going around her shoulder, hugging her tight. She leaned her head into Willow's shoulder and cried.

"Shh...Buffy. It will be ok. Just let it all out."

"Willow....I'm sorry. Some slayer huh? All I can do is cry and mope around. I feel so....useless."

"BUFFY! You just lost the love of your life. You are completely normal. I don't know what I'd do if anything ever happened to Spike. I'd probably be much worse than you."

Buffy grimaced slightly when she heard her friend talk about the blond vampire with such love in her voice. (Why can't she see what he is? What he is doing to her? Is love really that blind?)

Willow started to go to the kitchen, to get Buffy some water.

"Willow! Don't leave me. I'll come with."

Willow smiled at her friend, but a slight frown marred her pretty face as she turned away. Ever since Tyler's death, Buffy had become her shadow. It was as though her friend thought she might disappear. Spike and Angel had both noticed before she had. They had had several arguments about it. She hadn't realized until recently that they were both right. Buffy's behaviour was very strange. She decided that she might have to go see Giles. He might understand what was going on in the slayer's mind. She sure didn't. She really hated to admit that Spike was right. She wouldn't hear the end of it for quite some time. The cheeky bastard loved to remind them of everytime he had been right. Hell, he still gloated over things with Angel that had happened over a hundred years ago. That was her Spike. He was waiting on her.

"Buffy...I'd better get going."

"Now? All ready? You just got here."

"I have some things to do. I'll call you later. Ok?"

"You're going to Spike." Buffy stated flatly. Willow was puzzled by her friend's attitude. (She must have sensed that he wasn't crazy about her staying with us.)

"Yes, Buffy. I am meeting Spike. He has a surprise planned for me." She said, blushing.

While Buffy had lived with them, they had neglected their sex life a bit. Well, SHE had neglected it. She knew that Angel and Spike had continued on as though the slayer wasn't there, but she hadn't been able to. Who could have rough loud sex while your best friend was sleeping down the hall? Not her. She hadn't become that worldly yet.

She noticed Buffy weakly sitting on the sofa. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. It is just so overwhelming. Being here again....I don't know if I can stay here alone."

Willow felt panic. She didn't know what to do. She knew that Buffy was hinting around at her to stay the night with her, but Spike was waiting. He had been so eager to celebrate their privacy. He did love surprises and had been planning what ever this one was for awhile. She felt a hand grasp hers. Buffy was crying again.

"Willow....I'll understand if you say no...but could you possibly stay over with me? Just this once. I just don't know if I am strong enough for this yet..." her voice trailed off.

Willow took a deep breath. She really hated this. It just wasn't fair. "OK." She whispered. "Let me call Spike." She went into the bedroom to use the phone privately.

She didn't the see the smile of triumph that lit Buffy's tear stained face. "Round one is mine vampire." she whispered.

**********

"What the bloody hell are you saying?"

Spike looked at Angel. Angel could see the anger his childe was trying to control.

"Willow.....she is an adult. She can deal. Now, get rid of your little shadow and get the fuck home. We had plans tonight. I've missed you luv. We've missed you. Tonight is special."

"Willow....don't do this. Do NOT do this. Blimey....the little chit hung up on me."

"Is it Buffy?" Angel asked, all ready knowing the answer.

"Yeah Peaches. Isn't it always? Seems Miss Slayer decided that she couldn't bear to stay along in her apartment tonight. She begged Red to stay with her."

Angel frowned. "What do you think is going on? Buffy has seemed different lately."

"She hates me. She is unhappy and wants everyone to suffer with her. I don't really know."

Angel looked closely at Spike. "Talk to me. Something is bothering you." Spike turned and looked at the fire. "She's trying to take Willow away from me....from us." he whispered.

"Spike, you're crazy. Why would Buffy suddenly decide to do something like that? She knows Willow is in love with you. She wouldn't hurt Willow like that."

Spike just lit a cigarette. He felt real fear that he might lose Willow. He had been jealous of Angel, but Buffy scared him. He'd never admit it, but she did. She was his Willow's best friend. Willow felt such loyalty for her. She had chosen the slayer once before in their previous argument. He knew he'd kill anything or anyone that stood between him and Willow. He really hoped that the Slayer understood this. If she still wanted to play, he was game. She'd have to be told that, when it was something important to him, he never lost.

**********

"So, what are we doing today?" Buffy asked eagerly.

Willow sighed and ran a hand over her forehead. "Buffy....I plan to go home. I need to see my husband. I've been with you for two days. He won't even return my calls right now. I miss him."

Buffy studied her friend. "Wills, why do you put up with it? You deserve so much better than that bastard."

"Buffy! I love Spike. You know this. I married him for Goddess sakes. I don't know what your problem is, but I will not sit here and let you run him down. He is my other half. Deal with it."

"He's going to end up hurting you Wills. I've seen the bruises. I've heard the fighting. I am not going to sit by and watch you ruin your life."

"Buffy.....forget the bruises. He probably has worse. I thought you knew....vampires tend to get a bit rough while having sex. It excites me. I like to see his mark left on me. We always fight. It is part of our relationship. We always make up afterwards. You have nothing to worry about."

'I don't care. It isn't you Willow. I hadn't realized just how much he had been changing you. I plan to stop it."

"You will do nothing of the sort! It is my life, Buffy. If I chose to let him beat me until I bled, and then fuck me senseless, it would be my choice. Not yours. You have your own life to worry about. So stay out of mine! Until you can talk about this rationally, I'd appreciate you leaving me alone. I will not give Spike up for you, no matter how much I love you. I think you need to analyze your life right now and make some decisions. Until then, stay away from Spike. I don't trust you right now." She whispered that last sentence. She grabbed her purse and left.

Buffy sat in silence thinking over what had just happened. (It's for her own good. She'll thank me one day. I WILL save her.)

**********

Captured. That was how she felt when his lips claimed hers. He took. He demanded. He possessed. No gentleness. No seduction. All the pent-up emotions and frustrations of the past week burst like floodwaters in a dam. There was a savageness in the way he took her mouth that frightened, yet strangely, excited her during the oh so brief moment that his lips joined hers.

He pulled back first. His cold blue eyes looking in to her soul. "You're back."

"Yes. I love you."

"I know. What happened, pet?"

"I'm scared. Buffy seems so cold. She wants you out of my life. I'm worried that she is going to kill you."

"Red....I'd kill her. She is not that great of a fighter. Sure, she can slay fledglings, but she can't really hold her own against a master vampire, especially in her current state of mind."

"Don't kill her. Please?"

"Red, if it comes down to her or me...."

Willow slowly nodded. "You." she said simply.

"I'm going to go talk to Giles. See if he can figure out why she is acting so strange. It had to be something that happened after Tyler died. Maybe he can find some logic in it all. Promise me you'll stay in. I'll put a protection spell on the place as I leave."

"They actually have a spell to use against psychotic slayers?" Spike asked, grinning.

"Spike! Be serious. Promise me. I won't lose you. Maybe I should page Angel...see if he can come..."

"I don't need a bloody babysitter. Leave dear old Dad alone, won't you luv? I'll be good. Cross my heart and hope to gain a soul."

Willow had to laugh. He could always do that to her. Make her see humor even in the most serious situations. She kissed him roughly. "I'll be back. Be good. Love you."

"Me too, Red. Me too."

Willow left after casting a small protection spell that would keep uninvited mortals out of the house. She would undo it when she returned.

She got in her car, not noticing the shadow that was hidden in the trees beside the house.

**********

Giles listened intently as the redhead filled him in on Buffy's behaviour. His mind started thinking through all of the possibilities. Suddenly, the door to his apartment opened.

"Willow...thank god." Buffy ran to hug her friend.

Willow pulled away. "What is it?"

"I am so sorry. I didn't realize until you left just how terrible I've been acting. I wasn't able to save Tyler, so I felt it was my duty to save everyone else. I didn't even think that you might not want to be saved. I am so sorry. You must hate me. I was a complete bitch. I know you love Spike. He loves you. I don't know what I was thinking. I just kept picturing him hurting you. I honestly have no idea why I said such horrible things. I am just so glad you are ok."

"Buffy, why did you think Willow was in danger?" Giles asked.

"I went by the house, to apologize. The door was open. The living room was a mess. It looked like there had been a big fight or something. Furniture overturned." She cast a glance at Willow. "I saw blood. I tried to go in but, for some reason, I couldn't get past the doorway."

Willow's eyes widened. 'Protection spell. You scared me earlier. I thought you might try to stake Spike or something. Did you talk to Spike?"

"No one answered me Will. I thought you might have been hurt. I just assumed Spike and Angel were out hunting or something. I didn't see him."

Willow felt a rush of fear shoot through her. "I have to go see...he must be there. He promised he wouldn't leave."

The door opened and Angel rushed in. He pulled Willow into his arms, "Thank god.. you are ok. Where's Spike?" he asked pulling back and looking into her eyes. "I went by the house and it was a mess. What happened?"

"Angel, was Spike not in the house?" Buffy asked.

"No. It was empty. Why?" panic began to creep into his voice, "Was he there? Willow, was he there?"

Willow slowly nodded. "He said he wouldn't leave. He promised."

"This isn't good. I'll get Xander and Cordy to meet us over there. We can look around and see if we see anything. Ok Wills?" Buffy asked, hoping her friend had forgiven her for her horrible behaviour. She let out a sigh when Willow nodded. "We'll find him Willow. I promise. You will not lose him." She went to the phone and dialed Xander's number.

**********

Spike came to slowly. His head felt as though someone had hit him with a hammer. His cold eyes took in his surroundings. It was a small room, very dark. All he saw was the bed he was on and a chair. He tried to remember what had happened, but it was a blank.

"Oh, good. You're awake. I must say, the blow was a bit harder than intended."

Spike looked towards the door. An older man stood, looking at him. He felt a wave distaste crawl over his flesh.

"Who are you? Why the hell am I here?"

"Tsk..tsk...how rude. All in good time, William, all in good time. Oh, do you prefer Spike? Regardless, you will be my guest for a time."

"You're guest? I don't think so."

The man sighed deeply. "William, we can this pleasant and easy or we can make it painful. I would much prefer the previous suggestion. You will be my guest. I need you....well, actually, I need your blood. I'll tell you, it is becoming rather difficult to capture a Master Vampire these days. I was so lucky to have stumbled upon you. Anywho....I must be going. I have much to prepare before the ceremony. I'm sure you'll be comfortable. Oh, and don't think about trying anything. If you do, I may be forced to harm sweet Willow. We wouldn't want that now would we?"

Spike felt his control slipping. He didn't like this. He liked his blood right where it was. He certainly didn't intend to share it with that lunatic. (Willow....I love you...please find me) he thought before he kicked the chair across the room.

**********

The gang was looking at the house. They had been unable to find anything to help them in their search. Willow sat quietly looking out the window. (Where are you Spike) Suddenly, she got an image of an older man. He was standing in the doorway of a small, dark room. She heard him saying something about master vampires and blood. It was gone as fast as she had seen it.

"Giles..." she turned looking at the watcher. "What would you know about something involving a master vampire's blood?"

Giles looked startled at the question. "Well, there are several ancient spells and ceremonies that require that ingredient. Why?"

"I just had a vision of sorts. I think an older guy has Spike and he plans to do some sort of ceremony using Spike's blood."

"A vision? Did you see anything else?" Buffy asked eagerly. She needed to atone for her behaviour. She needed to rescue Spike.

"It was a small room. Very dark." Willow thought a moment. "I heard water running."

"Is that it?"

"Well, it didn't give me the bloody address Buffy." Willow said.

The others paused and tried to hide their smiles. She was starting to sound more and more like Spike.

"OK....small dark rooms with water nearby. Should be easy." Buffy said, trying to sound enthusiastic.

"I just had a thought. If indeed Spike was taken by a sorcerer of sorts, it is very possible that this man was manipulating Buffy through magic. That may have been the cause of her shift in attitude."

"You think? Wait....there one night. I was sitting by the window and I felt this breeze against my neck. The window was closed. I uh...sort of wanted to think it was Tyler, looking out for me. Do you think this guy could have done that?"

"It is quite likely. He needed Spike, so he needed to get him alone. How better to do that than alienate those closest to him. It worked splendidly, if that was the plan."

Buffy felt a shiver go down her spine at the idea that someone had made her think such crazy things. At least Willow knew that it hadn't really been her.

"OK. Let's go hunting. I'll pick up Oz on the way. We might need his racking ability tonight."

"Come on gang, we've got to go rescue Blondie." Xander said, striking a pose.

The others laughed as they gathered supplies for the hunt.

(Spike....we're coming..I love you) Willow thought, before she took Angel's hand and left with the others.

**********

"Willow...we will find him." Angel said softly.

Willow looked at him and smiled. "I know. I'm just worried. For some reason, I thought it would be easy. I figured we'd just stumble right on to him tonight. We usually seem that lucky. I just hope he's OK until we do find him."

"This is Spike we're talking about. If anything, he's probably driving his kidnapper nuts by now."

Willow started to laugh. She stopped when she realized that he was actually gone. Angel reached over and pulled her into a hug. "It'll be ok Red. Trust me. Soon, he'll be back here trading quips with the slayer and beating us all at that damn hockey game."

Willow looked into Angel's eyes. He was concerned for her, but they held no fear for Spike. That comforted her. If Angel thought he would be fine, he would be. She gently kissed Angel.

"Make me forget.....for awhile."

He kissed her back, pulling her body into his. He walked her back to the bed. His mouth littering kisses all over her face. His hands ran along the length of her body, quickly removing her clothes. Soon, she felt his mouth on her breast, her stomach....

"Oh...Angel....yes..."

Willow closed her eyes, concentrating on the pleasure his mouth was bringing her and trying to forget her troubles, for just a little while.

**********

Spike frowned as the man walked into the room, carrying a bag of blood and a book.

"Why am I still here, mate? Just let me kill you and I promise it will be nice and fast."

The man chuckled. "You are certainly a funny one aren't you? Yes, I made the right decision in coming to Sunnydale for you. I can feel the power in you. Your blood almost sings with it. Yes, this will be much better."

"Here is your dinner, Master William. I also thought you might be getting bored. From what I've heard about you, I decided we couldn't have that. Here is a nice book for you to read. I will be purchasing a TV for you tomorrow. I have to make sure you enjoy your stay. I believe it will be three more weeks, give or take a day. And remember, don't think about doing anything stupid. I would so hate to have to meet Willow. She is such a lovely young lady. Besides, you are far too important to my future to make unhappy."

The man looked at him like Willow looked at chocolate ice cream. He didn't like this. He didn't like this at all.

"Who the hell are you?"

"OH...I am so sorry. I never introduced myself. That was very rude. You may call me Bob."

Spike had to laugh. He was being kept prisoner by a bleeding idiot named Bob.

**********

Willow shut the book forcefully. "I can't find anything."

Buffy and the others looked at her. She was slowly falling apart. They didn't know that they'd have done if Angel hadn't been there. He had become Willow's lifeline.

It had been six days. They had been unable to find Spike, the mysterious man Willow saw in her vision, a house...nothing. It all seemed rather pointless to continue. Buffy had been neglecting her patrols. Xander had missed a day of work. Giles always had his head in the books trying to figure some angle they may have missed.

Buffy looked at the others. They made gestures at her to speak. She sighed and went over, taking Willow's hand in hers.

'Wills....I hate to be the one to say this, but you need to face reality. Spike's gone, honey. It's been almost a week."

"No he's not. We just can't find him!" Willow said, jerking her hand from Buffy's grasp.

"We can't find him because he's dust." Xander put in. He cringed when Willow gave him an angry glare.

"Spike is alive."

"Willow, I believe the children are right. If a sorcerer needed Spike's blood for a ritual or spell, he would have killed him. It had been too long."

"No...."

"Geez, Willow. This is Spike! He is the only vamp that can kick my ass. No offense Angel. You can not tell me that some guy would be able to keep him restrained for this long. It is not possible. Spike either died trying to get loose or he was killed by the mystery man. We can't keep looking for a ghost!" Buffy finished. She hated having to say these things, but she and the others knew the truth. Spike could not possible be alive.

"No. Wait....hear me out. Angel and I have talked about this. Spike could be restrained if this guy was threatening him."

"What would he use to threaten him?" Cordelia asked.

"Me. Spike would sacrifice himself for my life. We've discussed it before. I never thought it would actually come to that..."

"Willow....be logical."

"OK..Logical. From what we have read so far, only very important spells and such need a master vampire's blood. It is usually the most important thing, also the most difficult to get. The thing I noticed is that it always has to be fresh. So, if this guy is planning a spell, he'd need the blood to be fresh. He also went to a lot of trouble to get Spike. I mean, messing with Buffy's mind, breaking in and all. Spike is important to him. If it were me, I'd want the most important ingredient on hand before I started any preparations. I feel like this guy is the same way."

'Willow. I understand what you are saying, but it has been six days. It would not take that long to perform most of these spells. He could, indeed, have kept Spike for a day or two. But six? Even you must admit that that is a bit extreme." Giles tried to reason.

Willow just shook her head. "Some of the spells I found had to be performed on the full moon, which is in two weeks. They are rather obscure, but it had to have been of those. Spike is not dead...well, I mean, not gone. He is still alive...I mean, dead. Goddess, I don't even know what I mean."

The others watched as Angel wrapped him protectively in his arms. "Willow's right." he said softly.

"Deadboy....you've all ready got into her bed. You don't have to say things to butter her up anymore. Besides, the competition factor is gone." Xander smirked.

Angel went over and socked him in the mouth. Within seconds, he was back holding Willow. Willow had to fight a smile.

"Damn! Why the hell did you do that? I think you may have busted my lip."

Angel ignored him, looking instead into Giles' eyes. "Spike is my favorite childe. Not only that, he and I share a strong bond. I'd know if he were gone. I could feel it. I don't. That means, he is still around somewhere. He's not dead."

"I'm sorry Angel...Willow. But we can not assist in this hunt for a ghost. Everything that we can find proves that Spike must be dead. Buffy needs to concentrate on her patrols. With the lack of a master, the vampires are growing increasingly bold. She is going to have to start patrolling more often. Xander and Cordelia are planning on assisting her." Giles said.

"Willow, I'm very sorry. I thought losing Tyler was horrible, but I'm sure it was nothing compared to what you are going through. You need to accept it and move on, or you will end up going insane." Buffy reached for her friend.

"NO! He is NOT gone. Y'all might give up on him. Fine. I don't care. Do what you feel you must. I'll do this on my own. I will find him." Angel tightened his hold on her. "Sorry Angel. I meant, WE will find him. I can't believe that you don't trust my instincts....trust Angel."

"Let's leave Willow. Before you say something you might regret." Angel pulled her towards the door. She shot one last hurt, angry glance at the room.

"We will find him" she promised.

**********

"Do you think we can find him?" Willow asked in a quiet voice.

Angel thought about it for a moment. "I honestly don't know. We both know he is still alive. It is going to be difficult with just the two of us, though."

"Well, we didn't have much luck when the whole gang looked, so maybe we'll get lucky."

"Maybe...." Angel said, a frown marring his handsome face.

"I hope so. It has been six days. I wish I had let him go with me that day. It's my fault he was here. He had planned to go meet you."

"Willow, shut up. Don't even start that whole brooding, blaming yourself game. I've lived through it, and it isn't pleasant. If you had taken him with you on Wednesday, that guy would have waited and taken him some other time. You may have even been hurt or killed in the process. We can figure this out."

Willow smiled. "You're right, Dad."

Angel rolled his eyes at the nickname.

"Where should we start?"

"I don't really know. What we need is a damn miracle." Willow sighed.

Willow heard the doorbell ringing. "I'll get it." She went over and opened the door. A look of confusion, surprise, and happiness filled her face. Angel got up, curious as to who would cause such a reaction. (Buffy must have wised up or maybe Oz. He was unable to attend their little meeting, so he probably heard about it by now)...he thought. When he saw who Willow was greeting, he froze. (What the...How???)