Inell's Fanfiction Archive

"Do you think she'll like this one?"

"Yes, Xander. She'll like any of them. They are all very beautiful."

"Well, I just want the perfect one. She deserves the best."

Willow and Buffy rolled their eyes as Xander continued to look at the rings.

"Are you ok with this?" Willow whispered to Buffy.

"Fine. It's been three months since Tyler. Cordelia and Xander are going to be good together. I just hope they wait until after the baby is born. I don't think I could pull of a bridesmaid dress looking like a whale."

"You have barely gained any weight, so just hush. Besides, with Nic and the others, you hardly even have a job anymore."

"You're right as always. Besides," she said, raising her voice a bit, "who says Cordy will even say yes? I mean, Xander isn't exactly tall, dark and wealthy now is he?"

The girls started to laugh as Xander glared at them. Suddenly, he looked serious.

"Do you think she will say yes?" he asked quietly.

"Oh Xan, we were just joking. Hell, Cor gave up LA to come back here to you. For some crazy reason, that girl loves you. Of course she will say yes." Willow said, hugging her oldest friend.

"Yeah...and if she doesn't, we can torture her until she does." Buffy said nodding. "Ooops....sorry, guess I've been hanging with Dru too much. I didn't mean actually torture her..."

"It's ok Buff. If she does say no, torture is a very good idea." Willow said.

"You guys are great. Only you two would torture a girl who tells me no. I love you guys." Xander pulled them in for a group hug.

"Us too Xan. Now, lets buy a ring and then go get some ice cream. I'm starving."

"Buffy, you just ate. Geez, you're starting to sound worse than Xander.."

"Oh....Shut up. I'm eating for two. Besides, I like ice cream." Buffy said, pouting.

The two teens looked at their friend and all three started to laugh.

(I love moments like this....) Willow thought to herself as they continued to look for the "perfect" ring for Cordelia..

* * * * *

"He did? Really? Wow...you said Yes!!! Oh I'm so happy for you two....Yes, that will be great. Really? Pink? Are you sure? Uh huh....ok....bye Cor."

Willow hung up and looked at her lovers. "She said yes to Xander. She wants me to be her maid of honor. She wants the dresses to be pink." She spat out the last word.

"Matron of honor, pet."

"What?"

"You're married to Blondie remember? Matron not maid."

"Oh...oh, I'm not a maid anymore. Matron sounds so .........old."

"Old? You're 19, you silly girl. Just wait until you're 300. Then talk to me about being old." Spike said, moving up to sit behind her on the couch.

"300??? Wow.....It's hard to think I'll ever be that old...."

"You will. We'll wait a for more years before changing you, but it will happen. Remember----eternity."

"A few more years? Why not now?"

"You daft girl. You're too young. We'll know when it is time. Besides, Poof and I were in our late 20s when we were embraced. How would it look for a girl your age to be with two such older men?" Spike said, smiling.

"Oh I forgot. You so care what people's opinions are and all....."

"Yep. Sure do. Don't want anyone looking at my pet like she's some under age lolita, a skanky...OW...what was that for?"

"You were going to say something without thinking." Angel said, smiling.

"He really just wanted to hit you. I understand. I get that way sometimes." Willow and Angel shared a smile.

"You two are impossible. Why do I put up with you?"

"Cause you like pain?" Willow asked innocently.

Spike looked at her and then smiled. "So, Pink? Knowing the bimbo, she'll probably have lace and taffeta.....maybe a great big petticoat..."

"NO! Ok..ok...I'm sorry Spike. I never want to hit you. Just no more! Ugh...How can I get out of this? Pink...I look ghastly in pink. Oh Goddess....Xander's getting married!" The realization that her best friend was engaged hit her.

Angel rolled his eyes. "I thought we established that. Xander asked, Cordy said yes, thus, the moron and cheerleader joined together in holy wedlock." He grimaced. Looking at Spike, he said, "Imagine their kids."

"Rather not. Moronic brats with a nasty attitude....what did we do to deserve this mate? I mean, I know I've murdered a lot of people, but being forced to stay here as those idiots breed is just too much punishment."

"Spike! Angel! Those are my friends. They'd die for me. They'd die for you." Willow looked at them and smiled. "Well, not really. They'd probably be glad to see you turned to ash, but they'd never act on it. So, be nice. Xander and Cordelia will have beautiful children. They'll come visit their Uncle Spike and Uncle Angel on weekends....Stop that" she shrieked as they began to tickle her unmercifully..

"So, don't have that much to say now huh Red?" Spike said.

Willow's laughter was her only response.

* * * * *

"Willow and Angel aren't here."

Buffy looked at the blond vampire and swallowed. "Good. I need to talk to you."

Spike tried to hide his surprise. "Me? What on this earth would you need to talk to me about?"

"Let me in and I'll tell you" Buffy said, tightly.

Spike moved away from the door and motioned her inside.

Buffy sat and looked at him. "This is very difficult for me. I mean, I don't really dislike you, but you are my enemy. I know Willow loves you and that is all that is really important to me..."

"Yeah. I have the slayer seal of approval. Like I care. Get to the point all ready. What the hell are you doing here?"

"I have a favor." she whispered.

Spike started to laugh. "A favor? That's rich. I love it. The slayer asking a vampire for a favor. Too funny. What kind of favor?"

Buffy turned and looked into the fire. "Its more of a promise, actually."

Spike saw that the slayer seemed upset and stopped laughing. He disliked her because she was the slayer, but she was Willow's best friend. He had to hear what she was trying to tell him. "What is it?"

"I had a dream that I died. It was my funeral.....it was very realistic. I woke up crying...." Buffy took a deep breath. "I need you to allow Willow to take care of my baby when I die."

"What?"

"Spike, get real. I'm the slayer. It will be a miracle if I live long enough to have the baby. If I do, I want to know that Willow will be able to keep her for me. I know Willow and Angel both will say yes. You are Willow's husband, though, and I need to know you will allow it. Please?" Buffy stared at him, her eyes begging.

Spike sat back, actually at a loss for words. (The poor chit....she is a brave one, that girl. Sitting here talking about her death, resigned to the fact that she won't see her brat grow up....)

"I could never tell Willow no." Spike said softly.

Buffy's eyes lit up. "Thank you. That makes me feel like a load has been taken off my shoulders. I've been worried since I found out about the baby. I just didn't want to approach you...until that nightmare. I knew then that it was too real a possibility to ignore. Please don't mention anything to Willow or the others. I don't want them to worry. Dru would probably keep me under house arrest for the rest of my life if she realized I might die. She is very protective of the baby. Anyway, I am so happy I took the chance and came here......"

"Yeah, well. You can leave now." Spike said gruffly.

Buffy got up and started towards the door. On impulse, she turned and hugged the surprised vampire tightly. "Thank you Spike." she whispered before letting go and leaving the house.

Spike closed the door and walked back into the living room. He hated feeling like a nice guy. It went against everything his demon stood for.

(Did I just agree to adopt the slayer's brat if she died? I'm getting worse than the Poof. At least he has an excuse......Bloody hell.....where's the tequila.....)

* * * * *

"Where are you going?"

"Spike, I told you yesterday."

"Refresh my memory, pet."

"Old age finally getting to you then?" Willow said smiling. "I am meeting Oz for coffee."

"That's right. Stay here."

"I promised. Besides, Oz and I have hardly spoken in months. He asked to see me privately before the engagement party. I think theres something up with him. He sounded strange."

"He always sounds strange. How you could have dated him for so long I still wonder. The man speaks fewer words than anyone I've met. So, what time is the party again?"

Willow looked at Angel. "Buffy is getting them there by 8:00. Since it is a surprise, be there by 7:30, just in case. This could be the one time their early."

"Luv," Spike said seriously. "I honestly don't want you to meet the wolf."

"Why not? You were fine with it yesterday. I even asked you....what's wrong?"

Spike shrugged. "Don't know. Just a bad feeling."

"Maybe he's planning on begging her to take him back. Just joking...geez...you people need to lighten up." Angel said.

"Spike, I need to go. I told him I'd be there by 6:00. It will be fine. If Angel's right, and Oz does sweep me off my feet, I'll be sure to send you both a postcard." She said smiling.

Spike smiled back. "Yeah....like you'd ever take the wolf over us. We are MEN sweets, not a hairy little mutt. Not worried about that. Just be careful. You need a ride?"

"No. I'll meet you both at Nic's. I'll probably beat you both there."

Spike nodded. He then walked over to her and pulled her into a demanding kiss.

"Love you Red....just something to think about as you talk to the wolf."

Willow tried to catch her breath. "Yes sir..." She went over and kissed Angel. "I'll see you both in a couple of hours. Love you too honey..." She said, smiling as Spike grimaced.

"Honey? Well, it's better than Blondie.... Willow, be safe."

He watched as she smiled again and left to meet her ex-boyfriend. He looked at Angel. "I don't like this...."

"Spike, get over the jealousy. She's not interested in him."

"It's not jealousy!" Spike insisted.

"What-ever. Come on. Let's get dressed. We can go over to Nic's early. Dru might need some help..."

"Lovely....well, at least we'd beat Red there. She'll probably die of shock." Spike said as he went upstairs to change for the party.

* * * * *

"So, good coffee...." Willow said.

"Yeah..."

She tried again. "So, how have you been?"

"Things are good."

She gave up. "OZ! You asked me here. What did you want to talk about?"

"I'm leaving."

"What? For the rest of the summer?"

"No. I'm leaving Sunnydale. Devon and I are going to LA. Try to get a break in the music biz...."

Willow sat back in shock. "You're leaving? Oh my....I'm happy for your sake, but I'm going to miss you. Does anyone else know?"

"Nah....I'll tell them tonight. You're the only one that will really care. I'm leaving Friday."

"Why so soon?"

"It's not soon." He said smiling gently. "We've been planning it for awhile. Just took some guts to actually do it. I've never been that great with the follow through."

"Wait! What about your time of the month?"

"I'll manage. Dev knows. He can help."

"Oh....I didn't know that he knew."

"Yeah....I needed some help the other month. Didn't want to bother any of y'all. He's cool with it."

Willow got up and hugged him tightly. "I'm going to miss you" she whispered.

"Me too....there's always the phone though."

She looked at him and smiled, wiping away a tear. "Yeah, I expect to hear from you weekly."

"Promise." he kissed her lightly, " So, you need a ride?"

"No. I think I'll sit here and finish my coffee. It's not that far to Nic's. Be safe Oz."

"You too. See you at the party."

Willow sat back and sipped her coffee. Her first boyfriend was leaving town. Her first love was getting married. Her best friend was pregnant with a dead man's child. This year had been full of too many life changes. She seriously hoped that things would settle down again. She'd like some quiet time with Spike and Angel. She got up and checked herself.

(Stake----yes; holy water---yes; cross---- yes. OK All set. It's 7:00. Good, I'll be there early....) She headed off to the party. Smiling, as she imagined Xander and Cordelia's surprise.

* * * * *

"They'll be here by 8:00. Where's Wills?"

"She and the wolf had to talk. Will they be on time?"

"They'd better be. I stressed 8. Hopefully, they will make it. Nic should be back soon. He had to get the booze. Can't have a party without alcohol. Of course, I'll be drinking OJ. So, Willow and Oz. You actually allowed it?"

"Willow is her own person. She doesn't want the wolf. She was worried about him."

Buffy looked at Angel, her mouth dropping open, "Did he just say that Wills was her own person? Is he sick?"

"Ha ha...very funny slayer. Why don't you go play in traffic now."

The others laughed. "You'd miss me Spike. Who else could you insult so well?"

"Why am I here?" he muttered as he went to look out the window. Willow should be there soon. She was the only thing that might prevent him from killing someone that night.

* * * * *

"Give me your money"

Willow felt herself thrown against the alley wall. A tall man stood in front of her, a knife levelled at her stomach and a hand gripping her throat.

(Oh Goddess....he's not a vampire....)

"You're cute. I may decide to take more than just your money...." he leered, running the knife along her shirt.

Willow felt tears in her eyes.

"Willow?" a voice called.

"Nic! He has a knife." She warned.

Within moments, the attacker was thrown away from her. She watched as Nic vamped out and broke the man's neck like it was a piece of candy. Horror and shock filled her....also, relief that Nic had saved her. He turned and looked at her.

"No...." he whispered.

Willow looked at where his gaze was focused. "Oh goddess....."

The knife was in her stomach. The attacker must have stabbed her when called out to Nic. The pain rushed through her. She slid down the alley wall.

Nic was beside her, trying to stop the blood. "We need to get you to a hospital. It will be all right, little tree."

Willow shook her head. "No....I can feel it. I'm going to die. Oh no....I'm going to die."

"No. We can get you to a doctor."

"Look at all the blood...a doctor can't fix this. Nic, promise me...."

"What?"

"Tell Spike and Angel that I love them....watch out for the others...oh, Buffy...she's going to take this hard. I can't believe this....I always thought I might die, but I assumed it would be a demon or worse....he was just a man...." her voice trailed off.

Nic held her hand as she closed her eyes.

"Spike...." she whispered. "Hurts so much...."

Nic looked at the moon, blood tears running along his cheeks as he felt her life force slowly fading away.

"Why her?" he whispered.

* * * * *

"NOOOOOOO!" Spike screamed, startling the others. He fell to the ground rocking back and forth. "she's gone....she's gone" he whispered over and over. Angel went to him and wrapped his arms around his crying childe.

"Spike...what's wrong? Who's gone?"

They were all watching the weeping vampire. Xander and Cordelia had been very surprised at their party. Spike's outburst had startled them all.

"Angel....is he OK?" Buffy asked.

They heard Dru cry out. Turning, they saw that the beautiful vampiress had tears of blood on her face.

"Dru....OK what's going on?" They demanded.

Angel looked at Dru, then at his childe. A feeling of dread spread through him. "Willow..." he whispered.

Dru looked at them, a hint of insanity creeping into her eyes.

Buffy and the others heard Angel's whisper. "No....Not Willow....what's going on? Dru...talk to me." Buffy demanded hysterically.

Dru looked into the distance. "The flame has gone out.....The fire no longer burns...."

"Willow....." Buffy cried out as she collapsed on the floor. Xander and Cordelia sat beside her, tears flowing from their eyes.