Inell's Fanfiction Archive

Buffy had broken down in a heap of loud sobs. Xander and Giles weeped silently. No one could believe that Willow was gone. They were so caught up in their grief, that they failed to hear the door opening. Spike noticed a smell in the air, and turned cold blue eyes to the man standing inside the doorway.

"Nic..." he whispered.

Nic came forward and looked at them. His eyes were full of sadness, regret and guilt.

"I'm sorry...." he said.

The others looked up and took in his appearance. He was covered with blood. He weakly came into the room before collapsing on the couch.

"What happened?" Dru asked softly.

Spike felt anxiety, anger and dread fill his body. He recognized Willow's blood. He waited to hear what Nic would say before he attacked. Willow always said he reacted without thinking. He'd be patient, for her.

"I was too late....it was a mugger....I kk-killed him...I killed a human! He stabbed her....too late....she was dieing... I was going to bring her here...she faded so fast....I...I....didn't know what to do..."

"She's dead?" Spike whispered. The older vampires dead eyes looked into his.

"She told me to take care of you two...that she loved you both..."

"No...no...." Angel whispered, shaking his head.

Nic looked up and then back at them. "I'm sorry....I couldn't let her go....there was no time....I....embraced her...."

Spike looked up sharply. "You did?"

Nic shook his head "Yes."

"Where is she?"

"I took her to the house....your house. She was cut very deeply...it will take some time to heal...she will sleep for awhile...you need to go to her...she doesn't know what I did...."

Spike stood. Angel joined him.

"Tell her that I'm sorry...." Nic whispered.

Spike went to the man and hugged him tightly. "I'm not." he said in his ear. "Thank you for her life."

The others watched as the two vampires went to their mate. Buffy dried her tears and thought about what had happened. (A mugger....not a demon...not a vampire...a mugger! Poor Willow..oh my, she's a vampire...) She started to get up and follow Spike and Angel. She needed to see her Willow, her friend. She was stopped by Xander.

"Let them go. It's going to be hard enough as it is. Just give them some time with her." He said, hugging her close. His friend wasn't gone. Joy filled him as he held Buffy and Cordelia in a tight embrace. Willow was still alive, sort of.

* * * * *

The door flew open as the two vampires raced inside. Spike and Angel raced up the stairs. Spike halted when he took in the form laying on the bed. She was covered in blood. Her hair around her face like a halo of fire. He could hear no heartbeat. It finally sunk in. Willow was undead....one of Nic's. He didn't have to worry about her soul, she would retain most of it. She would be almost the same. She'd still see the sunlight. Knowing that she was not gone made him very happy, but he felt a gnawing from his demon. She was his mate, but Nic's childe. He was not her master. His demon flared with anger and jealousy at that knowledge. He felt Angel's hand on his shoulder. He looked in those dark brown eyes and saw acceptance.

Angel had all ready gone through the battle with his demon. He had decided that having Nic's Willow would be better than having no Willow at all. He knew, though, that Spike would have difficulty accepting this. Spike was her primary and had planned on being her sire, when the time came. Now, he had not only lost her to Nic, she wouldn't exactly be what they had thought. She was prepared to be a souled vampire, but being Nic's childe would be much different. Angel knew that she would need them greatly to help her adapt to her new lifestyle. He watched as Spike got a determined look in his eyes. He felt relief that his childe was going to try to ignore the demon. He only hoped that he could master it permanently, for all their sakes.

* * * * *

Willow opened her eyes and look at her ceiling.

(How did I get here?) She remembered the coffee and Oz...the alley...she felt terror shoot through her as she remembered the knife...(I died.) She gasped as she realized that. Suddenly, Spike was at her side. Angel was at her other.

"Shh....luv. It's ok....you're still hurt...shh... don't talk...just rest." Spike murmured in her ear.

"Nic..." she whispered. She knew now what he must have done. Poor Nic. He didn't like making children. He'd also killed that man. He must be feeling so guilty. "I'm one of his?"

Spike kissed her cheek. "Yes pet. He saved you. Not what we had planned, but we'll make it work. Now, get some sleep."

"The cut was deep Willow. It will take some time to heal. Please, don't think about it all right now. We can talk in the morning." Angel said, clasping her hand in his.

(So cold....) Willow thought as she closed her eyes. She felt movement as both her lovers joined her in the bed, holding her to them. They were careful of her wounds, but they needed that contact to reassure themselves that she was still with them.

* * * * *

Willow opened her eyes and looked at the ceiling. She was in the house alone. She couldn't feel anyone else. She sat up and felt a pain in her abdomen. She looked down and gasped as she saw all the blood. She got up and crept slowly into the bathroom. She had to get cleaned up.

She sat on the toilet and started to wipe the blood from her body. She began to think about everything that had happened.

(I wonder how long I slept....Its night now. I wonder where Spike and Angel are....they probably didn't want to see me. Oh Goddess....I'm a vampire. Am I a vampire? I don't feel very different...so cold....I still feel like the old Willow...)

She stood and looked into the mirror. She could feel tears in her eyes, as she sat back down.

(No reflection....I don't know how I can live like this....poor Nic...Its all my fault...I knew better.....Spike is going to hate me...I'm not his any more....what am I going to do? Angel and Spike will pity me....I'm not even a true vampire...Buffy won't understand....oh Goddess, Xander and Cordelia....they'll all hate me....I wish I had just died....I need to go away....I can't make them go through this....)

She got up and stripped off the bloody clothes. She changed into fresh things and began to pack a bag. She was so absorbed in her task that she failed to hear the bedroom door open.

"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?" a voice demanded.

* * * * *

Willow turned and looked at Spike. "I need to go away....this is all so much to deal with." She said quietly.

"No." he said simply.

Startled, she looked at him, "What do you mean no?"

"I mean, luv, that you are going nowhere. I've noticed that when something big happens, we have a habit of running. You, to lord knows where...me, to the bottle. Not going to happen this time. I'm tired of playing that game."

"I have to go...." Willow said.

Spike leaned against the door and crossed his arms. "You can if you get through me."

Willow sat on the end of the bed and started to cry. "You hate me." She whispered.

'If I hated you, I'd let you go. I can't do that. I love you too much. Now, why do you think you need to leave?"

"Because....you pity me. I'm not your childe....you must hate me...."

Spike went to her and pulled her into his embrace. "Do you know what I felt when I thought you were gone? I was in such pain at the thought that I would never see you again....never hold you...never hear your laugh....I was overjoyed when I found out what Nic had done. It will take some adjustment, I know. I can't even promise that I won't be extremely jealous, because I know myself too well. But, Willow, I love you. You aren't leaving me. We are in this together, for eternity."

Willow listened to Spike's words and wanted to believe. "Spike....it's my fault. I should have let you pick me up. I was too independent...too cocky. Look where it got me? Nic must be going through his own personal hell, because of me. I love you too much to accept your pity."

"My pity? That is one thing you will never have pet. You can have my life....my love...my heart, but you will never find me pitying you. You survived! You are still here....still able to see the sun. Still able to help that blasted slayer....Think about Willow. If you leave, where does that leave everyone? They need you...I need you. Nic would not have made this sacrifice if he didn't feel that it was the right thing to do. Now, quit this pity party. Right now, the only one who is pitying you is you. It has been two nights. Everyone is eager to see you. They want to assure themselves that you aren't really gone."

Willow started to protest, but was stopped by his finger on her lips.

"Shh....you didn't see their faces when they thought you were dead. They need this luv. They gave you two days....you won't be able to get any more time out of them. First, you need to eat. You need your strength."

He bit into his wrist and placed it against her mouth. She tried to turn her head, but found his hand holding it in place. The first few drops of his blood passed her lips. She licked at them, savoring the taste. Soon, her hunger took over. She held onto his wrist and lapped until he pulled away.

"Not so bad, eh luv? For the first few weeks, you will need to feed regularly. After that, the curse kicks in. I spoke to Luc about your special circumstances yesterday. He would like to talk to you, when you feel up to it. Everything will be ok. Now, c'mon. Angel is waiting downstairs. I told the gang we'd be there after 10pm. We need to get going." He kissed her forehead, the coolness of her skin still a surprise.

She nodded and stood. With Spike and Angel beside her, she would get through this. She had to get through this. She felt a wave of fear at having to face everyone. Despite Spike's assurances, she still felt guilty. Nothing he said would take that away.

* * * * *

"Why are we meeting at Giles?"

"Never really thought about it. He volunteered. Why?" Angel said curiously.

"Nothing." Willow said quietly. "Just wondering."

Spike reached forward and knocked. The door swung open, and seven faces peered anxiously out the door. Willow felt a bit overwhelmed.

Giles smiled. "Willow....thank God..."

She started to go in but found herself hitting some sort of shield. The others looked surprised then Giles nodded.

"Oh....I forgot. Come In Willow."

She moved into the apartment and found herself engulfed in arms. She heard Buffy whisper that she was so glad she was all right. She pulled back and went to Spike. He looked into her eyes and noticed the scared, haunted look returning.

"Everyone, Willow's a bit tired. Why don't you all sit down and let her rest a bit." He moved her to the couch and sat down with her in between his legs.

Everyone saw how frail Willow looked and decided that he was right. Buffy stared at her friend. She could feel the usual twisting in her stomach that warned of a vampire. She had hoped that she would never experience that with a friend. Willow looked so pale....so worried. Buffy was glad that she was ok, but wondered how things could ever get back to normal.

Xander looked at his oldest and dearest friend. She was dead. He had to accept that. He had not felt a heartbeat when he had hugged her. She was cold to the touch. Except the pale complexion, she still looked like his Willow. He wondered what she was thinking. He also wondered if she had all ready eaten. He drew the collar of his shirt up, just in case.

Willow noticed Xander's movement, and felt her heart break. She knew then that it was going to be very hard for all of them. She squeezed Spike's hand tightly, begging for the courage to make it through this evening.

Drusilla watched Willow. The poor girl still looked like death. It was much too soon for her to be out. Nic had told her that the wounds had been very deep. She had lost alot of blood, and had been on the very verge of death's door. Nic had waited until the last possible moment before embracing her. He felt guilty that he had waited so long. Dru looked at the others. They were trying so hard to believe that nothing had changed. Willow was still the same, she just didn't have a heartbeat. It would be much more difficult if they failed to accept the situation and move on. She got up and went to Willow. She took her hands in hers and helped her stand. She engulfed the trembling girl in her arms.

"Come on daughter.....you need rest. Let mommy take care of you...." she whispered as she led her out of the apartment and away from the stares of her friends. Willow smiled into the vampiress's shoulder. She had been rescued.

"I'll call you all later....after I rest.... Goodnight." She called out. "Spike, Angel....please come too."

Spike got up and smiled, heading after them. (Dru had always wanted a daughter to take care of.....Poor Red....)

* * * * *

Willow allowed herself to be coddled by Drusilla. It was a nice feeling. She had expected mixed reactions from her friends, but Xander's attitude had cut her deep. He had actually thought she might bite him. She was also upset that Nic had not been there. She would see him soon. Dru was taking her to him.

Willow walked into the house and paused. She headed up the stairs to the library. She could feel that he was there, waiting for her. She opened the door and went in.

"Father."

"Daughter" Nic went to her and held her tight. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It may take me some time, but I would rather be like this than to never hold Spike or Angel again. I owe you. Thank you, Nic."

Nic felt tears go down his cheeks at her forgiveness. He had spent two days wondering if he had done the right thing....wondering what else he could have done....he had decided that if she accepted it, he would. He smiled at his youngest childe. She was truly beautiful. He felt a rush of pride fill him. She was his. He would do everything within his power to make her unlife as easy as possible.

"Thank you Willow. I wasn't sure...."

"You did good, old man. I'm sorry, but I'm rather tired. It has been an emotional evening."

"Sit dear, and tell me everything. How did they react?"

Willow told him of the events at Giles' apartment. He commented and they continued to talk for some time.

**********

Spike stood in the doorway and watched. Willow was laughing. It was the first time he had heard her laugh since before she went to meet Oz...and Nic had caused it. He fought the jealousy as he went into the room. He smiled at her greeting. Her face lit with pleasure at seeing him. (Take that, you old wanker. She loves ME!) He moved behind her and kissed her gently. "Time to go luv. Daylight soon. You need your rest." He nodded a greeting at Nic, before turning his attention back to his mate. "Can you walk?"

"Yes, Spike. Your blood gave me quite a bit of energy. Goodbye, Father." She went over and kissed Nic on the cheek. "I'll come see you when I feel stronger. We have a lot to discuss. I have so many questions...." She trailed off as she felt Spike's hand tighten around her arm as he pulled her from the room. She could feel anger in him. (Oh Goddess....is it all ready starting?)