Inell's Fanfiction Archive

Willow stood outside the doors of the library and frowned. The high school had barely changed. She knew it had been rebuilt after Buffy had blown it up killing the Mayor. They must have rebuilt it exactly the same. She pushed the doors open and walked inside. She stood quietly, having practice on not being detected. She knew that Brian and Marcy were patrolling. She had spoken to him earlier, explaining her request for them to not say anything until she had told the gang.

It was as though she had walked back into 1998. There were very changes. More people. She saw a man that must be Mark. Buffy must had told him about her history. Willow was actually surprised. She saw the woman that must be Darla. She smiled. She looked like a friendly lady. She saw Giles laughing at something Xander had said. Cordelia and Buffy rolling their eyes. She froze when she saw Angel. This was so not good. She sent out a mental message to Dru, warning her and Spike. She hoped they got it. She had to face them. As she got closer, she heard them talking.

"Where is she? She's late. Willow is never late." Xander said.

"Does anyone know who's bringing? I mean, my mother told me she said two guests."

"Who would know? Its not like she's ever called or written." Cordelia said, looking at Buffy.

"Maybe she's married and has a child. That is honestly the only thing I can thing of." Giles said.

(He's almost right. Dru does think of me as her mother.....Oh Goddess...is it too late to turn around?)

Angel sensed her. He looked up and gasped. That was Willow? The others heard him and turned to see what he was staring at.

She was radiant. Her hair fell in waves down her back. Her eyes sparkled with hidden mischief and had a tint of worry. She was wearing a tight green shirt and black jeans that showed off her slim figure. She had become a woman. They didn't know her. Suddenly, she smiled shyly at them and they were reminded of their Willow. The years slipped away as did any doubts.

"Willow." Buffy got up and rushed over to hug her.

"Buffy. Guys." Willow said, her voice more mature than they remembered.

After her old friends had hugged her, she having managed to avoid Angel, she was seated at the head of the table. She was introduced to Darla and Mark. They both seemed nice. They all had so many questions in their eyes. Did she really want to answer them?

"Geez...Wills. You look great."

"You too, Xan. Married life must agree with you."

"HEY...how'd you know that I was married?"

Willow smiled, her mind working fast. "I think Joyce mentioned it. Must have. Otherwise how would I have known?"

Xander and the others exchanged smiles at her babbling. She may have changed in appearance, but she was still the same.

(If only they knew....)

"So, where are you living?" Cordelia asked, looking interested.

"Toronto." Willow replied.

"Really? I sent the invitation to London."

"Yeah...it was forwarded to me. I just moved a few months ago."

"Why Toronto?" Buffy asked.

"Work."

"What do you do?" Mark asked, wondering what work would take a 25 year old from London to Toronto.

"I work for a worldwide organization. Non profit. We help people." She had had this reply prepared.

Willow looked at everyone except Angel. She knew from her contacts that he was souled again, but she couldn't forget the hell he had put Spike and Dru through. She knew it was unfair of her, but she couldn't control that hatred.

"So....I have to ask. Willow, are you married? I see a ring, but it's on the wrong hand." Giles stated, motioning to her hand.

"No. Not married. Just involved. Seriously involved. Marriage is not really an option."

"Why not? Marriage is great." Xander said, angry at some jerk for stringing his Willow along.

"Not for me. I know I'll be with him forever. I don't need a piece of paper telling me it is legal. Stupid tradition if you ask me. I love him. I live with him. I fuck him every night. No ceremony is going to change that." She said.

The others were surprised at her outburst. She never would have spoken so freely before. Had Willow really said the F word? went through all her old friend's minds.

"Oh....that's nice." Buffy said, smiling slightly.

She didn't know what to say. She hadn't heard from the girl she had considered her best friend in six years. Now, they were strangers. She could tell that Xander and Cordelia felt the same way. This was awkward.

Willow looked at Giles. "So, how is retirement?"

"How did you....Joyce I suppose. Its grand. No more council. No more stupid rules. I am very happy. Are you happy?"

"Extremely" Willow replied truthfully, her eyes lighting up. She smiled a big smile. "I never would have dreamed I'd be where I am now seven years ago. Now that I am here, I can't imagine being anywhere else."

"I'm glad that you are happy. You deserve it. How did you like Oxford?"

"It was great. I would have liked to finish my studies but...." her voice trailed off. She had almost done it. "things came up. Life happened, I guess you could say."

Xander was shocked. "You didn't finish college? You....Miss Studious...Miss Early Admission? What the hell do you mean life happened?"

"Xander, I don't really think its any of your business. I learned that school was less important than a lot of things. Deal, ok?"

"Well, excuse us Miss Bitch. What is with the attitude?" Buffy asked.

"Sorry....I....I honestly didn't mean to be rude. I've made my decisions and I really don't feel like justifying them to you." Willow said, looking at the table.

This was not going well. It was all her fault too. They were trying. They just seemed to think of her as the same shy little scared girl that had been here before. She wasn't that anymore. She was a bitch. She had faced evil that would make their skin crawl. She didn't need them to protect her. Not anymore.

Cordelia noticed the tension in the room. She finally spoke. "So, Willow. Where is this mystery man of yours and who is your other guest? I mean, do you have a kid?"

"No I don't. They will be here soon. She is my best friend...has been for six years now. Umm...gang. Is this too much? If so, let me know. I can call them and just leave."

"No. We haven't seen you in seven years. I mean, things are bound to be a bit tough, but we'll get over it. We have all week. So, tell us about this man." Buffy said, trying to sound convincing.

Willow smiled. "If you think this is tough...just wait. Remember that I did give you the chance to let me just go...before you learned anything you'd rather not know."

"Willow....what is with the dramatics? If I remember, that was always my deal. Not yours." Cordelia said.

Willow laughed, 'Yes it was. I'm not being dramatic. I just don't want to have to deal with what I know is coming. I was trying to save myself the trouble. Purely selfish in fact."

"What are you talking about? I don't understand you anymore." Buffy said exasperated with her old friend.

Angel suddenly sat up straight. "I hate to say this, but we've got company. Buffy, get ready."

Buffy grabbed a stake and waited, wondering what was happening. Willow smiled. She was curious to see what was going to take place. The library doors burst open. Spike and Dru came in.

"Hello luv. Are we late?"

Angel stood and growled. Buffy stood quickly, letting the chair fall to the ground. Willow saw Spike wink at her. He was enjoying his grand entrance. She just smiled and shook her head. When she saw Buffy heading toward him, she reacted instinctively. She was out of her chair in second. Before Buffy even got close, Willow had her arm behind her back, the stake on the floor.

"There will be staking. Now, sit down." She shoved Buffy towards her chair, failing to notice the looks of shock and outrage on the other's faces. "You always react without thinking. Someday you're going to get yourself killed." She said in disgust. She sometimes wondered how Buffy had survived as long as she had. She turned to look at Spike.

"And you Mister. I thought we said quiet entrance. What is with the 'look at me, I'm a bad ass vampire' thing? Huh?"

Spike started to groan. He was in trouble. Things must not have been going well.

Dru moved to Willow and smiled daintily. "I told him to be nice. He just never listens. You should have let the slayer stake him, just for kicks." She said, winking at Willow.

Willow laughed. "Yeah...but think about it. Splinters are so hard to get out of clothes and I love that shirt."

"Fine..Talk about me like I'm not here. Not used to that after six years." He grumbled, moving to Willow.

He pulled her into his arms and gave her a searing kiss. His hands reaching back to cup her ass, bringing her in closer to his body. She heard gasps from behind her.

Drusilla rolled her eyes and made a gagging face, "Please! I just ate. Remember, no smoochies in front of the child Red. You promised." she whined.

Willow pulled back and nibbled on Spike's lip. Everything was fine now. She had her support system now.

"Thank you" she whispered to her mate.

She turned around and faced the table. Spike stood behind her, his arm wrapped possessively around her waist, his chin on her shoulder as he regarded them with disinterest. Dru moved to their side and took Willow's hand.

"Everything fine here?" She asked, her tone warning. She was prepared to kill any of them if the hurt Willow.

"Dandy, luv." Willow said, squeezing her hand.

Buffy finally found her voice. "What the fuck is going on here?"

Willow looked at her, her eyes darkening at Buffy's tone of voice. "Stop now, slayer. You don't want to fight."

"Slayer? Are you a vampire?"

Willow laughed, "God no. Why? Would I have to be a vampire to stand up to you?"

"You aren't Willow anymore. I don't know what they did to you, but you've changed."

Angel noticed the changes in Drusilla immediately. He had never seen her look so normal...so sane. He kept his mouth shut, wanting to hear Willow's explanation.

"No I'm not. I grew up. I had to grow up. If you'd have given me a chance to explain, you'd understand. Instead, you run around and try to kill my mate."

"I so want to hear you explain this one Wills. How could you? They tried killing us. Hell, that bitch put you in the hospital. Now, you come in here talking about being best friends and mates and all this shit. OK. We'll be quiet. Explain this one."

Willow felt Spike's hand rub circles on her stomach. With his touch, she decided it was now or never. They'd either understand or she'd leave. She started to speak when the door flew open. Bright blue hair ran up to her.

"RED!!!!!!!!" Marcy grabbed her away from Spike and swung her around. "You're here."

Willow started laughing. "Put me down."

Marcy set her down and giggled. "Sorry. That jackass Brian just now told me y'all were here. I'd have been here for sure if I'd know."

"I know. Blue?" Willow asked, her face thoughtful.

Marcy shrugged. "Yeah....this week. Hey Stud Muffin." She smiled at Spike. He rolled his eyes and smiled.

"Terror. Blue is definitely your color."

Marcy blushed. She thought Willow's lover was such a hottie, even if he was a vampire. She hugged Dru, kissing the woman on the cheek. "Hey babe. How you liking Toronto?"

Dru smiled at the other girl's excitement. "It is so wonderful. We have this great two bedroom studio near Yonge Street. You'll have to visit. We can go shopping."

Marcy beamed. She looked at Willow. "Could I? Pleeeeeeaaaase Red? I'll be good. You won't know I'm there."

Willow hugged Spike. "Somehow I don't believe that. I don't know Marce. We'll talk to Brian. Since it is summer and you did pass your biology test...." she deliberately trailed off.

"That rocks." Marcy said. The door opened and a middle aged man came in.

"Marcy...what have I told you about running like that? I told you that Red and the others were talking to her friends."

"What-ever. She's my friend too. Guess what. She says I can visit them in Toronto. Isn't that the best news?"

Brian looked at Willow and rolled his eyes. "Are you sure? She will most likely drive you crazy. The girl never stops."

"I'm sure. It will be fun. Dru and I could use another woman to talk to."

"Just what I need....another adolescent. Isn't Dru bad enough?" Spike groaned. He looked at Brian. "Hey, watcher...need a roomie for a few days?"

Brian chuckled. He knew the vampire would never leave Willow for that long. "Anytime."

"AHEM..." Giles spoke. They all turned to the table. Willow had forgotten that they were there.

Marcy groaned. "Well, if it isn't Miss Slayer Perfect and all her little friends too."

Willow fought a laugh. "Marcy...I told you to be nice to them. Toronto is slipping away.."

Marcy nodded. "Hi Buffy. I just love that dress...is it new?" she batted her eyes and flashed a fake smile.

"Need to work on the convincing part" Willow whispered loudly.

"Yeah....yeah....Like I care. Hey, how long you three here?"

"A few days."

"Damn...I'd better get home. I'll let you talk to the gang. I'll see you all tomorrow."

"Bye Marcy."

Willow shook her head. "That is one strange girl."

"A damn good slayer though." Brian said as he went to his office. "I'll leave you to it."

Willow looked at her old friends. She sighed. It was going to be a long night.