Inell's Fanfiction Archive

"So, Willow. Do you have any more secrets?" Buffy asked, hoping she knew everything.

Willow froze. "No, Buffy. You know the important things."

"Good." Buffy sighed. She didn't need any more surprises. She was still trying to deal with the Dru and Spike angle.

"So, do you enjoy nursing?"

"Yes. I love it. It is a way to save people without having to fight demons and monsters. Now, I just have to face the doctors."

Willow laughed. "Are they that bad?"

"Willow....you know what comes into our ER. Imagine a doctor trying to figure out what some of that stuff it. I will say that my job is very convenient. I can now get a list of the newbies to Marcy as soon as they are wheeled in."

"How do you like Marcy?"

"She's good. She's young though. She detests me. Reminds me of Faith sometimes."

"I never knew her."

"She was wild...had a big mouth. But underneath it, she was ok. She of course ended up joining forces with evil and fighting us, but in the end she pulled through."

"I should have been here to help y'all with the mayor. I feel guilty that I wasn't."

"Willow. I'm sure you have helped a lot more doing the work with the council. All that research has probably saved tons of people."

"You wouldn't even guess" Willow muttered.

"What?"

"Nothing. Just wondering if Spike will be on time tonight."

A frown crossed Buffy's face. "I still can't believe you and he are together. I mean, it's just hard to comprehend."

"Well, we are. Completely devoted to each other. Now, let's go to the library. I'm curious to see if Bri or Marce need any help with research."

Buffy laughed at the eager tone in her friend's voice. "Geez, Will. It's not like you don't do enough of that at work."

Willow smiled softly and followed Buffy to the car. So far, so good. Maybe she would actually manage to keep their immortality a secret.

* * * * *

Willow sat beside Spike. Dru had known that Angel was going to be there and had decided to stay in and enjoy a warm bath. Willow had not insisted her friend come. She knew that what Dru knew of Angelus must be hard for her to deal with. It wasn't her place to push it.

They were talking about the past seven years. It was almost as though she had never left. Xander entertained her with stories of the scooby gang's exploits. They were trying to accept Spike, only glaring at him every little bit. He ignored them, instead concentrating on the feel of Willow in his arms. Suddenly, she heard a beeping. A wave of alarm shot through her. She grabbed her phone and flipped it open.

"Yeah"

"Red Angel....we have a situation. We have knowledge that you are in Sunnydale. Correct?"

"Yes."

"Good. We are sending a contact to you. Demon is heading your way. Dreams of world domination. You know the drill."

"Time to kick some ass?"

"You got it Red. Are Will and Raven with you?"

"Will is. Raven isn't. You want to call?"

"Will do. I assumed she knows your location. Where are you?"

"Library---high school."

"OK. Contact will be there shortly. Give him ten minutes."

"Get some sleep Myers."

"Nice to know you care Red."

"Bye."

She hung up and looked at Spike. "WDD on the way. Ten minutes, contact will be here."

"Dru?"

"Myers is contacting."

"Cool. So, we wait."

Willow grimaced. "I hate waiting."

"Uh....what the hell is going on?" Buffy demanded.

Willow turned. She had forgotten they were there. She was trained to listen when she heard her codename.

"Fuck..." she whispered, looking at Spike. He just grinned at her.

Willow said, "I'll explain later. Right now, I need a soda. Spike, want anything?"

"Do they have any candy? I'm dieing for some chocolate."

Willow smiled. "C'mon lets see."

They left to go to the vending machines.

Buffy and the others looked at each other. "Did Spike just say he wanted chocolate?"

"Yes." Angel said, puzzled.

Spike never ate human food. He lived for blood. Something was going on that they weren't telling. He wanted to know what it was.

Ten minutes later

Willow and Spike came back arms filled with junk food.

"Do you know how much spent on this junk?"

"It's my money luv. Besides, we need it. We have to get energized."

"What-ever. Admit it. You are addicted to sweets."

"The only sweet I'm addicted to is you."

"I think I'm going to hurl." Xander said, making a face.

Willow smiled. "Nice to know somethings don't change."

They put the food on the table. She heard the door open and turned to Dru.

Dru smiled. "Guess who I found wandering around like a lost child."

"THACKERY!" Willow screamed. She ran and hugged the man tightly. "You rascal. Myers didn't tell me you were our contact."

"Well, I told him to keep it hush hush." He replied, a twinkle in his eye. "Let me look at you. Yep....still haven't changed. Hello Will. Raven was telling me that you and the slayer were friendly again. Willow, do you think that's wise?"

Willow grimaced. "Thack, look behind me."

He looked up and his eyes widened. "Oh..well, this is interesting. Rupert, nice to see you again."

"Thackery. May I ask you a question?"

"Of course." He said politely.

"What the hell is going on here?" Giles demanded.

Thackery stared at Giles a moment before giving Willow a surprised look.

"You didn't tell them?"

"No, you made me promise. I did tell them that we worked for the council. They assumed it was in the research capacity."

"Well, hell, Red. Why didn't you tell me? We might have got of this situation without spilling the beans."

"How the fuck could I tell you when I didn't know you were coming?"

"Well...you should have known."

Willow rolled her eyes. "Oh yeah...I'm psychic. Think Thack, if I could read minds I'd have my own phone hotline, and NOT be working for you."

Spike saw the fire in his mate's eyes and fought a smile. The poor watcher was facing an angry Willow. Not a sport he'd recommend. Sighing, he decided to stop them before blood was drawn.

"Thack, my man. You should have known Willow would never break her promise. What were you thinking?"

"Uh...Well...actually, I assumed she'd get here and it would just come out."

Willow sniffed. "So, in other words, you weren't thinking."

Thack just shook his head. Suddenly, he started to laugh. "You're right. I should have had more trust. I know you well enough to know that you'd never betray my confidence."

Willow smiled prettily. "You're forgiven. Now, why are you the contact?"

"I asked to be. I knew you and the gang would be here. Haven't seen you all since Dublin in March. Thought I'd say hi. Also needed a vacation. Thought I might tag along after this wedding to see your new digs in Toronto."

"Digs?" Drusilla started to laugh. "Thack you really need to get out more."

Giles was seething. They had completely ignored him. It was as though he and the other scooby gang members were no longer important. He didn't like being out of the loop. He couldn't really say anything though. He had resigned his position a few years back. Why should he be in the know, as Buffy would say.

Willow laughed at Dru's joke and noticed Giles's taking a deep breath. She sighed and looked at Thack.

"Well, Mr Big Mouth, I think you have some explaining to do." She gestured to the others who were still waiting for an answer.

Thack nodded. He made eye contact with Willow. They conversed silently for a moment. They had been in several battle situations before and had learned to read each other pretty well. He smiled when he understand what she was trying to say. He turned to Rupert and started to answer the question.

"I'll let Willow explain," Thack said, motioning to the redhead.

"Its like this. We don't do research for the council. I guess you could call us demon slayers or something like that."

"What?" Buffy demanded, shocked.

Willow smiled at the surprised looks on her friend's faces. "We kill demons. The council sets us up, we go in, demon dies. In exchange for our services, the council provides food, clothing, rent, and expenses."

Giles looked at Thackery. "She's telling the truth?"

"Yes. We don't usually publicize our outside help. That's why it was kept secret. Also, no one knows their identity. Everyone in that department has a codename. That way there are no revenge efforts or needless deaths."

Willow looked at them. "We need y'all to promise that this doesn't leave the room. We are the best the council has, and we don't need to deal with stalkers and such."

"Pretty cocky there Red."

Willow smiled at Spike. "I thought you were the cocky one?"

"Just wait little girl..." he said, a promise in his eyes.

Dru made a gagging sound. "Puh-leez. Can't you two stop? You are so sticky sweet I want to puke."

Willow stuck her tongue out at the woman.

"Real mature there Mom." Dru said, stressing the latter word.

"Just wait, Princess. One day, you'll meet a guy that you can't keep your hands off. You'll want to kiss him and do all sorts of naughty things with him. Then, he'll realize just how horrible you are and leave you with us." Spike said, ducking her swinging hand.

"Spike, leave Dru alone. We need to be serious." Willow said, winking at them both. "Thack, what are we dealing with here? I mean, the wedding is in two days. I'd like this wrapped by then."

"It should be easy enough. Just another WDD."

"Excuse me," Giles interrupted. "What is a WDD?"

Willow sighed. This was going to be a long night. "A world domination demon. Usually not that powerful. High delusions of grandeur. I'll let Will bad mouth him and Raven and I'll hit while he's distracted."

"Will? Raven?" Buffy asked, her face puzzled.

"That'd be me, slayer. Will Scarlet."

"Don't ask. He says it's out of love for me. I think he just saw Robin Hood too many times. Dru is Raven. I'm Red Angel."

Giles's mouth dropped open. "YOU'RE Red Angel?"

Willow looked at Giles and beamed. "You've heard of me?"

"Yes. About three years ago....the warlock in Kathmandu. I heard it was a truly spectacular battle. How did you survive?"

"With a little help from my friends." Willow said, avoiding the truthful answer and gesturing to Spike and Dru.

Dru leaned forward and smiled at Giles. "It was fantastic. He knew all these great spells. I mean, the air was filled with magic. Not as interesting as that Chaos demon in Brazil though. He was just horrid. All slimy and icky. I was so glad when he finally died."

Willow started laughing. "You mean the slimy icky thing that had a crush on you?" She turned to the others smiling. "All he did was stare at Dru while Spike and I sliced and diced. She bewitched him with her beauty."

"It sure wasn't her wit or intelligence" Spike grumbled.

"Willow....shut up." Dru said. She turned to the others with a pained look. "Aren't parents awful? I mean, you should see her on an airplane. She pulls out this wallet of photos to show her seatmates. Completely mortifying." she said, smiling at Willow.

"Just for that, you're grounded. No shopping for a month." Willow said, leaning back against Spike.

"WHAT??? I was just joking. Y'all can joke about me but I can't joke about you? That's not fair. Spike! Tell her its not fair."

"Luv," He said, "If she doesn't go shopping, we'll NEVER have any privacy." he winked at her.

Willow smiled back. "OK...Grounding isn't the best idea. How about, no Monty Python for a month."

"Willooooowwww....I can't live without my holy grail." She looked at Giles and the others. "I was just joking. She doesn't have any pictures of me. I mean, I can't even be photographed. Tell her you knew I was joking. Please." she begged.

Willow and Spike started laughing harder at the faces of her old friends. They had no idea what was going on.

* * * * *

"Well, it was nice meeting you all" Thackery smiled at the original scooby gang.

"Yes....it had definitely been an eye opening evening." Giles said, smiling slightly.

"Y'all can use the library here until you get rid of that demon." Buffy said, "Oh, and if you need help, we'll be here. I am on vacation right now so that I can get ready for the wedding. Xander isn't needed at his stores usually, so he's in too. Cordy makes her own hours. OK?"

Willow smiled at her old friend. They all weren't so bad after all. "Thank you Buffy. I'm sure we'll need your help even if it just is research."

"Oh..." Buffy said, realizing finally that she was not the slayer anymore. "Of course. Call me tomorrow Wills. Guys, it's been fun but I'm meeting Mark in the morning."

"And you need your beauty sleep." Spike said, smiling innocently.

She glared at him as Xander laughed.

Willow just shook her head and said bye to everyone. "C'mon kids. Let's go. Thack, where are you staying?"

"I have a room at the same hotel as you three."

"I guess that means you need a lift, eh watcher?" Spike said.

"Only if Drusilla is driving. I'd like to live to see tomorrow."

"What?" Willow and Spike both demanded. Dru smiled sweetly.

"Please....you both are horrible drivers. Too fast, too risky. As I said, I'd like to see the morning sun."

"Just for that, I should make you walk." Willow said grumbling as they started out the doors.

"In Sunnydale? Even you aren't that cruel" Dru said, putting her arm around Willow's shoulders. "I think you're an excellent driver." She heard Spike making kissing noises and rolling his eyes at Thack. "Unlike the blond cretin. I really wonder who taught him to drive."

Willow started laughing as they went to the parking lot.

Giles looked at the remaining people in the library. "Well, I must say, they act like a family."

"Who'd have thunk it?" Xander said, rising to his feet. "Our Wills and two vampires, happily ever after....."

"I'd say, our Willow and Spike and Dru happily ever after never would have entered my mind...." Giles said, smiling.

"Actually, Dru seems nice. I'd love to go shopping with her. Willow said that she has the knack for finding bargains."

Giles and Xander exchanged a look as Cordelia started talking about Dru and Willow's clothing.