Inell's Fanfiction Archive

Willow froze, her eyes disbelieving. Oz and Amy? When had that happened? Why hadn't anyone told her? She backed up, her breath coming in short gasps. She turned and pushed the throng of students. She had to get away. She left the Bronze, moving to the alley. She sat down on a discarded crate, her eyes wet.

There was too much happening. Too much betrayal. First Cordelia and Xander. They had hidden their relationship for months. She probably never would have found out if she hadn't stumbled upon them. Then, Buffy and Angel. The second happy couple. Angel had been back for who knows how long before Buffy felt it the time to let them know. Another lie. Now, her Oz...her supposed boyfriend making out with a friend. She didn't care that he had found someone else. She cared that he had done it so publicly with all her friends knowing while she was in the dark.

Why did they think she couldn't handle it? She was strong. It wasn't like she was in love with Oz. She liked him....cared for him, but she never believed it was love. It was betrayal though. She was weak. Too forgiving. She told herself these things all the time. She tried to change. She really did. It was just so hard. None of them wanted her to. They would pat her on the head and tell her to get on the computer.

She was sick of that damn computer. She was sick of research. She really wanted to just have some fun. She was seventeen. Her limited sexual experience consisted of fumbled kissed from Oz that never quite met her lips. He seemed to have no problem smooching with Amy. It wasn't just sex. She felt like she had lost all her friends. They never were around anymore. She missed being with someone. Being needed. Even Buffy had Faith now. They didn't need her.

She knew that she should branch out, find other friends. It wasn't that easy. Especially in Sunnydale. Who knew what evil lurked inside them all. No, she was stuck. At least until graduation. They had no idea, but she planned to leave Sunnydale. She loved fighting evil. It made her feel productive. BUT, she hated this town. Everyone saw you as you were from the moment you were born. No one acknowledged when you matured...when you changed. She had no idea where she was going, but it would be far away from her 'friends' and their lies.

She sighed, leaning against the brick wall of the alley. The loud music from the club could be heard from her left. The front doors opening and closing. She saw couples drift by, their hands held. What was it that made people want to lie to her? She would give anything to show them that she didn't need protection. She was an adult. Why couldn't they accept that? She got up, deciding to walk home. None of them knew she had come by. She thought she'd remain silent, see which of her good friends told her about Oz and his new love.

She headed through streets, always aware of her surroundings. She wasn't stupid. She knew the evil that went bump in the night. She wasn't about to become vampire fodder. No, not yet. She owed her friends for their lies. She didn't know how, but she would show them all.

She was halfway through the park when she heard broken glass followed by cursing. She glanced around then decided to investigate. Someone might be hurt. She looked through the bushes and paused. Spike. When did he get back? She allowed herself a moment to enjoy the sight of his handsome visage. She felt the familiar liquid heat spread through her. She saw him glance up, his blue eyes dazed as they focused on her.

"The slayer's shadow. Must be my lucky day."

Willow didn't say anything, instead watching his staggering walk. He moved towards her, the alcohol strong enough for her to smell.

"Gonna stake me luv? Put me out of my misery?"

"What misery?" she asked curiosity getting the better of her.

His face crumbled, "She left me. Doesn't even want to see me. Said I was weak...that I betrayed her and her Daddy. Bloody sot. Should have staked him when I had the chance."

Willow saw him stumble and reached for him. She put her hand on his arm, steadying him. She briefly wondered why she hadn't run. Looking over Spike again, she didn't think he was very dangerous. She felt him lean into her, his face close to hers.

"Why'd she leave? It was all for her. I love her. She's my dark goddess. I can't believe that I, William the fucking bloody, am being driven mad by that looney bitch. Why can't she just love me back?"

Willow felt a pain in her heart for him. She couldnt believe she felt pity for Spike. Drusilla was an idiot. Spike loved her and she just threw it all away. She was about to answer when she saw a shadow from the corner of her eye. To her dismay, Spike fell to the ground as something made contact with his head. She started to move but soon slipped into unconsciousness, a pain in her head.

* * * * *

Willow opened her eyes. Her head was killing her. She was laying in her bed. She saw the familiar ceiling above her head. She reached up and ran her fingers over her temple. She pulled them away, seeing the slight pink of blood.

The last thing she remembered was Spike weeping drunkenly then a pain. A shadow running towards them. She had fallen against the cement. How did she get here? She sat up gingerly, her eyes scanning the room. It was definitely her house....her room. She moved her feet to the floor, a wave of dizziness spreading over her. What a way to start Winter Break. Get knocked around, dumped, abused.

She waited until her vision cleared before standing. She sat down again immediately. Her mind was in turmoil. She couldn't figure out what had happened. She assumed someone was running through the park and knocked into her. Had it been something evil, she wouldn't be alive much less in her own room.

She heard soft clinking and looked up. Her mouth dropped open slightly when she saw Spike standing in her doorway, his blue eyes watching her with concern. All previous traces of sadness and drunken misery were gone. How did he get into her house?

"Willow" he said softly, his accent sending shivers down her spine, "I made you some tea. You like tea don't you? That was all I could find."

"Wh...wh...what happened?" she asked, stumbling over her words. The shock of the situation and Spike being in her room was too much. He looked to at ease. He didn't have the usual smirk and coldness in his eyes. Spike had made her tea?

He moved into her room, offering the glass. He sat down in her desk chair, his eyes on her. They held confusion and concern. "I'm not sure. I woke up in the park. You were out cold. I found your address on your driver's license and brought you here."

"Did you see who ran into us?" she asked, sipping her tea. He had even added lemon for her. Good lord.

He kept his eyes on her, "Actually, that's where there seems to be a problem."

"Well?" she asked. "Spike, come on. What happened?"

"Spike?" he spat out in distaste. "Please don't tell me that's my name. Spike? How awful is that?"

The cup fell to her floor. "You're telling me that you don't know your name? Quit playing games. It's been a long night."

He smiled, leaning back, "Im not playing any sort of games, Willow. All I know is that I don't appear to be breathing..something I'd really like you to explain later. Oh, and that you're mine."

Willow stared at him, her eyes disbelieving. He was playing with her. He had to be. Sure, they had both fallen to the cement, but the blow couldn't have been enough for him to lose his memory. Could vampires even have amnesia? She searched his blue eyes, noticing again just how beautiful they were. Such a shame that he was dead...and evil. He was gorgeous. Willow freed her mind from her lascivious thoughts, determined to concentrate on the situation.

"I'm yours?" she repeated softly.

He nodded, then asked hesitantly, "Aren't you?"

She didn't answer, instead countering with, "Why do you think that?"

He smiled slowly, "You're beautiful. You were laying with your head on my chest when I woke up...it felt right. Also, I just know. I can't remember details. Hell, my mind is rather a blank about personal information. But, I have this feeling that I love you and you belong to me. Am I right?"

Willow again ignored him. "Everything personal is a blank. What about other stuff?"

"Huh?"

She sighed, "Useless information. You know, what a car is. How to spell. How to read. That kind of stuff. You didn't lose those things did you?"

He chuckled, "I can tell you who won the World Series in 1976 but I don't know my own name. Pathetic huh?"

"No" she said softly.

She was amazed at the differences in him. He was not as guarded...not as sarcastic. She'd never really spoken to him when he'd been in Sunnydale before. His whole 'I'm going to kill you because you're friends with the slayer' bit sort of hindered possible communications.

She had heard about him from Angel, Giles and Buffy though. This man sitting in her desk chair was not what they had described. He still had an edge, an uneasiness in his body. The demon was still there. She could see that much. His personality was changed though. He hadn't mentioned Dru or Angel once. They'd been talking at least fifteen minutes. He also hadn't mentioned the slayer. It was possible that he was telling the truth.

"No, you aren't pathetic. Just injured."

He studied her a moment. He could almost see her mind working. He may not know a lot about himself, but he could see that he good taste. She was beautiful. All that red hair and those big eyes. She radiated intelligence and warmth. He was a damn lucky man. Man?

"Fuck, I'm dead aren't I?"

She saw the emotions flicker across his face, "A vampire" she said softly.

He shook his head slightly. "No. I kill people? Willow. Tell me I'm not."

"I can't lie to you, Spike. You kill people. You thrive on killing people."

She watched him struggle to understand and a thought came to her. If she did it, she would feel so bad. Wouldn't she? It would be rather evil of her. She watched his eyes as he denied being a killer. She smiled slowly, not evil. Just helpful.

"That is, you used to."

"Use to?" he said softly.

She moved towards him, sitting on the end of her bed. She took one of his large cold hands in hers. "Before us."

He glanced down at their entwined hands and smiled slowly.

"Us?" he said hopefully, needing her to confirm the feeling that he had in his heart.

She nodded, "Us. You haven't killed anyone in months. Well, since we got together. Since we fell in love."

Willow felt a wave of guilt for lying to Spike. It was just too impossible to resist. He was completely at her mercy. The feeling of power was too great. Besides, he could be hurt if she sent him away. Today was the first day of winter break. She had two weeks to try to figure out how he had lost his memory. And when it would come back. She gulped imagining his reaction when the memories came back. He'd kill her.

"So I don't kill anymore." Spike said, running his thumb over her hand.

"No. You still feed but never to the death. A lot of times you just drink animal blood."

"Really?" his lips curled in distaste. "Sounds yummy."

She smiled softly. "You have to be careful. The slayer is after you. She doesn't want to believe that you've changed. She tends to see people in the way she saw them when they first met. You tried to kill her when you two met."

Spike whistled, "Damn. I was pretty evil huh?" he said proudly.

"Very much so. That was last year. You left and just came back a few months ago."

Spike stood and moved to lay on her bed. He propped several pillows behind him and patted the empty space beside him. "More comfortable here."

Willow gave in to his tempting smile. She moved towards him, laying her head on his still chest. It was strange not to hear a heartbeat.

"So, luv, how did we meet?"

"I knew you before. You tried to kill me several times" Willow ran her fingers over his black t-shirt. He had lost the duster and overshirt sometime while she was out.

"I ran into you again and it was different. We became friends. Buffy, the slayer, doesn't know you ever came back. We kept it a secret from her and everyone else. Gradually, we fell in love."

"You're still pure" he said softly, his voice confused.

"Yes. We haven't had the opportunity to consummate our relationship. We're still in the smoochies stage."

"Smoochies?" he said, amused.

He ran his hand over arm and around to her breast. He felt her nipple tighten at his light caress. "I think I could enjoy smoochies."

Willow felt her breath come in slow spurts as his fingers teased her breasts. She couldn't say anything. If she ran, he'd figure out that she was laying about them. He would leave and get staked. She'd feel guilty for the rest of her life. No, for his sake she had to remain silent and endure whatever he did. It would be difficult, but she could do it. Besides, she rather enjoyed the way he said smoochies.

He moved his mouth down to her face, his tongue against her cheek. He licked his way to her ear, nibbling on the flesh. "You like smoochies?"

He cupped her breast fully in his hand, his fingers tightening against her nipple, twisting slowly.

"Oh god yes." she whimpered.

He looked at the passion on her face and chuckled. "I must have been an idiot. Never taking it past the smoochies stage. That is going to change. Tonight."

Willow heard his promise and was about to protest before her words were halted by his kiss. She felt his tongue enter into her mouth, claiming whatever it touched. She moaned, moving closer against him. All thoughts of protest fled her mind as he tightened his arms around her, pulling her flush against his hard body.

* * * * *

Willow sat in her chair wondering what to say. She had spent the night with Spike... in his arms...the memories washed over her bringing desire and lust. She had never intended for this to happen. She now didn't know what she planned anymore. She had taken advantage of a situation and now wished that she hadn't.

Spike didn't deserve her lying to him. He really thought that they were in love before his memory had gone. Now, she found herself falling for him for real. Oh what a tangled web we weave....she thought miserably.

She had several choices. She could tell him the truth, see the hurt in his eyes...lose him. She could continue to go on with the charade, act as though it were all true...fall deeper in love until he regained his memory and killed her or found out and left her. Her choices were rather grim. She had called Buffy leaving a message that she was going out of town for the holidays. She had three weeks.

Three weeks to spend with the man who had tried to kill her...the man who had so gently made love to her last night. She laid her head back and groaned. Some choice. She would rather have him for even a short time before having to tell the truth. Maybe he would grow tired of her and leave. That thought made her mad. He'd better not leave her.

Spike watched her from the doorway. She was beautiful. She was his. He wondered what he had done that warranted such a reward. He couldn't remember anything of his past, but from the sounds of it, he hadn't been very nice. What made a sweet perfect goddess like Willow fall in love with such a monster? She must have changed him. Made him see his life differently. That was the only explanation he had.

He moved into the room quietly. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't notice him until his hands went around her shoulders.

"You look stressed pet. Something wrong?"

She looked at him, smiling serenly, "Everything is fine...now."

He smiled and kissed her forehead. "What shall we do today?"

"Stay inside and get to know each other again." she said softly.

"Not a lot about myself I know luv. Remember? Amnesia?"

"I know a bit about you. Besides, you've forgotten about me too. So, we can just spend time together. I don't have class for three weeks. I'm all yours until then."

"Sounds good. All mine."

Their lips met in a tender kiss.

* * * * *

Willow looked at the sleeping man and smiled. She had done something incredibly stupid. She had fallen in love with him. Good golly, she loved Spike. And she was lying to him. What was worse was that his memory had started to come back. He could now remember a lot of details from his past. Things that she hadn't known. He seemed to still be at a loss for the last sixty years or so.

It was odd, but when he spoke of Drusilla it was as though they had only been friends. She didn't hear the desperate plea in his voice for the dark haired woman's love. Every day she woke up with dread. Would this be the day he remembered that he had meant to kill her? Would this be the day that he did just that?

They had spent the holidays together. Buffy thought she had gone out of town with her parents, so Willow didn't hear from anyone. It was just her and Spike. The thought of losing him made her ill. She was already concerned about leaving him alone while she went to school. What if he wasn't there when she got back? She didn't regret the lie. That was what bothered her the most. She couldn't imagine not having gotten to know him. The sex was sweet and fun and sexy. She would never lose the memories even if she lost him. She would lie to him again in a heartbeat. It had been so nice to belong with someone.

She leaned over and kissed him. He opened one blue eye and smiled, "Why are you dressed?"

"School" she said softly.

He frowned, "Forgot that. When do you get out?"

"I'll try to be home by five. Dusk at the latest."

"Five? Oh, after school stuff huh?"

"Yep. That's me. Quite the little joiner. I don't want to go" she finished softly.

"You have to luv. I'll be here waiting for you. Not like I can anywhere. Not with my relationship with the sun and all."

She smiled slightly, "I'll call you on my lunch break... just to check in."

"Missing you already pet" he said, kissing her throroughly. "Now scoot. Wouldn't do for you to be late."

"Yes Dad" she said impishly, her body still reeling from the kiss.

He watched her leave and smiled. After some of the things he could remember doing, he wondered how he could get so lucky. She captivated him completely. If he hadn't been in love before, he would be now. After the last few weeks, he had fallen in love with her.

* * * * *

Willow opened the door, a smile on her face. So far so good. She had been back at school for a week. So far, things were normal. There had been no big bad evil to deal with so she had been able to get away early every evening. Spike was doing well. They were extremely happy.

She walked into the living room and froze. She felt a wave of dread spread through her. He was watching her with eyes that were devoid of any emotion. He knew.

"Spike" she said softly.

"Don't. I don't want to hear your excuses. You lied to me!"

"You were hurt... I didn't know..."

"Don't give me that. Why the hell didn't you just leave me there? It would have been better than what you did. I was going to kill you. Was this your sick idea of revenge?"

"No... I didn't know what to do... if I'd told you the truth you wouldn't have stayed. I had to look after you."

Spike snorted, "Miserable excuse pet. Did you enjoy it? Making me believe that my life was soft and sweet? Was it nice having some sucker buying every word you said?"

"I'm sorry" Willow said, tears on her face.

"Sorry? That you are. To think I thought you were the only decent one in the bunch. Trying to turn me into the Poof."

"No. It wasn't like that. I tried to tell you."

"Was that when I was fucking you? When you were standing there looking innocent and every word that spilled from your mouth was a lie? I should bloody well kill you."

Willow looked at him, "I know. I never meant for it to go so far..."

"A little late for regrets luv. I can't even descibe the feelings I feel for you. You deceitful, lying little bitch. No wonder they all left you alone. Couldn't stand being around you and your lies."

Willow felt his words shake her heart. "I'm sorry... so sorry... I love you."

"Love me? What a joke. You don't know me. I can't believe the last month of my life has been spent as some human's playtoy. What a fucking joke."

Willow couldn't say anything. She had known that he would find out. No one could ever love her. Certainly not him. She fell to her knees, sobs escaping from her body.

Spike felt a moment of hesitation before hardening his heart. She'd lied to him. Played him for a fool. No one did that. Even worse, she'd made him love her.

He spat on her, "You disgust me. I don't want to see you again."

He grabbed his bag and left, the sounds of her crying echoing into the night behind him.

* * * * *
"Hey Willow." Buffy said quietly. Willow looked up at her and nodded. "Can I sit?"

Willow shrugged. "Don't care."

Buffy glanced at the others. It was obvious that Willow didn't care. She hadn't for the past few days. "Want to talk about it?"

"Like you'd listen" Willow snorted.

"Will, my girl. Something is bothering you major. Let us help." Xander said taking a seat at the library table.

"Those circles do nothing for your eyes" Cordelia pointed out. "What?"

"You haven't been yourself for awhile now. We're worried."

"Why start now?" Willow asked.

"Ok. What's with the attitude?" Buffy demanded.

"For weeks before the holidays I was left out. None of you cared then. Why should you now?"

"I didn't realize you were having problems" Buffy said, knowing her friend spoke the truth. "We care. Talk to us. You're wasting away."

"Won't help. He's gone. Probably in South America by now."

"Hold up. Who's gone?" Xander asked.

Willow started to cry. She sniffled, "I lied to him. He left me. He hates me."

"Who are you talking about?" Buffy asked, growing confused.

"You lied?" Cordelia said, her tone disbelieving.

"I love him so much. He should have killed me. It would have been easier than this. Living without him is worse than death."

"Willow. Stop. You're scaring me."

"What are you talking about?" Xander asked again.

"He came up to me. We got knocked over. He had amnesia. I told him that he was my boyfriend. I lied to him. For over a month he lived with me. I lied every day."

"You didn't away with your parents?" Cordelia asked.

Willow shook her head, "Another lie. I was with him."

"Who?" Buffy asked again.

She understood things so far. Willow had fallen in love with some guy who was mad because she had lied to him.

Willow sniffled, lookin at them both. "You won't like it."

"God damn it, Willow. WHO?"

"Spike."

The room was silent for a few moments before it erupted in sound. Giles walked out of his office and tried to understand what was happening.

* * * * *

Angel stopped and listened. He heard another loud crash and moved into action. He grabbed a sword from the table and opened the glass doors.

"Who's there?"

"Bloody hell. What's with all these damn plants?" Spike muttered as he kicked another flower pot from his path. He saw his sire watching him and frowned. Why was he here, he asked himself again.

"Spike. What do you want?"

"Put the damn sword down and I'll tell you. Some father. Is that any way to greet your favorite childe? No...and you wonder why I turned on you, bloody sod."

Angel fought a grin at his childe's babbling. The grin faded when he realized that something must be very wrong for his childe to seek him out. "Come in"

Spike followed his sire into the mansion. Looking around, he frowned. "Love what you didn't do to the place. Lack of color and furniture is a marvelous thing."

"Spike. Cut to the chase. Why are you here? I thought you were with Dru in South America."

"You don't know?" Spike looked at his sire startled.

"Know what?"

"Hell. She didn't tell the damn slayer." He ran a hand through his hair, "I got amnesia in December. Knocked me head in the ground."

"Who is she?" Angel asked, trusting his childe without doubt.

"Willow" Spike said quietly. He was still angry at her for lying to him.

"Willow helped you?" Angel said in surprise.

"Yeah. Told me some nice big lies. Had me believing every word that came out of those pretty little lips."

"Willow doesn't lie" Angel said.

Spike snorted, "Lot you know, Peaches. She had me convinced that I had given up killing out of love for her. Stayed with the deceitful bitch over a month, I did. Before my memory came back and I knew the truth."

"Good grief. She wasn't with her parents." Angel looked at Spike, "Why did you come here? Why didn't you just leave?"

Spike made a face as he began to pace, "Can't leave. Can't kill. Damn girl has me twisted up. I don't know who I am anymore."

Angel followed his childe's pacing, trying to understand what he could do about it. "What do you want from me Spike?"

Spike stopped, looking at his sire, "How did you deal with it? Even with a soul it had to be hard. I'm about to kill myself over this and I don't even have a bleeding soul."

"Deal with what? Could you please just come out and get to the point?"

Spike groaned. This was the part he dreaded. He knew that no one else could help him though. Hell, that's what a sire was for.

"Deal with loving a human. You and the slayer tart. How do you do it? You see, no matter how hard I fight it, I love the conniving little bitch."

Angel tried to keep a straight face. Looking at the expression on his child's face though made his mouth begin to twitch. He felt it bubbling up into his chest and finally, he couldn't contain it. He started to laugh. He laughed until he felt the wet tears in his eyes.

Spike glared at Angel. "Damn poof. Knew better to come here. Fucking nancy boy. Fine, laugh all you want. Don't spect to see me again."

Spike turned to walk out, pissed at himself for feeling something for the human and even more so at having come to his sire for help.

"Spike. Wait" Angel called out, struggling to stop the laughter. "You love Willow?"

Spike turned, his eyes cold, "Why do you say that like that?"

"Like what?" Angel quit laughing, surprised at the vehemence in his childe's voice.

"Like it is so bloody unbelievable. I loved Dru for over a century. You think I can't handle some lying little bitch?"

"I didn't mean you couldn't love her. I just..."Angel made a face, "You surprised me is all. I like Willow. She's a good kid. She restored my soul after all."

"Bad taste I admit" Spike said, "I can fix her of that though."

"So, she lied to you. Did she say why?"

Spike sat down, his lanky form molding itself into the couch. He put his boots up on Angel's glass table causing a grimace to pass over his sire's face. He smiled as he deliberately scuffed them a few times on the glass.

"She said it was to help me. Some bullshit like that. She just wanted her own little sex toy."

Angel sputtered, "You and she had sex? Good lord" He sat down holding his head. "Do you know what you did? What that means?"

Spike snorted, "Bit too late for 'the talk'. Known about them birds and bees for years Pops."

"She was a virgin, Spike."

"I know. I was there." Spike said in disgust at his sire's inability to understand his pain.

"Spike." Angel spoke slowly, "That means she must love you. Willow wouldn't give that to just anyone. I bet Buffy is going to love this."

Before Spike could respond, the door flew open. The slayer in question raced in, "Angel, we've got a problem. You're damn bleach blonde kid has been causing more trouble. Should have staked the bastard while I had the chance."

Buffy stopped her tirade in mid flow as she found herself looking at Angel and Spike.

Spike grinned, "Didn't know you cared, Slayer."

"What's he doing here?" Buffy demanded.

Angel sighed mentally. "He came to me for help. What's the problem?"

"Him."

"Hey now. Why am I always the problem? I ain't done nothing, this time." Spike said.

"Trouble follows you, moron." Buffy said back.

The two continued to trade insults for a few minutes before a loud whistle sounded. Chagrined, they both looked at Angel and muttered, "sorry."

"Silence. What a pleasant sound" Angel said sarcastically. "Now, Buffy. What did he do?"

"He and Willow! They... they did things that I don't want to think about right now. Then, he yelled at her and left her. She's a wreck. She hardly eats. Doesn't look like she sleeps. All because of him." She glared at the man in question.

She turned to Angel and said seriously, "She's wasting away, Angel. I've never seen her this bad."

"She's sick?" Spike asked softly.

"For some dumb reason, she loves you. Even lied to us to stay with you. Never can trust her judgement again..."

Angel glanced at Spike and smiled softly. "Go. But, if you hurt her..." he smiled an Angelus worthy smile.

Spike nodded in understanding. He took off with no thoughts except that Willow was in pain.

"What just happened?" Buffy asked, confused.

Angel smiled at his love, "My baby boy just grew up."

Buffy suddenly smiled, "He loves her. That's why he ran."

"Learning to think like Spike. Should I be worried?"

"Nah..." Buffy said smiling as she kissed him gently. "Want to patrol?"

* * * * *

Willow looked up as her bedroom door opened. She sat up, clutching the covers to her. "Spike!"

He moved to sit down beside her, his eyes going over her face, "You look like hell."

"Thanks" she said, frowning.

"This is all for me?" he asked, gesturing to her appearance.

"You egotistical bastard."

"Compliments will get you everywhere luv" he said, smiling. He could see her answer in her eyes.

"Thought I was a lying bitch" she said, moving away from him.

"Yep. You are. Fed me a spoonful of lies for a month. Can't deny that pet."

"You didn't have to say it so mean."

"Willow, what the hell do you expect of me? I got my memory back in one day and my life was turned upside down. The one person I thought I could trust had been lying to me the whole time. I'm a demon, baby. I lashed out. I couldn't believe I'd been betrayed, again, by someone I loved."

"Loved?" she said softly, ignoring the rest.

"Love." He corrected.

"Me too."

"You too what?"

"You know."

"Pet..." he said warningly.

"Love. You." Willow said.

Spike grinned, "I know."

"Cocky arrogant vampire" she muttered.

"Slayer is having fits over this."

"I know." Willow said sighing.

"Makes it that much more fun. I think I may have to stay around here for awhile. Love getting the slayer's panties in a twist."

"That the only reason?"

Spike didn't answer. Instead, he pulled her to him, his cold lips meeting her warm ones.

THE END