Inell's Fanfiction Archive

Willow Rosenberg sighed as she looked at the window front. Her eyes moved over the words, a nostalgic smile crossing her lips. She remembered when this building had been the home of an old fashioned five and dime. True, she had been about seven at the time, but she had honestly thought it might still be in business. She, Jesse and Xander had often spent their allowances on a variety of toys and knick-knacks that cluttered the aisles of that store. That was the past. Today, Jesse was gone. The store was gone. It was now the home of some massage therapy parlor. The windows were tinted and she could see her reflection shining back at her. Distantly, she could also see the remains of the penny candy sign that had once existed.

With another sigh, Willow turned away from the memory of her childhood to look at the current condition of the street. She hadn't been in this area in years. Jesse's Mom had often taken her and the boys to a park near here when they had been much, much younger, and they'd usually ended up eating ice cream at Al's. Her eyes moved to the corner, finding a used furniture store where Al's had been. She shook her head, trying to remember why she had ended up back on Vine in the first place. With sudden clarity, she remembered.

Spike. Her roommate from hell. She scowled as she tried to remember what exactly had sent her from the house this time. Oh, yeah. He'd been watching some very loud sports event, yelling at her every time she'd so much as moved a chair. The living room had been full of smoke, drifting into her room easily. She'd been unable to breathe, or so she'd yelled at him when she'd stormed past. He'd yelled back, cursing with words she felt better off not understanding. She still couldn't believe that she was sharing an apartment with Spike, of all people. Looking back, she was still unsure how that had exactly happened.

It had been right near the end of school, during May. She and Tara had broken up and she'd ended up homeless. Her parents were in town, and she hadn't wanted to move back with them. She enjoyed the freedom of living her own life. She'd bunked at Buffy's for a couple of weeks, during finals and the big face off with Glory, but that had become rather awkward after a while. Giles had given up his apartment and moved in after winning custody of Dawn. Living with Buffy and Dawn might have been fine, but adding Giles to the mix had just been a bit suffocating. She'd seriously been considering trying to get her own place, but she had very limited funds. As in, hardly any. She'd been whining about it for days to anyone that would listen, and she knew they were about ready to kill her, when Spike had mentioned looking for an apartment. He hated the crypt, bad memories according to him. In the end, it had been Anya that had suggested she and Spike share the cost of a place.

It had taken the ex-demon nearly a week to convince her and Spike that the idea was ideal, but eventually Anya started making sense. Spike had no interest in her, she had no interest in him, so there wouldn't any risk of the 'unrequited love' bullshit. They got along rather well and could almost be considered friends, so that helped a bit too. Spike had hit bottom after his painful obsession with Buffy, and was doing his best to prove that he was over anything he might have felt for the slayer. She was getting over a sort of painful, sort of relieving, break-up with Tara and could understand the place that Spike had been in. So, near the middle of June, she and Spike had become roommates. June 18. The day that would live in infamy, she thought with a frown as she stopped in front of a video store, her eyes looking over the titles seen through the window as she continued to be lost in thought.

While they might have been considered friends, they had hardly anything in common. True, they both were night people and they did enjoy much of the same movies and music, that was where it ended. She was rather quiet. Enjoyed spending time reading or playing with her laptop. Spike never stayed still. He was constantly moving and doing things. He had about two-dozen unfinished, half started projects by the end of the first week. He had a short attention span, or else he got bored very easily. She was unsure which, but it was annoying either way. He was constantly watching cartoons or sports or game shows or soap operas. That was it. He'd always tap his foot on the table whenever she tried watching one of her favorite programs, or, the worst, he'd sit there and pick apart every single scene, from the dialogue to the clothes to the sets. By the time he was finished, she'd be so annoyed that she would have enjoyed anything. She'd tried getting a TV for her room, but, she had learned AFTER moving in with him and signing a year lease, he hated being ignored. He'd stand in the doorway, asking questions and teasing her as she tried to watch until she'd either turn it off or just simply move into the living room to finish watching. He was a horrid, evil person.

Willow continued walking down the street, moving to avoid running into various people. Her eyes widened when she saw that an adult oriented store had moved into the area. She glanced around discreetly before peering in the window. Moving away, she had to wonder what some of the things she had seen were used for. Curiosity was a bad trait, she decided, as her mind flew forward with several interesting scenarios. Thinking back to Spike, she had to smile. They weren't always bad times with him. True, they fought a lot, but most roommates did. They had good moments, too. It had become a bit of a habit since she had started back to school, for him to stay awake until she left, often having coffee made for her in the mornings. They'd sit at the table and discuss their plans for the day, him drinking his blood, her with her coffee. The last month or so, he'd even started brushing a kiss against her forehead as she left. Without realizing it, Willow's hand moved to brush against the place where his lips touched her skin so often. He'd be asleep when she got home, the TV still warm from his marathon watching during the afternoons. He'd usually wake up by the time she finished her homework or reading, and they'd have dinner then either help Buffy and the gang or watch a movie or just listen to music as he strummed a guitar he had recently bought and she'd read. All in all, it was rather nice. Then, he'd ruin it by doing or saying something and there would be yelling and sarcasm and insults until they both went to their rooms and slammed the doors. Then, the next morning would find them in the kitchen as if nothing had happened.

Buffy thought it was amusing, having stayed over a few times and witnessed their strange relationship. Dawn was just confused at how two great people, in her eyes, could get so passionately angry with each other over silly things. Xander and Anya didn't seem to really care as long it didn't involve them. Willow was with Dawn, confused as hell. Everything could be going so nice, like friendship should, then bam, he'd do something that set her off. She'd never gone off on any of her others friends that way, but something about Spike set her on edge. She was constantly on edge around him, even during their good times. He seemed to be the same way. He'd be fine with the others. Either glaring or ignoring or actually sharing conversation depending on the person, but with her, she'd say something in passing and it would start an all out war.

Willow paused in front of a window that said Madame Clara, fortuneteller. She was tempted to venture in to seek her fortune but decided that Madame Clara probably didn't know any more about it than she did at that very moment. Waste of time and money, she thought as she continued walking. She had almost reached the corner when another sign caught her attention. Startled, she looked again. Another new store. She looked up at the building, taking in the pretty lace curtains and huge plants hanging from the front. It looked more like a house than a business. She saw mentions of herbs, potions, and fortunes written on the glass. She glanced to her right, looking at the cross signs, her lips twitching as she again looked at the wooden sign in front of the store. She couldn't resist. It was too uncanny. She had to know if it was deliberate. Pushing thoughts of Spike and his ability to make her so angry so easily, she started towards the front door. Let's see what this Madame Ruth had to say about it all, she decided. She entered the building after taking one last glance and reading the street signs, 34th and Vine.

********************

Willow entered the room, closing the door then facing what had to be at least a hundred lit candles. The scent was heavenly, a beautiful mixture of vanilla and flowers and fruits. She'd never have been able to manage that perfect blend of fragrances. The room was rather sparse for a business. She saw a table that had two chairs around it. A few shelves held various bottles. She moved closer, trying to read the small handwritten sign underneath one of the displays. She gasped when she heard a twinkling sound, turning to see a rather large woman watching her from beneath a curtain of bells and beads. "H..h..hello," she stammered, feeling almost as if she had been caught doing something rather than simply browsing in a store.

"Child," the woman said, her voice a melodic accent as varied as her candles. "Let me look at you."

"Excuse me?" Willow asked, eyes narrowed as they moved over the woman. She had dark hair peppered with gray, large brown eyes that looked at her closely, a round body that moved quicker than Willow could pay attention, and a smile that displayed one gold tooth that caught Willow's interest. She replayed the words of the familiar song, shaking her head for being so foolish. She was going crazy. Insanity brought on by too much second hand smoke, she decided.

"Ah, I see it now," the woman that must be Madame Ruth said with a sparkle in her eyes.

"See what?" Willow asked, scowling at the woman no matter how friendly she might seem.

"The reason that you are here, my child," Ruth said, motioning towards the chair. "Sit. Sit. We must talk so that I can learn the perfect concoction to assist you."

"I don't even know why I'm here. How could you?" Willow challenged, finding herself sitting down despite her reluctance.

"Madame Ruth sees it all," the woman said with a toothy smile. "She sees what is in here," she pointed to her head, "but most of all she sees what is in here," with that she pointed at her heart.

"I don't believe in that stuff," Willow said, challenging the woman. True, she practiced witchcraft, but she had always seen these fortunetellers as a fraud. People like Drusilla and Cordelia were seers, not someone that had to put the words Madame in front of their name.

"Yes, you do," Ruth replied, "as long as it falls into the image that you have cast alongside it."

"Whatever," Willow muttered, her green eyes looking at the table before she looked up. "Fine, then. Why am I here?"

"I see it in your eyes, child," Ruth said, nodding. "You want to be loved."

"Who doesn't want to be loved?" Willow asked, sighing softly. The past five months without anyone in her life had been more difficult than she had expected. She missed waking up in someone's arms, laying against them as they'd sit together, simply holding hands, the kisses, the tasting, and the touching. It had been so long since anyone had looked at her with love in their eyes before kissing her. Hell, Spike had been the only person to kiss her since she'd left Tara and those were brief little kisses against her forehead. Brief little kisses that reminded her what she was missing.

"True, child. Love is the elusive thing that many search for and very few truly find," Ruth said.

"True love?" Willow asked, wanting to make sure she understood.

"But of course," Ruth said. "There is love and then there is true love. Sharing of mind, body and soul. Not as common as one might imagine. Sometimes it is there and ignored. Sometimes it just needs a little help."

"And sometimes it just doesn't exist," Willow said.

"Child, it always exists. One has but to keep their eyes open and their hearts available," Ruth said, studying the pretty redhead. "You have been fortunate enough to find it, but you're foolish. You keep your eyes closed and your head buried in the sand. It will pass you by, silly girl, and you will never have another chance to share in its wonder."

"I'm not in love with anyone," Willow said honestly. "You must be talking about someone else."

"He is there now. I feel him, in here," Ruth moved and put her hand above Willow's breast against her heart. "You just won't acknowledge him, child."

"So I'm here to learn that I've supposedly fallen in love with my 'true love'?" Willow asked, her words giving no doubt to her disbelief.

"That would be too easy, child," Ruth said, sighing. "Young people today. You have such caution, such reserve. You do not believe in love any longer. Fear surrounds you like a heavy dark cloud. Fear of being hurt. Fear of loss. Fear of loneliness. To love, you must rid yourself of the fear and open your heart."

"And you can do that?" Willow asked.

"Of course not," Ruth said, shaking her head. "Only you can perform something so serious. I can give you something, though. Something to help you find that love you are ignoring."

"A love potion?" Willow asked, laughing. "Don't tell me. Number 9?"

Ruth's lips twitched but she scolded, "Silly nonsense. It is a potion, child, but something much stronger than number 9."

Ruth stood and moved to a shelf, pulling off a bottle of liquid. She held it up to Willow, the candlelight illuminating the purple contents. "This is a special recipe. With this, you will no longer be able to ignore what is right in front of you. With this, true love will open both of your eyes, you and your young man."

"A man?" Willow said, her eyes still on the liquid. Was it true? Could that one bottle find her the love she had started to believe didn't exist?

"Yes, child, he is a man," Ruth said with a soft smile. "I call this love potion number 12, a."

********************

"Love potion 12a?" Willow repeated, giving in finally and giggling. "You're joking, right?"

"I have a very poor sense of humor," Madame Ruth said dryly. "I do not joke."

"Sorry, it's just," Willow laughed again, making a gesture with her hand that encompassed her surroundings.

"When you have finished your attack of giggles, I will gladly continue," Madame Ruth said, taking her seat as she put the bottle of purple potion on the table.

"You're serious, aren't you?" Willow said, frowning as she looked at the older woman. Her green eyes looked at the bottle then at Madame Ruth. "You honestly think that some sort of potion is really going to work?"

"I know that it will," Madame Ruth replied.

"This is crazy," Willow said, shaking her head. "I've learned in my studies that love cannot be controlled. Sure, there are spells to use, but they aren't real. They take away people's control and their ability to make their own decisions. That isn't love. That's brainwashing."

"I agree," Madame Ruth said. "Love spells do not work. My potion, on the other hand, does. It does not cloud a person's mind with visions of what they should feel. Instead, it frees their minds and allows them to see what they *do* feel. It is merely a way of seeing into one's own heart."

"You really believe that, don't you?" Willow said, shaking her head. "And what if someone takes it and doesn't see anything? Would that mean that they will never be in love?"

"No," Madame Ruth said patiently, wondering if this girl could possibly ask any more questions. "It would just mean that they have not yet run across their true love."

"So, I down that bottle and suddenly a light flashes and I see the face of the man that is supposedly my true love?" Willow asked, her voice skeptical.

"Do you really think it is that easy?" Madame Ruth asked in amusement. "My dear, it takes time for the potion to work. You may not even realize it is doing anything until one day, you'll stop and everything will become clear. There will be no more fuzzy edges or doubts. Clarity is a wonderful thing."

"Sounds foolish to me," Willow said, shaking her head.

"Take the potion, dear. You should have two spoonfuls every day until the bottle is empty," Madame Ruth repeated, making sure Willow was paying attention.

"What kind of spoon?" Willow asked, knowing that there was no way she was going to take some potion without knowing what it contained. Not even true love was worth trusting some weird old fortune teller.

"A normal kind of spoon," Madame Ruth said, her tone slightly impatient. Taking a deep breath, she said calmly, "Forget your doubts for once, Willow, and have faith. True love is close for you."

"Yeah, sure," Willow said, getting to her feet. "It's getting kind of late. I'd really better get back home. I've been gone longer than I planned. My roomy might be a bit worried."

"Good luck, my dear," Madame Ruth said, handing over the bottle of potion 12a.

"Yeah, and thanks," Willow said, putting the bottle in her purse and leaving the house. She wondered if Spike would be worried. Probably not. He was too busy watching that silly soccer game to care if she was laying dead somewhere.

********************

Willow entered the apartment, not surprised to find it empty. The television was still playing, but Spike appeared to have left. She shut the door behind her, walking towards her room. She was still carrying the bottle of purple liquid that Madame Ruth had given her. She entered her room, placing the bottle on her dresser. She still wasn't sure if she was going to drink the potion. She wasn't exactly sure what it was, but she didn't believe that it was a love potion. Despite everything she had seen in her short life, love potions just didn't seem real. She shrugged, deciding that she would leave it for a while. She went to her bathroom, showering away the sweat from her walk. She pulled on an old pair of boxers and a tank top, leaving her wet hair to air dry.

She walked back into her room, her eyes moving straight to the bottle of potion. Number 12a, Ruth had called it. Willow's lips twitched at that name, rolling her eyes. Just a gimmick. A way to make money. Of course, a part of her mind reminded her, she hadn't paid for the potion. It had been a gift from Madame Ruth. Smiling sheepishly, she opened the bottle. She sniffed, not smelling any obvious odor. She put the bottle back down, moving to her desk. She turned her computer on, her eyes moving back to the bottle again. With a groan, she left her room, getting a spoon from the kitchen. She felt so silly but she couldn't resist.

She held the spoon, laughing as she saw it shaking slightly. She let out a breath, wondering why she was so nervous if she knew it wasn't going to work. She held the bottle, carefully pouring out the first spoonful. She drank it down, noticing that it had a sweet taste. She poured the second spoon, drinking it down easily. She licked the spoon clean then put the top back on the bottle. She put the bottle in her top drawer, knowing that she couldn't chance Spike finding it and asking nosy questions. She was embarrassed enough knowing that she had just taken a love potion without having the world know. And if Spike found out, the world would indeed know.

She sat at her desk, signing on to check her email. She was reading her second letter when she heard the door slam.

"Reeeeeed," Spike growled as he stormed into the apartment. He saw her door open and the light on, his eyes narrowing.

Willow rolled her eyes as she heard his voice, wondering what his problem was. She decided to ignore him in hopes that he'd just go to his room and shut up.

"Where the hell have you been?" he demanded as he entered her room, not waiting for an invitation.

"Hi Spike. Why don't you come in? Oh wait. You're already here!" she said dryly, glaring at him before she went back to her reading.

"I asked you a question," he said, falling onto her bed, his blue eyes moving over her slowly, noticing the wet hair, the tight tank top, the glimpse of stomach the low waist of the boxers showed, down the long legs that were wrapped around the legs of the chair. He scowled as he watched a drop of water sliding down her neck, disappearing under the collar of her shirt. He shifted on the bed, glaring at her as she refused to look at him.

"Did you?" she asked, rolling her eyes. "I didn't hear it underneath all that snarling."

"Where did you go," he repeated slowly, his words a warning.

"For a walk," she said in an overly polite tone.

"For over two hours?" he asked, sitting up and glaring at her openly.

"Was I gone that long?" she asked, giving him a lofty look. "I guess I enjoyed the peace and quiet so much that time flew by."

"How long have you been back?" he asked, ignoring her annoyed tone.

"I didn't check the clock," she said, scowling at him. "I wasn't aware that I was supposed to keep track."

"You've showered," he remarked, his eyes trailing a new droplet of water. "You've been home at least an hour. That means you were gone for nearly three hours!"

"So what?" she asked, looking away from her email to look at him. "Three minutes or three hours, it's my time. What do you care?"

He glared at her, growling, "I was worried, damn it!"

She felt the fight leave her as he growled, his words giving her pause. He had been worried? About her? She asked softly, "You were gone when I got back. Where were you?"

"I was looking for you," he said, getting to his feet. "You're usually only gone an hour when you're in one of your moods."

"One of my moods?" she repeated, her eyes narrowing. "Who was it that told me to leave? If I remember the exact words, they were 'If you don't like the noise, get the bloody fuck out of here and get yourself lost.' That was what you said, wasn't it?"

He scowled at her, "And when did you start listening to what I said?"

"I did tonight," she pointed out, her hand going up to push her hair out of her face. She looked up, frowning when she saw his eyes moving along her neck. She looked down, seeing a drop of water drip down to her shirt. Her eyes looked up again, surprised to see a twitch in his cheek. His hands were clenched, his knuckles white. She frowned, wondering what had him so on edge.

"Whatever," he snarled, not looking at her as he left her room for fear she would clearly see his arousal. He stormed to his room and slammed the door. He fell onto his bed, his hand freeing his cock as he began to stroke himself, visions of her in his head.

Willow looked at the empty doorway, her green eyes confused. What the hell was wrong with him? Yelling at her in her own room then leaving like some sullen child. She would never understand him, she decided. He was so damn infuriating. Acting as if it were her fault he had been worried. She felt a small smile cross her face as she looked back at her computer. He had been worried about her.

********************

The smell of bacon woke him up. Blue eyes opened and looked at the white ceiling. He listened, hearing her movements as she ran water. With a growl, he turned over and buried his face in his pillow. What was she trying to do to him? It wasn't even eight in the morning and she was already tormenting him. Every day it was growing more difficult not to take her into his arms and kissed her senseless. God, he was worse than some teenage boy. Going to sleep every morning with her in his mind, her scent in the air, dreaming of everything he wanted to do to her as he brought himself pleasure. He honestly couldn't remember the last night he had not dreamed of her. He had almost blown it the night before. He had said too much, let her know that he cared.

He had wanted her for years, long before they had become roommates. He had been good at keeping his feelings to himself. Hell, the only reason she had moved in with him was because she was positive that he couldn't want her. Wouldn't it curl her hair if she ever found out just how wrong she was? When he had only seen her for research or patrol, it had been easy. When he started to feel like claiming her, he'd just beat someone up. Now, they would just start arguing and snapping at each other like some old married couple as the slayer liked to joke. They had good times, of course. The majority of their time together was pleasant, spent in easy friendship or comfortable silence. It was nice, being with her, sharing his life with her. Damn, but he was pathetic.

A mocking smile crossed his handsome face as he sat up finally, a hand moving over his face as he looked at the door. He could hear the microwave and knew she was heating his blood. He laughed, wondering if he had become so predictable. She knew that he would be up to join her for breakfast, just like he had been for the past few months. Even after their fight last night, all would be forgiven as the new day began. He glanced down at his sheets, seeing the remains of his release from the night before. If he kept on going like this, he'd need a set of sheets for each day of the week. He stood, pulling on a pair of jeans that he had left on the floor. He looked around as he yawned, not seeing his shirt. He could get one from his closet, but he really didn't want to waste it. After breakfast, he'd sit with her and watch some cartoons then he'd be back in bed for a couple more hours sleep. Yeah, he was predictable. He went to his door, deciding to just forget the shirt.

Willow pulled his mug out of the microwave, setting it on the table beside Spike's chair. She turned back to her plate, putting her toast beside the bacon. She knew she should eat healthier, but she loved greasy bacon and pancakes with tons of syrup. Besides, she faced demons and vampires nightly. She figured she'd die long before her eating habits killed her. She frowned at that morbid thought, wondering why she was so cranky. She hadn't slept well the night before, dreaming things she couldn't remember but had her feeling restless. Maybe it was that damn potion. Good grief, she had drank two spoonfuls of who knew what. It had probably given her bad dreams. She actually felt a bit relieved to understand why she had slept so poorly. The terrible thing was that she planned to finish off the little bottle to just to prove to herself that it was a fake.

She didn't feel sick, so she didn't think it would be bad to finish the small bottle. She had to admit that, in a hidden corner of her mind, she was curious to see if maybe Madame Ruth had been truthful, that the potion would find her true love for her. She'd never voice those hopes, knowing she was being silly for even thinking that some purple liquid would open her eyes to a future of happiness and love. The real world just didn't work that way. In the real world, she was alone. Well, she had friends but no one to hold at night, no one to whisper to her that everything would be OK. You never realized just how important the small things were until you lost them. Even having a hand to hold as she walked at night would be nice. The comfort of knowing that she was loved and cherished. She missed that. She shook her head slightly, pushing those thoughts away as she heard a noise behind her. Turning, she froze as her breath caught, her eyes moving over Spike as he sat down, muttering a good morning and taking a drink from his mug of blood. She put her plate down on the table as she slowly sat down, her eyes looking at her food as she pushed away the attraction she felt every morning.

********************

"You feeling OK?"

Willow glanced up from her food, finding herself looking into concerned blue eyes. She nodded and gave him a smile, "I'm fine. Why?"

He shrugged, "You're quiet this morning."

"I'm just thinking," she said before looking back at her food. She at least had been honest. She had been thinking. Thinking about how close he was to her, how his leg brushed hers under the table as he shifted in his chair, how the muscles in his neck and arms moved when he took a drink of his blood, how she wanted to run her hands over his chest and follow the trail of light brown hair as it disappeared into the waist of his jeans. She grabbed her orange juice, gulping it down as she felt her skin heat up. What was happening to her? True, she would often entertain vivid fantasies about Spike, usually in the privacy of her own room. Never at the breakfast table, and certainly never this close to him. She just knew he could read her thoughts and must be laughing at her.

Spike frowned as he studied her, "You look flushed, pet. Are you sure you're feeling all right?"

"I'm a bit warm," she managed to say as she tore her mind from images of plates thrown on the floor and her laying on the table with Spike....she cleared her throat, a fresh wave of heat spreading over her.

"Maybe you should stay in today," he suggested, not liking the idea of her going out and about if she was ill.

"No!" she said, looking at him with wide eyes. If she stayed in, she'd be with him all day long. She might not be able to control herself from tossing him down and doing something she'd never be able to take back. "I can't. Staying in is bad."

"Sometimes I wonder about you, Red," he said, shaking his head slowly. "You look feverish. Do you have a temperature? If you do, I'm not letting you out of the house."

"I don't," she assured him then said, "besides, I don't really think you could keep me here."

He smiled slowly, giving voice to one of his fondest fantasies, "If you were tied to my bed, you wouldn't be going anywhere, luv."

She stood quickly at his words, knocking her chair over. She looked at it then at him then back at the chair. She laughed a bit hysterically before she picked it up. "I need to go. I have to get out of here. Buffy. Gonna find Buffy."

Spike frowned as he watched her, a thoughtful look entering his blue eyes. She wouldn't look at him. For Willow, that was strange. She had this way of looking at you as if she could see into your soul, if you had one. Now, she was looking anywhere but at him. In fact, when he thought about it, she'd been acting weird since he'd first come into the kitchen. Was she angry with him? They never held grudges once the sun rose. She couldn't still be upset about last night. He stood, reaching for the plate at the same time she did. He watched her look at him again in a way similar to a deer caught in headlights. He saw her jerk her hand away from where it was touching his and leave the kitchen. A look of realization entered his blue eyes as a slow smile crossed his face. Sniffing the air, he could smell the faint aroma of her arousal. He laughed softly as it all began to make sense. Willow wanted him.

********************

"I'm coming!" Buffy yelled, opening the door and glaring. "This better be good, Willow. I was having the best dream with me and that guy that works in the lab next to our chemistry class."

"Ugh. Stop there. No details necessary," Willow said, making a face.

"It wasn't that kind of dream!" Buffy denied, her face turning red as she glared at Willow. "It was completely innocent and harmless and I don't need to explain myself to you. It was my dream."

"You should be awake anyway," Willow said, pushing past her friend. "We said we were meeting at ten."

"It's just now nine, Willow," Buffy said, rolling her eyes.

"I've been up since six," Willow pointed out.

"Well, goodie goodie for you," Buffy said, sticking her tongue out at her best friend. Slowly, she straightened and asked, "What happened?"

"What?" Willow quit pacing and looked at her friend.

"You're nervous as a cat. You haven't stopped moving since you got here. What's wrong?" Buffy asked, stretching before she sat down.

"Why does everyone keep asking me that?" Willow groaned, glaring at her friend.

"Who, may I ask, is everyone?" Buffy asked.

"You and him," Willow sad, not sure if she could say his name without blushing. "So I'm a little wired this morning. So what?"

"Will, it's too early in the morning for this," Buffy whined. "Let me go upstairs and get dressed. Then, we'll go shopping and out for lunch. Once I wake up completely, we can start over and I can figure out what you're babbling about."

"I'll wait for you down here," Willow said, relieved that she wouldn't have to go into any details. She just knew Buffy wouldn't let it go and would ask all sorts of nosy questions. Questions that she wasn't prepared to answer. That stupid potion was responsible for this, she just knew it. Her life had been perfectly normal until she had taken the purple love potion. Now, she was having vivid fantasies about her roommate at odd times. That wasn't normal. Sure, she might be a bit attracted to Spike, but that was it. Half the time she didn't even like him really. Why, then, had he not left her thoughts all morning?

********************

The sound of soft laughter surrounded the booth causing the waitress to look over at the two pretty girls and smile as she walked past. If she had paid closer attention, she'd have seen that only one of the girls was laughing. The other was watching with narrow eyes and an annoyed statement, her foot tapping the table as she shifted uncomfortably on the vinyl seat.

"You..." Buffy started to say before she started to laugh again, her left hand brushing against her eyes to wipe the water from them.

"Are you finished yet?" Willow asked sweetly though her look was deadly.

"Sorry," Buffy tried to put on a straight face, though she was still smiling.

"Glad to see my life provides you with such amusement," Willow said crossly, a scowl on her face.

Buffy rolled her eyes as she shook her head, "Not going to work. You've had plenty of laughs at my expense over the past six years Miss Whiny Girl."

"I am not whining," Willow said, glaring at Buffy.

Buffy snorted, "Yeah, right. Sure you aren't."

"I don't know why I told you," Willow muttered, shaking her head. "I should have known you wouldn't be any help."

"Hey now," Buffy said defensively, "I resent that! I'm your best friend, damn it. I think I've earned the right to laugh a little when you throw something like this at me."

"A little, maybe, but you were crying in laughter!" Willow glared.

"I sowwy," Buffy said pushing a fry across the table, "a peace offering?"

"I can't be bribed that easily," Willow said before snatching the fry and taking a bite.

"So, where were we?" Buffy asked, deciding to try to treat this situation seriously.

"You were having a hysterical fit after I told you about my problem," Willow said with a pointed look.

"No, I was reacting to something you threw at me with no warning whatsoever," Buffy clarified. "Would you have preferred me to throw something?"

"No, but you laughed," Willow grumbled. "I don't like people laughing at me."

"I wasn't laughing at you," Buffy said sincerely, "I was just a bit surprised and had to do something so I could think."

"One more fry and I'll forgive you," Willow said with a small smile.

"And you said you couldn't be bought," Buffy handed over two fries as she settled back against the booth. "So, let me get this straight, just to make sure I understood what you said. Yesterday, you went for a walk and found a fortune teller that seems to have come straight out of some old song from when my mother was young and she gave you some potion that you actually drank and now you think you're going to suddenly find your true love?"

"That's about it," Willow said, sighing. "It does sound rather funny, doesn't it?"

"No, of course not," Buffy said though her lips were twitching.

"Yes, it does," Willow said, having to laugh as she shook her head again. "That stupid potion must have made me turn silly."

"Everyone needs to be silly sometimes, Willow," Buffy said, studying Willow more closely. "What aren't you telling me?"

"What?" Willow looked surprised.

"Oh, please. You told me you drank some potion made of who knows what. Why? Do you want to believe it? Do you want to find your true love?" Buffy asked with curiosity.

"I don't believe in true love," Willow said softly, shrugging, "I don't know why I drank it. Call it curiosity or stupidity. Either way, I drank it and I've been feeling weird ever since."

"Weird how?" Buffy asked, slightly worried. "Sick weird? Do you need to see a doctor?"

"Goddess, no," Willow laughed, "I'm fine. It's nothing. Hard to explain. I just thought that maybe talking about it would make everything the same."

"The same?" Buffy groaned, "Willow, you're not making any sense."

"See? Now you're in my head," Willow smiled brightly as she laughed. "It's nothing, really. I just wanted to see if you thought I was an idiot for drinking the potion."

"I'd never think you were an idiot, even when you were dating Dogboy," Buffy said, visibly shuddering, "thought that was close to being the stupidest thing you've ever done."

"Leave Oz alone," Willow said, rolling her eyes. When they had been dating, Buffy had always seemed to like Oz. After they broke up, Buffy seemed to hate him. She didn't know now if Buffy had never liked her boyfriend and only put up with him for her sake or if her best friend hated him now for what he had put her through during freshman year. She had to believe the latter, not believing that Buffy would be able to conceal such a dislike for nearly three years.

"Hey, I didn't hunt him down and give you a wolf skin rug. I'd say I did my part," Buffy said, hating the man for putting Willow through such pain and hurt. She'd never believed him to be good enough for her best friend, never trusting his love for some reason. Of course, after her experience with Angelus at that time, she hadn't been real trusting of any males in her or Willow's lives. Oh well, it didn't matter. Dogboy was gone, no longer hurting Willow.

"Enough talking," Willow declared. "I thought you had some shopping to do."

"Shopping, that's right," Buffy smiled, picking up the check. "Let's blow this joint and melt some plastic!"

"They should never have given you a credit card," Willow said with a laugh as she followed Buffy towards the door, thankful that she hadn't mentioned her weird feelings for Spike to her friend or Buffy might still be laughing.

********************

"Did you and the slayer have fun today?" Spike asked, looking up as Willow came into the apartment carrying a couple of bags.

"Uh, yeah," she said, slightly nervous due to her sudden awareness of him.

"Did you buy me anything?" he asked, giving her what he hoped was a friendly smile. Since he had realized that morning that she was aroused, he hadn't been able to think of anything but finally having her. It was taking what little control he possessed to not just toss her on the bed and shag her like mad until she'd admit she wanted him too. While he knew that would be foolish and risky, he had enjoyed several detailed fantasies while waiting for her to return.

"Why would I have done?" she asked, giving him a look. When he began to pout, she giggled, tossing him a bag, "There. One of these days I'm going to surprise you and not bring you anything."

"Ah, luv, you shouldn't have," he said, grinning as he pulled out a double CD of the Clash. He then pulled out a long sleeved silk shirt that was a deep blue and he rolled his eyes, "You really shouldn't have."

"You don't like it?" her face fell as she looked at the shirt that seemed to her to be almost the same shade as his eyes. She hadn't been able to resist it when she'd seen it at the department store. Now, she realized she'd been stupid.

He glanced up, giving her a smile, "I like it, Red. It's real nice."

"You hate it," she frowned, glaring at him. " Excuse me for thinking you could use a little color in your wardrobe. Next time, I'll stick to music or movies. Let me have it."

"I like the damn shirt," he said, growling when she tried to snatch it away from him. "Willow, leave it."

"Don't lie to me, Spike. You don't like the shirt," she said, looking into his eyes. "It's fine. I'll take it back tomorrow. No harm, no foul. I shouldn't have bought you clothing anyway."

"You're not going to let it go, are you?" he said, finally relinquishing the shirt when he saw the stubborn look in her eyes. Damn it. Trust him to speak without thinking. To ruin what could have been a pleasant evening. "Fine. Take it back. I like the CD, pet."

"I was hoping you didn't have it," she said, holding the shirt against her as she picked up her bags. Every time she and Buffy went shopping, she always bought something for Spike. Usually without even realizing it, she'd pick up a CD or something else that she thought he might enjoy. Today, she'd let her overactive hormones buy this shirt. She felt the silk against her arm and smiled slightly, deciding that she wouldn't take it back. She'd keep it for herself. The color was so lovely.

Willow gave him a small smile and went into her room. She kicked the door, not shutting it all the way. Switching on her radio, she changed into more comfortable clothes, a pair of shorts and an old T-shirt, before removing her purchases and putting them away. She looked at the bottle of potion on her dresser, contemplating for a few moments before deciding what the hell. She took a swig and put it back. She hummed along with the music as she sat at her desk, turning on her computer as she swayed in her chair.

"You hungry?" he asked, leaning in the doorway, his blue eyes watching her with awareness. He glanced away from her, hardening as he saw the blue shirt laying on her bed, the tags removed. She was going to be sleeping in his shirt, he realized, groaning softly at the image.

"Hmm? No, Buffy and I had an early dinner," she said, looking up to smile before turning back to her email.

"Things were fine around here, today. Thanks for asking," he said in amusement after he managed to gain control of his arousal.

"I'm sorry," she turned her to chair to face him, laughing softly. "How was your day?"

"Pretty boring," he said with a smile.

"You seem pretty happy to have had such a boring day," she said, studying him. "Did something happen?"

"Yeah," he glanced at the floor, smiling sheepishly.

"What?" she asked, not liking the fact that he was avoiding her eyes. That meant he was trying to conceal something from her.

"I realized that I'm in love," he said, looking back at her as the color drained from her face.

********************

"Oh, really?" Willow finally managed to stammer. "You're in love. That's just dandy. Yeah, real good news."

He frowned, watching her, "Don't you want to know who she is?"

"Not really," she said, looking back at her computer. "I'm busy, Spike. Could you shut the door on your way out?"

"Busy?" he said, growling as he moved, slamming the door behind him. That had not gone off as planned. He had imagined it a bit differently. With her asking who and him admitting his feelings to her, now that he was positive that she felt the same. Maybe some tears on her part, a declaration from her then wild shagging for several days. Does he get that? No, he gets a complete shut down. Her not caring that he was in love. Her kicking him out of her bloody room. He needed a drink, he decided. He went to the kitchen, searching through the cabinets for anything alcoholic. He stopped when he heard her door open. Glancing up as she hurried past, not looking at him. "Where are you going?"

"Out. Meeting Buffy," she said, knowing if she looked at him she might not be brave enough not to break down crying. Why did he have to fall in love just when she was getting feelings for him? What terrible being was out to ruin her life?

"Nice to know you have time for *her*," he said snidely before going back to looking for something strong. He heard the door shut and cursed, wondering who had cursed him. Someone had to have, to make him get so wrapped up over that silly little slip of a girl. Willow had to have hidden the bottle of JB, he decided. He stormed into her room, thankful that she had left the door open in her haste. He moved to look under her bed, the usual hiding place for his alcohol or cigarettes when something purple caught his eyes. He straightened, looking at the funny shaped bottle with a frown. He picked it up, opening it and taking a sniff. There was a pleasant scent, almost like roses. Glancing around, he shrugged. Maybe she wouldn't miss just a little, he decided before taking a healthy swig.

********************

"I'm coming," Buffy yelled as she heard the doorbell ring again. She put down her bowl of popcorn and hit the pause button on her VCR, wondering who was so frantic to get inside. She opened the door, frowning when she saw her best friend, "Willow? What are you doing here?"

"What? I can't come visit my best friend?" Willow asked defensively, her tone sharp.

"Not with that attitude, you can't," Buffy said, moving to the side, "come in and then tell me what the problem is."

"There is no problem," Willow said, glaring at her friend as she entered the living room. "Why do you think there is a problem?"

"Because you're acting weird," Buffy said patiently, moving to sit back down and pick up her bowl of popcorn. "Now, tell Buffy all about it."

"There is nothing to tell. I just couldn't stay home. I had to get out," Willow said, moving as she spoke.

"Wait!" Buffy reached over and turned the TV and VCR off, not wanting them to start blaring if she was able to finally get Willow to calm down and tell her what the problem was. "Now, where we were? Oh, yes. You were denying there was a problem by pacing around the room like a tiger in a cage."

"I am not pacing," Willow said, glowering at Buffy as she realized she was indeed pacing. She moved to a chair and sat down, "There. No pacing now."

"Willow, honey, I just saw two hours ago and you were happy, in a perfectly good mood. Now, you're storming into my house and glaring. What happened?" Buffy demanded.

"He's in love," Willow said in a sullen voice.

"OK..." Buffy waited, rolling her eyes when Willow just sat there frowning. "Who's in love?"

"Spike," Willow said sharply, spitting out his name as if it were a curse.

"Oh," Buffy sat back, the wheels in her head turning as she started to put the pieces together. "Spike's in love. And how do you know this?"

"He told me!" Willow said, making a face. "All happy about it, too, stupid idiot. I thought he was going to break into a damn song and dance, stupid bleached blonde moron."

"Spike singing and dancing?" Buffy said, looking down so Willow wouldn't see her laughing. She faked a cough to cover up her amusement before looking back at Willow, "Spike's in love. So what?"

"So what?" Willow asked, looking at Buffy as if she had grown a second head. "So, Spike's not supposed to fall in love!"

"Who says?" Buffy asked, slightly confused.

"I say," Willow said, her eyes looking at the floor. "He's my friend. If he falls in love, that changes things."

"Maybe it won't change anything," Buffy said quietly, thoughtfully, her hazel eyes watching Willow.

"No, it will change things. Trust me, nothing will ever be the same," Willow said sadly.

"Will, I have to ask why it bothers you so much," Buffy asked softly, having her own suspicions as to why it would upset Willow this much.

"Because," Willow looked up at Buffy, the anger and annoyance fading as she whispered, "it isn't with me."

********************

"Oh, Willow," Buffy said softly, getting to her feet and moving to hug her friend. She squeezed her as she began to brush her red hair with her fingers, "I'm so sorry."

"You don't like Spike," Willow said, feeling the tears as she looked at her friend.

"Willow, you're my best friend. If you fell in love with King Kong I could accept him if he made you happy," Buffy said, smiling.

Willow heard herself giggle, "I've never been very fond of monkeys. Besides, I tried that animal thing with Oz. Look where that got me."

"Oh, how could I forget Dogboy," Buffy said, sitting on the arm of the chair. She sighed as she looked at Willow, "So, Spike?"

Willow nodded, "Yeah. I don't even know when, really. I never thought of him as anything other than Spike, a friend and annoying roommate. Then, this morning, well, it was like I was seeing him for the first time."

"Really?" Buffy said, still stroking her best friend's hair.

"It sounds silly, doesn't it? Last night, when I got home, we'd had a fight because he was worried that I was gone so long. It had ended him with him storming into his room and slamming the door. Then, this morning, I don't know. I was suddenly aware of so many things that I'd never noticed," Willow admitted softly.

"You've been in love with him for months," Buffy said softly, smiling. "We've all seen it."

"Oh great. Nice to know I'm so transparent to everyone but myself," Willow said, making a face. "Oh Goddess, I hope he doesn't know. I'd never be able to look at him again if he knew."

"Willow, honey," Buffy shook her head, "to be so smart, you can be so dense at times. He loves you, you idiot."

"Whatever," Willow rolled her eyes, knowing Buffy was just trying to make her feel better.

"Xander even noticed. OK? Does that not tell you something?" Buffy said, giving Willow a look. "You know that Xander isn't the smartest cookie in the bunch when it comes to stuff like that. If he can see that Spike loves you, why can't you?"

"I appreciate you trying to make me feel better, Buffy," Willow said, deciding it wasn't worth arguing with her friend. "I'm sorry I came in that way, being so rude. It was just a shock, hearing that he was in love. I didn't really know how to react."

"That's all right. What are friends for?" Buffy asked, knowing that Willow would learn soon enough that she was right about Spike's feelings for her.

"It would appear lately that they are for listening to me mope and whine and gripe," Willow said with a laugh. "Ugh, I better get home. He was looking for something to drink when I left. Last time he got drunk, he rearranged the entire living room while the Sex Pistols blared."

"I thought he had smashed up the coffee table, broken a vase and then serenaded you through your bedroom door?" Buffy said, arching a brow.

"Well, we had to replace the table and get a new vase. That was sort of like rearranging," Willow said with a sheepish smile as she stood.

"Maybe you should stay here tonight, just in case he has been drinking," Buffy said, knowing that Spike would never hurt Willow but also knowing that a drunk Spike wasn't the most controlled man around.

"Buffy, he's only gotten drunk twice in all the months we've lived together. I seriously doubt he had enough alcohol in the house to get a slight buzz, much less plastered," Willow said. "Besides, he's not a very dangerous drunk unless you happen to get in his way when he's dancing like that table did."

"Call me tomorrow," Buffy said. "We'll meet for lunch or something."

"Thanks, Buffy," Willow said, hugging her friend once more before she left, headed back home as she wondered how she was going to avoid Spike in their small apartment.

********************

Willow let herself into the apartment, surprised that she didn't hear the stereo playing loudly. She locked the door and started for her room, relieved when it appeared that Spike was nowhere to be found. She walked into her room, stopping in surprise. Spike was laying on her bed, his head resting on her pillows, his eyes shut. The bottle of love potion was laying beside him, empty. She moved towards it, picking it up and looking at it with a mixture of sadness and anger. He'd been in her room, drank her entire bottle of potion and was now sleeping in her bed. She knew she couldn't get him to move and wasn't really in a mood to wake him up, so she grabbed her sleeping shirt and went into his room, deciding that she would use his empty bed.

She changed quickly, still unsure how she felt about the potion being gone. She moved his covers, crawling underneath them as she lay down. She inhaled deeply, her body reacting to the scent of Spike that now surrounded her. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea, she debated. Maybe facing him would have been better than trying to sleep with the feel of him all around her. The potion was gone. The decision on whether or not to continue taking it had been removed from her. She could find out if her reaction to Spike was just because of that silly potion or because she, like Buffy had suggested, had really been in love with him all along. She wondered if the potion would have an affect on him, since he had finished off the entire bottle minus the two small doses she had taken. Dare she hope that he would have a reverse reaction to it, falling out of love instead of finding it.

Her fingers played with the cuff of the silk shirt as she lay there, snuggled under his covers. Buffy seemed convinced that Spike had feelings for her. Why, then, had she never seen them? She'd been the one living with him all this time. The one that should have seen love if it had been there. Of course, she thought wryly, it didn't appear that she had seen her own feelings so how could she have noticed his? If he did love her, why, then, wouldn't he have just told her? Spike wasn't the secretive type, not when it came to something like that. He also wasn't the patient type. There was no way he would have sat around having feelings for her without doing something. She just couldn't see that happening.

"You're back."

The words were spoken softly from the door, drawing Willow from her thoughts. She sat up, her eyes adjusting to the darkness as she made out his shadow. "You were in my bed. Um, that's why I came in here."

"I was waiting for you. Guess I fell asleep," he admitted sheepishly, running a hand through his short hair before he turned on the light. He felt himself harden when he looked at her, laying in his bed, the blue silk shirt she was wearing hanging off her shoulder, the buttons low enough to see the top of the soft swell of her breasts. Her hair was loose, hanging around her face as she looked at him.

"I didn't want to wake you," she said quietly, her fingers pulling at a thread on his blanket. "You looked tired."

He sighed, his eyes finding the empty bottle he had drunk. He gestured to it, "I drank your water. I shouldn't have, but I'll buy you some more."

"Water?" she said, looking at the bottle. She felt her face flush as she shook her head, "It wasn't water."

"Yes, it was," he frowned.

"No, it was a potion that some gypsy gave me," she said, feeling even more foolish.

"Red, it was water," he said slowly, wondering what sort of potion she would have been taking. "It was colored real pretty, but it was just water."

"You must be wrong," she shook her head, denying it, "she said it was a love potion, damn it. I've been having all these strange feelings since I drank it. It has to be because of the potion."

"Why the hell were you taking some love potion?" he demanded, looking at her in surprise.

"I didn't ask for it. She gave it to me. Swore that it make me see my true love," Willow said bitterly. "It was just water? All this time, I thought it was some drug making me feel these things. It was just water."

"Feel what things?" he asked quietly, his eyes watching her.

"Weird things," she exclaimed, angry at herself for having believed the potion might actually work and also angry at that damn Madame Ruth for giving her so many false hopes. "I honestly thought I was going to find my true love, that I was going to actually have someone to love, that someone would love me. I thought it was the potion making me feel things for you, making me want you, making me love you."

"Some stupid bottle of liquid can't make people fall in love, pet," he said, his tone cautious, not sure what she was saying.

"Then why?" she looked at him, her lower lip wobbling, "Why does it hurt me so much that you're in love? Why do I feel like someone is tearing my heart in half?"

"I love you," he said softly, watching her eyes widen.

"No," she shook her head. "It has to be the potion talking."

"There was no potion, Willow," he said, groaning. "I've loved you for months, hell, years, long before I drank that damn purple water. I was trying to tell you tonight, before you got into your snit and ran to the slayer."

"I was not in a snit," she denied before stopping, staring at him, "You really love me?"

"Haven't you been listening?" he asked, laughing softly. "I've just been trying to tell you that for the last ten minutes."

"Oh," she smiled shyly, "I think I love you too."

********************

"You think?" he repeated, a smile spreading over his face as he moved towards his bed.

"I'm just confused," she admitted, looking up and seeing him approach, the look in his eyes making her body react. She gulped as he came closer, her tongue running over her lips as she felt her nipples tighten.

"Confused?" he repeated, pulling his shirt over his head. He heard her breath catch and his lips twisted into a sexy smirk. "Whatever can we do to fix that confusion?"

"I uh," she ran her eyes over his chest, wetness pooling between her legs as his fingers moved to his zipper. Giving up any doubts, she said, "Maybe you can think of something?"

"Oh, I can think of plenty, Red," he smiled as he began to unzip his jeans, taking his time, going deliberately slow, teasing her. When the zip was lowered, he freed his cock, already hard from the pleasurable image she had presented laying in his bed. He heard her soft gasp and watched as she licked her lips again. He pushed his jeans down, tossing them to the side as he walked the rest of the way to the bed naked.

"Why was I so blind?" she asked as he kneeled on the end of the bed, her eyes caught by his. "How could I have ignored this?"

"You weren't ready, luv," he said softly, giving her a smile, "Now, you are."

"Now I am," she agreed as she leaned forward, capturing his mouth in a tentative kiss that soon deepened.

Spike moved his hands over her shirt, pushing her against the bed as he ran his fingers along the edge of it, "Have I told you how much I love this shirt?"

"The color reminds me of your eyes," she whispered, heat spreading over her as his hardness brushed against her thigh.

"I love you, Willow," he said quietly. "I have for longer than I even care to admit. After tonight, I won't let you go. Ever."

"I don't want you to let me go," she said softly, kissing him as he groaned, their fingers unbuttoning her shirt until it was soon tossed to the floor. His mouth covered her body, his tongue and teeth licking and scraping her flesh. She cried out when she felt his fingers push into her, his thumb dancing across her clit as he suckled her breast. Her arms went over her head, her hands holding on to his bed frame as he brought her to the edge with his fingers and tongue. When she felt herself about to slip over, he entered her in one thrust. She screamed out her release, arching up from the bed as he pushed into her tightness.

Spike felt her fingernails dig into his back as he began to move inside her. She was so warm, so tight. He wouldn't last long. Thankfully, he had worked her through one orgasm already. His mouth found hers as his fingers continued to work her clit, his cock going deeper than anyone previously. Her felt her hands squeeze his cheeks as he moved, growling when she moved her finger over his ass, pushing into the hole as she met his thrusts. His pace quickened as she continued her anal play, his demon rising as he neared the edge. He felt her kiss his forehead, her tongue tracing the ridges before she laid back, baring her neck to him. Her finger pushed inside him just as he came, biting into her as she tightened around him, moaning as he pierced her skin.

Willow lay there basking in the afterglow of the best sex she had ever experienced. Her body was covered with sweat and their mixed juices, her breathing finally becoming normal. She looked at Spike who had collapsed beside her, a satisfied smile on his handsome face. She laughed softly, saying, "I love you," before she kissed him.

********************

"Are you sure this was the place?"

Willow turned and glared at Spike, saying, "Yes, I'm sure."

"There's nothing there," Buffy said, looking around. "Could it have been farther down?"

"It was 34th and Vine, just like that silly song," Willow said, looking from her lover to her best friend. "You don't believe me."

"Willow, honey, we want to believe you," Buffy said, then she made a gesture, "but there's nothing here."

"The whole place couldn't have up and vanished, pet," Spike said, "you'd walked for a while that night. Maybe it was a different street."

"It was here!" she said, groaning. "I know it was here."

"You know, this could just be the Hellmouth playing another one of its stupid games," Buffy suggested.

Willow looked at the vacant lot where, not a week before, a house had stood that she had been inside, having tea. There was no signs of Madame Ruth's or the house now. In fact, the area looked as if it had been empty for some time. "You could be right. Stranger things have happened here."

"Doesn't matter anyway, does it?" Spike asked, pulling her against him as he brushed his lips across her cheek.

"You're right," she smiled at him, realizing how silly it would have been to go tell Madame Ruth that she knew the potion was fake but that, in a strange way, it had worked anyway. "Let's get out of here."

"Why don't we stop at that boutique we passed," Spike suggested, giving her a playful leer, "we can do some shopping."

"Spike!" she laughed, her face flushing as she rolled her eyes. "I'm not going into an adult toy store."

"Come on, Will. It might be fun," Buffy said, laughing as they neared the gaudy store. "We can buy something for Anya's birthday. A gag gift."

"Anya wouldn't consider it a gag," Willow said, making a face as all three shuddered. Finally, with a smile, she said, "Fine. I'm only doing this because I love you and because I know you won't shut up if we don't. I'll go to the naughty store."

"You say it like it's a bad thing," Spike said, moving close to her ear, "maybe we can buy the slayer an electronic friend, give her a hobby."

"Spike," Willow laughed as they entered the store, deciding not to dwell on what had happened to Madame Ruth and her shop. It didn't really matter and was probably, as Buffy had suggested, just another example of the Hellmouth at work. Either way, potion or water, she had found her true love. That was all that mattered.


THE END