Willow sat on her bed, staring at the ceiling. It had been a week since that night…a week since her world had turned upside down.  She could remember the details vividly, down to the sounds and smells around her.  It had started like any other night.  They all met at Giles’ to research the latest demon who wanted to open the Hellmouth.  She had been surprised when they found the answer quickly and that the demon in question was supposedly fairly easy to defeat.  A spell, the Slayer beating the crap out of it, then beheading.  It should have been simple.  In fact, it had been simple--but they hadn’t taken into consideration that the demon might have accomplices.  They had arrived at the ruins of the high school where the demon was performing the ritual.  They fought him and defeated him.  It was when they were leaving that the true evil of the week showed itself.  Apparently, the first one was simply to distract them.  They were completely unprepared to fight this new one, a huge, hulking thing with oozing green skin.  And he brought friends, at least twenty vamps.  So they had fought the vamps and dusted most of them as Buffy battled with the big green monster.  It was only at the end of the fight, after the big green monster (Giles called it a Cephalus demon) that they noticed that they were missing someone.  Spike was gone, and in the place Willow had seen him last, was a pile of dust.

    Willow felt her heart break anew at the thought.  She had never told anyone about her feelings for the bleached blonde vampire.  In fact, the two had become pretty good friends over the past few months.  Between Willow being “volunteered” for vamp-sitting duties by her friends who had plans with their significant others the times Giles was going to be out and the all night research sessions the two had been a part of, it was inevitable that they start talking.  Willow remembered how surprised she was after their first conversation that hadn’t included death threats or talk of blood and torture.  Underneath the tough, “big bad” exterior, was an incredibly intelligent and genuinely funny vampire.  And as they spent more and more time together, she had felt herself falling in love with him.

    The past week had been the worst of her young life.  She had spent a majority of her time looking for any sign that the vampire she loved might still be alive.  Buffy, Giles, and the others had given up that first night and didn’t understand why she kept looking.  But she couldn’t tell them why.  How do you tell your best friends that you are in love with a vampire that has tried to kill you several times before?  Well, Buffy did, but Willow knew that while they accepted it from Buffy, they wouldn’t accept it from her.  But she couldn’t stop looking.  Everywhere she went she was reminded of him in some way—a conversation they had, a joke he told her, a movie they’d watched together.  She just couldn’t believe that he was really dust.  Nobody had actually seen him get dusted, they just saw the pile of dust where he had been.  So couldn’t that have been from the vamp he was fighting?  Couldn’t he still be alive?  Willow had asked her friends, who looked at her in concern, shaking their heads in disbelief.  No, Buffy had said adamantly.  I know he was your friend, but he’s gone, so you need to get over it.

    Willow felt tears slip from her eyes, making their way down her cheeks.  How could Buffy be so cruel?  Willow just couldn’t believe he was gone.  She still felt him in her heart.  She knew what it was like to love someone who was gone forever, and this wasn’t like that at all.

    A knock at her door startled her out of her silent contemplation of Spike.  She got up, wiping her eyes on the way to the door.  She got the surprise of her life when she opened the door.  She gasped, backing away slightly from what she saw.

    “He’s not gone, you know.  He’s still here, just not here.  Will you help find him?  Miss Edith told me you would.”

    Willow stared in shock at the brunette vampiress.  Her mouth opened and closed as she tried to speak, but her voice didn’t seem to want to cooperate.   As she stared at the woman, who was wearing one of her usual long, flowing gowns, this one in black, Drusilla looked at her, her head cocked, as if she was listening for something.  Then she smiled, not quite a friendly smile, but more like she knew something that Willow didn’t.  Willow felt her heart beat quicken and her palms become sweaty as she contemplated what the vampire was going to do to her.  She was surprised when all Drusilla did was speak.

    “Miss Edith says you are scared.  Why are you scared, little tree?” Drusilla asked her, clutching the doll in her hands.  Willow swallowed, nervously.

    “You’re…you’re…Drusilla,” Willow managed to croak.  Drusilla nodded her head as she began swaying to music only she could hear, holding Miss Edith out, like she was dancing with her.

    “You remember,” she stated simply, as she stopped dancing.  Willow nodded, regaining some of her composure as the vampire didn’t try to kill her.

    “Well, you’re not that easy to forget, you did try to help Angelus end the world.  And I got kidnapped for you, so that makes you kinda stick in my mind.  Not to mention the fact that you killed Kendra, which led to Faith being called, which led to Buffy almost killing Faith and—“ Willow was cut off by the brunette vampiress’ intent gaze.  She felt herself falling into the brown eyes of the beautiful demon.  This was how Dru had immobilized Kendra before she killed her, Willow thought to herself.  Suddenly, the spell was broken.  Willow shook her head to clear it as she realized what the woman had said when she opened the door.  “You…you said that Spike is still alive?”

    “Of course he is.  Can’t you feel him?  All tingly and swirly pulling at your heart?  I can feel it.  The stars sang to me that the Slayer thought my Spike was dead.  But I knew he wasn’t.  He promised he’d never leave his Princess.”  Willow felt her heart plummet as the vampire referred to the one she loved as “my Spike”.  Although Willow knew that Spike didn’t feel about her that way, she had always hoped that he would care about her someday.  Now that Drusilla was back, that was a far distant possibility.  She was no match for Drusilla, even if the vampiress was crazy.  She sighed aloud.  Drusilla looked at her questioningly.

    “Don’t you want to get him back?” she asked Willow, her face showing rare signs of sanity.  Willow nodded at her.

    “Of course I do.  He’s my friend,” Willow began.  Drusilla smiled triumphantly and nodded her head once, as if agreeing with something.  She looked at Miss Edith and straightened the doll’s dress.

    “Good.  Then we will go rescue him, and we will have tea and cakes to celebrate!” she said, giggling, the signs of sanity disappearing completely.

    “Drusilla?  Do you know where Spike is?” Willow asked hesitantly, hope evident in her voice.  She crossed her fingers mentally that the vampiress would just tell her where he was so she could go get Buffy and they could rescue him.  What she didn’t expect was the look of anguish on Drusilla’s face.

    “I can see him.  But he doesn’t answer me.  Why doesn’t he answer me, little tree?  He won’t tell his Princess where he is,” she admitted, holding Miss Edith to her tightly.  Her shoulders shook as she looked up at Willow with large, luminous eyes.

    “Have you asked…Miss Edith where he is?” Willow asked softly, feeling slightly crazy herself for inquiring whether a doll could provide the answer the two women were looking for.  Her stomach dropped as Drusilla’s face became a mask of rage.  She took a step back, startled by the sudden change in the vampire’s emotions.

    “Miss Edith is a bad girl.  She won’t tell her mummy where Spike is either.  Miss Edith will get no tea.  She shouldn’t be a bad girl, mummy doesn’t like it when you’re bad,” Drusilla hissed at the doll, staring at it from arm’s length.  She looked about ready to throw the doll to the ground in anger.  Willow, afraid that Drusilla was going to destroy her doll, which she apparently cared about very much, put a restraining hand on Drusilla’s arm.  After all, it wouldn’t do Spike much good if Miss Edith was in a bunch of pieces and couldn’t tell them where he was.  Willow wasn’t sure if Drusilla would still understand her visions if Miss Edith wasn’t the one to tell her and she didn’t want to take a chance.  Drusilla looked at her in surprise.  Willow took a deep breath, knowing that what she was about to do went against everything Buffy and Giles had ever told her.

    “Why don’t you come in, Drusilla?  Who knows who will come by and see us standing here,” Willow suggested.  She knew she was letting an insane vampire into her room, but she didn’t care.  It wasn’t that she precisely trusted the vampiress, but she didn’t not trust her either.  It was as if they had an unspoken truce between them.  Of course it all depended on getting Spike back, after that Willow knew she was open season for Drusilla.  But all she wanted was to get Spike back, even if he didn’t love her.  She’d take her chances with Drusilla if it meant he came back.  True, Buffy would kill her if she ever found out that Drusilla was in their room, but hopefully that would be after Spike was back safe and sound.  She was surprised when Drusilla shook her head, looking down the hall way.  The vampiress’ face suddenly shifted, letting her demon out.

    “The nasty old slayer is coming,” she said, scowling, her hand curling into a claw which she held up, as if ready to scratch someone.

    “Damn!” Willow swore, before thinking quickly.  She grabbed her coat and purse from the back of the door, as well as a few spell books off her bookshelf.

    “Okay, we’ll go to my house then,” was all she said as she led the vampire down the hallway, away from the fortunately oblivious Slayer.

    Willow hesitated as she and Drusilla walked up to her parents’ house.  Inviting Drusilla into her dorm room, where she lived with the Slayer was one thing, but inviting her into her parents’ home was another.  But where else could they go?  Her dorm was out because Buffy was there and she refused to go to the mansion or a crypt where anybody (including other vampires) could walk in.  She sighed as she realized she had no choice but to invite the vampiress in.  Her parents wouldn’t be home for another month so she had time to do the uninvite spell before they got home.  Taking a deep breath, she unlocked the door, then turned to the brunette beside her.

    “I invite you in, Drusilla,” she said softly as she stepped into her house.  Drusilla didn’t say a word, simply nodding her head as she entered the house, Willow shutting the door behind her.  Suddenly, Dru scowled and hissed in anger.

    “Someone has been very naughty here,” she stated, glaring into the darkness of the house.  Her face shifting to enable her to see.  Willow turned to look at her in fear.  Was Drusilla turning on her now?  Was this all an elaborate ruse to get an invitation?  Then why hadn’t Dru just killed her at her dorm room?

    “Wh-what do you mean, Dru?” Willow asked, unconsciously shortening Drusilla’s name to the pet form she had heard Spike use countless times.  Willow stepped away from the vampiress when her golden eyes fixed on the redhead.

    “There is…evil.  I can smell it.  It is everywhere, surrounding me, surrounding, swirling everywhere,” the brunette whispered, turning around as if to catch a glimpse of what she had scented.  Willow glanced around with wide eyes, swallowing nervously.

    “Ev-evil?  In my house?  But how…where…evil in my house?  Are you sure?  Ummm…and why are you so upset?  Aren’t you…evil?” Willow asked, her mind racing at the implications of Dru’s pronouncement.

    “Daddy said I was, but this is different.  This evil stinks of…” Dru trailed off, growling.

    “Stinks of what?” Willow asked, impatiently as she watched the vampiress look over into the corner.  Dru ignored Willow’s question.  Willow sighed and reached over to switch on a light.  As the room was illuminated, Drusilla’s eyes refocused on Willow, her face returning to its human mask.  She smiled slightly at the girl before looking at Miss Edith.  Suddenly, Drusilla stamped her foot and pouted, throwing Miss Edith to the floor.

    “Dru?  What’s wrong?” Willow asked, worried the evil Drusilla was talking about had materialized.  Looking around, she could find no evidence of impending evilness so she bent to retrieve the doll, making sure that it hadn’t been damaged by its abrupt descent into the carpet.  She set the doll on the table by the door before returning her gaze to Drusilla.

    “Miss Edith can’t talk to me.  I can almost hear her, but its cloudy.  The clouds aren’t letting Miss Edith talk to me.  I usually like clouds.  When they come, I can go out at whatever time I want.  They make it so dark and scary.  You silly humans are scared of the dark.  All that fear when the darkness comes…mmmmmm…its intoxicating,” Dru murmured to herself, beginning to sway.  Willow looked at her and sighed.  Talking to the vampiress was like…dealing with Xander on a sugar high, only worse.  At least Xander was sane.  How was she going to get the woman to stay on one subject long enough, and with enough lucidity, to be able to discover where Spike was and why he had disappeared.

    “Dru?  We need to find out where Spike is and why he disappeared.  Oh—and we can’t forget to figure out why some evil was being naughty in my house!  Although, I don’t know what else evil would be…so I guess we need to find out why the evil was in house in the first place.  Drusilla?  Drusilla?  DRU!!!” Willow screamed, as the vampiress continued to sway, lost in her own world.  Drusilla stopped, looking at her in surprise.  Willow blinked, startled that she had managed to get the woman’s attention.  Before Drusilla could say a word, Willow felt her anger begin to overtake her.  It wasn’t that she was necessarily mad at Drusilla, it was simply the situation that overwhelmed her.  First she lost Spike, her friends hadn’t cared, choosing to forget about the blond vampire in less than a day, then Drusilla showed up saying that he was alive, and now with Dru either not answering Willow’s questions or not making sense.  Willow felt her calm evaporate as took a deep breath which was intended to reign in her annoyance.  It was then she realized that it was losing battle.  Her eyes snapped as she glared at the vampiress standing in the middle of her living room, staring at her.

    “Drusilla, we need to find Spike!  And it is NOT helping if you go off into your own little world talking about—about whatever you were talking about!  And do you think it would be possible for you to finish your sentences?  You talk about some naughty evil that invaded my house but you don’t tell me what it is!  And Spike is gone and we don’t know where because Miss Edith is being difficult!  And now I’m talking about a DOLL like she’s a real human being!” Willow screamed in frustration.  She felt a hand on her arm.  She looked up into Drusilla’s eyes, her jaw dropping open and her anger subsiding at what she saw in there.  She saw compassion, a trait she would never had associated with any vampire—well, except Angel, but he did have his soul, so that made sense.  But compassion from Drusilla?  Willow squeezed her eyes shut, sure that when she opened her eyes she would see that she had been mistaken.  Before she could open them, she felt herself being engulfed in a cold, yet oddly comforting embrace.

    “Sssh, little tree.  I know, I miss him too,” the vampiress cooed into Willow’s ear.  Willow wasn’t sure how the insane woman had known exactly what was bothering her because she hadn’t even admitted it to herself.  But upon hearing the words the woman whispered in her ear and feeling comforting arms around her for the first time since Spike’s “death”, Willow lost it.  Tears streamed down her face, she choked back sobs of anguish.  Drusilla rubbed her back soothingly, continuing to coo into the girl’s ear until her sobs quieted and her shoulders stopped shaking.

    “Does he know that you love him?” Willow looked up at the woman and saw that this was one of her few moments of semi-clarity.  Willow shook her head, feeling fresh tears run down her face as she pulled away from the vampiress’ embrace.  Drusilla looked with eyes that seemed to see into her soul for a moment before the sanity receded once again.  She smiled at Willow.

    “Come now, pet.  We must rescue our Spike!” Willow’s eyes widened at what that statement implied.  Was Spike now hers?  When they rescued him, would they share him?  Willow gulped at that thought.  Then Willow sighed in disgust at herself.  Spike might not even want her.  After all, he would have Drusilla, the love of his un-life.  He wouldn’t need her.  Would he just leave with Dru once they rescued him?  Would she ever see him again?  Willow frowned as she realized she was worrying about a small detail, not the bigger picture.  She should be worrying about how they would rescue the vampire, not what would happen once they did!  she thought as the vampiress stood and began to twirl in circles again.

    “Argh!  I can’t find anything about making vampires disappear!  Well, nothing that fits with this situation at least!” Willow snapped in frustration as she glared at her computer screen.  She’d been working with it for three hours now and she had found nothing that fit with Spike’s disappearance.  She wasn’t about to give up, but usually she had someplace to start from.  Searching for Spike without any other information was like looking for the proverbial needle in the haystack.  Drusilla looked up from her place on the bed.  Her eyebrows furrowed as she comprehended Willow’s remark.

    “The little tree is angry.  You need a break, little tree.  Come, we will go out and get something to eat!” Dru stated, putting down the book of spells she was flipping through and heading for the door.

    “Dru?  It’s almost midnight, what will be open where we can get something to—Dru!  You can’t kill anybody while you’re here!  Buffy will know and how will you be able to help find Spike if you’re dust?” Willow exclaimed.  Drusilla looked thoughtful, then nodded.

    “Nasty slayer always ruins my fun.  We will go to the bird’s then,” she replied opening the door.  Willow looked at in confusion.  This was way too weird, even for Drusilla.  But by now she knew that no more information would be forthcoming from Drusilla.  She sighed and followed the vampiress out, noting that they headed towards town.

    “The bird’s?  Is that a…what is that Dru?” Willow finally asked ten minutes later.  She had always thought she was patient—she had put up with Xander for fifteen years!  But this vampire seemed to bring out her worst sides.  Drusilla just smiled and began to walk a little faster.  Willow tried to figure out where they were going.  The only place she could think of was the park, but they just walked right on by it.  As they turned a corner, Willow burst into laughter, finally comprehending what Dru had meant by “the bird’s”.  Willie’s.  And Willie was a known Snitch, and another word for snitch is stool pigeon.  Drusilla looked at her.

    “Little tree?  What is so funny?” she asked, looking confused.  Willow just shook her head, stifling her giggles as they approached the door.  Just as they were about to enter, a large vampire left, his eyes lighting up when he saw Willow.  Grinning viciously, he stepped forward to be stopped by a hand on his throat as Willow scrambled back, out of the vampire’s reach.  Growling he turned to see who had stopped him.

    “She belongs to me,” Drusilla warned, her canines elongating, her eyes sparkling with golden tones.  The other vampire shrugged off her hand, or tried to at least.

    “Who are you?” he growled, his own face changing in challenge.

    "I am a princess,” was Drusilla’s lofty reply before her human mask slipped completely and she ripped the vampire’s throat out.  He dropped to the ground becoming a cloud of dust as Willow thrust her stake into his chest.  Drusilla nodded approvingly, glancing down at her bloodstained hands.

    “Oooh, a snack!” she said before lifting her hand to her lips to lick off the drops of blood that covered her fingers.  Willow stared in morbid fascination as the vampire's face showed the pleasure she was experiencing from the blood.  Willow looked away quickly once she realized that she was staring, taking in the sight of the deserted street.

    “Thank you, Dru. But…but do I really…belong to you?” Willow asked hesitantly, glancing quickly at the vampire to see if she was done with her “snack”.  A sigh of relief escaped Willow’s lips when she saw that Dru was indeed done.  Drusilla turned her eyes on her, shifting them from gold back to brown as her mask fell into place.

    “You belong to my Spike.  Therefore, you belong to me,” she answered before reaching for the door.  Willow nodded, understanding that Drusilla was referring to the right of sire.  What belongs to the childe, belongs to the sire.  ::Wait, what did she mean that I belong to Spike?::  Before Willow had a chance to question the brunette, they were already inside.

    The bar became silent and all heads turned to look at the two women who walked in.  Willow looked around nervously at the various demons that had their eyes focused on her and Dru.  ::Okay, I know that seeing Drusilla walk in with a human is surprising, but honestly what’s the matter with everybody?:: Willow asked herself as they made their way toward the bar.  Willow watched Willie swallow nervously.  Why was Willie nervous?  Drusilla didn’t look nearly as frightening as Angel or Spike and Willie, while respectful of both master vampires, at least pretended he wasn’t scared of them.  But here Willie was, almost trembling at the sight of two women, neither of whom looked threatening.  Willow’s eyes narrowed, her mouth becoming a thin line as she realized that Willie knew something.  And he apparently thought that Willow and Dru wanted that information.  The only information Willow could think of that would be of interest to both women was about Spike and his “death”.  Willow growled deep in her throat at the thought that this entire week when she had believed the man she loved was dead, there was someone who knew the truth.  And Buffy had supposedly talked to Willie about Spike!  Her hands clenched as her anger grew.  Drusilla whipped around, her hair flying and her skirt flowing, to smile at Willow.

    “Little tree!  You growled.  I knew you could!” she said like a proud mother, clapping her hands together in delight as she bounced on her toes.  Willow met her eyes, Drusilla’s delight faded as she recognized the seriousness in the other woman’s eyes.  Her eyes focused on Willow as she tilted her head questioningly.

    “Willie knows something about our Spike, Dru,” she said quietly, looking at the scrawny man.  Drusilla’s eyes became flecked with gold as she turned slowly to face Willie.  Willie’s hands twisted the rag he wiped the bar with nervously.  Willow felt something within her snap as she watched the barkeeper begin to inch toward the door.  Willow and Dru strode to the bar, both looking every inch like dangerous predators.

    “H-hello.  What can I get for you ladies?  A pint of O neg, perhaps?  On the house?” Willie asked nervously, reaching for two pint glasses.  Willow stopped him with a glare.  She stepped around the bar stools, getting as close to Willie as possible.  Drusilla waited, staring into the mirror above the bar, watching the people behind her.  Her eyes might have been on the other patrons of the bar, but her mind was focused on the conversation between Willow and Willie.

    “What do you know?” Willow asked, her voice calm even as she was shaking in anger.  Buffy had promised that she had asked Willie if he knew anything about Spike’s “death”.  Had she lied?  Or had Willie told her what he knew and Buffy didn’t tell Willow?

    “I-I know a lot of things.  Like there’s a demon down by the pier sacrificing cats to his god, and there’s a lair of vamps in the old high school.  And--” Drusilla cut him off with a hiss.  Willow sighed and shook her head, her face looking regretful.  Dru’s eyed Willie, her eyes promising pain if he didn’t tell Willow exactly what she wanted to know.

    “Willie, you know what information we’re looking for.  Dru and I know you have it.  And if you want to be here in this pathetic excuse for a bar tomorrow—alive that is—you will tell us what we want to know.  Now, I will ask one more time, where is Spike?” Willow asked, her eyes boring into the terrified man.  ::Where did this threatening attitude come from?  I’m acting like Vamp Me!  Except less leather:: she noted to herself.

    “The stars are singing that we will have our Spike back soon, little tree.  And the bird will tell us all we need to know!” Drusilla proclaimed, as she began swaying, her eyes locked with the barkeeper’s.  Willie swallowed nervously, then nodded his head in submission.

    “Listen, all I know is that Spike isn’t dead like the Slayer thought.  There’s been…talk.  I won’t reveal my sources but there’s a Molrak demon just outside of town.  He took Spike,” Willie informed them, leaning confidentially toward Willow, speaking in a voice too low to be heard by the other patrons.  Willow leaned away from the man, taking in what he said.

    “Why?” she asked, turning her head slightly so she could see Drusilla.  She could almost feel Dru’s anger.  If Dru did anything permanent to Willie, they wouldn’t be able to find out where the Molrak demon was.  Dru was staring at the man, her eyes shifting between deep brown and golden yellow.

    “I don’t know,” Willie began.  Drusilla reached over and grabbed his neck.  “I don’t!  I swear it!  I would tell you!”

    “I think he’s telling the truth, Dru.  Maybe you should let him go,” Willow suggested, as she watched the man’s face turn an interesting shade of red.  Drusilla frowned and stomped her foot.

    “But little tree,” Drusilla whined, pouting.  Willow shook her head, regretfully.  She was almost positive that Dru was joking.  Her eyes, though furious, were the clearest Willow had seen yet, and since Willow wasn’t sure how long that would last, she needed to get Willie away from the vampire.  Willie was a little cretin, but she didn’t want him dead!

    “Sorry, Dru.  If you kill him now, who will find out exactly where the Molrak demon is?  I know Willie is more than willing to find out that last tidbit of information for us,” Willow said, looking suggestingly at Willie.  Willie managed to nod.  Drusilla sighed and released her hold on his neck.

    “Little tree, I’m hungry,” she said, looking towards Willow with wide eyes.  Willow almost laughed as Willie shrank back noticeably as the vampire’s pronouncement.

    “I’m sure Willie could provide you with something to eat,” Willow suggested.  She bit the inside of her cheek as the man’s face took on a deathly pallor.  He began to stutter and back away from them as Willow managed to say
"Willie, we’ll have four bags of your finest, to go.”

    The man sighed in relief and retrieved four bags of blood from the stash he kept in a refrigerator under the bar.  He put them in a bag and looked at the women.  He groaned as he realized that he couldn’t ask them for payment.

    “No charge,” he grumbled as he handed them the bag.

    “Thank you, Willie.  You’ve been an enormous help.  We’ll be back tomorrow night to get that other information you promised us,” she stated, almost daring the barkeeper to protest.  Willie nodded in agreement, breathing easier as the two women walked toward the door.  As Willow left the building, Drusilla turned back, looking into the shadows on the far side of the bar and nodded, as if in greeting before following Willow into the night.

    Angel stared at the now closed door in shock.  He replayed the scene in his mind before shaking his head, stunned.  ::What the hell was that all about?  Why on earth are those two together?  What did Willie tell them?  And where’s Spike?:: he wondered as he threw some money on the table and walked out of the bar.  He got into his car and quickly headed for Giles’.  If he hurried, he should just catch up with Buffy after her patrol.

    “Angel,” Giles said in surprise as he opened his door to find the vampire on his front step.  He stepped back to allow the man in, noting that Angel looked slightly harried.  He shut the door behind the vampire as Angel struggled to explain why he was at the Watcher’s.

    “Giles, is there…is Willow…I mean…” Angel trailed off, not exactly sure how to phrase his question.  He wasn’t even sure what his question was.  His concern grew when the Watcher’s eyes became dark with worry.  Giles shook his head sadly, taking off his glasses to polish the lenses.  Angel’s stomach dropped.   Giles started polishing his glasses meant something pretty bad had happened.

    “Willow has been acting very strange since it happened.  It’s like she just won’t accept it.  Frankly, we’re not quite sure what to do.  It can’t be healthy, this fixation she has, but how do you cure a fixation like this?” Giles asked, looking at Angel.  ::Fixation?  What is he talking about?:: Angel thought as opened his mouth to ask exactly that.  Then the door opened and Buffy, Xander and Anya strolled in.  They stopped when they saw the dark-haired vampire.

    “Deadboy!  To what do we owe this…well, I won’t say pleasure, but why are you here?” Xander asked, the first to speak up.  Angel tried to answer, but was prevented by Buffy.

    “Duh, Xand!  He’s here to see me!  Right, Angel?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with happiness as she ran to the vampire and threw her arms around him.  She let go and moved back, looking at him expectantly.  Again, Angel didn’t have time to answer.

    “Actually, Buffy, he’s here because of Willow.  I’ve just informed him of her circumstances,” the Watcher told the others.  Anya rolled her eyes, moving to sit on the couch, thoroughly bored with the conversation already.  She picked up a magazine and started flipping through it as the others began to discuss Willow’s behavior.  She had been listening to the same conversation for the past week and she was sick of.  It was obvious what why Spike’s death was bothering the girl, but if everyone else chose to ignore it, well, she wouldn’t bring it up.

    “Oh.  You mean you’re not here for me?” Buffy asked before realizing how uncaring that sounded.

    "Err…yeah,  I mean, I’m pretty worried.  They weren’t that close, why is she so upset?  Maybe she’s PMSing or something.  We all know how emotional Willow gets when she’s premenstrual!”

    “But she’s never been this bad, Buff!  Maybe something is really wrong.  Why else would she take his death this hard?” Xander asked.  Angel’s eyes widened.  he asked himself.

    “Wait, who died?” Angel asked.  ::Her father maybe?  Oz?::  It was then he noticed that the others were looking at him strangely.

    “You mean you don’t know?” Buffy asked incredulously.  “I always thought the bond thingy you had would have told you.  You always said you could feel him!”

    “Bond?” Angel asked, looking more confused.  He didn’t have a bond with anyone but his childer and their childer.  And none of those links had been disturbed in the past few weeks.

    “Geez, Deadboy.  You could at least pretend to listen!  It’s Spike.  He’s dead,” Xander said, enjoying the look of horror flash across the vampire’s face.  Angel shook his head, denying Xander’s words.

    “No, he’s not,” Angel managed to get out.  Why hadn’t anyone called him when Spike had supposedly “died”?  But this bit of news did explain why Drusilla and Willow were together.  Dru would have known that Spike wasn’t dead, contrary to what the Slayer and her friends believed.  How Dru met up with Willow, Angel wasn’t sure, but he bet Miss Edith had something to do with it. 

    “Angel, we saw the dust.  I know its hard to accept, but—“ Buffy was cut off by Angel’s glare.  She took a step back from her ex-boyfriend, noticing that when he was mad, he looked a lot like Angelus.  Angel took a deep breath to reign in his temper.  Yes, he was angry that no one thought to call him, but it wouldn’t do any good to get angry now.  Not when Spike was missing.  Angel realized that he did not have a great history with his blond grand-childe—especially since his abandonment of his family all those years ago.   But it was his duty as a grandsire to keep Spike safe even if Spike wasn’t truly his childe.  Dru’s insanity had made him more like Spike’s sire than a grandsire, at least in the time they were together.  Angel felt that need to protect his childe come crashing forth as his demon realized that its childe was in missing.

    “No, Buffy.  He’s not.  I can still feel him.  He is most definitely alive, and fairly close,” Angel informed the Slayer, trying to keep his voice calm at the Slayer’s denial.  Buffy sat down on the edge of the couch, trying to comprehend Angel’s words.

    “But…but we SAW him,” she protested.  Giles shook his head.

    “Actually, Buffy, we saw what we thought was his dust.  Everyone was busy fighting so no one actually saw Spike get dusted,” Giles pointed out, his brow furrowed with thought.

    “So Wills was right?” Xander asked, looking guilty.  Giles nodded, looking vaguely embarrassed himself.  Anya looked up, a triumphant look her face. :: I had told them, but had anyone listened?  No!  Why listen to the ex-demon with over a THOUSAND years of experience?::

    “Yes, apparently she was,” Giles admitted. He looked at his Slayer and was aghast what he saw in her face.

    “That—that—how could he just?  I mean, if he didn’t want to help anymore, he should have told us!  I spent HOURS looking for his sorry ass last week and it turns out he just up and left?  Angel, go find him and bring him back here so I can beat the crap out of him!” the Slayer ordered angrily.  The other occupants of the room just stared at her in disbelief.

    “Buffy, Spike wouldn’t just leave like that,” Angel told her, valiantly fighting the urge to do something permanent to the Slayer.  Spike wouldn’t just abandon a fight like that.  It was his only way to release his energy now that he couldn’t hurt humans even if he didn’t like working with the Slayer!  And what gave her the right to tell him what to do?  Buffy rolled her eyes in annoyance at the vehemence in Angel’s voice.

    “Of course he would!  Why would he want to stay here if he didn’t have to?” she asked, her eyes challenging her ex-boyfriend to contradict her again.  Angel clenched his jaw and tried to think of a way to explain Spike’s need for violence to the Slayer—in very small words.  His contemplation of his options was interrupted by a voice that hadn’t spoken up yet.

    “Because he’s in love with Willow,” Anya informed them before throwing the magazine on the coffee table.  She looked up and saw everyone staring at her.  “What?  It was quite obvious.  Their attraction to each other was evident since the beginning.  I think they should have sex.  Well, when we find Spike that is.”

    There was silence in the room as everyone but Anya stood in shock.  Angel was the first to recover.  He ran his hands over his face, realizing that Anya’s opinion made a lot of sense—too much in fact.

    “Well, at least this explains why Dru and Willow are together,” he muttered, unnoticing of the heads that turned to look at him.

    “WHAT?”

    Willow looked up from her computer when she heard a strange noise.  She was surprised to find Drusilla giggling at the TV.  Willow had been so caught up in her research on the Molrak demon she hadn’t even heard Dru turn on the television.  Her eyebrow quirked when she saw what Dru was watching.  The Smurfs.  She shook her head, smiling.  Drusilla wasn’t exactly what Willow had expected.  Yes, she could be a heartless cruel demon, but she was also very childlike.  She made people want to take care of her.  Of course, Drusilla also seemed to delight in pushing Willow’s buttons.  Willow just couldn’t tell if she was doing it intentionally or not.

    “So, little tree, did your inside net find anything about the nasty demon that has our Spike?” the demon asked, glancing up from the television.  The older woman was a contrast, sitting cross-legged on the floor watching television, but at the same time wearing a proper Victorian dress.

    “Nope.  Nothing.  You’d think there’d be something about Molrak demons out there.  We’ll probably have to…borrow some of Giles’ texts,” Willow replied, not phased by Drusilla’s odd phrase for the Internet.  Willow had become somewhat accustomed to the woman’s way of putting things.  Oddly enough, they often made sense to Willow, in a weird, slightly insane way.  Willow fought a yawn.

    “You should go to bed after our guests leave, little tree,” Drusilla said.  Willow looked at her sharply, her eyes narrowing.  She was most definitely not in the mood for guests.

    “Guests?  Which guests?  Why are we having guests?” she asked, almost fearful of whom the woman was referring to.  She didn’t think she could handle any more surprises for today.  First, learning Spike was alive, then teaming up with Drusilla, and now…guests?  Drusilla just smiled and turned back to the TV, ignoring the girl’s question.  Willow fought back a growl at the woman’s refusal to tell her anymore.  Willow had noted that Drusilla had two methods for getting around answering questions she didn’t want to answer.  Well, actually one method with two variations.  She would either ignore the question completely, simply smiling knowingly.  Or she would start twirling.  Normally, she would have taken Dru’s quirks with a grain of salt; after all, this was the Hellmouth.  Twirling and ignoring questions were mundane when it came to Hellmouth oddness.  However, with Spike missing and possibly in danger, Willow found both grated on her nerves.  She did not have time for an insane vampire to keep secrets!  She stood up quickly, turning over her chair in the process.  She took a deep breath to calm her nerves.  As she tried to disentangle herself from the legs of her chair, she managed to trip over her own feet, almost falling into her bookshelf.

    “Temper, temper, luv,” Dru said, smiling innocently.  Willow glared at her, standing up and righting her chair.  ::I’ll show her temper, crazy vampire.  Thinks she’s so smart, not telling me who’s coming over.  Well, both her and that damned Miss Edith can BITE ME!::  It was then that Willow noticed Dru was looking at her with a baffled expression on her face.

    “But Miss Edith can’t bite you, she hasn’t been a good girl,” Dru stated.  Willow’s eyes closed in embarrassment as she realized that she had vocalized her thoughts out loud.  Her temper cooled noticeably, her embarrassment over her gaffe predominant.  Then, Drusilla went on.  “And she prefers tea and cakes, or cakes and tea.”

    “Oh, of course.  I should have known.  Tea and cakes.  What doll doesn’t prefer tea and cakes to blood?” Willow muttered as she walked to the bathroom.  She looked into the mirror, for the first time noticing the paleness of her skin and the bags under her eyes.  Willow moaned.  ::I look hideous!  What will Spike think when we rescue him?  I wonder who Spike will choose?  I mean, there’s a beautiful vampiress who he’s loved for over a century and then there’s me.  With bags over my eyes.  I guess the whole pale thing wouldn’t be a turn off for him at least.::  Sighing, she grabbed a washcloth and began to wash her face, hoping it would help her calm down.  She grabbed another towel, patting her face dry before walking back into her room.  She stopped in shock at what she saw.  Drusilla was sitting at her desk, poking at her computer monitor with one sharp finger, a petulant scowl on her pretty face.

    “You should tell the little tree what she wants to know.  You will be punished if anything happens to our Spike!” the vampiress was informing the computer.  Willow bit back a laugh.  It shouldn’t surprise her that the vampiress didn’t understand that the computer wasn’t a thinking being.  After all, her doll did talk to her, why not Willow’s computer?  Then the brunette stood up, stomping her foot, glaring at the blank screen, screaming “Tell me!  I want to know about my Spike!”

    It was then that the French doors to Willow’s room burst open to reveal the Scooby gang and Angel.  Both women looked over in surprise at five people who stood, stakes out, preparing for a fight.  They took in the scene before them and relaxed slightly when they saw that no one was being tortured for information.  Willow sighed.  This really wasn’t what she needed right now.  Hadn’t she had enough confrontations today?  She turned to Dru, who was also looking at her, her head cocked to the side.

    “Dru?  I take it these are our guests?” she asked wearily sitting down on her bed, as Drusilla once again began to twirl.

     “Well, if you people have believed her in the first place and looked for Spike for more than an hour, she wouldn’t have had to!  And if you had bothered to call me, none of this would have happened!” he snapped, his eyes flashing gold.

    Willow sighed, examining the faces that surrounded her.  Giles looked anxious, but whether it was because she had invited Dru in or because of some other reason, Willow wasn’t sure.  Xander was upset, both at her for Dru and at Buffy for yelling at Willow.

    Buffy and Angel having a heated argument over the fact that Buffy neglected to call Angel about Spike’s “death”.  Of them all, only Anya and Dru remained silent, although Dru would hiss at the Slayer every once in a while.  Willow glanced at Anya.  Anya was obviously  bored out of her mind.  She kept poking around Willow’s room, opening drawers, rummaging through boxes, looking under her bed.  At first, Willow felt a little uncomfortable with Anya going through her personal things, but by now, two hours since they had arrived, she didn’t care at all.  All she wanted was for everyone to stop yelling and leave.

    "Little tree, what’s wrong?” Drusilla asked, looking over at Willow.  Willow just glanced at Buffy pointedly.  Dru’s eyes changing to gold, as she stood up, ready to protect Willow from further admonitions by her friends.

    “You’re being a bad Slayer!  Yelling at your friend like that!  When we find Spike you won’t get to come to our tea party!” she shrieked at the Slayer, her fangs elongating and her face changing.  Buffy grabbed for a stake, ready to fight the vampiress.  Angel moved between them, ready to stop both women, if necessary.

    Just then, Anya shrieked triumphantly from inside the closet, breaking the tension between the Slayer and the vampiress.  Dru’s face returned to her human mask and Buffy relaxed as everyone stopped and looked toward the closet.  Anya emerged, holding a pair of black leather pants, a red leather bustier, and a riding crop triumphantly.  She grinned at Willow, who mortified, had shrunk back into her pillows.

    “Willow!  I never knew you were into domination!  You should have said something!  I know this great little store that sells the nicest…”

    “Anya!  Remember our conversation about company topics and private topics?  That is a private topic,” Xander told her, hoping she would get the hint.

    “I was only trying to tell Willow that there’s nothing wrong with being a dominatrix!  She has them hidden in the back of her closet like it is something to be ashamed of.  She should have a box underneath the bed like we do!  We got ours at Wendy’s Whips and Chains,” Anya informed Willow.  Xander groaned, putting his face in his hands as Giles, Buffy and Angel turned to look at him incredulously.  Willow stomped over to where Anya held her clothes, snatching them and the crop from the girl.

    "I am not a dominatrix!  Vamp Me left them here, in case…well, it’s none of your business why!” Willow snapped.  Anya looked at her in disbelief, but did not comment.  Willow threw the crop into the back of the closet, shutting its doors forcefuly.

    “Wow, Wills, bitchy much?” Buffy asked.  Willow whirled around, her eyes flashing.  Giles and Angel took a step back reflexively at seeing the anger in Willow’s eyes.  Xander looked up from his hands, swallowing nervously when he saw the look on Willow’s face.

    “Uh…Buffy?  I wouldn’t say anything else right now.  I’ve only seen that look on Willow’s face twice before and both times it was right before—” Xander began to warn the Slayer, trailing off when Willow’s glare was turned on him before returning it to Buffy.  “Right, I’ll shut up now.”

    “Bitchy?  I’m being bitchy?  It’s almost 2 o’clock in the morning, I just found out that someone I thought was dead really isn’t and his insane ex-girlfriend came back to help me find him!  Of course, this happens after the worst week of my life, which could have been a lot easier if you people cared enough about Spike to try to find him or prove he wasn’t dead or at least comfort me!  But no!  You told me to get over it!  On top of that, I can’t find anything about Molrak demons on the net, I have a broken door because some people don’t know how to knock, and now you’re accusing me of being bitchy when someone goes through my personal belongings?  I am tired, Buffy.  I want to go to sleep so tomorrow Dru and I can go back to Willie’s, get the information we need, and go find the man we love.  And if you don’t like how I’m acting, get the hell out of my house!”

    Willow finished, striding out of the room and into the bathroom, clothes in hand.  Buffy stared at the doorway in shock.  The room was silent for a moment until Xander cleared his throat.  “As I was saying, the only times I’ve seen that look on Will’s face was when she was about to blow up.  And since Willow just kicked us out, Anya and I are going home.  We’ll meet everybody here tomorrow,” Xander said, grabbing Anya’s hand.  Anya looked around, smiled and waved as Xander pulled her toward the door.

    “Told you she loved him!” she said triumphantly, grinning back at them.  Giles sighed and also bid the rest good night, taking his stunned Slayer with him.  Willow returned when she heard everyone leave, wearing the leather outfit.  She grinned at Angel and Dru, before pirouetting, showing off the tight leather pants.  The bodice clung to her, giving her more cleavage than she thought possible.  She felt dangerous and sexy, and she loved it!

    “It still fits!” she said, enjoying the look of astonishment on Angel’s face.  Dru nodded approvingly from her seat on Willow’s bed.

    “Why are you wearing that, Willow?” he managed to ask, keeping his eyes above her shoulders for fear of ogling the girl too much.  Willow shrugged, making certain parts of her body jiggle, which caused Angel to swallow and shut his eyes.  Willow stiffled a giggle before answering the question.

    “The regular Willow-y outfits aren’t that intimidating and I should be intimidating if we’re looking for Spike!  Besides, I like this outfit…well, not for everyday wear, of course, but now is the perfect time to wear it!  And—wait a minute!  What are you doing in Sunnydale, Angel?” she asked.  Angel’s eyes slid to Dru, who was sitting quietly on the bed, running her fingers through her hair and humming to herself.

    “Dru.  Doyle got a vision of Dru in Sunnydale, so I decided to come up and investigate.  Then I saw you and Dru in Willie’s.  Sorry about getting Buffy involved,” he apologized, looking down sheepishly, before realizing exactly where his gaze landed.  He cleared his throat and began to look around the room, anywhere but Willow.  Willow smiled back, patting his arm.

    “It’s okay, Angel.  At least I don’t have to tell her myself now!” Willow said.  She looked at Dru, raising an eyebrow when she saw the woman was looking at her.  “So, Dru.  Whatcha thinking?”

    “The little tree is growing up, but the Slayer doesn’t want to see it.  Daddy does, though.  And so does Spike.  And now we will rescue our Spike from that nasty old demon! And then Spike will be happy and he will buy us presents.  Miss Edith told me so,” the vampiress informed Angel and Willow, looking pleased.  Angel looked at his childe, embarrassed that she had pointed out his obvious attraction to Willow.  Willow just smiled at the vampiress before turning a critical eye on Angel.

    “Angel, you don’t happen to have any…Angelus-y outfits around do you?  ‘Cause you have to admit that he’s a little more scary than you are and we need scary right now,” Willow said in a rush, not wanting to offend the tall, dark-haired vampire.  Angel looked surprised, but nodded, pushing down his earlier embarrassment.

    “I have something in the car that might work.  Why?” he asked, curiously.  Drusilla stood up, looking at Willow expectantly.  Willow smiled mischievously at the other woman, whose eyes glinted evilly in response.

    “We are going to the bird’s to ask more questions!  Can I eat him this time, little tree?” Drusilla asked, clapping her hands together, her eyes bright and her fangs elongating slightly.  Willow pretended to think it over, causing Angel no small amount of distress.  Finally, she shook her head.

    “You already ate, Dru.  Don’t be greedy!” Willow admonished, laughing.  Drusilla pouted for a moment, before sighing and beginning to twirl, her skirt billowing out around her.

    “The bird’s?  Where’s that?  And why are we going tonight?  Shouldn’t we get Buffy?  And I thought you were tired!” Angel protested futilely before noticing that his comments seemed to have no effect.  Willow and Dru looked at each other briefly before turning to face Angel.  They started to walk slowly in his direction, as he began to inch backwards, not realizing he was backing away.

    “My Angel, it has been too long since Spike has seen his Princess.  And the little tree misses him too,” Drusilla informed him.  Angel nodded.

    “Yes, I know that but—”

    “And I think Willie has had ample time to find out what we want to know.  I’m not waiting until tomorrow, Angel.  And I’m not asking Buffy for help.  She didn’t care a week ago and she doesn’t really care now.  Now, if you want to help us, go get that outfit from the car and put it on, we’re leaving in five minutes.  But if you’re just going to keep asking questions, go back to L.A.,” Willow instructed him.  Angel looked first at Dru, then at Willow, and sighed.

    “So we’re going to Willie’s?  I thought we were going to some bird’s,” he said, relenting to the wishes of the two women in front of him.  Drusilla smiled and began to sway, dancing her way over to pick up Miss Edith.  Willow grinned up at Angel.

    “Think about it,” she said, turning to gather her jacket and purse.

    “Okay, Angel, you ready?” Willow asked, glancing at the dark haired vampire.  He was wearing a trademark Angelus outfit, blue silk shirt and tight black leather pants.  Angel nodded and looked at Dru.  Willow had managed to convince his childe to wear something a little more threatening than a Victorian dress.  She too was now wearing leather pants.  Her top had long, flowing sleeves and she also had long billowy coat that swirled around her legs.  Willow had found the clothing to fit Drusilla with the help of a little magic.  He hadn’t known Willow was that advanced, but with Drusilla with her, it wasn’t surprising that she could conjure that easily.  Dru always had been the magic worker in their little family.  Along with her visions had come an incredible amount of power and raw talent.

    “We are ready, little tree.  Let us go talk to the bird and ask him about our Spike,” Drusilla said, heading for the door with Willow.  Angel shook his head.

    “I still don’t get why Dru calls Willie the bird,” he muttered as he followed the two women inside.  His duty was strictly to look as threatening as possible.  This late at night, many of the demons of Sunnydale were on their last legs, so to speak, and would not hesitate if they thought Willow looked like a tasty snack.  After hearing about the vampire earlier in the night that Drusilla had dispatched, Angel had insisted on playing the role of hulking brute.  As he strode in behind the two women, he noticed that, just like last time, the bar became silent once the patrons recognized who the two were.  He growled at a passing minion who was leering at the two.  The vampire shrunk back and quickly ran out of the bar.  He came to a stop directly behind Willow and Dru, keeping all his senses at their peak.

    “Ladies.  What a…pleasant surprise to see you back again soon.  And who do you have with you?  Is that…oh god.  Angelus, you’re back.  Uh…welcome back,” Willie said, once again looking ready to bolt out the door.  Dru stepped forward and grasped his shirt collar, pulling him halfway across the bar.  “Daddy is not here to talk.  The little tree wants the answers now.  You will tell us about the demon who has our Spike,” Dru said calmly, her nails digging into the man’s throat, drawing blood.  Willie swallowed, causing Dru’s nails to press in deeper.  He looked at Angel, wondering what the vampire would do.

    Willow frowned when she realized that Willie was taking Angel (well, Angelus) as a larger threat than either her or Dru.  She smiled as an idea popped into her head, she just hoped Angel would play along.  “Yes, don’t worry about Puppy.  He is only here for our protection,” Willow stated, catching Willie’s attention.  Willie paled at the implications of Willow’s calm statement.  He nodded, wincing as more blood flowed from the wounds made by Dru’s claws.  “Good.  Now, I believe you were going to tell us where the Molrak demon is.”

    Across town, Spike banged on the metal door to his prison.  “Bloody hell, you wanker!  Let me the fuck out of here before I rip you apart!” he screamed futilely, his voice raw.

    He had been locked up in this hellhole for a week now and was more than slightly stir-crazy.  He paced around his cell.  Nine strides up, ten strides over, nine down (past the door), and ten more to finish the circuit.  He still hadn’t seen or heard anyone.  Blood packets had mysteriously appeared on the edge of his cot whenever he was hungry.  At first, he was leery of what the blood could contain, but after a few days hunger got the best of him.  He suspected some sort of drug was in it because after feeding his senses were suppressed a bit.  Not enough that he was completely blind or deaf, but his sight and hearing were just like those of a human.  However, since he didn’t want to starve to death so he drank the drugged blood when he had to.  On the next circuit he stopped at the door and began banging again.  Not that it did any good.  But it made him feel a little better and got rid of some of his excess energy.  He winced as he banged particularly hard on the door, causing his hand to hurt.

    “You shouldn’t do that you know.  You’ll only end up getting hurt and then where will you be?” a disembodied voice asked.  Spike spun around, peering into the murky darkness, seeing nothing, but sensing a presence.  It was impossible to tell if the voice was that of a male or a female, or even if it was human or demon.  ::Damn that blood!  Making me all pansy-assed like a human.  Can’t even see in the dark!:: Spike cursed to himself.

    “You fuckin’ tosser!  Open the bloody door and let me out!” Spike snarled.

    The voice laughed lightly, although not with genuine laughter.  Spike shivered at the voice.  It was cold and hollow, for all that the words were polite.  And why would I do that?  Everything is nearly in place, although things are moving a bit faster than I had planned, but as they say, the best laid plans don’t survive the first engagement with the enemy,” it commented.

    Spike rolled his eyes.  He needed to keep his temper, find out why he was here, and try to come up with a way to get out now that he had someone to question.  “So, what is your plan then?” he asked, trying to act casual.  The voice laughed again, causing Spike to bristle in annoyance.  he thought angrily.

    “I know what you’re thinking, vampire.  If you get me to talk, then maybe you can find a way out of here, correct?  Ah, I see by the look on your face that I am correct.  No matter.  Even if I tell you all my plans, there is no escape,” the voice assured him.

    Spike looked around, an idea coming to him.  “You’ve got to be kidding me.  The Slayer owns this town, she’ll find out where I am and get me out of here in two shakes of a lambs’ tail!” Spike retorted confidently.  His confidence wavered when the presence did not seem worried by the idea.

     “The Slayer thinks you’re dead.  There are two who believe you’re alive.  One is the witch,” the voice told him.  Spike thought for a few moments, taking in the fact that Slutty thought he was dead.  ::Bloody bitch is probably too busy fucking the soldier boy to worry about me!  At least Willow and somebody else thinks I’m was alive:: he comforted himself.

    He shook his head before sighing loudly, taking the bait.  “And the other?” he asked, annoyed at his need to know.

    “Your sire.”  Spike sat down on his cot in shock.  That was the last person he expected to hear about.  He hadn’t heard from her since last year, when he left Brazil to head to Sunnydale, leaving her with that chaos demon.

    “Dru?” Spike whispered.

    “She’s on her way here.  Her doll, Miss Edith, I believe, informed her of your…circumstances.  She might even be here already.  Tell me, you can feel her, is she?  Did she come to help the witch find you?” the voice asked,  eagerly.

    Spike’s eyes narrowed in suspicion.  “Why should I tell you?” he asked.  He extended his senses, grateful that no drug could inhibit the bond between sire and childe.  He felt his sire clearly.  He bit back a gasp of surprise when he felt the bonds that tied him to his grandsire vibrate as well.  Dru and Angel?  Both were here?  He felt relief flood through him.  They would find out where he was and would get him out of this mess.

    “No matter.  I will find out soon enough.  And when they do come looking for you, they will be given a choice.  The witch and your sire will do as I instruct them or you will pay for their refusal.  By herself, the witch is powerful.  I’ve watched her, at her home—” the voice said, before Spike cut it off in anger.

    “You watched my Red?  You bloody pervert!  If I ever get my fucking hands on you, you’ll—” Spike threatened before being stopped by the voice.

    “Do NOT interrupt me, vampire!” it warned.  Spike snorted and rolled his eyes at the voice’s tone.  This…thing was more egotistical than Angelus ever was.  “As I was saying, I’ve watched her, seen her perform spells.  Alone she is powerful, but together they can do anything!”

    Spike contemplated this thought for a moment.  It didn’t surprise him.  He had always wondered what would happen if Dru and Willow were ever on the same side.  Well, now he got to find out.  He cleared his throat.

    “So, what IS your plan then, mate?” he asked, curious for the actual reason he had been vamp-napped.

    “Why, to open the Hellmouth, of course” the voice said, fading away.  Spike waited until he could no longer “sense” the voice.  He flopped on his cot, grabbing the thin blanket from the end and covering himself.

    “Yeah, well, that’s bloody original, you pranny,” he muttered before turning over to get some sleep.

    Angel stalked out of the bar behind Dru and Willow, incensed.  Although he had kept his cool while in Willie’s, the moment the three left, his anger was hard to control.  He could feel his demon pushing to emerge, his alter ego laughing inside of him.  ::Yeah, well, you’re the one everyone thinks is Puppy:: Angel pointed out to Angelus silently.  The laughing ceased immediately as Angelus thought this over.  Abruptly, he began straining against the cage that the curse had put around him.  Angel smirked for a moment over Angelus’ anger.

    Willow turned to Angel, to ask him if he knew the location of the house that Spike was being kept in was, but stopped upon seeing his expression.  “Uh…Angel?” Willow asked.  She swallowed.  Angel never smirked.  Only Angelus smirked.  She started to back away slowly, hoping he wouldn’t notice her retreat, then stopped, laughing as she realized that Angelus was an impossibility.  His demon surged forth at the sound of her quiet laughter.

     “Oh, you find calling me “Puppy” in front of everyone funny, do you, little one?” Angel asked in a deadly calm voice.  Willow swallowed, her smile fading at his tone.  She shook her head.  “Then why, pray tell, are you laughing?”

     “I—I was worried that you were acting like Angelus, but then I realized that was impossible, what with your soul being permanent and all, so I was laughing at myself for being scared.  You know, ha ha, Willow was being irrationally scared of Angel.  Laugh at your fears—I swear I saw that on a self-help infomercial,” Willow babbled nervously, not quite trusting the look in Angel’s eyes.  He appeared to be slightly stunned, judging by the way his mouth was opening and shutting without any words coming out.  But his eyes were flicking back and forth between chocolate brown and golden yellow.

     “Little tree, why is Daddy asking like a fish?” Dru asked, her eyes curious.  She reached out a hand and gently poked Angel in his face, causing him to flinch.  “Dammit, Dru!  Don’t do that!” he snapped, finally able to speak.  Willow giggled softly at the two vampires.  She stopped when Angel’s eyes turned toward her.

     “What did you say?” he asked, his voice wavering slightly with emotion.  Willow’s brow furrowed in thought.

     “Uh…about the self-help infomercial?” she asked.

    Angel growled in frustration.  “No, about my soul being permanent!”

     “Oh, that.  Yeah.  It is,” she said, confused as to why Angel seemed upset.  It’s not like she hadn’t told him.  ::Oh Goddess!  I didn’t tell him!:: she realized.  “Oh, Angel, I am so sorry.  I just found out last week that there was another clause to your curse.  I was bored so I started going through some stuff and found the curse, and then I realized that there was a hidden file on the disk and I opened it and it was Jenny’s notes about the curse, and they said that if the Slayer gives you her blood willingly, it would make your soul permanent.  Apparently, the gypsies thought that would never happen so they added it, kinda like a “ha ha, this is the only way to make your soul permanent and you’ll never get it” thing.  Only you did because of that poison Faith shot you with and so…your soul is permanent.  And I meant to tell you but then Spike got kidnapped and this whole mess got started and I guess I forgot.  I’m so sorry, Angel.”

     Angel stared at her for a moment trying to process Willow’s babbling.  But all he really heard were four words “your soul is permanent”.  He grinned at her suddenly, picking her up and whirling her around in glee.  Willow shrieked in surprise as she was suddenly airborne.
Drusilla watched the two cavort (well, Angel cavorted, Willow just held on for dear life) with a small smile, bouncing on her toes in amusement.  “Little tree, daddy.  The sun is near,” she pointed out a few moments later.
Angel finally put Willow down, who lurched around a little still dizzy from Angel’s frolicking.  Angel steadied her with a hand on her back.  “Well, we should get back to Willow’s then, shouldn’t we, princess?” Angel said, taking Drusilla’s arm on one side and Willow’s on the other, leading them back to Willow’s.

     Spike awoke with a start.  After looking around his cell, his brow furrowed.  ::What the hell woke me up?:: he asked himself annoyed at his dream of Willow being disrupted.  He sat up quickly when he realized that something was different about his bond with his grandsire.  It was almost as if he could feel what Angel was feeling.  ::Spike, you’re worse than Dru, thinking you can feel…fuck!  What is Soulboy pissed at?:: he wondered.
Spike could tell that his grandsire was angry at something, really angry.  As Spike tried to understand why and how he could feel Angel’s feelings, the anger suddenly stopped, morphing into shock, then elation.  Spike broke into a grin as the happiness and excitement coursed through him.  The feelings faded into mere whispers of emotion after a few moments.  He ran a shaking hand through his hair.  ::What the bloody hell is going on?  This isn’t part of the bond!  Why the fuck can I feel what the Poof is feeling?  And why the fuck is he this happy?  He better not get too happy.  The last thing I need is Angelus!:: He said to himself, curling back up on his cot.  He sighed, realizing he wasn’t going to get any answers now.  He’d have to wait until he was out of this hellhole.  As he drifted off, he idly wondered if this newfound ability would be permanent.

     Willow peeled off the tight leather pants and top with a sigh of relief.  The leather looked good and was surprisingly comfortable, but it felt so good to let her skin breathe again.  She reached for her pajama pants and a tank top, pulling them on.  She shut her shades to block out the growing daylight then sat down on her bed with a pen and her diary.

    So much had happened in less than 24 hours, so many feelings and thoughts occurred, she had to write them all down to make sense of everything.  As she scribbled out her feelings onto the paper, she felt tears begin to well up in her eyes.  They were so close.  So close to finding Spike.  Yet, at the same time she was scared of that moment when she would finally see Spike again.  How would he feel to know how she felt about him?  Would he laugh at her?  Would he be happy?  It would be coming out of the blue for him.  What if he only thought of her as a friend?  Would she lose his friendship because of her love for him?  Would he even want to be around her anymore?
She had tried to push her feelings of inferiority to the back of her mind, but now that they were so close to getting him back, she knew she had to figure out what she would do if he chose Drusilla instead of her.  Willow laughed bitterly.  ::If?  Like it’s an option, Rosenberg!  Get real!  On one hand, there is the vampire that he has loved for a century.  She is everything he could want in a mate, gorgeous and deadly, and they have history together.  On the other hand is the best friend of his mortal enemy who is mousy and unattractive and can’t even step on a spider to kill it!  Well, I can kill evil things, but that’s it!  And the only history we have is trying to kill each other!  Oh, and the whole friendship thing.  How can I compete with Dru?  Am I even supposed to?::

    Willow’s thoughts were interrupted by a hand stroking her hair.  She looked down, wiping her tears with one hand in embarrassment.  She snifled slightly before looking up into Angel’s face.  He looked at her in concern, his chocolate eyes becoming worried as he noticed the evidence of her tears.  “Angel, you need to make more noise, you startled me,” she admonished him, trying to push the thoughts of Spike choosing Dru out of her head.

    “I noticed.  What’s wrong, Willow?” Angel asked, sitting beside her on the bed.  Willow shook her head, struggling to find the right words.

    “The little tree weeps,” a voice from the doorway noted.  Willow smiled slightly and looked at Dru who walked into the room.  She too had changed out of the leather, opting for one of her long dresses.  She sat down on the other side Willow, putting an arm around the girl.

     Leaning in to Willow’s ear, she whispered in a clear voice “I no longer have his heart, little tree.  He does love me, as his sire and as the vampire he spent a century with, but he is not in love with me anymore.”
Willow felt tears come to her eyes again as she leaned into the older woman.  “Really?” she asked in a small voice.

    “Of course!  Miss Edith told me so!  And the stars sang that you will be happy forever and ever!” Dru informed her in a sing-song, child-like voice, her chin lifting with authority providing a strange dichotomy of images.
Angel looked sharply at Dru, but Willow just smiled, having already come to a decision about being turned.   Dru turned toward Angel, smiling slightly.  “Daddy, will you tell us a Spike story?”

    Angel recovered from his initial surprise to look at the two faces looking at him with interest.  Both looked so innocent, so beautiful.  It was almost hard to remember that neither was innocent, both knowing full-well what creatures roamed the night.  Hell, one was one of the creatures that roamed the night.  His eyes narrowed as he thought about Dru’s statement of “forever and ever”.  “First, I want to know what you mean by forever and ever, Drusilla!” he said, sternly.

    The two women’s faces went blank, glancing at each other.  Drusilla stood up abruptly and began to twirl in circles.  To Angel’s surprise, Willow stood up and flipped on the radio to a classical station.  She grabbed Dru’s hands and began twirling her around.

    Angel sighed, knowing that neither would answer his question.  He leaned back against Willow’s pillows as the two women danced together.  As he watched them, he was pulled into his memories.  Image upon image of couples dancing through two dozen decades came forth.  Usually, memories from the past made him guilt-ridden, even those seemingly innocuous as remembering dancers, for those dancers had usually become his dinner.  Now, these memories didn’t seem so bad.  It was almost as if he had let go of some of his guilt.  ::Well, my soul is permanent.  So maybe that’s it:: he mused to himself, smiling at the thought.  ::Even my demon doesn’t seem quite so upset anymore, now that it knows it won’t be set free again.  Well, at least not permanently.  There wouldn’t be any harm in using the demon from time to time.  Like when I get my hands on that bastard that took my grandchilde!:: Angel thought, his demon roaring in triumph at the prospect of being unleashed upon the one who dared kidnap Spike.

    Willow looked over at Angel, hoping he had forgotten Dru’s comment.  He appeared to be lost in his thoughts, although not in a brooding way.  She leaned closer to Dru, the music would make Angel unable to hear her next comment.  “Dru?  If we can’t get the chip out of Spike’s head, I want you to sire me,” she told the brunette vampire.  Dru’s face lit up in happiness.  She squealed, grabbing the girl around her waist and spinning her around.  Willow smiled as she was twirled around the room.  “Is that a yes, Dru?”

    “No one has ever asked me to be their mummy before!  Of course, I will come if you need me, to be your mummy.  I will be a better mummy to you than anybody else!  Even if you do have a soul!  How exciting!  I am a good mummy, ask my Spike!” she said proudly.

    Willow stopped dancing, staring at the woman with shocked eyes.  “You’ll let me keep my soul?  And what do you mean you’ll come?  You mean you aren’t staying?” she asked Dru.

    Dru stopped dancing as well, smiling softly at the younger woman.  “Of course, you keep your soul.  That is what my Spike loves about you!  And the stars say I can not stay, little tree.  They sang to me that I have to go to Paris.  I do so love French food!” the woman said, giggling at the thought.  Abruptly, she turned to the corner of the room and hissed.  Angel shook himself out of his silent reverie at Dru’s change of emotion, leaping from the bed.  “What is it Dru?” he asked, glancing around, looking for danger.

    “The naughty evil is back!” she said, her face morphing to show her demon.  Willow swallowed nervously, looking around trying to see the evil.  “Evil?  What evil?  Why didn’t anyone mention a naughty evil before?” Angel snapped, letting his demon out slightly.  A voice from the corner of the room surprised them all, since they could see no one.

    “So many questions, vampire.  But you won’t get answers right now.  I have instructions for the sire and the witch.  They will be followed out to the letter or the vampire dies,” the voice said, fading out.
Angel roared in fury, both at the voice’s words and at being denied a target for his rage.  Drusilla clenched and unclenched her fists, her nails drawing blood as her anger flooded through her.  Willow took a deep breath before running a shaking hand over her face.  When she opened her eyes, she noticed an envelope on the floor in the corner.  She walked over and picked it up.  “Ooh, lookey.  He left a note.  Wasn’t that nice?” she asked sarcastically, holding up the white envelope to the two vampires.

    She turned it over, slitting the flap with her finger before extracting a single sheet of paper.  She began reading it aloud.  “Below is a ritual that will be performed by the sire and the witch if you want to see the vampire again.  It must be performed on the full moon two days hence.  If it is not, the vampire is dust.  If a rescue is attempted, the vampire is dust.  Once it is performed, I will contact you to make arrangements for the return of the vampire.  Then it lists ingredients we’d need for the spell and an incantation.”

    “What is the ritual for?  Why couldn’t he do it himself?” Angel asked, peering over her shoulder.  Willow paled as she mentally translated the Latin.  “It is to open the mouth,” Drusilla informed Angel, her face impassive but her eyes glowing in anger.  Angel growled in frustration.

    “Well, we’ll just have to rescue him tonight then!” Willow told Angel and Dru, sitting down on her bed wearily.  She stifled a yawn.

    “You must go to bed, little tree,” Drusilla instructed her.  Willow smiled weakly before lying back and getting comfortable.

    Angel nodded.  “Yes, Willow.  Get some sleep.  We can’t do anything before tonight anyway.  We can discuss it later, when everybody else gets here,” he said, covering the girl with a blanket.  She began to protest but Dru put a finger over her lips.  Drusilla curled up next to the girl, looking at Angel expectantly.  He smiled.  “Come on, I’ll tell you a story about Spike and what he went through to get a book he really wanted.  We were in Italy at the time and Spike happened to notice a little shop…”

     “Your witch is getting quite comfortable with your grandsire,” the voice said, startling Spike from sleep.  Spike sat up quickly, throwing the blanket off.

     “Dammit!  Do you always have to wake me up, you wanker?” Spike asked, scowling into the darkness.  Then the words registered, sending a shiver down his back.  “What the bloody hell do you mean comfortable?  And how do you know?  You stay away from her, you hear me?” he warned.  The voice merely laughed, before fading out.

     “Prick.  I hate it when it does that!” Spike muttered.  What did it mean Willow and Angel were getting comfortable?   They weren’t…she wouldn’t…Was she in love with his grandsire?  ::At least I know they’re not shagging.  Bloody poof is too afraid to lose the soul:: he assured himself.  He tried reaching across the bond he shared with Angel, but all he got were the normal “location” feelings, nothing more.  He got up, beginning to pace.  He needed to think things through.  If Willow did love his grandsire, he wouldn’t stand in their way.  He’d leave, let them live in peace.  He loved her too much to cause trouble, but he was damned if he was going to sit around and watch the two be happy!  ::Come to think of it, she always did get a funny look in her eye when she mentioned him.  Bloody hell!  Why can’t any of the chits I love be in love with me?:: he screamed in his head as his fist shot out and slammed into the wall.

    As blood tears began to well in his eyes, he started pacing again, hoping to work off some of his heartache at losing his love before he even had her.