The Sacred Influence of Light Appears

The Title: Is long. LOL. But it is from John Miltons The Paradise Lost. Never read it. I was just flipping through my Moms old British lit book and I saw that exert. At the end of this part I'm going to have the exert. So the whole exert fits this story. But I had to pull out a piece for the title.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Willow continued the walk to her house. It was habit that led her home because on the inside, her thoughts were everywhere but on her surroundings. She felt numb. How could this happen? She didn't really know what had happened thought. She didn't know if they were okay or not. She wasn't sure if not knowing or knowing was worse. She wished she could find out if they succeeded. Or at least if they made it out alive. But drowning in her sorrows didn't last long as she turned around and heard the sound of running and yelling and-.

"Oh no."

And growling. She broke out of the position she had been frozen in and ran at top speed. Instead of getting further away, they seemed to be getting closer. Her house came into view but it was still too far away to her liking. She was almost out of breath. But it didn't matter as she tripped and fell face first onto the cement.

Everything went dark.

~~~~~

Spike hated to admit it but he couldn't handle much more. He was bleeding and maybe even had a couple of broken ribs. Not to mention the fact the sun was going to be up soon, and he didn't have a place to go. And there was the fact five vampires chasing him and were gaining on him steadily.

"Bloody hell," Spike growled out.

The only thing he was running on at this point was sheer hatred. He thought of anything that angered him. The slayer and her little pup for getting him into this mess. Angelus stealing Dru from him. Losing Dru. And every single damn vampire that had taken a shot at him. He let out an enraged snarl ran at top speed to any destination.

Two things drew his attention, not at once. The first thing Spike noticed was the familiarity of the surroundings. It wasn't somewhere he had been often, but he had been enough that it seemed familiar. He didn't have enough time to remember as he noticed an object laying in the middle of the street. He immediately picked up on a heartbeat. The only thing he thought about the human was that maybe it would distract the vampires that were on his trail. But as the closer he got, the more familiar everything became. And so was the smell. Unconsciously as he neared the body he slowed. He wasn't sure why. Maybe it had been the familiar house or the smell. But once he thought about it, he knew it was the red hair. It all came together, then.

He reached down, grabbed her by the waist and threw her over his shoulder as he ran. He winced as the weight of her body added more pain to his wounds. He knew why he recognized this neighborhood. He had been with the slayer and her little lover boy when they walked her home once or twice. Her house came into view and he leaped up the steps. "Shit." He pulled her body down so that she was facing him.

"Wake up!" he yelled, shaking her. Her eyes opened slowly but immediately popped open when she realized what was going on. "Where is your key?"

Willow opened her mouth but no words came out.

"If you don't open this door, we will be killed!" he yelled at her and pointed down the street.

Willow followed the direction of his hand and noticed in the distance people running. Or maybe not people, since she again heard the faint sound of growing as before. Her eyes widened in realization. They were chasing Spike. She dug in her pocket quickly relieved to find the key there.

Spike released her as she turned to the door with key in hand. He turned to find the vampires only a few houses away. "Hurry up!"

Willow heard the most extraordinary sound ever. The sound of a lock unlocking. She put her hand on the metal doorknob and turned it pushing the door in at the same time. She didn't even have time to walk in as she was pushed in.

Spike tried to follow but somehow in the whole situation he had forgotten something. He wasn't invited.

Willow looked up from the floor to find Spike run into an invisible barrier. Her eyes widened. She jumped up, grabbed him by the arm and yelled, "Come in!"

The force of her pulled and the absence of the barrier caused Spike to fall right into her knocking them both to the ground. Spike growled as pain hit him again. But that was momentarily forgotten as their company arrived. Spike pushed himself up off the ground and stood only a few feet away from the door and the angry vampires. He barely noticed the rising girl who stood behind him.

"Well this has been fun. But we'll have to postpone this until a later date, don't you think?" he asked and slammed the door shut. He let out a relieved breath. They wouldn't stay long. The sun was almost up. Which meant he was stuck here.

He turned to Willow. "Well, pet." He shook his head and blinked a few times. Everything was starting to look a little funny. He smiled.

"I think I'm going to bloody pass out," he said and then fell to the floor.

Willows jaw dropped. She stood there starting where the vampire laid sprawled on her living room floor. What the hell was she going to do now?

~~~~~

"Oh shit," Spike groaned. The demon awakened too. Or maybe it was his stomach. He wasn't sure. All he knew is that he needed blood now. He pushed himself up on his arms every muscle screaming. He found he could barely support himself. But somehow he managed to stand up. The noticed the windows were covered. And he noticed the small girl curled up and sleeping on the sofa. He knew he couldn't go near her or he would wind up draining her dry. "Wake up!"

Willow jumped up at the loud yelling. "Spike," she said and let out a relieved breath. Although she didn't know why.

"I need some blood," he growled out.

Willows jaw clenched as she heard the animalistic tone to his voice. "Me?" she asked meekly.

"Not unless you want to be drained dry. Get up and go to Willie's. I can't heal unless I feed. And I haven't fed in a while. I can't last much longer like this." he said and as if on cue he felt his legs become weak. He grabbed onto a chair refusing to pass out again. "Do you know where it is?"

Willow nodded and stood up. "Buffy had-" Willow was cut short as she spoke aloud her friends name. "Buffy?"

"Made it out. And Angel. We split up. Now go," he said and gripped the chair tighter.

Willow nodded and quickly left the house.

~~~~~~

"Giles?"

"Willow, thank god. I have been trying to call your house. Buffy is okay. And Angel. They arrived soon before the sun rose," he told her quickly, knowing that she would want to hear.

Willow let out a relieved sigh. She felt compelled to tell him that Spike was at her house. But she knew if she did, it would only prolong the time till Spike got the blood. And by that time it could be too late. She thanked Giles and quickly got off the phone.

~~~~~

Fear filled Willow, when she walked in and found the room empty. All that she saw was Spike's shirt laying on the floor by the doorway leading to the hall. The first thing that entered her mind was that he was dust. But after realizing the absence of dust, she calmed down a little. She walked over to where the shirt laid. Then she noticed a light shining out of the bathroom and started walking slowly in that direction.

Spike looked up at the sound. And there she stood staring at him. Probably because he was a bloody mess. And he really was bloody. They were nice towels too. But his thoughts were soon directed toward the bag she held in her hand.

Willow saw him eyeing up the bag and immediately stepped closer and extended her arm to him trying to keep maximum distance.

Spike grabbed the bag from her and dumped it on the counter. He didn't like baggied blood. But right now, the blood of a rat would do. Without paying any attention to the gaping girl, he tore the bag open with his fangs and drank from it greedily. Soon he found himself on the second bag, then a third. Until finally his blood thirst had been satisfied.

Relief flooded through Willow's body as he went to his human face. "A-Are you better now?"

"No, not really. Just not on the verge of dying now," he said nonchalantly as he went back to cleaning up his wounds.

Willow bit her lip nervously. He was pretty torn up. He had one large gash covering his whole stomach and another on his chest. His arms where bruised had many cuts that were still bleeding. He had a black eyes and a small gash above his left eye. He even had some blood in his platinum blond hair. She found herself feeling sorry for him. "

What happened?" Willow asked as if she could hardly believe what happened.

"It was a trap. They knew we were coming. You slayer and poof ball didn't make it out in any better condition," he told her. He couldn't remember ever being like this. Someone was going to pay.

Hopelessness sunk back into Willow. She had at least hoped that they had killed the master. But now.... Willow's mental sulking was interrupted as a growl emanated from Spike. She saw him wince and jumped as he slammed his fist onto the counter. Well he hadn't killed her yet had he? She walked up to him slowly, as if not to scare off a scared animal. She took the towel from him gently and was relieved when he didn't growl or resist. Willow turned on the faucet and rinsed the blood from the towel. She turned back to Spike who was watching her through dangerous eyes as if he wasn't sure to trust her or not. She pursed her lips together and looked down to his stomach. She brought the towel gently to the gash and flinched as he jumped.

Spike wasn't sure what to do. But as it was he couldn't repair himself by himself. Also he found it easier to ignore the pain by watching her. Her head was hung low which he assumed was so that she didn't have to look at him.

Willow noticed the bruising on his stomach. Or more specifically on his ribs. She switched the towel to the other hand and placed her hand gently on the bruised section.

Spike jumped. Not from the pain. She was being so gentle he couldn't feel a damn thing. but her hand was warm. And it felt nice against his cold hurt skin. "They're broken," he told her.

Willow head flew up at him, surprised by the broken silence. She didn't find the same scary look as before. Instead, he looked more calm. He just looked back at her. No emotion shown on his face.

"Are they going to heal all right?" she inquired.

He nodded.

"I bet that's convenient." Willow said before she knew what she was doing. She wasn't supposed to be having conversation with him. She turned her attention back to his wounds and started cleaning the one on the chest.

"Why?" he asked curiously.

"Well, um, you get hurt and then your fixed. I mean if I had that well I'd probably be dead. But with you it hurt then poof. All better! So you don't have to go to the doctor. Which is good considering you don't have a heartbeat. Or a temperature. Well you do but I'm sure it isn't normal. And you are kinda pale. So you know I don't think that would go over well." She dropped the hand cleaning his chest to her side and looked up at him. "I tend to babble sometimes."

"I see that," he said lowly.

Willow pursed her lips together ad brought the rag up above his left eye. She could feel his eyes burning into her. She could even see him looking at her through the corner of her eyes. But her eyes remained glued to the object at hand.

Spike stared intently at her. Of all of them, she was the one he talked least to. Well, except for that cheerleader. But he didn't have any interest in talking to her. Buffy and Angel...well, he had to talk to them. He was also required to talk to the watcher. As for that little annoying shit, Xander, he was there for a good fight. Although he did enjoy watching the boy put down Angel. Finally someone who shared his same passion for his sire, even if it was for different reasons. But Willow was quiet. He never had the need to speak to her. Which now that he thought about it, interested him. There was a lot he didn't know about her.

"Could you stop that?" Willow asked in a small voice.

"What?" he asked confused.

"You're staring at me." She let out an annoyed groan. "Can you sit down or something. You're a lot taller then me."

"I don't think so, witch," he said and looked down at his stomach.

Willow let out a sigh. She looked around for any possibilities. When she saw the only one, she walked over to the counter and pulled herself onto it sitting with her legs hanging off the side. She turned back on the faucet, rinsing the blood out of the rag again. "Okay...come here."

Smirking, Spike walked over and stood in front of her in between her legs. He placed his hands on either side of her legs and leaned forward.

Willow tried to ignore the lack of distance between her and the soulless vampire. She went back to the task at hand. "What are ya'll going to do now? I mean about the master?"

Spike mood went dark again. He gripped the counter in anger. "Before I was just killing him because he was the master. Now I have a reason to."

"I'm sure Buffy and Angel do too. I called Giles. He said they made it back okay," she added. Not that he would care.

"Yay," he said sarcastically.

She didn't respond. He did notice though her heartbeat seemed to have picked up since there change in positions. It would be nice to see how fast he could make it go. He inched forward and moved his hands in so that they where touching her bare thighs.

Willow felt her breath quickened and she wish she would have worn pants that night instead of shorts. "Okay. Um, what about your back?" She asked quickly.

Spike pushed himself off the counter and turned around so that she could see his back was as bad as the front.

"Oh," she said and went onto cleaning the blood that covered his back.

"Come on, I'm hurt. I can't stand up like this forever," he said and smirked. He leaned back against the counter and put his hands back where they where before.

Willow let her emotions show on her face this time. She scooted back so that she could get to his back easier. "Spike?"

"Huh?"

"Don't tell them that you were here," she pleaded more then stated.

"And why not?" he asked. This he was curious about.

"Because I talked to Giles. And I didn't tell him. He would want to know why I didn't tell him. Done," she said and dropped the rag on the counter.

Spike turned around and wound up closer to her then before. He leaned up against the counter and arms where on either side of her with his hands resting behind her back on the counter. "Why didn't you tell him?"

"Because. He wouldn't have let me come back here with the blood. And you might have died," she said softly, well aware of the few inches between him and her.

"So you didn't want me to die?" he asked and raised his eyebrows.

"Well, no. I mean you're strong and a vampire. You can help us," she said a little more squeakily than she had intended.

"Ah. So, I'm strong love?" he asked. He almost laughed when she bit her lip nervously.

Willow nodded. Why was he making everything she say sound so so so much like a compliment. "

You're a vamp!" she said in her nervous perky voice. "So it makes you strong."

He nodded. He had to do one more. He smirked before he made his last attempt. "You know, pet, your heart is beating awfully fast. Something wrong?"

Willows eyes widened and she shook her head quickly.

"Are you sure?" he asked then leaned forward so that he was only a couple of inches from her ear. "You seem a little nervous."

"Nervous? Nope," she said going back to the nervous high pitch tone.

"Okay," Spike said normally and stood back up putting distance between him and the girl.

Willow let out a sigh and let her shoulders slump.

"Don't you have parents?" he asked out of the blue.

"I have two people that are referred to as that name. But I would hardly call them parents," she said forgetting her earlier discomfort. Willow pushed herself off the counter. "You're not going to kill me?"

Spike let out a small laugh. "I fed already, don't worry. Besides, I'm not interested in having an angry slayer on my ass. And I don't have anything against you so I guess you live."

"We need to bandage you up. I can't have blood all over my house."

~~~~~

One word entered Willows sleep hazed mind: "Spike." She jumped up from her bed and ran downstairs only to find him gone. Some part of her was disappointed. Even his blood soaked shirt was gone. After that tension filled moment earlier, Spike didn't stay awake much longer. Or precisely, didn't stay conscious much longer. He had passed out on the sofa.

After an hour of cleaning, she fell asleep on her bed against her own better judgment. She hadn't slept the night before and was worn out. The sun was already down and the moon hung high in the sky. For some reason, it seemed darker out. More gloomy. Later, when she looked back on it, she would discover it as almost foreshadowing events that took place later that night.

After a couple of phone calls, arrangements had been made for Willow to be picked up by Cordelia. They were going to have a meeting. Even in Buffy's and Angel's condition, they had to know what happened and what to do next. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she wondered if Spike would be there.

~~~~~

Willow didn't think she could feel any more depressed. Once she saw the total outcome of the trap, she sunk even lower. Buffy looked the worst. Maybe because she didn't have vampire healing abilities. Even as fast as she did heal, she didn't heal as fast as they did. Her face was bruised. Her neck had a bruise going around it, which Willow assumed was from being choked. She was clothed fully, which was something out of character for Buffy. Willow could only assume it was because of the beating the rest of her body had taken. But Willow could tell the right arm was hurt considering she was holding it close. Angel looked in better condition, but he most likely looked just as bad as Buffy last night.

Willow took a seat along with Cordelia, and they began the somber discussion of the night before. Spike had been right. It was a trap. They had split up. Buffy also mentioned the fact that she neither her nor Angel had heard a thing from Spike. They didn't even know if he made it out alive.

Willow didn't dare let herself speak out. If it came down to it, and Spike didn't arrive that night, maybe. But for now, her mouth would remain shut.

After the whole story had been told, they tried to reveal how their attack had been discovered. Without much delay, it was all laid upon Spike. Willow found she couldn't deny it either. It did make sense. Although she didn't think it was true, she wasn't sure. For all she knew his running to her house could have been planned.

~~~~~

So this was his plan. He wasn't sure if it would work or not. He wasn't even sure if the slayer would let him go through with it. She would have no choice though.

He walked in the library doors knowing they would be there. He didn't make a sarcastic comment. If he was going to get their help, the last thing he needed to do was make them mad.

There she sat. Her eyes wide. He wasn't sure what for. But he liked knowing he had that affect. Hell, he had that affect on most humans.

The slayer didn't rise. But her eyes told enough.

"That was not my fault," he said and glared back at her.

"And how are we supposed to know that might I ask?" Buffy replied harshly.

"I don't bloody well know, but somehow they found out. It isn't like it takes a lot to discover plans. It's called eavesdropping. But what I can tell you is that I have a plan," he smirked and sat in a chair.

"We don't need your help," Buffy told him.

"Oh, I think you do. Considering neither you or him," Spike nodded up to Angel, "would be able to get on the inside. I can."

"They know you are working with us. The master would never believe you," Buffy said. She seriously doubted his abilities to make plans.

"Well, that's just too bad slayer considering he just did."

"What?"

"You heard me. I had a little talk with him. I gave him some crap about realizing he has more power and that I want to help him and-."

"Do you think he's dumb?! Why the hell would he believe that?! He's playing you the same way he played us!" Buffy yelled at him. She was hurting and angry. Not a good combination for a slayer.

"If you would shut up, I would tell you! And I know he wouldn't believe that you idiot!" he ignored the warning looks he was receiving from the others. Well, except for that brunette and Willow. She just watched. Almost calmly. Of course, that wouldn't last for long. He took a deep breath to calm himself down. "To guarantee his trust I told him that I was already had something that would hurt you. But for him to believe me, I need help."

"What?" Buffy asked.

"What do you mean?" he asked as if he didn't understand. He was just putting it off.

"What did you tell him that you had that would hurt me!" Buffy yelled. He couldn't be that dumb.

"A friend," he only gave away half the truth.

"You don't have any of my friends."

"I know that. Shit. I just told him that!" Damn girl. She was dumb.

"Spike stop stalling!" Buffy yelled back at him.

Spike ground his teeth together and sighed. "I told him I had Willow."

Just what Spike thought. Everything went to hell. He couldn't make out a damn thing between the yelling of the watcher, Buffy, and that Xander kid. And he could hardly ignore the fact that Angel had stepped out of the shadows and was sending murderous glares his way. As for Willow, she had stood up out of shock and was soon blocked by Buffy.

Spike stood up. "Shut up!" Spike half growling and half yelled.

Everyone quieted.

Again, Buffy was the first to speak. "You are not using Willow."

"Too late slayer. I said I had her already," he said spitefully and sat back down and looked back and forth between everyone as if he were a caged animal.

"Why?" Willow asked not understanding.

He looked back at her. For some reason, just looking at her calmed him. "I can't stand the rest of them. You the only one I could probably be alone with and not kill." Of course as soon as the words were out, he regretted them. The idea of Willow and the word kill in the same sentence didn't go over well.

"It doesn't matter why. You can't use Willow," Buffy told him straight out.

"But Buffy, if this is the only way...." Willow trailed off. "Buffy we have to kill him. And if this is the only way, then it has to be done."

Buffy clenched her teeth together. She knew it was the only way. If Spike chose Willow, then it had to be Willow. But the friend part of her refused.

"You can't assure that she will stay safe. How am I supposed to trust you?" Buffy said lowly trying to control her emotions.

"I claim her," Spike said and it took a lot of courage for him not to run out the door.

"No!" Giles yelled. It was soon followed by an angry growl from Angel.

"It's that or she will most likely get killed when I'm not around. If I claim her, then the master will believe me! You know just as well as I do that it is the bloody truth!"

Willow didn't like the response this 'claiming' had arisen out of Giles and Angel.

"What the hell is he talking about!?" Buffy was getting irritated with all this beating around the bush. She was about to do her own beating, if someone didn't explain.

No one responded. For some reason Giles, Angel, and Spike seemed to be in some sort of stand off.

"Explain now!" Buffy screamed.

Angel was the one to break the silence. But his eyes still remained glued on Spike. "By claiming Willow, it tells other vampires and demons that she belongs to him. She is his property. No one can touch her because she is his and his only," he grounded out.

Willow wasn't sure about all this. It was coming along with a lot of other requirements. She didn't really like the idea of belonging to a vampire.

"How?" she asked just above a whisper.

Angel finally turned to Willow. "He has to bite you." Angel tried his best to ignore the look that went over Willow's face.

"Does being bit hurt?" Willow asked in a soft scared voice.

"Not all the time. It depends on how hard the bite is." Unfortunately, he knew the truth.

"Would it be hard?" Willow asked not wanting the answer thought.

Angel nodded. "To claim the bite has to be hard and deep," he told her regretfully. "It's as deep is when I bit you." Angel said to Buffy making her realize the situation.

Buffy felt her heart fall to the pit of her stomach. Her eyes flew to the ground. She didn't want Willow to see the tears in her eyes. She looked back at Angel. "Am I-"

"No," he shook his head. "You're the slayer. It makes a difference."

"Fine," Willow agreed.

"Willow-" Buffy started.

"Buffy, we don't have any choice," she gave her a small sad smile. She turned back to Spike who was watching the whole thing with little concern. "When do you have to...you know?"

"Now," he told her flatly.

"Now? Why?" She wasn't prepared for this now. But maybe it would be better to just go ahead and do it. That way she didn't have to dwell on it.

"If it's a fresh bite, then they will know something is up." He didn't want to do it now either. He wasn't fond of biting her in front of all of her angry friends.

Willow formed her lips in the shape of an 'O' but nothing came out. She bit her lip. The best way to describe how she was feeling at this point was when she was little and she had to get shots. And her stomach would turn over. She hated shots. But right now she would rather have a shot then this.

She nodded and sighed. "Okay," she said softly and walked towards him slowly.

"Wait!" Buffy exclaimed and ran in-between Willow and Spike. "You drain her, you die. How much are you going to take?"

"A decent amount. She'll probably be a little weak, but not so much that she'll pass out. Now hurry up. I'm hungry." Another stupid comment that could get him killed. But he always made stupid comments so what else was new?

Buffy turned to Willow. "Are you sure?"

Willow nodded. "Yeah."

Buffy sighed and closed her eyes. She slowly stepped to the side. And when she opened them again and turned around she found Willow face to face with Spike.

"Don't worry, pet. I won't bite any harder then I have to," he whispered to her not wanting the others to know he was actually comforting the girl.

"Okay. Can we just get this over with?" she asked fearfully.

Spike nodded. He placed his left hand on her back and pulled her closer while the other went to the back of her head and pulled it to the side. He felt the beating of her heart pick up and her breath quicken. As much as he didn't want to hurt her, oddly enough, he was excited at the same time. He would reflect on that later though.

Buffy watched fearfully as Spike pulled her close and tilted her neck to the side. It was almost as if she where watching her friends own death. When she saw Spike's features change, it took all her will not to run over there and stake him.

Willow clutched her fists at her sides and squeezed her eyes shut as she waited. It seemed to take forever. And when she would look back on this later it all seemed to go in slow motion. She heard a faint growl as his mouth opened and then a snarl as he pierced her flesh. She let out a small strangled cry as the pain seemed to spread through her whole body. She unconsciously wrapped her arms around his waist and clung to him for support. She didn't even try to control the tears of pain that streamed down her face.

As soon as Willow cried out Buffy came to life. But to her surprise she was held back. By Angel. She couldn't watch. She turned to buried her head in his chest and tried to ignore the pain filled whimpers emanating from Willows mouth.

Xander seemed to be frozen in place. He turned when he felt a hand grab his. He squeezed Cordelia's hand tighter as if it would help the situation. But it didn't.

Giles winced and did his best to survey the whole situation. Someone had to be sure he didn't take to much. But he found he could hardly stand back and watch himself.

The grip the girl hand on Spike was almost painful. But most likely couldn't compare to what she felt. And regretfully he hadn't bit deep enough. He released her head and wrapped both arms around her waist and pulled her up against him. He sunk his teeth in further. Her pain filled sobbed surrounded him. It wasn't much fun when you really didn't want to hurt the person. Ironic, huh? She was the one he could stand and here he was snacking on her.

Willow almost wished now that he would take enough so that she would pass out. Her thoughts were few though as the only thing entering her mind was the pain. When she felt him bite deeper, she couldn't stand in anymore. She wanted to scream. Then finally it was over.

Spike pulled his teeth out of her neck and quickly licked the sweet blood still flowing from the wound. Her legs seemed to give out against him. He held her up and even hugged her to him as she sobbed against his chest with her arms still wrapped around him.

"Buffy," Angel whispered.

Buffy turned around at the sound of Angel's voice. She found Spike back to his human face and holding a crying Willow. She walked over to Willow who was still crying into Spike's chest.

"Willow?" she asked and grabbed her arm gently.

Willow refused to let go of Spike. She looked up at the vampire. He blues eyes stared coldly into hers warning her off. She backed up slowly and waited for Willow to calm down.

Spike didn't understand why he had this need to protect her now. He didn't want the slayer near her or anyone else. He wanted to be the one holding her. Sure he had claimed before. But usually because he already wanted the person. Or vampire. He had never claimed someone he didn't already want. So he wasn't sure but he had this feeling that by claiming her it also affected him.

Angel had had a bad feeling about this. His fears had been confirmed. Not only was Willow now claimed, but Spike was now playing the part of the claimer. Not wanting her near anyone and needing to protect her. It didn't always happened. But if the vampire had even partial feeling for the person, they would quickly progress once claimed.

"She needs to rest," Spike ordered.

Giles nodded and moved towards his office. He unlocked it and stood back.

Spike swept Willow into his arms and carried her to the office. Once in there, he leaned over and tried to release her onto the sofa. But her arms remained around his neck. He reached behind him and pulled her hands away gentle. "Close your eyes, pet." He paused only a second to make sure she was fine. She curled up and he heard only faint gasps of breath come from her. He walked out of the office and closed the door behind him.

~~~~~

Willows eyes opened slowly as the morning sun seeped in her blinds. The only thing that came to mind were the two painful bite marks on her neck. She sat up and threw her legs over the bed. Willow stood up slowly still unsure of her own strength and walked over to her reflection. But all she saw was some gauze and the tape on her neck. Relieved that she wouldn't have to look at it she went back over to her bed and sat down. She tried her best to recall how she got home and to her bed but nothing came to mind. Willow picked up the phone and dialed Buffys number.

"Hello?"

"Buffy?"

"Willow! Are you alright? How do you feel? Do you need me to come over?" Buffy asked quickly.

"No. I'm fine." she answered all of Buffys questions.

"Okay good. Cause when we brought you home last night you were dead to the world." Buffy said bluntly.

"Oh." She didn't think she would have been that out of it. "Buffy? When do we start this plan?" she asked. Afterall, she had been a little unconscious.

"Well tonight we find out all the particulars. Like what kind of situation you will be in and how you should act." Buffy explained.

"But when do we start?" Willow asked again.

"Tomorrow night." Buffy answered in an unfortunate voice.

"So soon?" Willow thought she would have more time.

"Spike will be healed by then and you should be recovered from the blood loss or so he says. Why do you want to wait? We could wait." Buffy added hurriedly hoping Willow would say yes.

"No." she said simply.

Buffy frowned on the other line.

"We need to do this. There is no other way remember?" Willow reminded her.

"Yea." Buffy admitted solemnly. "but it doesn't mean I have to like it." she said decidedly.

"Me neither." Willow agreed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Tomorrow." Spike told him.

"And why not tonight my boy?" The master asked full of self assurance.

<Boy. I am older then that idiot! At least by a good 75 years. Bloody snit.> "Because I chose tomorrow. Not tonight. Deal with it." Spike wasn't very good in the area of faking respect.

"Watch your mouth Spike if you don't want to die." The master threatened.

Spike also wasn't very good at taking threats either. "Hey you don't have anything over me. I could just pack my bags and leave. You need me pal." Spike said and turned to leave.

"You healed pretty well from our attack Spike. I thought only real vampires could do that!" the Master yelled after him which was soon followed by a room full of laughs.

<We'll see who the real vampire is>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As soon as Angel walked in he could smell it. One thing was for sure. Spike made his territory known. And there she stood oblivious to it. He was distracted momentarily from his thoughts by the arrival of Buffy. She of course voiced her doubts about the whole plan. Afterall if she were happily going along with it she wouldn't be Willows friend.

"Rest your fears! I have arrived!" Spike announced as he walked in.

"For some reason I don't feel any better." Buffy said and frowned.

"Where have you been?" Angel demanded.

"Don't fret Daddy. Just been chatting it up with that bloody idiot. I am beginning to hate him more then you." Which was the truth.

"What did he say?" Buffy asked and left Angels side to walk up to Spike.

"Nothing much. He threatened me. I threatened back. Doubting my loyalty. Wondering why I didn't bring her." he said and pointed to Willow.

"And you said.....?" Buffy asked.

"Cause I didn't feel like it." he said simply and shrugged.

Buffy nodded.

"Okay enough." Giles said as he entered the conversation. "We're here to plan. First of all, did last night work?"

Willow became alarmed at the thought. She couldn't go through with it again if it hadn't worked.

"Yes." Angel said before Spike could respond.

Giles nodded and sat down relieved but also worried.

Willow stood up and walked by the others. She wanted to have part in a conversation about herself. "What am I going to have to do?"

Spike shrugged. "Nothing much pet. Just act like I'm the most important thing to you. And you listen to me. You don't speak unless spoken to." he said gravely.

Willow was beginning to feel like a slave. She hated that phrase. Her parents had always used it. She really hated it.

"Got it?" he asked. The last thing he needed was for her to screw everything up.

"Yea." she said lowly and angrily. She turned slowly and walked back to her chair.

"Now what do we do after that?" Buffy wanted every particular of this plan laid out.

"Gain his trust. Then we decide how to take him out." he thought the plan was simple enough.

"Nice plan." Buffy said sarcastically and frowned.

"I thought so. I got you this far. You should be grateful." Spike almost winced as her anger was unleashed upon him.

"Grateful! You bit my best friend you bastard! I will never be grateful to you!" she screamed as the built up frustration from the past few days exploded. "Don't you ever ever tell me that!"

Angel grabbed her arm as she seemed to be getting closer to Spike.

"Well...." Xander said in the silence of the room.

Willow got up and headed for the door. There was defiantly some non positive energy in that room and she wanted to scream.

"Willow where are you going?" Buffy asked turning away from her stand off with Spike.

"Home. Afterall, I'm claimed now. Who's going to bother me." she said spitefully.

Spike was the first to start after her but he was roughly knocked out of the way by Buffy who was out the door before he had time to recover.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Buffy nothing is wrong." she said annoyed at Buffys persisting. She had wanted to walk home alone.

"Willow you just don't put down Spike. Something is up." And she was going to find out what.

"Why? You do it to him daily." Willow shot back.

"Yea but I didn't know you hated him that much." Buffy said simply. Willow wasn't the kind of person to go all medieval on someone's ass. Ecsecially Spike.

"I just hate his attitude" she admitted.

"Yea. But he's a vampire. With no soul might I add. He isn't supposed to be nice." Buffy explained.

"Then why do you fight with him?" Willow asked curiously.

Buffy shrugged. "Cause I like to."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So this was it. The night. Maybe the beginning of freeing Sunnydale from the Masters wrath or the beginning of her death. Only time would tell. The plan was that she wasn't to see anyone when she left. Out of chance that they were being watched. But right now the last thing she wanted was to be alone. So she just sat there on her sofa, in the dark. Waiting. Minutes passed by and she was rewarded with a knock that broke the deathly silence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The silence of the walk was tense enough to almost make Willow run screaming. Spike didn't make any sarcastic remarks. He didn't threaten her or say anything uncomfortable. Which she found she would prefer at the moment. Instead his face was still. Eyes staring strait ahead. Something that made Spike this serious had to be terrifying.

She was scared. Of course she was scared. She is about to walk into the lions den. Analogies. That's what he'd been driven to. At least she was claimed not only would that help gain the Masters trust but keep her out of danger.

"Spike?"

"What?"

"I was thinking. Is the Master supposed to think that the others supposedly know about you and me or not?" she wondered.

"Not." he answered quickly. She was interrupting his thought process and he didn't like it.

"Okay lets just say that there was no Master and that you and me where actually having a little love affair behind everyone's backs." she notice the smirk he gave her. "Just listen. And so you claimed me. Wouldn't Angel be able to tell?" She asked and looked at him wanting to see his response to her discovery.

"Yea. So?" he shrugged it off.

Willow let out an angry groan. "If their not supposed to know for this plan they would know anyway because Angel is a vampire and he sense that kind of stuff. So how could he not know?!" she yelled. Brain dead idiot. He obviously got it that time because he stopped in his tracks.

"Shit." Spike cursed. She was right.

Willow walked back over to where he stopped.

"Okay this can still work. If the Master asks I'll say they know about us. But that you do belong to me and that they wouldn't dare believe that you would follow me." he looked into her eyes. "That'll work right?"

Willow shrugged. "Yea I guess so."

Spike nodded and let out a breath and started walking again.

Willow followed beside him silently.

"Thanks." he added.

Willow turned to look at him. Feeling unsure of what to say she said nothing at all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

So here they where at the door. And Willow was frightened.

"They'll know you're scared. Stop it." Spike ordered her above a whisper.

"Well I'm sorry. I haven't managed to learn to be calm around vampires." she whispered back angrily.

"Look they won't try anything if you stay with me." he whispered back irritated. He wasn't sure if it was because of her or the fact that it was taking forever for someone to answer. His nerves where on edge and neither where helping to calm them.

"How do you know we aren't being set up?" Willow shot back to his self assured answer. He didn't answer her though. Maybe because he didn't know himself or it could be because of the fact that the door was opening.

"Well look who showed up. And brought his friend to. Gonna share?" the male vampire asked as he stepped out of the way to let them in.

"Not on your undead life. As you can tell she's mine." Spike said. He grabbed willow by her arm and pulled her closer.

"I know. Just thought I'd ask. He's in the main room."

Spike nodded and headed that way. As they journeyed through rooms and halls he noticed Willow was hovering rather close to him. Either she was scared or she was doing a real good job of acting like she liked him. He figured it was the latter. But in a sick demented sort of way it was nice. Humans where warm. Vampires where cold.

"Well look he came!" the Master exclaimed as Spike entered the room.

Spike had explained to her right before they arrived, the parts they would be playing. In a short summary she was infatuated with him and him only. Which meant that luckily for her she didn't have to pretend to like the Master. And he played the part of the owner. Meaning if anyone touched her he turned into the jealous raging boyfriend type. It wasn't odd for a vampire to do that. Even to the point of becoming obsessed with a human. Angelus did it with Dru. But he was nuts. So it went to a totally different level of obsession.

"Yea I'm here. I gave you my word." Spike said and walked up to him pulling a stiff Willow along with him.

"How isn't this the little girl who led an attack on the Bronze a few months ago?" the Master inquired. A few of the other vamps gave an affirmative nod.

Spike turned to Willow. But she didn't meet his eyes. Instead she took on the Master.

"That wasn't me." she told him defensively. But boy did she wish the other her was there to take him on right now.

"Word to the wise Spike. Don't turn her. Or we'll all have hell to pay." he stood up and walked up to the two. "But this version is totally opposite. Scared, weak, pure. The kind of things vampires prey on. Love to destroy. I bet she's a good fuck to. You're a screamer aren't you?" he smiled snottily.

Willows eyes widened. She really hated this man.

Spike was growing angry fast. He yanked Willow behind him out of the Masters preying eyes.

"Don't worry I know she's yours. But usually vampires share with there Masters." he said and took his seat.

"I don't share. And you are not my Master." Spike grounded out doing his best to control his temper and remind himself the soon the Masters time would come.

The Master shrugged. "Now I have to wonder why this girl would side with you over her friends."

"You obviously don't know her friends." Which was an easy enough explanation it. The Master could interrupt whatever he wanted from it.

"Alright everyone out!" the Master yelled to the other vampires. They filed out of the room quickly leaving Spike, Willow, and the Master alone. "Have a seat."

Spike pulled Willow over to a couch. He sat down leaning back into the corner. Willow surprisingly began acting out her part. She sat next to him and curled up, laying her head on his chest and her arm on his stomach. He slid the arm on her side down and placed his hand on her lower back.

Willow tried to listen to there conversation. But every nerve in her body was reacting to the slow strumming of his fingers on her back. Willow wasn't sure why he was doing it. It played know part in convincing the Master considering that he couldn't see Spikes slow torture. Could it be that he was trying to comfort her? Probably not. But it had to be something. She moved in closer to him. He was the only comforting thing in the area and right now she needed comforting. Maybe he noticed it to. Or maybe he was just an evil vampire. Because his hand started moving lower and lower until he reached the hem of her shirt. The he slid his hand under her shirt. She did her best not to tense or jump. His fingers brushed lightly over her skin causing her to shiver. But his hand didn't stray any further. And soon it was removed to the fact that they where leaving. Spike and the idiot (as she had so recently picked up from Spike) traded cruel remarks then they left.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Master did not trust Spike. Even if he did put up a good game. He knew what had to be done. Either way he won. He found out Spike was for real, or if Spike was playing games with him then Spike would be hurt. "Go." he said to the waiting minions. "If you fail you die.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Waiting. It was the ultimate waste of his time. Spike was the kind of man or more precisely vampire that acted on impulse. He did not plan. He hunted and killed. So why was he waiting to kill that asshole. Because he knew if he did act on impulse he would die and it would get him no where. Luckily for him the annoying thoughts where interrupted by a thump at his door. "Maybe someone can die now." he said cheerfully as he got up and walked to his door. He opened and found the only thing meeting his eye was the wall. His eyes traveled from side to side then finally down. Where he found Willow laying, past out. "Shit." he cursed and scooped her up. He kicked the door close and hurried to the couch and dropped her down. "What the hell is going on here." he growled out. He tilted her chin to the side and found a new set of bite marks over his own. She wasn't his anymore. She belonged to someone else. He felt anger. It flowed through every nerve and vain in his body. Half was his own anger and half was instinct. He scooped her limp body off the couch and carried her to his room. Spike laid her gently on his bed. He only glanced at her pail face once more then left the room and the house, there was going to be hell to pay.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Sir. He's here." one of the vampires said as he hurried into the main chamber.

"Huh. Sooner then I had expected." he said with ease.

"Well, Michael you really known how to push the wrong fucken buttons you bloody fool." Spike yelled as he entered. His eyes glowed a dangerous shade of yellow.

Michael growled. He didn't like his name being used. He stood up only to be pushed down into his chair by Spike and held there.

Spike had a new plan in mind. "Now you listen to me. I know you sent some little prick out after her. She is mine! You don't hold any power over me. Ever. You don't know me at all. I am helping you. I just want to get rid of the slayer. I could walk out of this bloody town easily. You fuck with me again and I'll walk out with your dust in a garbage bag." He threatened angrily. Spike pushed him back and walked away. He stopped in his tracks and turned only slightly. He pulled a stake out of his jacket, walked up to the vampire with the familiar smell and buried it in his heart. Spike turned back to Michael. "This is your last warning." he said and left.

~~~~~~~~~~

Willow awoke to an unknown smell. Unknown room. But what she did know for sure was that there were a pair of fresh bite marks on her neck. Tears unwillingly flowed from her eyes. She buried her head in the pillow and let out a pitiful wail. The bite had been meant to inflict pain. Spike had not. And now she found herself in unknown surroundings most likely soon to meet her death.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Spike opened the door and the first thing he became aware of was crying. He knew in what direction it came from and he headed that way. When he entered his room he found Willow shaking and hysterically crying. He scowled. How the hell was he supposed to comfort her. She was human he was vampire. And on top of that she wasn't his. She smelled terrible. She smelled cheap. That vampire was nothing. Spikes scent held power, age, and fear. And to top it all off he would have to bite her again. He walked slowly to her and placed he hands on her waste and began pulling her up. He found himself immediately being punched and kicked. He jumped on the bed and sat on her hips with both legs on either side of her. He grabbed her wrists and held them above her head. "Willow stop it!" he yelled more harshly then he had intended. But it had gotten her attention.

Willow didn't respond. She still cried but ended her fight against him. She didn't have the strength to continue to do so.

Spike held her wrists above her head with one hand and brought the other hand to her face. He gently wiped with hair away from her tear stained face. Then he softly wiped the tears away. "Willow shhhh." he said softly. He didn't know what got through to her but she stopped her crying.

Willow broke through the haze of despair. The gentleness of his hands and voice is what brought her out. "Spike." she cried softly. She felt so lost. She felt as if she was no longer herself.

Spike released her wrist. And he right away found himself in her clinging arms. He unsurely wrapped his arms around her waste. She began crying again. But it was different. It seemed to him now she was crying from relief. He pushed himself up on his knees and pulled her out from under him. One arm slid under her knees and he sat down holding her in his lap.

"Spike I don't want to do it again." she admitted from the crook of his neck.

He knew what she was referring to. "We have to." he told her softly.

"No." she cried out and tried to pull away from him. But she found herself held firmly against him and she soon gave up her struggle.

"I promise. I'll do whatever I can to make it not hurt." he promised her.

Willow pulled away from him. Her old ideas still stood strong. This had to been done. It could save everyone. She nodded slowly. She shut her eyes and tilted her head to the side.

Spike almost winced at her willingness. He slowly brought his mouth forward to her neck. But instead of going to game face he stayed human. And instead of biting her neck he kissed her. He felt her jump. Maybe from surprise or maybe she thought she was being bit. He didn't really know. His lips traveled up her neck slowly leaving soft kisses along the way. They traveled up her jaw and to her own lips. He didn't waste time. He claimed her lips with his. He gently sucked on her bottom lip. And moments later he felt her respond. He felt encouraged by her response. He moved her so that she was sitting on his lap, with her arms still warped around his neck he let his hands travel gently up her sides.

Willow let all her fears drown in that kiss. It was passionate. It was needy. Everything an intense kiss was made of. And she was so lost in it that she only thought of her and Spike. Not the fact he was a vampire. Not about the deadly plan. Not about the impending claiming that would have to be done. She needed something to free herself of it all. And he was that something. She buried her hands in his blond her pulling him closer to her. She was so lost in that kiss that when she felt his cold hands travel under her shirt she jumped. Unfortunately he pulled away. "Wha-. Why did you do that?" she asked a little hurt.

Spike shook his head. "Sorry." he told her and let her go

"Why did you stop?" she asked him more precisely.

Spikes eyes narrowed. He wondered if the girl even knew what she was getting into. "Do you even have any idea where this was leading?" he asked her dangerously.

Willow nodded and kissed him. She pulled away. "I need you. Please Spike." she said softly.

That was all the convincing he needed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spike grabbed the hem of Willows shirt and pulled it over her head with ease. He quickly returned his lips to hers.

Willow threw her leg on the other side of Spike and straddled his waste. His cold hands slid are her waste and pulled her against him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her hands in hair. Willow pulled his head down closer and moaned into his mouth

Spike pulled away and began leaving a trail of light kisses down her jaw. His hands slid up her back until they reach the clasp of her bra. A second later the clasp was undone and he was already sliding the straps down her shoulder.

Willow pulled away and threw the bra to the ground. She replaced her hands at the hem of his shirt and in a moment had it over his head and joining the growing pile of clothes on the floor.

Spike pressed his lips against hers and stood up. He turned them around so that he was facing the bed. He laid them both on top of the bed, with him on top of her. He slowly slid down her small body leave wet kisses everywhere. Down her neck, slowly down her chest, and down the valley of her breast. He lifted his mouth away and quickly replaced on her body. His mouth took the left nipple in his mouth and he began gently sucking on it while he massaged the other breast with his hand.

Willow arched her back and let out small whimpers. She gasped when his teeth gently scraped against one and the pinched the other nipple with his hand.

Spike quite the slow torture on her body, and softly kissed his way to the other breast and performed the same ministrations as before, not wanting to deprive either one of the perfect orbs.

Willows head rolled from side to side and she wasn't aware that Spike had stopped until he was kissing her again. She responded roughly, not wasting time on soft sweet kisses. She wanted him and wanted him now.

Spike pulled away once again. He moved down her body, sucking and nibbling on her flushed skin as his hands slid down to her shorts. He unbuttoned and unzipped them and with both hands slid her shorts and underwear down her legs. As he continued to go lower and lower down her body he pulled the shorts off and threw them to the floor.

Willow bit her lip in anticipation while he hovered above her. She didn't have to wait long. His mouth lowered to her soaking core. Willow gasped and gripped the sheets.

Spike placed his hands on her hips as she began to move uncontrollably. He continued to suck and lick at her.

"Oh god!" Willow gasped loudly as she felt her whole body tighten. Spike unfortunately chose that exact moment to halt.

Spike raised himself on his arm. "God has nothing to do with this pet." Spike said and smirked.

"Spiiiiike." Willow whined.

Spike moved up her body and looked down at her. "Yes?"

"Your pants." she said and pushed out her bottom lip.

Spike looked down then look back up at her with a confused look. "What about them?"

"There still there. Take them off." she told him firmly.

"And what do you say?" he asked with a playful look.

"Please." she said quickly.

Spike pushed himself off the bed and preceded to take off his jeans. "In a hurry aren't you?"

"Aren't you?" she asked. As he pulled down his pants she noticed his enlarged member. "I guess so." she added and smirked.

"Nice." he replied sarcastically and was soon on top of her kissing her again before she had time to respond.

Lust surged through Willow as she felt his penis pressed up against her. She unconsciously pushed up against him and she was rewarded with a groan from Spike. Encouraged she slid her hands between them and wrapped a hand around him.

Spike jumped as her warm hand encircled his erection. Her hand slowly began moving back and forth until he thought he would come right there. He quickly grabbed her hands and held them above her head. "Don't want to end it before we get started do you pet."

Willow shook her head quickly and Spike released her wrists. She lifted her head up and met Spike in a passionate kiss.

"Willow I can't hold out much longer." Spike admitted. Usually he could. But Willow was human and that brought all kinds of advantages. She was warm and being young most likely very tight. And just the though of entering her warm tight passage and hearing pleasure come from her mouth excited him further.

"Spike hurry up." she pleaded.

Spike positioned himself and thrusted into her. Being inside her was more then he had expected and he had to struggle not to lose it and just begin pumping into her.

Willow was overcome with the waves of pleasure that overcame her and they didn't stop only intensified as they met each other thrust for thrust. She wrapped her legs around his waste and held on as it became faster and harder.

Spike felt her began to tighten around him and he quickly picked up the pace. And as loud whimpers started to escape her throat he knew she was close. He lowered his head so that he was not looking at her and vamped out. He pounded into her and moments later a scream emanated from her. He brought his mouth to her neck and bit in deep. His orgasm hit him hard with the combination of her own and the claiming.

Willow slowly became aware of the gentle sucking on her neck. "Spike?"

Willows voice broke through the demonic haze in his mind and he pulled away enough that his teeth where removed. He lightly licked up the blood on her neck.

Willow let out a sigh of relief as he pulled away. When she found yellow eyes looking into hers she felt compelled to asked. "You claimed me?" she asked unsurely.

Spike rolled them over so that she was laying half on his chest. "In more ways then one. Not only will they not bite you but run screaming."

"Is that why we did this? So it wouldn't hurt?" she asked him.

"Yes." he noticed the hurt look that flooded her face. "But I didn't want to hurt you because I care about you. And that's why we did this."

"Because you care about me?" she asked.

Spike nodded.

Willow smiled softly and rested her head on his chest. Moments later she drifted off into a content slumber.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spike lay awake for the most part of the day with Willow sleeping by his side. She hadn't stirred and if it wasn't for the fact he could hear her heart he would have thought her dead. She was suffering from a severe loss of blood and it was going to take her a little while to recuperate. Even as his mind flooded with ways to kill that bastard he still had other thoughts there that reminded him of what he had just done. Oddly enough none of them where 'What the hell had he just done.' He was past the point of caring now. After joining up with the slayer things couldn't have gotten anymore ridiculous. But one thought did continue to repeat in his mind. Before, he claimed her for the sake of the plan, although he had to admit he had felt something before now. But the second time he claimed her was not only to reinforce the claim for the master, but because he was going to make her his. And now she was.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Willow stretched her weak muscles along the length of the bed. A tilt of her head revealed an empty space beside her. But she had heard something. She was positive. She sat up and wrapped the sheet around herself. On unsteady legs she walked out of the room. As she did she became aware of low talking. Willow walked slowly in the direction and found Spike in his living room on the phone. She stood in the doorway and waited. She couldn't make out the conversation but she caught certain parts where he had raised his voice. Such as, "Don't be a bloody idiot." "I told you she's fine." "Do you want to ruin the plan slayer?" Willow easily realized he was speaking to Buffy. She heard Spike let out an irritated sigh, mumble something, and hang up.

When the room was once again silent, Spike became aware of another body in the room. He turned to the door way and a pair of eyes staired back at him. He pushed himself up off the sofa and walked over to her. "You should be in bed."

"I'm hungry." she responded softly.

Spike nodded. He placed his hand on the small of her back and led her into the room. Once they reached the bed he took her gently by the arms and pushed her down so that she was sitting. Spike kneeled down in front of her. "I'm going to go out for a little while."

Willow became alarmed and began shaking her head. "No." she begged.

Spike nodded. "I need to take care of some things. You need some food, and clothes."

"But what if someone-" she began worriedly.

"They can't get in. Don't let anyone in. Don't open the door. Don't even leave this room. The only person that will be coming over here that should be is me. You got it?" he asked her seriously.

Willow nodded. "Okay."

Spike sighed. "Okay." He stood up and looked down at her. She refused to meet his eyes. Instead she looked down at the ground. Spike bent over and lifted her chin up. "You'll be okay."

"Okay." she responded softly. But she still didn't want him to leave her there alone.

Spike brought his face closer to hers and kissed her lips gently before standing back up. He turned and walked out the room, shutting the door behind him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spike surprisingly was the first to arrive. Well of course the watcher was there. It was his house.

"Where is Willow?" Giles asked as soon as his eyes settled on Spike.

"She's safe." he told the watcher and stepped in.

"How is she?" Giles inquired.

"She's tired. Most likely sleeping right now. She needs food to. Which I am going to take care of as soon as I leave here. Now the bloody slayer threw such a fuss you'd think she'd be here by now." he said angrily.

"Right behind you. Now explain again how Willow is safe at your place." Buffy told him threateningly.

"No one can get in. She knows to stay put." Spike told her evenly. He had no time for this. He wanted a way to kill the master now.

"I don't believe that. Where is she?" Buffy persisted.

"I'm not going to tell you that slayer." Spike said through gritted teeth.

"Spike I want her here with us!" Buffy yelled at him.

"You are not taking her from me!" Spike growled out. "When she is better then you see her. But while she is in this condition I have her!" he yelled. Spike found his anger boiling over to the point where it was unbearable. He stormed past Buffy almost knocking her over.

Angel stayed in the shadows and only stepped out to stop Buffy as she started after Spike.

"Angel let me go." Buffy said firmly.

"Buffy, no." he said calmly and led her inside the house.

"No! What do you mean no! He is keeping Willow away from us!" she screamed back. It seemed that she was the only one thinking of Willows safety here.

"Buffy, she's fine. I know where she's at." he told her. But it did little to calm her. If anything it enraged her further.

"How do you-" Giles began but was cut off by Buffys rampage.

"Then why are we standing here!"

"Because if we go Spike won't want to let her go." he told her bluntly.

Giles spoke before Buffy could continue her screaming. "Why not?"

"He doesn't want you to take her from him. At least is she is with him he feels he can protect her." And it was true. To be more precise Spike was scared to hell at this point. And the only thing keeping him content was having Willow in his own care. That's how Spike was. He wasn't like normal vampires. Of course he was mean and vicious but when he had something dear to him he treated it like sacred ground.

"Why?" Buffy asked. But it was more to herself. Not in her wildest dreams could she understand the reason for it.

Giles and Angel knew though and found themselves unable to answer Buffys question.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Willow awoke again, for what seemed like the fifth time in the last hour. Even though she felt tired and weak she still found sleep not coming to her. After sleeping the whole day and not eating. She was hardly comfortable. And she was afraid. Everytime she woke she felt like she just had a bad nightmare. But it was more then that. So much more then that. Yea she had been scared before. More then enough. But this hit to close to home. She always pitied Buffy. Willow just had to help. But Buffy had to face the demons, Buffy had to take the beating. Now Willow found herself in the same position. Facing the demons and taking the demons beating. But unlike Buffy she couldn't protect herself. At times she envied the people that where unaware of the danger around them. Sure they didn't know to stay in at night. But there lives where happy if they where lucky enough to live through them. But they lived. On the other hand Willow was a few steps from death everyday and she still had a terrible life. She couldn't win for losing.

Willows head flew in the direction of the door. Her breathing quickened and besides that the only other sound was the sound of a light tapping. Or more precisely footsteps. Her eyes widened and she clutched the sheet.

"Jesus pet you look like you've seen a ghost." Spike joked as opened the door.

Willow let her muscles relax. "I didn't expect you back so soon." she admitted.

"Yea well nothing much really got done." he told her as he walked over to the bed. He dropped one bag onto the bed. "Clothes." then placed another on a table. "Food."

"Then what are we supposed to do?" Willow inquired not paying attention to her lack of clothing or her growling stomach.

"What am I supposed to do." he corrected her sternly.

"I'm a part of this plan-" Willow started but he interrupted her with the same tone.

"Not anymore. There is a new plan." One he had decided on his own. But it was the best one. He had before decided on infiltrating the masters group. But how he was going to bring him down he hadn't decided. But now, after what happened with Willow, he had made a decision. Whether it was wise or not he didn't know.

Willow sat herself up. "What is the new plan?" she didn't like the grave tone to his voice.

Spike stood up and walked grabbed her things off the table. He walked back over and placed them next to her.

"I challenge the Master." he told her simply.

Willow held the sheet around her with her arms and began sorting through the bag. "Challenge him? Foooooor?"

"Control. I will challenge him, fight him, kill him, then become the Master. Isn't the first time." he admitted. It was easy enough. All he had to do is make sure the minions would follow him and not that ass.

Willows eyes widened as she stood up with close in hand. "Master? But how will that help us? I mean if you became Master you couldn't stop them from feeding on humans. And if you tried well they'd kill you. Unless...." Willow stopped and slowly began backing away, "you really want to be Master."

Spike reached out and grabbed Willows arm, pulling her towards him. "Willow if that's what I wanted I would have done that long before now. I wouldn't need you or your friends to accomplish that."

Willow pulled her arm away and walked towards the bathroom. The whole way she could swear Spike was staring at her. When she closed the door to the bathroom she let out a relieved sigh. So Angel had been right when she talked to him earlier. She had doubted him. Insisting that Spike was helping them. And Spike may have believed that he was. But Angel said he knew Spike. And that in the end the power hungry demon would emerge. And it had. And now Spike, not knowingly, was wanting that power. And in the end, she realized he would not give it up. So the only thing she could do was to warn the others.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spike kicked the bathroom door open. An angry growl tore form his lips when he saw the gaping window. She had left. "That little bitch." He had done everything to help them. He had come close to losing his life, he saved hers, and this is how he was repaid. Well maybe he would repay them for their kind favors. He would proceed with his plan. Up to the point where he became Master. But after that everything was going to change.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Willow? What's wrong?" Giles asked the coughing girl.

Willow did her best to catch her breath. She knew it wouldn't take long for Spike to realize she was gone. She let Giles and Buffy help her over to the couch. She looked up at Angel. "You where right. He plans on challenging the Master. He thinks he is doing it for the right reasons. But he gave the decision little though. And I knew none of you had agreed to it." Willow pushed out and took a deep breath.

"Where is he?" Angel asked her gravely. If Willow had been running chances are she had been running from him.

"I don't know. I snuck out the bathroom window and took off." she said. She let herself rest against the sofa. "But chances are he knows by now that I left. Do you think he'll come here?"

"No. He knows that your protected." he told her. Either Spike was planning, which he doubted considering Spikes lack of patience, or he was already putting his plan into action.

"Wait a minute," Buffy spoke up. "Why does it matter that he knows that she is protected?"

"She ran from him." Giles said more to himself. He understood what Angel meant.

"Okay, yeah, I think we figured that out already. And I think we know she is protected. Now why doesn't someone enlighten the slayer in the dark as to why it matters that he knows." Buffy said her voice beginning to get strained.

"Buffy you saw him before he didn't want to let her go." Giles told her.

"Wait I get it!" Xander spoke up, with his eyes lighting up. "He claimed her. I mean yea it was part of the plan. But he must have claimed her for real the second time around. So since she ran away from him he is going to be all pissy isn't he?"

"If you want to say it that way." Giles said a little confused.

"Okay so the second time he bit Willow it wasn't just for our obviously fucked up plan but because he actually did want to claim her for himself?" Buffy questioned. If that was true then they where going to have one angry vampire on there hands.

"I'm afraid so." Giles admitted.

"Ah hell." Buffy said and dropped onto the sofa next to Willow.

"Tell them the rest Willow." Angel said softly. He had seen the obvious when he was at Spikes and discovered Willow naked with a sheet wrapped around her body. If Spike had been there he probably would have staked him.

Willows eyes widened and she opened her mouth to argue but his face was stern. "Me and Spike, we um," Willow grimaced, "We had sex."

Giles let himself fall into a chair and he took off his glasses. He was beginning to get a headache.

"Willow...." Buffy trailed off. She wasn't sure of whether to scold her friend or whether to comfort her. Instead she pushed the feelings away and turned to Angel. "So this makes it worse right?" Buffy asked him her voice grave.

Angel nodded.

Willow felt a huge pang of guilt. She felt so ashamed. She just made it harder on all of them. Xander looked disgusted at the though. When he had heard it he had even backed up into the table. Away from. Buffy looked like she didn't even want to talk to her about it and it was obviously the last thing Giles wanted to deal with.

Buffy stood up. "We don't have anymore time to waste. Lets go." Buffy said and moved to the door. She turned to them and held up her hand in front of Willow. "You stay here."

"But-" Willow began to argue in her self defense.

"Either he'll kill you or take you. Neither one will be good. Xander you stay with her. Don't leave this house." she ordered. She turned and walked out the door with Giles and Angel.

Willow jumped as the door slammed. She didn't move. She continued to face the door hoping against hope that Buffy would come back in and tell her it was okay. But the door never opened. She felt her chin began to tremble and tears leave her eyes. A hand grabbed her arm gently and she found herself pulled into Xanders embrace. She began sobbing at what seemed like a hopeless situation.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Spike walked into the main room. Other vampires took little notice to him. Neither did the little bitch. He didn't even see him till he was right next to him.

"Spike. Didn't expect to see you so soon. Here to kill me?" Michael asked and laughed.

"Before I answer that question I want to tell you a few things. Michael I had you played from day one. The little red head? Still the slayer's friend. The slayer knew about every single one of out meetings and we where going to take you down," Spike told him calmly.

"Why you-" Michael started and stood up.

Spike pushed him back in the chair. "But actually your little mistake the other night proved something to me. Not right away. Actually that little bitch did. But you kind of began a chain reaction. I realized in the end the only thing that matters is power. Not who you have by your side. Not who should win or who should lose. And well I think I forgot that," Spike told him. He glanced at the other vampires, who where obviously listening intently to his little speech. "But now I remember. And if I want power, I think I'm going to have to take it." He reached into the inside of his jacket and pulled out a stake. "And it's going to start here." He shoved the stake through his heart before Michael had time to react. Spike let out a relieved sigh. "Now, anyone want to challenge me?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So what's the plan?" Angel asked when they reached the outside of the current vampire hideout.

"We go in and take out as many as possible," Buffy said bravely. But deep down she was scared as hell. There were a lot of vampires in there. Too many for just the three of them to handle.

"Good plan," Giles responded.

Buffy shrugged. "I try," she said and kicked in the door. "Ready?" she asked. The two of them nodded. But she knew they weren't

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Xander please," Willow begged.

"No, Willow. I don't want to say it, but I have to. You've done enough already. Let them handle it," Xander told her roughly.

Xander's words stung but she pushed them out the way. She knew she deserved it. "They'll die!!!" Willow screamed.

Xander gritted his teeth together. She was right and he knew it. "What good will you do though Willow? You heard Buffy. He will either kill you or take you."

"Xander ,we can't just let them die. This is my fault. The least I can do is help. You don't have to come. But please let me go," she pleaded.

Xander let out a sigh. "All right. But I'm coming."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Well, Spike. Looks like we're on opposite sides again," Buffy said walking in with Angel and Giles close to her sides.

Spike turned to the slayer armed with the crossbow. "Old habits die hard. Where's Willow?"

Buffy shook her head. "Safe. Meaning away from you." She did her best to ignore the growing vampires waiting to get a piece of her.

"Doesn't matter. I get her now or I kill you and get her later," he told her. And every part of him believed it to. He would have her.

"I think I'll choose C. You don't get her and I kill you. Ding ding ding. Right answer." Buffy raised her crossbow and shot it at the nearest vampire. Then all hell broke loose.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hurry, Xander!" Willow screamed as they ran. She knew the way from her previous trips with Spike. She could see it. And as she got closer, she could hear it. She came to a halt in front of the door.

"Willow?" Xander questioned as she he reached her still form.

"I-I" she stuttered. Now that she was here, she wasn't sure if she could do it. Maybe she wouldn't help. Maybe she would just make it worse again, and get herself into more trouble.

"We can turn back," he told her.

Willow turned her head to face him. She knew he didn't want to. He wanted to help them. She could see he was on the verge of running in there without her. "Let's go," she said firmly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Willow was close behind Xander as they followed the sound of the fighting. But once she entered the main room ,she found she couldn't move. She barely noticed Xander rush up and attack the vampire inches from Giles neck. She watched in horror as a vampire latched onto Buffy's neck, and she let out a strangled scream. She wanted to run over and help, but she was so scared. And so frightened. To her relief Angel pulled the vampire away from Buffy, and their fight continued. Her eyes roamed until they set on Spike, who surprisingly was taking no part in the fight. He just stood there with his trademark evil smirk. It send chills through her body. It brought back memories of the Spike that they had met in the beginning. When he still had Dru.

Through some unknown reason Willow found herself walking forward. And even as she did she wasn't attacked. And she began to fear that she wouldn't be. That maybe Spike did order them not to touch her. But that though was soon dismissed. She felt head being yanked painfully and her neck exposed. She closed her eyes and when teeth pierced her flesh she bit down on her lip to control a scream. But soon her jaw relaxed and the pain began less. And oddly enough in those few moments she began humming. Wasn't something she did often. She wasn't even sure what song it was. Actually she seemed to recall it as a song Xander had song persistently when they where younger and alone. He had only done it to annoy her. And it did. But now she found it the only thing comforting her. Because even as she felt the blood being drained from her body it didn't comfort her. Only feelings it made her feel her fear and-and regret. "Spike."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spikes head spun to the familiar sound. He probably wouldn't have heard it if it wasn't for the fact that it was Willow's voice. Her voice rang through the air and struck a nerve in his body. And for a moment he felt ready to grab her and hurt her. Make her pay. But that only lasted till he saw her. Till he saw weak body being drained dry. His game face slid on, and he ran forward. In a split second, he knocked the vampire away from her. But unfortunately it did little for her as she fell in a heap on the ground. He kneeled down and pulled her close to his chest.

"Willow," he said and shook her. Nothing happened her head just bounced around and fell back. "Shit," he cursed himself and cut his wrist.

Willow's eyes opened slowly and widened when she realized what he meant to do. "No!" she yelled as best a she could.

"Willow you're dying," he growled out. He hadn't meant for it to sound so rough. But he didn't handle these kinds of situations well.

"I don't want to be a vampire," she forced the words past her lips.

"We can give you a soul Willow," he pleaded with her. Her slowing heart was a painful sound in his ears and he found he could barely stand to sit back and watch her die.

"No," Willow told him softly but firmly. She took in a deep breath and continued. It wasn't like she'd get another chance at this. "I-I didn't want to run. But you-"

Spike covered her mouth. "Shhhh. It doesn't matter now."

Willow shut her eyes and for a moment she thought that was it. And it was. But she forced her eyes open one more time. "Spike," she whispered out, "help them." It was her final plea. And as the words left her mouth she barely saw Spike nod before her eyes shut for the final time.

"Willow? Willow!!!!" he screamed and felt himself vamp out. He stood up with her lifeless body and carried it over to a table. As he laid her limp body on the stone table, he did his best to listen for a heartbeat. But he knew she was dead. An angry growl tore from his lips. He spun and his eyes landed on the little bastard that killed Willow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Willow."

Willow spun around.

"This is your last chance," the demon told her.

"I can't hurt people," she told him. All she wanted to do is move on. To wherever dead people move on to.

"You know," the demon started and held his hands away from each other revealing her friends fighting, "your friends are going to die."

Willow deflected his taunting. "Good then we can all be happy together in the afterlife."

"Do you know how many innocent people will die if the slayer and your friends die? Let me give you an overview of what will happen," he told her and pressed his hands back together making the picture disappear. "They will all die, except your vampire, while time is wasted training another slayer people will die. Not just by demons and vampires, but by the same person that is getting them killed in the first place."

Willows mouth opened. "But he-"

"Agreed to help? How long will that last? Your friends will be gone to stop him and you will be gone. I don't see him having much control."

"I-I can't," Willow said softly.

"Yes, you can," he prodded her.

Willow looked away from his face for a moment then looked back. "What kind of demon?"

He smiled in triumph. "Any kind you want."

Willow nodded. "Okay then." Willow pushed her courage forward. "A vengeance demon."

He smiled.

"But, I cannot take vengeance on the innocent. Only bad demons. You got me?" Willow asked seriously and waited for his response.

"As you wish it," he told her and he lifted his hands in front of him.

"And I don't want to be ugly either," she told him matter a factly.

The demon sighed. "Anything else?"

"A-am I going to live forever?" she asked worriedly.

"Yes."

Willow let out a sigh. "All right do your stuff. My friends are in danger."

He nodded and bright blue lights began bouncing between his hands.

Willow watched a searing pain tore into her wrist and she bent over cradling it to her chest. Moments later it was over. She stood back up and found him holding a necklace. It was a magnificent blue stone encased in gold. He stepped forward and placed it around her neck.

"This isn't what makes you a demon. Your powers cannot be destroyed by destroying this. This is your center. It cannot be destroyed." He reached for the hand that had caused her pain only moments ago. He held it up to reveal a small mark on her wrist. This symbolizes what you are. You are a vengeance demon. Now go."

A bright light surrounded Willow, and the next thing she was aware of was yelling and fighting. She opened her eyes and found herself staring at a ceiling. She looked down and there it was. A beautiful bright blue stone on a gold chain. She threw her legs off of the table and stood up everywhere something was calling to her. And she found herself being pulled in all different directions. So she reached for the closest, a vampire that was attacking Xander. She placed her hand on the vampires back where the heart was and power began to flow through her. It was the most wonderful feeling ever. And she couldn't contain it. She let more lose. There was a scream and the vampire began to turn to dust from the heart outwards.

Xander jumped back as the vampire slowly turned to dust. When a stake was through its heart usually it was faster. After all of the dust had faded away his savior was revealed. "Willow? Your eyes. There's this funky blue light in them."

A part of Willow wanted to explain, but she felt herself being pulled again. There where so many that deserved to die. She turned to find Spike holding of two vampires. "No!" she screamed as one neared him with a stake. A powerful burst of energy escaped her, and she found herself thrown to the ground. She looked up just in time to see that vampire burst into flames. She began taking deep breath to calm herself. That one had been to strong.

After the dust cleared and he dusted the remaining vampire he looked to where the familiar scream had come from. "Willow." He rushed over to her and reached out for her.

"No!!!!" she screamed and crawled away from him. "Don't touch me."

"Willow what the bloody hell is-. What's up with your eyes?" One minute she was dead and the next her eyes where glowing blue and she is screaming at him.

"You don't understand. I can't control it right now. And if I where to touch you you would die. You deserve it. But I can't do it." She let out a little cry with her last words. "Everything is telling me to but I can't and it hurts so bad."

"Angel!!!"

Willows head flew around to the sound of Buffy's voice. She was still fighting, but didn't look to be in any immediate danger. She turned to where Angel was and found a piece of wood to be protruding from his back just inches away from the target. She jumped up avoiding Spike insistent stare. But half way to Angel she was pulled roughly by her arm and spun around and soon found a hand wrapped tightly around her throat. She reached her hand up and touched where his heart would be. "You deserve it." The vampire exploded into dust and for a moment pride weld up in her. But a vengeful pride. And she started to fear that it would take her over one day. But she dismissed the fearful thoughts and ran towards Angel and his two attackers. For some odd reason she knew which one deserved to die first. It was the one that had tried to stake Angel. She again came close and just touched the back of the vampire and it was dust. Angel didn't notice for the simple fact that he had a stake still in his back and was holding off a vampire. Willow winced and grabbed the stake and pulled it out of Angel. A pain-filled growl emanated form deep within him and he knocked the vampire away and spun around to face Willow.

"Willow," he said surprised. He looked around for Xander and found him along side Giles fighting.

Willow smiled at him. "You're safe. You're good," she realized. She couldn't hurt him. And although he had no clue as to what she was talking about, he would appreciate knowing he wasn't damned.

"Willow?" Angel questioned at her odd statement. His eyes trained on the stone that just recently had not been around her neck.

"Behind you," Willow spoke up. Angel spun around and went back to his fighting.

Willow was pushed to the side as a vampire slammed into her. Her eyes silted and she stared angrily at the vampire regaining its composure. She reached out and touched the vampire. It was eliminated.

"Willow."

Willow turned. "Spike," she said and backed up to create distance between them.

"Willow, what-" Spike growled and staked a charging vampire. "What is going on?" he reached out to touch her.

Willow shook her head sadly and backed up. "No. Spike please don't touch me right now. They all deserve it and I don't know if I could hold back if I was in contact with you."

"Willow, what in the bloody hell is going on. Why can't I touch you. And I thought you were dead." This was to damn confusing and the idiots fighting around him weren't doing anything to help.

"I was. But I'm back. If you touch me you'll die. You deserve it," she explained. For some reason she found it impossible to say she was a demon now.

"Why do I deserve it?" he asked incredulously. He couldn't believe this. She was telling him he deserved to die but not to touch her because she didn't want to kill him.

"Because you deserved to be punished. I feel it. But I don't want to. All of them do. They're hurting people. And so are you." Willow looked around surveying the battle.

Spike watched her cautiously. She was talking nuts. When she turned back to face him though, she wasn't looking lost anymore. She looked angry. Her eyes held a strong blue glow to them that he knew was not natural and she looked angry.

"They deserve to die. All of them. And I won't stop it," she said angrily. "It's their time to go."

Spike opened his mouth to speak but shut it as a blue stone began to glow brightly on her chest.

Some part of Willow was trying to push the power back. Trying to control it and not let it all out. But there were so many that needed to die and she wanted to see them die.

"They have to die Spike." Willow smiled. "I hope you didn't need them." Willow released all the with held power. "No!" she screamed as she realized what she did.

Without any though as to if it would work or why she did it she threw herself around Spike and held him to her as her power was unleashed. There were screams. And even as she held Spike she couldn't control the smile that spread her lips at hearing them. Dust floated around her and she realized his still solid body. Her relief at seeing him still alive lasted only a moment. Her eyes wandered around. Her friends stood their still in fighting stance bewildered. She began to laugh. Laughed at the fact that she was still alive, the look of surprise on her friends faces, and even more frightening the pleasure she had gotten from it all. Everyone had recovered and her laughing quieted. She let out a loud sigh. The stone on her neck went dim and her eyes turned back to their natural shade of green. Then she fainted.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I'm not going to kill her!" Spike yelled as Buffy placed Willow on the table.

"Well, you were going to before!" she yelled back at him. Once Willow was safely on the table she faced off at Spike.

"I wasn't going to kill her you bloody idiot," he cursed her.

"Okay, so instead you where going to keep her alive and sit her down and tell her it's all okay and you forgive her. Give me a break," she snapped back.

"Will you two shut up!" Giles yelled and walked over to Willow. He picked up the necklace that laid on Willow's chest. "This had been glowing. Angel do you know what this is?" he inquired. Because he had no idea.

"I've never seen one before. Willow had come up before and yanked a stake out my back. And I swear I think she killed the vampire that staked me. But she told me that I was safe and that I was good," he told Giles. It all made no sense.

"Willow was dead." Spike spoke up. All heads flew to him. "While I was watching you all get your asses beat, she called my name. I saw her being drained. I knocked the vampire off of her, but it was to late. I was going to turn her, but she wouldn't let me. She died. The next thing I knew I was face to face with her moments later during the fight. She told me to stay away from her and that I deserved it. And that if I touched her I would die."

"All right, this is lacking any sense. Supposedly Willow died. Then she came back to life. Not only alive and kicking but this time with a mega blue stone a freaky blue eyes. I had saw her during the fight too. She killed the vampire that was attacking me. She laid her hand on his back and he turned to dust. But here's the whacked out thing he began turning to dust from his heart out. And slowly. So what do we have here?" Xander asked. Of course no one answered. They had no clue either as to what was going on.

"She said she didn't want to do it but they all deserved to die. And they had to die. Then she got the bloody freaky look on her face that necklace started to glow and her eyes. But she got all worried and jumped on me," Spike explained. He still had no clue as to what happened. But he did know through some power Willow came back to life and now she had the ability to kill a bunch of vampires in one-second.

"We need to get her back to my house. That way I can research her condition and this necklace," Giles said. It was their first move to find out what was going on.

"I don't think that will be necessary," Willow spoke up as she pushed herself up on the table. She twisted so that her legs where hanging off the table.

"Willow, are you okay?" Buffy asked running up to her.

"Yeah, will you did some whacked out blue glow thing then poof. I have to admit though it made our job pretty much non existent," Xander spoke up.

"Is everyone all right?" Willow asked worriedly.

"Yeah. A little bruised and broken but I think we still have our body parts still attached. But our main concern here is you Willow. There's been a few account of the weirdness that when on with you in just a few minutes. What's the deal?"

"One of the vampires killed me," she started.

"We know," Buffy told her.

Willow opened her mouth the question them.

"Spike told us."

Willow turned to Spike "Oh."

"Pet what happened?" Spike persisted.

"After I died I guess in a sense they grabbed me," she told them.

"They? Will your gonna have to elaborate on this one?" Xander told her.

"D'Hoffryn. Him and his little demon friends. He told me this was my last chance," she told them

"You're a demon?" Giles asked and backed up.

Willow jumped off the table. "But a good one, Giles."

"Willow, why would you do something like that?" Buffy asked her friends.

"Because he told me that if I didn't become a demon and go back and help you would all die. Except Spike." She explained her reasons.

Spike smiled proudly.

Willow noticed the smirk on his face and frowned at him. "He said that it would take a long time to train another slayer, and that without any of us here to stop Spike he would began murdering people."

"Are you marked?" Giles asked her.

"Marked?" Buffy asked confused again.

"All humans turned demon are tattooed with some sort of mark. Each one is different. And each one symbolized what kind of demon the human has become. If she is a demon she will have a mark," he explained to Buffy.

Willow held out her wrist.

Giles took her wrist in his hand and surveyed the small mark. "I'm unfamiliar with-"

"She's a vengeance demon." Angel spoke up. "Their are many vengeance demons. Each symbol similar but still different. And each of the demons take revenge for different types of things."

Giles nodded and released her wrist. "What kind of vengeance demon are you?"

"They actually gave me a choice. I take revenge on all the demon baddies. I can't hurt innocents or humans. At least not with any kind of supernatural power." She explained and looked at Spike. "When the powers that be think I should kill a demon I feel it all throughout my body. And its fills me with anger driving me to the point of wanting vengeance. I can control. But I felt so much of it with all these vampires around I couldn't. When I released the power I had to protect Spike from it. He would have died. He would have deserved it." Willow turned to Angel and smiled. "But Angel didn't. When I released the power he didn't die. You think your damned Angel but your not."

"All right so let me get the strait. I'm bloody well damned because I don't have a soul?" Spike asked incredulously.

"No. Your not damned. Well, right now you should be. But you don't have to be." Willow walked closer to him. But he backed away from her. She stopped. But her voice lowered. "I wasn't just sent back to save them Spike. I was sent back to save you."

"Willow what about your necklace?" Giles asked.

"He said it's my center. But it can't be destroyed. I don't know what the point it. But when I get all angry and use my power it glows," she said as she turned to him. She wanted to talk to Spike. But now wasn't the time.

"Yea and your eyes do it to." Xander spoke up.

"Do what?" Willow asked. Everyone kept making a comment about her yes. She'd like to know what was going on with them.

"They turned blue along with the necklace. Kinda of a sparkly blue. Next time you get all vengeful go take a look in the mirror. You'll see," he told her.

Willow nodded. Then a thought occurred to her. She hadn't really given it much though. But now it pushed through everything else running through her brain. "I'm immortal to." Surprise registered on both Buffy and Xander. Giles and Angel seemed to already have guessed it. She turned to face Spike. Although he would have most likely known it to she wanted to see his reaction. But their was none.

"We need to get out of here." Spike spoke up. Vampires would come back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"That's her," the vampire pointed out.

"But that's that chic Spike claimed. She wasn't a demon before," the other argued.

"Yea well I saw it and I say she is a vampire. She killed almost everyone. Come one." he growled out and leaped behind the bush with the other vampire in tow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The walked was in silence. Angel, Giles and Spike took the lead. Willow walked with Buffy and Xander on either side of her. All she wanted to do was talk to Spike. When she was dying he had seemed so open with her. Like he did care. Now he was ignoring her.

The vampires ran up and in a moment a pain-filled scream filled the air. Everyone halted and turned to the demon who had realized the noise.

Willow fell to the ground on her hands and knees and tears began to escape her eyes.

Turned to find Willow on the ground, and a knife deep into her back. Where her heart was. A growl tore form his throat. A figure flew by him and before he could lunge towards the vampires Buffy and Angel where already in battle with them. He ran to Willows side.

"Take it out!" she screamed through the tears.

"I'm sorry Willow," he said. He wrapped his hand around the handle of the knife and yanked it out of her back.

Willow cried out and fell to the ground. Arms encircled her and she was pulled up against Spike. And then it started to flow through her again. But it was more this time. IT was rage. Now she was taking revenge on her own behalf. She pushed away from Spike and found herself once again on the ground. "I'd get back if I where you," she said angrily. "Please Spike," she begged.

Spike nodded. He stood up and backed up a few feet.

"Xander help me up." Willow ordered him.

Xander hurried to her side and helped her into standing position. "Don't have a mirror do you?"

"No why?" she asked and winced as the pain shot through her.

"Your eyes are glowing again," he told her.

She pushed away from Spike and began walking towards the fighting. "I died once already tonight," she said angrily. "I'm not to happy about doing it again."

Buffy was only barely aware of Willows presence. But you could hardly miss it after. Once again she saw the blue glow from the corner of her eyes. And then nothing except dust.

Willow sighed and lowered herself to the ground. She sat slowly. Buffy's arms where around her and holding her up. She just allowed herself to relax.

"What's wrong?" Buffy asked alarmed.

"She's dying." Giles said.

"What?!?! But I thought-"

Willow sighed and closed her eyes. "It won't last long. I just need to rest."

Spike listened as her heartbeat continued to slow and slow and then it stopped. He let out a loud growl and punched a tree. This was going to be one long eternity. Putting up with her random revenge urges and dying and coming back was really going to create an interesting relationship.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The End!

The sacred influence

Of light appears, and from the walls of heaven

Shoots far into the bosom of dim night

A glimmering dawn...

And, fast by, hanging in a golden chain,

This pendent world, in bigness as a star

Of smallest magnitude close by the moon.