Title: I Got You
Author: Cobweb
Rating: PG-16
Spoilers: General season 4
Disclaimer: Jossipoo. ;)
Distribution: If you have my fic, then have this one, too. If not, just lemme know that you want it and you can have it, too.
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"I love this song!" Xander exclaimed, turning up the Bloodhound Gang's "Discovery Channel" in the GilesMobile--in other words, a few pieces of scrap metal held together by duct tape, rumored to serve as the ex-librarian's car--causing the vehicle to vibrate dangerously, nearly to the point of collapsing on the road as the four teenagers and one not-so-teenaged vampire drove along.
"Um... Xander? I think a piece of the car just fell off," Willow warned, her brows furrowing in concern for the group's collective safety.
"'s okay. We'll pick it up on the way back."
Spike's eyes shifted nervously around the car, darting repeatedly to the window to make sure that it was open so that he had a means of escape in case the car did indeed decide to make confetti out of itself. Knowing his luck while he was with the Scooby Gang, he'd go flying and land on a piece of not-so-conveniently placed wood. He gulped at the thought.
"I don't see why I have to come along," the blond vampire complained.
"Because Xander can't be trusted to go by himself--he'll come back with nothing but junk--Willow can't haul all the groceries by herself, so I need to be here, Anya wouldn't have a clue, and you can't be trusted by yourself, especially now that Giles is in England visiting Olivia," Buffy explained, then added, "Have you even ever been to a supermarket?"
"Until now, I was fortunate enough not to need to."
Buffy smirked, as did Xander, while Willow held a curiously mischevious look on her face....
~~~
The group stood with awe-like expressions as they gazed up at the glowing neon sign. Willow gestured grandly.
"Well, here she is, Spike. Your friendly neighborhood Ralph's Supermarket, home of the florescent snack foods, over-processed baked goods, artificial flavorings of infinite variety, and a safe-haven of inexpensive, fattening food for starving, financially-deprived students. Whatcha think?"
Spike was silent for a moment before answering her. "It's hideous. I mean, honestly, day-glo red?! Could they get any tackier?"
"Oh-ho-ho, but you see, dear solarly-challenged one, the color red conveys 'hunger'--y'know, for you it'd be blood and stuff--and is therefor vital to drawing the attention of customers such as ourselves."
"Looks like someone was paying attention in her psychology class..." Buffy commented, rising a smug grin out of the firey-haired Witch.
"Yeah, yeah, it's bright and wonderful. It's also beckoning. Let's go already, I'm hungry," Xander urged, and the four headed in the direction of the magnificent swooshing automatic doors of the grocery store.
"Xander, if you leave me alone for even one second in this place..." Anya muttered, latching onto him as they strolled through the doors.
Spike blinked as the harsh lights pierced his eyes. "Well. For cheap people, they certainly spare no expense on light bulbs..."
Xander manned the cart, Anya never leaving his side, and Buffy took list duty. "Okay," the Slayer started, "first stop: Meats."
"Meats, eh? This place might not be too bad."
"It's not. It can even be kinda fun," Willow smiled at him, which he surprised himself by returning. "C'mon." She grabbed him by the arm, pulling him along so that they could catch up with Buffy and Xander. The main thing Spike noticed was how warm her hand was through his leather duster.
~~~
Fifteen minutes and a lost-amongst-the-Cheez It's-display later, Velma and... well, Spike, became separated from Daphne, Miscellaneous Clueless Guest and Shaggy. With a mutual nod, they agreed to roam.
"What's that?"
"Oh, those are little carts that give out samples of foo--" Willow hadn't even had time to finish her sentence before Spike dragged her towards the vender.
"What are these?" he demanded from the misfortunate employee.
"Uh... c-crackers. With cheese. D-do you want one?" the clerk stuttered, offering the small square of wheat and dairy to the demon. Spike looked at it suspiciously, sniffing it at first before taking a small bite.
"You like it?" Willow piped up. Spike finished his mini-meal and stared at the clerk.
"I want another one."
"There's only one per customer, sir," the young man shrank back as he spoke, attempting to cower behind an apple juice display. He could have sworn that the blond man's eyes had flashed yellow.
"Give. Me. Another. One." Spike's game face slowly became apparent over his usually handsome features. "Now," he emphasized. The (supposedly male) clerk shrieked in shock and fell backward into said apple juice display, causing bottles to shatter and spill, drenching the isle in sweet, sticky juice.
"What the fuck are you?!" he cried out, scrambling to get away. Willow winced.
"Crap--Spike, you idiot!"
"What?"
Willow groaned. "Come on, we gotta get outta here!"
The two ran--swiftly hurdling the broken glass and puddles--down the isle, Spike slipping his human face on once again. Shoes squeaked as the pair skidded into a cookie display as they attempted to make a sharp left turn. Recovering quickly, they made a mad dash for the sliding doors, sprinting into the parking lot and around the corner to safety.
Willow was breathing hard, leaning her back up against the cool wall. Spike lit a cigarette.
"Well now, wasn't that fun? Let's do it again!" he grinned. Willow gaped.
"Yeah, right! I'll never be able to show my face in that store again, thanks to you!"
"Hey, you're the one who brought me here. I would've been fine sittin' at home on the couch, watchin' the telly, but nooo, you and the rest of the little Slayerettes can't trust me enough to sit on me bloody arse!" He was yelling by this time, so Willow did the only thing a semi-rational person could do. She yelled back.
"I trust you just fine, and you freaking kidnapped me and threatened to shove a broken bottle through my skull! Goddess, Spike, get over yourself! You're harmless. Not ghoulish, not scary, not frightening in any way other than invoking fear of suffocation from the amount of space your ego takes up! Even demons think you've gone soft," she snapped, regretting that last comment immediately. He knew precisely whom she referred to. Rage seethed through him as his vampire features returned and he pinned her up against the wall.
"Don't you ever. Ever. Say that again." It was only milliseconds before he dropped her abruptly, clutching his temples in pain. Willow didn't even realize that she had angry, frustrated, and partially scared tears rolling down her cheeks as she turned and ran into the alley behind the store. Spike tried to shake the numbing pain from his skull and ran after her. Fucking hell. He never meant to lose it like that. Didn't want to hurt her. And he also wouldn't need her running off and telling the Slayer that he had tried to. "Willow!"
Willow ran as fast as she could, blinded by tears and fear. She didn't see the sharp crack in the asphalt beneath her feet and cried out as she crumpled to the ground. Spike easily caught up to her and knelt down by her side.
"No!" she screamed as he put his arms around her. "Get away from me!"
"Willow, stop it! I'm not going to hurt you," he snarled, frowning at how malicious he sounded. Sighing, he spoke softer this time. "Pet, Willow, I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
She stopped struggling and only looked into his face, sniffling. "Then why do you still look like that?"
Spike noticed only then that his game face still possessed him, and quickly slid back into his normal look. "Is that better, pet?"
Anger and hurt were still plain to read on her face, causing her lips to press together in a pout. Spike loved pouts. Dru had pouted whenever she'd wanted something from him. All she'd needed to do was stick out her full lower lip and he was slave to her every whim. And he was damn pissed off that the trick still worked on him. But Willow had such lovely lips...
He looked around, surveying the premises for something that might cheer her up. Garbage dumpsters, stray plastic bags, old rope... nothing of interest. Or of sanitation. He was about to give up when he spotted an abandoned cart in the shadows. He stood up and strolled over to it, his walk coming easily to him in long-limbed grace. Grabbing hold of the cart, he pushed it out nearly to Willow and suddenly hopped on, gliding past her. She couldn't stifle the giggle that rose in her throat. The giggle turned into a laugh as his weight proved to be too much for only one side of the cart and he toppled backwards, his vampire strength the only thing saving him from being crushed by the small metal half-cage.
"Oh, laugh at me, will you?" he arched a brow. Willow became worried again, but only for a moment. Worry quickly melted into a shriek of laughter as he picked her up and plopped her into the basket of the cart. "Ready for a ride?"
"Ohhh, no. You are not going to push me in this thing--" she yelped out the last word as he began to run, pushing the cart with him. "Spike! Spike, stop it!" she yelled, unable to hide the large grin that had spread across her face.
"Here we go...!"
Suddenly, he jumped onto the front of the cart, giving it an extra burst of speed. The ride was extremely bumpy and uncomfortable, but Willow found herself shrieking in delight none the less. They had nearly made it to the edge of the street and she noticed that they were descended down a slope, speeding up and heading towards the zooming cars. "Oh, crap! Spike, stop us!"
Spike immediately complied, jumping off and yanking the cart backwards to safety. "Enjoy the ride?"
Willow chuckled. "Just get me out of here, would
you?"
She watched him walk around and wrap his arms around her waist, easily lifting her out of the cart and setting her gently down on the pavement. "Not a word of this, Red. Not a word," he said firmly. He definitely didn't need the Slayer and her little fan club thinking less of him than they already did. Not that he cared about what they thought, but the whole thing just didn't work well with his image. He was pleased to see that Willow nodded in agreement with him.
"My lips are sealed."
"Good. Let's get back to the wankers then, shall we?"
Willow smirked, rolling her eyes. "We shall."
~~~
"Hey, why're you guys out here?" Xander questioned, puzzled as to why the Witch and the vampire had chosen to wait out by the car, Spike leaning against the bumper and Willow sitting on the trunk.
"We... uh... we... Spike wanted a cigarette. A-and since he can't be left alone and all, I had to go with him."
"It took him half an hour to smoke one cigarette?" Buffy looked skeptical.
"Chain-smoker," Spike shrugged.
"Ick. Smells rancid," Anya put in.
Buffy only shook her head and motioned for Willow to get off the trunk so she could load the bags of groceries. The blonde didn't notice as Spike winked at her friend, who blushed in return.
The car ride home was, luckily, uneventful. The automobile stayed in one piece, and much to the surprise of the passengers, Xander had indeed found the piece that had blown off earlier. (The culprit had been the cover to the gas cap.) Willow sat opposite Spike in the back seat, staring blindly out the window with her head pressed against the glass. Spike was doing the same, puffing silently on yet another cigarette, thinking about what he had done earlier in the evening. He'd sacrificed dignity for that girl--something he rarely did, and hadn't done since Drusilla. Granted, he'd had his reasons, a pissed off Slayer being amongst the top of the list. It still unnerved him that he would do such a thing, though... it just wasn't in his character. He would admit, however, that he had a soft spot for the little Witch. After all, she'd been the only one to protest his killing himself when the depression of being unable to hunt and kill due to that damnable chip set in. And she hadn't told anyone about his crying over the loss of Drusilla. Now that he reflected back on the event, he realized that she hadn't even made a single remark about it, other than an attempt at comforting advice. He figured that sheer fear had prevented her from taking a jab at him, but it wasn't something that anyone else would've done.
Spike was jarred out of his thoughts as a squeaking noise similar to that of nails on the chalkboard signaled that Xander had depressed the breaks and the group was back at Giles' place. The four hopped out of the car, popped the trunk, and loaded enough groceries in their arms to just be able to see over the stacks of paper bags. With Buffy and Willow on their Spring Break, Spike living there, Anya... just sort of there, and Xander sick to death of his musty old basement room, the group had opted to 'house-sit' Giles' apartment while he was away, a feat that would hopefully not result in the demolition of the home.
"Whoop! Slipping! A little help?" Willow called, frozen in her place as a bag threatened to slide out of her hands and crash to the floor. Spike came to her rescue, taking the offending bag and setting it on the countertop. "Thanks," she smiled.
"No worries, love."
"So, what's on the agenda for tonight?" Xander's voice was muffled as he poked his head into the refrigerator.
"Gotta slay," Buffy called from the pantry. "Anyone
coming with?"
"I'll go," Xander piped up.
"Me, too," Anya of course agreed.
Willow shrugged. "Not tonight. Gonna do a spell."
"What kind of spell?" Spike asked, curious, and a bit nervous. The last time he remembered her performing a spell, he had ended up enamored with the Slayer. Ick.
Most definitely not one of his fondest memories.
"You'd have to stay to find out," Willow said mysteriously. Spike narrowed his eyes.
"All right then, I'm in. I'll stay," he decided. Willow smiled, the look fading as Buffy approached her.
"Wills, you sure that's a good idea? Left alone in the house with him?" she whispered. Willow nodded reassuringly.
"It's fine. Nothing will happen."
"Okay... if he tries anything, though--"
"Buffy, please. I can take care of myself. And he won't. And I know what you'd do to him, and so does he, so stop worrying. Just trust me."
"I do trust you. It's him I have a problem with."
"Well, I don't."
Buffy nodded at her friend and gave her a small hug before going to get her weapons.
Spike leaned, hidden, against a wall. Vampiric senses were excellent for eavesdropping. So the chit trusted him, did she? Something had to be wrong with him, because that knowledge made him feel...good. Shudder.
In contemplative thought, he fumbled around in his duster, searching for his pack of cigarettes.
Willow chewed thoughtfully on her lower lip. Alone with Spike for hours. Something had to be wrong with her; she felt...almost excited about it. Headshake.
She was numb with thought as she rummaged for both the spell supplies in Giles' spare room, and for her own resolve.
"Now, Spike, sit over there," Willow ordered, nodding to the southern side of the pentagram. She took the north side, both were sitting cross-legged within a circle of red and black candles. She took a careful breath, reading over the spell once more before looking up at him. "Now, lock hands with me." He did.
"You seem nervous," he pointed out.
"Shhh. I'm not nervous. I'm just... anxious. Now
hush."
Spike smirked, but remained silent. He watched with a curious gaze as the Witch closed her eyes and began chanting softly, so softly he could barely make out the words, even with his enhanced hearing. Blue eyes widened as their entwined hands both began to glow a soft pink that got brighter with every hushed whisper.
He glanced around the room, searching for any changes in the atmosphere. The candle flames had all been split down the middle, their tips curling up and together in firey... hearts? Nah. Couldn't have been. Was just his eyes playing tricks on him again.
"So mote it be!" Willow hissed as she finished the spell, and all the candles simultaneously blew out, despite the lack of wind or draft in the room.
He could feel her heart racing through their still-connected hands. She seemed almost fearful of the sudden pitch black that occupied the space between them. He gave her palms a reassuring squeeze, and she looked up to smile at him.
"So... what happens now?" he asked. Willow shrugged.
"We wait."
"For what?"
"...I'm not sure exactly."
Spike knitted his brows in puzzlement, but shrugged his curiosity away. He didn't want to make her any jumpier than she already was. After all, if he did that, she might realize that their hands were still locked together.
Alas, she did anyway, and pulled back with some awkwardness.
"Well... what do you want to do now?"
Spike decided against answering with "you" and instead chose to slip a cigarette between his lips.
"Goin' out for a smoke. Join me?"
"Yeah, sure."
The pair stood and left the room for the crisp, cool air of the Californian twilight.
~~~
Spike inhaled deeply, savoring the feeling of the smoke curling in his dead lungs. After a contemplative exhale, he turned to Willow, who was seated next to him on the steps.
"What kinda spell was that, anyway?"
She jumped slightly, startled by the suddenly broken silence.
"Um... nothing important," she mumbled, avoiding his piercing gaze.
"I beg to differ, pet. C'mon, out with it," he nudged her lightly. She sighed, chewing thoughtfully on her lower lip.
"It... it was to attract love... and... to protect..." she trailed off, a crimson blush creeping up on her pale features. Spike smiled slightly. She looked so damn adorable when she did that.
"Love spell, ducks? What the bloody hell for? ...And who were you using it on?" he asked, his tone somewhat apprehensive.
"No one in particular... just... I want to attract someone who won't... who won't..." she stopped again, her eyes glittering with yet unshed tears. "Who won't leave me and rip me in two," she finished finally, the hot, salty droplets finding their way down her cheeks as she felt his comforting hand rest on her back. Spike wasn't sure what to do. Here she was, mourning over that damned wolf still, and he was at a complete loss... unless...
Willow felt strong arms wrap around her, holding her close. She nestled her head in the crook of his neck and cried softly against him.
"Why are you doing this?" she murmured quietly, suddenly feeling embarrassed and ashamed at her actions. Honestly, losing herself like this--and with him, no less. Like he even cared. He was probably just humoring her, anyway.
"Returning a long overdue favor, love," he replied, stroking her hair softly with his free hand. After a brief mental debate, he tossed the remainder of the cigarette into the street and encircled her waist with his arm.
"Oh... so... that's all...?"
Disappointment tinged her voice, and Spike may have been a big bad, but he refused to disappoint in any aspect of his actions. Lightly, he brushed a hand across her cheek, then tilted her chin upward to look into her damp eyes.
"Hey..." he said softly, "...who are these for, anyway?" he asked, gently wiping away her tears with his thumb. "The wolf... or yourself?"
She sniffled. "I don't know anymore..."
Spike ran the pad of his thumb over her bottom lip, feeling her warm breath on his skin like a baby's sigh. Willow closed her eyes for a moment and kissed the finger, barely pressing her lips against the cool flesh. She felt his movements as he lowered his face to hers. She was trembling so badly she was surprised she didn't vibrate to the touch.
But her apprehensions melted away as he softly claimed her lips in a tender kiss. She opened her mouth slightly, and he swept his tongue along her own.
Like velvety peaches...
They broke away, foreheads still pressed together. Willow had to remember to breathe.
"Open your eyes, pet?"
She shook her head gently.
"Why not?"
"Because if I open them then I might wake up... this is a dream, isn't it, Spike? The moment I open my eyes, you'll vanish, and I'll--"
He cut her off with another kiss, more insistent this time; more passionate. Its ferocity caught her off guard, and her eyes flew open.
He didn't disappear.
Spike pulled back to look at her, all delicate wisps of flaming hair and pale, creamy skin. But there was something in her eyes... like anguish, almost.
"It's just the spell," she whispered, more to herself than to him. "It's just the spell."
Spike shook his head. "Willow, no--"
But within a second's time, she had leapt up and was running from the house, down the street, not in any particular direction.
"Damn it--Willow!"
Spike was on his feet and sprinting after her immediately. Willow however, had a head start, and she definitely wasn't slow. She managed to keep a distance of about twenty feet between them, never slowing, not even paying any attention to the warning signs of the man-made river, which had recently flooded over due to spring rains.
The muddied currents were flowing fast, but their haste was lost to her as she stumbled down the shore, hoping to lose Spike beneath the bridge. The sudden rush of the water against her legs proved to be too much, and she fell with a strangled cry.
The current pulled her under viciously. She had to stop herself from inhaling gulps of filthy water, gasping breaths whenever she could reach the surface. She flailed wildly, reaching for anything to grab onto that might have stopped her unwillful journey and prevented her from drowning.
Something caught her instead.
Spike's hand gripped her wrist tightly, pulling her back to him. His enhanced strength enabled him to right himself once in the water, and he swam after her with all he had in him. Now he was cradling her back, bringing both of them towards the shore.
"I've got you," he reassured her as they both collapsed onto the damp sand. Willow coughed, instinctually curling up against him. He let out a long sigh as he encircled her in his arms. "You know, it seems to be a growing pattern today, love; you either run from me or end up in my arms." He planted a kiss on the top of her head. "Let's get you home."
He helped her up, wrapping his arm protectively around her waist, and the two started back to the apartment.
~~~
Willow was shivering like a chihuahua in a snow storm by the time they reached the front door. She opened it and invited him in, and both of them made their way to the bathroom to avoid any muddy drips on Giles' carpet.
She took in her reflection in the mirror, almost smiling at his lack of one. She looked hideous. Her hair was dirty and dripping with brown water, her clothes were ruined, her face smudged... of all the stupid things to do. She sighed.
"Months, baby," Spike's accented voice cut into her thoughts.
"What?"
"I've wanted you for months. Maybe the spell helped me to realize it, but it's not the cause of it."
Willow bit her lip. "Oh... but what about--"
"It's the past, pet. You learn to push it aside quickly when you've got an eternity on your hands."
"I don't know if we can..."
"Who's going to stop us? Certainly not that bloody damned Slayer or her little cronies."
"They're my friends!" Willow hissed, but she knew that she didn't sound as resolved as she had hoped.
Silence lingered a few moments, before Spike spoke again.
"You're freezing. We need to get you out of those clothes."
"We?"
"Unless," he murmured, brushing his lips against the sensitive spot right below her ear. "You'd rather be alone..."
She swallowed. "Spike? ...I've chosen."
"What's that, love?"
"I want to be in your arms. I don't want to run anymore. I can't--I don't want to fight anything anymore." She turned to face him, emerald doe eyes wide and searching his face for a response.
He gave it to her in a kiss.
~~~
The young Witch stretched leisurely on the couch, nestled comfortably against the vampire's chest. Both were tired from the night's events, and were perfectly contented to simply sit and hold each other--something neither had experienced in too long a time. The lights were dim and the stereo on. Sarah McLachlan's smooth voice played out through the speakers.
~You come out at night
That's when the energy comes
And the dark side's light
And the vampires roam
You stretch your rasta wear
And your suicide poem
And a cross from the faith that died
Before Jesus came
You're building a mystery~
Spike savored the warmth of her body. She smelled wonderful--like lilacs. Sweet and precious and everything that she had become to him. He kicked himself for not having realized it sooner. He wasn't worried about the rest of the little Scooby Gang--they'd be dealt with sooner or later. For now, he hoped that it would be later.
~You live in a church
Where you sleep with voodoo dolls
And you won't give up the search
For the ghosts in the halls
You wear sandals in the snow
And a smile that won't wash away
Can you look out the window
Without your shadow getting in the way?~
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