"Hmmm, that feels good," I moaned as Spike worked the knots out of my body with his talented fingers. Delightful sensations pulsed through out my being from where his fingertips met my skin. Days of intense workouts had definitely played hell with my muscles.

He chuckled and continued to knead my abused flesh. "It should, luv," he teased. "I've only been perfecting my technique for a few hundred years now."

I laughed. "Well, all I know is that I have no complaints."

He leaned down close to my ear from where he straddled my hips. "Luv, no one has ever complained," he whispered, huskily.

"Whatever," I mumbled, blushing at what his tone hinted to. "Probably were too terrified of Spike, the British bitch, to do anything but whimper."

"'The British bitch'?" he asked. "That's a new one."

"But oh so very true."

He grabbed my hands and pinned them over me head. "Really?"

I squirmed, but he had me firmly in his grasp. "Lemme go, Spike!"

"Answer the question, ducks."

I shook my head. "I don't think so."

Curling both of my legs up, I pushed off with one leg and turned us over so that I was laying on top of him. I quickly flipped over and moved so that I was laying on top of him, propped up on my arms. I found my face only a few inches from Spike's.

My breath caught in my throat as my eyes met his. The desire reflected in the blue orbs literally took my breath away and called to my own passion. The room heated and tension danced along my spine. Slowly, my mouth, almost out of my control, descended to be pressed against his.

If I had expected overwhelming passion, I was in for a shock. Spike kept the kiss very sweet and innocent, building glowing embers instead of raging, flash fires. Our lips pressed firmly against one another's, but as I tried to deepen the kiss, Spike pushed me away.

"Sorry, luv," he teased, crawling out from underneath me. He pulled us both to our feet. "I don't kiss like that before the first date." His face grew serious. "Eight. Tonight. Be ready."

"For what?" I asked, somewhat dazed. His kiss left my head spinning.

"For our first date, pet."

"Oh... Okay."

He winked. "I've been hurt, y' know. You'll have t' be gentle with me." He leaned closer to me. "Y' know what, luv? I lied."

Spike suddenly captured my mouth with his, causing me to gasp in surprise. He took advantage of my parted lips to explore my oral cavity with his tongue. He plundered my mouth with the same cocky arrogance that he displayed at almost all times. His kisses were purely Spike.

I quickly recovered from my shock and began to return his kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck, burying my fingers in his hair, and pulled him closer to me. My own tongue darted out to mingle and play with his.

I was the one to pull away from Spike this time. Unfortunately, one can only prolong a kiss for so long before oxygen becomes an issue... Um, if one of you is human, that is.

Spike smirked as he watched my flushed face gasp for breath. "It's nice to know that I have such an effect on you, Red," he teased while running a finger across my cheek. "See y' tonight, luv."

I watched his retreating form leave the exercise room. Damn him! Why does he have to be so sure of himself -- always know what to do and just what effect it has me? I flung myself down onto the padded floor and helplessly began to contemplate just what had happened.

*****

25 January 2000

Dammit!

In the last few days, I have been able to find almost absolutely nothing about the summons to the audience. In all of my days, I have never heard of people ever being this tight lipped about anything. I have poked, prodded and bribed more people than I can count, and yet, I still have not learned much more than I already knew. No one, not even my normal contacts, would give me any insight into what is going on. Someone with a lot of power is controlling them. Or, at the least, has them too afraid to tell me anything. I fear corruption at the very peak of our ranks.

What I do know is that a group with some substantive power has gotten it into their heads that the world would be better if it dissolved into absolute chaos when the Enlightenment comes. They believe that they will be able to control the darkness enough to be able to hold off the complete extermination of the illuminated. And they obviously had been influencing others to their point of view.

Fools! All of them! They have no idea what they are dealing with! There are very few that I know of that have ventured into the pits of the demon dimensions known as hell and have survived to tell the tale. I am one of them. The souled vampire Angelus, or as he prefers, Angel, is another. Oh, they have enough power to skim the very surface -- even the Slayer has done that, but none to my knowledge have been in the very bowels of darkness, except Angel and myself.

No words exist to describe the evil that exists there. You can taste it on the back of your tongue. You can feel it whisper along your skin. You breathe it into your lungs. You can hear its piercing calls. It speaks to you and you cannot do anything but obey.

Angel survived its madness because the powers that be wished it so. I survived because I am truly a creature of darkness. I let the dark part of myself come to the forefront and rule my body so that I could survive. These hands have committed unspeakable evil in a peer's attempt to remind me of my true nature. Ironically, she was the one who got to glimpse my true nature fore her blood also stains me.

If the Savior is destroyed, the Enlightenment will come in chaos. No one will be able to bring peace between the two sides. Each side will react instinctively by trying to get rid of the other. Humans will be led by fanatics who wish to get rid of the 'unholy' darkness but will have no idea how to truly do it. Demons will, in turn, fight back by opening hellmouths and allowing the darkest parts of their beings to rule their actions. Demons with their natural advantages will triumph; it is inevitable. No matter how strong the human spirit is, unless there is one to direct them, they will be forced into hiding in the few spots of light that will be left. In turn, demons will turn on each other and shall destroy the world with their powers.

This is how I interpret the prophesy. I have been on both sides of the equation, and I know both sides weaknesses and strengths like few others. I know what each is capable of, and I know, in my heart, how destruction will win. Everything will be destroyed. It may take years for it to happen, but my kind, in their usual rashness, will destroy everything that walks the earth. I'm not saying that there won't be some of us that will side with the light. But it is futile to do so. Once the excrement of hell is released, none will have the power to do anything but obey the call of the darkness.

Darien and I made an agreement with each other a long time ago when the Enlightenment was first learned of. If the Savior is ever destroyed, we shall arm the light as best as we can through the slayer and the watchers. Then we will destroy ourselves. We will not allow the darkness to control us to help it triumph over the light.

Though I write these words of doom, I do not mean to say that I have no confidence in Willow's abilities. I have a great deal of faith in her, but I do not know what my peers will throw at her. She is resourceful, intelligent and has some measure of power, but she has not come completely into her strength yet. I have only been with her for a little less than a year, and we have only been training intensely for a few months. I have to come to know why the powers chose her for this role, but I cannot dispel this feeling of impending horror.

*sigh* I am known for being overly cynical, if that makes any difference.

All I know is that I will stand beside her until the very end. Both Darien and the Signore have pledged the same. I am going to contact Mr. Giles and Angel in Sunnydale and see what role they wish to play. I hope that they've had time to talk some sense into the slayer.

Spike... Will do anything for Willow as far as I know. After their little spat, they seem to have grown closer than ever before. However, I cannot help but wish that they affirm their bond in every way before the audience. It may be presumptuous of me, but the more of themselves they share with each other, the stronger their bond will become.

I can only pray that we will be enough.

*****

*ring* Giles looked up from his journal as his office phone rang. With a sigh, he set aside his writing materials and removed his glasses. *ring* He picked up the receiver. "Hello. Sunnydale High School library. Mr. Giles speaking."

"Mr. Giles?" the voice on the other end asked. "Good. This is Kaleell. I need to speak to you."

"Miss Charan, is there something wrong?" Giles asked, quietly. "I doubt you would call for anything else."

Kaleell chuckled slightly on the other end of the line. "No subtleties. I like that." She went on to explain to him that Willow had been summoned by her peers for a series of tests. And what the repercussions were if the Savior failed to conquer those tests.

"Bloody hell!" Giles exclaimed, his normal watcher facade fading away with rage. Willow had always been his favorite, someone after his own heart, and he hated to think that anything bad could happen to her even without the consequences to the world. It seemed as though that Watcher Council wasn't the only organization riddled by corruption.

"Quite," Kaleell said.

Giles continued to swear violently. "You needn't ask if I shall be there to stand beside Willow, and I imagine that Buffy and Xander shall be there as well. They feel bad for what they did before Willow left."

"Thank you," Kaleell told him. "We will need all the help that we can get."

They continued to talk for a time. Kaleell shared all of the information she had with the watcher, as little as it was. Giles in turn promised to do all that he could and told her how to contact Angel. The two amazingly liked and respected each other. It wasn't everyday that the two emotions existed between a watcher and an aged demoness, but their common ties to Willow and being in somewhat of the same position united them.

Stranger things have happened, after all.

*****

My heart pounded in my chest as I stared at the clock. Seven forty-five. I dropped my face into my hands and massaged my temples.

A date? Eek.

I mean, Spike and I had gone out before, as friends, but a date was something completely different. A date meant things. Feelings and attractions were implied. And Spike wanted to go on a date with me.

Not that I objected. I liked Spike... A lot. I just couldn't believe that he wanted to go on a date with me, of all people. Look at his love of eighty plus years, Drusilla. Loopy but very beautiful. Nothing at all like me. I'm completely different. In fact, the only thing we have in common is that she tried to kill me once. How could he like me?

A knock on the door drew me from my thoughts. I glanced at the clock. Seven fifty-six. Joy.

"Just a minute," I called as I slipped my feet into my sandals. I had no idea where we were going, so I chose to wear a simple, dark green slip dress that fell to a few inches above my knees paired with an awesome pair of black, hand made sandals I had found on my trip to Rome. I topped it all off with a simple twisted gold chain that Kaleell had given to me.

I opened the door to find one of Kaleell's many servants standing there. "Oh."

"Master Spike has requested that I give you this." The servant bowed as he held out an envelop.

"Thank you," I said, accepting the parcel. "You can go now."

The servant shook his head. "I'm sorry Miss Rosenburg, but Master Spike has ordered me to wait for your reply."

"Okay." I ripped open the envelop and removed the folded note inside.

**

Willow,

Figured that I would give you one last chance to back out now, pet, before things get too involved. If tonight goes the way I planed, I never intend on letting you go. You're a smart one. I know that you are aware of what relations with vampires can involve. Can you handle it, Willow? As much as I care for you, I cannot deny my nature.

I do not want to be with you if you are not sure.

Spike

**

I leaned up against the door frame, thoughts rushing through my head. I knew from sneaking into Giles' office to read some of his illicit volumes, that vampire relationships were violent. The blood, the pain, the constant battle for dominance... All were components in vampiric coupling. Yet I knew, from Spike's care for Drusilla and whatever moved him to write the note, that pleasure and gentleness could also exist.

Did I care enough for Spike to deal with all parts of his nature? The violence and the caring? The pain and the pleasure? Did I, by any chance, love him?

Though the rational part of my brain had its doubts, my heart answered with a resounding 'Yes!' Yes, I loved Spike. And, yes, I could handle the ramifications of a relationship with him. For once, I was going to follow my heart instead of allowing my inhibitions to hold me back.

Taking a deep breath, I turned to the servant who had waited patiently. "Yes. My answer is yes."

"I shall tell Master Spike at once, Miss Rosenburg." He bowed and disappeared.

I slumped down until I was sitting on the floor. I loved Spike. I knew that I had liked him and had definitely lusted for him, but I hadn't really wanted to explore my feelings... I never thought I'd have a chance with him.

I pushed away my gloomy thoughts. Well, you do have a chance, Rosenburg. And what are you going to do about it?

*****

*ring* Angel groaned and looked at the bedside clock. Eleven o'clock in the morning. He thought that he had told the watcher to stop calling him at indecent hours unless it was a dire emergency. *ring* Somebody had better be dying.

"Hello," Angel growled into the receiver.

He got chuckles in response. "Angel, that might work with the watcher, but you're going to have to work a whole lot harder to scare me."

"Kaleell? What do you want?" Angel sighed and laid back onto his bed. He never knew what to make of the older demon. In the times that he had spent with her, she had always been polite and friendly but somehow aloof with him. She never seemed completely comfortable when he was around. Angel had thought that it was because of the fact that he was a vampire, but she seemed to have no reservations toward Spike.

"Did someone wake up on the wrong side of the bed?" Kaleell asked.

"I'm still in bed," Angel answered, shortly. "If you want civility, call at a decent hour. It's only eleven here. Just make this short and to the point."

"I'm sorry," Kaleell apologized, amused. It had been a long time since anyone had talked to her in such a manner. "How soon can you be ready to come to Italy?"

"What?!" Angel demanded, running a hand through his hair.

"Well, that's the point."

"Explain."

"Willow has been called for an Audience by my peers. We have been unable to learn any useful information about the summons, and I believe that there is a group of people who would be interested in getting rid of Willow before she reaches full immortality. I do not know how much of a role they are playing in this, but I do know that Willow is in danger," Kaleell informed him.

Angel swore. "Will Willow stand a chance against those that she is pitted against?"

"I do not know," Kaleell answered, choosing her words carefully. "I would like to say yes, but I do know what some of my peers are capable of. Against some lesser demons, Willow would prevail undoubtedly. But against some of the more powerful ones..." She sighed. "Willow has not completely come into her power yet, and we have only been training intensely in the last three months. Spike has taught her a lot of fighting skills, but her strength is lacking. I have filled her brain with magical techniques, but very few spells. Together we have drilled her on the characteristics of countless demons which she seems to have retained." She paused. "Basically I don't know what is going to happen, but I would like you here in case we have to step in."

"Isn't it forbidden to interfere?"

"What can I say? I like to break the rules."

"Be serious."

"I will not let Willow die, no matter what happens. Spike and my lover, Darien, feel the same way."

"As do I." Angel sighed. "How soon can you have travel arrangements for me?"

"Tonight. Mr. Giles and the others may be coming later, but I want you to join us here as soon as you can."

"I can be ready an hour after sunset."

"Great." Kaleell proceeded to give him the details of his flight. After a few explanations to her friend, she had been able to gain the use of his private plane once again. Sometimes it was good to have a friend that was apathetic to demon politics.

"Is that all?" Angel asked, wishing to get a few more good hours of sleep before he had to start packing.

"Yes," Kaleell answered. "We'll be there to pick you up as soon as it is dark."

As they bid their farewells, Angel wished that it had been Giles who had called. Things would be a lot less complicated if it had been.

*****

"Hello, luv," Spike greeted, offering a hand to help me up.

"Good evening," I returned as I allowed him to pull me to my feet. "Where are we going?"

"Not subtle, are y'?" he asked, smirking.

"I don't like playing games."

He chuckled and pulled me close to him. "That's because you've never played my games before," he whispered in my ear.

I shuddered at the lust the rippled through my body as his teeth nipped at my ear. He ran kisses down from my lobe to my neck. His tongue darted out and lapped at my pulse points. I tilted my head back and allowed him greater access to my throat. He took the advantage, using his teeth and tongue to ravish my neck.

Moaning, I tangled my fingers into his hair and pulled his lips to mine. Our tongues teased one another's, each seeking to taste the others' sweetness. I curled my fingers into his jacket and pulled him closer to me, luxuriating in the feel of his body against mine.

Finally, he pulled away and gazed at me as I pulled much needed air into my oxygen starved lungs. He smirked and chuckled softly. "Come on, luv. After all, we do have to save something for the good night kiss." He offered his arm.

"I don't think that will be a problem," I said as I hooked my arm around his outstretched appendage.

"Well, pet, y' know how my control is around your beauty," he stated as we walked down the hall and out of the door.

I felt heat rush to my face at his compliment. "No, I don't. Enlighten me."

"Nonexistent."

I smiled at that, glad that I had such an effect on him. He led me to a car sitting in front of the house and opened the door for me.

"You coach, milady."

"Thank you."

I watched him walk around to the driver's side of the car. If I was beautiful, he was my perfect match. A drool inducing tall, wiry body. Breath taking cobalt eyes. Intriguing platinum hair. Enough to put a faint heart a flutter in his usual outfit, tonight's tailored, three piece suit would melt even the coldest critic.

Who needs pesky self-control anyway?