*Gone away.
Who knows where you been?
You take all your lies
And wish them all away.

I somehow doubt
We'll ever be the same.
There's too much poison
And confusion on your face.*

I've been invited to a party by a friend of mine. A party at night. And I'm scared. And I feel so pathetic because I'm scared. So *fucking* pathetic.

What's wrong with me? I've faced demons who only wanted to slaughter me and I'm afraid of one vampire who seemingly only wants to protect me. I'm paranoid... Either that or I've completely lost it. Round room time for me all right.

What the hell? I'm gonna get dressed up in that new dress I just bought. I'm gonna go to that party. And I'm gonna have a good time, dammit. If Spike happens to join me, then he can be my date.

*Can you feel it?
I didn't mean it.
Can I see you?
What are we doin'?
I think I love you,
But I ain't saying nothin' you don't know.

Hold on dreamaway.
You're my sweet charade.*

I held my nonexistent breath as Willow emerged from her apartment complex. It had been weeks since she had stepped outside, something unusual for her. I was worried. I had a business associate of mine check to see if she was okay. *I'm* turning into a bloody lap dog!

I followed her silently from the shadows. I had decided to take her up on her offer, but I didn't feel that it was the time yet. There was a reason she hadn't emerged from her home into the darkness.

Probably me. She's afraid of me. I don't blame her. She has no reason to be anything but. Well, except for the fact I've saved her life twice but considering that I've tried to take it more than that... I think they cancel each other out.

"Spike?" Willow's question broke into my thoughts. "I thought I told you to walk *beside* me not *behind* me."

*Take your time,
Move yourself to me.
Yeah, I can take your lies
Until you fall away.
You know I'm lost,
Hiding in your bed.
No, I don't think it's wrong,
It's just gone to my head.*

"I know you did, luv," came the reply from the shadows.

I almost immediately felt the feeling that I always had when I was being watched by Spike. Why was he following me?! I told him to walk beside me.

"Come on out," I ordered. "There's no reason you should be following me like a pathetic puppy looking for scraps.

Spike stepped out of his hiding place, so that I could see him over my shoulder. "Are you calling me pathetic, luv?" he asked coming toward me.

"Well, you must admit... Following a mortal every night? What do your minions think?"

Spike's eyes narrowed. He stepped closer to me. I gulped. 'Why don't I think before I talk?' I groaned inwardly. I get myself into more trouble this way...

Spike started to chuckle during my internal spiel. My eyes shot to his. "You know, luv," he began. "You're right. I am pathetic." Spike brought himself right up behind me. He slowly smoothed my hair away from my neck. Slowly he traced patterns with his index finger over my veins. "My minions see me as weak for following you. But you know what, ducks? It's not my fault you're so bloody irresistible."

I froze as Spike's mouth began to lower toward my neck. He was going to kill me and their was nothing I could do about it. No struggling, no fighting was going to get me anywhere. Spike's mouth descended for a killing bite...

*Can you feel it?
I didn't mean it.
Can I see you?
What are we doin'?
I think I love you,
But I ain't saying nothin' you don't know.

Hold on dreamaway.
You're my sweet charade.*

Gentleness. Instead of feeling the brutal savagery of a fangs ripping at my flesh, I felt a light kiss. A mere brushing of the lips over my flesh, that was being repeated. As I relaxed, I realized that I was pressed up against a hard male body. A nice one at that. The body was nibbling and kissing my neck... Teasing me. To anyone who passed by we would look like impassioned lovers.

My pulse quickened and my blood began to flow like lava. I leaned back into Spike's embrace. Spike acknowledged by encouragement by increasing the pressure of his kisses. Slowly, Spike's lips trailed a path to my ear.

I turned around and crushed my lips against his. We stayed locked in that embrace for what seem like minutes. Forcibly and regretfully, I pulled away, needing to breathe.

*Hey, whatcha do to me?
Would you come back to me?
Yeah, I can't do another day.
I'm not certain of it anyway.
I ain't messin' with another life.
Can I get on without you?
Tell me lies
That you
Know I need.

Hold on dreamaway.
You're my sweet charade.

Hold on dreamaway.
Hold on dreamaway . . .*

"So, pet," I asked her while she pulled the necessary oxygen into her lungs. I couldn't help but notice the way her chest heaved, making her assets stand out. I tore my eyes away from her, remembering what I wanted to ask her. "Where were you going?"

Willow blessed me with one of her radiant smiles. "To a party," she answered. "Care to join me?"

I returned her smile. "I'll go anywhere with you, pet."