"I have to warn you, Graham," Riley said as they walked up to Giles' house. He put his hand on the doorknob and looked over at his companion. "Hostile 17 will most likely be here." Graham's eyebrow rose. "Spike?"

"You know about Spike?" Riley asked.

"Willow told me."

"Willow? When?"

"This morning." Graham grinned.

Riley's eyes widened. "You dog! I can't believe she spent the night and you didn't tell all! I'm sure Willow told Buffy everything."

"Great," Graham laughed. "Now your woman knows about my sex life."

Riley slapped Graham's back and grinned. "I'm sure Willow left out all the bad parts."

"Nope, no bad parts, all good." He chuckled.

"Come on, let's go in."

The two of them walked in. Graham recognized everyone, including Hostile 17. Spike narrowed his eyes and vamped, growling at Graham. He started stalking towards him, intent on trying to kill him -- after all, he was one of those Commando guys...then he stopped. He frowned, sniffing the air. He leaned forward and sniffed at Graham.

"What's he doing?" Graham whispered to Riley.

"I don't know, other than acting like a dog. He didn't do this to me," Riley replied.

Spike growled. "I am not a dog. I am a vampire. And I know your scent, you bloke. You're the one who shagged Red last night," he hissed.

Xander, who had barely been paying attention, picked up on the last part. He started choking on the Twinkie he was eating. Anya gasped and started hitting his back. "You slept with HIM?" Xander glared at Willow. "It's bad enough Buffy's dating Mr. Initiative, but you too?"

Willow frowned. "What do you care, Xander? You are sleeping with an ex-demon." She glanced at Anya. "No offence."

Anya shrugged. "None taken. I am what I am."

"No," Xander said. "You aren't doing this. I won't let you."

"Xander, we aren't in high school anymore," Willow said. "Stop telling me what I can and cannot do."

Xander frowned. Anya rolled her eyes.

"Uh...maybe I should leave," Graham said.

"No!" Willow cried. "I want you here. Plus, we need the help."

Spike leaned back, crossing his arms. He looked Graham up and down. "He's not good enough for you, Pet." Graham frowned.

Willow laughed and went over to the two of them. "Who would be good enough for me then?"

"Certainly not anyone alive that I am currently aware of," Spike replied.

"Anyone dead? Like you are, dead? Not dead dead, that's just...icky." Her face scrunched up.

Graham smiled at the childish face she made. < God, she's gorgeous. I've got to touch her. > He reached out and ran his fingertips on her arm.

She looked up at him and smiled, feeling the electricity travel through her body from his simple touch.

Spike smiled, wrapping his arm around Willow's shoulder. He could feel the heat between the two of them and knew that this Graham bloke was passionate enough for his red headed witch. "Nope, no one dead either. I think Graham will probably be fine until someone better comes along," Spike teased.

Willow, who was lost in Graham's eyes, murmured, "I don't think anyone better could come along."

Spike laughed out loud. "Tell me that again in seventy years." He walked back to the couch, glaring at Xander, still angry at him for upsetting Willow. "Oh, by the way, Soldier Boy, you hurt Red, I will kill you, chip or no chip. If I can't do it myself, I'll have my sire do it."

Buffy rolled her eyes. "Like Angel would kill Graham."

"It could happen," Spike replied.

"I doubt it," Buffy snapped.

"Children!" Giles exclaimed. "This meeting is for you to get prepared to go save the world! Please stop bickering!"

Buffy stood up, flipping her hair behind her shoulder. She grabbed a crossbow and hoisted it on her shoulder. "Well, I'm ready if you guys are. I say we go kick some demon ass."

"As long as it's not my ass," Spike grumbled.

"Watch it, Peroxide blonde, or it might be," Buffy promised.

"You'd hurt a poor defenseless vampire?" Spike feigned hurt.

"In a heartbeat. Come on."

The group grabbed their weapons and left Giles' house. Willow fell into step next to Graham. "Your first patrol," she beamed.

"I've been on patrol plenty of times," Graham replied, frowning.

Spike fell into step next to Willow, on her other side. "Not with the Slayer and her merry band of malcontents, you haven't," he chuckled. "If anything can go wrong, it usually will."

"Then Buffy will come to the rescue, like always," Willow nodded.

"And the world again will be safe for all the bloody fluffy things in the world." Spike sighed, gazing wistfully in front of him. "Just once, I'd like to see the world overrun with demons and carnage and blood..."

"Yea, Angelus tried that, remember? You freaked out and made a deal with Buffy," Willow replied.

Spike frowned. "I didn't want Dru to get hurt, pet."

Willow patted Spike's back. "I know, dear. I know. Run along, go pester Xander or Buffy. I want to talk to Graham."

Spike laughed. "I think I'm a little too old for you to embarrass me with talk about S-E-X, Willow," he teased.

Willow stopped and turned, facing him. She put her hands on her hips. "So then, Spike, you want to hear how wonderful Graham was as he was sinking into me, his hands on my hips...oh, yes, I still have bruises from the strength of his grip....how delicious his skin tasted when I licked him, how sweet his unique smell is, and how I love the way his eyes darken to almost liquid black when he's aroused? Is that what you really want to hear about?"

Spike was staring at Willow. He whistled. "Damn, Red, he said huskily. "You really like this guy."

"Yeah, now go away."

"Right," he said, grinning. He jogged ahead and started badgering Buffy.

Graham grabbed Willow and spun her around, kissing her hard. "I want you," he whispered, his forehead against hers.

She was breathing hard. "Not right now. After the showdown. I promise."

He chuckled. "I'm holding you to that promise."

*-*-*-*

The fight had been intense. Willow had almost been killed, but thankfully, both Graham and Spike came to her rescue. In her mental and physical fatigue, she had passed out.

"Take her home," Spike demanded. "Go to her parent's house, they are out of the bloody country. Do you know where it is?"

"Yeah, I think so," Graham replied, remembering Willow had mentioned it that very morning.

"Her key is in her pocket, she always carries it just in case. Go in, take her upstairs and give her a bath. It will help," Spike said.

"I will." Graham clasped Spike's shoulder. "Thank you. For your help, I mean."

Spike snorted. "You think I'd let the witch die? She's the only one of the whole lot of 'em I can stand."

Graham chuckled. Everyone went their separate ways.

*-*-*-*

Willow's body screamed in pain and her eyes flew open as soon as she was slid into the steaming water. "Ooooh, Goddess!" she cried, thrashing out blindly.

"Shhh....baby, it's me. You are ok," Graham whispered.

"Graham?" she asked, turning towards him.

He smiled. "How are you?"

She whimpered softly, sliding deeper in the water. She closed her eyes. "I ache." Her eyes shot open. "Oh, goddess....is everyone...?"

"Fine," Graham grinned. "Seven dead demons, many living humans. And one annoying vampire."

"Good." She slid down, so the water was above her shoulders. "Goddess, now that I'm over the initial shock of being put in the tub....it feels sooo good."

"I love you," Graham blurted out, surprising himself, as much as Willow.

"What?" Willow asked, blinking at him.

"I...do. I'm sorry...I know I'm crazy, but I can't loose you, Willow. When I thought you might die...something snapped. I honestly didn't know if I would be able to go on without you."

She smiled, closing her eyes once again. "That's so sweet, Graham."

He smiled, but kinda sadly. He wasn't expecting her to proclaim her undying love for him, but he had hoped for more than 'That's so sweet, Graham'. He ran his hand through the bubbles on the surface. "Spike'll probably call tomorrow to make sure you are ok."

"Good," she murmured, yawning. "Tired now."

"You want to go to bed?"

"Please."

He lifted the woman out of the tub and silently dried her off, still cursing his confession. He went to her room and tucked her in. "I'll be...downstairs if you need me."

"No," she whispered, never opening her eyes.

"What?" he asked.

"I need you here with me, Graham. I want you to sleep with me."

He smiled and pulled off his clothes, leaving on only his boxers. He crawled into bed, pulling the small woman to him. "Sleep now, Red," he purred.

She buried her face in his neck, her voice small. "I love you, Graham."

Graham tightened his hold on the angel in his arms. "I love you too, Willow," he whispered.

END

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