"What?" Buffy asked, sitting down heavily. "It can't be... she can't.." Tears filled her eyes. Riley hugged his girlfriend, tears filling his own eyes.

Giles swallowed hard, fighting back the impending tears. "You can't be serious," he whispered, not wanting to believe the girl in front of him.

Tara looked up at him, tears glistening in her eyes. "I saw it, Mr. Giles," she said softly. "Willow is dead. I saw her die."

Xander stared at Tara, his mind blank. He couldn't think, couldn't breath, and couldn't comprehend anything other than the fact that his best friend was gone. And yet somehow, deep in his heart, he knew she wasn't gone.

Anya watched her boyfriend with apprehension. She was afraid he'd flip out over this news as soon as she heard it. She hated that she wasn't completely upset over the witch's death, but she wasn't terribly close to the girl; plus, Willow tended to take Xander's attention away from her. "Xander?" she asked.

He didn't answer her.

"So, witch," Spike said conversationally, "where is her body?"

"H...her body?" Tara asked softly, glancing around. "He...the demon, he...ate her. It was..." She made a face as if she were going to be sick. "It was disgusting."

"Really? I might have enjoyed it," Spike said calmly.

"Spike!" Buffy hissed through tears. "Willow is *dead*! Don't joke about this!"

"Shut up, Slayer," Spike growled. He turned back to Tara. "So why didn't the big bad demon eat you?"

"Huh? I..." She swallowed a sob. "It didn't see me. I was hiding."

"So there is this big demon gobbling up your girlfriend and you are going to hide and watch?" Spike asked. He grinned. "I take it you like the violent life too. Wish I could have been there."

"SPIKE!" everyone yelled.

Spike grinned in satisfaction as the blonde witch ran out of the apartment in tears. He sat back, crossing his arms. Something was wrong. The witch was lying. He could smell the fear the witch felt. She was scared of getting caught.

"Spike!" Buffy sobbed, "I knew you were an insensitive bastard, but that was downright cruel!"

"Willow's not dead," Xander said softly.

"What?" Giles asked, turning to him. "How do you know?"

Xander tapped his chest, over his heart. "I feel it here. She's not dead."

"Why would Tara lie about it, Xander?" Anya asked, already beginning to get irritated. She could see Xander obsessing about this and forgetting about her completely.

"I don't know," Xander shrugged. "But I know she's still alive."

Spike watched Xander. He knew the human believed that Willow was alive, even though the rest of the group didn't. The vampire was astonished that everyone was taking Willow's death at face value. "I'm going to smoke," Spike said. He looked directly at Xander, trying to antagonize the boy. "I'm glad the chit's dead. Just wish I'd bloody been there."

Xander's eyes flashed in anger. "Bastard," he hissed, following Spike out the door. Xander closed the door behind him. He grabbed the vampire and slammed him against the side of Giles' house. "She's not dead!"

"I know," Spike said quietly.

Xander looked confused. "What?"

"Chit was lying. I could tell. But Slutty wouldn't believe me if I tried to tell her."

Xander opened his mouth to speak, then closed it.

"I just don't know why the bloody witch is hiding her," Spike said. He shifted against Xander, who was still holding him against the wall.

"Oh, sorry," Xander said absentmindedly. He let go of Spike. Spike took a cigarette out and lit it.

"So, pet, what are we going to do about it?" Spike asked.

"*We*?" Xander asked.

"I have the Desoto, I can drive where ever. I'm sure you want to go look for her. I wouldn't mind the company," Spike shrugged.

"Drive somewhere? As in road trip? I'm sure she's right here somewhere."

Spike tapped Xander on the head. "Think about it, idiot. Why would the bloody witch keep Red right under our noses? She's not that stupid."

Xander frowned. "Fine. Where do we start?"

*-*-*-*

Xander shifted from foot to foot. The door opened slowly. "Tara," he smiled a sad smile, "hi."

Tara held in her surprise. "Xander! Wh.what are you doing here?"

"I wanted...I just.." He swallowed hard. "Was it quick? The death, I mean?"

"She didn't suffer," Tara said.

"Thank god," Xander whispered. He reached out and fingered the door. "I' m...sorry. I know you two were...you know."

"Yea," Tara said softly. "And you were her best friend, I know you must be..."

"Yea." He glanced up. "So, a...are you going home for the summer?"

"Yes," Tara said. "I leave tonight."

"That will be nice, to go home to family." Xander fought back tears. "She was...she was the closest family I have."

Tara reached out and patted his shoulder. "Where ever she is, I'm sure she's thinking of you, Xander."

"I know. And soon, I'll be there with her." He gave her a sad smile. "She told me you were from Chicago?"

"Yea," Tara replied. "The Windy City."

"Well, I'll let you get back to what you are doing. Be careful, and.I'll be around, if you need anything. I know you are hurting too."

"Thanks," Tara said. She hugged Xander. "I'll see you in September."

"Yea. Bye, Tara." Xander didn't move for a few moments after Tara shut the door. He ran his hand along the door, knowing that this room was one of the last places his best friend had seen in Sunnydale. "I'll find you, Willow. I promise," he said softly.

*-*-*-*

Xander slunk deeper in his seat. He was wearing sunglasses and a blue Nike cap. Spike glanced at his companion. "You know, you couldn't look more conspicuous."

Xander glanced up at the vampire. "You used a big word. I'm amazed."

"Shut up, wanker." He noticed Tara walking towards the ticket counter. He pulled his black felt fedora down and opened the magazine in his lap. "She' s going to the ticket counter... Buying a ticket."

"Wonder where she's going?" Xander asked, glancing around the airport.

"We will find out soon enough." After a few minutes, Spike jumped up, dragging Xander to the lady at the counter.

"Can I help you?" she asked.

"That girl, in the frumpy clothes and the big goofy white hat, where did she buy a ticket to?" Spike asked.

"Excuse me?"

"Tara," Xander said. "Her name is Tara."

"I'm not at liberty to tell you that information," the woman said.

Spike gave her his most charming smile. "I'll make it worth your while." He reached out, running his finger down her cheek.

She blushed.

"Oh, gag me," Xander rolled his eyes.

Spike winked. "Both of us will, as soon as we get back to Sunnydale."

The woman grinned. "Well...ok, but if anyone finds out..."

"No one will find out," Xander promised.

The woman typed a few things into her computer. "It appears she bought a one way ticket to New Orleans, Louisiana."

"New Orleans, eh?" Spike asked. "Doesn't sound like Chicago to me."

"No, it doesn't. Thanks, ma'am. We'll be back in a few weeks. We have business in New Orleans," Xander grinned mischievously.

*-*-*-*

"You are going where? With who?"

"New Orleans," Xander said softly. "With Spike."

"You are running half way across the country with a vampire? Why?"

"He... is going there because he has some friends there...who need something."

"Demons?" Anya asked, her hand on her hip.

"I don't know. I just knew he was going and told him I wanted to go too, because I needed to get away from Sunnydale."

"This is about Willow again, isn't it?" Anya bitched.

"She was my best friend!" Xander cried. "Why can't you understand that?"

"But I am your girlfriend."

Xander sighed. "I'm going."

"If you walk out that door, Xander Harris, I'm not taking you when you come back. You need to just move on."

Xander grabbed his duffle bag, angry with Anya for expecting him to just *get over it*. "Goodbye, Anya." He walked out the door.

*-*-*-*

"What if she's dead in three days?" Xander asked softly.

"I don't think the witch will kill her yet. I've talked to Peaches, and he said she is probably trying to siphon Red's powers."

"Won't that kill her?" Xander questioned, unbuckling his seatbelt. He turned so he was sitting sideways, facing Spike.

"Peaches thinks it would, and Tara doesn't want her dead yet, so she's draining her slowly. For a very powerful witch, it could take upwards to three weeks to get all the power out of her."

"Let's hope Willow's very powerful," Xander sighed. "How are we going to find her once we get there?"

"I have friends," Spike said, grinning. "Friends that make Willy the Snitch look like he doesn't know a damn thing. Hell, my friends in New Orleans probably know what color the Slayer's knickers are today."

Despite himself, Xander chuckled. "Hey, Spike?"

"Yea, Chubs?"

"Thanks."

"What for?" Spike asked, glancing at Xander.

"For helping me find her."

*-*-*-*

The three-day trip went smoothly. The men drove straight through, taking turns driving. Spike would sleep while Xander drove, and Xander would sleep while Spike drove. The Desoto's tinted windows kept the sun out of the car, which helped during the day.

Early on the third day, Xander pulled into New Orleans. "Spike," he nudged the vampire.

Spike turned over in his seat. "Mmm...Xander."

"Spike, wake up!"

Spike sleepily opened a blue eye. "Mmm?"

"We are in New Orleans."

"Ok," he said sleepily. "Let's go on to the condo, and sleep more. We will look for Willow tonight. I called my friend at the last rest stop that I was awake for, and he's looking into her whereabouts."

"Ok," Xander said. He nudged the vampire, who'd fallen back asleep.

"Huh? What?"

"How do I get to the condo?" Xander asked with a grin.

*-*-*-*

Spike was completely still. He didn't move, didn't breath, barely blinked his eyes. He didn't think it would be that hard to climb into bed with the mortal. After all, they were enemies.

However, Spike's body disagreed with his mind. Upon getting close to the boy, the demon basked in the warmth of the human's body. Xander's scent filled Spike's nose. It was a mixture of cinnamon, chocolate, and a dab of cheap aftershave. It was mildly intoxicating.

Xander was awake, with his back to the vampire. For some reason, he trusted him enough to turn his back on him. Xander sniffed softly as tears started trickling down his cheeks.

Spike could smell the salt in the air. Xander was crying. "Xander."

Xander turned to the vampire, wiping his tears away. "Don't laugh, ok? I'm not in the mood right now. I really miss Willow, and I'm scared we can't find her."

"I promise you, Xander, we will find Red. She will be alive and well, with all of her powers."

Xander looked up at Spike, a hopeful look in his brown eyes. "Do you promise? Really?"

Spike reached out, running his fingers over the tear tracks on the human's cheeks. "I do." He brought his fingers to his mouth, tasting the salty tears. He could taste the overwhelming sadness Xander felt, and the small bit of fear of finding her dead, or not finding her at all. "You've...you've known her for a long time, haven't you?"

Xander laughed through tears. "We were six. I was at the playground, and she was sitting in the sandbox and..." he stopped, frowning. "Never mind, I know you don't want to hear the story."

Spike chuckled. "Actually, I wouldn't mind. I'm enjoying the thought of a little Xander and a little Red running around."

Xander smiled at him, his eyes dancing. "Really? I love telling this story."

Spike's heart lurched. < Oh, god, not that smile. I've seen him give that smile to Red, and it's beautiful, the way his face lights up.. I'm not going to have any feelings for him. Not at all. > "I'd love to hear it," he said softly.

"Ok," Xander said, laughing. He sat up, sitting Indian style.

Spike smiled up at the young man, admiring the way his chest was built. < Don't know why you wear all those stupid clothes, > Spike thought. < You and Red both. Two beautiful people and you don't even show those bodies off. >

Xander launched into his story, completely oblivious to Spike's thoughts on parts of his body. "She was in the sandbox, and she had pigtails. They were *so* cute. I used to tug on them. That would make her so mad, and her eyes would all get this beautiful emerald green. and anyway, so this bully came by and decided to pick on her. He wanted her shovel, I think. Well, I had watched something the night before where the goofy guy ended up to be the hero. I knew I would be her hero."

"You got your ass kicked, didn't you?" Spike asked.

"Completely." Xander laughed. "But Willow was so impressed that someone stood up for her. I got a kiss on the cheek that day. She followed me around all summer, told everyone that I was her hero, and that she was my princess." He looked down, tears filling his eyes. "She loved me, Spike. She loved me more than anyone ever has."

"What do you mean, mate?"

"All through elementary, junior high, and high school, until she met Oz. She loved me. Would have done anything for me."

"Why didn't you two get together? Red's not unattractive, you know."

"I.was scared. I didn't want to mess up our friendship, because she is so important to me. I chased after everyone to keep from thinking of her and how she felt. Buffy, Cordelia... well, I actually fell in love with Cordy. But. I was so wrong to her, completely ignored those feelings of her. And then it drove me crazy when she met Oz. She didn't look at me the same anymore. I wasn't her hero. I haven't been her hero in two years." He looked down, picking at the bedspread.

Spike sat up, wrapping his arms around the human. He had no clue why he was inclined to hug him, but he didn't mind, as the human felt good in his arms. "You know what?"

"What?" Xander asked softly, his face buried in Spike's neck.

"When we find her, I'm going to let you save her."

Xander pulled away, a smile on his face. "Really? I can be her hero?"

Spike ran his thumb over Xander's lips. "If it keeps this smile on your face, you can do anything you want to, Harris."

The vampire was shocked when Xander pushed forward; pressing his warm lips against Spike's cool ones. Spike's gasp allowed the human to slip his tongue into the vampire's mouth. Xander had no idea what possessed him to kiss Spike, but he knew that at that moment in time, he felt closer to Spike than anyone in the world, other than Willow, and he wanted to share that with him.

The kiss wasn't a mind searing take your breath away kiss, yet it wasn't a tame kiss. It was somewhere in the middle, tempting and teasing, telling the both of them there could definitely be more. It was slow and intimate, caressing and gentle. After a few long moments, Spike pulled away. Xander stuck his lip out, pouting because the blonde pulled away. Spike laughed, reaching up to nip at his lip. "Don't pout, pet. You have to breath, remember?"

"Damn being a human!" Xander exclaimed.

Spike's eyebrow rose. "I can change that."

"Oh, no you don't, you evil demon. You think of turning me into a vamp, and I'll...I'll..."

"Stake me?" Spike supplied softly.

"Nope. I'll ship you to LA to hang out with Deadboy."

Spike shuddered. "Bloody hell! I'd rather you stake me!"

Xander laughed. "My thoughts exactly."

Spike looked at Xander curiously. "Ok, I don't understand something. You hate my bloody sire, why?"

Xander shrugged. "He's a vampire."

"Pet, in case you haven't noticed, I'm a vampire. Or do you hate me too?"

The human pushed Spike back, lying down next to him. Xander curled to his side, wrapping his arm around Spike's waist. He had his head on Spike's chest. "Yea, but there's a difference between you and Angel. First off, you didn't date Buffy when I wanted her more than life itself."

"The Slayer? God, Xander, what bad taste you have."

Xander glanced up at Spike, grinning. "Trust me when I say that Buffy is one of the tamer women I've lusted after." He laughed. "Anyway, I know exactly where I stand with you."

"Where?" Spike asked, running his fingers across the smooth expanse of Xander's back.

"You'd kill me if you could." He shrugged.

"I -"

"You can say whatever you want, Spike, but I know, just as well as you, if you didn't have that chip, you'd kill me. You might shag me, you might change me, but my death would be in there somewhere. With Angel.it's all complicated. He won't kill me, unless he loses the soul, and who knows when the hell he's going to lose the soul? Plus, he liked to play with us, make us hurt. You would just come in and kill us. You have no patience for games. Less suffering that way."

"That wasn't my Angelus," Spike murmured into Xander's hair.

"Mmm?" Xander traced circles on Spike's chest, around his nipple.

"That was Angelus, but he was obsessed with hurting the Slayer and the rest of you. He treated me like shit. *My* Angelus doesn't treat me like shit. My Angelus loves me. You'd probably like him. I mean, if you can stand me, you can stand him."

"Who said I could stand you?" Xander replied coolly, running his tongue around Spike's nipple.

Spike closed his eyes, gripping the brunette's hair. He was very sensitive at his nipples, and Xander was driving him crazy. "Xander."

Xander smiled up at Spike. "Let's get some sleep."

"Sleep?" Spike choked. "You want to sleep?"

"Sleep," he grinned. "We can play later. I'm tired."

"Fine," Spike grumbled. He pulled Xander closer to him. Eventually, he joined the human in sleep.

*-*-*-*

Spike grumbled softly, trying to get closer to the warm body sleeping on top of him. The phone was ringing, and he didn't want to answer it. "Go away," he hissed.

::RING, RING, RING::

Spike reached over Xander and answered the phone. "Bloody hell! What the fuck do you want? I'm sleeping!"

"Well, Spike, if you want some info on your little red head, you should be a little nicer."

Spike sat up at the voice of his friend. "Garmond? What did you find out?"

Xander opened his eyes. "Willow? Did your friend find Willow?"

"Shush, I'm not sure," Spike said to Xander, running his fingers through the human's hair.

"Spike? Found a lover of the male kind?" Garmond chuckled.

"Shut up, Garmond. Just tell me what you found out."

"I haven't been able to find out anything about your little friend."

"Then why the bloody hell are you calling me at..." Spike glanced at the clock. "...seven o'clock in the morning?"

"Later this afternoon, there is going to be an auction. The stuff they are selling is very interesting."

"I'm going back to sleep now," Spike grumbled.

"Witches," Garmond said.

"What? Witches?"

"Yes. Apparently, they are auctioning off witches at the event this afternoon. I've arranged for you to have an invitation waiting at the door."

"Thanks, Garmond. I owe you. I'll talk to you later. I'm going back to sleep."

"I'll call later with the details."

"Yup. Bye." Spike hung up and settled back down, curling his body around Xander.

The human didn't open his eyes, but spoke, "Did they find her?"

"Nope. We are going to an auction this afternoon. There's a good chance that we will find her there."

"We better. I'm on the verge of killing someone."

Spike chuckled as sleep started to overcome him. "I think I would enjoy that."

*-*-*-*

Xander glanced down. "A tux. Do I look ok?"

"You look wonderful, pet," Spike said, running his fingers down Xander's arm.

Xander grinned at Spike, the memory of the afternoon flashing through his mind. He tugged at his collar, feeling the bites the vampire had left on his neck. He closed his eyes and shuddered softly. "I enjoyed this afternoon."

"I did too, Xander." Spike tugged at his bowtie. "Come on, let's get in there so we can get this over with. I hate tuxedos."

"But you look so good in it." Xander purred, wrapping his arm around his new lover's shoulders.

"I look better out of it."

"That you do," Xander agreed. He led the vampire into the massive auction room.

*-*-*-*

"I don't think she's here," Xander yawned. "They only have three more left."

"Damn it," Spike growled. "I really hoped that this was where she..." He blinked. "Oh, bloody hell," he whispered.

Xander turned and stared at the stage. There were three demons leading out a frail red head. She had her ankles shackled together, her hands tied behind her back, and a gag in her mouth. She was wearing a tee shirt and a pair of jeans. It was Willow!

"You may wonder why this witch is tied up," the auctioneer said. "She is a wildcat. We even had to place the Charm of Distent around her neck so she would stop casting spells. *But* she's hot. If you purchase her, we will throw in Distent for free. You will need it. I'm going to start the bidding at $1000."

"How much money do we have?" Xander tugged at Spike's arm.

"We have $6500. I hope that she doesn't go above that. Last thing I want to do is call Peaches for money."

"If she goes above $6500, we'll just kill whoever buys her," Xander growled.

Spike grinned. "You've been around me too long."

"$6300! Going once, going twice."

Spike stood up. "$6350!" he yelled. "I want the bloody chit, and she's going to be mine!"

Willow looked up, her heart leaping into her throat. < Spike? > she thought. < Oh, goddess, it's Spike! And...Xander? >

"$6350. Going once? Going twice!? SOLD to the blonde vampire!"

Xander jumped up. "HELL YEA! Let's go get her. Now, Spike."

"Yep," Spike nodded, leading Xander to the selling booth.

Spike gave the woman the money. The demons that were watching Willow drug her to him. "Good luck," the taller one said. "She'll rip you apart."

"Untie her," Spike growled.

"I don't know if that's such a good idea."

"UNTIE HER," Xander growled dangerously.

"Your death, not mine," the demon shrugged. He untied Willow, wincing when she was loose. He was waiting for her to kill everyone. Instead of hurting anyone, however, the witch jumped into Xander's arms.

"You came!" she cried. "I knew you would!" She pulled away, then smiled at Spike. "And you are here too." She hugged Spike tightly. "Where is everyone else?"

"Come on, Red, we need to talk."

*-*-*-*

"They think I'm dead? And they didn't even try to find me or anything?" Willow asked, crushed.

"Yea," Xander whispered. "They took Tara's word and mourned, and then went on with life."

Tears filled Willow's eyes. "So let's let them think I'm dead. Do you two want to go back to Sunnydale?"

Spike shrugged. "I'm going where ever Xander goes."

Willow's eyebrow rose. "Really? Why is that?"

Xander grinned, reaching out to take Spike's hand. "He belongs to me."

Willow lit up. "Oh, that's so great for you two!! Xander, do you want to go back to Sunnydale?" She ran her fingers through her wet hair. She had been thrilled to take a shower when they'd gotten back to the hotel.

"Hell no. I have you, and I have Spike. That's all I need."

Willow grinned. "Good." She hugged the both of them. "Where do you want to go?"

Spike settled against Xander, smiling as the two humans planned where they would head to next.

END.

Email me to let me know what you think!