JE SOUHAITE: REALITY TV.
The bottom of the glass was making Spike annoyed. It wasn�t the fact that there *was* a bottom, more along the lines that he could see it, which meant that his glass was empty. Again.
�Bar keep!� he growled at the bleary figure at the end of the dirty bar.
�Another?� the weasel- like guy asked nervously from behind the bar.
A glare from the irate Vampire had him scuttling to the liquor cabinet and after taking a considering look at the bottle of Whisky, he just handed it over to Spike.
Spike poured the whisky into the glass and took a long swallow; it burned most satisfyingly as it went down. He was pissed, pressed and ready to get paralytic.
�Hey there, this seat taken?�
Spike half turned until he saw who it was, �Bugger off Hallie.� He growled.
Halfrek just smirked and sat down, �Now, William is that anyway to treat an old friend?�
�Friend?� he raised an eyebrow and scoffed before returning to his drink.
�What would you call us then?� the pretty brunette asked haughtily.
�All I know is that you�ve never done anything for me. Patron Saint of Scorned whatever, vengeance demon, yeah, well I�ve been scorned baby. Three times and not a bleeding blip for Ol� Spike so take your vengeance-yness and piss off.�
The alcohol made him as eloquent as ever. And twice as polite.
�Three times William?� Halfrek looked honestly surprised.
�Cecily,� he eyed her �Dru and now bleeding Buffy. I show her what soldier boy�s been up to and she forgives him with open arms and then *and then*,� he started to get louder �She has the nerve to be pissed at me, like it�s my fault her boy likes to get sucked on.� He shook his head in disgust �But, I�m getting over it. I mean I must have been insane, the bloody Slayer? I reckon this chip�s doing more damage than I thought. Fancying the Slayer, Angelus�s cast offs? Both been there and done that pet. Don�t care for a rematch.� He shuddered at the thought.
�Well I never understood what you saw in her anyway.� Halfrek continued archly.
�She�s a cute little thing, strong too.� He put his head on the side considering �But she ain�t the only one, I mean take Red and boy would I like to.� he leered �She�s cute, hot as hell beneath the fuzz and strong, plus she treats me a hell of a lot better than the sodding Slayer.� He nodded, that wasn�t a bad idea, at least Willow didn�t treat him like a leper, �Yeah maybe I could try something with the witch.�
Halfrek laughed a high tinkling sound that grated on Spike�s nerves.
�What�s so funny about that? Just because she thinks she�s gay?� he snorted, like he couldn�t talk her out of that.
�No William, that girl is far too much for you to handle.� Halfrek smiled condescendingly �You�d be better off with the Slayer.�
�What Willow?� Spike looked sceptically at her, �Red hair, yay tall, magic chit, and good with computers?�
Halfrek nodded.
�You think she�d be too much for me?�
�When Anyanka first arrived here, it was to avenge Xander�s scorned love Cordelia.�
�Angel�s cheerleader?�
�Yes, she wished that Buffy had never come to Sunnydale and the whole world changed as a result. Your innocent little Willow was the most powerful Vampire in the alternative dimension, a favourite of the Master. She had your sire as a play toy chained in a basement.�
�Bloody hell!� Spike nearly fell off his chair, little Wicca a powerful Vamp? The Masters favourite?
�Unfortunately, the Watcher destroyed Anyanka�s power centre and the world was turned to rights. But, a few years ago the Vampire version was bought here; it was the talk of the demon circuit for months and was nearly enough to grant Anyanka�s ascendancy back into demon status. Willow has been carefully monitored from then on.�
�Why?�
�She had the Bronze under her control in a few hours and had most of the Vampires in Sunnydale under her power in less than a single night.�
�Sounds neat.� Spike tossed back his drink �Wish I could have seen that.�
�Wish granted.�
2
Spike felt the world shift at his feet, his stomach rolled as he fought to keep a hold of the liquor he had consumed in his stomach but the flashing lights made it hard. He closed his eyes briefly and opened them when the swirling stopped. He was in a crypt, no a chapel. He shuddered, what the hell was Hallie up to? He went to speak when he heard a voice coming from behind him. He spun around to see the moron�s girlfriend kneeling on the floor in a circle, surrounded by candles. If this was one of her and the moron�s shagging sessions, he was going to eviscerate Hallie.
Spike heard something talk behind a column and saw that Anya was talking to a horned demon
�Do not ask again.� He stated resolutely.
Anya gaped �But� but I-�
Spike rolled his eyes �Hey demon girl, quit moaning!� but, to his surprise she ignored him.
The demon interrupted them both �Your powers were a gift of the lower
beings. You have proved unworthy of them.�
Ah, so this guy was D�Hoffryn then, Anya�s boss, why was the demon chit trying to be a demon again? Was she finally fed up with Xander?
Anya continued unabashed, �I was robbed of them.�
�By your carelessness,� D'Hoffryn answered idly
Anya pouted in the way that Spike had seen a dozen times it was the look that she got just before launching into a vengeance story �For a thousand years I wielded the powers of The Wish. I brought ruin to the heads of unfaithful men. I brought forth destruction and chaos for the pleasure of the lower beings. I was feared and worshipped across the mortal globe. Yeah, there it was. Spike rolled his eyes as Anya continued disgustedly, �And now I'm stuck at Sunnydale High, mortal, child. And, I'm flunking math.�
Spike started, Okay that was new, Anya ran the Magic Box, and she wasn�t at school.
D'Hoffryn waved dismissingly �This is no concern of ours. You will live out your mortal life and die.�
Wow that was Harsh, thought Spike as he stared down at Anya who was still ignoring him. Like that was something new he snorted.
Anya pleaded, �Give me another chance. You can fold the fabric of time. Send me back to that place and I'll change it. I won't fail again.�
�Your time is passed.� The demon obviously wasn�t going to change his mind.
But Anya was getting desperate �Do you have any idea how boring twelfth graders are? I'm getting my power centre back. And if you won't help me, then, by the pestilent gods, I will find someone who will!�
�You go Demon girl!� Spike cheered her on watching as she left but before he could follow her to annoy her some more he felt the world shift under his feet again.
�Oh bloody hell!�
Spike stumbled back and nearly fell over a chair in his haste to get out of the way of the sun streaming into the room from the windows. It was an office of some sort.
�Where the hell am I?� he hissed and stepped back as the door opened.
A small obnoxious man entered, forgetting the chip momentarily Spike tried to attack him. He lunged only to walk right through the man.
�What the-?�
�Miss Rosenberg, Mr West.� The man whined, ushering two people into the office.
The first was what Spike would usually refer to as �A steroid Starter�, a jock, athlete probably dosed up on both drugs and his ego.
The other caused Spike�s jaw to drop. �Willow?�
A very young Willow edged into the office; her shoulders hunched over.
He knew that the Witch had never been the most confident of people but the only phrase he could come up with right now was �Painfully shy�. She was dressed in a pink fluffy jumper with smiley faces on, yellow tights and red shoes; it was a hideous combination that she managed to pull off because she was so cute. Her hair swung around her face and Spike found himself tighten at her obvious innocence.
�Hey Red,� He said with a smirk but she just stared nervously at the ferret man. Now that wasn�t like Red to ignore him, she was always the nicest one of the bunch. Which meant�
�Hallie!� he yelled and the brunette appeared
�What?� she said innocently and then grinned
�What am I doing here?� he enunciated each word between gritted teeth
�This is what you wished for- well not actually, I�m not letting you interfere, I kind of love how this whole thing played out, but you can watch.�
�How is this relevant.� He pointed to the ferret man
�Just setting the scene. Anyanka petitioned to get her powers back and was denied, oh and that new Slayer is around.�
�Faith?� he asked curiously, he�d never seen her before.
�Well everything starts here; you will see why she chose to help Anyanka. So be quiet and pay attention.� she stood with her usual flourish ready to disappear
�Wait up Hallie, what are the rules?� Spike wanted to know whilst his eyes were drawn back to the redhead. �I mean will I be dust if I go in the sun, or walk through a wooden door?�
�No, you are just a spectator, a ghost if you will. You can�t influence anything and nothing can influence you, you see what I want you to see, no more, no less. When the story is over I will put you back where you belong. Enjoy it.� She laughed that laugh again and then vanished.
Spike grimaced and turned back to the three in the room.
The ferret man walked behind the two sat near his desk
�As far as I'm concerned, this is a marriage made in heaven. Willow Rosenberg, despite her unsavoury associations, represents the pinnacle of
academic achievement at Sunnydale High. Percy West represents a devastating fast break and 50% from behind the three-point line.�
Spike smirked to hear Buffy and Xander called �Unsavoury� just as well the ferret didn�t know about the Vampires. He frowned he was sure he�d heard the name �Percy � before, wasn�t that the name of the geek that called Red a nerd? What? He paid attention.
Willow glanced at them both confused �I-I'm not sure I understand the marriage part.�
The ferret indicated her and the boy in turn �You've got the brains, he's got the fast break. It's a perfect match.�
Spike snorted, yeah right, perfect match, and he was about to run off with the Watcher.
Willow was now beyond puzzled �Match?� she did a double take �You want us to breed?� Spike burst out laughing. Oh, she was priceless, a real gem. Why the hell had he been interested in the Slayer?
The ferret rolled his eyes, �I want you to tutor him. Percy is flunking history. Nothing seems to be able to motivate him.�
The boy finally opened his mouth, �Hey, I'm challenged.�
Spike disliked him before he�d spoken. Now he knew he would have drained him faster than anything ever. He reminded him of those pansies he�d hung around with as a human, so full of themselves, they were in danger of ego overload.
Luckily the ferret seemed to have his number too
�You're lazy, self-involved and spoiled. That's quite the challenge. But we need a winning year, especially after last year's debacle with the swim team. Can't have our point guard benched. So, you're gonna take on a little teaching job. I know how you enjoy teaching.�
Spike�s smile was soft, yeah, she did. And she�d be good at it too. He could just see her standing in front of a class with her resolve face.
Willow didn�t seem too sure though and stammered out a feeble excuse, �Well, I have a lot of work of my own.�
�You've got a letter of acceptance from every university with a stamp.�
Spike�s frown returned, she did? So why did she go to UC nowheresville? It was something he�d never considered, he knew the chit was smart, had seen ample proof of that fact, why did she stay in Sunnyhell?
�Y-yes, but I still have classes and I don't...�
The ferret interrupted �Rosenberg, it's time to give something back to the
community. I know you wanna help your school out here. Ask me how I know.�
Willow obediently replied �How do you...?�
But, the ferret just glared, �I just know.�
Spike wondered if he could find this guy and eviscerate him too. It was obvious that he was bullying the girl and she wasn�t confident enough to fight back. Strangely enough it bought out the Knight in shining armour out in him. Something he thought had died at the same time as his impulse to suntan. He wanted to be her protector, and kill everyone who hurt her.
3
He followed her as she left the office and walked despondently down the hall only cheering up when the Slayer joined them. The Slayer that Spike suddenly had less than charitable feelings for, what exactly was so special about this chit? It sure as hell wasn�t her fashion sense; he rolled his eyes at her ensemble.
�Hey Buffy!� Spike hadn�t seen that radiant smile of Willow�s for a long time and never directed at him, he felt bad suddenly. Was he really so horrible to her that she�d never smiled at him. Was her life really so bad that she didn�t smile as often anymore.
He was so caught up in his thoughts about the witch he was beginning to think of as �his� that he didn�t realise they had reached the library.
�So he threatened you?� Buffy was saying �With what?�
Willow shrugged sweetly �Well, I -it wasn't exactly anything he said. It was all in his eyes. I mean, there was some nostril work as well, but mostly eyes.�
Spike grinned at her words, she was a funny bird.
Buffy growled �Snyder needs me to kick his ass.�
Snyder, well now he had a name for the ferret.
Willow looked almost apologetic �Oh, no, Buffy, don't get in trouble. I'll be okay.� She put her bag down on the table �I just hate the way he bullies people. He just assumes everyone's time is his.�
Spike turned as Giles came out of his office wearing�tweed? And sucking on a lollipop. Spike rolled his eyes, TWEED?
Giles saw Willow and motioned �Willow, get on the computer. I want you to take another pass at accessing the Mayor's files.�
Spike�s eyebrow�s shot up to his hairline, what, no please? Or even hello?
He knew that they all took advantage of Willow but he never realised how much. The stupid watcher was treating her just as bad as the ferr-Snyder.
Willow didn�t seem to notice, smiling happily as she said �Okay.�
The door opened again and a leggy brunette entered followed by a panting man who seemed on the verge of a heart attack.
�Well, that was a blast.� the girl sassed with a roll of her eyes.
Giles replied slightly coolly �How did it go?�
She pointed at the panting man �Princess Margaret here had a little trouble keeping up.�
Spike waited for someone to make the obvious dirty joke and pouted when they didn�t, damn these people were too innocent.
Giles turned to the man �How did it go?�
He panted heavily before replying �Faith, uh... did quite well on the obstacle field. Still a little sloppy, though.�
So this was Faith? Spike thought, walking a circle around the girl. She was hot, and insane- his favourite combination in a girl; or had been until he added innocent and deliciously naive to his list.
Faith shot an incredulous look behind her unaware of the perusal going on.
�Do you feel up to, uh, taking Buffy out, or shall I?�
He knew it! Spike thought triumphantly, all Watchers were just a bunch of perverts getting their kicks watching teenage girls get hot and sweaty.
The new guy seemed to consider it between pants �Oh, no, no, no. I'll be fine. Just give me a minute. And some defibrillators, if it's not too much trouble.�
Pansy. It was no wonder American�s had such a bad opinion of the British if this was what got sent over.
Faith smirked �You're gonna love it, B. It's just like fun, only boring.�
Giles watched her sternly �Faith, this evaluation is a necessary part of the
Council's...�
She nodded interrupting what Spike knew would be a spiel about Slayer duty and destiny; he�d heard it all before. �I know. I'm on board here. Just shooting my mouth off.�
Buffy looked down �I better change.�
�Please do!� Spike said out loud �We�d all be dead grateful.�
She started to walk out only to be stopped as she passed by Faith.
�Good luck.� the brunette said. She reached out, lightly brushing Buffy's shoulder with her hand and gave her a little smile. Buffy returned the smile weakly and continued out.
Spike wondered at the harsh undercurrents between the girl and the rest of them, he knew the Slayer went bad eventually but she was okay now wasn�t she? Not that they�d ever spoken about her much. Or to him about their adventures at High school at all really. He was an outsider, an unwelcome one at that.
It made him sad even as he declared adamantly to himself that he didn�t want to be a bleeding Scooby.
The watcher, what was his name, Weasley or something followed Buffy out.
Faith noticed Willow, as if for the first time and hopped up on the counter to sit and watch her, which was what Spike was now doing. She tensed as Faith sat closer and tucked her hair behind her ear in a gesture that Spike knew as a nervous one.
�What cha doin'?� Faith asked.
Willow took a deep breath before answering her, �I'm trying to access the Mayor's personal files.�
Faith looked surprised �Can you do that?�
�Well, he's got some tricky barriers set up.�
�Can you get past 'em?� she asked warily.
�Eventually I'll get through.�
Spike wondered at the witch�s tone. Willow was always nice, to everyone. Even him, why was she being cold to this girl, what had she done to her?
He watched the Slayer as Faith intently watched Willow.
A few minutes passed and Spike started to get that funny feeling in the pit of his stomach that signified a shift. He braced himself as the room spun. He opened his eyes to see a studio apartment. A guy with a suit on stood talking to Faith.
�That's very interesting.� he said musingly
Faith agreed looking around �Yeah, I thought so, too. Are you serious about this place?�
He smiled �Of course I am. No Slayer of *mine* is gonna live in a fleabag hotel. That place has a very unsavoury reputation. There are immoral liaisons going on there.�
Slayer of his? Ah this must be the Bad guy! Spike figured. So Faith was already playing against Slutty and the rest?
�Yeah, plus all the screwing. This place is the kick!� she enthused as she wandered around.
Spike grinned at her. She really was pretty cool. So much better than Buffy.
She walked past a leather punching bag hanging in a corner and continued into the sleeping area, like a kid at Christmas.
The man in the suit smiled at her �We'll keep your old place, in case you need to see your friends there, but from now on...� he stopped as Faith jumped on the bed ands started bouncing �Oh, hey, hey, hey! Shoes! Shoes!�
Spike stared at him dubiously, was this guy human? He knew Faith had gone bad, but who was this? He backtracked, Giles had asked Red to break into�this must be the Mayor.
Faith jumped off the bed and sauntered over to the Mayor almost expectantly �Thanks, Sugar Daddy.�
Spike�s eyes hardened. This wasn�t what he had expected. This girl wasn�t even 17 yet.
The Mayor lost his smile and said admonishingly �Now, Faith, I don't find that sort of thing amusing. I'm a family man.�
Spike let out a breath of relief. Ok he could like the guy now, he wasn�t so bad, and at least he had a sense of humour.
�Now, let's kill your little friend.�
Scratch that, he was going to kill Willow? The guy should die, horribly. Dammit, how many times had that girl escaped death anyway? She was like the energiser Bunny. He raised an eyebrow, oh he like THAT image.
Faith gave him an uneasy look.
�Don't worry. I wouldn't ask you to do it. Not this early in the relationship.� He said reassuringly �Besides, I think a vampire attack would be less suspicious anyway. In the meantime, let's take a look at the rest of the apartment, huh? If I'm not mistaken, some lucky girl has herself a PlayStation.�
Faith grinned broadly �No way.�
�Yes way!� He chuckled.
Spike was piecing things together. So Faith was with the Mayor, not really surprising since the Scooby�s seemed to not trust her at all. The Mayor wanted to kill Willow because she could hack into his files. The mayor was a bad guy. He was glad that he had that sorted because he felt the room begin to spin and suddenly he was in the high school hallway again.
4
�Hey!� he turned to see that annoying guitarist that had turned up at Angel�s place when he was after the gem of Amara. What was he doing here?
�Oz! Hi!�
Spike stopped dead (no pun intended) so this was Wolf-boy? Funny he�d never actually had a face to put the name and disgust at the one that had turned Willow away and broken her heart. This underdeveloped loser was the infamous Oz?
They smiled at each other and moved closer to hug.
Oz teased her �There's something about you that's causing me to hug you. It's like I have no will of my own.�
Spike rolled his eyes and dug in his pockets for a cigarette. What had Red ever seen in this dumb ass?
When they pulled apart Willow had that huge smile on her face, the one that shamed the sun and Spike felt jealous of the damn Wolf again. He wanted to be the one to make her smile!
�Where were you yesterday?� she asked grasping the boy�s hand. Spike pushed his hand through the back of the wolf�s head trying to push out his brains or knock off his head. It didn�t work.
Unaware of Spike�s attempts to decapitate him Oz continued �Mm... We got back late, sort of very.�
�We? Who? Where?� Willow asked almost resigned.
�The band. We had a gig in Monterey Sunday night.�
They stopped by a classroom.
Willow looked distressed �Oh, you did? How come I didn't know?�
�I thought you did.�
Obviously not, Rover, Spike growled.
Willow was hurt �Maybe I would have liked to go.�
Oz shrugged �Didn't figure you for missing school.�
Spike fought the urge to ram his fist through Oz�s heart�and then decided to anyway, not like it�d hurt.
Willow continued disappointed, not realising that a ghost was pulling her boyfriends organs out �You think I'm boring.�
Spike froze �No. You are never boring.� He answered her sincerely.
�I'd call that a radical interpretation of the text. We're playing tonight at the Bronze.� Oz offered.
�I can't. I have too much homework.� She apologized. That was the first thing he had to fix when they started dating, Spike thought, her constant apologizing.
�If you get done early...� Oz said as he walked into the class room only letting go of Willow�s hand when he had to.
�Wanker!� Spike called as he walked with Willow down the hall.
�I have no idea why you were with him, pet. He was never any good for you. Total pillock. No fire and nothing up here you know.� He pointed to his heart �Not like me. I�d be good for you.�
He walked across the quad with her basking in the sun. He looked over and gasped. Her hair looked like it was on fire, it was beautiful. He had never seen her in the sunlight before- obviously. She was like a radiant Goddess; she made his fingers itch to touch her, to pour his feelings out on paper. He reached for her only to have her hurry ahead slightly.
�Percy! Hey. Listen, I thought we could get together today at lunch and go over your Roosevelt paper. You know, what books you'll need and stuff.�
Oh yeah, it was the jock. Spike sniffed disinterestedly at the kid who ignored her.
�What are you talking about?�
Willow started �Me tutoring you. Your, your history paper?�
�Oh, yeah, yeah. Snyder said *you* were gonna do it.�
Spike glared at him, wishing he could just rip out this guy�s spleen and hand it to Willow. What was it about her that bought out his caveman side?
Willow was as surprised as Spike was annoyed �He never said that.�
�What meeting were *you* at?� Percy said obnoxiously.
Willow sighed trying to be accommodating �Look, I-I'll get the books you need. Just meet me at lunch and...�
Percy interrupted her �No, no, no. I don't have any time at lunch. I gotta hang out.�
Willow hesitated �Well...�
Percy stopped and faced her, impatiently �What, what, you got something better to do? Just type it up and put my name on it. Oh, and don't type too good. Dead giveaway.� He left without a backward glance leaving a despondent and indignant Willow behind.
She sank down on one of the benches dejectedly, pulled off her pack, reached in and pulled out a banana.
�I'm eating this now. It's not lunchtime, I don't even care.�
Spike chuckled at her adorable attempt at rebellion but before she could begin peeling it, Buffy and Xander walked up to her.
Spike looked them over.
Buffy had never been subtle when it came to her wares but this should have been banned, especially at school. No wonder Xander couldn�t take his eyes off her. She had �Hooker� written all over.
And as for the boy wonder? That kid, although not as chubby as he was now, was every inch a gangly, awkward teenager. By this time they had instilled fear into the hearts of demons and killed the master and already saved the world? He was deeply ashamed of his kind.
�Hey.� Buffy chirped.
�Willow, did you remember to tape Biography last Friday?� Xander asked without even greeting her.
He was annoyingly like the Watcher
Willow nodded absently struggling with the banana �Uh-huh.�
Buffy turned to Xander, proudly and said �See, I told you. Old Reliable.�
Xander nodded whilst trying not to look down her top. He totally missed the glare that Willow set him.
�Oh, thanks.�
�What?� Buffy was surprised.
�'Old Reliable'? Yeah, great. *There's* a sexy nickname.�
She pouted and Spike leaned over to catch her bottom lip before remembering he couldn�t touch her.
Buffy stammered �Well, I-I didn't mean it as...�
Willow just sighed �No, it's fine. I'm 'Old Reliable'.�
Xander didn�t see what the problem was; he just wanted to earn brownie points with Buffy.
�She just means, you know, the geyser. You're like a geyser of fun that goes off at regular intervals.�
Both Willow and Spike glared at him in disgust �That's Old Faithful.� they both said.
Xander looked confused �Isn't that the dog that, that the guy had to shoot...�
Willow was now angry �That's Old Yeller.�
Buffy turned to him.
�Xander, I beg you not to help me. Will, I-I didn't mean it as a bad thing. I-I think it's good to be reliable.�
Spike rolled his eyes. They couldn�t see that it was insulting for a 16 year old girl to be seen as nothing more than reliable?
Willow stood up �Well, maybe I don't *wanna* be reliable all the time. Maybe I'm not just some doormat person. Homework Gal.�
Spike looked at her, aware that they were both thinking along the same lines. Well not exactly the same, she probably wasn�t thinking that she was hot when she was angry and that she wanted to shag herself.
Xander just joked �I'm thinking nerve strike.�
Willow huffed at him in that adorable way �Maybe I'll change my look! Or cut class. You don't know.�
Buffy and Xander just gave her surprised looks.
�About damn time!� Spike cheered �And you won�t be laughing when you get Syphilis or Angelus tries to kill you.� He laughed at the thought of all the horrible things that were going to happen to these people.
Willow hadn�t finished �And I'm eating this banana. Lunchtime be damned!�
As she moved to go away Buffy ran after her, which in Spike�s book was the first thing she�d done right.
�Will, wait. I'm really sorry...�
But Willow just looked at her ruefully �Buff, I'm storming off. It doesn't really work if you come with me.�
Spike looked at a chastened Buffy and laughed gently at Willow�s words whilst still marvelling. Even when she was mad, she still thought about others.
�Oh.�
He heard Buffy say as he followed Willow back into the school.
�You told �em love.� He approved.
Willow didn�t respond since she had no idea he was there and began to trudge up the stairs.
�Uh, Willow?� Both Spike and Willow turned to see Anya standing at the bottom of the stairs.
�Uh, hi.� It was obvious by her tone that she had no idea who this girl was.
�Lucky you.� Spike snorted.
Anya gestured at herself �Anya. I'm sort of new here. Um, I know Cordelia?�
Willow just smiled thinly �Oh, fun.�
�Willow, was that sarcasm?� Spike pretended to be shocked.
Anya stepped up closer to her in a secretive way �Yeah. Um, listen, I have this little project I'm working on, and I heard you were the person to ask if...�
If she had been less polite she would have rolled her eyes and frowned, but being Willow she just sighed �Yeah, that's me. Reliable-Dog-Geyser Person. What do you need?�
�Oh, it's nothing big. Just a little spell I'm working on.�
Willow was suddenly interested.
�A spell? Oh. I like the black arts.�
�Yeah and they always turn out so well. Don�t do it pet.� Spike advised smoking his cigarette which he had forgotten.
Anya continued unabashed �I just need a secondary to create a temporal fold. I heard you were a pretty powerful Wicca, so...�
�Oh now you want her to do spells!� Spike rolled his eyes.
Willow was excited that someone wanted her for her spells and not her school smarts �You heard right, mister! I-I-I'm always ready to work some dark mojo. So, tell me, is it dangerous?�
Spike eyed her again. Maybe he did have the chit all wrong.
�Oh, no.� Anya said dismissively.
Willow was clearly disappointed �Well, could we pretend it is?�
Spike clutched the rail as he felt the earth shake under him �Not again!�
5
When the seasick Vampire next opened his eyes he realised he was back at the High school but in an empty classroom after dark.
Spike watched as Willow and Anya sat in a circle with a big white plate with a picture of a green necklace on it. Willow was arranging herbs, bones and candles while Anya sat at a desk preparing a mixture of sands and powders.
Anya was speaking so Spike moved closer trying harder to pay attention. �The necklace was a family heirloom passed down for generations. Then it was stolen from my mom's apartment.�
Spike chuckled �Liar.�
�How does the spell work?� Willow was fascinated.
�Uh, well, we both call on Eryishon, the Endless One, offer up the standard supplication, then there's a teensy temporal fold. We hope. Um, then I pour the sacred sand on the representation of the necklace, and Eryishon brings it forth from the time and place it was lost.� Anya got up and kneeled in front of Willow, offering her a weak smile.
�Cool.�
Anya ignored Willow�s nervous smile �Are we ready?�
�I think so.�
Spike moved and sat down behind Anya watching Willow�s face. Even in candlelight she was radiant- effulg- oh bloody hell. He grimaced there was no way he was falling for Red- Right?
Anya took a deep breath and held her hand out over the plate.
�Eryishon. K'shala. Meh-uhn.� She intoned as Willow held her hand out.
�Diprecht. Doh-tehenlo nu-Eryishon.�
Anya picked up the bottle of sacred sand and held it over the plate.
�The child to the mother.�
�The river to the sea.� Willow completed as she held the bottle too.
�Eryishon, hear my prayer.�
Both Anya and Willow closed their eyes. There is a low rumbling sound and Spike wondered if he was going to be leaving�but no this was in the room itself.
�Uh pet?� he tried but before he could say anything else a pillar of blue energy wrapped itself around the girls and the plate.
Spike watched as Willow�s eyes opened, and then time froze.
�What?� he yelled �It was just getting good!�
Halfrek appeared in front of him, �I know, Honey, but I want you to see what she does.� She gestured to one wall and the map of America flew up to reveal a white board �This is what she is seeing now.�
�Wait a second.� Spike said suspiciously �Is that popcorn I can smell?�
Halfrek looked embarrassed �I told you this was a favourite.� She pouted and vanished in a huff of attitude.
Spike shook his head and watched the screen as the action around him returned to life.
He saw Anyanka, with her vein-y face choking Giles and shuddered when she licked her fingers. Then his jaw dropped as he caught a glimpse of Willow and Xander dressed in leather in full vamp face, before he could take it in the picture changed.
�Hey rewind!� he whined as he saw Anyanka�s necklace glow green and then a harsh looking Buffy staking Xander. He gasped at that and then even more when he saw Willow in tight binding leather get pushed back onto a stake and dusted. The green glow vanished as her necklace was smashed. Spike couldn�t tear his eyes away as random flashes occurred. Willow attacking Buffy, the Master watching as Willow fell to the floor. A huge lunk of a lad grabbing her and the abandoned factory. The hairy little wolf boy grabbing Willow and then the Master attacking Buffy.
Spike growled as he saw Angel release some humans before Willow fought one and then the wolf boy grabbed her again before she vanished.
As quick as it had arrived the energy stooped and Spike was bought back to the moment by Willow�s hushed gasp.
�That was... W-w-what was that?�
Anya seemingly had other problems as she searched the ground frantically �Oh, it's not here. It's not here!�
�No shit Sherlock.� Spike said his eyes on the wary Redhead.
�Okay, that's a little blacker than I like my arts.� Willow said.
Anya exclaimed �Oh, don't be such a wimp.�
�Hey!� Spike said annoyed at her tone, this from the girl who thought she was dying every time she got a cold.
Willow just stepped back �That, that-that wasn't just some temporal fold that was some weird Hell place. I-I don't think you're telling me everything.�
Anya glared at her �I swear, I am just trying to find my necklace.�
Willow glared back indignantly �Well, did you try looking inside the sofa *in Hell*?�
Spike spat out his laughter at the unexpected joke once again struck by how *damn funny* the girl was.
�Look,� Anya smiled sweetly �we'll just try it again, and...�
�No! I-I think emphatically not!�
�I can't do it by myself!� Anya snarled.
�Oh I think the moron would disagree.� Spike joked.
Willow gathered her things �That's a relief. I'm outta here.�
�Fine! Go! Idiot child.� Anya muttered.
�I believe these chicken feet are mine.� Willow said archly �Look, m-magic is dangerous, Anya, i-it's, it's not to be toyed with. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have someone else's homework to do.�
Spike raised his eyebrow at the obvious contradiction and shook his head. Bleeding mortals.
As the funny feeling spread in Spike feet and he held on to the table to stop the lurching, he saw Anya break the plate in frustration and scream
�Nothing!�
Then the world spun.
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