Willow yawned, pushing the thick tome she had been staring at away from her. It
was only five in the afternoon yet she already felt as if it was much later.
{Just another wacky side-effect of a botched spell,} she thought sadly. The
door shut behind her and she looked up, smiling at the newest entrant to the
room. "Hey, Xan."

The boy smiled tiredly at his friend, collapsing onto the couch. "Where's Buffy
and G-Man?"

"Out looking for some sort of crypt," the red head shrugged. It was odd, but
she honestly didn't care what they were out doing - or even that they needed
help. All that she really wanted to do was cuddle Xander and sleep.

{Cuddle Xander?!?} Willow's higher thoughts shrieked. {Where did that come
from?} She looked up at him through her lashed, hoping he wouldn't notice the
sudden discomfort she was feeling. Images of cuddling with the dark-haired
friend of her childhood ran through her mind, bringing a sense of completeness
to her heart.  Her brain couldn't cope with the where or why of the thoughts.
Reasons for why she would be thinking of him in that way again after so long
were the last thing on the red head's mind.
The only thing she could really concentrate on, in fact, was Xander.

Who was watching her.

She smiled at him shyly. "Why the stares, Xan?"

Xander shook his head slowly, not quite sure himself why he suddenly couldn't
take his eyes off of the woman in front of him. He licked his lips, trying to
phrase what he was feeling in a way that wouldn't sound weird or obsessive.
"Would it sound strange to say that I don't know? That I feel like I am seeing
you for the first time?"

The witch shook her head. "No.doesn't sound weird at all." It was as if a part
of her was being called by him, to him. She couldn't deny it, didn't really
want to try to. She stood. "Want to go for a walk? Get away from this stuffy
old house?"

He nodded, rising to his feet and offering her his hand. "Sounds good. I'm sure
Slutty can do without us for once." His hand flew to his mouth, eyes wide. "Did
I just call her that?"

Willow laughed, squeezing the hand in hers. "I think so. Sounded good though,
sort of right in a way." {After all she is a major slut sometimes.} the red
head smirked at her own dark thoughts. "C'mon, lets go take a walk in the
park."

** ** **
 
Willow leaned back in her swing, kicking her legs lazily as Xander pushed her
into the air. She smiled, closing her eyes and enjoying the wind brushing past
her face. This was one of the things she missed most about her childhood -
trips to the park with Xander - playing until dusk then going home for fresh
cookies from her mom.

{Mom was actually around back then,} the red head snorted quietly, almost in
disbelief of her own memories. Things had been so much simpler back then. Back
before demons and vampires, back before Buffys and Angels.back when it was just
her and Xander and Jesse. The three Musketeers.

Xander could see the look of happiness on his friend's face each time she
leaned back and he smiled in an unnoticed response. "Why so happy, Wills?"

"Just remembering the past, before our lives got complicated. Remember when the
only thing we were afraid of was your parent's basement?"

Xander chuckled, stopping the swing when it came back within reach. "That and
my parents themselves."

Willow's face darkened. She hated to be reminded of the abuse that Xander had
suffered as a child - continued to suffer now. He deserved so much better than
that. {I wish they would just die!} she screamed silently to her gods.  A
shiver passed through her as she realized what exactly she had just wished for.
Hopefully whatever malevolent spirits that always seemed to be waiting for one
to screw up in Sunnydale weren't listening to that.

She turned, the chains of the swing twisting, so that she could look into
Xander's face. Reaching out a hand, she lightly caressed his cheek, the pull
she was feeling towards him stronger with the short distance between them.
"Xan."

"Shh." Xander whispered, his hand on her face, echoing the movements she was
making on his. He smiled at her, something deep within him recognizing her as
someone he could do anything with, be his true self with. She was his other
half in every way. But there was Anya.and Tara. He growled softly under his
breath, leaning down to kiss her gently on the lips.

Willow felt his soft lips touch hers and she thrilled for one moment, allowing
herself to enjoy the contact. But it wasn't right, they both had girlfriends
and this was cheating. "Xander." She murmured, pushing lightly at his chest.
"We can't do this.Anya and Tara would get hurt."

"Fuck them," Xander whispered harshly. "I don't care about that tramp of an
ex-demon as much as I care for you." His mouth shut with an audible snap. Just
where had all these feelings of love and fuzziness for Willow come from all of
a sudden? And why was he being so mean about Anya? He stepped back slightly,
running a hand through his dark hair. "Sorry.you're right. I'm just tired and
not thinking clearly."

The red head nodded slowly, standing and giving him a hug. "Its ok, Xan, lets
just forget about this. No need to tell Anya or Tara, right?" She gave him a
hopeful look.

"Right," he smiled. The need to be close to her and kiss her again was coming
back and he stepped back another few feet. "No need to tell them. Ready to go
home?"

Part 3

Buffy walked into the Bronze, her eyes and ears automatically searching for
people she knew. She frowned slightly, spotting Xander and Willow sitting in
the back, laughing together. Walking towards them she had a moment to rein in
her emotions. Maybe they had a good excuse for ditching research last night.
Maybe something important had come up.  "Hey guys."

Xander looked away from Willow, his face darkening slightly.  He took a deep
breath, trying to calm the unbidden feelings of disgust the blonde was bringing
forth in him tonight.  "Hey, Buff." He smiled, the expression obviously
strained.

Willow didn't even bother to look up, her legs kicking absently under the
table. She closed her eyes, letting the music from the band wash over her. The
past few days had been so tiring, but she finally felt as though she was
getting back on track. Being around Xander helped, he seemed to understand
exactly what she was going through. On impulse, she reached under the table,
allowing her fingers to splay out lightly against the hard muscle of his thigh.
 She felt him tense slightly before relaxing and knew he wasn't going to fight
it tonight.

"So.." Buffy looked back and forth between the two of them. "What happened last
night? We got back and you guys weren't there researching."

The red head opened her eyes, the green orbs sparkling with amusement. "We got
bored. Went to the park." She shrugged nonchalantly. "Just didn't feel like
researching."

The blonde's forehead wrinkled in confusion. "You got bored?" She shut her
mouth before opening it again. "But that's your job - research. Its what the
two of you do." She turned slightly, sensing a vampire approaching. When she
noticed it was only Spike, the Slayer turned back to the table, waiting on a
response from the two people across from her.

"Good morning, mates." Spike drawled, pulling up a stool at the table. He could
feel the tenseness in the air,  could see the anger welling up in the two
humans he had always considered the tame one of the group.

Willow shivered suddenly, as if a chill wind had blown through her and she felt
Xander do the same. She turned to Spike, her concentration momentarily off of
the Slayer. "Morning?" She chuckled. "Well I guess it is for you, Blondie."

"So what's going on, ducks?"

The red head shrugged, turning back to glare at Buffy. "Slutty here was just
telling us our 'jobs'."

Buffy's mouth dropped open, her eyes growing wide with disbelief. " 'Slutty'?"
Her voice was cold when she could finally speak again. "Willow.what in the hell
has gotten into you?"

"Yeah, Wills," Xander reprimanded, winking at the witch. "*Slutty*? I would've
gone with *Bitchy* in this case." He grinned at the outraged expression on the
Slayer's face, placing a gentle kiss on Willow's forehead.

"You're both possessed, right?" Buffy mumbled, unbelieving that two of her best
friends were turning on her. She took a step back from the table, waiting for
any sort of response from them.

Spike looked at the two humans, his own mouth wide open. This was the last
thing he had ever expected to see happen between these three. Never in a
million years had he ever thought he would see the moron and the witch turn on
the Slayer. But here they were, doing just that, and with a flare and finesse
he was enjoying. Maybe they were worth getting to know after all.

"Possessed?" Willow smirked. "Yeah possessed by the good sense to see you for
what you really are."

"A vampire fucking, good for nothing, simpering little twit?" Xander chuckled,
taking a sip of his soda as the Slayer continued to stare at them in disbelief.
"Oh get over it, Buffy. You boss us around, treat us like trash, and expect us
not to get pissed? You really are oblivious."

"That was harsh, Chubs," Spike snickered. The two humans turned to look at him,
equal expressions of shock on their faces. The vampire was the last creature
they had expected to stick up for the Slayer. He smirked, winking at them. "She
doesn't shag vampires anymore.just washed up bloody commandos."

Xander laughed, the sound pure and husky. "You know, you're right, Junior." He
grinned. "Sorry about that Buffs, I meant to say that you are a washed-up
commando fucking, good for nothing, simpering twit." He turned back to the
laughing blonde haired vampire. "Is that better?"

"Much." The vampire grinned. He watched as the Slayer glared at the entire
table one final time before turning on her heel and leaving.

Spike chuckled as the Slayer stormed away from the table. He looked over at the
two humans who were still sitting there - the boy whispering in her ear as she
laughed about something. "Chubs...I thought you were dating that demon chit."
 
Xander looked up from Willow, his eyes narrowing. "I guess. Why?"
 
"Just wondering why you're all touchy-feely with Red there," the vampire
shrugged. Something was different about these two, something he couldn't quite
put his finger on.
 
"Oh, lord," Willow groaned, rolling her eyes. "Speak of the bitch and she shall
appear."
She pointed across the room where an apparently angry former vengeance demon
was bearing down on them.
 
"Lovely," Xander smirked. He didn't even stand as the girl approached, just
watched her through hooded eyes.
 
"Xander," Anya snapped, glaring at him. She didn't even bother to look at the
other occupants of the table, ignoring them as usual. "Where have you been?"
 
"Home? Here? Why?"
 
"Why?" The auburn haired girl asked. Her eyes bored holes into his, burning
with anger. "You haven't called me or come to see me in two days and you are
asking me why?"
 
The young man rolled his eyes, scooting off the edge of his stool and grabbing
Willow's hand. With his eyes never leaving Anya's, he leaned down to kiss the
red head gently on the forehead. "C'mon, Wills, lets get out of here. I'm
suddenly bored."
 
The witch grinned, caressing the hard chest of the boy she had known her whole
life. She licked the edge of his chin before smirking at Anya. "Sounds good to
me, Xan. This place just isn't fun anymore."
 
Spike watched the two leave, the grin on his face growing. Things in Sunnyhell
were about to get interesting - he had a feeling. He turned to Anya, chuckling
softly.
 
"So, ducks, guess that means its over between you two."

Part 4

Willow shivered slightly, drawing her new leather jacket around her. It had
been a present from Xander. Part of her wondered where he had suddenly gotten
the money to buy the two hundred dollar piece of clothing, while the other part
of her couldn't care less. It was all hers now - a present from her lover.
 
The thought of the dark haired youth who had been the object of her desire for
most of her life made her smile as she continued on down the street. She passed
by the quiet dorms, knowing that most of the students would be at the frat
party. It was where she should have been and she would be meeting Xander there
as soon as she was done with what she had to do.
 
Break it off with Tara.
 
As she climbed the stairs she wondered when her feelings for the blonde had
changed. She couldn't honestly pinpoint the exact moment when being with the
sweet girl had started to turn her stomach but it had most certainly happened.
Her girlfriend had slowly become not someone she wanted to be with for the rest
of her life, but someone she couldn't wait to get rid of.
 
Taking a deep breath, Willow knocked firmly on the door to Tara's dorm room.
She knew the blonde was going to take this badly. Probably cry and ask a lot of
stupid questions...then cry some more.
 
And Willow was looking forward to it.
 
"Willow!" Tara said happily when the door opened. She reached out to hug the
red head, surprised when the girl pulled away quickly. "I didn't think you were
coming by tonight...you've been so busy with school lately..."
 
"Yeah..." The red head smirked, walking into the room and waiting for Tara to
shut the door. "That's sorta what I wanted to talk to you about."
 
Tara raised an eyebrow, regarding her girlfriend with a confused look. "T..Talk
to me about?" The words sent a chill up her spine. What was going on with the
woman she had fallen in love with.
 
"Yeah...you see, I really haven't been that busy with school," Willow drawled,
sitting on a chair across from Tara's bed. She smirked as the now trembling
girl sat across from her.
 
"I...see," Tara frowned, biting her lip. "You just needed some time to
yourself? I understand...take all the time you need." She gave the red head
what she hoped was an understanding smile, her heart breaking.
 
"So glad you understand!" Willow cried sarcastically. "Truth is. I don't need
some time to myself...just time away from you." She smirked as the blonde's
face fell, tears starting to glisten on her face. "I honestly don't like being
alone and, well, Xander said he'd be there for me....and I believe him, after
all - he's been there for me every night this week."
 
Tara gasped, hot tears splashing down her face. How could Willow do this? Break
her heart then dance on it like she never meant anything to her. "I...I don't
understand..."
 
Willow nodded, giving her a condescending smile. "I know you don't. That's okay
though, you don't need to." A true smile lit up her face as she turned to go
towards the door. "See ya around." Tara's sobs followed her out into the hall
and she grinned, closing her eyes and letting the sweet music wash over her
senses.
 
When those sparkling green eyes opened again she was still smiling, her heart
light. Anya and Tara were out of the picture. Now was the time for her and
Xander to shine.
 
Sunnyhell was in for a surprise, to be sure.
 
Part 5

Buffy crept into the small dorm room she shared with Willow, unsurprised to see
the bed made. The red head hadn't come home since the night at the Bronze,
nearly four days before. Turning on the light, the blonde quickly strode to the
young witch's side of the room, searching for anything that might would explain
the drastic change that had overcome both her and Xander.
 
Her eyes flitted over the stack of spell books perched precariously on the edge
of the desk and she lifted the topmost one, flipping through it rapidly.
Nothing jumped out at her as something Willow might have tried and she set it
aside, grabbing the next.
 
Halfway through the stack of books, Buffy found what she was looking for. A
small leather-bound volume with a velvet  ribbon marking a page. She turned to
it, holding her breath. It was in another language, one the Slayer was sure she
had seen before but couldn't quite place. She fingered the index card laying
between the pages, her eyes growing wide with disbelief. Snapping the book
shut, the blonde raced out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
 
Giles had to see this as soon as possible.
 
** ** **
 
"Oh, my."
 
Buffy stared at her Watcher, fear gripping her heart. He had been positively
quiet since she had showed him the spell, simply whispering 'oh my' over and
over again. "Giles...come on...dish...what's going on?"
 
The former librarian paled, turning to his charge. "We need to speak with them
right away."
 
The Slayer nodded. She didn't understand what exactly was so bad about the
spell but knew that Giles would explain all in good time. Reaching over to the
phone, she dialed Xander's number, holding her breath until she heard the phone
pick up. "Xander?"
 
"No." Willow snapped.
 
"Willow. Just as good. This is Buffy."
 
"Gee. Couldn't have guessed." A few neighborhoods over the red head was rolling
her eyes, making gagging motions as the Slayer stuttered over her sentences.
 
"Willow. I know you don't want to talk to me..."
 
"So why are you calling?"
 
"Well...." Buffy sighed, trying to remind herself that there must be a good
reason why the red head was acting like this. "I was looking through one of
your spell books and I found this spell you had marked...it looked
interesting...something about a soul restoration...so I took it to Giles and he
read it and he really really needs to see the two of you right now."
 
The blonde waited, listening to the line for any sign of life. "Hello...?"
 
"We'll be over in ten minutes."
 
Buffy hung up the phone, the harsh dial tone buzzing in her ear.  Hopefully
this would explain the whole thing - hopefully she would have her friends back.
She turned to Giles, her eyes alight with curiosity. 
 
"They're coming - now what's going on?"
 
** ** **
 
"So she went through your stuff?" Xander asked, his voice deadly quiet. Dark
eyes sparkled with anger.
 
"Looks that way..." Willow sighed. She kicked at a rock as she passed it,
sending the small piece of granite skittering into the grass. "Found the book
with the damn spell I botched."
 
"Baby..." Xander purred, stopping suddenly and catching her arm so that she
turned to face him.  "Who cares if -we- messed up the spell? What they think of
us doesn't matter. They're -nothing-." He leaned down, kissing her tenderly.
 
"I know..." The red head chuckled. "But what if that's the reason we have been
like this? You have to admit we've changed since we did the spell....we've been
acting different...and us being together...you know that's new."
 
The young man's eyes darkened, anger taking over. "So you regret it? Feeling so
free? Being happy for once in our lives?"
 
Willow laughed suddenly, caressing his cheek with her palm. "No baby. I don't
regret one moment of it. I feel more alive and free than I ever did. Nothing
bothers me anymore...and we're together. The only thing I would ever regret
would be that it took a spell to get us this far..."
 
Xander smiled. "Good. Cuz that's exactly how I feel." His hands moved to her
hips, pulling her body flush against his. He had to admit that the leather
jacket he had gotten her looked good on her. Especially with the short skirt
and silk shirt she was wearing.
 
He licked gently at her lips, teasing them open with his tongue as his hands
moved down onto her suede-covered butt. As their tongues battled for dominance
he felt his already tight black jeans tighten even further - his arousal
pushing at them almost painfully. "Do we have to go over there?" He murmured
into her lips, his eyes clearly conveying what he would rather do with the
time.
 
She smiled, her small hand reaching between them to rub absently at his
cloth-covered rod. "We'd better...or else she'll turn up on our doorstep ready
to do an exorcism or something. Lets just go. Deny everything and act all
goody-goody again. Maybe then she'll leave us alone for a while."
 
Xander nodded. "Fine...but afterwards...."
 
"After that....I'm yours, all night."
 
** ** **

 "And you are positive you didn't do this spell?" Giles asked, for the tenth
time. He watched the two youths in front of him.

"Positive, Giles." Willow smiled. "I haven't tried any spells in a few weeks,
actually. Nothing major." She licked her lips, grimacing inside for having to
be nice to the Slayer and her Watcher. "Why?"

Giles sighed. "It would have explained your recent.behaviour is all. The spell
steals the soul of whomever is in the room when it is cast. Piece by piece."

Xander tilted his head to the side, the goofy smile they had come to know and
trust on his face even as his stomach lurched with distaste. "Ew. That
sounds.painful." He smirked, leaning over to kiss Willow's forehead. "Honestly
though, we haven't cast any spells."

Nodding almost imperceptibly, Buffy looked at her two former friends seated so
cozily on the couch together. "So.if you didn't cast that spell.what's with the
attitudes lately?"

For a brief moment Willow's face darkened, her hatred and annoyance with the
people in the room overtaking her. Then it was gone, and she was smiling at
them as if she hadn't just had thoughts of killing them. "We've just.been going
through a lot of changes. Breaking up with our lovers, finally finding each
other." She sighed, giving Buffy her best innocent expression. "We just need
some time to find ourselves, find out who we are. We've lived in your shadow
for the past five years, Buffy.Just understand that we need some time to
ourselves now."

Buffy nodded. It made perfect sense at last. They had been nothing but her
side-kicks ever since they met her, fighting to save the world more than any
normal teen ever should have had to. They needed to find out who they were,
then they would be back to normal. "I understand." She smiled at the two of
them. "You know we are here for you if you need us."

Willow nodded, standing up and offering Xander her hand. She turned, burying
her face in his chest so the other two in the room wouldn't see her smirk. This
had been too easy. Buffy had accepted her explanation without any further
questions. "Well, we'd better be going. Plans and stuff."

Giles watched the two go, not totally convinced of their innocence in the whole
matter of the spell. It would require some further research, he was sure.

He just hoped he had that long.

Part 6

"I'm bored." Willow sighed, flopping back onto Xander's bed. She glared up at
the ceiling, the frown marring her pretty face. She rolled over, watching as
her lover paced the room like a trapped animal. They had spent the past two
days blissfully happy in her parents' house, making love like wild animals in
between catching fitful naps. They knew fully well that the spell they had
botched had caused this - but neither cared. Happiness had been found in each
other's arms.

"You're not the only one, baby," The dark haired man smirked. He sat on the bed
next to her, pulling her naked body into his arms.  "What should we do about
it?"

The red head's eyes sparkled with the darkness in her heart. "Something
involving screaming?"

"I like the way you think. Who's screaming?" His softly purred words tickled
over her ear and she found herself shivering with half-hidden arousal. A moist
tongue darted out to lick at her lips and suddenly Xander found himself
throbbing beneath his jeans - aching to throw her down and fuck her over and
over again.

Willow grinned as her lover moved behind her, wrapping his legs around her and
conveniently grinding his erection into her lower back. "Someone
deserving..Bitchy?"
Her eyes lit up at the thought of making the uppity Slayer bleed. The blonde
seemed to have believed them when they said they just needed some time but
still, the young witch wanted to make her hurt for using them so callously for
years.

"I think the Slayer might be a little out of our league, lover." Xander
whispered into her ear, licking along the lobe with his tongue. He felt her
shudder in his arms and knew he was doing something right. Never before had he
been with anyone who could complete him the way she did - she was darkness and
lovliness all rolled into one attractive package.

"Giles?"

"Then we'd have to deal with Slutty still, baby. Need someone who won't cause
us any grief. Someone who will just lay there and die like they deserve."

Willow's eyes flashed. "Your parents."

Xander sucked in a breath, rolling the idea around in his mind. Make his
parents scream and bleed? Make them die at his hands? He knew that he should
feel something - anything - about plotting to kill the very people that had
brought him into this world. But he didn't. The part of him that used to think
of that as wrong was gone - gone with the breeze that blew through him every
day to take another part of his soul with it. Giles had been absolutely right
in his translation of the spell - it was taking their souls away. Xander didn't
care though. The only thing that mattered right now was alleviating his
boredom.

"My parents?" The young man smirked finally. He tilted his lover's head back so
she could look into his dark eyes. "Sounds like a lovely idea, Wills."

** ** **
They bought their movie tickets in silence, holding each other's hands and
smiling softly. This was going to be their best night together yet. They just
had to play it cool and stick to the plan. Xander looked over at the moonlight
shining down on Willow's face as they walked away from the theater. She was
beautiful in this light, the moon's rays casting her face into shadow's. It
made her hair shimmer like fire and her eyes sparkle like the most clear of
emeralds. 

"So.alibi is all taken care of.." Willow murmured, oblivious to the adoring
thoughts of her lover. She tore off half of their tickets, making it look as
though they had actually entered the theater. This was their alibi should
anything come down on their heads - they were at the movies. It was even one
they had seen together the week before so they were already versed on the plot.
 By the time they walked back to Xander's house the movie would be half over.
They'd have plenty of time to do what they wanted with his parents before
calling the police to report the 'bodies they had found when they got home from
their date'.

Xander nodded, smiling. This would be a night to remember. The night he finally
rid the world of those miserable excuses for parents that he had had to deal
with his entire life. His cock throbbed within the confines of his jeans as he
pictured his father lying in a pool of his own blood - bleeding all over that
tacky beige and yellow carpet his mother had installed the year before. No
amount of new things ever could seem to make his family more than it was -
white trash.

Well now they'd be dead white trash and he'd be free of them forever.

"Xan.der." Willow cooed, stopping him in the middle of the sidewalk. She walked
in front of him, standing on her toes to kiss his soft lips. The dark eyes that
had been previously lost in thought softened at the feel of her warm body
pressed against him and he moaned out loud, pulling her flush against him.

"Want you so bad, Wills."

"Does the thought of them bleeding make you hot, baby?" The red head purred.
She ran  dark red nails down his t-shirt covered chest, pinching roughly at his
already hard nipples and making him groan. The hand on her ass pushed her in
tighter to his erection and suddenly they were both wearing too many clothes.
"Fuck me. Here. Now."

The only response she got was his lips crashing down on hers. The stubble from
his newly-started goatee rubbed abrasively against her soft chin, the slight
pain only making her wetter. She felt herself lifted from the ground and
carried into the nearest yard. Something rough slammed against her back and she
realized without even opening her eyes that he had her against a tree.

Xander pushed up on his lover's short skirt as he pulled down the zipper on his
jeans. His fingers slipped into her already sopping cunt as she wrapped her
legs around his waist, her moans deafening in the quiet street. Hopefully no
one would come along and see them - that would be a sure way to ruin what was
destined to be a great night.  He pushed aside her soaking panties and
positioned the head of his cock at her slick entrance. Covering her mouth with
his own, he slammed into her, burying himself to the hilt with just one
movement.

Willow clutched at the tree behind her, trying to leverage her lover's rigid
shaft deeper into her tight channel. She could feel the bark of the tree
digging into her clothes and was glad she was protected by the thick leather of
her jacket. She screamed into his mouth as his hands came up to grasp roughly
at her silk covered breasts, twisting her erect nipples through the thin shirt.
 Her clit was throbbing and every time he thrust into her the fabric of his
jeans would rub against it - sending her slowly spiraling to the edge.

Xander released his mouth from his lover's long enough to grunt her name as he
flooded her passage with his seed. He reached between them as his cock spasmed
deep in her cunt and twisted roughly at her clit, sending her into her own
shrieking fit of pleasure. His mouth came down upon hers after the first cry of
his name and he swallowed the rest of her moans with his lips and tongue.

Willow sighed, laying her head on Xander's shoulder and just breathing in the
scent of their love making mixed with the leather of her jacket. "MMmmmMMm. If
that's what thinking about killing them does to you then I can't wait to see
what you are like after we actually do it." She looked up suddenly as a light
came on in the house next to them. "Time to get moving lover."

Xander nodded. He pulled out of her with a small groan and pulled his softening
dick back into his jeans. Zipping them up he glanced around warily as his lover
adjusted her skirt. With a smirk, the young man grabbed her hand, pulling her
down the street.

The fun was just beginning.

Part 7

Xander's father was awake when they made it back to his house. Sitting in the
recliner, beer in hand, the poor excuse for a parent shot Xander a glare before
turning back to his late night television program. The youth barely blinked at
the hostile attitude exhibited by this man he was supposed to call 'father'.
This type of abuse was all too normal in the Harris household.

Well tonight he would break that cycle.

Grinning sadistically at Willow, Xander held a finger to his lips, motioning
for her to be quiet. He moved to stand behind his father, his breathing light
as he contemplated the gutless wretch before him. "Dad-dy." The youth whispered
in a sing-song voice.

"What do you want, boy?" Mr Harris grunted, turning to fix his son with another
glare. "Good for nothing piece of trash, interrupting me while I'm watching
Jerry. Now what the fuck do you want?"

"To make you scream?" Xander smirked. His hand shot out, sending a right hook
across the man's face. With little more than a groan his dad fell from his
chair to the floor, knocking over his can of beer from the small end table as
he toppled. Xander stared down at him, feeling nothing but hatred for the man
who had made him miserable for the first twenty years of his life.

Willow slid a small dagger from the back pocket of her jeans, holding it hilt
first to her lover. She smiled, her eyes as dead as her heart. "Make him bleed
for me, Xan?"

"Anything for you, darling," Xander chuckled. He kneeled down, straddling his
father's lower back, and grabbed ahold of his hair, tilting his head up. He
pushed the tip of the blade against the man's neck, a slow smile spreading
across his lips when the overweight bastard started to stir. "Well dad.you
always said I was a mistake."  With one sharp slash of his wrist Xander pulled
the knife across his dad's throat, the smile never leaving his face.

The man gurgled, clutching wildly at his throat as he tried to stand. He
crashed against a stand of gaudy glass curious, sending some of them crashing
to the floor before he, too, fell to the floor. He twitched one last time
before laying still, the pool of crimson blood spreading quickly across the
dirty off-white carpeting.

"Hello.?" A woman called from upstairs. A hall light went on and Willow looked
towards the stairs, hearing the heavy footsteps of who she knew was Xander's
mother. This bitch didn't deserve to live either. She had sat back and watched
her husband abuse her 'precious baby boy' for his entire life, never once
lifting a hand to try to stop it. She had been just as verbally abusive to him
at times, as well - making him feel worthless.

"May I?" Willow purred, stepping close to her lover as she waited for the woman
to come into view. She grinned, eyes sparkling with evil, as he handed her the
blade. "Thank you." Her lips met his as his mother reached the bottom of the
stairs.

"Oh, Xander, its only you," the unattractive aging woman sighed, leaning
against the railing of the stairs. Her gaze was caught by the sight of her son,
kissing the Rosenberg girl. What he saw in that miserable slip of a whore she
would never understand. "Xander!"

The dark haired youth pulled away from Willow, seeing the contempt in his
mother's eyes. He smiled softly at her, picturing her death at his lover's
hands as the red head slowly made her way towards her.

"Xander, haven't I told you about bringing girls over this late at." Her voice
caught in her throat as she finally saw the body of her husband on the floor,
the telltale pool of his blood giving her no hope as to whether or not he was
alive. She screamed, her hands coming up to her chest in an almost comical
parody of a horror movie.

** ** **

Boredom.
 
That was the only reason Spike could come up with for why he was wandering the
streets of Sunnydale, heading on a path he knew would take him right to the
whelp's house.
 
It had to be boredom.
 
It couldn't be curiosity. Nope. He definitely was in no way curious about why
Xander and Red had suddenly taken a personality change that scared the hell
outta the Slayer.
 
Ok - maybe there was a little curiosity driving him. The two had started to get
under his skin, they were alluring in a way only a demon could understand. In
their eyes he could see so much of himself when he was mortal - the darkness
that lurked below the surface. Looking at them he knew exactly what Angelus had
seen in him so many years ago.
 
The blonde rounded the corner, seeing Xander's house not too far away. He took
a long drag off of his cigarette, exhaling the smoke into the air as he
continued on. {Nights are too bloody quiet, recently,} he smirked to himself.
Things wouldn't be like this if he didn't have the bloody chip in his head. The
city would be on its knees if the bloody Initiative hadn't played God with his
effin body.  Yep...the town was just too quiet.
 
That's when he heard the screams.
 
Long and clear, the sharp cry of a woman echoed down the quiet street.  The
blonde's head snapped up and he flicked his cigarette into the street, running
towards the noise he could have sworn came from the Harris household.
 
He listened as the scream came again, sure this time that it had come from the
whelp's house.  The screams had stopped by the time he pounded up the steps,
his hand reaching for the doorknob even as he heard the melodious tinkle of a
woman's laughter ring within.
 
He growled softly, quietly turning the knob on the door. Hopefully Xander
wasn't home. Hopefully he wouldn't open the door to see one of the Slayer's
pets lying bloodied and broken on the floor. He could enter the home, no
problem, his invitation never having been revoked from when he stayed with the
boy. He just hoped that he wouldn't hate what he saw when he opened the door.
 
Twisting the knob quietly, the vampire eased the door open a crack, peeking in.
From where he was standing he could see a man's body lying on the floor, the
scent of blood heavy in the air from the pool around the rapidly cooling
corpse. He could hear someone talking in whispers, and it sounded exactly like
the witch. Taking a deep unnecessary breath, the vampire pushed open the door.
 
"Spike..."
 
"Junior...."
 
Spike gaped at the two mortals, wrapped in each other's arms, her skirt hiked
above her waist with his hand obviously up under it. She was pushed up against
the side of the stairs, a woman's body laying only a few feet away, blood
trickling down the stairs in a steady stream.
 
"Pets?"
 
Xander smirked, disengaging himself from Willow and walking towards the
vampire. Something within him called out to this creature, knew him as a
kindred spirit. With a cold grin, the boy pushed shut the door, again locking
the world out of the home.
 
"What brings you to the happy Harris household?" The boy grinned, the smile not
quite reaching the darkness of his eyes. He pulled Willow into his arms,
leaning her back into his embrace so that she could still see the vampire.
 
"What in the bloody hell is going on here?" Spike growled, glancing around the
room at the carnage. He fixed his gaze on the two humans in front of them,
noting their expressions. It was like they didn't care...didn't have any
feelings about standing in a room with the dead bodies of the boy's parents.
 
"This?" Willow smirked. She shrugged. "They were very bad parents."
 
"And...?" The vampire pushed, wanting to hear what had happened and why they
didn't seem to care.
 
"We killed them."
 
The blonde's eyes went wide as the simple statement echoed in the air, said by
the voice of a woman he had once thought so sweet and innocent it would be a
pleasure to corrupt. He waited, wondering if there would be a punch line to the
whole situation.
 
There wasn't.
 
"You...killed them..." Spike muttered, leaning back against the door.  He shook
his head, trying to sort through the confusion he was feeling. He chuckled
softly, staring at the beauties only a few feet away. "So what are you going to
do with the bodies, ducks?"
 
Xander smiled down at the entrancing creature in his arms. "Ready for this
part, baby?"

Willow nodded, a sly smile creeping across her lips.  She reached behind her,
grabbing something off of the edge of the stairs through the railing. "Spike.do
you think you could dispose of this for us? It would save us a -lot- of
trouble."

The blonde looked down at the dagger she was holding towards him, her fingers
holding it by the blood-covered blade so he could grab the hilt.  "If I do,
will you two come by the apartment later to talk?"

"Not gonna run and tell Bitchy, are you?" Xander purred, stepping up behind
Willow and wrapping his arms around her waist. He rested his head lightly on
her shoulder, regarding the blonde with dark brown eyes. He licked his lips, a
part of him craving further contact with the vampire and another part of him
knowing without a doubt he wouldn't hesitate to stake him if he planned on
telling the Slayer.

Spike regarded the youths, a small smile spreading across his own cold
features.  "No. I'm not going to tell the bloody Slayer. Maybe I just want to
get to know the two of you better. Seems you might be a whole lot more
interesting than I thought."

Willow nodded slowly, again holding the dagger out to him.  She could feel the
same pull to Spike that she felt towards Xander. The three of them really were
all the same, of like mind so to speak. "Sure thing, Spikey. Get rid of the
dagger and we will come by later tonight."

The vampire took the dagger, grabbing a dirty handkerchief from one of his
duster pockets and wrapping it before tucking it away. "Right. I'll make sure
that's never found again." He watched in fascination as the red head held up
her hand, the tip of her fingers coated in blood. She smiled at him, licking at
one delicately.  Immediately his cock sprang into attention, straining almost
painfully at his jeans.

"Wanna taste?" She held out her hand, offering him the same finger she had just
swiped at with her tiny tongue. A genuine smile of passion entered her features
as he grabbed her wrist, his pale pink tongue licking gently at the blood
coating her finger and she moaned, leaning back into her lover's embrace. "Such
a cold tongue." She murmured, her eyes sparkling with fire. "I bet that would
feel good in hot places."

Spike growled softly, licking her fingers clean one by one. This was the first
time he had been able to taste mortal blood in months and to be licking it from
the skin of such an obvious dark goddess was pure ecstasy. Satisfied that he
had thoroughly rid her of any trace of blood, he kissed her palm, releasing her
hand.  He looked up, meeting the brown eyes of the human male with his own
intense blue ones. The boy was quite obviously aroused, his eyes darkened with
lust.

Xander licked his lips slowly before placing a kiss on Willow's neck. He stood
up straight, moving away from her to the phone near the door. With a sigh and a
smirk, he lifted the receiver, whispering, "Show time", before dialing out.

"Hello?" Xander's terrified-sounding voice rang out in the room.  "My parents.I
came home.they're on the floor.oh my god.there's so much blood.." He cried,
sobbing fake tears into the receiver. "Please.help..oh god..there's blood
everywhere..mom.."

Willow turned to Spike. "You'd better go before the police get here." She
kissed his cheek, pushing him towards the door.

The vampire grinned, amazed at the humans' ability to mask their true emotions.
He had no doubt in his mind that the two would get away clean with the murder.
"See you later, luv." He stepped out of the house, shutting the door behind him
and moving away from the house quickly. Already he could hear sirens
approaching, moving towards the house. He stepped into the shadows, watching as
two squad cars pulled up, officers rushing to the door. Even from a few houses
down he could hear the sobs and cries of the two humans, pleading for the
officers to help them.

It was only then did Spike realize how much he wanted them.

Part 8

"Do you two have anywhere to stay tonight. Away from here?" The police woman
asked the teens in young adults in front of her with a gentle tone. They hadn't
stopped crying or shaking since finding the bodies of the boys' parents. She
couldn't understand what they must be going through - finding a loved one
brutally slaughtered. It was something she wasn't sure she could bare and she
felt happy that at least they were hysterical messes.

"My house.." Willow whispered, wiping tears from her cheeks. "We can go back to
my house.can Xander get a bag of things from his room? If that won't disturb
anything, that is. We don't want to do anything that will hurt your chances of
finding the m.monster that did this.." Her voice trailed off and she allowed
herself to sob into Xander's shoulder.

"Sure thing, hun," Officer Davis smiled softly. "Roberts, take Mr. Harris
downstairs to get some of his things?" The other officer nodded and Xander
stood, squeezing Willow's hand one more time before leaving the room to collect
his things.

"Do you think you will find who did this?" Willow asked quietly. "I mean.that's
just scary.that someone could just come in here and..oh goddess..they were his
parents! They're dead..oh goddess.." She tilted her head down, hiding her smile
in her hands as she continued to cry convincingly.

"I'm sure we will, Willow." The officer kneeled before the young girl. How
could she tell this petite little thing that most of the murders in this city
never were solved? That there were things creeping through the darkness that
hunted for innocents like her? She heard noise on the back stairs and looked up
in time to see the Harris kid come back in the room. Grief was written clearly
over every line of his face and she knew it would take years to erase the
emotional scars of just this one night. "Come on. I will drive you two to
Willow's house."

The two young adults nodded, standing as one and grabbing for each other's
hands. Xander could see that Willow had experienced another episode of
'hysterical crying' and fought to hide his smirk. This was too easy. No one
suspected that they could even possibly be the ones who had committed such a
'heinous act of violence'. "Let's go. I think I need to get some sleep.my head
is pounding."

Officer Davis smiled reassuringly at the young man. "That would probably be for
the best." She patted him on the shoulder reassuringly as she led them out to
her squad car. "Trust me. It might not feel like it right now. But this does
get easier. One day it will be nothing but a sad memory."

"I'm sure you're right Officer." Xander sighed, the darkness of his front yard
hiding his smirk. "I'm sure you're right."

~*~*~

They waited at Willow's house for half an hour before leaving to go to Spike's
- just to be sure that the police weren't lurking anywhere nearby. They didn't
feel any fear as they walked through the deserted streets, stopping to kiss
more than once on their chosen route. It was nearly two in the morning before
they made their way to the bleached blonde's doorstep, their faces rosy with
arousal.

"Well, well. Look who finally decided to show up." Spike smirked, opening the
door wide for them to enter. He didn't miss the heated looks they were giving
each other as they sat on the couch. "Wassamatter, ducks? All that killing get
you randy?"

Willow grinned. "Actually.yeah.I've been all nice and wet since I slit the
cunt's throat."

Xander chuckled, pulling the red head closer to him. His lips brushed against
her ear. "MmM.and that sound she made when she was trying to scream.all that
blood pouring down the steps." He worked a hand slowly up her thigh, gliding up
under her skirt. "I don't think I've ever been that hard in my entire life."

Spike looked back and forth between the two humans, a smile creasing his
features. What had happened to the two little whipped friends of the Slayer
they had been? Nothing seemed likely enough to make them turn into cold-hearted
killers overnight. "So are you two going to tell me what the bloody hell is
going on or are you going to make me watch you shag on my sofa?"

"Wouldn't make you watch." Willow pouted. "Might make you join." She spread her
legs, allowing Xander's hand to work its way further under her skirt. Spike
stared in surprise. From his vantage across from the witch it was pretty
obvious that she wasn't wearing any underwear. He could smell the sweet scent
of her arousal in the air and grew hard.

"Not a bad idea, Wills. You, me, Blondie." Xander purred, his fingers winding
lightly through the damp curls of his lover. "But not right now, though. Maybe
after we tell him what happened to us? That's if he -wants- to play with us."

"Who said we're giving him a choice? " The red head cooed. "I say if he
protests we just chain him up and use him."

The vampire sat up a little straighter. "That won't be necessary, pet. I'm
quite willing." He winked at her. "But the chain idea does have merit."

Willow laughed. "Then let me tell you what happened so we can get on to more
interesting things." She licked her lips, eyeing the bulge in his crotch.
"Basically.there was this spell.I -thought- it was to anchor a soul..turns
out.it steals them.piece by piece."

Xander shivered, listening to the husky tone of his lover's voice. "Its like a
wind blowing through you.and everytime it comes another little piece of your
soul is gone. We didn't know about it until the other day, really. Had no clue
at all. Even now that we do know, we don't care. Buffy and Giles don't think we
actually did the spell - they think we're just going through some sort of
'phase'."

"Phase," Willow spat, her eyes sparkling with anger. "Little whore. She just
couldn't stand the fact that we've changed - that we don't need her anymore.
Self-righteous little slut."

"Want me to make her bleed for you, baby?" Xander whispered, licking along the
edge of her earlobe. "Want me to give you her cold, dead body as a present?" He
leaned in, his lips meeting hers as the soft words poured from his lips.
Tantalizing statements of the ways he would make Buffy bleed and suffer for
her.

Spike watched as the two lovers began to kiss, thoughts of a dead or dying
Slayer obviously turning them on further. It all made perfect sense to him now.
The way they had gone from upstanding member of the Sunnydale community to
America's most wanted in less than a few weeks. It explained the kinship he
felt everytime he got near them - his demon was obviously recognizing their
gradual loss of soul and knew they'd make good mates.

His cock throbbed against the inside of his jeans as he watched the two of them
battle with their tongues. The display was more than a kiss - it was a
desperate mating of mouths as the two humans sought to quench the desire
burning within them. With an almost inarticulate moan he released the catch on
his jeans, intending to toss off if they wouldn't let him join in their fun.

"Someone's feeling left out." Willow murmured into Xander's mouth, letting him
take a moment to breath. She turned lust-filled green eyes on the blonde,
moving towards him in an action that was pure predator. If he had been human
Spike would have known fear at that moment - the way that she moved spoke of
someone that was capable of hunting down their prey. Licking her lips, the red
head dropped to her knees in front of him, removing his hand from the fly of
his jeans. "Let me take care of that."

Spike moaned long and low as her warm mouth encompassed the wide girth of his
cock. He felt himself throb in time with the pulse he hadn't had for well over
a century, sending impossibly more blood to his already swollen member. Through
half-shut eyes he saw Xander come up behind her, pants falling to the floor in
a pile of fabric. He licked his own lips as he saw the human's rod for the
first time, imagining what it would be like to take it in his mouth and suck on
it like a lollipop.

Xander kneeled behind his lover, pulling roughly on her ass so that she put it
in the air for him, her mouth never leaving the ardent attentions she was
lavishing on Spike's cock. He grunted in satisfaction, grabbing onto her hips
with his hands and ramming into her tight cunt with one sure thrust. He heard
her moan, setting off a similar reaction in the vampire as the vibrations of
her vocalization traveled the throbbing length of the blonde's cock. With hard
thrusts, the dark haired youth pounded into her, slamming his entire length
home time and again.

Spike threaded his fingers through Willow's red hair, admiring its flaming
length as her head bobbed up and down on his shaft. He growled, meeting
Xander's eyes over the red head's smooth, pale back. He felt his cock throb
impossibly harder as he saw the look of raw lust in the mortal's eyes. Later he
would feel him - feel the tight muscles of the human's ass clench around him so
much tighter than the witch's mouth could ever do. He tightened his fingers in
her hair, guiding her head along its course of lust.

Reaching a hand underneath Willow's body, Xander strummed lightly at her clit,
his primal pounding never ceasing. He grunted, slamming almost painfully into
her, the slapping of his balls echoing through the room. He could hear her
moaning increase in volume and he sped up the actions his fingers were
lavishing on her clit.

Spike pulled down on the beautiful witch's head, his face vamping out as he
shot his cool cum deep in her throat. She swallowed every spurt, licking her
lips as she pulled off, rocking back onto Xander's cock with a throaty moan.
Her eyes closed, skin glistening with sweat as she keened with pleasure.
"Harder, Xan."

Grunting, the mortal youth rammed his cock into her. He could feel his balls
tighten against his body as his orgasm began to ride up through him.
"Wills.coming.cum with me.."

"Yeeessss.." Willow cried out, her body clenching around his spurting shaft as
she cried out with release. She felt him shudder as he spilled his seed deep
within her core, his body draping over hers as the last moan left his moist
lips. "Oh goddess.that was." She looked up at Spike, sitting on the floor as
Xander crawled off of her to lay on the couch. "That was magnificent." Her eyes
shone with a re-building desire. "Spike.you taste divine."

"Does he?" Xander murmured from the couch. "Remind me to find out after a quick
nap."

Spike snorted, standing and pulling Willow to her feet. He came to stand over
the sleepy-eyed mortal man, mock-glaring at him. "No one said you could sleep,
Chubs. Get your arse in the bedroom - we've got some more shagging to get to."

Grinning, Xander swung his legs over the side of the couch, following the naked
pair into the bedroom. It was going to be a very long night.

Part 8

Darkness greeted Xander Harris when he opened his eyes. It took him a moment to
remember where he was. What he had done the night before. His mind reeled with
the memories. Fucking Willow, being fucked by Spike. It had gone on for hours,
until finally they had collapsed into bed, so tired they simply fell asleep.
 
It had been glorious.
 
In their arms he had been taken to heights he had never known possible. His
body was covered in scratches and bites, made by not just Spike but Willow as
well. She certainly could be a little hell cat sometimes.  He knew it had to be
because of the spell that had been cast, but the two of them called to him in a
way he couldn't explain - Spike in a different way. The blonde haired vampire
called out to the darkness in him - the part that had been there before the
spell ever happened - the part he had locked away from the world for so long.
 
But now it was free to play.
 
Yawning, he stretched, pushing off both the cool and warm arm draped over his
stomach. He slid off the foot of the king size bed, hopping slightly on the
cold floor as it hit his bare feet. Feeling his way through the darkness, the
youth reached the door, opening it and stepping out into the hallway. Early
evening light poured through the a small window in one corner of the living
room, the last rays of the dying sun filtering through the murky glass. He
paused, looking out over the back of the apartment complex. A few children were
playing in the complex's plastic maze of slides and swings - laughing and
running around as their moms watched on.
 
They were so fragile.
 
He knew it would be so easy to lure one away, take them into the apartment and
make them suffer before snuffing out their life. The darkness lurking just
below the surface of his eyes longed to make them hurt, scream - to cut off
their happiness at its most primal source - their life itself. He had woken up
wanting to recreate the feelings he had experienced as he killed his parents.
But these kids weren't a challenge. How could they fight back? Defend
themselves? They couldn't. They would be even less of a challenge
than his drunken father had been.
 
"Couldn't sleep?"
 
Xander turned, a smile creeping across his dark features. He gathered Willow in
his arms, kissing her soundly on the lips. "Baby...I'm surprised you can still
walk today..."
 
The red head chuckled, leaning her head against his chest. It didn't bother her
in the least that she was standing near a window wearing nothing but the skin
her goddess had given her. "I feel absolutely fine...not even a little sore."
She grinned up at him. "Guess you two will just have to work harder."
 
The young man smirked before turning his attention back to the window. "Later,
Wills. Right now...I feel the need to cause some damage..."
 
She nodded, understanding what he meant. She felt it too - deep within her -
the need to bring pain to others. "Want to go out?"
 
Xander nodded, kissing her forehead. "Lets go grab our clothes and get out of
here. We can leave Spike a note." He smirked, throwing her a leer. "Though I
seriously doubt he'll be waking up before we get back."
 
** ** **

"Spiiiiikkeeyyyy."

Spike batted at the warm hand so close to his face, caressing his cheek and
arms. His demon was complacent about it, so there was no danger and one deep
intake of air confirmed it was merely Willow and Xander.

"See, Wills. Told you he'd still be asleep when we got back." 

The blonde's eyes flew open.  "Out? Where's you go, pets?" He sat up, allowing
the red head directly next to him better access to his neck - a zone he had
discovered the night before that she loved.

"We got you some takeout." She purred softly into his ear, holding out a hand
to Xander. She held the bottle under the vampire's nose, letting him breathe in
the heavenly aroma she knew lurked inside. He growled softly and grabbed it
from her, demon coming to the front as he began to drink. "You like?"

"Like?" Spike asked softly, bringing the bottle down from his lips. "This is
human blood.still warm too. Its just gorgeous, pet." He took another long
swallow, his golden eyes regarding her sparkling green ones as Xander joined
then on the bed. "May I ask where you got it from?"

Xander shrugged, leaning back against the pillows. He draped an arm over the
vampire's lap, grinning up at him. "Some woman we ran into on the way home from
picking on homeless people."

"Picking on homeless people?" The blonde repeated the words. He placed the now
empty bottle on the nightstand, drawing Willow into his embrace.

"Yeah. Playing with them." The witch murmured huskily. "Beating.kicking."

"Cutting.stabbing." Xander joined in, smirking at the look on Spike's face.
"What can we say? Woke up with a need."

"MmmmM." Willow moaned. She moved aside Xander's arm to lay her head in the
vampire's lap. "Yeah..but fulfilling that need gave me another one." She licked
her lips, eyes filled with lust.

Spike groaned as she took his cock in her talented mouth, her tongue swirling
around his head. "A demon could get used to this, pets."

"So get used to it." Xander murmured, before making sure there was no further
conversation from the blonde.

** ** **

It was dark by the second time Spike woke for the day. He brushed a kiss across
each of his lovers' foreheads before slipping gracefully from the bed. Without
a sound he grabbed a set of clothes and made his way to the bathroom.

The idea of what would happen when their souls totally left their bodies had
been bugging him since the night before. A vampire only lived after their
soul's departure because of the demon animating their body. This was, he
assumed, the standard practice when it came to -any- creature of the undead
status. But his new pets weren't undead - they were quiet totally alive and
kicking.

At least for the moment.

Sliding the t-shirt over his head, Spike toed on his boots and grabbed his
keys. There was only one person he knew of who would be able to tell him what
would happen to the two humans still sleeping in his bed when the spell ran its
final course.  Every fibre of his being told him he wasn't going to like the
answer.

Losing them just wasn't an option.

Cruising through the deserted streets of Sunnydale, he pondered what had
happened. Never before had two humans had such a strong hold on him. They
touched a part of him that he didn't want left alone ever again. His demon
recognized the darkness in them as his own true mates. They would make such
grand childer one day and together the three of them would paint the world in
blood. He smiled at the graphic picture the thoughts painted in his head.

One day the world would quake with their passing, he was sure.

Rolling to a stop outside of the Watcher's apartment complex, the blonde
stepped from the vehicle. He took his time making his way to the door, knowing
he would be greeted by a cool reception. Even after months of helping the
'gang' he wasn't one of them. Nor did he care to be. Not now and not ever.

"Hey, Watcher. You home?" He stepped into the former librarian's home without a
second thought - his invitation never having been revoked no matter how many
threats he made to their lives. Just another example of how pathetic he had
become. But no longer. Not with Red and Xander at his side - with them he
doubted he would ever need to fear anyone again.

No one human at least.

He turned his head to the stairs, seeing Giles taking them two at a time in his
haste to get down to the first floor. The vampire braced himself for the tongue
lashing to come.

And was surprised.

"Spike. Good. Have you seen Willow or Xander?"

The blonde raised an eyebrow. Why was the Watcher inquiring first thing about
his lovers? He held back any sharp retorts he might have spoken and simply
asked. "Why?"

Motioning the vampire further into the house, the aging Watcher stepped into
the kitchen grabbing a bottle of brandy. Only then did Spike notice the empty
bottle on the table, along with a half full glass. Obviously something was
going on - something pretty bad.

"There was.an incident at Xander's house last night." Giles said finally,
finishing off the last of the scotch in his glass and replacing it with the
newly opened brandy. "No one has heard or seen either of them since."

Spike blinked in shock. So no one knew about their involvement in the parents'
death? He wasn't altogether -too- surprised - their acting had been award
worthy when the police finally showed up. He took a deep breath, ready to win
an award of his own. "They're at my house. Chubs and Red went to a movie and
came home and found his folks dead. They didn't want to be alone and didn't
know who else to call."

Giles nodded, taking the explanation as it was. He took another long swallow of
the alcohol in his hand - reminding himself half-heartedly that there was no
need to drink any more, the children had been found. "That's.good. They could
have called Buffy or I, though."

The vampire shook his head. "Didn't feel like they could. What with the way
they've been acting recently. Plus they just need some time to grieve I think."
He gagged mentally on the sugary words coming from his mouth, hoping the man
was too far sloshed to notice.

He didn't.

"Well, that's right nice of you, Spike." Another swallow of the drink and the
glass was empty - quickly refilled from the bottle of brandy.

"Don't let it get out, mate. Got a reputation to keep up, you know." He smirked
as the Watcher almost dropped the glass on its way to his lips. Deciding there
was no time like the preset, the vampire cleared his throat. "They did mention
something while they were up last night, though. Had me thinking all day."

"What would that be?" Giles tried to sit up straigher and act like he wasn't
quite as far gone as he actually was. He set the glass on the table at his
right hand, taking his glasses off and wiping them on the edge of his shirt.

"That spell you thought they had done. The one that steals their souls. What
would have happened if they had actually done it? I mean - what happens when
their bloody souls are gone?"

Giles regarded the vampire with all seriousness, placing the glasses back on
his nose. "They would have died." He murmured, picking up the glass again. He
pointed to the desk behind him. "You can give Willow her spell book back. Just
let her know to never    -ever- try that spell. It will kill her and whomever
is in the room with her.just really slowly."

Nodding slowly, the vampire stood, the words the Watcher had spoken chilling
him right through to his undead heart. His pets were dying, right now as he
talked to this man. An idea blossomed in the back of his mind, becoming an all
out plan as he stood there. "Watcher. I might take the kids out of town for a
bit. Let them get away from everything here that reminds them of.last night."

"Good idea, Spike." Giles smiled up at him tiredly. He really wished that the
annoying blonde would just leave so he could pass out in peace. "You do that."

Spike smirked, recognizing a dismissal when he was given one. Besides, he had
two lovely pieces of flesh at home waiting for him. He threw Giles one last
grin before starting for the door. "Night, mate."

** Part Ten **

She was dreaming of death.

Red and black, blue and darkest green. All the dark colors of the rainbow
danced in glorious radiance behind her eyelids as she played out scenes of
destruction in her mind's eye. She could almost feel the warm blood spilling
through her fists as she slit the throats of those who came close enough to
feel the sting of her blade. With almost perfect playback she recalled the
feeling of slipping her knife to the hilt inside her victim's stomach earlier
that night.

It was just a dream, she knew, but it felt so real. The smell of the blood as
it hit the imaginary sidewalk of her mind, splattering in thick red drops
through the cracks and bumps of the imperfect concrete. The wet, thick feel as
her knife slid through flesh as clean as through warm butter. The harsh
pain-filled screams of the man in front of her as he dropped to his knees.

Wait...the screaming was closer than that.

Slowly blinking open drowsy green eyes, the red head focused her attention on
her blonde haired lover, standing next to the bed and trying to wake her. He
wasn't screaming though, his lips were merely inches from her ear. "What,
Spikey? I'm sleepy still...we can fuck when I wake up..." She tried to roll
over, caught when his arm snaked out to grab her.

 "Get up, Red. We need to talk."

"Fine, fine..." She grumbled, sitting up and rubbing at her eyes. "Should we
wake Xander up?"

"No, pet. I want to talk to you first, if I can?"

Willow narrowed her eyes, sliding her naked body from between the sheets to
land barefooted on the floor. "What's wrong Spike?"

"Nothing, really, pet. But I need to talk to you." He shut his eyes, praying
for strength. "Please?"

The red head took another long look at her lover before walking out to the
living room. She flopped unceremoniously into a chair, staring at him with pent
up curiosity bordering on annoyance. Why had he pulled her from the warm bed to
come to the cold living room? What was -that- important?

"Something's been nagging me since you told me about what happened to you and
Xan..." The blonde haired vampire started softly, sitting in the chair closest
to his lover. "The question of what happens to you when you have no soul to
inhabit your body. Nothing left to give you the bloody energy you need to keep
going."

It took a moment for the reality of Spike's words to sink in - then the young
witch realized exactly what he meant. No further words needed to be spoken as
her eyes widened with horror. "So...does that mean..."

 Spike nodded gravely, his eyes never leaving hers. "Even asked the Watcher
'bout it in a round about way...he confirmed. The two of you are going to die
when the spell completes." He watched as she seemed to shrink in on herself,
her entire pale body trembling with the force of the emotions she was feeling.

"Going to die?" The red head whispered the words to herself. "But...that's not
fair...there's too much left to do." She bit her lip hard enough to draw blood
before continuing. "He's wrong. There has to be something...some way." Green
eyes sparkled with tears. "I don't want to die Spike...I don't want Xander to
die..."

The vampire nodded slowly. "And I don't want you to die, pet." He took an
un-needed breath and met her eyes. "I have a solution...if you want to take
it."

 She arched an eyebrow, tears stilling. With alert eyes she looked at the taut
lines of his face and wondered what he was going to suggest. Nothing too
pleasant from his body language. "What is it?"

Licking pale lips, Spike moved to kneel in front of her. He slid his cool hands
along the warmth of her thighs, trying to ease both the apprehension she was
feeling and that he himself felt. "I can turn the two of you, Red. And then you
never have to worry about dying again..." He shut his eyes, waiting for the
backlash he felt would be inevitable from his statement.

He knew it wasn't going to come when he heard the sweet pure sound of her
laughter trickle across his ears. He hesitantly opened his eyes, staring into
the smiling face of his lover. "That's..." She laughed, her voice breathy as
she struggled to catch her breath long enough to speak. "That's a wonderful
idea!"

"It is?" The bleached blonde asked, dumbfounded by the lack of shock shown in
the red head's response.

"Yes!" She whispered. "Think of all the killing I can do...the men...the
women..." She closed her eyes, licking her lips as she imagined what she would
do with the power of a demon at her disposal. Xander would agree, she knew he
would. The two of them together with Spike would make the world run red with
blood - swim in a pool of crimson life.

Spike snorted with disbelief. Standing, he picked up the slight witch and moved
them to the couch, his lips meeting hers for a bruising kiss. "Love the way you
think, witch."

She smiled, kissing him again before allowing her face to fall into
seriousness. With a slow, deliberate action she tilted her head to the side,
baring the pulsing vein of her neck to his mouth. And with another tiny grin,
she whispered her last human words.

"Do me, Spikey."

** ** **

Spike watched over the still forms of his new Childer, wondering who would be
first to wake. They had been created so close to each other that it was
impossible to tell. His own body was reeling from the giving and taking of
blood he had experienced with them - giving them a new life even as he stole
their old one away.

A wicked smile crept along his lips as he imagined the carnage the three of
them would reap throughout the country. The trail of blood they would leave
behind them would rival anything he had ever done with Angelus or even
Drusilla. They would become legends in the underworld - names to be feared. If
he could only get the damn chip out of his head. A dark look passed over his
pale features. No doubt his red headed Childe would find some way to remove the
chip. There had to be a spell or something and if anyone could do it, it would
be her.

A ripple of awareness shot through the blonde's body and he looked over at the
two on the bed again, his eyes searching for 'life' in either of their deadly
still expressions.  He smiled when he saw it would be Willow - his dark Fire
Goddess. Standing, he crossed to the bed, kneeling next to it to look into her
pale face as she threw off the last remnants of the death she had suffered
through to be at his side.

For all of eternity.

"Spike?" She whispered, not opening her eyes. Things seemed to loud. The sound
of him moving to her side had been almost cataclysmic to her new senses. With a
hesitancy born of wariness, the red head opened her eyes. Slowly she allowed
them to focus on the ceiling, their new abilities giving her liberty to see
things she never would have noticed before.

"I'm right here, Red." Spike murmured. He was amazed by her beauty - her true
face slipping on in a movement he knew was pure instinct to the younger ones.
She would learn to control it soon enough - to blend in with the humanity she
cast off. But for now it was entrancing. Her golden eyes turned on him and he
could see the hunger within her, eating at her from the inside out though she
tried to control it. "How do you feel?"

She licked her lips, running her tongue over the sharpness of her teeth. The
idea of trying them out on the next live body she came across flitted through
her mind, making her mouth water. "Hungry, Spikey. Very, very hungry."

Spike nodded. "I know, princess. As soon as Xan wakes up we'll go find you
something nice and tender to chew on." Again the bond he had with his Childer
trembled and he looked over in time to see his male Childe open his eyes. "See?
That didn't take long at all."

"Xander." Willow purred, rolling away from her Sire to kiss her brunette
lover's lips with passion. Her teeth grazed his lips and the briefest taste of
blood danced across her tongue. She growled, fighting the urge to sink her
teeth into the boy kissing her. It wouldn't be right to make her first meal off
of her mate, no matter what her demon was crying for. "Ready to hunt?"

The dark haired vampire closed his eyes tight before opening them again.
Everything was too bright, too noisy to his delicate senses. After a moment the
new feelings began to settle in and he was free to answer his red haired
lover's question. "Ready as ever, my love." He sat up, pulling her to his bare
chest for a kiss born of primal lust and desire.

"Goody." Spike grinned maniacally. He watched them appraisingly as they crawled
from bed and picked up their scattered clothing, enjoying the show they were
unwittingly putting on for him.

"We won't be able to stay here, you know."

The softly spoken words of his female Childe pulled Spike from his reverie.
"Already taken care of, pet." He grinned at her, pulling her flush against his
body. "Told the Watcher when I visited that I was going to take you two out of
town to 'help you forget the bloody mess of Xan's parent's death'." The blonde
haired vampire sighed softly as Xander kissed the side of his neck. "Just need
the two of you to decide where you want to go."

Xander smirked as they made their way out of the small apartment. "Anywhere
with you two will be perfect."

Willow nodded, giving her Sire a broad grin. "He's right. But I have something
much, much better in mind now that I think about it."  She let her voice trail
off as they entered the streets of Sunnydale, heading towards the inevitable
human infestation at the Bronze. She hummed under her breath, the entire sound
that of someone who had a juicy secret or thought and was dangling it for
another to grab onto.

"Gonna let us in on it, Wills?" Xander asked at last, throwing his Sire a
playful look as he lifted the red head high in the air and twirled her around.
The strength of the demon within him was something to truly be proud of and as
he looked into the true face of his red haired lover he knew this was somehow
his destiny.
Spike grinned, wondering what his devious little witch had come up with
already. Something truly magnificent, he was sure. His eyes widened, though, as
he heard her sultry sweet voice issue forth an idea he had never once
considered - something guaranteed to make their time together the bloodiest
history had ever seen.

"I thought we might see what that spell can do to a certain brooding vampire
and -his- soul."

** End Fic**