The Moonlight Series
By Sunfire
Part 17: "What Gives You the Right?"
"Alright class, chapter 20 is due tomorrow, have a good day. Oh, Willow, dear, this message was delivered for you during homeroom." "Thank you Miss Arland." Willow read the note as she left the classroom. "Oh, great, now what?" She muttered to herself as she headed towards the library.
"You wanted to see me?" Willow entered the library to find Buffy, Xander, and Giles huddled around the table.
"Y-yes, why, why don't you have a seat." Willow did as Giles asked her as the others followed suit. "Look, before you say anything I just want to apologize for blowing up at you guys yesterday, I should have at least called and told you I where I was."
"Thank you. And since you brought it up, where did you go, all you said yesterday was that you were staying with a friend."
"Well, like you said, I am staying with a friend in an apartment across town. Why?"
"So you admit it?" Xander asked.
"Admit what? What are you talking about?" Willow questioned, looking from Xander to Giles.
"And you, uh, trust this friend?" Giles asked her cautiously.
"If I didn't trust him, I wouldn't be living with him now would I?" She said with a smile.
"How can you trust him?" The slayer asked, speaking for the first time.
"I don't know exactly, except that when I am with him I feel comfortable and safe, I just KNOW that he won't hurt me. Besides, he's my friend."
Buffy looked at her like she was crazy. "Your friend? Since when is Spike your friend?"
"Wait a minute how did you know I was living with Spike?"
"I saw you with him last night."
"You followed me?"
"Are you insane? Do you have a death wish? This is Spike we are talking about."
"You FOLLOWED me? How dare you! My life is my business, if you want to know something you ask me. You don't spy. If I wanted you to know I would have told you." Willow was furious.
"But you didn't tell us."
"No, I didn't. Because I knew you wouldn't understand. I don't have to tell you every detail of my life. I do have a right to my privacy, don't I? When Angel first came back you didn't tell us."
"That is totally different."
"Why? Because you're the slayer?"
"Willow! Buffy! That's enough." Giles intervened. "Now Willow, earlier you said you trust him, may I ask why?"
"Ya Will. This is Spike. As in pointed teeth, tried to kill us all a bunch of times." Xander added.
"Don't you think that if he was going to hurt me he would have done it by now. But he hasn't. He has, however, given me a place to stay, listened to me, talked to me, hell, he even bought me ice cream. And, I have to say that he has been a better friend than you have lately."
"How do you know that he won't try anything now?" Buffy asked.
"I don't. But I trust him. You guys don't know him."
"He's a vampire, what else is there to know?" Xander questioned.
"He's my friend."
Buffy walked over to her and took her arm. "I want you move out of there, tonight. Now I am going down there with you, we are going to get your stuff, and then we are going to my house."
"I'm not going anywhere. What gives you the right to tell me what to do? It's my life. I won't let you try to control me. Now. Let. Go. Of. Me." As she was leaving the library she turned around and pointed her finger at the slayer. "And stay out of MY life."
Willow stormed through the halls of the school on her way to the doors when she heard her name being called. "I thought I made it very clear that I wanted you to st-" Willow turned around, hand on her hip, ready to yell at whoever it as that had followed her. "Oh, sorry, I thought you were someone else." She said, upon noticing who it was.
"Um, hi. I was wondering if maybe I could borrow a some stuff. See, I was going to do this spell, but I don't have all the ingredients, and I don't have the money to buy them." Anya asked, somewhat uneasily.
"What kind of spell? Because last time you wanted to do a spell it didn't turn out that swell, if I remember correctly." Willow said.
"It is just a spell for Beltane." Anya told her. "It's part of the ritual I'm doing. I have most of the ingredients but there are some I couldn't afford."
"You are going to celebrate Beltane? I didn't know you practiced Wicca. I assumed you just dabbled." Willow said. "What ritual were you planning on doing?" She asked as they walked down the hall.
The two girls were talked animatedly about different ritual formats when Willow realized what time it was. "Shit. It's getting late, I've got to head home. You can come with me and pick up whatever supplies you need if you want." Willow suggested.
"Sure." Anya said, glad that she finally found someone that she had something in common with.
Spike looked up from his book as Willow entered the room, with Anya right behind her. "Hey ducks, who’s your friend?"
"This is Anya, she wanted to borrow a couple things." The hacker answered as she got sodas and chips from the kitchen.
"Anyanka. That's a name I haven't heard in a while. Loved what ya did in London in 1832. It's a pleasure to meet ya." Spike said.
"How did you know who I am?" Anya asked looking from Willow to Spike. "And how would you know I was behind what happened in 1832?
"Well, Spike here is kinda a vampire." Willow told her. "And I told him who you were when I was filling him in on all the lovely happenings since he was here last."
"So you're a vamp? I was wondering why your aura looked like that. Wait, why are you livin' with a vamp? Do you have a soul too?"
"No, he doesn't have a soul." Willow said as Spike got a disgusted look on his face. "I am staying with him because he is my friend."
"Oh, ok, whatever." Anya said, accepting the soda Willow handed her. The two girls went into Willow's room to get the supplies Anya needed. "Nice rat." Anya commented, looking around the other witch's room.
"That's Amy. She turned herself into a rat about two months ago and I have been trying to turn her back, but I haven't had much luck." Willow explained as she took out her ritual supplies for Anya to go through.
"Really? Well, maybe I could help." Anya offered.
"That would be great. I haven't been practicing long and don't know exactly what I am doing." Willow said, excited that she finally was able to find someone she could talk to about witchcraft. "Why don't we get together tomorrow after school?" Anya suggested, equally happy to find someone to do stuff with. She didn't really have any friends and was lonely. Willow quickly agreed.
Once Anya had gotten the things she needed she went home, and they arranged to meet at Spike and Willow's apartment the next day an hour after school got out.
"She seemed like a nice chit." Spike said as Willow closed the door after Anya. "Ya, she is pretty nice. Plus she knows all kinds of spells and stuff, and is a really powerful witch, considering she has been practicing for hundreds of years. What did you mean about London. On second thought, I don't think I want to know."
Spike just smiled. "So, pet, how was your day?"
"Uhh. It was terrible. Turns out, Buffy followed me home last night and her and Xander and Giles were all upset and started yelling at me. They said that I shouldn't trust you and Buffy told me that I had to move out. I understand why they would be worried, but they are taking it too far. I mean just the fact that Buffy followed me was invading my privacy. Then when I tried to talk to them they just wouldn't listen. I tried to explain that you were my friend but they wouldn't even consider the possibility." Tears were flowing from the red head's eyes and Spike placed his arm around her shoulders and wiped the tears off her cheeks.
"It's ok pet. Shhh. It will be ok. They are just being wankers right now. I know you still care about them, and still want to be friends with them. They'll come around, don't worry. Just give it time." He held her to him as she cried and whispered soft, comforting words to her.
They stayed like that for about an hour, until she ran out of tears. "Are you all right ducks?" He asked, worry in his voice.
"Ya. I'll be ok. It's just hard. They have been my only friends and now they are all mad at me, but I'll be ok. I have Anya as a friend now, and we are going to try to de-rat Amy. Plus, I have you, and that is more than I need." He placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
Willow leaned against him, his hard chest under her cheek, and his arms tightly around her, with one hand rubbing soothing patterns on her back. For the rest of the night they sat on the coach and watched TV from the comfort of each other's arms.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part 18: De-Rat-ation
Spike awoke to what sounded like chanting coming from the library on the other side of his bedroom wall. When he opened his door he could see a bright light shining under the door to the library. "What the...?" He approached the door cautiously, and slowly opened it as the light died down.
"Spike!" Willow's voice came to him as he peered into the library. "Shut the door!" He did so quickly and heard muffled voices talking rapidly. Then he heard, "Spike, sweetie, go get some clothes out of my room for Amy please." Willow's voice came to him through the door with an undertone that said 'now or I'll be pissed.' Spike did as she asked without hesitation. He had learned in the three weeks they had lived together that despite Willow being a sweet, overall innocent young woman, she was quite a hellion when pissed off. When he came back, the door opened a crack and Anya stuck her hand out and took the clothes, saying, "Why don't you go get something to eat or whatever and come back in about an hour."
Somewhat confused, but not wanting to get in trouble, Spike left the apartment. When he returned he found Willow, Anya, and a girl he didn't recognize sitting on the couch, talking. "Hi Spike." Willow greeted him warmly as he joined them in the front room. "This is Amy." She said, gesturing to the girl next to her.
"You're the rat?" He asked, earning him a swat on the arm from Willow. "Nice to meet ya luv." The four of them sat and talked for about two hours before Amy and Anya left.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part 19: Welcome Back
After the two other witches left, Willow and Spike took a walk in the clear night. As they made their way down the sidewalk, Willow studied Spike's profile thoughtfully in the moonlight. "What is it, sweet?" Spike asked, squeezing her hand gently.
"I was just thinking."
"'Bout what?" Spike asked as he chewed loudly on his gum.
"Did you know you are the most contradictory person I have ever meet?"
"How's that?"
"Well, you are a vampire, and drink blood, but you love strawberry ice cream, watermelon bubble gum, and frappaccinos. You kill, maim and create havoc and destruction and like it. Yet you have every Disney movie made. You're sweet, and nice, and funny, and smart, and can make me feel better when I'm sad. You used to be my enemy and tried to kill me several times, but now you're my best friend."
"Look who's talkin'. You listen to heavy metal and country. You're all fire and sass, speaking your mind and standing up for yourself, but you are still worried about what others think and always concerned about hurting other people's feelings. You willingly moved in with a soulless vampire who had tried to kill you and your friends."
"You're right, the guys in white coats will be coming for me before ya know it. I'm weird, I'm strange, off my rocker."
Spike stopped her, placing his right hand on her check, and lifted her head so she was looking him straight in the face; her green eyes locked with his clear blue ones. "You're perfect." His leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her lips before he once again took her hand in his and they resumed their walk in comfortable silence.
Spike suddenly stopped and looked around. "What is it?" Before he could answer a figure appeared in front of them.
"Spike, my boy. So nice to see you." Willow drew in a sharp breath, recognizing the voice.
"What do you want, Angelus?"
"Well, I thought I'd take this opportunely to thank you for hitting me over the head with that tire iron."
"Willow, get out of here," Spike said over his shoulder, keeping an eye on his sire. She did as instructed, and was headed back to the apartment, when she ran into someone.
"Where exactly do you think you were going?"
"Faith!"
"Really, Willow, walking alone at night with a soulless vampire? I would think you'd know better. I'm surprised Buffy let you get yourself into such a dangerous situation."
"Let me?" Willow said, surprising Faith with the icy edge to her words. "Buffy doesn't LET me do anything," The hacker practically yelled.
"Ut-oh." Spike said as the two males turned at Willow's fierce exclamation. "Your girl's in for it now."
"Huh?" Angelus was caught off guard by the harsh words from the red-head, having only known the shy, innocent Willow. He was eager to see what would happen.
"Buffy isn't my keeper, she doesn't tell me what to do. And as for me hanging out with Spike, that's my choice, not her's. I don't need anyone to make decisions for me, I am perfectly capable of taking care of my self, damn it!"
"You can, can you?" Faith asked. Having gotten over the initial surprise of quiet, shy little Willow yelling, she was amused, and took hold of her with one hand around her throat.
As soon as he saw Faith grab Willow around the throat, Spike started to run over to her, but Angelus stopped him. "Don't think so, Spike my boy, I'm not finished with you yet."
Not expecting Willow to fight back, Faith was caught off guard when the red head brought her knee into the slayer's stomach, and lifted her arms when Faith's grip loosened. Willow hit the brunette in the jaw with her left hand, followed by an upper cut and a hard right cross while she was still stunned from the first blow. Fueled by her anger at Faith for her statement about Buffy, as well as at Buffy, Xander, and even Giles for their unwillingness to listen to her and their lack of understanding and trust in her and her ability to make her own decisions, the usually timid hacker rained kicks and punches she had learned from watching Buffy onto the surprised and unsuspecting slayer.
Getting her bearings, and recovering from her shock at Willow's behavior, Faith began to fight back. They fought for several minutes before she was able to get in a good enough hit to send Willow to the ground. However, Willow used a move Giles had shown her and kicked out with her leg and knocked Faith's legs out from under her, causing her to fall to the ground across from Willow.
Willow looked over at Faith and began laughing, earning a glare from the brunette. "What are you laughin' at, Red?" She asked as she stood back up. "N-noth..ing......I...was ...just...think-ing....what...Buffy..would.....say...i-if....she..saw....that" Willow managed between giggles. "Sure would make her think twice before she told me I couldn't protect myself." Repressed anger and resentment could be seen plainly on her face as she thought about what she had overheard Buffy telling Xander a month ago in the library before patrol. "Clumsy and uncoordinated my ass. Think I'm too scared and timid to fight, huh? I bet I could kick both Xander and Buffy's asses if I had to."
"Is that what B said?" Faith asked her. "Yeah. She and Xander were talking to Giles about how I'm home alone by myself and am an 'easy target' for vampires. They didn't know I was in the stacks at the time, so they thought they could diss on me. Giles said I was 'too gentle and shy' to fight, so they needed to watch out for me. 'Cause little Willow can't take care of herself." She rolled her eyes as she thought about her 'friends'' opinions of her. "I have been taking care of myself since I was in kindergarten and my parents decided their careers were more important than their only daughter. I can sure as hell keep doin' it."
"Well you certainly did a nice job of kickin' my ass just now." Faith said as she rubbed her jaw. "You sure got some sweet moves there, Red. Where did you learn them anyway?"
"Buffy used to have me keep her company while she trained. You can learn a lot if you just pay attention."
"Well, I got to say, I never would have thought you had it in you. Then again, you were the smart one, weren't ya?"
"That's not that difficult, considering who we're talking about." Willow said, rolling her eyes. Faith just laughed, "That's cold. Funny, but cold."
"Yeah, well, it's true," defended the hacker. "Besides, if they can treat me like shit, I can make one comment. At least I don't take advantage of them and use them. I have been the good girl, the reliable friend, the one who always follows the rules and can be counted on. I have lived up to everyone's expectations, and done what they wanted long enough. For once I would like to do what I want, damn it. And if they don't like it screw them, I don't give a fuck!"
"Woa there. No wonder you got pissed earlier, sound's like B, the twerp, and the tweed man deserve what's comin' to 'em. Man, would I love to see Miss Priss's face when you tell her off. I mean, it's about time someone knocked her off her pedestal."
"I know exactly what you're talking about, she thinks she's so much better than everybody," Willow agreed, as the two girls sat down on one of the park benches. "I'm glad someone else can see that. I think it's great that you're standing up for yourself. They don't deserve you, none of 'em. I say fuck 'em."
"Ya, fuck 'em." Willow said.
As the two girls shared stories of Buffy's bitchy selfishness, Xander's stupidity, and Giles' constant state of blissful ignorance, Spike and Angelus continued to beat the crap out of each other. Both vampires had unresolved issues that had built up over the decades that needed to be taken care of. After several minutes of bashing their former friends, they turned their attention to their respective hotties. "Didn't they used to be friends? I mean before Angel was cursed, weren't they pretty close?" Willow wondered aloud. "Oh yeah. They were close, if you know what I mean," Faith responded with a suggestive wiggle of her eyebrows.
"Oh. OOOHH." Willow's face became red as an image was permanently burned into her mind, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing. A small smile formed on her lips that she quickly smothered, but not before Faith noticed, and gave her own, slightly more naughty grin.
For the next five minutes only the crunch of bones, the thud of bodies falling to the ground, or occasional "Uhhh" and "Shit" and "Oww," followed by "Nice shot," "That had to hurt," or "Faith, did you see that?" or "Fuck, that was a nice upper cut." Could be heard coming from the park.
"Hey, Faith?"
"Yeah?"
"You want to grab something to eat, I'm a little hungry."
"Sure. Lets jet."
"K, wait, shouldn't we tell the testosterone brothers?"
"Probably."
"Hey! Peaches!" Angelus and Spike stopped, mid punch at Willow's call.
"We're gonna grab a bite to eat, then head home, 'k?" Spike looked at Faith, then at the red head, then back at the slayer. After hearing how Willow talked about Faith he was surprised that she would go off alone with her.
"Don't worry blondie, I'll have her back by curfew," Faith said with a smirk, seeing the way Spike was looking between her and Willow.
Willow blew Spike a kiss and the two girls walked off. Both vampires looked at each other. "Did I miss something? I thought they hated each other, and did Willow just call me Peaches?" Angelus questioned the peroxide blonde. "I think they bonded." Spike said to Angelus, then added to himself, *Peaches! I would never have thought Will would say that to his face, I wonder what those two were talking about?* With that the two vampires continued to do their own male version of bonding.
Willow and Faith made their way to the 24 hour gas station to grab some junk food before they headed to Willow and Spike's apartment to make fun of their respective hotties and have some in depth girl talk when someone came up behind them.
"Willow?" The girls turned around and came face to face with a surprised and very pissed bottle blonde slayer.