Chapter 7

Buffy was in a state of shock as she stared at her best friend, a stake clutched in her hand.

Willow had the same expression on her face. “Buffy? I didn’t even realize that was you.”

Buffy grabbed the hand that Willow offered to her, standing up and dusting herself off. “I could say the same to you.” She glanced back to the stake, her eyes widening as a thought occurred to her. “Wait, you’re the Slayer?”

Willow looked taken aback. “You know about Slayers?”

Buffy shook her head. “Not until recently, how long has this been going on?”

“Only about four years now, I was called at fifteen.”

Buffy couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “How could you have kept this a secret from me? We’ve been best friends since kindergarten.”

Willow felt guilty. “I’m really sorry, Buffy. Not a day went by that I didn’t regret not telling you. I wanted to so much, but Giles would never let me. He would always go on about how I would put anyone at risk that knew the truth about me.”

Buffy wondered why that name sounded so familiar. “Mr. Giles? Our high school librarian?”

She nodded. “Yeah, he’s my watcher; every Slayer has to deal with one. He trains me and stuff, but enough about that. Where have you been the last few days? We’ve been worried sick about you.”

Buffy took in a deep breath. “It’s a long story. Let’s go inside, we have a lot to talk about.”

Willow followed Buffy into the huge mansion, looking around in confusion. “This is where you live now? When did you decide to leave the dorm? Shouldn’t I have known about this?”

Buffy smiled at her friend’s questions. Yeah, they had much to talk about.


* * * * *


Willow sat with her jaw hanging open once Buffy relived what happened to her.

“I’ve been here ever since.”

Willow still couldn’t believe it, guilt once again going through her. “I’m so sorry, Buffy. This is all my fault. I’m supposed to save people from vampires, and yet I let you get taken by one. I should have never let you out of my sight at the Bronze.”

Buffy patted her shoulder. “It’s okay, I don’t blame you. I’m a big girl, Will. I should have known better. You can’t always protect me, but I think it all worked out for the best. There’s something I should probably warn you about the guy that saved me,” whatever else she would have said was cut off by the arrival of Spike.

He barged into the mansion; vamp face on and looking to kill something.

Willow reacted instantly, grabbing her stake and aiming it in his direction.

Buffy placed a calming hand on her arm. “It’s okay, he won’t hurt me.”

Spike relaxed when he saw that she was okay, turning back to his human features. He raised his eyebrows at the sight of the other girl, but focused back on Buffy. “Sorry, I thought I sensed Angelus around here.”

Buffy didn’t know how that was possible, until realization hit her. “That vampire Willow killed, he must have been sent after us by Angelus. Well, at least he won’t have anything to report now.”

Spike nodded and turned back to the girl he assumed was Willow. “You wanna lower the stake now, pet?”

She glanced to Buffy for confirmation, then did as he said.

Spike sighed in relief, looking her over. “So, I take it you’re the Slayer?”

Willow raised her head up high, wondering what Buffy was doing with a vampire.

“She’s my best friend, I just found out about that little bit myself. I still find it very hard to believe, but I probably wouldn’t be here right now if it wasn’t for her.”

Spike took a step closer to them. “I’m grateful for you showing up, then. I would have been here sooner, but got into a little trouble in the cemetery. Some demon was attacking a woman, thought I would lend a helping hand.”

Willow was confused, finally speaking up. “Do you have a soul?”

His bark of laughter practically shook the walls. “No, I don’t have a bloody soul. I have no use for one, either.”

Buffy shook her head. “He’s not with the soul having, but he has been helping me. I don’t know why, but I know that he wouldn’t hurt me. He risked everything to get me away from Angelus. You believe me, right?”

Willow could see how sincere her friend was, then nodded after a moment. “When are you coming back home?”

Buffy thought about it. “I don’t know, I guess when Spike thinks it’s safe. Angelus is still out there looking for me. He’s so scary, Willow. I don’t even want you going up against him.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m not scared of vampires, there hasn’t been one yet that I haven’t been able to kill. I destroyed the Master and everything.”

Spike was stunned. “Bloody hell, that was you? I think Angelus would have a reason to fear you, Red.”

She beamed at that, feeling proud by his admiration. It quickly faded at his next words.

“I’ve killed two Slayers before, but I doubt either of them would have been able to take old bat face on.”

Buffy held Willow back when it looked like she would try to stake him again.

“You’ve killed Slayers?”

Spike shrugged, not about to feel ashamed. “Yeah, what of it? Don’t worry your pretty little head; you’re a friend of Buffy’s. I won’t touch you.”

That seemed to relax her a bit. “I should be getting back to the college. Xander’s probably waiting for me.”

“Does he know about you?”

Willow shook her head. “No, he’s just as oblivious. I’m hoping to keep it that way.”

Buffy figured that was a good idea. “Don’t tell anyone that you saw me, okay? I don’t want anyone getting hurt thinking that they need to save me or something. I have all the protection I need here.”

Willow nodded. “Just be careful,” she said.

Buffy nodded as well, watching as her friend left the mansion.

Spike came up from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Are you all right, love?”

She turned to look at him. “I am now.”

He kissed the top of her head and led her into the bedroom.


* * * * *


Angelus knew the minion wouldn’t be returning. It was really hard to find good help. He turned to his newest creation, grinning at the sight of her just starting to wake up. Angelus would need to find her someone to eat; the hunger was always the worst when you were a fledgling.