Nocturnal Bravura Book Two: The Healing

For Her


“Will stop!” Willow cried.

Will walked briskly thought the cemetery.

“Go home Red.” He yelled.

“Will! We have to talk about this!”

“Bloody Hell, women! Are you trying to get us killed? You might as well scream ‘Hey vamps come get me!’ Go home and get some rest. We’ll talk tomorrow.” William said, his angry eyes sweeping the cemetery.

“I didn’t do it on purpose. You know sometimes I can‘t help it.” Willow whispered.

William took a few deep breaths desperately trying to calm himself.

“You’re emotions were so jumbled up, before I knew it, POW! I was in Wills deep thought land.” She explained.

William slumped down on a stone bench and hung his head low.

“Is..is it true? Spike and Lizzie are...” Willow couldn’t bring herself to finish her sentence.

“Not Lizzie. Buffy. She barely remembers being Lizzie.” William whispered, clenching his jaw.

Willow sat down next to William. She should be angry. She should feel betrayed. But all she could feel was Williams hurt and anguish.

“Why Will? Why didn’t you tell us?” she asked.

William shook his head. “You wouldn’t understand Red.” he said softly.

“Because of Dawnie? You didn’t want her to know?”

“What do you think that would have done to her? Knowing her sister is out there. Lizzie was everything to her, and now she’s some lost and tortured creature!” William said.

Willow looked down for a second. “That’s not the only reason, is it?”

William looked at Willow in confusion.

“I was there Will; I just didn’t see it...”

FLASHBACK
__________________________________________________________________

Willow Rosenberg sat on Lizzie’s bed fiddling her thumbs, staring straight ahead and tried her best not to move.

“Red, stop squirming its just eyeliner.” Lizzie laughed.

“I know, it’s just that… Well I’ve never gotten all dressed up for anything, much less a date.” Willow explained.

“Don’t think of it as a date. You, me, William, and Oz are just going to The Harvest Festival.” Lizzie said, trying to soothe her friend’s fears.

Willow smiled at Lizzie. “Gosh how did you ever keep yourself together when you and Spike started dating? I feel like I am coming undone at the seams. Feel my palms?” She said, sticking out her hands.

Lizzie felt her friends hands and giggled.

“See, all cold and clammy. Would you want to hold these hands?” Willow asked, panicked.

Lizzie frowned. Willow was working herself into a tizzy. “You are the funniest and smartest girl I know Red. Oz would be an idiot not to want to date you. Besides, I have seen the way he looks at you.” Lizzie explained.

“Really?” Willow asked, hopeful.

“Positive.” Lizzie said.

“Have I told you how glad I am you moved here.” Willow squealed, hugging her friend.

“God’s Teeth, it’s a girlie moment.” They heard from the door. Lizzie and Willow turned and saw William standing at the door.

His arms were crossed as he rolled his eyes.

Lizzie threw a pillow at him and hit him square on the nose.

“Oi!” He yelled, grabbing the pillow.

Lizzie’s hand flew to her mouth as she gasped.

William rubbed his nose.

Willow watched as her friend tried to hold in her laughter but failed miserably.

William glared at Lizzie. In a flash, he was across the room and swatting her with the pillow.

Lizzie let out an ‘eep’ and ran over to her bed, reaching for her own fluffy weapon.
Before they knew it, all three of them were engaged in a full- on pillow fight.

Lizzie, being the shortest, tried to even the playing field by standing on her bed. She raised the pillow over her head and got a good swat in on the top of William’s head. He covered his head to protect himself, losing his pillow in the process.

Willow and Lizzie ganged up in him, hitting him with all there might.

William lunged onto the bed, grabbing Lizzie around the waist pinning her to the mattress. He began to tickle her mercilessly.

“Oh... st..st...stop!” Lizzie begged, fighting to catch her breath.

“Say Uncle!” William demanded.

“Al...all right UNCLE!” Lizzie gasped.

William rolled off of her, laughing.

Willow jumped on the bed joining her two friends.

“Man that was great! Good tension release.” Willow said.

“Nervous about your date with Oz?” William asked.

Lizzie rolled her eyes. “It’s not a date! Just friends; hanging out. She’s nervous enough Will.”

“Right, sorry Red.” William said.

“That’s why we are going with them.” Lizzie informed him. Laying herself across the bed, she rested her head on William’s stomach and draped her legs across Willow’s.

“I was just asking Lizzie how she ever got through the first few dates with Spike. Where is he tonight, anyway? Willow asked.

“He’s helping his Mom move some stuff around in the basement. Besides, this way is better. If Spike and I went it would seem like a datey type thing.” Lizzie explained.

“Right. So how did you get through it?” Willow asked, turning her head to look at Lizzie.

“How did you know Spike liked you?”

“I’m not sure.” Lizzie sighed.

“Please! You had my brother on his knees from the first day he met you.” William snorted.

“What do you mean?” Lizzie asked, genuinely curious.

“He just told me that’s all.” William stared at the ceiling.

“What did he tell you?” Lizzie demanded.

“He said you were the most beautiful girl he had ever laid eyes on. Not only because you were physically pretty but because you were beautiful on the inside. The way you love your family. How you never judge a single soul. The way you seem to know what to do or say to make people smile without even trying. He loves everything about you. Your laugh, your smile, your walk...he’s crazy in love with you.” William finished, swallowing hard.
Lizzie closed her eyes, smiling a dreamy smile.

Willow saw William smiling as well. He laid there with his eyes closed, stroking the top of Lizzie’s head…

END OF FLASHBACK
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“Spike never told you those things, did he? You were talking about yourself, weren’t you? Oh God, Will! How could I have been so blind?” Willow said, shaking her head.

William hung his head. “You don’t know, Red. It’s been so hard and she’s so sick. I couldn’t tell anyone.” he whispered.

The tingling at the back of his neck brought William surging to his feet. Shoving Willow behind him, he watched as about twenty vamps approached them. He pulled out his stake, ready to do battle.

“Don’t worry Slayer, we’re not here for you tonight.” One of The Vamps said.
William advanced toward them. “Oh really then what are you were for then, eh?” he asked. Suddenly, he felt something move behind them.

THUD!!

Willow watched in horror as William fell to the ground in a heap. “WILL!!” She screamed, reaching for her friend.

“We’re here for her...” she heard.

Willow felt arms grab her around her waist and swing her into a group of vampires.

Struggling to break free, she closed her eyes and screamed as loud as she could.
“Quiet!” She heard in her head.

Feeling a cold hand touch her cheek, Willow opened her eyes and gasped.

“Hey Red, long time no see.” The voice in her head said.

“Spike...”