A Very Ordinary Evil

Part 7 – Start Spreadin’ the News


Willow’s house, after the guests have left.


After they had been left alone, Willow and Spike embraced. “No-one saw you come into my bedroom through the french doors?” she asked, concerned.

“No pet, they all toddled off to talk about your discovery and to moan about me being able to belt ‘em a bit.” Spike grinned happily at the memory, still holding the girl close.

Willow laughed and shook her head. “Honestly, you’re hopeless. What am I going to do with you?”

Spike flashed her a wicked grin. “It depends pet.”

“Depends on what?”

“Whether you want to … consummate our love before or after you break the news to the others.”

Willow began to flush and she pulled away from the blond vampire who was teasing her. “I d-don’t really f-follow.”

“Pet, I’m just asking if you want to tell your friends about us before or after we first make love.”

Willow looked at him, open-mouthed. “I-I-I … what?” The last word came out a full octave higher than did the others.

“From where I sit, I don’t know which is better,” Spike acknowledged. In one case, Slutty stakes me before I can corrupt your youthful innocence; in the other, she stakes me for corrupting your youthful innocence.”

Willow giggled, despite the gravity of the situation. “I do see your point. Sorry, inadvertent pun.” She moved back into his arms, sighing softly.

Spike brought her in closer to his body, his fingers slowly trailing through her hair. He loved its scent; it’s texture and the way it flowed, like liquid copper, through his fingers. “Red,” Spike whispered, “it doesn’t matter to me which decision you make. I want you to feel as comfortable as possible.”

She looked up at the man she wanted to remain with throughout eternity, and whispered “Thank you.” Then Willow began to sob quietly.

Spike lifted her and carried her to the couch. He sat, letting her rest in his lap. “Talk to me pet, what is it?” Spike’s words were quiet, soothing and even. He was trying to ease her pain with the tone of his voice. “You can do it luv. You’re brave and strong, a real fireball. Now, just look at me and tell me, in your own words and at your own pace, what’s upsetting you.” As he spoke, he gently tilted Willow’s head up, finger on her chin, so she could not avoid his gaze.

“I’m so scared Spike, so scared. I’m scared they’ll all hate me, that they’ll try and hurt you, that I’ll be left alone because they hurt you. I don’t want to be alone. It hurts me so much, Please Spike, don’t let them h-hurt me.” As she sobbed and spoke, her knees came up, until she was almost in a foetal position.

The look in her eyes, a look of pleading, imploring him to be her saviour, hit him like a runaway truck. He realised in that moment that he was hers alone, and for eternity. The awareness that this was his last partner, regardless of the path taken by their relationship, stunned him. He became of a connection to Willow far deeper, far more profound than his Siring bond or his love of Drusilla.

“Shhhhhh, pet, I won’t let them hurt you. Let’s face it, they’ll either accept what we have, or they won’t. But I’ll work my arse off to try and mend bridges for you.” As he was talking, Spike had begun to unconsciously rock, soothing Willow as he spoke. His hands repeatedly stroked her hair, his words diminishing to a whispered croon as he did so.

As Willow slowly calmed, she began to think about the question Spike had posed. She knew she had no intention of hiding their relationship. She had always despised hypocrisy and deceit. So, his question was fair. Before or after. She felt a burning need to be with him, her loins heated and moistened at the very thought. She could feel that his arousal was equally intense, just as difficult to control. As she thought, she became aware that she could literally feel his arousal. She tried to think. Was it more important that she tell the others before she took this glorious man to her bed, or was it more important for she and Spike to express their love?

She slowly came to a clear understanding of what should be done. “Spike,” she whispered, “I know the answer now.”

“Answer?”

“To your question.”

“So, pet, what have you decided.”

“To tell them first. I want you to know my reasons for this. I know how you’re feeling…” Willow blushed as she spoke, her eyes turning away from the bleach blond vampire. “I just think that it’s important that they learn before we make love, so that they can’t accuse us, or more likely me, of hormonal overload or ‘lying’ to them.”

“So when do you want to do it luv?”

“Tomorrow, we’re meeting tomorrow night at the shop to talk over the experiment. When that’s done, I’ll tell them. And then you can add whatever you may want. After that, we’ll be friendless and alone in the world.” Willow sighed dramatically as she finished speaking, but she wondered how many friends she would have left in twenty-four hours.

* * * *

The meeting the following day was almost as acrimonious as that of the previous night. There was no general consensus reached, other than an agreement to try to obtain further information on the functions of the chip.

Willow realised that she should make her little announcement before people began to drift off. She looked around at the familiar faces. Buffy and Giles, Anya and Xander, Spike. Clearing her throat, she began. “Everyone, I have something very important that I want to say.” Everyone turned and looked at her. Most of the looks were bafflement, whilst Giles and Spike looked apprehensive.

“Now, I know this is going to make some of you angry…” She was stopped by the expected chorus of protests. “As I was trying to say, I know this will make some of you angry. So, I’m going to simply say it. Spike and I are in love.”

The reaction was all that she had expected and more. Everyone began yelling at once. Willow drew her whistle out again and, winking at Spike, blew it hard. The piercing tone cut through the voices like a knife, leaving everyone looking at her.

“I said you were going to be angry with me. I didn’t say raise the roof of the shop with incomprehensible caterwauling. Now, I’m going to listen to all of you, but no violence.”

“Willow, I’m going to stake him, just fucking deal with it.”

“Buffy, you even try and I’ll turn you into a cockroach.”

“No, you won’t.” As she spoke, Buffy threw a stake directly at Spike, with deadly accuracy. It struck home, on target. Spike should have been dust. But the stake merely ricocheted off the armour Willow had made him.”

“What!” Buffy’s shriek echoed around the shop.

“Simple,” Willow smiled, “I made Spike some armour just in case you tried something this stupid. Now listen Buffy, I love him. I want to be with him. And, if you’re a true friend you’ll support me. By the way, try anything to hurt my man again and you’ll suffer more than you can conceivably imagine.”

“He’s not a man, he’s a fuckin’ vampire for God’s sake Willow! You’re mad. Giles, how can we help her?” Buffy appealed to the Watcher, appalled and shocked at Willow’s announcement.

Spike moved close to Willow and wrapped his arms around her waist. “You okay Red?”

Willow nodded, and began to bury herself into his chest.

“Leave her alone.” Buffy’s words were directed at Spike. They were flat, emotionless. Killing words.

Spike looked at her. “No. I love Willow just as surely and completely as she loves me.” The calmness with which he said it surprised Buffy. No strutting, no threats. He was behaving … differently, and she was unsure how to react.

Anya moved into the breach with all the tact of which she was capable. “So, are you having sex yet?” She asked in her own inimitable style. “You should, I feel closer to Xander when we have sex.”

“Ewwwwwww! Disgusting much!” Buffy squealed as she reverted to a high school mentality. “If you do, Spike, I will kill you.”

“Buffy, I’m warning you! This is your last chance!” Willow’s voice sounded like a whip cracking. Every eye in the room turned to her.

Spike, responding fastest, saying “Pet, I am impressed.” and then chuckling quietly.

“Willow, you obviously need help...” Buffy began.

The redhead interrupted, saying, “Yes, I need you to listen, to try and understand. Not erupt.”

“He’s a vampire! What else needs to be said?”

“Can I possibly get a word in edgeways?” Giles asked in a plaintive tone.

Willow continued, not even noticing Giles’ request. “Angel is a vampire too. Are you saying the rules are different?”

“Don’t you dare bring Angel into this!”

“Buffy!” Xander interrupted the growing argument. “I don’t like what Wills is doing, but fairs fair. And vamps are vamps. Why is it different?”

“Because Angel has a soul, you moron!” Buffy screamed at Xander.

“And Spike has a chip – given what happened to Angel’s soul, I’d say the chip was a better bet.” Anya remarked. “Face it Buffy, Willow is a big girl, she can make her own decisions.”

“Oh great advice coming from the ex-demon there. Of course you want to see them together. That way you won’t feel such a freak!” The fury in Buffy’s voice was palpable.

“Damn it Buffy! Don’t talk to Anya like that!” Xander shouted, infuriated at the accusation hurled at his lover. She tried so hard to be human, and now Buffy threw it back into her face.

“She’s my friend Xander, and she’s fucking a goddamn vampire!”

“Not yet.” Willow’s voice was quiet, but carried to everyone.

“Thank God!” Buffy’s heartfelt relief was self-evident.

“I wanted you all to know before we made love. I don’t want to hide anything from you. All I ask is your acceptance and your tolerance. Giles, you haven’t said anything yet.” Willow looked directly at the Watcher, the man that she truly considered her mentor, who she loved as the father she had wanted, but never had.

“Well, I thought I’d wait until all the dramatics had finished.” Giles’ wry sense of humour made the redhead giggle.

“Willow, you’re an adult. And you’re the daughter I never had. As a father I want to scream ‘No! Not him!’ but I ask myself ‘don’t all fathers say that?’ It’s your life, your decisions.” Giles turned to look at Spike. “I’ll avoid the traditional ‘hurt her and you’re dust speech’ and simply say good luck. Oh, and that if I have to, I’ll find you. Wherever you may hide.”

“Why aren’t you helping me!” Buffy shrieked. “He’s a demon, a killer and he’s stealing our Willow! Okay, I’ll do it myself! Like usual.” The last sentence was muttered under her breath, and only Spike heard the egotism it contained.

Willow sighed as Buffy rose from her seat. She took something from her pocket and threw it at the slayer. As she did so, she chanted. “Mea lumen, mea lux.” There was a bright flash, and when it had cleared, Buffy had gone. In her place was a large and very ugly cockroach.

All eyes turned to the redhead, the expressions ranging from the amused to the horrified. She smiled and muttered “Contrario.” Another flash. When this flash had cleared, Buffy was standing there, looking confused.

“I wd yod you Buffy. Next time, I don’t revert you. Am I clear?”

Buffy nodded, stunned. She had no idea what to do. She knew now that she would never be able to kill Spike. Her mind recoiled from that revelation.

“I-I want to go home.” Buffy’s voice was small, and scared, like that of a frightened child.

“It’s all right, Buffy, I’ll drive you home.” Giles voice was calm and placid, soothing the fear away. He gently led the blonde to his car, helped her in and drove away.

Xander looked at Willow, fear, shock, horror and amusement warring on his features. “That was … amazing Wills.”

Willow smiled depreciatingly. “I’m sorry I had to do that, but she wasn’t going to take no for an answer. I hope she can forgive me. Can you?”

Xander considered the question seriously. “Well … I can forgive you turning Buffy into a ‘roach. That was cool. But, I don’t know so much about Junior. I’m scared about what’ll happen when he gets his bite back.”

“Now, I’ve kept bloody quiet through this whole mess.” Spike announced, “And I’m fed up with everyone worrying about Slutty’s feelings. She damn near killed me. Would’ve done if Red hadn’t come up with this.” He rapped his chest letting the armour plate ring. “I want to know how the pair of you feel. Sod Slutty, she doesn’t matter.”

“I don’t care who you sleep with.” Anya’s characteristic bluntness showed again. “It’s no-one else’s business.”

Xander looked at Anya, surprised. “I really don’t know. And that surprises me. If I’d been asked it before, I would have said I would have been the one with the stakes. I just don’t know Wills. I think I’ll need to work things out.”

“Thanks, both of you.” Willow smiled softly. “So, there’s only one person here who really can’t accept it. Of course, we still have to let Angel know.”

Spike growled at the thought of Angel’s reaction.

The conversation dropped away, and Willow moved over to Spike, wrapping herself into him. Spike lifted her to his lap and they sat, whispering to one another.

“Are we that bad, Xander?” Anya asked, pointing at the other couple.

“Ummm … I don’t think so, but I’m probably not the best person to ask.”

“You’re never the best person to ask, Xander. About anything.” Giles’ amused voice came from the doorway.

“Well thanks G-spot, I mean G-man.” Xander riposted.

Giles walked into the shop, ignoring Xander, and immediately asked Willow “What did you do to Buffy? How did you do the spell so quickly?”

“Oh, I worked out a way to--store I suppose is the right word—spells in these little crystals. Then when I want to activate it, I throw the crystal at the target and intone the words to shatter the crystal, releasing the spell.”

Giles looked shocked. “I’ve never heard of that before Willow. But that’s not really important. What is important is that Buffy’s in severe shock. Her mother told me Buffy’s phobic about cockroaches.”

“I’m so sorry Giles. She never told me. I knew she got me to kill them, but I honestly thought it was the usual girly ewwww thing. Did that make any sense at all? I’m babbling, aren’t I? I’ll stop now.”

“Willow, I understand your reaction. You defended your lover. And you did it without any intention to harm Buffy. I admire your restraint. However, we now may have to deal with a mentally disturbed slayer. And yes, you were babbling.” Giles sighed as he spoke. The Council had never considered such a prospect.

Giles continued “We can’t do anything now. Everyone just go home. Be back here tomorrow at sunset. I’ll have more news about Buffy’s condition then.”