Solace

Title: Solace

Rating: NC-17

Pairing: S/W

Summary: We find comfort in the strangest of places.

Reviews: I need reviews like I need air. They help to inspire me! So please leave your comments, good, bad, or indifferent.

Random Quote: “If a man does not make new acquaintances as he advances through life, he will soon find himself left alone. A man, sir, should keep his friendship in a constant repair.” ~Samuel Johnson

Disclaimer: I don’t own them I’m just playing with them a little bit… Sue me and all you will get is my debt.

Just as the colors of dawn appeared Spike pulled the Desoto off the road and into the surrounding sand. They drove for a few miles until a grouping of caves seemed to appear from nowhere. Spike drove the Desoto into the opening of one of the larger caves and shut off the engine.

He looked over at the sleeping form next to him. Willow had long since dosed off. He used one finger to brush a stray piece of hair from her eyes. He watched as she snuggled closer into the door.

“Willow.” He whispered trying to wake her up as gently as he could, “Willow.” He said a little louder and watched as her bright green eyes fluttered open.

“Are we there?”

“Just got here luv. Time to go we got a bit of tunnel work to get through.”

Willow nodded and followed Spike through the tunnels. She was surprised to see that several hundred feet from the opening the cave walls were lined with lights. From the opening no one would be able to see them. The cave became more of a hallway than a tunnel.

She looked at Spike and he gave her a smirk. Her eyes darted around the cave in shock. It surprised her how much like a home the cave was beginning to look. The walls that once held just lamps now had intricate designs carved into them. She ran her fingers over them feeling the vines and leaves carved from the stone.

At the end of the tunnel there was a thick wooden door. More of the same designs were caved into the dark wood. A small wooden doorknob was barely visible, looking more like a knot in the wood than a handle. She watched nervously as Spike raised a hand and knocked at the door.

“Come in William,” came a light and airy voice from the other side of the door.

Willow and Spike entered the neatly decorated room. A warm fire crackled in a hand carved stone fire place giving the cave a warm and homey feel. A large plush red velvet chair sat near the fire place. Spike walked slowly over to the large chair and knelt down in front of it.

“Madeline.” He said as he bowed his head.

“So you have finally come back to visit me? I see you have brought the witch with you this time.”

Madeline stood slowly, her hand resting in the platinum curls before her. Spike quickly stood and took her thin hand in his, resting the other on the small of her back, and guided her to where Willow was standing.

Madeline was breathtaking. She had long flowing golden hair that danced along her waist. Her porcelain skin seemed to glow in the firelight. She wore a long flowing white gown that was fitted at the bodice, the cuffs of the sleeves nearly drug on the floor. She had a cerulean blue vine tattoo that started below the bodice of her dress and inched its way up her neck, cheek, and came to stop on her hairline. But it was her eyes that were the most shocking. They were voids of white and appeared to almost glow.

“William leave your hair be. It is such a pleasant texture without all of the gel.” She gave a gentle smile. Willow noticed for the first time that her eyes did not focus on anything. She looked towards Spike but never at him.

“So am I to assume the reason that you are here is to have me read for you?” She removed her hand from Spike’s and let her thin fingers dance across his sharp cheek bones.

“Yes Madeline we have many questions that we would like to have answers to.” Spike’s tone was refined and proper, making Willow look at him in confusion. Spike gave her a smirk, “Madeline this is…”

“Willow yes I know. I told you that you would bring her to me someday,” She gave a gentle smile in Willow’s general direction. “It has taken you some time to find your path William.”

“Yes it has.”

“Drusilla and what of she?”

“I’m not sure Madeline.”

“It is best. Her powers were unstable as was she. Very dark, very wrong. Do not be upset with me William, I only speak the truth of what I see, I do not create it.”

“I’m sorry it’s just that I loved her very much.”

“You do not listen very well do you?”

“No. It is a flaw that I have.”

Madeline chuckled. Her voice seemed to dance in the air. She shrugged free of Spike and walked across the large room. Using her hands to guide her she took a seat at the head of a very large table. She gestured with her hand and much to Willow’s surprise, a very large feast appeared. The sweet smells of the food assaulted Willow’s senses and her stomach growled.

“William you must remember to feed your human friends more often. Please, Willow, enjoy. William that chalice is for you but feel free to indulge in the rest as well.”

Spike and Willow sat across from each other at the large table. They filled their plates and ate in silence for a while. Willow looked over at Madeline who sat quietly at the head of the table with a small yet gentle smile on her face.

“Madeline are you not eating?” Willow asked confused. She heard Spike and Madeline chuckle.

“No dear.” Madeline finally answered. “I do not require such things to live since I am not truly alive.”

“Oh are you a vampire? You’re not a zombie are you? I’ve had some bad experiences with zombies.”

Madeline let out a rich laugh when Spike choked on a piece of ham. “Oh little one I am none of those things. I have no true name but have been called many. I am an agent to the Goddess as Drusilla was meant to be all those years ago.”

“So you took her place?”

“No sweet child. No one was meant to take anyone’s place. We were meant to work hand in hand.”

“Wait if you were supposed to work with Drusilla does that mean you’re evil?”

“No.” Madeline chuckled again, “I am neither evil or good I merely am. I am both light and dark as Drusilla would have been had she not been turned. I may work as a conduit for the Goddess but I have no side in the battle of good and evil. My place is to simply guide a wondering soul onto the correct path of their lives. My you are a curious one aren’t you?”

Willow blushed and looked down at her plate, “sorry.”

“No need to apologize child. It has been a very long time since someone has come to visit and I enjoy the conversation. It is tiresome to only listen to the conversations of people I shall never meet.”

“Madeline please forgive my rudeness but we did come here for a reason.”

“William we will have our proper pleasantries first. I may live in a cave but I am still civilized as are you. We shall eat, then you two shall sleep, then we shall have breakfast, then we will get to the reason you are here. Is that understood William?”

“Yes Madeline.” Willow giggled when Spike bowed his head in what looked like shame. He quietly raised one hand and promptly flicked her off. Her green eyes grew wide in shock before amusement danced in them accompanied by laughter.

“William you remember where the spare room is, do you not?”

“I do.”

“Wonderful you shall take your belongings and the witch to the room for the hours of sleep.”

“I can do that.” He raised his head and a genuine smile graced his lips as he looked over at her. Sadness quickly replaced his smile when Madeline continued to look ahead.

“Do no feel sorrow for me William. I choose this life to save others and for no other reason I would never change a thing.”

“I know. I just sometimes forget.”

“You really do need to work on your listening skills young one. Take the girl to bed would you? There will be time tomorrow for further discussions.”

“Ok Madeline. Would you like me to straiten the table?”

“No dear William just get yourself and the girl comfortable. The room has been left untouched since your last visit. If either of you need anything I will back by the fire.”

Spike nodded and went to collect their things from the Desoto. Willow watched his retreating form before she turned back to Madeline. She studied the small woman, her face and skin was smooth and flawless. There was no sign of aging on the woman anywhere and her tattoo gave her just enough color to look exotic.

“Willow child?”

“Yes Madeline?”

“I must tell you something before he returns.”

“Ok?”

“I know what has been happening to him. I know your role in all of this and I also know that the person who seems the most likely is not the one who is to be blamed. You will have to make a decision soon Willow and it will not be easy. If something is not done soon he will die before he completes his destiny. You play a pivotal role in his future you get to decide if he lives.”

“I don’t want that kind of responsibility.”

“That sort of responsibility comes with the power you house within yourself. The Goddess has blessed you Willow and in that blessing you have lost your ability to choose if you use those gifts but gain the right to choose how you use them.”

“I’m not sure I understand.”

Madeline stood from the table and slowly walked towards the chair by the fire. Her fingers brushed against several objects guiding her towards her destination. Madeline sighed before she turned to face Willow. “I can not tell you everything child, that is not my job. I am merely to point you in the direction of the path.”

“So wait…the person who seems the most likely… you mean it’s not Buffy who keeps hurting him?”

“You are very smart little one, we will continue our discussion tomorrow.” With that Madeline turned back around and gracefully sat down in the large overstuffed chair.

There was a knock at the door and Willow quickly walked over. She opened the door and quickly grabbed one of the bags from Spike. He gave her a nod as he strolled into the main room. He looked at Willow in confusion and she gestured towards the large chair.

“Madeline we are getting ready for bed is there anything you need before we head off?”

“No thank you dear William. Sleep well my darlings.”