Pairing: Willow/Spike
Summary: Spike takes Willow to her new home. This is the end of the series. There may be a sequel. But for now, this is the end.
Feedback: I hate to beg, but...I really need feedback
Distribution: If you have permission to archive the previous stories in this series, you may have this. If not, please ask first.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. It all belongs to Joss and a bunch of other people who are not now and have never been me.
Author’s Notes One: I first started this series last year as a birthday present for Kallie Rose. And now, here I am, finishing it for her birthday a year later Hope you don’t mind that it’s early, Kat And I hope that you enjoy it
Author’s Notes Two: First, I would like to thank “Team Beta,” dragonydreams, emeraldswan and lilbreck, whose help and advice were invaluable. Then, I would like to thank everyone who has read and feedbacked and encouraged me throughout the writing of this series You know who you are and you know that I cherish you all more than tongue can tell.
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It was done, Spike thought, while he stared out of the smoked glass window of the limo as it sped towards his soon-to-be-former residence. Now Spike had a much better home to call his own, a home to share with his precious doll, his Willow. Amazing what a large amount of money and the right connections could accomplish in this town. Even he had been surprised to find a law firm that catered to his kind, and that was willing to help in every way to make his life easier; including finding the perfect home for a vampire and his pet. And, while he had been forced to spend a day away from Willow while the place was being fixed up and the formalities dealt with, it was all going to be worth it when she saw her new home.
The luxurious condominium was located in a building catering to ‘unusual’ tenants and the security ensured that not only were unwelcome visitors kept out, but that certain occupants of the complex were kept in. Not that he didn’t trust Willow, of course, but it never hurt to be careful. She’d been a foolishly brave little thing back in Sunnydale, palling around with the Slayer and all. It would be just like her to want to wander around a strange city by herself, perhaps getting lost and not being able to find her way back. She didn’t understand how fragile she was, and how much she needed to be protected. He wasn’t the only demon in town, after all, and even bearing his mark...well, she’d be nearly irresistible, he was certain, to other powerful demons with a taste for innocence and untapped magic.
Of course, it was unlikely she’d ever find out that she wasn’t allowed off the premises unescorted. After all, she’d have far too much to occupy her in her new home. Even he was impressed with all the amenities the condominium, formerly occupied by a demon and his consort who’d decided to relocate, afforded. A voluminous library of books on innumerable subjects, an astounding number of DVD’s and CD’s for use in the state of the art entertainment system, satellite TV, even a wine cellar that was an oenophile’s dream, though Spike was certain that he’d appreciate that more than his lovely girl would... the place had everything one could want. He was even able to arrange blood deliveries so that he could spend more time at home with his girl. Nothing matched the taste of fresh blood straight from the source, but still, he would like to spend some nights curled up on the large, comfortable sofa with Willow, talking, watching movies, just being together...all the things two people in love did.
He knew it might be premature to think of himself and Willow that way, as being in love, but he couldn’t help it. Just remembering her face, or the way she smelled, made him feel like writing poetry again. Going back to Sunnydale and kidnapping her had been the best thing he’d ever done. His intentions at first may have been to use her to get Drusilla back, but in the end he’d seen things right, even if it had been through the bottom of a bottle. And even now, not having had a bit of alcohol in days, he was completely happy about those actions. Anyone who said that a choice you made drunk, you’d regret when sober, was an arse.
He opened the door to the limo and got out, telling the driver that he’d be back in a few minutes with his girl. More certain than ever of the rightness of what he had done and was doing, Spike walked down to the miserable basement lair, unlocked and opened the door, and was more thankful than ever to be taking his lovely doll away from here. There she was, sitting patiently at the edge of the bed, waiting for him just as he’d asked her to. His long-dead heart leapt at the sight, he could almost feel it beat again. Approaching her, he motioned for her to stand up.
“Hope you weren’t worried, pet, because I was gone so long,” he said, wondering what she’d thought when he hadn’t come home the night before. “I have a surprise for you. We’re moving. I’ve got us a lovely new home. Perfect for us, luv. Lots of books for you to read. Nice kitchen, too, so you can have some decent meals and all. You’ll love it, I know.”
But she didn’t say anything. Spike was confused, angry, and frightened all at once about that. Then he remembered that, lately, his doll had been so worried about displeasing him. Perhaps she thought that if she were too enthusiastic about their new home, he’d think she was ungrateful for everything he’d done for her so far.
“You don’t have to say it, pet. This place is foul. Best I could do on short notice. Took a bit of time to get us a proper place,” he fibbed, not wanting her to know how clouded his judgment had been these past months. “But now, well, you’ll have the kind of home you deserve. You’ll like that, won’t you?” He looked at her almost beseechingly, willing her to say something.
“Of course I will. Thank you,” she said softly, seemingly uncertain of what to do or say next.
“C’mon then, luv, let’s go. Limo’s waitin’ outside.”
With that, he put his arm around Willow’s shoulders and guided her out
the door. He noticed as they walked out of the building that she turned
back for a moment, her eyes holding the faint traces of tears. She truly
was grateful to him. He was certain of that now. After all, why else would
she be crying?
The End
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