Title: The Beginning of the End Author: Electra Rating: PG Disclaimer: I own nothing but the idea. Summary: It's the beginning of the end for Willow and Spike. Notes: 9th in the 'Prophecy of The Wicked' series. Read the others first or confused you will be. Distribution: Tell me and take it. Dedication: To ************* Willow paced around her room, getting faster each time she did a full turn. "Luv, please calm down, for me? You're making me nervous!" Spike pleaded. *Actually, I don't need her to make me nervous.* "Sorry, it's just--I'm so--UGH!" Willow flopped onto her bed, beside Spike. "Scared?" Spike whispered soothingly in her ear. Willow exhaled. "Yes. That's it. I'm scared. But I have a right to be!" "Yes you do, but you need sleep. You won't be able to defend a fly tonight unless you get some rest and build your strength." "But I won't be able to sleep," Willow murmured, her eyes closed, as Spike rubbed her back gently. Spike just smiled softly as, a few seconds later, soft snoring could be heard in the otherwise silent room. But his amusement didn't last long as the all-too-familiar fear swept through him. *I will not lose tonight. Willow means too much to me and she's counting on me. I won't let her down.* *********** Angelus stalked the tunnels underground as he waited for the coming night. He smiled evilly as he thought of how tonight would be his greatest triumph. *I only wish tonight could last forever!* Angelus chuckled gleefully in the semi-darkness. What he didn't know, though, was that things would turn out much differently than either side anticipated. *********** When darkness finally fell over the town, Willow was so scared that she was near tears. "What if Angelus wins? What if I die, and you don't? What if you die and I don't? What if--" "Willow!" Spike shouted. "What?" Willow was slightly annoyed at her speech being cut off. "Stop doing that, you're making me and everyone around here nervous." Spike snapped. Buffy was chewing her fingernails, Xander was muttering to himself, Cordelia, for once, was not doing her makeup, but looking off into space instead and Giles was pacing. "No one is calm here Spike! We're all nervous wrecks so how can I make it worse?" Willow snapped right back. "All right! That's enough!" Giles barked. But he didn't have time enough to say anything else because a mocking figure stepped out of the shadows. "Well, well, fancy meeting you here." Angelus smirked. "That line is so overused," Willow scoffed, then blinked. *Where had that come from?* Spike also looked at her in surprise. *Well, seems Red isn't quite so self-contained when she's pissed.* "Let's just get this thing over with? I have a life you know?" Willow looked bored. *Wow! This is great! I feel so, powerful!* Spike smiled. *Good old Willow.* "You heard her, mate. Do your thing, and we'll kill you so we can get the hell outta here." Angelus' face darkened, "Well, what the lady wants, the lady gets!" And he launched himself, full force, at Willow. End Haha! Now you'll have to send feedback!