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Hell in High Heels

Part 1

Willow didn’t know what hit her. One second she was fighting alongside
Buffy, Faith, Angel and Giles, and the next she was down. Knocked over by one of the tentacles of the...creature. She felt something sharp dig into her upper arm, before she fell into blackness. But before Willow fell into the welcoming pit of unconsciousness, a searing pain consumed her body, beginning and ending with the sharp stabbing in her arm.

Blinking rapidly, the red head lifted her head off the ground, surveying
the room she was in. She could see that the Hellmouth had opened, and the two Slayers were fighting the creature trying to emerge. At least, that’s what they thought it was trying to do. In actuality, the monster/demon was preparing to return back to it’s home, having done it’s job.

As it slowly sank back into the Hellmouth, the red head’s eyes followed
it. None of the fighters noticed the red head’s eyes glow a deep red, as she praised the creature for doing it’s job.

“Thank you, my pet.” she whispered, before blacking out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Willow!” came a voice, penetrating Willow’s safe, dark haven. She’d been so happy, floating around her most favorite places. “Willow, come on. Wake up.”

Slowly prying her heavy eyelids open, Willow took in the battered forms of her friends. They all looked like hell. She was about to comment on their appearance, when she felt it. A presence. There was no other way to describe it. It oozed darkness. It made her
mind feel like it was is a giant puddle of goo, and she could barely think, let alone talk.

Closing her eyes, Willow tried to fight it, trying to eject it from her mind, but it was too strong. It kept pushing at the barriers she’d erected long ago to ward off mind-altering spells. Willow didn’t know what to do. She was fighting for her mind. And losing.

Then it relented. Instead of barging past the crack that had formed, it pulled back.

“Willow, are you alright?” asked Buffy, concerned for her friend. The blonde Slayer had never felt that scared before, when she’d turned and seen Willow face down on the ground, well within reach of the Hellmouth-creature. The thought that she may have already lost her best friend was almost too much for her to handle. When she’d finally been able to reach her friend, Buffy had been relieved to find the red head was only unconscious, and not dead, as Buffy had feared.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” she said. Willow wanted nothing more than to tell her friends about the ‘thing’ in her mind, have them find away to get it out of her. But something was holding her back. Something kept her from collapsing in tears, begging for their help.

“Are you sure? You took a nasty hit.” put in Giles. He liked the red head, saw her as a daughter, and didn’t know what he’d do if she weren’t there to see reason when everyone was about to go off half-cocked.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” she repeated. “I just really need to sleep.” she said with a rueful smile, while on the inside Willow was screaming for help. But it seemed that no matter what she did, she couldn’t seem to make it come out. It was like she was talking on instinct. <No!> she railed on the inside, realizing that the little crack in her mental barriers had
allowed the unknown presence to gain some measure of control over her body.

“Alright, but first we should take a look at that arm of yours.” said Buffy, helping the red head to sit up. The couch in Giles’ office was not the most comfortable in the world.

“What?” she asked, genuinely confused. Then she remembered. When the creature had hit her, and she’d been knocked out.

“You’re arm. I saw the blood. We need to clean it before it gets...infected.” began the Slayer, moving to do just that, but stopped when she looked at Willow’s arm. Following her gaze, Willow was just as surprised as Buffy to see that there was no wound on her arm.

“Before what gets infected?” asked Willow, while inside she was screaming in protest. <No! Buffy, please help me....What’s happening to me?> inside her own mind, Willow began to sob as she realized that her body was no longer her own.

“But..I ....there was blood...your arm..” stammered the Slayer.

“Are you sure you didn’t hit your head, Buff?” asked Willow. “Nothing happened to my arm. In fact, it seems to be the only place on me that isn’t bruised.”

“But...” said the shocked and confused Slayer again.

“Perhaps we should all go home and recuperate.” suggested the librarian. He could see that Willow needed rest, and apparently, so did his Slayer.

“That’s a great idea Giles.” responded Willow. She did feel horrible, and knew her body needed time to recover. Getting up, she began to leave the library, but was stopped by Giles’ voice.

“Angel, could you possibly walk Willow home?” he asked the vampire. Out of the group of them, the vampire was the only one in decent enough shape to protect her, both Slayer’s being to exhausted to do much of anything.

“Sure.” was the souled vampire’s only reply.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Willow didn’t say a word the entire way home, but inside she was trying to break free of the hold on her, all to no avail. She could feel it’s dislike and hatred for the demon walking next to her, but it wasn’t against vampires, just Angel in particular. She wondered at this, until she got a clear mental picture of how this thing in her mind thought of a souled vampire. <Angel’s not weak and pathetic!> she defended, much to the amusement of the darkness.

“We’re here.” said Angel, shaking the witch out of her inner arguments. He’d noticed her
preoccupation all night, and wondered at it, but then realized what it must be. She’d had just fought to close a Hellmouth. The silent hacker was more than likely dealing with the fact that she had been there to save the world, and no one would ever know it but those who were there.

Willow just looked up into his eyes, turned and entered her house, never looking back.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Willow made it up to her room, where she promptly dropped onto the bed and fell asleep.

Several hours later, she awoke to discover that whatever it was that had been controlling her before - wasn’t. It was still there, but she could move and talk of her own free will.

Getting up, she walked over to the large mirror.

She didn’t look any different. But she sure felt it. The reflective glass couldn’t capture the
darkness that even now was awakening, pushing against her mind.

“What do you want?” Willow asked desperately, her hands going to her to try and stave off the invasion of her thoughts.

You.

“Who are you?” asked Willow, her legs giving out on her as it pushed further into her mind, taking her over. Willow could almost feel a smile coming from the advancing presence.

Very soon, I shall be you.

“NO!!!” screamed Willow, clutching at her head as she curled up on the floor. The pain was intense, consuming every fibre of her being, setting her every nerve on fire.

Using every trick Amy had ever taught her, Willow fought, until she felt it pull back a bit. But it was only an instant respite, as it suddenly pulled it’s power together, and burst through her defenses, claiming her mind.

“AHHHH!” shrieked Willow before everything went dark, again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She awoke to the rising sun coming through the window. Realizing where she was, Willow smiled.

She was free. After a millennia of captivity, she was finally free. And the best part, was that nobody knew.

She didn’t relish going back to that dark, empty void they’d called a prison. But it had given her time to think over her mistakes, and discover why she’d been defeated so many years ago. So this time, she’d attacked differently. Instead of obliterating the mind of her host, as she always had done, she’d melded with it. Her and Willow were now one, just as if they’d been born one. No voice in the back of her head, screaming against it’s confines. Just the calmness of her own head.

She was Willow. And in order to destroy her, the Slayer would have to destroy this body. The body of her best friend.

“Buffy won’t be able to stop me, now.”

And Willow laughed for the sheer joy of being free from the void that
was her prison, as well as her old self, before making her way out of the room.

She needed to find a messenger. Someone to bring to her the only one who had ever filled the lonely mortal’s heart. The only one she had ever fantasized about.

And it wasn’t Oz.

Or Xander.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Part 2

Willow - the new, evil, deadly Willow - walked around Sunnydale, looking for a likely candidate. Sunnydale was a small town in comparison to other Hellmouth-towns, but it would do. For now.

The citizens of the Californian town went about their early morning routine, totally oblivious to the girl who lazily walked around the streets.

Then she spotted him. The one who would be first.

Slowly approaching the teenager, she gave him a small willowy-smile (silently thanking the old Willow for her shyness and meekness).

“Could you tell me where I can find a phone?” she asked innocently, batting her eyes at the bewitched teen.

“Sure. It’s this way.” he said, totally captured by her gaze, and began to lead her down the street. Just as they passed a shadowed alley (it was morning, afterall), Willow quickly dragged the young boy into the shadows with her.

“What-“ came his surprised question, before her lips planted themselves on his.

Alex drew in a sharp breath as the beautiful red head began to kiss him, deciding to enjoy it. Then he gasped for an entirely different reason. As her tongue entered his hot mouth, he felt like fire was emanating from said appendage, painful in it’s intensity.

Pulling back from her, he stared in horror at her completely black eyes, feeling the fire spread all through his body before collapsing on the ground.

Upon awakening a few minutes later, Alex was met my the dark eyes of his mistress, which regarded him with quiet curiosity.

“What do you require, Mistress?” he asked, slowly standing to face his creator.

“I need you to find someone for me.” she said simply, her black eyes piercing him to the core. He waited patiently for her to explain. Questioning his mistress could very well lead to her anger, and that was the quickest way to cease to exist.

“He’s a vampire, a very old and powerful one.” the red head explained. “I want you to find him a bring him to me.” she continued, walking towards him. “I’ve put a beacon on him, to help you find him.”

“May I ask a question, Mistress?” he asked, his head bowed.

“Yes.” she said with all the regalness of a queen.

“What is his name?” wondered, eyes still fixed on the ground.

Willow laughed at this, a wholly evil and dangerous sound.

“His name is Spike.” she told Alex, one hand raising his face to hers. “I want him.” she stated simply, leaving no doubt in his mind as to why. His queen had found the one she wanted for her King.

“Yes, my Queen.” he replied. It was not in his being to go against his mistress’ wishes, as he would easily die for her, if she so much as asked it.

“Hurry, my pet.” instructed the red head. The sooner he was here, the sooner they could rule this town together.

Watching her newest creation hurry away, in search of her chosen mate, Willow suddenly felt happiness (of a sort) bubble up in her. Soon, all would be as it should
be.

“Hmmm.” she thought out loud. “I think I’ll go see some old friends.”

A smile lit her face as she headed for the high school. The day was turning out to be very good, indeed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Part 3

Willow happily walked down the hallways of Sunnydale High, oblivious to the looks she was getting
from the population in general. She wouldn’t have cared, even if she had noticed. Willow was too
giddy. First, she’d spent nearly 3 hours in the library, earlier, finding all the books that said anything
about what might have happened to her while the Hellmouth was open - and ripped the pages out.
Then she burned them, and put the books back in place, right where she’d gotten them from.

After that, she’d taken a walk through the school cafeteria, surveying the candidates. She needed to
get some more pets, and the best possibilities were in the school. She looked over each guy and girl,
deciding which would serve her, and which she would serve to her King as an appetizer. All these
decisions left her feeling kinda tired, so Willow went home for couple hours of sleep, before heading
back to the school, to catch the late swim practice, and hopefully catch some late swimmers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy was making her way to the library, for a training session with Giles before patrol, when she
happen to see Mark Caldwell coming out from one of the utility closets. Pulling back into the
shadows, the Slayer waited expectantly to see who had left the captain of the swim team dazed and
flushed. <This will be such good gossip.> thought Buffy, her mind going back to the time he’d
grabbed her ass in the Bronze - repeatedly.

Then the blonde Slayer got the shock of her life. Out from that same utility closet came Willow. Her
best friend.

There was something strange about the red head, too, Buffy noticed, taking in her short red skirt,
tight red top and knee-high red boots. But it wasn’t just the clothes. Willow was different. Different in
the way she walked, held herself, even the aura of calm naivety that Willow projected was different.
What really got Buffy’s attention, wasn’t the clothes or the attitude, it was the self-satisfied smile
plastered on her best friends face as she walked down the hallway, away from the library.

“Giles!” shouted Buffy, as she raced towards the library. “Giles!” came her shout again as she
slammed through the double doors.

“Buffy, what is it?” asked Giles, concerned at the anxiety in his Slayer’s voice.

“Willow....I just saw her come out of the utility closet with..with Mark Caldwell.” she gasped, still
reeling from seeing her best friend..euygh! She couldn’t even think of it without cringing.

“The captain of the swim team?” exclaimed Xander, who had been in the library, unacustomely doing
homework, since Willow hadn’t been around for him to copy his homework off of.

The Slayer’s furious nod of confirmation sent shivers of revulsion up the teens spine.

“Where’d she go?” asked Xander, after calming himself some, not to mention ridding his mind of the
image of Willow and Mark going at it in the utility closet where he and Cordy...well, anyways.

“She just left.” said the still-shocked Slayer. She was in total ‘no way, not Willow!’ mode, and there
was no way that reality was going to sink in anytime soon.

“Hey, do you think Vamp Willow is back?” asked Xander suddenly, hope springing up inside of him.
That would explain so much.

“She could be...if Willow’s been playing with magic again.” hypothesized Giles, still
unconvinced that it hadn’t been their Willow. “Perhaps Willow - our Willow - is trying to - in her
own way - deal with what happened last night - and that caused this...this abnormal behavior of
hers...” muttered Giles to the room at large.

“Nuh uh.” said Xander and Buffy simultaneously after a moment of silence to ponder what the
librarian had said.

With that, the two teens turned around and left the library to search for their friend and her evil
doppelganger, leaving the librarian to wonder why his library smelled of smoke.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Willow walked away from the Bronze, reflecting on what a good night she’d had.

After telling swim-boy - Mark - to find a nice lair for her and her entourage, the red head headed to
the Bronze, to enlarge said entourage.

So she picked up quite a few males, who then became her newest pets, telling them to meet her in
the park around midnight. She’d decided, after the fiasco last time she’d been free, that there would
be no female pets. Last time, they’d only caused more trouble, inciting jealousy and causing fights
among her most loyal servants. <Bunch of sluts.> she thought angrily. The only way there would be
another female in her house, was if her and her King did it together (creating one, not ‘doing it’).

And she had the perfect choice in mind. Two of them, actually, but she could already feel the evil
inside the second girl, and knew she wouldn’t have to push to hard to get what she wanted.

Entering the park, Willow smiled in satisfaction upon seeing all her newly made pets waiting for her,
just like she’d told them too. She wasn’t really surprised, as it was what she had expected them too,
but every now and then, one of them either didn’t take their new ‘position’ right away, usually fighting
her control over them - not that it ever worked - or they suddenly decided that they could do better,
and tried to take her out - not that that ever worked, either.

“Ah, all my pretty ones. Just like I told you.” said Willow, smiling at their obedience. She noticed
swim-boy there, too, and knew they now had a home.

But before she could say anything else, a gasp was heard behind her, followed by a loud growl.
Turning around, she saw her first pet, Alex, laying on the ground where he had been thrown. Then
she saw the backs of head, as her new pets surrounded her, willing to die to protect their mistress.
Their Queen.

But she knew. She needed no protection from this danger.

Pushing her way through the mass of hard bodies, Willow stepped out in front of them, stopping just
in front of her unconscious pet. Bending down, she ran her hand through Alex’ hair, gently waking
him up. Upon seeing his mistress’ face, he knew he was safe, and that she was pleased. He’d done
his job and that was all that mattered.

Pulling herself upright, Willow stared into the shadows in front of her, waiting for the figure to step out
from the dark.

“Heard you were looking for me, ducks.” came an accented voice from the trees.
A smile lit the red head’s face as her chosen King stepped into the light.

“Welcome home, Spike.”

End part 3

Part 4

“Well, well, well.” muttered Spike under his non-existent breath, taking in the figure before him as she
sent her underlings on their way. When he’d left Sunnyhell the last time, after kidnaping the same red
head who now stood before him, Spike had only though of her as the quiet, mousy, semi-witch.

Now, however, he could smell the demon in her. It over powered his senses, and called to his own
demon.

But it wasn’t just any demon he smelled. It was the scent of the Hellmouth that this girl emitted. The
energy that coursed through Sunnydale, which only other demons could pick up on, were now
centered in this red headed teen. It was then that the blonde vampire realized that the Hellmouth
wasn’t a ‘thing’, but a ‘who’.

And that ‘who’ was now the Slayer’s pet witch.

“And how did this........ situation come about?” asked Spike, considering the radiant demon before
him. She had truly blossomed in her new ‘lifestyle’, he noticed, as he slowly made his way around the
still red head.

“I was freed.” said Willow, simply, never moving from her spot, never turning to face him as he
looked at her from all sides and angles.

“Freed from what, luv?” he asked from behind her, his forced breath tickling her ear, sending tingles
up her spine, and moisture to between her thighs.

“From the Hellmouth; from the prison I lived in every day; from the mold of the old Willow.” said
Willow in a low voice, licking her lips daintily as he stopped in front of her.

Willow made no move to touch him in any way, even when she saw his nostrils flare, as he caught the
scent of her arousal. Even though she had chosen him, he must claim her first. It was archaic, to
Willow’s way of thinking, but the rules didn’t change with the times, no matter the reason. Also, he
had to prove himself worthy of being her king, and that was done my claiming what was his.

And she was his, in everything but act, and they both knew it. The instant she’d chosen her mate -
chosen Spike - Willow had bound herself to this vampire.

“How long since you were last free, luv?” he asked her, lifting a hand and trailing his nails down the
side of her face. He smiled an evil, satisfied smile, as her eyes closed in obvious pleasure at his touch.
Her breathing became rapid as his hand settled at the base of her throat, lightly scrapping the soft
flesh he found there.

“Too long.” was her moaned answer as his hand continued on it’s path downward, lightly brushing
the backs of his fingers over the hard tip of her breast. “Over 2000 years ago. I was freed, just as I
was the other night, but was sent back into my prison.” she whispered, barely able to remember what
the question was. She had chosen her mate well. He was strong and controlled and powerful, but
most of all, he set her blood afire. Willow had always known that he alone could release this flood of
feelings, but has always been too afraid to do or say anything about it.

But that was the old Willow. The new and improved Willow knew what she wanted.

And he was standing directly in front of her, making her feel things she’d never felt before.

It was heaven. It was hell. <It was - glorious!>

This last thought came into Willow’s mind and quickly fled, as Spike pulled her against his chest and
sank his fangs deep into her throat.

As her sweet blood flowed into his mouth, the demon and the man in him both screamed in triumph.
She was his. For once, both parts of his mind (demon and man) agreed and rejoiced together.

Spike had found a mate. One who was strong in her own right, and as evil and bloodthirsty as he
was. He could tell all this by the blood that flowed from Willow to him. It was filled with power,
destruction and a craving for chaos.

Too soon, he had to let her go or risk killing her, but didn’t let her leave his arms. Instead, he held his
red head tightly to his chest.

“Mine.” he whispered harshly in her ear, daring her to disagree.

Instead of replying, Willow pushed herself away from Spike, just enough to look into his eyes.

Conveying to him a silent message, she simply quirked an eyebrow at him, as if saying “Prove it.”.

It was a challenge he was all to willing to accept.

His hands gripping her waist, Spike pulled the willing demon towards a tree, pushing her back against
the trunk. Lowering his head again, he captured her lips in a fierce kiss. One that spoke of passions
and danger.

Suddenly, he broke off the kiss, swearing colorfully. It took an instant for Willow to come to her
senses, but when she did, she answered his curses with a few of her own.

“Slayer.” she practically hissed. She was pissed that she’d been disturbed, just when things were
beginning to get interesting, but knew her play time with her mate would have to wait.

“Go somewhere safe. I’ll come for you later.” he told her in a low voice. He wanted her safe, and the
best way to do that would be to get her out of the Slayer’s way. Spike was positive that the blonde
Slayer knew nothing about what had happened to her friend, and was determined to keep it that way
for as long as possible.

“But how will you know....” she trailed off. Even she didn’t know where their lair was, as Mark
hadn’t been able to tell her anything yet.

“Don’t worry. I’ll find you.” he said, kissing her hard once more. “Now go.”   With that, the red head
was on her way, leaving her mate to face the Slayer alone, knowing her could kill her if he had to, but
he wouldn’t. She was too much fun to provoke.

“Spike! Didn’t you hear me the last two times I told you to get out?” remarked the Slayer, before
sliding into her patented fighting stance, facing off against her enemy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Willow was on her back, half asleep on the bed, wearing only a black, long sleeved, man’s silk shirt,
when he came into the room. She was aware of his presence, but stayed still as he looked over her
semi-clad form.

Spike watched his mate as she pretended to sleep, admiring the picture she made. Her red hair
fanned out behind her, creating a halo of red against the white pillow. The black shirt was loose on
her slender form, but lay against her in such a way as to highlight her obvious curves. Her arms had
moved up towards the head of the bed, adding to the illusion of sleep, but which also caused the hem
of the shirt to ride up, revealing inch upon inch of pale, smooth skin, but continuing to tease.

He couldn’t resist the picture she made, and quickly threw off his duster, as he made his way to the
bed. Once there, Spike moved on his hands and knees, up the length of her body, making certain not
to touch her just yet. Teasing her with barely felt touches.

As he made his way up further, he smiled when he saw her nipples harden through silk of her shirt.
Stopping his advance, Spike knelt over top of her prone form, waiting to see what she would do.

He didn’t have to wait long.

“What are you waiting for?” asked the red head, not moving her body in the littlest. “An invitation
written in blood?”

“That would be an added bonus, luv.” he said, still not moving to touch her. “But I’m not the ones
who’s impatient, am I?” added Spike, smiling when he smelled her arousal increase.

Willow finally moved, at this, turning her head to face her mate. Looking him in they eye.

“I haven’t gotten any in over 2 millennia. Even before, as the old Willow, I didn’t get any lovin’.
Wouldn’t you be a little impatient?” she asked. Willow really didn’t know how much more she could
take. She’d been incredibly aroused since the park, just before the Slayer showed up, and wanted
her mate. Now.

Spike could see the need in her eyes. Could feel the heat coming off her in waves. But the demon in
him demanded that he take her, and leave no doubt in her mind as to whom she belonged.

Leaning his weight to one side, Spike placed his hand on one of her bare knees, and slowly slid it up
the length of her thigh, reaching her hip, where he massaged the area with the palm of his hand.

“Quit teasing.” she whispered harshly, her own hands coming up to grip his strong shoulders, as his
hand worked its magic on her.

“Anything interesting happen while you were waiting?” he asked, distracting her from the question, as
he buried his face in her neck, kissing her racing pulse point.

“Actually...<moan>....an old..<gasp>...friend came...<hiss>.. into town..<moan>..tonight.” was all
she could get out, as his hand moved to softer places to play and his tongue began it’s dance of fire
along the vein in her throat.

“Oh, yeah?” he asked. Spike really was interested, but he had more important things on his mind, but
decided to keep teasing her some more. “Who?” he asked, slowing down his hands movement,
which elicited a sound of disappointment from the red headed demon.

“One of my former hosts......She’s an Immortal.....Came here to try and destroy me.” whispered
Willow. Finally having taken enough, she reached up and yanked his head down for a brutal kiss.

“Really?” asked Spike, once he broke the kiss. He’d always praised himself on his amount of
control, but this red headed vixen was seriously testing that control. “And how do you plan to deal
with the Immortal?” Immortals weren’t as secret as they liked to believe they were. At least, to the
demon underground. He’d met several in his lifetime, and had found them to be mostly pompous
windbags, who thought they owned the world. He’d actually enjoyed ripping off their heads, which
was an activity he found mostly repulsive - too many things came out when the head was separated
from the body by force.

“I called someone who could take care of her for me. The only person who had ever been a threat to
her Immortal heart.” she explained, trying to keep a clear head. “He should be here by tomorrow
night, with a smile on his face.”

And with that, she gave herself up to the feelings coursing through her body, and to her mate. Sealing
the bond between them.

Oh, yes. She had chosen very well indeed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Giles!” yelled Angel, as he came through the library doors, carrying the form of the unconscious
Slayer.

“Dear Lord, Angel. What happened?” asked Giles as the librarian came rushing out of his office.
Seeing his Slayer in the arms of the souled vampire, was a sight he’d never hoped to see. “Is she..?”
he could barely form the words, he was frozen in place.

“No. But she’s badly hurt.” said the vampire, sending waves of relief surging through the Watcher’s
body, as he carried her over to the conference table, laying her on top of the finished wood surface.

“What happened?” repeated the librarian, as he rushed to get the First Aid kit.

“Spike’s back. I found them fighting in the park.”  Looking into the older man’s eyes, Angel told him
the rest of it. “She was losing. She would have died in another minute.”  This sent a wave of horror
through the Watcher. His Slayer had almost died tonight. Might still die.

“She will live to fight another day, Rupert.” came a soft, accented voice from his office. The librarian
had completely forgotten about his guest when Angel had burst into the library.

“Who are you?” asked Angel, looking up at the newcomer. The woman who now stood several feet
away from the fallen Slayer was tall and regal looking, with long, auburn hair. Her voice held a slight
gaelic accent, derived from long decades spent in the forests of the highlands of Scotland, yet her
clothes were modern, and fashionable to the minute.

“My name is Cassandra, and I’m here to help you.” she said, piercing him with her glance.

End Part 4

Part 5

Willow stood at the window, overlooking Sunnydale. It was one of the few
windows that hadn’t been boarded up, for which she was forever grateful. Out
this particular window, you could see the entire town, which at the moment
was bathed in the golden light from the setting sun.

“You took you’re sweet time getting here.” she said to the room in general, but
directed it to the figure standing in the doorway.

“You’re just lucky I wasn’t in England.” said an accented voice that held
shades of Spike. “Now, would you mind telling me why I’m here?”

Willow turned around at this, a small smile gracing her lips. “So impatient for
one so young.” she murmured, taking in the man before her. On the outside, he
looked to be in his early thirties, with short, dark hair and a slim frame. But on
the inside, he was much older. He was an Immortal. And not just any Immortal,
but the oldest living Immortal. He was Methos, and he was over 5000 years
old.

At her comment, one dark eyebrow rose in question, as he took in the irony of
the comment - or so he thought, as the girl before him was just that. A girl.

“Oh, don’t take offence to that, Adam - you are going by Adam, now, aren’t
you?” asked Willow as she made her way across the room.

This caused him to pause, as he caught her meaning. She knew what he was, if
not who he was.

“Why am I here?” he repeated, firmer than before. “And who are you?”

“My name is Willow, and I have something that you lost long ago.” she said,
trailing a hand along his shoulder and around his back.

“And what would that be?” he asked cautiously.

“A certain auburn haired slave-girl of yours, that’s out for your head. Literally.”
she whispered in his ear. This got his attention.

“Cassandra.” he whispered. No matter how long it had been, or what he did, the
female Immortal was never far from his thoughts. Even after 3000 years.

“That’s right.” she whispered in his other ear. “She’s in town.”

“And I’m here because....”

“Why, Adam. I just want to reunite two love-starved Immortals.” she replied
innocently.

“She’s been after my head for years. Why should I stick my neck out for you?”
he asked her incredulously. This red head new far too much about him and his
past, and it was making him uncomfortable, since she obviously wanted him
for something. More than likely, it was to take Cassandra out of the picture.

“Because you want her back, Adam. You’ve always wanted her.” she told him,
walking over to the bar to pour herself a glass of red liquid. “You’ve spent how
many years being the good boy Scout, and yet it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t
matter that you’ve spent the past years trying to redeem yourself in her eyes,
because I know the truth.”

At his questioning look, Willow paused for a moment, taking a sip of her drink
before continuing. “She thinks she hates you for what you did in the past, but
that’s not true. Dear Cassy has been lying to herself ever since she ran away
from the camp that night. She loved you then, still loves you, but not Adam
Pierson. She’s in love with Methos. Death. One of the Four Horsemen.”

“And how do you know all this?” he asked, intrigued. If she was right, and he
had a feeling that this girl was, then he didn’t have to hide anymore. He could
be who he really was.

What no one really knew, was that the person he was now, was all a lie. He’d
become a ‘good’ person, someone who helped out when he needed to, all in the
hopes that Cassandra would hear of it, and come back to him. But she never
had. In fact, Cassandra had repeatedly tried to take his head when they’d met
up last. She seemed to hate him even more.

But if what Willow was saying was right, then he could go back to being
himself, and still have his woman.

“Because I’m not who I seem to be.” the red head informed him. “I may look
18, but that’s just the body. Inside there’s a whole new me.”  Seeing that he
didn’t understand, Willow explained more. “I’m actually a demon. I took this
body when I was set free a few days ago. Before that, the last time I was freed,
was 2000 years ago, and the body I decided to inhabit just happen to be our
favorite slave-girl. I learned everything about her. Her memories, her feelings...
It was quite interesting. I learned all about you. Methos - the oldest Immortal.”

Methos thought about this for a moment, going over all she’d told him in his
head. “So, you need me to get Cassandra out of your hair.” he surmised, turning
to face the dangerous red head, moving for the first time since entering the
room.

“In a manner of speaking.” replied Willow, a small smile dancing across her
lips. “So, are you Adam? Or are you Methos?” she asked the dark Immortal.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the Library

Giles was pacing back and forth in the library, waiting to hear what this woman
had to say. After Buffy had been brought into the library last night after her
altercation with Spike, this mysterious woman, Cassandra, had left for the day,
promising to return the following afternoon, to explain it all. Buffy had
gathered the entire group together to hear what Cassandra had to say.

Everyone was present, except for the red headed witch, Willow. No one could
seem to reach her, and the fear was that Spike had taken the hacker.  Buffy and
Xander were still convinced that vampire Willow was back, and she was
helping Spike to kidnap Willow, which Giles thought was just preposterous.
More than likely, Willow was just dealing with their battle with the Hellmouth
in her own way, and needed to let her work it out.

“So, what’s this all about?” demanded the still-injured Slayer. Buffy wanted to
be out looking for Willow, not sitting in the library on a Saturday night, while
some strange woman told her stuff she didn’t care about. The Hellmouth was
closed, what more did she want?

“It’s about the demon you allowed to escape from the Hellmouth, Slayer.” spat
Cassandra. She didn’t like this girl. Slayer’s were always self-righteous, but
this one was more so. Every other Slayer in the last 2000 years had obeyed the
rules, but his young brat couldn’t seem to get it through her thick skull that
rules were meant to be followed, not broken.

“What demon? We closed the Hellmouth, and I can assure you, no nasty demon
escaped.” said Buffy, in a patronizing manner.

“You have no idea who you’re messing with, girl.” said the older woman. “I’ve
been studying your Watcher’s reports. You have no discipline, listen to no one,
are always getting into trouble you could have avoided if you’d follow the
rules, and have now placed the entire world in danger with your arrogance.”

“What-“ stuttered Buffy, unaccustomed to being brought down a few pegs.

“The rules set up for Slayers are there for a reason. But even the Watcher’s
Council has their problems. They’ve lost sight of why the Slayers were
created.” she continued, sending a glance in Giles’ direction.

“What rules? And what do you mean ‘Why Slayers were created’! Slayers kill
vampires. That’s what we do.” said Faith seriously. She’d always believed that
killing vampires was her job, and she reveled in that. She was good at it, but
here was someone telling her that it wasn’t what Slayers were for.

“Slayers were created to battle Hellmouths.” began Cassandra, calming a bit.
“The Hellmouth, wherever it opens up, draws demons of all kinds. Vampires
being the major ones. But somewhere along the way, they lost that, and
concentrated on vampires. Battling the Hellmouth became a second thought.
And I believe the Watcher’s Council was responsible for that.” she said,
sending an accusing look at the Watcher. “Somewhere, long ago, the reality of
the Hellmouth demon, became a myth, and was later forgotten. I doubt they
even remember what the Hellmouth is.”

“What do you mean? The Hellmouth is a doorway to the demon dimension.”
said Buffy, in that same patronizing tone.

“The Hellmouth was created to hold a very powerful demon, child.”came
Cassandra’s hard response. This girl was really starting to get on her nerves. “It
is a prison. And every time it opens into this world, it’s an opportunity for it to
escape.”

“Dear Lord.” whispered Giles, the first one to understand the implications of
what the Immortal said.

“I see someone’s beginning to understand.” the beginnings of a smile curving
her lips.

“What does this demon do? Steal life force? Make bad hair?” joked Xander,
trying to lighten the mood.

“No. It doesn’t have any special powers, because it can do almost anything.”
explained the Immortal. “That giant creature with the tentacles that emerges
with the opening of the Hellmouth....that is a type of delivery system.”

“That slimy thing with the octopus arms?” asked Faith. “What’s it do? Spit out
the demon?”

“In a way. It attaches itself to a host, momentarily allowing the demon a
doorway to escape. Needless to say, it takes it the freedom offered it. The
demon then takes control of the host.” pausing for a moment, to let the group of
youngsters, Watcher and vampire absorb what she’d just said. “It is free again,
for the first time in over 2000 years. You” she said, looking back and forth
between Buffy and Faith, “failed in your duty.”

Silence met Cassandra’s comment.

“It is the last in a long line of mistakes you have made.” this was directed at
Buffy alone. Before the blonde Slayer could object, the auburn haired witch
interrupted her. “The one rule that no Slayer has ever dared to break, you have.
There is a reason why Slayer’s are not allowed friends. This is why.” she said,
trying to get the blonde Slayer to understand.

“What do you mean? What is why?” asked Buffy, getting annoyed with this
woman. She seemed to talk mostly in riddles, and was bashing on her for being
a good Slayer. “And so what if I have friends. I’m entitled to a life. I am the
oldest Slayer in history.” she said this last part with pride.

“No you’re not.” spat out Cassandra. “You’re a baby compared to the Slayers
of the past. Once the Watcher’s Council took over the Slayers, their life span
shortened drastically. They were lead to believe that killing vampires was the
most important part of their duty. That got them killed long before their time.”
Cassandra needed a moment to compose herself, as getting angry an killing the
girl would do her no good. “Now, if you had followed the rules, and not made
involved other people in your slaying, the demon never would have gotten free
again. It can’t take over a Slayer’s body, but it can take over just about anyone
else. By having other people near the creature when the Hellmouth opened, you
allowed the demon to escape.”

Horror washed over Buffy and the rest of the gang as they took in this
revelation. She’d always known that she was going against the Council by
having friends, but she’d just assumed it was because they wanted a
brainwashed Slayer who did nothing but kill vampires like a machine. This
entire conversation had rocked her to the core, as well as all the other
occupants of the room.

Silence ran rampant in the library, as they each tried to come to terms with
what they had just found out. Giles was the first one to speak.

“You say the demon is free again?” he asked her.

“Yes. I knew the moment it escaped from the Hellmouth, and came here to put
it back where it belongs. No one can kill this creatures, as when the host dies, it
just returns to it’s prison, to await another opportunity.” she explained.

“So, how do we find this thing, and send it back into the Hellmouth?” asked
Angel. From what he’d heard, this was quite possibly the worst creature that
Buffy had ever faced, and he didn’t know if she would be able to defeat it.

“It should be relatively easy to find, as the host has to be someone who was in
the vicinity of the creature during the opening of the Hellmouth.” continued the
Immortal.

“Can you tell who it is, if you come into contact with it?” asked Giles, looking
for any help they could get in finding the host.

“I’ll know when it gets close.” was all she said.

Suddenly, she straightened, looking around her as she felt another Immortal in
the area. The others in the library looked at her strangely, not knowing she was
an Immortal and what that all entailed. Looking towards the door, she froze in
horror at what she saw there.

Standing in the doorway to the library was the red headed witch of the group.
The instant she saw her, Cassandra knew she’d found the demon. But what
scared her the most, was the man standing behind her.

Methos.

The look in his eyes, and the way he held himself all proclaimed him for what
he was. An ancient Immortal who had come for what was his. And that
something was her - she just knew it. The way his eyes traveled up her body,
resting on her face, made her all to aware of the effect he had always had on
her. but she also noted something different about him. When she’s last seen
him, a year ago, he’d been dark, brooding and weak. But now, he was non of
those things. He was back to the man she remembered from her days as his
slave.

“Methos.” she whispered, her eyes not able to leave his. It was almost like she
was hypnotized.

“Well, it’s good to know you haven’t gotten senile in your old age, Cassy,
dear.” said Willow, an evil smile curving her red lips.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

End Part 5

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