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Changing Hearts Series - Not So Alone -- by Ruby
Rating: PG-13
Description: Spike rescues Willow from an unwanted situation, sequel to Letting Go.
Note: Spoilers -- Wild at Heart, The Initiative.
Disclaimer: Joss owns all.
Willow smiled from her perch on the arm of a chair as Buffy slid effortlessly into Riley's arms and began to move with him in time to the slow music. The blonde raised her head to receive the man's soft kiss, mindless of the countless others milling around the crowded frat house. After months of watching her friend struggle to regain her footing, Willow was relieved to see her looking truly happy again.
"Kind of sweet, in an 'I've had too much sugar and I think I'm going to heave' sort of way," a voice said from beside her.
"Oh, be nice," Willow grinned, her eyes still on the dancing couple, as Spike sat down on the arm of the chair. "She deserves a little happiness."
The vampire looked at her in wonder, "So do you, pet."
"How did you get in here?" she asked, choosing to ignore his comment. "I thought you needed an invitation."
"Some git stuck a big sign up on the front door, 'All Welcome.' Someone really ought to tell him he might not necessarily mean that," he answered.
"Good point," she nodded.
He watched her for a minute as her gaze moved over the various couples around the large room. He leaned into her and spoke close to her ear.
"Are you having as good a time as you look like you're not having?"
"Buffy dragged me along with her," she grinned. "I have three papers due by the end of the semester, and she got disgusted with me when she found out I already have all of them done. So, she told me I was getting out of the dorm, whether I liked it or not. I tried to tell her I'd feel like a third wheel, but she wouldn't listen. She said I might meet someone here. I don't think you were who she had in mind, though."
Spike quickly looked down, hiding a slight grin, "I can smuggle you out of here, if you like."
"Would you?" she asked, brightening considerably. "I'd like."
He took her hand and pulled her up with him, then tucked her arm through his and guided her around the pockets of people scattered about the place. He opened the door and turned back as Willow stepped outside. Buffy's eyes had tracked their movements across the room, and she gave the vampire a quick nod before he followed the redhead out. The slayer turned a dazzling smile on Riley, and he smiled softly back at her and drew her head back down to his shoulder.
"Dru used to like this," Spike said as Willow sat on a swing, pushing herself ever so slightly with one foot. "Of course, she'd usually just polished off a kid or two, first."
"Spike!" Willow squealed.
"Just kidding, ducks," he chuckled. "We don't usually go for the little blighters. She liked kids, actually."
"You don't talk about her much," she said.
He shrugged and sat down in the swing next to hers, "I don't think about her much. She's a past I'd rather not go back to. Besides, can you imagine what she'd think of me, now? She'd be repulsed."
"Her loss," Willow replied.
"Think so?"
"Oh, yeah," she nodded. "But if she showed up here and wanted you back, would you go with her?"
"No," he answered.
Willow stilled the swing and turned to look at him, "Why not? You loved her."
"I don't feel that way about her, anymore. I always closed my eyes to the fact that I was second choice for her. Hell, we're vampires. It shouldn't even have mattered."
"But it did," Willow added.
"I always thought, if I tried hard enough--tried to be all the things that she wanted and needed--she'd eventually want just me. But it never happened. It never would have. I finally had to admit that to myself when she lost Angel for good. When she was screwing that Chaos demon, I thought she was just getting her own back, punishing me for siding with the slayer. But that wasn't it, not really. She just didn't want me. If she can't have the one she really wants, she'll spend eternity shagging whoever happens to be convenient."
"Do you hate her?"
"I don't hate her. I don't love her. I don't feel anything for her," he answered. "Which, ironically, feels pretty damned good."
"But now you're all alone," her voice softened with sadness.
He smiled and took the hand she instinctively held out to him, "Not so alone, pet."
Her eyes shimmered as the moonlight caught them, and her mouth curled into a gentle smile, "Not so alone."
The End
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