E-mail: tienco@msn.com
Couple: Willow/Xander (eventually), mentions Angel/Spike
Rating: R
Distribution: My site!! www.geocities.com/tienco_21 and various lists. Ask if you want it, I'll let you have it. Oh, Jinni, Kylia, and Jai can always have it. . .if I've given you permission for something else, you are welcome to this.
Disclaimer: All belongs to Joss Whedon. I want Xander though. And Spike, and Angelus. Perhaps Willow and Faith can come play too.
Feedback: Of *course*. Makes me write more.
Spoilers: Anything up to now is fair game. Oh, and I made my own assumptions on Tara, but that's not really a main part of the story.
Summary: Xander needs to save Willow. . .
Notes: This is set five years in the future.
Dedication: To Jinni, cause she kept encouraging me to write more. :)
*******
"I don't like him, Buffy," Xander scowled.
Buffy rolled her eyes and sighed. She crossed her arms. "You haven't liked him since they've been married. It's been two years, Xander. Give it up. You and Willow just aren't going to end up together."
Xander turned, his jaw locking in anger. The twenty-five year old ran his hand through his hair, brushing the bangs out of his eyes only to have them fall back into his face again. "It. Has. Nothing. To. Do. With. Wanting. Willow."
"Come on, Xand!" Riley said, shifting on the couch. "We've all seen the lingering looks! You've got it bad for her!"
"Why can't you ever want Willow when she's *not* with someone?" Buffy asked gently, putting her hand on her best friend's shoulder.
Xander turned angrily. "It's not that!" he hissed. "It's *him*! I don't like him! There's something in his eyes. . .and even more so than before. Something that makes me shudder. And. . ." Tears filled his eyes and he looked down. "I think that lately, here in the last three months or so, there's. . .been abuse."
"What?" Riley roared, standing up angrily. "I've known Mark longer than I' ve known the two of you! We *served* together! There is no way! He treats women with the utmost care! He loves Willow, damn it! Xander, just fucking let it go!"
Buffy reached up and put her hand on Riley's shoulder, pushing the angry man back down. "Hush, Riley." She turned to Xander. "You realize that's preposterous. However. . .just to humor you, what makes you think that? Have you seen bruises? Have you seen him hit her?"
"No," Xander replied sullenly. "But I grew up in a home filled with violence. I know the signs, Buff. She's withdrawing, just like mom did when I was a kid. She's skittish, and she doesn't do anything anymore without telling him."
"She's a married woman! I don't do anything without telling Riley. Does that mean that he's abusing me?"
Xander snorted. "Like he'd have a chance against you," he muttered darkly. "Seriously. I really think it's happening. I've been through it, so has a couple of the kids at the day care. . .I know the signs."
"You are grasping at straws," Buffy said gently, not wanting to hurt her best friend. He'd been on a downward spiral since Willow had married Mark Baker two years before, almost like a light within him had died. The only time anyone ever saw him brighten up anymore was when he was around Willow and Mark wasn't there. But, as Xander pointed out, that was becoming rarer and rarer. As much as Buffy hated the fact that Xander was accusing Mark of this current heinous act, she wasn't entirely shocked. The youth had already ruled out the idea that Mark was a demon or an evil entity conjured up by someone trying to harm the group, automatically assuming that he was.
Buffy knew that Xander was in love with Willow, and thought that perhaps Willow returned the feelings, until Mark came around. He was definitely interested in the redhead and swept her off her feet, and out from under Xander's nose. Buffy hated that it happened that way, thinking that the pace Willow and Xander were going at was the best for them, but then she decided that if it wasn't meant to be, it wasn't meant to be. . .
Even though sometimes, late at night, deep in her heart, her subconscious whispered to her that the universe was out of balance because Willow and Xander weren't together.
"Granted, the demon thing was a stretch - " Xander held up a finger to stop Buffy from saying anything. "But you can never be too sure. Can I remind you of Tara? Thank you," he said smugly. "And I realize that he's not *entirely* evil. . .but a normal human is capable of anything a demon can do. I'm telling you, he's hurting her."
"She would tell me," Buffy said angrily. "Willow would *not* keep something like that from me."
Xander stood up, sighing softly. He put his hand on Buffy's shoulder. "Yea, Buff. Keep believing that."
"What do you mean?" Angry hazel eyes gazed up at Xander.
"How long did I know you before I told you about my parents?" He shrugged, his shoulders slumped slightly. He looked like he was giving up, like the fight wasn't worth it anymore. "I'm going home." He turned, and walked out.
Buffy stared at his back, then jumped slightly when the door slammed. Her mind was reeling. She looked at Riley, chewing her bottom lip. "Well?" Riley asked.
"What?" she asked quietly.
"How long was it before he told you about the abuse?" Riley questioned. Everyone in their small knit group knew that Xander's parents were bastards. It was something that they just. . .knew. Buffy had informed Riley, and the young man never asked Xander about it, not wanting to bring up something that would make both of them uncomfortable. However, the former Commando was glad that Xander had finally gotten an apartment of his own five years before. After moving out of his parent's basement, the youth bloomed - until Willow got married. Then the light within him seemed to die.
Tears filled Buffy's eyes. "Directly?" she whispered.
Riley nodded his head.
"Just then," she hugged herself and started to cry.
Part 2
Xander stared at his companion. "I swear," he slurred, the drinks he'd been drowning himself in affecting his speech. "He's hurting her. He hurts her and it makes me want to hurt him, because she deserves so much more." He turned slightly, waving at the bartender. "Can I have a drink? My friend here too, he's the best listener! Get him a drink. Whatever he wants!"
The bartender's eyebrow rose and he shrugged, going to make the drinks for Xander and his friend.
Xander turned back to his companion. "I would kill him if I could, but he used to be a Marine. I can't. He would slit my throat or something. Marines do that, you know, I've seen Riley attack many a demon like that." Xander sighed and put his head on the bar, slamming his forehead into the smooth wood. "I love her. My god, I love her so much, and she's married. To a bastard. Who hurts her. I know that he does. I was abused, I know what you go through, what you see." He sighed, then his tears started to fall.
Willow rushed in the bar and over to the bartender. "You called my house?" she said softly. "Said there was a. . ." She turned, hearing the sobbing at the end of the bar. "Xander!" she cried, rushing through the bar to reach him.
Xander's head came up at her call and his whole face lit up. "Wills!" he exclaimed, jumping off his stool, nearly tripping over his own feet. "Willow Rosenberg, so good to see you!"
Willow ignored the maiden name and wrapped her arms around his waist. He leaned against her, his arm around her shoulders. He turned the two of them to his companion. "This. . .this is her. This is the woman I'm in love with."
Willow blinked and looked up at him, shocked. She wondered sometimes if he still had feelings for her, but *in love*. . .she looked away and silently wished she'd never met Mark Baker. She'd always thought that she'd end up with Xander, and now she was with a prick of a guy who couldn't treat her right.
But she'd never tell her friends that.
"Mr. Coat Rack," Xander said, extending his hand to point out his 'companion ' of the night, the coat rack at the end of the bar. "Mr. Rack is very smart, Willow. You would like him, I think. He listens to me, and doesn't say I'm being stupid when I say things that Buffy thinks is stupid." He turned to Willow. "Willow, does that bastard hurt you?"
Willow stared up at Xander, fear racing through her veins. She'd *never* let anyone know when Mark came home angry about something and took it out on her. He always said he was sorry afterwards, and it would never happen again, and she'd forgive him, claiming it was just stress. But inside, keeping the secret, and the growing fear of her husband going on a rampage, was eating her up.
She forced a chuckle to escape her lips. "That's. . .that's crazy, Xander. What makes you think he hurts me? He doesn't hurt me."
Xander looked at her sadly. "You are starting to act like mom did at the beginning," he whispered.
Willow paled, remembering how flipped out Mrs. Harris was every time she went to Xander's house. She didn't want to become like that, a drunken bitter woman who hated her kid and her husband. However, she *knew* that her body wouldn't be able to handle the abuse if anyone found out about Mark. "No, Xander, of course he doesn't. That's. . .that's silly."
Xander's eyes filled with tears and he angrily brushed them away, pulling out of her arms. "Yea, and how many times did I lie to you growing up? 'Xander, did they hurt you?' 'No,' I'd say, while you taped up my cuts. 'Xander, did your father bruise your ribs?' 'No,' I'd say, while you wrapped my ribs." He spun around, grabbing the bar for support. "Guess what, Willow!" he roared. "It was all a fucking lie! Every goddamn word! I lied to you the entire time we were kids! My dad was a fucking bastard! He beat the *shit* out of me, and pushed my face in the pillow and fucking did things to me that I didn't like! And yet. . .I lied. Just like I know you are now." He stormed out of the bar, walking into the night.
Willow wiped her tears away, sliding money over to the bartender. "Thanks for calling me," she whispered softly, before turning and running outside after Xander.
He was standing by her car, bent over, emptying his stomach on ground. Willow made her way to him and rubbed the back of his neck soothingly, trying to get his body to stop shivering. After a moment, he stood up, wobbling on his feet. "I. . .don't feel so good."
"Come on, let's get you home. You are staying at my house tonight, because I don't think you need to be alone."
He shook his head. "No," he whispered. "Mark hates me, he doesn't want me there."
"Mark doesn't hate you," Willow said softly, doubting the words as she spoke them. "He will be fine with you staying there. He lets his friends crash at the house when they get too drunk." She chewed her bottom lip and hoped that if he lashed out at her, he would wait till the next day when Xander was gone.
"Alrighty then, if you say so," Xander murmured sleepily.
Part 3
Xander fought his way out of the haze of sleep and alcohol, trying to figure out why everything just felt *wrong*. He turned, knowing that he wasn't in his bed. The last thing he remembered was starting on his third drink at the bar, and then he woke up. . .wherever he was.
He opened bleary eyes, waiting a moment for his vision to focus. He turned his head slowly, looking around the room. He knew the room. . .his body sighed with relief when he realized it was Willow's guest room. He glanced at the clock. Six in the morning. Plenty of time for him to sleep for several more hours. . .
"DAMN IT, WILLOW!"
Xander's eyes flew open and his body jerked, and he looked around. "What the fuck?" he asked himself.
He looked towards the door, which was cracked. He could hear the voices from downstairs drifting up the stairs, filtering into his room. "Mark, please! Calm down!" Willow sounded like she was sobbing, begging him to leave her alone.
Xander sat up quickly, then grabbed the headboard, his hand going to his mouth. < Don't be sick, don't be sick, > he thought, inhaling deeply. < Gotta save Wills, gotta save Wills. . . >
"Why is he here?" Mark asked angrily.
"He was practically *passed* out at the bar down the street! They called me to ask me to come get him, so he didn't do something stupid like get on the road and kill someone!"
"Why didn't they call Buffy? How did they know to call you?" Mark snapped.
Willow gulped slightly, looking down. "The bartender asked him who to call and he said me." That wasn't entirely the whole truth, she left out the part when the bartender referred to Xander as her boyfriend.
Mark grabbed a handful of her hair and yanked her to him. "Listen here, Willow. I don't want him around you *anymore*. And the child you are carrying? If he's born with one characteristic of Xander Harris, I swear to god, I'm killing you."
Xander's mouth dropped open. Willow was pregnant? *No* one knew that. Why wasn't she telling anyone? He took another deep breath and pushed himself up. He *had* to get her out of that house. He closed his eyes, calming his nerves and his stomach. Once he felt well enough to move, he reached into the back of his mind, pulling forth the couple of days he was possessed by the hyena. He shivered as the memories slammed back into his mind. He opened dark brown eyes, ready to protect what was *his*.
Willow started crying. "It's yours, Mark! I swear! I haven't been with anyone but you! Please. . .you are hurting me!" she sobbed.
Mark yanked her hair again, turning her face up to his. "You are mine to hurt, you little bitch."
"I suggest you let her go," a calm voice said behind them.
Mark turned, still holding Willow's hair. Her hands went up, gripping his wrist, trying to get him to let go of her hair. Tears were streaming down her face, and she was shaking in terror. "Xander, leave!" she hissed. "He' ll hurt you."
"No, Xander, why don't you stay? My fist has always wanted to become intimate with your face."
Xander's eyebrow rose. "Is that the best snappy kick-my-ass line you can come up with?" He tsked at the former Marine. "You should take lessons from Buffy. She could teach you some good things to say before you pummel someone."
"Xander, just leave!" Willow begged, tears streaming down her face, making the pale skin splotchy.
"Wills, don't cry, baby," Xander said soothingly, stepping forward.
Mark yanked Willow's hair harder and she cried out in pain. Xander's eyes narrowed and he growled, launching at the burly ex-soldier.
In his surprise, Mark's grip on Willow loosened, and she pulled away from them, falling to the floor and scrambling behind the couch to hide from the violence.
Xander slammed into Mark, adrenaline running through his veins. He clutched Mark's hair and slammed his head into the floor. "Don't. You. Ever. Touch. Her. Again," he hissed angrily.
Mark flipped them, wrapping his hands around Xander's throat. "I've always wanted to do this." He started squeezing. "And it will be so easy, I can get away with it. I'll just tell the police that you were threatening my wife, and I came in and had to kill you to get you to leave me alone. . .she won't testify against me, because she *knows* what will happen to her if she does." He turned his head to look at his wife. "Don't you, Will. . ." His voice faltered as he looked up his angry wife's body, seeing her holding a heavy metal candlestick holder over her head.
"Don't ever threaten Xander again," she hissed, slamming the holding over his head.
Mark slumped against Xander, causing the smaller man to 'oof' as all the air rushed out of his lungs. "Oh, god, heavy guy," he muttered, pushing Mark off of him. He stood up, then swayed, between the lack of air to his brain, and the earlier sickness from drinking the night before. He grabbed on to Willow and held her shoulder for support.
Willow glanced down at Mark's unconscious body. "He'll wake up soon. What now?"
Xander threw her a goofy grin. He pulled out his cell phone and pushed a button, then enter. He held the phone to his ear. After a moment, his face lit up. "Deadboy! Guess what!?" There was a pause. "No, I did not snag Willow. Not yet anyway." Pause. "Yes, I know. *Anyway*. . .we are coming to LA." Pause. "Why? Because I tried to hurt Mark, and he tried to kill me and she knocked him out. We need to have a place to hide out." Pause. "Cool. See ya in a couple hours." He hung up.
Willow smiled. "I haven't seen Spike and Angel since the wedding," she said softly.
"Yea, they will be happy to see you too," Xander nodded.
Willow wrapped her arm around his waist as they walked out of the house. "What did he mean about snagging me?" she asked, looking up at him.
He looked down, with a sad smile on his face. "Don't worry about it, Wills. After we get everything straightened out, maybe I'll tell you."
Part 4
"Red!" a British voice roared in happiness when Willow and Xander walked into the lobby of the hotel Angel Investigations resided in. Willow squealed happily when a blonde streak rushed to her and pulled her into his arms, spinning her around. Spike set her down gently, a grin from ear to ear on his face. "If you ever tell anyone how I greeted you. . ."
"Yea, yea, I know, you'll string my entrails all over LA, cause you are the *chipless* Big Bad," she said, rolling her eyes, putting her fingers up and doing rabbit ears around the word 'chipless'. Ever since Angel found someone to remove the blonde's chip, he would go around, reminding people constantly about how he was chipless and could hurt them.
"God, I've missed you!" he exclaimed. "And how is the bloody prick you call husband?"
"Spike!" Angel growled, coming up behind his lover and popping the blonde on the head. "Hey, Willow." He hugged the redhead tightly, then stepped back.
"Harris," Spike nodded.
"Spike," Xander grinned at the blonde. He loved coming to LA - he felt much more at home there than he did back in Sunnydale. None of the LA crew liked Mark, all thinking he was a bad choice for Willow. If not for the redhead herself, Xander would have left the Hellmouth years before. However, he couldn't bring himself to leave the little witch who held his heart in her hands.
"Pet?" Spike asked, turning to Willow. "Two heartbeats? You are carrying a child?"
"You are pregnant?" Angel asked, lighting up with happiness for one of his dearest friends.
"Oh, shit, I forgot!" Xander exclaimed. He grabbed her arm and led her to the couch. "How long? Why didn't you tell me?"
Willow looked down, wringing her hands. "I. . .I wasn't entirely sure he was going to let me keep it," she whispered. "He still says that it's your baby. He swears up and down that you and I are sleeping together." She looked up at him, tears filling her eyes. "Sometimes, really late at night, when he's sleeping, I find myself wishing he was yours."
Xander's heart broke, thinking that it *should* be his kid. He put his hand on Willow's stomach gently. "Wills, you can't. . .you can't go back to him. One day he will go too far and he will hurt you *and* the baby. I can't lose you, Willow."
Willow sniffed and put her arms around Xander's neck, drawing strength from her savior, from her best friend. After a moment, she pulled away, wiping her tears. "I. . .I don't have anywhere to go though. If he finds me at your place, Xander, he kills you. He'd know where I was if I was with Buffy. . ."
Spike snorted, kneeling down beside the trembling redhead. "Peaches has about a million rooms upstairs, and we only shag in three of them. You can have your pick of any of the others. Well, unless you *want* to see us shag, or perhaps join in, then you can have one of the two that he doesn't call home."
Despite the situation, Willow started giggling. "Spike, I've missed you so much," she said happily, throwing her arms around his neck.
He hugged her back, smiling over her shoulder at Xander, who was beaming. He pulled away gently. "Now, let's go see if there are any glaring bruises or cuts *anywhere* on your body that I can soothe," Spike leered, standing up and pulling the witch up with him.
Willow hit his shoulder, following him as they walked towards the office. "Spike, you perv! You probably just want to see if you can get me naked!" Her laughter was like music, making Xander's heart pound faster, making the young man watch her with a dopey grin on his face. He was so enraptured by her happiness, it didn't even bother him that Spike was openly flirting with her and making her blush.
"Luv, I'm a soulless evil vampire. What would you expect?"
She giggled, disappearing into the office with Spike.
"Are you ok?" Angel asked softly.
"Deadboy," Xander whispered, staring straight ahead, not seeing anything, "when I woke up and he was yelling at her. . .I. . .wanted to kill him. I pulled the hyena out. . .I would have killed him if he didn't overpower me. I *had* to get her away from there. . .are you sure you don't mind us being here?" Xander looked up at the dark haired vampire.
Angel had grown to be very close to Xander over the years, happily calling the young man one of his best friends. "You know I don't mind, Harris." He sat next to Xander, bringing his hand up to rest on the back of his neck. He brushed his fingertips along his skin, trying to calm the man down further. "You know that I've been trying to get you to move here forever. And Willow? She's a joy to have around. Besides, I think Gunn's tired of Cordelia dragging him out to shop."
Xander chuckled. "I've dated the girl. I feel for him."
Angel's laughter joined Xander's, filling the lobby.
Part 5
Buffy paced back and forth, worried to death. She had no idea where Willow was, only knew that Mark came over, sporting a cut in the back of his head, claiming that Xander went crazy and kidnapped his wife. Riley immediately flew into a rage, telling Buffy that he was tired of her friend's moping, and that he needed to get over her. He called Sunnydale Police, but Buffy knew *that* wouldn't go anywhere, so she wasn't too terribly worried about the force finding them.
She called Angel, to see if he had any clue where the two went, but he said he didn't know. He did, however, sound concerned, and said he would have one of them contact them if he heard from them. "Angel," she said softly, glancing around to make sure Riley wasn't listening. "I just don't believe Mark. I don't think Xander is capable of taking Willow against her will."
"I know I don't believe him. I don't like him, Buffy. Evil can sense evil, you know."
"So do you think they ran away together?" the Slayer asked. "Why wouldn't she have called me? She's been gone for three days, Angel."
"Maybe Mark isn't telling you the whole truth, and she has to deal with some things first," Angel murmured softly, watching as the redhead in question walked across the lobby, slipping her arms around Xander. The young man had his back to her, hunched over a book, helping Wesley and Cordelia research the new demon the Seer saw in her most recent vision. He turned his head, smiling at Willow. The redhead leaned down, kissing him softly on the lips. She pulled away quickly, a blush covering her face. She offered a small smile, then glanced at Cordelia. The two women rushed off to the other side of the lobby to *talk* about the accidental kiss she'd bestowed on her best friend.
Xander smiled, touching his lips briefly. He shook his head and turned back to the book.
"Huh?" Angel asked, Buffy's pause jerking him away from watching his family.
"Angel, are you paying attention to me?"
Angel shook his head, trying to think of a good excuse. "Sorry. Naked Spike. You know how he tries to get my attention when I'm talking to someone else."
Buffy chuckled. "How is the Bleached Wonder?"
"Fine. Threatening people left and right, but fine."
"Anyway, please, please, I know you and Xander are close. He isn't answering his cell phone. . .I need to just know that Willow is ok." Buffy was mildly hysterical, worried to death about her friends.
"I'll make sure to tell him if he calls. I promise."
"Thanks, Angel. So. . .I'm going to go. Give Blondie a punch in the nose for me."
Angel chuckled. "Bye, Buffy." He hung up the phone, then moved silently towards Willow and Cordelia.
"So. . .do you like him?" Cordelia asked.
Willow pulled her legs to her chest, hugging her knees. "I dunno. I mean, yea, I do, but. . .I mean. . .I liked him before Mark came around, and everything. . ."
"So kiss him," Cordelia urged.
"What?" the redhead shrieked. "I can't just *kiss* him!"
"Do it! When you kiss him, you'll know," Cordelia said knowingly. "You'll know if it's right. I mean, when I kissed Charles for the first time, I knew it was right. I knew that he belonged to me, and I belonged to him. Wills, you and Xander have been together since. . .since like, the dawn of time. Every memory I have of Xander before we started dating, you are right there beside him. Every memory I have of *you* before you and Oz got together. . .Xander was right there. Hell, I went to another stupid universe, and the two of you were together. You *belong* together. I knew it then, and I know it now."
Willow ran her hand through her hair. "But we've kissed before. . .I didn't feel it then," she said softly. "I mean. . .it was a lot of fun, and he's a great kisser, but. . ."
"But you loved Oz, and Xander loved me. You were cheating on two people. There's no way it could feel *right*. Not as right as it was."
"I'd be cheating on Mark," Willow whispered, looking down.
"You know," Cordelia said knowingly, "I'm thinking that the second that the bastard raised a hand to you, he lost all rights and privileges as a husband. Just *do* it! Kiss him! If you don't feel. . .if you don't feel the sparks, then tell him you slipped and fell."
Willow chuckled. "Oh, god, sorry, Xander, I accidentally slipped and my tongue went *right* into your mouth."
Angel smirked, leaning down to whisper in Willow's ear. "You never know. He may believe it."
Willow jumped up and spun around, a scream of fear escaping her lips. She put her hand on her chest, breathing hard.
Xander jumped up, the book crashing to the floor. He turned and ran across the lobby, skidding to a stop in front of Willow. "Are you ok?" he asked, out of breath. He reached out, touching her elbow, looking over her body for any glaring wounds.
She started giggling, wiping her face tiredly. "I'm fine, Xand. Angel just scared me."
Xander closed his eyes, his hand on his heart. He tilted his head down and breathed a sigh of relief. "Deadboy, please, refrain from scaring her. I'm going to have a heart attack."
Willow blinked suddenly, realizing that Xander had been on the other side of the room. She glanced around her best friend, seeing Wesley on the floor picking up all the stuff Xander knocked over. Her heart fluttered, realizing that he'd jumped up and ran to rescue her as soon as she screamed. She looked up at Xander, her eyes filled with tears.
He opened worried brown eyes. "You hurt, baby?" he asked softly.
She threw her arms around his neck and attacked his lips with her own, her tongue teasing his shocked mouth. He was motionless for a whole three seconds before he realized what was going on. He wrapped his arms around her, slipping his hands under her shirt, idly playing with her back. Their kiss deepened, their hearts soaring. Both of them forgot everything around them, focusing only on the feeling of their bodies pressed against each other, their lips joining in a passionate embrace. Cordelia sniffed, wiping away a few tears that sprang up in her eye.
"Bloody hell," Spike said, walking up to stand next to his Sire. "I was wondering how long it was going to take for Red to make her move."
Angel chuckled, wrapping his arm around Spike's shoulders. He leaned down, dropping a quick kiss on the blonde's lips.
Willow finally pulled away, panting for breath. Xander was motionless, his eyes closed, still leaning forward. "Xander?" she asked softly, knowing that he was the one. She just worried. What if he didn't feel the same way?
He opened one eye. "Damn. . .the kiss is over. I was trying to replay it my head over and over and over. I want to live in that moment, Willow, surrounded by you, thinking of only you, feeling you against my body. I honestly think I could do nothing but kiss you for the rest of my natural life."
She smiled, tears coming to her eyes. "Oh, Xander!" she exclaimed, attacking his lips again.
Spike rolled his eyes. "Sappy romantic crap. Makes me wanna go bloody kill something. A fluffy bunny or something." He walked away.
Angel snickered. "Come on, Cor, let's go help Wesley."
Part 6
Willow chewed on her bottom lip nervously, listening to the ringing of the phone on the other end. She was waiting for Riley to answer, ready to hang up if that was the case. She knew that her friend's husband believed in Mark, and she wasn't ready to see her husband yet.
"Hello?" Buffy answered the phone sleepily.
"Oh, goddess, Buffy! Did I wake you up?"
"Huh? Oh, no, Wills, not really. Just a quick nap on the. . ." She paused. "Willow?"
"Hey, Buffy. Xander called Angel and he asked me to call you and make sure you knew I was ok. I'm ok, Buff."
"Did Xander kidnap you?" Buffy asked softly, not wanting Riley to know whom she was talking to.
"Oh, heavens *no*!" she cried. "We left together."
Buffy squealed happily. "You ran away together? Oh, how romantic! I mean, it's bad, cause you are married, but oh gosh, Wills! I knew you and Xander would - "
"He hurts me, Buffy. Mark abuses me. I had to leave. I'm. . ." She took a deep breath. "I'm six weeks pregnant. It wasn't safe for me, or for the baby."
"Oh my god," Buffy whispered, not knowing if she wanted to cry because she was angry that Mark hurt her, or if she was happy that her best friend was pregnant. "Where are you? I'm coming to help you."
"No, Buffy, I'm fine. Xander's taking care of me. Just give me. . .just give me time. I'll be back home, once I get things taken care of."
"Promise?" Buffy asked, knowing that her best friend was never coming home.
"Promise," Willow whispered, knowing that she would never move back to Sunnydale again.
"Good. Let me talk to Xander," Buffy said softly.
"Ok. I love you, Buff."
"Love you too, Wills."
Willow handed the phone to Xander. "Buffster?" he asked quietly, waiting for the yelling.
"Thank you. For taking care of Willow," Buffy whispered. "And. . .I'm sorry I didn't believe you before."
Xander smiled. "It's ok, Buffy. It's a hard thing to accept. Trust me, I know these things. And I will take care of her, and the baby."
"You three make sure you come and visit occasionally, ok?" Buffy asked.
Xander smiled. "Yea. See ya later, Buffy."
"Bye, Xander."
She hung up the phone and went to her room, sobbing. She was happy that Willow had gotten out of a bad situation, and knew that the woman would be happy with Xander, but she was still heartbroken that her two best and oldest friends were going to not be living in Sunnydale anymore.
Riley moved in the living room from the kitchen. He picked up the phone and dialed *69, knowing that Buffy had just been talking to his best friend's wife. He quickly wrote down the number that the operator said was the last one to be called. He dialed the number.
"Angel Investigations, we help the hopeless!" Cordelia answered with flourish.
"I'm. . sorry," Riley grumbled. "Wrong number." He quickly hit the disconnect button, then dialed another number. After a moment: "Mark? Riley. I know where your wife is."
*******
Spike's blue eyes flew open and he shifted into game face, looking around. He wasn't sure what woke him up, but there was something wrong. He turned, nudging Angel. "Sire, wake up."
Angel rolled away from Spike. "Not right now, Childe. I'm sleeping. It's been a long day."
Spike strained his ears, growling softly when he heard someone sneaking down the hall, opening each of the doors softly. "Sire," he whispered. "Someone is in our home."
Amber eyes *flew* open and the older vampire listened to the stillness in the hotel. He was right. There were two. . .somethings. . .moving through *his* home, trying to attack *his* family. They crawled out of bed and dressed quickly, then stepped into the hallway.
"Bloody Commandos!" Spike growled, seeing the familiar men that made his life a living hell five years before.
Another door opened and Willow was standing there, yawning. "What the hell is going on?" she asked sleepily. She glanced over at the men in Commando uniforms, masks over their faces. "Mark? Riley?" she asked.
Mark pulled his mask off. "Willow Ann Baker, what the fuck are you doing here?"
Xander stumbled to the door behind Willow, rubbing his eyes. "Some of us are trying to sleep, you know," he mumbled.
The two of them weren't together, not yet. Willow just slept better if someone was holding her, and Xander gladly filled the position, even though Spike ranted and raved that he wanted to be the one. Everyone knew though, that deep down the blonde was happy the two of them were finally getting together.
"WHY YOU SON OF A BITCH!" Mark yelled, enraged.
Xander blinked, looking up. "Oh, my god," he whispered, pushing Willow behind him. He winced, seeing Mark charge for him.
Mark never made it, as a six foot two dark haired vampire slammed into him, knocking him to the ground. The vampire started beating the hell out of him, growling that Willow felt this way as he was hurting her, and that if he ever *ever* touched another member of his family, he would personally rip his spleen out.
Spike smirked at Riley. "So, did Slutty tell you about my chip?"
Riley backed up slightly, fear running through him at the look on Spike's face. "N. . .No. What about the chip?"
Willow rolled her eyes. "I'm too tired for all this," she said. She pulled Xander back into the room, shutting the door.
Spike grinned towards the shut door, then looked back at Riley. "Can't believe your little Princess forgot to mention that I don't have it anymore."
Every evil thing Riley ever did to the Big Badass vampire standing in front of him came back to him. "Oh my god," he whispered.
"Don't worry, I won't kill you. Don't want the Slayer after me. But I think she would even agree you deserve a good beating. I doubt she bloody sanctioned this little. . .expedition." He growled, then attacked.
Part 7
Buffy paced back and forth. It seemed like that was all she was doing lately. First, she paced when Willow left, then she paced waiting for the woman to call her, and now, she was pacing in the hospital lobby, waiting for *someone* to tell her that the baby had been born. She threw herself down in a chair next to Riley. "I hate waiting."
Riley had come to a new understanding of vampires and their family over the last seven months. He knew that Xander and Spike were a part of what Angel considered his family. Even his wife was under his protection as an extended member, and he was working *hard* to redeem himself in the vampire' s eyes in order to be a part of that which everyone else but him was.
Buffy not talking to him for almost a month when he got back from his *raid* with Mark helped.
Mark had quickly signed the divorce papers - after he got out of the hospital - and signed over all rights he had as a father to the baby Willow was pregnant with. The redhead never wanted to see him again, and told him in no uncertain terms that she didn't want him around her or her child ever again.
Cordelia sighed. "Be calm, Buffy. Xander and Angel and Spike are in there, making sure she's ok. Nothing is going to happen to her. I promise." She snuggled to Gunn, smiling up at him.
"I know, you know I'm just impatient," Buffy sighed.
"I shudder to think what you will do when it's *you* delivering the baby," Giles remarked, glancing up from the book he and Wesley were looking through.
Buffy rubbed her swollen stomach, grinning. "Three months, guys. Can't believe I'm going to have a kid in three months." She giggled, leaning against Riley. She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
"I have to agree with Giles," Riley nodded with a smirk. "I'm kinda scared of you in the labor room. You'll grab me when you are going through a contraction and *kill* me."
Buffy smirked. "You knew about the strength when you asked me to marry you, so deal with it, buster."
*******
Willow moaned softly, almost passing out from the pain. "Can't. Can't do it anymore. Don't want to. . .hurts too much. . ."
"Bloody hell, Red! I see the head! Look, Sire! It's the head!" Spike exclaimed, amazed at the birth of a life.
Angel chuckled, ducking his head in embarrassment when the doctor glanced back at him. "Don't mind him. He's. . .he's. . ."
Spike," Xander nodded. He chuckled slightly, then leaned down to whisper to Willow. "Just a little more, Wills. He's almost here."
"Can't. Not anymore," she panted, closing her eyes. Tears filled them.
"Seriously, Wills. Do you want Spike between your legs for the rest of your life yelling about the head?" Xander chuckled.
Willow blinked at that thought, then strained as she pushed as hard as she could. She finally collapsed, shaking her head no. "Please. . .no more," she begged.
There was a slap, then a baby's cry. Tears filled her eyes and Xander helped her sit up slightly, so she could see the baby. Spike was hovering behind the nurse, cooing at the child. Angel was standing behind him, hands on the blonde's shoulders, smiling at the bundle of joy.
"It's a little boy, Ms. Rosenberg," the doctor said. He moved to her, smiling down at her. "Do you want to hold him?"
"Of course," she whispered, taking the baby from him. She closed her eyes before looking at him, praying one more time the child didn't look like Mark. Of course, she would love him the same, even if he did, but it would still hurt to have a constant reminder of the man she wasted two years of her life with. She opened her eyes and gasped. The little boy had a shock of brown hair on top of his head, and brown eyes that reminded her of Xander. She smiled, tears filling her eyes. "Xander. . .look at him."
Xander smiled, looking down into one of the two most precious faces he'd ever seen. "He's beautiful, Wills. Not as beautiful as his mom, but beautiful."
Willow blushed, then looked back down at the baby. "And I know just what to name you too," she cooed.
"What?" Angel asked, as he and Spike moved to the bed to smile down at the mother and baby.
Willow's eyes met Xander's, hoping that he wouldn't mind. "I. . .kinda wanted to name him Alexander LaVelle Harris Jr. . .if you don't mind."
"Mind?" Xander gasped. "I. . .would be honored, Wills." Tears filled his eyes. "But. . .you can't."
She blinked. "What?" she whispered, her heart crushed. Granted, her and Xander hadn't really dated per se, but they considered themselves belonging to the other and figured they'd worry about working on their relationship after the baby was born.
"The baby should have the same last name as his mother," Xander murmured, smiling slightly.
"Oh," Willow said. "Alexander Rosenberg just. . .doesn't sound right though."
A glimmer caught Willow's eye and she turned, gasping slightly at the ring Xander was holding his hand. It was a beautiful diamond solitaire, the diamond shaped like a heart. "But we can fix that, now can't we?"
"Xander. . .I. . ." she whispered, tears streaming down her face. She looked up at him.
"I know, I know, we haven't really dated, but I love you, Wills. I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and I know that I want this baby to be my little Alex Jr. Will. . .you at least think about it?"
"No, I won't," she said, setting her resolve face.
"Oh. OK then," Xander whispered, pulling away.
She reached out and grabbed his arm, smiling up at him. "I don't have to think about it because I'm going to say yes, Xand."
His face lit up. "God, Wills, I love you."
"I love you too, Xander." She leaned forward, nuzzling her baby. "And I love my little Alex Jr."