Pain and friendship saga. Title: Part 1 in Pain and friendship saga. Author: Fayth e-mail: moonwitch@werewolf.co.uk Couple: W/S Rating: PG all innocent so far. Distribution: want. Take. Have. Let me know. Disclaimer: if I owned them I would make Spike forget Buffy and love Wills- oh he would be a lot more naked. Feedback: Really, I reply to everyone who sends it. Spoilers: Takes place after Oz leaves Will kinda turns AU. Summary: Pain and a helping hand Dedication: To sugarmouse and Callie and Spiderqueen who does kickass W/S and unknowingly helped me stay sane through my exams with her fics! Authors notes: Oz left Will after Veruca and they never had sex. Spike is chipped and had little crush on Buffy- I know this messes with The BTVS timeline but don’t care! She wrapped her arms around her middle as if to protect it from blows and bowed her head against the wind as she made her way through the cemetery. With her dark hair curling around her neck and framing her pale face and the look of pure pain echoing in her eyes there was no doubt that willow was engulfed in a private world of torment and anguish. He watched her from the shadows, his cigarette a small flicker of light in the darkness. He sighed with unneeded air and followed her fragile form with his eyes. Around her friends she kept a bright smile and bubbling conversation ready to convince them she was fine. But Spike could tell the smiles rarely reached her eyes and the haunted look never left them. He had no idea what transpired between Willow and Oz after she had found him the Wolf-bitch but from the way she had appeared afterwards it had not been an amicable break-up. Strangely Spike had felt drawn to her after that and all thoughts of the slayer had fled. He’d been used and abused by Drusilla in much the same way and felt a kinship with the cute Red-head. Her stupid pals the scoobies had no clue how the girl felt and probably didn’t care- as long as she wasn’t moaning and they didn’t have to hear about it they could care less. > Bloody Useless- the lot of them! < He stepped out of the shadows but nothing registered to Willow. > Stupid chit will get herself killed if she’s not careful < “Pet, not a good idea to be out here all alone.” He said. She started at his words but relaxed as it registered who the speaker was. “Spike.” Not a greeting or question just an acknowledgment that he was there. The sadness in her voice almost broke his unbeating heart. Suddenly she recalled who he was and she struggled to dredge up a smile and unwrapped her arms from around her waist. Taking a deep breathe she tried for casual happiness. “H-Hey Spike, how’s it going- you with the lurking, you’re a little too good at that.” Spike smirked “Nice try, pet.” “What?” she was confused “That cute babbling thing only works if you don’t look like someone just killed your puppy.” “I don’t have a puppy.” The smile fell and her voice sounded hollow “I had fish but it ended badly.” Spike’s heart went out to her “You should get one; treat you better than dog-boy did.” Willow tensed at Spike’s nickname for Oz and fought not to defend him. “What do you want Spike?” “I don’t like seeing you unhappy, it’s blooding depressing watching you walk around like someone died.” He knew it was the wrong thing to say as soon as his mouth closed. Tears formed in her eyes “I’m trying!” she bit out in despair. “I know luv,” he said gently and moved closer to her “I’m trying to say that you shouldn’t have to pretend around real friends, they should comfort you like I know you’ve done for them especially the bleedin’ slayer. And you don’t have to pretend around me.” He reached up and wiped an errant tear from her cheek/ “Why?” she sniffed “I understand, I get the whole suffering thing.” He explained. “Right, you’ve caused enough.” She looked down at the ground He grasped her chin with his fingertips and raised her head until she met his eyes “No.” he replied firmly “Your not the only one who has someone hurt them.” He grinned wryly “I’m the original love’s bitch.” “Drusilla, oh Spike ‘m sorry I didn’t even think!” she stroked his arm and once again Spike marvelled at the girls capacity for caring. Here she was swimming in pain and yet she tries to comfort a monster who has tried to kill her on numerous occasions. Overwhelmed he pulled her into a hug and rested his cheek on top of her head. After a startled moment she returned his embrace. > It feels so good to have someone understand even if it is Spike < she thought and nestled closer. He stroked her hair as they were both comforted by the closeness. “We’ll be okay you know. We’re both strong and we can deal with it. Sod ‘em all.” He murmured into her hair and she nodded. “But it hurts so much Spike.” Closing her eyes she lost herself in the sensation of Spikes hand caressing her head. “I know but neither of us is alone now, right?” he asked hopefully “Promise?” her eyes pleaded He grinned “I promise Red, we’re friends right?” “Friends.” She agreed the spark returning to her eyes for the first time in weeks. He held out his hand and she took it. “C’mon pet, let’s get you home.” So the Witch and the Vampire walked hand in hand through the dark cemetery united in pain and friendship. And no longer alone. TBC...