Make Me
by T. C. McGonigle
Buffy and the gang belong to Joss, Mutant Enemy, and the WB. Thanks for the inspiration.
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Part Six
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Willow stared at her computer screen. There wasn't much out there on Manipulators. She had combed through all of Miss Calendar's files and had even e-mailed some of her occult contacts. Of course, when a demon's main claim to fame was manipulating people, information wasn't going to be plentiful. Idly, Willow picked up the yellow disk Miss Quick had found and popped it into the hard drive.
"Oh, boy," Willow's eyes widened as she read the data on the screen. "Where am I going to get an orb of Thesulah?"
"I don't believe this," Giles shook his head. He removed his glasses, rubbed his forehead and then replaced them.
"Neither do I," Xander frowned at Miss Quick, "I can't believe we're actually all sitting here plotting against Willow."
"We're not plotting against Willow, we're trying figure out a way to help her," Miss Quick met Xander's frown with a concerned smile.
"A stake through Spike's heart should do nicely."
"Buffy, you have to learn to fully evaluate the situation before acting on your assumed conclusion," Giles automatically corrected the Slayer. "Has anyone even spoken to Willow? Questioned her about last night?"
"Xander and I talked to her this morning and she lied to us. She said that Spike just let her go and that she didn't know why."
"And besides the conclusion that Spike and Drusilla have bewitched her, could there be another reason why Willow would be less than honest with you?"
"I'm afraid that I have made Willow uncomfortable," Miss Quick stated the obvious despite Xander and Buffy's effort to avoid eye contact with her.
"Uncomfortable? Willow hates you. She sees you as a replacement and permanent reminder that Miss Calendar is dead," Cordelia informed them as she walked into the library. She pulled out a chair
and joined the group. "So, what did I miss?"
"Apparently not much," Giles mumbled distractedly, "I think that before we jump to any more conclusions we go over and speak to Willow. If she is under some sort of spell, then we shall remedy things accordingly."
No one offered any protest to the plan, so Giles herded the teenagers out of the library. Miss Quick was about to follow Buffy out the door when Giles caught her arm.
"Perhaps it would be best if you stayed behind, Miss Quick," Giles lowered his voice, "You wouldn't want to further antagonize Willow."
"Of course not, but since I am the bone of contention, so to speak, it would be better if I were there. That way Willow can work out these feelings of resentment she has toward me."
"Miss Quick, I don't know you, but Willow Rosenburg is one of the finest judges of character that I have ever met. I am not requesting that you stay here, I am telling you to." Giles firmly set Miss Quick away from the library doors and left.
"It's amazing what you can find in the junk drawer," Willow set the orb of Thesulah down beside her computer. She opened a magic book she had gotten from Miss Calendar and read the instructions on the monitor once again. It sounded simple enough. You chanted a bit, recited a spell, the orb glowed and Angel had his soul back. Simple.
Spike pawed through the little bit of memorabilia left behind in the bomb shelter. Willow had left him alone to do some research on her computer. Spike was a bit dismayed to find himself missing her company. The girl had intrigued him. After this thing with the Manipulator was over, perhaps he should consider the merits of bringing Willow across. Angelus was monopolizing Dru and Sunnydale was beginning to get tedious. It would be fun to show Willow around Europe.
Plans were starting to take shape in Spike's mind. The Eiffel Tower at midnight was a beautiful thing. It would be something Willow would appreciate. A sudden, searing pain gripped Spike. It pulled him out of his chair and onto his feet. Spike stumbled forward and fell to the floor. His eyes glowed briefly before he passed out.
The orb's glow died down and blinked out. "I guess I'll know if it worked the next time I run into Angel," Willow bit her lip, "If I do run into Angel, I really hope it worked." Willow glanced out the window. It was already dark and she didn't have anything to show for all the time she had spent away from Spike. Now there was an enigma. His teasing was becoming less cruel and more like bordering on affection. Willow wished he had stayed cruel because she was almost starting to like him. Almost. Willow gathered up what little information she had found and headed outside.
Angelus was having fun. Drusilla was on the rampage and would probably tear poor Willow limb from limb on sight. Of course he would have to restrain her. Instant death for a victim was never very entertaining.
"I will scratch her eyes out," Drusilla paced along the edge of the Rosenburg yard. "Pull out her hair, rip out her heart and feed it to the rats."
"That sounds like a plan," Angelus quipped, "Too bad we can't get to her. She's in that big, warm house. In her bedroom. With Spike, your beloved. And you're not invited."
Drusilla hissed in answer and Angelus laughed. The back door of the Rosenburg house opened and Willow stepped out onto the path. Drusilla growled and jumped in front of her.
"You can't have him," she screeched, "He's mine!" Drusilla flew at Willow, but Angelus stepped between them, catching Dru's arm.
"Now, now, Dru, let's give Willow a chance to tell her side of the story. Maybe Wheels seduced her. Willow?" Angelus spun around to face Willow, but still kept a hold on Drusilla.
Willow looked deep into Angelus/Angel's eyes, trying to see if he was now a friend or foe. The spell had to have worked. Angel was protecting her from Drusilla, but then he was also goading her.
"Tell us all the wonderful details. Did he bring you flowers and candy? Take long moonlit walks? Oh, sorry, Spike can't walk. So, tell us, Willow, exactly how did you fall for the cripple? Was it a Florence Nightingale thing?"
Willow's heart sank. This wasn't an act. Angel still didn't have his soul back. She took a few steps back toward the house, she might be able to make it inside. She hadn't bothered to bring a cross or holy water or anything like that considering who she was meeting.
"Don't run away yet, sweet Willow," Angelus' hand shot out and grabbed her arm. He pulled Willow closer to Drusilla and himself, "Drusilla and I would love to hear all about the romance of the century."
"You wound me. I thought that title belonged to us," Buffy launched herself at Angelus, knocking all four of them to the ground.
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