A/N: In this story I need you to believe one thing - the adjoining spell is not needed by a pure slayer.

Chapter 13

Buffy refused to feel guilty. She had done her duty; she'd saved her friends from the itty bitty fear demon and stopped the wacko barman with his magical beer. She had continued to go bronzing with the group. She had shared lunch and gossip with Willow. She and Spike had dealt with the vengeance spirit, Hus. Spike's discovery from the dying priest that the Chumash Warrior Spirit and his followers could be killed by their own weapons had allowed the two blondes to triumph with relative ease - although Spike was still wigging on her about the rampaging bear. She pouted as she thought about the unfairness of being blamed for that little episode. How was she supposed to know that the stupid spirit could make with the transform-y thing? It's not like anyone *cough, Giles, cough* had bothered to tell her that was a possibility! Not even with all the early warning he got from his friend. ‘Note to self - find out who this Doyle is. Oh! And when did Giles get a friend?'

When she really thought about it she realised she had more important things to think about. Like the fact that she wasn't (shouldn't be) feeling guilty about the death of the female werewolf. She wasn't killed with a slayer related injury. Veruca was killed by another werewolf, who, at the time, was protecting his ‘mate'...at least that's how Spike had explained it to her. So, no guilt for Buffy. Please.

Then there was the whole Oz leaving bit. Buffy totally understood why he had gone. If she had to worry about going demon-y as well as the very real possibility of not only inflicting the condition on others but worse - killing them-then she'd be off looking for a means to gain control with a quickness factor of, oh, say, yesterday, too! Sadly, though, Willow, her best friend, couldn't seem to get past the part where he was gone.

Buffy glanced over to her friend's bed. The Slayer's enhanced night vision made it possible for her to just make out the tip of the redhead's head. Even in sleep Willow seemed to exude misery and Buffy felt her gentle heart break a little over the type of pain the redhead was suffering from; the type of pain Buffy, herself, was intimately familiar with.

As she finally drifted off to sleep, Buffy knew that the only thing she could do was be there for Willow; the only cure for that type of pain was time.

~*~*~

Willow fumed as she made her way back to the dorms. The day had gone from bad to worse with the speed she could liken to Japan's famous Bullet Train. >‘Actually, it wasn't just the day...not really...not if you included the stupid spell that hadn't worked. And what was up with that anyway? Here you are, going to all the trouble of performing the damn thing at three in the a.m., because that's when the book says is the right time, and nada, bubkiss, zilcho for the heartbroken witch! Then you have she-of-the-perfect-relationship all with the understanding and so very much unwanted advice that these things take time. Sheesh! Way to oversimplify there, Buffy, girl!  You can't tell me that Angel was her soul mate, not with the Slayer so quick to be claiming he-with-the-glow-in-the-dark-hair! Soul mate my Aunt Fanny! She's basing her advice on Sir Broods-A Lot, and you can't compare that relationship to me and Oz.'> she thought with a whimper.

‘And Spike, he's just as bad. Stupid vamp-y senses. Where does he get off telling me ‘magic has consequences'? Big-mouthed vampire had to go and spill the beans about my spell to Giles. And I wasn't wrong! Giles is blind! When does he ever take into consideration that people have feelings? Stupid vampire, starting all that badness!'

"Damn vamp needs to concentrate on the mating with Buffy and stop being a big buttinski!" Willow snapped angrily as she reached her dorm room and entered, slamming the door behind her.

Moving towards her bed, she glanced at the framed picture that sat on her bedside table. Her rage found a new focus. ‘Oh! Don't you sit there grinning at me Mr Smarty-Demon-Magnet. I had you pegged earlier. And I DON'T take it back. Your dating history speaks for itself.'

With a flash the little redhead disappeared, the only hint that there was anything wrong came from the slight stench of sulphur that permeated the room.

~*~*~

Giles made his way gingerly to the phone as step by step his vision got worse.

~*~*~

"Anya! It's not cheating if they attack you," Xander whined in frustration as the two dashed along the Sunnydale streets. "That last one dripped mucus for God's sake." Xander shuddered in memory of the antlered demon that had violated him. >‘EW! Demon lips! God! I'm gonna heave!'

~*~*~

"Slayer, luv," Spike drawled seductively, stalking towards the suddenly horney as hell little blonde. "What say we get rid of our little hitchhiker?"

Lifting the giggling girl into his arms, Spike used vamp speed to climb the stairs to his bedroom. He had plans of a little rough and tumble with his slap and tickle.

~*~*~

"You have much anger and pain. Your magic is strong, but your pain? It's like a scream that pierces dimensional walls. We heard your call." D'Hoffryn spoke benignly to the little witch, ignoring her grimace of distaste at his smile.

"I-I'm sorry. I'll try for a quiet rage. Bye," Willow stuttered nervously, before turning in an attempt to leave.

"Our intention is not to quash your potential. Quite the contrary," he offered softly.

Turning back to face him, Willow's features openly displayed her fear and confusion.

~*~*~

Buffy giggled in delight as Spike threw her on the bed and playfully bounced next to her. She'd never seen this side of the bleached blond and it was seriously affecting her.

As his lips touched hers, all thoughts that he had changed his mind about their readiness for this change in their relationship in an awful hurry, slipped right out of her mind - Spike kisses could do that to a girl.

The playful giggles of the pair stilled as their libidos kicked into overdrive.

Buffy moaned softly into his mouth as Spike continued his assault on her lips and his hands teased her body.

Without effort or seeming forethought, their clothes disappeared from their bodies. They moved together in the dance of the ages; skin to skin.

Dipping his head, Spike took her firm and aching nipple into his mouth and moaned in delight; the taste of her skin excited his senses. With a gentle nip to her swollen bud he heard her pulse skyrocket and smelled the perfume of her juices as they flowed. The scent enticed him, beckoning him closer and urging him to explore, to taste, to experience.

Buffy's eyes rolled back as her mind tried to cope with the sensory overload. She could feel it all. Everything she was experiencing as well as everything Spike was feeling, too. As his tongue sought out her centre she felt the pending explosion of her first orgasm rushing at her like a flash flood; it struck then swept her away, drowning her in pleasure.

He prowled up her body to bring her taste to her lips. As she sunk into his kiss he sank into her body, joining them as one; as they were always meant to be.

The dance they had always performed changed with the different tune. Unfettered passion was contained within the gentle rocking motion. They touched each other in exploration, but underneath was a powerful need to connect, to assure each other that the feelings they were experiencing were real.

Spike felt it when Buffy reached her peak and shifted his features in preparation for completing the claim she had already started. Gently sinking his razor sharp fangs into her neck and directly over the bites of his grandsire and great-great grandsire, he moaned as the ambrosia of her blood filled his mouth. He supped at her neck in delight as she screamed his name in completion.

"Mine," he growled in the ancient language of demons.

"Yours," Buffy assured him with a smile.

Together they felt the changes take place. Together their eyes glowed lavender and electricity charged the air. Together they felt the gentle kiss of the Source of Slayer Power as she said goodbye.

Together they felt Willow's spell as its power over Spike broke.  

~*~*~

"The pain and suffering you brought upon those you love is inspiring. You are ready to join us here in Arashma'har."

Willow's head shot up in shock. "Pain... What pain?"

D'hoffryn waved his hand in the air and a small dimensional portal opened, allowing Willow to view Xander and Anya running, the expressions on both their faces were pinched and desperate. As she continued to watch the racing duo, they slammed through the door of Giles' apartment, Xander breathing heavily while Anya collapsed in a heap to the floor.

"What's happening to them?" she demanded urgently.

"It was truly inspiring," the head of the vengeance realm chortled with amusement. "You made the Watcher blind and Anyanka's little pet desirous to all demons."

"Oh, God. But I didn't mean to!" Willow cried desperately.

"But you did. This is the result of your power. You will make a fine vengeance demon." He smiled as he watched the happenings through the portal.

"No, please! You have to help them!" she begged.

"It is not my concern. You are my interest in this matter," the demon reiterated.

"Really... no offense intended.. I mean, you've been super-nice and everything, but... I don't want to be a demon. I just wanna go back and help my friends." Willow spoke with innocent expectation.

Lifting an eyebrow in surprise, D'hoffryn turned back to face the girl. "That is your answer?"

"It-it is," she stammered nervously.

"I'm sorry to hear that. Oh well. Here is my talisman," he said as he handed her the small token. "You change your mind, give us a chant."

With a wave of his hand, Willow disappeared from his realm and into Giles' apartment.

"Let the healing power begin. Let my will be safe again. As these words of peace are spoken, let this harmful spell be broken."

~*~*~

Spike's eyes glowed purple and the air around him crackled with energy. He was enraged. He had not been ready for the mating. He felt torn in two. For the first time in his existence he felt completely connected to another person that he was slowly growing to care deeply about.  It wasn't love yet, but it could be if they gave it a chance. He finally felt balance between his two sides and while part of him wanted to bask in the peace he felt, another part of him was furious at the thoughtless and careless use of magic. The decision to mate should have belonged solely to him and Buffy, not some out of control witch that used the power she had been gifted with as a party trick rather than treat it with the reverence it so richly deserved. The joy of his joining with his eternal mate was forever tainted by the irresponsible actions of a child that was unable to deal with her own emotions.

He wanted justice...and maybe a little vengeance, too.

"You bloody well deal with her, or I will," he ordered his mate before storming out of the house. He really needed to work off some of his rage before he and Buffy could even begin to discuss the ramifications of the early mating.

~*~*~

Buffy dragged her feet as she walked. Finally, she truly understood why Spike and Giles had been so worried. She had to judge a human for the first time and that human just happened to be her best friend. Part of her was furious that Willow had used magic to deal with her emotions, but another part of her was justifying the little witch's actions by saying ‘it wasn't deliberate' and ‘Willow didn't know her spell would do that'. That was all very well until a voice that sounded suspiciously like her mate would pipe in with ‘the mating was completed falsely' and ‘it is tainted'.

She could feel the inner warring of her mate through the bond. His reasons for being torn might be different from hers, but that didn't change the fact that they were both feeling the duality of their new calling because of Willow's actions. A time that should have been filled with bonding and peace had been thrown into turmoil and the blame sat squarely on the shoulders of the little witch.

Buffy sighed deeply and sadly as she lifted her hand to knock on her Watcher's door. Her inner sense of justice had drawn her to his apartment so she had little doubt that Willow would be inside.

Buffy's brave smile faltered as she took in the pinched look on the face of her mentor and a feeling of dread wormed its way into her belly.

"Hey, Buff! You missed all the drama!" Xander grinned at his non-magic best friend.

"Drama?" she forced herself to ask through a suddenly dry throat.

"Yes. Willow thought it would be a good idea if all the demons in Sunnydale wanted to have sex with Xander," Anya stated flatly. "Oh! And Giles was blind, too."

Turning wide eyes to her Watcher for confirmation, Buffy silently asked him for an explanation.

The scent of baking cookies drifted in from the kitchenette, where Buffy could see Willow working feverously; clearly guilt cookies were being made.

"Yes, well, it appears that while under the influence of her own ‘Thy Will Be Done' spell, Willow inadvertently expressed several statements that the spell construed as subjects of her will. She felt that I was blind to her emotional pain and thus I was rendered completely blind. It also seems that she feels Xander is a ‘demon magnet of love', which explains his rather distasteful adventures. I'm surprised you weren't similarly affected, Buffy," he queried mildly.

"Well, it seems Super Slayer stops me from being zapped," Buffy mumbled, embarrassed. "The good news is that now Spike won't ever be influenced again either," she announced with false perkiness.

"Again?" Xander asked suspiciously. He so did not like the sound of His Blondness being under the influence...that way could definitely lead to badness.

"What do you mean ‘now', Buffy?" Giles demanded fearfully.

"Um...well...I'm guessing that Willow thought Spike was dragging his heals on the whole mating thing," the Slayer replied quietly before smiling painfully and throwing her hands out. "Surprise! I got married...I guess."

"Oh Goddess," Willow whimpered before ducking down to retrieve a batch of cookies from the oven.

Xander blinked, his face scrunched up in confusion. "Not understanding the big?" Looking from Buffy to Giles, he realised that clearly there was a problem but he was at a loss to work out what it was. "Wasn't that like a done deal anyway?"

Giles shook his head at the boy's obtuseness. "I believe, Xander, that the problem is that Spike was not only not ready for this step in their relationship, but that, even if he were, he would have preferred the choice to be his and Buffy's...not Willow's."

"Oh! Okay...seeing the problem. Suck-y-ness alert on defcon extreme."

"Yeah," Buffy agreed miserably. "Add to that the whole ‘call for justice' bit and the suck-y-ness level just blew off the chart."

"Oh, Buffy," Giles grimaced in commiseration.

"What did I miss?" Xander felt forced to ask.

Buffy took a deep breath and turned to face her red-faced friend. "I'm sorry, Willow," she started as her eyes turned lavender and the air crackled around her. "You wield the gifts you have been blessed with like an undisciplined child. You will never learn if you do not face the consequences of your actions. Until such time as you can deal with your problems without magic, I am binding your powers. Justice is served and perhaps the lesson will be learned."

"WHAT! Wait," Willow shouted in desperation.

"It is done."  .

~*~*~

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the wannabe hero," Spike smirked in delight as Riley and his group of commandos surrounded him.