Title: Close to Heaven
Author: Inell
Email: [email protected]
Disclaimer: Joss owns all things BTVS
Distribution: Usual Suspects
Rating: R
Feedback: Gives me a happy
Notes: Sequel to Taste Of Heaven
 

CLOSE TO HEAVEN (1/?)
 

"I love you"
 

The soft words went through Willow's mind. She smiled as she ran her
fingers
over the cool, smooth chest. Since he had said the words, Spike had
been
repeating them often. She didn't know how he knew that she enjoyed
hearing
the words, so to speak. It seemed that it had taken so long for them to
come
out. Now, they filled her with such happiness.
 
 

"I love you Spike" she said softly.
 

He smiled into her hair. He held her tightly in his arms. He couldn't
believe
he'd said the words. He meant them. He acknowledged that. It just made
him
feel rather helpless. His dependance on her had made him weak. He
wasn't use
to being weak. He didn't regret telling her. He just hoped that he
would be
able to keep control of his life. He enjoyed being with her. The
thought of
her away from him filled him with dread. He vowed to never let anything

happen to her. He wouldn't allowed her hurt in anyway.
 

"You beginning to understand that sign language stuff?"
 

"A bit. I still have a lot to pick up. I have to have Buffy go slow
sometimes. Anya is easier to understand, but she has more practice at
it.
Buffy is learning very quickly."
 

"I hate to say it, but the slayer really is a good friend."
 

"Bet that hurt didn't it?" she said smiling.
 

"Quite a bit actually. I won't ever admit it to her though. She can
continue
thinking I have nothing but contempt for her."
 

"It's our secret" Willow said softly.
 

She couldn't believe that she was in bed with Spike sharing
secrets...sharing
love. Not even five months before, she'd never have imagined the turn
of
events her life would take. Not only had she lost her hearing, but she
had
been taken care of by Spike. They shared a private link that no one
could
touch. She wondered how it was that she could read his mind but he
couldn't
read hers. She still had so many questions about what had happened to
her.
What that demon had done. She knew that they would remain unanswered.
Even
Giles couldn't find out how it had occurred. She regretted the loss of
her
hearing, but in another way she had to be thankful because it had
brought her
and Spike together.
 

"Ours. I like the sound of that" Spike said softly into her mind. He
moved
his mouth down to her cheek.
 

She moaned softly as he began to place small kisses along her jawline
before
moving to her mouth. She moved her head, meeting his kiss. She slipped
her
tongue into his mouth and felt him do the same. Their tongues battled
softly,
each trying to dominate the other.
 

"I need you" he said the words into her mind as they kissed hungrily.
 

Willow felt joy at his words. She reluctantly pulled her mouth from
his.
"Take me" she said softly, her voice pleading with him.
 

He smiled as he ran his hand over her cheek. "Gladly" he whispered to
her
mind before taking her mouth again.
******
CLOSE TO HEAVEN (2/?)
 

Willow moved her body over Spike's. She lowered herself onto his stiff
erection slowly. She felt his fingernails dig into the flesh of her
upper thighs as he made contact with her warmth. She ran her hand over
his chest, teasing his nipples with her feather light touch.
 

Spike was fighting the urge to thrust up into her. She was taking her
time, teasing him. He felt her slide down until they met. He gripped her
flesh tightly as he began to move deep inside of her. Her head fell back
as she moaned.
 

Willow moved her pelvis, grinding against him as much as she could. She
moved her hands up to cup her own breasts as she bounced on his cock.
She felt him move one of his hands down to rub against her clit. She
closed her eyes and made a whimpering noise.
 

"I love the sounds you make when you get ready to cum" Spike said into
her mind.
 

Willow smiled slightly. She had no idea what they sounded like. His
noises were something she would never be able to hear. She wondered if
he was a moaner, or a grunter or if he spoke her name in that sexy
voice. She felt him speed up and concentrated on her impending orgasm.
 

Spike heard her cry out as she tightened around him. He thrust three
times fast before sending his seed into her. He said her name as his
face changed. She moved her head back, her green eyes watching him. He
tried to shake it off and get his human face back. He was surprised when
she ran her fingers over his creased forehead and down to his fangs.
 

"I love you Spike. All of you. Every face that you have. Don't hide any
of it from me, ever."
 

He smiled softly as he brought her lips down to meet his. She never
ceased at surprising him. He settled her head on his chest and stroked
her arm until sleep overtook them both.
*******
CLOSE TO HEAVEN (3/?)
 

                 "You look happy." Buffy signed to her friend, speaking the words for
                 Spike's benefit.
 

                 Willow smiled and held Spike's hand. "I am. Very happy."
 

                 Buffy looked between the two, her gaze
                 thoughtful. "What happened?"
 

                 "Nosy bitch" Spike grumbled. He smiled at Willow. He kissed her deeply,
                 letting his hand linger on her face. He spoke to her mind,"I'm going to
                 let you two have some private time. I can't stomach giggles and girly
                 talk today. Call me out when the twit goes home."
 

                 Buffy saw Willow smile at whatever Spike had told her. She also caught
                 the tender smile he gave her read haired friend. She felt a twinge of
                 envy at the love and passion in his eyes. Startled, she sat up
                 straighter. Love? She finally understood why Willow was happier than
                 usual. The damn vampire had gotten the balls to admit his feelings for
                 her. She almost laughed. She was happy for Willow. After everything she
                 had gone through, she deserved some happiness. Buffy was still surprised
                 that the source of that happiness turned out to be Spike.
 

                 She'd never have guessed that those two would be so perfectly matched.
                 Spike had been Willow's savior during the entire ordeal. Buffy knew that
                 her friend wouldn't have made it without the blond vampire. Because of
                 that, Buffy owed the vampire more than he'd ever know. If she had lost
                 Willow, she knew that she would never have been able to get over it.
                 Willow was her best friend, her only female friend. Who was she kidding?
                 Willow was probably her only friend. Xander counted, but he often just
                 helped out now. She was still irritated at his behaviour with Willow.
                 She never would have thought he'd not know how to deal with Willow's
                 deafness. He hadn't even tried. That sort of made it hard for her to be
                 around him.
 

                 Riley was proving great. He'd even learned sign language so Willow would
                 feel more comfortable around them. He was a true nice guy. She knew he
                 had his secrets just as she had hers. Well, they weren't really secrets
                 anymore. They'd been able to begin building a relationship based on
                 trust and honesty. It was something new for her. Even with Angel, things
                 had been secretive. There was so much she hadn't known about him. She
                 still loved him still. She knew she would never forget him. He still had
                 the ability to make her heart ache. She was trying to move on. She
                 understood now why he had left. They could never be able to make their
                 relationship work. So, she would have to be content to always wonder
                 what could have been. With Riley, she could find out what would be. She
                 was glad that Willow had found someone to love. She just hoped that
                 Spike didn't hurt Willow the way that Angel hurt her.
 

                 Willow watched the conflicting emotions go across Buffy's face. She knew
                 instinctively that her friend was thinking about Angel. She couldn't
                 wait until the day that her friend could look back at her relationship
                 with the dark haired vampire without being so sad. Buffy had such a
                 short time that she would be alive. It didn't seem fair that she would
                 spend so much time unhappy. Willow hoped that Riley would be able to
                 provide that needed caring and love that Buffy deserved. Willow couldn't
                 blame Angel. He was going through the same pain that Buffy was. She was
                 proud that he had left, allowing the chance for Buffy to get on with her
                 life. She hoped that time would heal their wounds, as the saying went.
                 Buffy noticed the silence and saw that Spike had left. She saw Willow
                 watching her, concern in her green eyes. She smiled, shaking off the
                 memories. "So, tell me."
 

                 Willow laughed softly. "He loves me. Can you believe it? Spike actually
                 loves me. I thought I was dreaming."
 

                 "I can believe it. You are very lovable."
 

                 "Spoken like a true friend. Well, signed I should say."
 

                 Buffy just laughed. "I'm happy for you. I can see the love in his eyes
                 when he looks at you."
 

                 Willow blushed slightly. "Really? You can?"
 

                 "As if you didn't know." Buffy rolled her eyes as Willow laughed.
                 Suddenly, she stopped and began to sign rapidly, "Now we can double
                 date!"
 

                 "Huh?" Willow said wanting to make sure she'd understood her friend.
 

                 "Dinner and a movie. Well, not a movie. You couldn't understand it.
                 Wait, there is a new French film playing at the Palace. We could see
                 that." Buffy stopped talking and finished signing out her message. She
                 was thrilled. They could do couple things and just enjoy an evening out.
                 Giles would take patrol for once. He still felt guilty and was always
                 willing to try to make ammends.
 

                 "Ok." Willow said hesitantly. Somehow she knew Spike wouldn't be that
                 overjoyed at the thought of spending an evening with Buffy and Riley.
                 She smiled slightly. She'd have to make it up to him. "I'll talk to
                 Spike and get back with you."
 

                 "Great. I'd better go. Got a class in an hour. I'll be by tomorrow
                 sometime. I'll call Spike and let him know when. Take care and don't be
                 too happy."
 

                 "How can you be too happy?" Willow said laughing as her friend left. She
                 locked the switch and turned towards the bedroom. She'd better warn
                 Spike.
 

*****
CLOSE TO HEAVEN (4/?)
 

Spike's laughter filled the room. Willow frowned and stomped her foot.
He ignored her, continuing to laugh. She hated times like this. She felt
at a disadvantage. She couldn't hear his laughter. Had no idea if he was
saying anything in between his laughter. She turned, angry that he
wasn't talking to her. She went to the living room, sitting on the
couch. She stared at the blank television, taking deep breaths.
 

"Luv....I'm sorry. It's just, a double date? You almost had me convinced
that you were serious." Spike came in, wiping the tears of laughter from
his face. He saw her back straighten as she ignored him.
 

He moved to the couch. She couldn't have been serious. The thought
boggled his mind. It was one thing to play nice with the slayer out of
necessity, but to willingly socialize with silly bitch? He groaned as he
sat down. Willow stood and moved to the chair. He rolled his eyes. She
wasn't going to let this one go.
 

"Pet, talk to me."
 

She looked at him silently, her green eyes blinking. Her mouth stayed
shut as she waited.
 

He couldn't believe this. He had now sunk lower than even Peaches. What
irritated him the most was that he didn't care. He'd do anything for
Willow. She was the one he was meant to be with. These last months had
shown him that. He didn't like to be away from her for too long. He
missed seeing her face and her smile. Missed hearing her laugh. Couldn't
imagine not hearing her breathless moans as he thrust into her. He saw
the determined look on her face and knew he was in the doghouse. She had
tried to be delicate earlier when she'd brought it up. He'd laughed
thinking she was joking. Damn it.
 

"Red...honey...sugar....luv....talk to me."
He saw a slight movement in her lips at the endearments. She quickly
concealed her laughter, staring at him.
 

"Cream puff....love muffin....sweetheart....baby doll...babe...."

"Baby doll?" She said, laughter in her voice.
 

He smirked. "Baby doll. My baby doll. So, you talking to me now?"
 

"Nope. You laughed at me. I have no plans on speaking to you."
 

"You already are."
 

"Leave me alone and stay out of my mind."
 

"Can't do it. I have to know what we have planned for our wonderful
evening with the slayer and her pup." His face looked as though he were
facing sunlight.
 

Willow smiled. "You don't mind going?"
 

"If it's a choice between you and the slayer or silence and alone time?
Well, that's a no brainer. I hate being alone. Besides I love you, you
silly girl."
 

Willow smiled, "I love you too. Oh, Spike, thank you. I know this is
tough for you. I appreciate the sacrifice. Buffy is calling later. You
can tell her the good news. This is great. A night out with friends."
 

"Yeah, great." Spike said, rolling his eyes. The things one would do for
love. He held his hand out to her, beckoning. She stood and moved beside
him, sitting and putting her head on his shoulder.
 

"Thanks....sugar bun...honey cakes....love muffin...." her laughing
words
were cut off by his mouth.
******
CLOSE TO HEAVEN (5/?)
 

A double date with the bloody slayer. Spike shoved his cigarette into
the ashtray, putting it out with a bit more force than usual. If he made
it through this evening, he would be damn lucky.
 

It had started innocently enough. They had met for dinner, an event he
wasn't too thrilled about. Then, he'd had to listen to the slayer ramble
on and on. The daft girl never shut up. He believed the bloke with the
big head deserved a medal for putting up with the silly twit. If it had
been him, she would have been dropped long ago. If the babbling wasn't
bad enough, the slayer and the boy were both progressing in their hand
talking with Willow. Half of what they said, he couldn't understand. He
hated feeling stupid.
 

They had gone to see some weepy French film that had been playing. So
sugary he thought he might have cavities. Willow had liked it though,
tears filling her eyes. He and the boy had definitely not been
impressed. A rare occasion that the two men had something in common.
 

They were now at some little club the slayer had found. Too many dumb
college kids for his taste. He had caught several men looking at Willow,
a fact that he didn't like. She was, as usual, oblivious to it all. He
frowned as he lit another smoke. He could make it through another hour
or so. If the damn slayer didn't start voicing what she was saying, he
was going to kill her scrawny ass, implant or not.
 

Willow felt the tension radiating from Spike. She had no idea what was
wrong with him. He had been on edge since dinner. She knew it wasn't
easy for him to socialize with his enemy, but hell, she had once been
his enemy. He was a big boy, he could handle it. She saw Buffy swaying
to the music that must have been playing. She again cursed her lack of
hearing. It wasn't fair some times. She took Spike's hand, squeezing it
once. He glanced at her, his blue eyes unreadable.
 

"Things are fine pet. Don't look so worried. Not missing anything music
wise. Terrible sound. Lead singer can't carry a tune."
 

She smiled softly as his droll descriptions filled her mind. She kept
his hand in hers as she turned back to Buffy. She continued her
conversation with the blond verbally, not wanting to free her hand from
his. She caught him smiling as he began to listen to what she was
saying. She suddenly realized how unfair they had been. He didn't know
sign language. He must have felt like she did when they all got together
some times. Poor baby. She would have to make it up to him.
******