Lessons in Control



Chapter Five: Who Knew?


Willow was murmuring to herself. "How should I know what the most lasting after-effects of The Great Depression were? I wasn’t there." Her mind obviously wasn’t focusing on the task at hand. "Oh, wait, I do know that," she said happily. After twenty-three minutes and twelve seconds of writing, she stood, grabbed her bag, put the test on the instructor’s desk and left the campus, whistling "The Bridge on The River Kwai" song.   The bus stop was only half a block away.




At 4:14 pm, she walked through the door of the Hyperion Hotel and Angel was there to take her bags and Spike was there with a welcoming grope. "Miss me?"

"Almost as much as you missed me," she said, falling into his arms. "Whatcha wanna do first?" she asked with a sly smile.

"Eat," he said, so she bared her throat. "Not that eat, you brat. You eat. I have a long night planned, you’re gonna need your strength." He led her to the kitchen where he and Angel presented her with a meal fit for a queen. There was even candlelight, even though it wasn’t dark out yet, but the windows were covered with heavy drapes, so it was a nice touch.

"Oh, this is so sweet. Who cooked?" she asked looking between the two gorgeous vampires.

"Cordy," came the unexpected reply from Angel.

Willow choked on her wine. "Cordelia cooked?"

"Now, Red, would I take a chance on poisoning you? The cheerleader bought it, Peaches paid for it, I set the table and lit the candles. Now eat." They both sat at the table with her as she did so, talking to her and each other, more relaxed in each other’s company than Willow had ever seen them. This visit might be a little more sociable than the last had been, she hoped quietly to herself.

"So, Willow, have you ever been to New Jersey?" Angel asked her conversationally right before Spike kicked him under the table.

Then again, maybe not.





Karaoke, who knew? Angel likes karaoke? This was just beyond real. Well, he didn’t like to sing apparently, from his one go at it, he sucked – big time. That Lorne guy was very nice though. Making Angel get up there and sing! Too funny! But "I Honestly Love You", oh, my goddess, who would have thought big-bad-used-to-be-Angelus would pick that song.

Apparently, Angel’s taste in music was nothing new to Spike who just rolled his eyes and covered his ears, even before his poofter of a sire started singing.

Willow knew Spike could sing, he sang to her all the time. Apparently Angel knew it too, she should have expected that. But she didn’t know Spike could play the guitar, he’d never told her. After his first song, Lorne made him sing another right away, handing him a guitar. She had been really confused by that until Angel explained about the green demon’s intuitive capabilities. Cool power! Even Buffy would envy that one.

But now they wanted her to sing. She had never sang in public before – hardly ever in the shower even. No, she wasn’t going to do it. "No, I can’t."

"Wait here, baby, we’ll be right back." Her two companions went over to the bar and spent several minutes in discussion with Lorne. She noticed that Angel kept shaking his head. Whatever it was Spike wanted, Angel seemed to be against it. Finally, they returned, but didn’t sit. Spike kissed her cheek and said, "Lorne’ll be here to keep you company. Play nice."

Then the strangest thing happened. Angel leaned over and kissed her cheek, too. "I have to go, too" he said with half a smile. "He insisted," he said with a shrug as he walked toward the stage. Oh, no, Spike's going to make Angel sing again? Isn’t that a bad thing?

Up on the stage, Spike picked up the guitar and held the pick in his mouth as he adjusted the strap. While he was quietly arguing with Angel about something, Lorne joined her. He was carrying four full shot glasses.

"What’s this?" she asked.

"Blackhaus shots."

"Four of them?"

"One for me, three for you."

"Lorne," she grinned, "much as I appreciate your hospitality, I can’t drink all that. I wouldn’t want to. I’ll get sick."

"Yes, you can. Yes, you will; and no, you won’t."

"What?"

"Watch," he said, pointing to the stage. Spike was sitting on a stool, two microphones in front of him; one for the guitar, one so he could sing. He started strumming on the guitar; Angel looked terrified. Spike stopped, whispered something in Angel’s ear and the brunette closed his eyes and appeared to be taking deep breathes even though he didn’t need to breath.

Spike started playing again, and then he sang:

We got the afternoon
You got this room for three
One thing we've left to see
Discover you
How good it’ll be
What did he say? The first shot went down in a flash.

One mile to every inch of
Your skin like porcelain
One pair of candy lips and
Your bubblegum tongue
He was singing to and for only Willow and everybody in the room knew it. She gulped down the second shot as both Spike and Angel sang the chorus:

And if you want love
We'll make it
Swim in a deep sea
Of blankets
Take all your big plans
And break 'em
This is bound to be a while
Angel was singing – really well – and he was just as fixated on Willow as Spike was.

Your body is a wonderland
Your body is a wonder (I'll use my hands)
Your body is a wonderland
Another shot went down her throat. Spike was singing by himself again. Angel had stopped staring at her and was watching Spike sing.

Something 'bout the way the hair falls in your face
I love the shape you take when crawling towards the pillowcase
You tell me where to go and
Though I might leave to find it
He sang the next two lines a capella.

I'll never let your head hit the bed
Without my hand behind it
Her heart fell into her stomach and she didn’t even taste the fourth one – that she had stolen from in front of Lorne - as it went down. Angel was singing the chorus with Spike again. His eyes never left her face.

You want love?
We'll make it
Swim in a deep sea
Of blankets
Take all your big plans
And break 'em
This is bound to be a while

Your body is a wonderland
Your body is a wonder (I'll use my hands)
Your body is a wonderland
Angel stopped and watched Spike again as the blond continued to sing.

Damn, baby
You frustrate me
I know you’re mine, all mine, all mine
Spike just strummed the guitar as Angel sung the next line:

But you look so good it hurts sometimes.
Willow actually felt her heart stop beating. "Easy, gumdrop," Lorne cooed in her ear, "The boys just had something they wanted to tell you, that’s all. There’s no pressure."

Willow stopped breathing, "You – you knew?" she didn’t know if she’d die from the embarrassment or the revelation.

"They didn’t have to tell me. I knew. That’s what I do."

The song continued, even though Willow had technically died when her heart and breathing stopped. It was incredible to her that she still heard their voices. She was so sure she had died.

Your body is a wonderland
Your body is a wonder (I'll use my hands)
Your body is a wonderland

Your body is a wonderland
Even with four shots in her, she didn’t feel like she could be sitting there calmly when the two vampires returned to the table. Lorne seemed to sense her discomfort and said, "Come with me, sweet cheeks," as he pulled her to her feet and back toward his private booth. He signaled to the guys that everything was fine and ordered the bartender to keep that table flowing with whatever it was they were drinking.

"You can pretend it didn’t happen," he said finally when she was sitting comfortably with a glass of water in front of her. She looked at him like he was from another dimension – which he was, so it didn’t bother him.

"No, I can’t. They both – they just – and then they both – but how – and he’d never, would he – no, he wouldn’t, he couldn’t – but maybe this means he will – does he want me to?" she asked her new best friend.

"Huh?"

"I said –"

"Never mind. I think I get it. Ruby, sweetie, nothing ever happens that you don’t want to happen. Question is, do you want it to?" he asked quietly. "Don’t answer that. I don’t think you could form a coherent sentence anyway. Come with me." Again, he pulled her to her feet, but this time he led her to the stage.

"No, Lorne, I can’t – I don’t." She looked terrified.


Willow was on the stage facing Lorne. He wanted her to sing and she was terrified.

"It’s okay," he reassured her. "I’m not going to leave you. I want you to sing, sing just to me."

"I can’t think of a song."

"Try this one, I think you’ll like it."

She looked over the words and had a vague memory of hearing it on the radio. "Hey, I used to like this song."

"You don’t anymore?" Lorne kidded.

"Well, yeah, I just haven’t heard it in a while."

Lorne sang the first few lines softly in her ear to remind her of the rhythm. She smiled, "Oh, yeah, I really, really liked this song."

"See?"

"But I can’t sing it."

"Why not?"

"Because I’ll be too embarrassed. Because I can’t sing. Because there are about two hundred demons out there who will be watching me and judging me. And besides, I can’t sing."

"You used that one already."

"I did?"

"Yes. But it doesn’t matter. Nobody’s going to be watching you. I’ll stand right here. All they’ll see is my back. They won’t know who it is that’s singing."

"But I can’t sing words like this to – to you. No offense, I’m sure you’re really nice and all-"

"None taken. Close your eyes."

"Close my eyes?"

"You really are a handful, aren’t you? Just do what I tell you. Close your eyes."

She closed them.

"Think of Spike."

She did and a huge smile filled her face.

"Do you love him?"

He motioned for the music to start.

Very enthusiastic nodding.

"Tell him."

The first lines came out strained.

From the moment I saw you
I went outta my mind
Though I'd never believed in
Love at first sight
But you got a magic, boy
That I just can't explain
Lorne whispered in her ear, "There’s nobody here, Willow. Just you and Spike. Picture his face, sing just for him."

With her eyes still closed, her voice got stronger with each note.

Well, you got a, you got a way that you make me
Feel I can do, I can do anything for you, baby
I'll be down for you, baby
Lay all my cards out tonight
Just call on me, baby
I'll be there in a hurry
It's your move; so, baby
Baby, decide
"You like this song" Lorne continued to ease her, whispering so only she could hear. "Let me know it. Let me know how you feel about pale, blond and studly." She was swept up in his words, she smiled along with him and continued her song, voice belting out the chorus.

Whatever you want from me
I'm givin' you ev'rything
I'm your baby tonight
You've given me ecstasy
You are my fantasy
I'm your baby tonight
"Okay, Dorothy," he whispered this time, "I’m still in front of you, but you’ve landed in Oz. Open your eyes." She did and smiled into his friendly face. He mouthed the words to help her along.

From the second you touched me
I was ready to die
I've never been fatal
You're my first time
I feel like an angel
Who just started to fly

Well, you got a, you got a way that you make me
Feel I can, feel I can do anything for you, baby
I would fly for you, baby
Hold on and enjoy the ride
I'm not in no hurry
We can fly all night, baby
It's your move now, baby
Baby, let's fly
Lorne smiled at her efforts, very impressed. He started to clap along with the music. When his body started to sway, so did hers.

Whatever you want from me
I'm givin' you ev'rything
I'm your baby tonight
You've given me ecstasy
You are my fantasy

 I'm your baby tonight
Whatever I do, boy
It's all about you, baby
And ain't it the truth, boy
I'm helplessly in love with you
What else can I do, boy
But be there for you, baby?
You got a, you got a way that you make me
Feel I can, feel I can do any, do anything
He stepped to the side slightly, so that she could now see Spike and Angel at their table. She shifted her eyes to look at Spike, saw him dangling a black leather collar from his index finger. She smiled and sang to him:

Whatever you want from me
I'm givin' you ev'rything
I'm your baby tonight
You've given me ecstasy
You are my fantasy

I'm your baby tonight
"Look at Angel. He adores you," came the whisper this time. She looked into soft brown eyes that were focusing intently on her.

Looks like I'm fatal
It's all on the table
And, baby, you hold the cards
You got the magic
And I've got to have it
I don't want the pieces
I want ev'ry single part
I'll be your angel
I'm ready and able
Whatever you want is fine
Whenever you're ready
Just call on your lady
And I'll be your baby tonight
Lorne threw out his last card, "They both want you. What do you want?" She sang the rest of the song, her gaze moving back and forth from blue eyes to brown.

I'm your baby tonight
I'm your baby tonight
Lorne left her, letting her tell the boys in her own way. When, one by one, they needlessly looked in his direction, he nodded. They smiled broadly and focused on the beautiful redhead.

Whatever you want from me
I'm givin' you ev'rything
I'm your baby tonight
You've given me ecstasy
You are my fantasy

 I'm your baby tonight
Willow walked off the stage and into Spike’s arms.  Wrapping her legs around his waist, she let him carry her out of Caritas and into Angel’s car that was sitting - with Angel in it, at the front door.

Spike tenderly buckled the new collar around her neck and said, "Kiss me." She did, willingly, passionately. When Angel reached out and stroked her hair, she was stunned at first and pulled away. She broke the kiss and looked a question at Spike. "Yes." he said. "It’s okay, Willow. I want you to. It’s okay as long as I’m with you. You’re a very good submissive and I want to make you happy. You’ll do what I tell you, right?"

She nodded, smiled, then added with a grin, "Yes, master."

Spike gave her a quick peck and told her, "Mine."

"Yes," she confirmed.

"Kiss me," he said again. This time, when Angel touched her, she didn’t pull away - she leaned into his hand.




part six>>