"Willow, it wasn’t your job. I should have been there. She was my Slayer…"

"She was my friend!" Willow’s retort caught Rupert off guard. "If you had just said something to her everyone could have helped. You always shared your dreams before, why not then?" Willow’s hateful stare bored into his soul rendering him numb. She sank down on her chair, all the fight gone from her. Gorgon felt ill at ease between them.

Giles stared at the table for a long time, trying to make up his mind about something, he glanced at Willow with bright eyes and started to speak, his voice barely audible.

"I had the dream for eight weeks, two or three times a night, sometimes. I could hear her thoughts, hear the echoes of her life. I lived her death in my dreams; I knew every detail. The way she would be dressed, everything. If I had said anything to you about it, you would have sent me away with the men in white coats and Buf… She would still have died. I had to try to keep her alive until the very end. Willow, you making me sleep lessened the torment of that ending. Thank you, but you shouldn’t have endangered yourself trying to slay a vampire whose sole purpose was to be slain. You see," He gazed into her emerald eyes. "I knew the one who loved me most would find me, the one I loved the most, you Willow. I knew you would rescue me."

Willow landed in his lap, he stroked her hair and swept her tears away tenderly. She smiled as his lips met hers, sharing gentle, easy kisses. Gorgon stared at them his serpents reared and hissed.

My Mate.

Gorgon’s muscles rippled beneath his skin as he dragged another bag of Watcher remains down the stairs to the skip they had hired. Willow swept the bathroom clear of the dust and mopped it. Giles sat at the dining table nursing a mug of tea. He’d withdrawn again after confessing his love for her and telling her about his nightmares. Gorgon had suggested a herbal bath for him, that’s why they were clearing the room.

She caught her breath when the bathroom door closed... She turned to look at Gorgon, her nostrils flaring as she picked up his male scent, she studied his chest glossy with sweat, the bronze curls peppering his pectorals and descending into his jeans, almost like an arrow pointing to the object of her desire. He smiled and took a step toward her, she stepped back.

"Mistress, you have looked into my eyes and survived. I wish to ask a favour of you." Willow swallowed and tried to relax. Nothing would happen… This is Gorgon, sent to protect you. Giles is just next door…

"What is it ?" She whispered. “Look in his eyes damn it!” He took another pace toward her caressing her arms with his long fingers.

"I wish, need to have. That is, my serpents require a mate." He murmured.

"What?!!" Willow exclaimed. She looked at the door beginning to panic.

"I would not ask, but my serpents need to have an issue within the year. If I do not find a mate who is able to look upon me without fear as you have done, I will perish; my species will become extinct. No harm will come to you. I could never harm you. You need only supply me with an egg. I will carry the child."

Willow found her eyes lingering below his waist, there was definitely something down there, how would Gorgon carry the child? He lifted her chin. She looked up at him. His eyes were closed and the serpents writhed amongst his dread locks. He was so beautiful. His arms encircled her waist, lifting her up to his kiss, Willow gently tangled her fingers in the warmth of the serpents nest. He moaned into her mouth, his forked tongue flicking quickly over hers, tasting her, Willow squirmed away from him, remembering to keep her eyes shut.

"Forgive me, I presume too much. The will of my serpents increases as I mature. In a year I will no longer be able to live in the world of men." He concluded sadly, a tear ran down his cheek. Willow’s heart cracked. The knock at the door reminded them of their purpose, Gorgon spun the hot water tap to fill the bath. The bag of herbs hung under the water filling the room with its pungent healing aroma.

Willow opened the door. She smiled at Rupert; he didn’t smile back. Oh no! He overheard us! Giles’ stare was enough to petrify, Gorgon lowered his gaze and left the room. Giles kicked the door shut with his foot and locked it, trapping Willow in the bathroom with him. He seized her arms and shoved her against the wall his eyes aflame.

"Do you know how they mate?" His harsh voice grated in the small room. "A serpent detaches itself from his head and travels down your body, leaving a thick mucous trail on your skin." He ran lascivious fingers over her breasts ending between her legs.

"Accounts say some of the serpents are as thick as a man’s wrist." His voice assumed a matter of fact tone. Willow shut her eyes. This wasn’t Rupert; this was the man in the asylum, the mindless one. Her Rupert would come back… Please come back Rupert, she prayed. Tears coursed down her face as his fingers trailed up to grip her chin in his large hand. "…want to try it?" He leered at her, pressing himself as close as he was able.

"Frightened, little one? You should be …" his voice had lost it’s dangerous edge at last, his fingers gentled as he covered her mouth with his.

Suddenly Rupert was away from her and the bathroom door swung freely on one hinge. Gorgon stood in the room ready to fix him with his granite glare. With no thought of the danger of which he had just warned Willow, Rupert launched himself at the supernatural being. Gorgon was surprised, no–one had ever attacked him. His defences were lethal. It made a welcome change to fight with fists, but because none had fought him, he was ill prepared for the ferocity of Ripper’s attack. His serpents hissed their enjoyment of the sport. Gorgon shook his dreadlocks free and fought back. He still wore his shades, he couldn’t kill this man but he could fight him, fight him he did. The struggle was brief but violent with Ripper losing in spectacular fashion. He was picked up and thrown against the side of the bath, Gorgon snatched his shades from his eyes and glared at a spot near the Watcher’s foot.

"No!" Willow screeched as she saw Rupert’s foot jerk back fearfully, all malice gone from his face.

Rupert turned to glare at Gorgon the two males regarded each other, neither backing down. Like stags fighting over the same mate. Willow was shocked by the fury that had temporarily marred Gorgon’s features. He turned on his heel, Willow felt his finger tips brush her hand briefly.

"Forgive me, Mistress Willow. I overstepped the bounds of my duty." She lifted her eyes to his terrible countenance now mercifully in repose.

She murmured her thanks to Gorgon. Then approached Rupert tentatively reaching out to him. He launched himself at her, crushing the breath from her body. She stroked his hair and remained kneeling by him until he had calmed enough to disrobe and step into the bath. He leaned back and sighed, breathing in the richly scented steam a contented smile on his face. She smiled too. “He’s back” she rejoiced. Now she knew why he had made no move to love her; he had rages to work out before they could truly be together. She winced as she reached for the bar of soap. Her arm hurt where he had gripped her, where she still bore his finger marks on her skin.

"Willow, forgive me. I was angry and jealous I didn’t know how else to react. Willow, Gorgon could kill you." He grasped her hand, while gazing into her clear green eyes. "You are easy to love Willow, you give affection so readily and he has a gentle spirit. Please, be careful …" To all this she just nodded. Slowly as he gazed at her, she undressed and slipped into the water facing him. She washed his chest and wondered at his moans and gasps as he grew more aroused, suddenly stopping her hand’s descent.

"Willow don’t…" He swallowed and shut his eyes as her hand closed round him, washing him gently. Then her hands left him and she gave him the soap.

"Wash me Rupert." She instructed. He took the wash cloth and soap and gently soaped her body. He lifted her arms and she smiled when he tickled her playfully. Then he ran his fingers over her feet and she exploded with giggles. He laughed with her when she discovered his ticklish spots, his ribs, knees and collar bone. He was helpless with laughter by the end of their bath.

Gorgon stood guard outside, his heart sinking as their mirth grew. He was losing hope, having found her only to lose her to the man he had been sent to protect. He truly was the most unfortunate of the creator’s beasts.

End of part 4

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