TITLE: The Lonely Hearts Club

AUTHOR: Mary

RATING: R but moving into NC-17 later

SPOILERS: Up to the scene in The Bronze from The I In Team them my own universe

CATEGORY: Buffy - Graham/Willow

FEEDBACK: Always appreciated

DISTRIBUTION: Ask and ye shall receive...Any list archives can have it...

DISCLAIMER: if I owned it I wouldn’t be writing fan fiction

AUTHOR'S NOTES: This is my first Graham/Willow fiction so be kind...And

(SPOILERS AHEAD) I am just going to clarify where this is starting from...Buffy & The Initiative guys got beeped out of the Bronze and Willow went to see Giles instead of going to Tara’s...Walsh has not attempted to kill Buffy in my story...

DEDICATION: To Miri, SPRIT & Jason...Because I can

THE LONELY HEARTS CLUB

By Mary

Graham was out taking a walk. Usually after a capture he and Riley would go do something to blow off the excess energy, but Riley had chosen to do something with Buffy, not that Graham could blame him.

If he had a girl, especially a girl who knew about the Initiative he’d be with her too. It was still lonely though.

Graham was about to head back to the house when he caught site of a flash of red. Who would be out this late at night? He looked closer and saw the redhead that had been at The Bronze. Buffy’s friend Willow, or at least that’s what Graham thought her name was. He decided to follow her to make sure that she got to where she was going safely.

About two blocks into his surveillance he saw three figures step out of the shadows and block Willow’s path. He took off at a run hoping to get there in time to help her.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

‘Damn it,’ Willow thought as she saw the vampires step out of the shadows. ‘Why didn’t I take Spike up on his offer to walk me home.’

She quickly grabbed her stake from her pocket and dusted the closest vampire before they realized what she was doing.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

‘She just got one,’ Graham thought in amazement as he closed in. ‘She stabbed him with a stick, like Buffy uses.’

As Graham got closer he watched as the two remaining vampires grabbed Willow. Then Graham saw something that amazed him. The stick Willow was holding floated out of her hand and staked the vampire in front of her.

Graham reached them as the final vampire began to sick his teeth into Willow’s neck. He quickly picked up the stick that Willow had dropped and staked the vampire behind her. He watched as the vampire burst into dust and Willow fell back into his arms. He wasn’t sure how much blood the vampire had gotten, but it was apparently enough for Willow to pass out.

‘What am I supposed to do now?’ Graham asked himself. He knew the Initiative regulations were to bring Willow in to be quarantined, but he knew that Buffy wouldn’t want her friend there. He couldn’t take her back to the house, too many Initiative guys. If he recalled right Buffy and Willow lived in Stevenson so he decided to head there. He quickly swept Willow into his arms and headed towards campus.

Graham had made sure that the bite on her neck was against his shirt as too alieve suspicion from people he passed. Once he hit campus he got several questioning looks and a few questions which he brushed off with innuendos that Willow had too much to drink at a party. A very believable excuse on a college campus.

They finally reached Stevenson without an incident. When he reached the room he thought was Buffy and Willow’s he tried to gently prod Willow into consciousness.

"Willow?" he whispered gently in her ear. "It’s Graham, Riley’s friend. I need the key to your room."

"In my pocket," Willow mumbled sleepily.

Graham gingerly set Willow down and propped her against the door so that he could reach into her pockets and find her key. After a few attempts into her several pockets he finally found her key and let them into her room. He picked Willow back up and carried her inside. He made a quick scan of the room and decided the bed on the left had to be Willow’s. He laid Willow down on the bed and gently shook her to wake her up.

"Willow? I need you to wake up," he murmured gently. As he did this he took the time to look at her in detail for the first time. She was quite pretty with the fiery hair and pale skin. And she had felt so small in his arms, like something that needed to be protected. It was a nice feeling.

Willow slowly opened her eyes at the sound of a very nice voice. Very soothing. As her eyes focused she saw one of Riley’s friends looming over her. She started attempting to sit up, but her head began to pound and she lay back down.

"What happened?" she asked groggily.

"You were attacked," Graham filled in for her.

"Vampires," Willow said nodding. "Did I get them?"

Graham couldn’t help but chuckle at the question.

"You got two of them," he told her. "I got the third."

"I got two?" Willow’s face lit up at this information.

"Yes," Graham laughed. "But the third one got a little of you before I got there. Do you have a first aid kit?"

For the first time Willow noticed the mild throb in her neck.

"I got bit?" she asked weakly.

"Just a little," Graham reassured her.

"I like it better when they just knock me unconscious," Willow grumbled. "The first aid kit is over on Buffy’s desk."

"This stuff happens to you alot?" Graham asked trying to gauge Willow’s knowledge of the supernatural.

"Sure," Willow said brightly. "It happens alot when you’re best friends with the Slayer. I usually just get kidnapped, though."

"So you know about Buffy?"

"Oh yeah," Willow said. "I have since sophomore year of high school and my friend Xander and I have been helping her ever since. But now since she is hanging with you Initiative guys she doesn’t need us as much."

"You know about The Initiative?" Graham asked in shock as he moved back to the bed with the kit. He sat and began bandaging Willow’s neck.

"Yep," Willow responded. "We were suspicious since Halloween and then we started hearing more rumors and then after The Gentleman came and Riley and Buffy sorta ran into each other when they were each on patrol that was pretty much confirmation."

"The Gentleman?" Graham asked.

""Oh," Willow said sheepishly, "that's right. You guys don’t know the whole demon history and stuff. The Gentlemen were the ones that stole all the sound."

"How do you know their names?" Graham asked as he finished bandaging Willow’s neck.

"From Giles’ books," Willow replied with a yawn. "Giles is Buffy’s watcher. He has all sorts of books that list all kinds of demons and such. That’s how we find out how to stop them."

"Wow," Graham said chuckling. "And I had been out walking sorta hoping to meet a girl that knew about demons and such."

Willow blushed at this information and the implications there in.

Graham couldn’t help but notice how cute Willow was when she blushed. Without thinking he reached down and gently brushed the hair out of her face.

"I'm not even sure what your name is," Willow said softly.

"Oh God," Graham said, "I’m sorry. I guess I told you when you were semi-conscious and then forgot about it. I’m Graham."

"Hi Graham," Willow said as she smiled up at him. "I’m..."

"Willow," Graham finished for her.

"You know who I am?" Willow asked in amazement. No one ever knew who she was.

"Sure," Graham said with a laugh. "We actually met earlier tonight at The Bronze. Buffy introduced us."

"Oh," Willow said with a blush. "I’m sorry. I forgot. I just wasn’t myself tonight. I’m so embarrassed."

"Hey," Graham reassured her. "It’s okay. We weren’t there for very long and there were quite a few of us."

"Thank you," Willow said realizing that she hadn’t thanked Graham for saving her.

"You’re more then welcome," Graham said. "I should go and let you get some sleep."

"I guess," Willow said a little sadly.

"I’ll talk to you later," Graham said as he made his way to the door.

"That would be nice," Willow murmured as she felt sleep begin to overtake her.

"It would be more then nice," Graham agreed as he shut off the light and left Willow to sleep.

PART TWO

Willow woke up the next morning to the sound of a door being opened and closed. She groaned and slowly opened her eyes.

"Sorry Will," Buffy said apologetically as she noticed her best friend still in bed. "I wasn't expecting you here. Don’t you have an 8 am?"

"Oh no," Willow moaned as she sat up. "I forgot to set my alarm clock."

It was once Willow was sitting up that Buffy noticed her neck.

"Oh my God," Buffy gasped as she saw Willow’s bandaged neck. "What happened?"

"Huh?" Willow asked, confused for a moment. When she noticed where Buffy was looking the events of the previous night came back to her. Buffy blowing her off, the vamp attack and Graham. The thought of Graham brought a smile to Willow’s face.

"What happened to you neck?" Buffy asked again, her voice filled with concern.

"Oh that," Willow said offhandedly. "I was sorta attacked last night by three vampires."

"What?" Buffy stammered. "When? What happened? Are you okay?"

"I was walking back from Giles house last night," Willow began knowing Buffy would want the whole story, "and was jumped by three vamps. I managed to dust two of them and then Graham happened along and got the third, but not before he, meaning the vampire, not Graham, had bitten me. I guess I passed out because the next thing I know I am laying on my bed and Graham is getting the first aid kit."

Buffy was relieved that Willow was okay. She had also noticed the way that Willow blushed when she talked about Graham helping her. ‘So Willow has a crush,’ Buffy thought to herself.

"Well, I’m glad your okay," Buffy said with a smile. "So tell me about Graham. This is the same Graham that is Riley’s friend, right?"

"Yes," Willow said with a blush on her cheeks. "He was very nice. He seemed surprised about my knowledge of what goes bump in the night and all. He bandaged up my neck. I’m not sure exactly what happened I was kind of out of it."

"Willow’s got a crush," Buffy said in a sing-song voice.

"I do not!" Willow stammered. "I barely even know him. In fact I don’t know him at all. Okay he’s cute, really cute and he was so nice last night..."

Willow let her voice trail off as she saw the satisfied look on Buffy’s face. She had fallen right into the Slayer’s trap.

"Okay fine," Willow said in a huff. "You win. Maybe a little crush."

"Told ya," Buffy said with a look of triumph. "Let’s get dressed and go get something to eat."

"Okay," Willow agreed and got out of bed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Graham made his way down the hall to Riley’s room. He wanted to let Riley know about what happened last night. He knocked on the door and waited for an answer.

"Come in," Riley’s voice filtered through the door.

"I need to talk to you," Graham said as he made his way into Riley’s room and shut the door behind him.

"Okay, shoot," Riley said as he sat down in his desk chair.

"Something happened last night that I thought I should make you aware of," Graham said slowly.

"What is it?" Riley said seriously. This was obviously business.

"Well," Graham began, "I was out taking a walk last night and came across Buffy’s friend Willow getting attacked by three vampires. She got two of them then the third bit her before I could get there. I got him but not before he had gotten enough blood for Willow to lose consciousness."

"Is she in quarantine?" Riley asked, alarmed. He knew that was procedure, but this wasn’t exactly a civilian they were talking about.

"No," Graham responded. "I thought about it, but I didn't think Buffy would like having her friend in quarantine so I took her back to her dorm room."

"Good," Riley said with an audible sigh of relief.

"When I got back here I started doubting I made the right decision so I decided to run it by you," Graham continued. "I’m guessing I did make the right decision, though."

"Yes you did," Riley affirmed. "I understand procedure and all, but I think Buffy and her friends might be exceptions to the rule. Well, now that that is settled why don’t we go find something to eat."

"Sounds good to me," Graham agreed. He also hoped to run into Willow on campus and check on how she was doing.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Willow and Buffy had just sat down when Buffy spotted Riley and Graham enter the cafeteria.

"Hotties at 3 o’clock," Buffy said with a smirk.

Willow gave Buffy a confused look till she saw where her gaze was.

"Oh my," was all Willow could say as she took in Graham’s appearance. He was wearing khaki dockers and a navy blue v-neck t-shirt. Last night Willow hasn’t been in much of a condition to really look at Graham and now that she was her minds first thoughts were that he was quite obviously out of her league.

Buffy watched the emotions play across Willow’s face and knew exactly where her mind was headed.

"Don’t go there Will," she said sternly.

Willow looked up sharply at Buffy’s words and laughed at how perceptive her friend could be.

Before Willow could say anything Buffy had gotten Riley’s attention and was waving them over to the table.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Riley smiled as he saw Buffy waving at him. He also noticed Willow’s eyes fixed on Graham. He looked at Graham and saw that he hadn’t noticed the girls yet.

"Looks like we have a table," Riley said casually gesturing in the direction of Buffy and Willow.

"Mmhh?" Graham murmured as he looked in the direction that Riley was motioning. He was expecting to see some of the guys from The Initiative, but instead his eyes settled on Buffy and Willow. He noticed Willow laughing at something that Buffy had said and he felt his heart tug at how beautiful she looked when she smiled. His eyes then drifted to her neck to see how the bite was. He smiled when he saw Willow was wearing a high necked shirt to hide the mark.

"Well, let’s go," Riley said picking up his tray and heading for the table.

Graham just nodded and followed Riley to the table.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Good morning ladies," Riley greeted Buffy and Willow as he took the seat next to Buffy.

"Hey," Graham greeted them with a shy smile as he took the seat next to Willow.

"Hey guys," Buffy greeted them happily. "How are you doing?"

"Better now that you’re here," Riley said with a sappy smile.

"I’m okay," Graham said then turned to Willow. "How are you doing this morning? How’s your neck?"

"It’s better," Willow said with a blush at the obvious concern in his voice. "I’ve had worse."

Graham laughed at her offhanded comment.

"So Riley," Buffy said slyly. "I think I left something in your room last night. Come with me to get it?"

"But I haven’t eaten yet," Riley said then noticed the look that Buffy was giving him. "But I guess I can take it with me. See you later guys."

Riley and Buffy left the table and Willow couldn’t help but laugh. Graham looked at her in confusion.

"Sorry," Willow said as she continued to giggle, "but Buffy has never gotten the concept of subtlety."

At that Graham also had to laugh.

"I can tell," Graham agreed.

Willow and Graham had a very pleasant meal just eating and talking. For the first time in a while they both almost felt normal. They didn’t have to hide things with each other, no secrets they had to worry about. It was very nice. When they were done Graham walked Willow back to Stevenson.

"So, um, Willow," Graham began. "I was wondering if you might like to have dinner with me tonight?"

"I’d love to," Willow said with a smile.

"Good," Graham said returning her smile. "I’ll, um, pick you up at seven?"

"Sevens good," Willow agreed. "See you then."

"Yeah," Graham said slowly backing away. "See you then."

Willow watched as Graham turned and headed across the campus. She sighed and headed up to her room. She knew Buffy was either there or on her way to hear what happened after her and Riley’s not so subtle exit from lunch.

PART THREE

"So where are you taking her?" Riley asked as he stuck his head in Graham’s room. He chuckled as he watched his friend ransack his closet.

"Oh, um, hi Riley," Graham said distractedly. "Have you seen my green plaid shirt?"

"Do I look like a girl?" Riley said with a laugh. "Actually I think I saw Forrest wearing it."

"Where is he?" Graham grumbled. He didn’t mind Forrest borrowing his clothes, but for the first time he had somewhere to go and couldn’t wear what he wanted to.

"I think he left," Riley said.

Graham grumbled to himself as he fished through his closet for something else to wear. He finally decided on a green t-shirt and brown plaid over top.

"You never did answer my question," Riley said. "Where are you going to take Willow?"

"Why?" Graham asked with a laugh. "You and Buffy going to check up on us or something?"

"Not that I am aware," Riley said with a laugh. "I was just curious."

"I thought I’d go simple," Graham replied. "I think we’ll head to that little Italian place on Main Street."

"Good choice," Riley said.

"Okay," Graham said as he passed Riley. "I’ve got to go pick up Willow."

"I’ll walk with you," Riley said following Graham out of the room. "Buffy and I were going to patrol tonight anyways."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Willow stood pouting at her closet. Nothing looked right. She had gone through everything at least twice and was about to just give up and go naked.

"What’s wrong Will?" Buffy asked with a laugh.

"I can’t find anything to wear," Willow huffed. "Nothing looks right."

"Want to borrow something of mine?" Buffy asked. She had the perfect black shirt that would accentuate all of Willow’s assets, so to speak.

"I don’t know," Willow said as she scrunched up her face again. "I’m a little nervous."

"You’re covering it well," Buffy said with a smirk.

"Keep it up and you’ll join Amy in the cage," Willow playfully threatened.

"Okay, okay," Buffy said waving her arms in defeat. "Let me get you ready."

"I’m not sure," Willow said uncertainly. The last time Buffy had gotten her ready had been that Halloween when everyone became their costume.

"Please," Buffy begged.

"Okay," Willow allowed. "But be good."

"I’m always good. Now put on your green leather pants and I’ll get you a shirt," Buffy said with a smile. It was fun to have date-Willow back.

Willow just sighed and did as Buffy asked. She couldn’t believe how nervous she was, but then again this would be her first date since Oz left. The thought of Oz brought a wistful smile to her face. She had finally dealt with him leaving. It still hurt a little, but she no longer longed for him to come back and even if he did she wouldn’t take him back.

Buffy spent the next half an hour primping Willow.

"Buffy," Willow said with a laugh, "this is the fourth style you have put my hair in. Graham should be here soon."

"I know, I know," Buffy responded. "It’s just been so long since we have done this. Okay, give me one more minute and I’ll be done."

Willow just nodded and let Buffy finish.

"Okay," Buffy said triumphantly. "Done."

Willow smiled at her friend and looked at herself in the mirror. She had to admit that she did look cute, but that was as far as she was willing to admit. The shirt that Buffy had lent her was quite formfitting and cropped slightly so it showed off a sliver of her stomach. Willow wasn’t sure how comfortable she was with that, but there was a knock on the door before she could do anything about it.

"I’ll get it," Buffy said as she bounced to the door.

Willow took a deep breath and turned towards the door. Her face fell slightly as she watched Riley walk in.

"Hi Riley," Willow said as brightly as possible.

Before Riley answered Willow saw more movement from the door and looked to see Graham walk in.

"This isn’t a double date ambush is it?" Willow asked as her eyes went between Graham and Riley. "Not that that would be a bad thing if you guys wanted to do that..."

"No it’s now," Graham cut off her embarrassed ramblings. "Riley and Buffy are going patrolling so we just walked over here together. By the way, you look great."

Buffy smacked her boyfriend as she watched Willow blush.

"How come you never say things like that to me?" she asked.

"I do," Riley defended, holding his arm where Buffy had hit it.

Buffy just huffed as Graham moved closer to Willow and held out his hand.

"Maybe we should go and let them have their lover’s spat," he said with a chuckle.

"Let me just grab my jacket," Willow said as she went to her desk to retrieve her jacket. She then turned back to Graham and took his hand.

"Don’t be out too late," Buffy called after them.

"Yes MOM," Willow laughed as she closed the door behind them.

PART FOUR SOON