*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*

“They’ve done what!”

“The Council has fired Rupert Giles and has assigned that idiot Wesley as
Buffy Summers’ new Watcher, following her eighteenth birthday fiasco.”

“But they can’t do that! Did my father give them permission to do so.”

“They have to have permission to do so!” This time the confidence in the
young woman’s voice was shaken. “Well, uh… Lady Cassandra!”

“I’ll take that as a no then.” Cassandra’s voice was extremely sarcastic
then she sighed heavily. “All right, Zee, it’s not your fault. I should know
better than to shoot the messenger any way.”

“What do you want me to do, milady.”

“Go back to your studies, but do me a favour first…”

“Of course. You know I will.”

“Get someone to actually read Council Instructions. My father and I will
deal with this latest fiasco they’ve created.”

“As you command milady.”

Breaking the connection with a wave of her hand, she slammed shut the book
she had been reading before being interrupted rose from her desk and left
her office. Walking, or rather stalking down the corridor, people took one
look at her angry expression and moved out of her way… fast.

At the end of the corridor she entered a second office with out knocking.

“Father, I have to go to California now.”

“Cassandra. As always I’m delighted to see you.” An elder man looked up from
the papers he had been reading at his fiery daughter’s unconventional but
customary entrance. “I take it you have received bad news concerning one of
the current Slayers from your student Watcher.”

“You could say that.” Came the surprisingly cool response. “I’m going to
have to have my schedule up at least a week because of it… damn the blasted
idiots!”

“They really must have fouled up this time for you to resort to that sort of
language.” Her father sat back in his chair to look at his daughter with
thoughtful eyes. “Break it to me gently.”

“The Council have fired Giles.”

“They’ve… done… what…!”

Cassandra grinned, her own anger fading as her father repeated exactly what
she had said five minutes earlier with the same inflection. “My dear father,
were you perchance listening in on my conversation.”

“Cassandra.” Her father managed to draw out her name into even more
syllables, infusing it with a warning note. “I take it that you bawled them
out.”

“It’s not my habit to shoot the messenger as you well know.” She grinned
suddenly. “At least, these days it’s not.”

It was enough to make her father smile. “Thank the gods.”

“Funny father.” She moved across her father’s spacious office and leant on
the back of his guest chair. “I did tell Zee to get them to read Council
instructions.”

“Sensible idea.” He replied waiting for what he could see in his daughter’s
eyes. “Well, what else do you want to, how shall I put this? Ah yes,
suggest, Cassandra.”

Folding her arms, she looked at her father thoughtfully. “I think it’s time
you paid them a visit, Father, just to enforce the idea they’ve ‘done’
wrong.”

“An extremely intriguing and surprisingly diplomatic way of saying that I
have been neglecting my duties, my child but I get the idea.” He responded
tremendously amused. “When do you leave for Sunnydale?”

“End of the day their time at the latest.” She frowned slightly, tapping her
cheek with a single finger. “I’m also more disturbed by the recent rumours
concerning the Slayer that was activated at Kendra’s death.”

“Bad enough you’ve actually taken the time to notice.”

“I’m afraid so, father. I must ask permission to remove her if it becomes at
all necessary.”

“Temporarily or permanently.”

“With what I have heard, it will have to be a permanent removal.”

“That serious.” He frowned, considering the situation then looked up at his
daughter. “The trial, Cassandra, especially as it is quite clear you are
planning to out the Council out completely.”

“It was my intention to contact the Immortal Watcher council any way. Joe
Dawson is based in San Francisco with Duncan Macleod at the moment, so I
just have to call.”

“You seem to have all your bases well and truly covered this time, my child.
Am I to take it that you really plan to take a more active role this time.”

“According to the Slayer prophecies that I have access to, it would appear
that I really have no choice in the matter. Any way, father, there are our
own prophecies regarding the young witch associated with the Slayer. It is
almost the time of the Choice.”

“Ah yes, I had almost forgotten talented little Willow, and the
Slayerettes.” He pyramided his fingers thoughtfully. “Which brings to mind…
the vampires.”

“I still have to check something out on both of them before I can give you a
firm decision on that particular issue, father.” She walked across the room
to look out over the almost enchanted world her father had ruled over for
several millenniums.

“Cassandra, speak to me.”

“The Elves can no longer afford to stand back, father, not with the New Age
about to dawn. Just watching the mortal realm is no longer a real option.”

He rose and joined her, an arm around her shoulders. “I am well aware that
you are right, my child.” He put his finger under his chin and brought her
gaze to his. “Cassandra, you know what you must do. Just try not to take too
many risks this time. I’ve got used to having you around now.”

“Father!” She exclaimed before smiling up at him. “You’ll know I’ll do my
best, just don’t ask me to promise.”

“I wouldn’t dare.” Both father and daughter laughed.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Rupert Giles found himself suddenly with no real reason to be in the library
that he had considered his own for almost three years. The realisation that
he was no longer Buffy’s Watcher had hit him hard, and even now, two months
later, he continued to have great difficulty taking it in.

‘If only they hadn’t sent that idiot Wyndham-Pryce to replace me.’ He
thought to himself. ‘It might have been slightly easier to take, even though
I doubt it.’

Standing outside in the sunshine, eyes semi-closed, he did not notice the
black windowed stretch limousine drive up in front of the building nor the
elegant long-legged redhead that emerged from the back. For a moment, she
stood watching him as she pushed her sunglasses onto the top of her head and
an amused smile crossed her beautiful face. With a shake of her head, she
crossed the lawn to stand in front of him.

“Trouble Giles.”

He looked up, startled by a voice he had not heard for several years, only
to do a double take as he saw who was standing in front of him. When he
tried to reply however his voice seemed to have deserted him.

“Uh Giles, you can speak to me you know. I’m not an illusion. Well, this
time I’m not.” She said, completely amused as she lay an elegant hand on his
arm.

A stray passing thought passed through his mind that Cordelia was going to
be extremely peeved when she met this young woman.

Growing even more amused, she waved her hand in front of his face. “Earth to
Rupert Giles, calling Giles.”

“Ca… Cass… Cassandra!” He stuttered eventually removing his glasses,
cleaning them then replacing him. “You’re here in Sunnydale. You’re actually
here in America.”

“Don’t miss a thing do you, Giles. I said I wasn’t an illusion.” She moved
to his side and tucked her arm in his. “We need to talk, my friend and not
just about the Slayer.”

“Then about who? No, wait a… Willow. You’re here because of Willow, aren’t
you?”

“Well done, Giles. I knew you’d get it.”

As she gently led the bemused librarian away to her car, the Slayer and her
Slayerettes emerged from the school buildings. Catching sight of the former
Watcher, they drew to a halt and watched in stunned silence as Giles got
into the back of a black stretch limousine with a beautiful red-haired young
woman.

“Woah, now that’s some major babe. Way to go, G-man.” The words left
Xander’s lips almost before he even realised that he was thinking them. A
classical Xander foot in mouth response.

It also earned him several major frowns from the three young women he was
standing with. Cordelia and Willow immediately hit him on the back of his
head. “Xander!”

“Don’t be so disgusting, Xander.” Buffy hit his arm.

“Hey Buffster watch it. I bruise easy.” He groaned rubbing his arm.

“You’ll be more than bruised if you say something like that again.” She
warned him as they watched the limo drive away. “I wonder who she is?”

“More importantly where she does shop?” Cordelia put in. “Did you see the
suit she was wearing. It was pure Fifth Avenue.”

“Glad to see you’ve your priorities in place, Cordy.” Buffy murmured before
turning to the quiet redhead. “Hey, Will, what do you think?”

“I think I’ve seen that woman before.”

The words left Willow Rosenberg’s lips with a great deal of reluctance.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Hours later, Buffy sat in the Bronze at their usual table looking at her
redheaded friend with extremely thoughtful eyes. “Alright, Willster, what
did you mean by that extraordinary statement of yours this afternoon and why
were you so reluctant to say it.”

“It’s just that she reminded me of someone who used to visit when I was a
small girl. Not even Xander knew about her because I always had this vaguest
feeling that she was supposed to be a secret.” Willow replied as she stirred
the ice in her iced tea with a straw. “I used to call her Sandy but I don’t
think that was her real name.”

A reminiscent smile crossed the redhead’s face. Lighting up her brilliant
green eyes like fireworks. “I remember she used to do magic tricks for me
all the time. You know, real ones not the silly sleight of hand tricks or
illusions you see on television these days. You know she once built me my
very own little house in her back garden right before my eyes. I think you
would have liked her, Buffy.”

“Magic huh!” Buffy grinned at her best friend impishly. “Magic really
doesn’t make much of an appearance in your life does it, Willow.”

“Very funny, Buffy. Ha ha!” Willow replied with a mock scowl, pushing her
friend’s arm before suddenly sitting up straight in her hair, eyes widening.
“Buffy, Buffy, Giles has just come into the Bronze with some one but not
that girl we saw this afternoon.”

The Slayer turned swiftly round in her own chair. “Our Giles. My former Mr
Tweed Watcher Giles. He who once swore that he would rather face the Master
than ever set foot in this den of teenage of iniquity know as the Bronze.”

“Very nicely put and the very same. I can’t see who he is with either. Weird
much.” Willow groaned. “Do I sound like Cordy or what.”

“You’ll get over it, I’m sure.” Buffy grinned.

“Oh, oh, they’re coming over. What do we do.” Willow continued nervously,
falling back into a persona she had just grown out of. “Buffy.”

“Relax, Will, aren’t you being a wee bit over reacted here.” Buffy murmured
over her shoulder. “Just chill and be yourself. You’ll be sure to win them
over who ever it is.”

“Over reacted.” She heard Willow murmur distractedly as the two girls
continued to watch Giles and his unknown companion crossing the Bronze’s
dance floor unerringly in their direction. “Buffy Summers, there isn’t such
a word. You made that up.”

Buffy rolled her eyes, thankful that her friend couldn’t see her do so just
before her Slayer’s instinct suddenly buzzed her, alerting her to a
vampire’s presence in the club making her frown slightly. The sensation was
slightly familiar.

“Giles, what brings you here tonight. No, don’t tell me. World devastating
events, Apocalypse foretelling, ewwy gooey lizard men etc, etc.” She grinned
as she waved a hand in the air. “Or perhaps even worse that that, the
dreaded infernal machine.”

Behind her, Willow swallowed a laugh at her friend’s description of her
computer. Even now, three years in the passing, the Watcher still hated
using it and privately the redhead believed that it had something to do with
Jenny Callender’s death, the computer having been a big part of her life.
His private way of still mourning her.

“Do try to grow up just a little, Buffy. Flippancy really does not suit the
Slayer.” Giles replied calmly, as he ignored the dig she had just made about
his dislike of the computer, immune to them. “Actually it’s just plain
vampires for a change. It’s time you did your patrol.”

“Oh such joy!” Buffy said nonchalantly studying her fingers. “A Vampire
Slayer’s work is never done. Are you joining me this evening or is the
weasel outside!”

“Buffy, how many times must I ask you not to call Wesley that, even if he is
one.” The former Watcher replied firmly as he pushed his glasses up his
nose. “Actually he is not outside. He said something about paperwork. Now
shall we go, Ms Summers.”

“Oops, he’s being formal.” Buffy grinned over her shoulder at a giggling
Willow before jumping off her chair. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Wills. Don’t be
too long before going home on your own.” She swung her light jacket around
her waist and tied it on. “Come on Giles, have stakes, can dust.”

“Sure that’s right. Leave the witch to make her own way home.” Willow said
aloud to herself although she was smiling as Buffy and their mentor walked
away. “No-one worries about the little witch since her powers started to
getting stronger.

“Believe me, Willow, you could not be more wrong if you tried.”

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Willow jumped at the unexpected answer to what had been a purely rhetorical
question on her part but at the same time, she did not even feel scared for
the low voice seemed strangely familiar and reassuring. Turning round on her
chair, she found Giles’ companion standing behind her, wearing a hood that
placed his face deep in shadows.

She frowned slightly. There was something about the man that felt strangely
familiar to the young witch, aura of strength she had not felt this close to
for a month. Someone she had been missing more than she realised until that
moment and her face lit up with a smile.

“Angel, you’re home!”

With a squeal of sheer pure delight that attracted the attention of those
closest to them, she launched herself from her seat and into his welcoming
arms. As she threw her arms around the vampire’s neck, she actually managed
to knock him slightly back.

Used to the strange behaviour shown by the redhead and her friends, the
other patrons in the Bronze just shook their heads and returned to their own
concerns.

Catching the exuberant redhead and steadying him self, Angel returned the
petite hacker’s very warm hug with one of his own before releasing her. He
tucked a stray lock of a shoulder length hair behind her ear before throwing
back his hood to reveal his handsome face.

With the rare smile he seemed to have reserved for alone, he looked into the
emerald green gaze of the young woman who had literally pulled him out of
the depths of Hell… and tapped her nose.

“I take it you’re not happy to see me much.” He said unconsciously mimicking
the group of teenagers who made up the majority of his friends at this point
in his long life.

Willow grinned up at him, just before she hit him on the arm in retaliation.
Going back to her seat, she wrinkled her nose at him. “Angel, have you been
talking to Xander on the sly and not told me.” She asked mischievously. “How
could you!”

“Oh please spare me that. I’d rather be dead!”

Angel, you are dead, you idiot vampire.” Willow giggled helplessly.

“One for the beautiful redhead.” Angel smiled taking great internal pleasure
from her blush.

Sitting down, he cast a swift look around the club then turned his gaze back
to Willow to find her watching him, a question in her green eyes. Grinning
internally, he leant forward. “Alright, Willow, ask me.”

“I don’t understand why you let Buffy go without saying anything, Angel. You
are friends now, aren’t you.” She asked with typical Willow-like directness.
“Angel?”

“Yes, Willow, we are friends so stop worrying.” He tapped her nose. “Giles
asked me not to when I met him on the way in.” Angel frowned as he mentioned
the former Watcher’s name. He had immediately sensed that there was
something strange about the Englishman. “Willow, how has Giles been of
late?”

“Not too good, oops, did I say that.” Willow threw a hand to her open mouth,
shaking her head violently. “No, no, big mistake, some other Willow, not me
said that.”

“Willow.” Angel reached across the table and did something that for him
would once have been out of character. He gently removed Willow’s hand from
her mouth and cradled it in his own, running a finger over the palm. “He’s
still not dealing with it, is he, little one.”

Willow shook her head, honest as ever with the vampire who had taken
Xander’s place as her best friend. Especially since her rescue and
continuing championship of Angel.

“I think he’s still in shock, Angel and Buffy isn’t helping the situation
either. She and her new Watcher, this Wesley Wyndham-Pryce are most
definitely of the not.”

“That was clearly obvious a moment ago.” He replied as he noticed her
looking at her watch and her face falling. “Will, what’s wrong?”

“Oh! Oh my, I was supposed to be home half an hour ago.” She jumped to her
feet looking anxiously around for her coat. “They’re going to kill me. Mum
and Dad wanted to talk to me about something important. At least that’s what
they said this morning.”

“Then we better get you home.” Angel rose, picking up the coat the redhead
was unable to find almost immediately. “Willow, calm down and breathe.”

“I have a bad feeling, a bad, bad feeling.” Willow fretted chewing her lip
as he made her put her coat. He then gently put his hands on her shoulders
and guided her out of the Bronze as she continued to murmur. “A really,
really very, very, bad, bad feeling about this.”

As she fell into a deep brooding and very un-Willow-like silence, Angel
looked down at the petite redhead with deep concern darkening his dark brown
eyes. In all the time he had known her, especially since his permanent
restoration of his soul and his necessary sojourn in Hell, he had never seen
her like this.

Even now, he still found himself amazed by the way she continuously went to
bat for him. She had done so before Angelus had been set free and had done
even more so since she had literally dragged him out of the pits of Hell by
the scruff of his neck, his permanently restored soul with him.

Ever since then, Willow had become the most important foundation stone of
his new unlife with her unwavering honest friendship and support.

He had seen her happy, angry and upset, and on one extremely memorable
occasion for him at least, he had even seen her as drunk as a skunk. Not
once however had he seen her brooding, a frame of mind with which he was
more familiar with. She was the one who cajoled, boosted and kept everyone’s
spirits up. She had done so for Buffy, then more times than he could count
for him especially following his escape from Hell. She was their heart,
their balanced centre. She was their reason for staying sane and she was
without a doubt the truest friend they had.

Shaking off his darkened thoughts, his hunter senses told him that they were
being followed by something. A vampire someone. He immediately drew Willow
into the crook of his arm. Leaning his head down to her. “Willow, have you
any supplies. We’ve got unwelcome company.” He murmured in a low voice.

“The pointy teeth kind.” She asked, drawn out of her brooding silence.

“Is there any other at this time of night in Sunnydale.” He grinned back at
her.

Looking up at him, she dug her hand into her pocket and withdrew a sharp
stake, handing it over to the battle alert vampire. “As Buffy says, have
stakes, can dust.”

“Good girl.”

Using the same tone he had in replying, she leant her head against his
shoulder, unwittingly continuing the illusion that they were lovers. “Are we
making the first move, Angel or shall we let him have the dubious honour.”

“Let him make the first move, Wills.” Angel replied too relieved to see the
brooding look completely disappear from her green eyes to be concerned by a
single vampire. “Especially as I doubt he even knows who we are.”

“Just don’t get any dust on me.” She responded impishly before going on to
mimic Cordelia. “You do realise just how difficult it is to get vampire dust
out of my clothes. It’s just too, too yuck!”

“Willow!” Angel said in mock shock feeling her forehead. “You just
impersonated Cordelia. Are you sure you’re feeling alright.”

“If she ain’t, I can personally give you my guarantee that she stays that
way.” An extremely dry voice came from behind them. “But you won’t be around
to worry, so why care.”

The couple swung round, Angel holding the stake behind Willow’s back. An
obviously young fledgling vampire stood glaring at them, face in demonic
form and arms folded across his chest in an expression of confidence.

Willow and Angel looked first at him, then at each other.

“Confident for a new born, isn’t he.” Willow commented, eyebrow raised.
“Especially with that much dirt on his clothes. I wonder how I missed him.”

“Willow, are you looking for trouble.” Angel shook his head at her before
gently putting her behind him. “Now stay there, while I deal with him.”

As she did as she was told, Angel could not miss her low murmur.
“Spoilsport.” The slightly petulant tone made him grin.

With a growl of sheer fury at their obvious uncaring and teasing, the young
vampire attacked. Angel sprang forward immediately in response, game face
springing into place. He had one thought and that was to keep his slender
companion safe. Using the fledgling’s impetus, he lifted him with ease and
threw him with all his strength against the nearest wall, deliberately
drawing the danger away from Willow.

The young witch stood with arms folded watching them with worried eyes. At
one point, she only just managed to suppress a warning shout as the younger
vampire lashed at Angel’s face. She began to prepare an incantation that
suddenly sprang to mind and was about to cast it when she realised that the
younger vampire had made a stupid mistake, leaving his heart open to the
dark haired vampire. With a growl, Angel fell to one knee, plunging the
stake into his heart.

He rose to a round of applause from the laughing redhead, brushing off the
dust as he did so. With another of his rare smiles, he turned and bowed to
her, winking as he did so. “I thank you most kindly, my lady.”

Willow laughed again as returned his bow with a very beautifully executed
curtsey of her own. “You are most definitely welcome, kind sir.”

Angel shook his head at her unexpectedly old-fashioned response. “Willow
Rosenberg, you never cease to astound me.” He held out his hand to her and
she skipped merrily across to take it, wrapping her other hand around his
arm. “Home once more, little one.”

“That’s where we were heading when we were so rudely interrupted, Angel.” He
light hearted comment floated on the night air to an unseen un-sensed
observer in the shadows.

As the laughing pair moved out of earshot for the vampire, the observer
moved out into the open to look after them. As they moved again, the
moonlight fell upon them revealing the amused face of Cassandra.

“Oh this has been so very revealing. I truly can not believe that neither of
them are even aware of it.” Laughing merrily to herself, she drew back into
the shadows, disappearing. “This is just too good for words

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

An hour later and escorted by Buffy, Giles arrived home to find Angel on his
veranda, standing protectively over the sleeping form of Willow. His face
was grim, almost ‘grr’ as Willow herself had once described it and as Slayer
and Watcher drew closer to the pair, they couldn’t help but notice the dry
tear tracks on the redhead’s pale face.

“Angel!” Startled at first to see her former vampire boyfriend, Buffy pushed
it aside, her concern for her petite friend over-riding everything else.
Rushing to her side, she bent over her best friend’s form, silently telling
her sense of curiosity to shut up.

“Willow.” Saying her name gently so not to disturb her, she brushed a lock
of fringe back off her friend’s face then turned to look up at the vampire,
hazel eyes puzzled. “I don’t understand what’s going on. Angel, why are you
here? I thought you were in LA. And why is Willow here? What’s happened? She
was all right at the Bronze. Why has she been crying?”

“At least give him the chance to answer, Buffy.” Giles said quietly even
though the same questions were going through his mind. “You’ve just thrown
at least four questions at him.”

Before answering, the vampire took off his coat and draped it gently over
the sleeping Willow, running a finger down her cheek. He then drew the
Slayer and the former Watcher away from her. “Buffy, I think Willow needs a
place to stay. Can you put her up at your place.”

“Duh! Of course I can. Willow is always welcome to stay with me and she
knows that.” She looked up at him, puzzled before her eyes widened as she
realised something. “I thought I sensed a vampire at the Bronze. It must
have been you Angel.”

Giles jumped in quickly to forestall another bout of questions. “Yes, it was
Angel and it’s not important at the moment why he didn’t reveal himself to
you, Buffy, so if I may ask a question of my own.” Buffy subsided quickly at
the note in his voice. “Thank you. Angel, I thought that you were going to
see Willow home safely. What are you doing here and with Willow?”

“I did see her home, Giles. Her home is where the problem lies.” Angel
glanced across at the petite redhead making sure she was still sleeping
before bringing his gaze back to Buffy and Giles. His eyes darkened, anger
barely suppressed. “Just before we left the Bronze, Willow suddenly
remembered that her parents had wanted to talk to her this evening and she
was late for the time that they had agreed. So apart from taking the time to
dust a fledgling we encountered, we went straight to her house.”

For a moment, he appeared to grow even grimmer. “After making sure Willow
got into her house safely, I was about to walk away when for some strange
reason, I got the feeling that I should hang around. You have no idea how
glad I’m did.”

“About a quarter hour later, Willow ran out of the house, crying furiously.
In fact she was crying so deeply she never even saw me as I reached out to
catch her.”

He looked towards the sleeping girl once more, clenching his fists. “Once
Will realised it was me, she literally collapsed in my arms. I had to carry
her over here, Giles, she was crying so hard. I haven’t been able to get
anything out of her and with her being so upset I didn’t want to press her.
She fell asleep about ten minutes ago from complete mental exhaustion I
should think.”

“Then we should take this opportunity to remove Willow to Buffy’s.” Giles
said firmly, pushing his glasses up. “Willow does not need to catch a chill
on top of all this. If you can, try and wake her while I go get my car.” He
turned and left them.

Buffy immediately used the opportunity to return to the side of her sleeping
friend. Kneeling down, she gently shook the redhead’s shoulder. “Will, its
Buffy. Wake up, sleepyhead. You’re coming home with me.”

Willow stirred uneasily, a muffled sob escaping her lips but made no signs
of waking up. Turning round to speak to the vampire now standing behind her,
the Slayer suddenly found herself speechless. There was such an expression
in Angel’s eyes she wasn’t even sure whether to call it concern or something
else, as she was so astounded.

It also struck that was all she felt.

For the first time since his return from Hell, she realised that she felt no
pain or loss over the break down of their relationship. Even the pangs of
guilt she still felt at sending him there in the first place seemed to have
lessened in that particular moment of time. It was almost as if she was
struck by the simple understanding that the love they had felt for each
other had naturally turned to the love that goes with close friendship.

She did still love the vampire; she was just no longer in love with him… if
it had ever truly been that sort of love.

Inspiration and insight did not leave the Slayer as she suddenly felt and
even saw the bond that now existed between her former boyfriend and her best
friend. Hazel eyes widened for a pure split second as she also realised that
neither Angel nor Willow was even aware of their changing feelings, thinking
it to be only friendship still.

She found herself having to hide a smile as looked back down at Willow then
up at the concerned vampire once more. “Angel, you’ll have to carry Will to
Giles’ car because she’s not going wake up any time soon.”

She rose gracefully to her feet, moving aside to allow Angel access. The
vampire knelt down, secured his coat around her then gently lifted the
redhead into his arms cradling her close. Just for a moment she stirred as
if waking and he froze.

Instead, her head seemed to fall naturally onto his shoulder, a hand on his
chest as if even in sleep she knew she was safe. Buffy turned away slightly,
a smile forming at the innocent example of complete trust the redhead showed
in the vampire.

At that moment, Giles drew up along side them. “All right people, let’s go.”

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Closing his door in the early hours of the morning, Giles though back on
what he had just seen a slightly puzzled look in his eyes.

Angel had carried the sleeping Willow to his car then from it into Buffy’s
as if the redhead was the most precious thing in the world, an attitude he
had never seen in the vampire’s relationship with Buffy. He had then carried
the young witch upstairs to the Summers’ guestroom, laying her on the bed
almost as if he was afraid she would break.

He had then sat down on the side of the bed and brushed back the hair that
had fallen in to her eyes. For a second, Giles was sure Angel had actually
caressed the pale cheek.

Buffy had eventually grabbed hold of the vampire and pushed him out of the
room, saying as she had done so, “You can go now, Angel. I’m quite capable
of looking after Willow all by myself. In case, it’s slipped your memory, I
do happen to be the Slayer. Besides, I want to get some sleep as well, so
go.”

Giles had also found himself having to literally pull Angel out of the
house, a fact he was still astounded by making him incautiously slam the
front door behind them. “Go home, Angel, I am sure Willow will be fine.
Buffy will be there for her.”

“Then call me if you find out anything Giles.” The vampire had commanded
before literally disappearing into the night.

Returning to the present, the former Watcher found himself shaking his head
again. “After all this time, Angel can still be very much the ‘cryptic guy’
as Buffy used to call him.”

At the mention of his Slayer’s name to himself, Giles found himself frowning
again. Ever since they had found Angel and the sleeping Willow on his
veranda, Buffy had been acting as she had discovered something new about the
couple. She also appeared to be taking the greatest delight in that personal
knowledge.

“That girl continues to surprise me even now.” He said out loud in the
silence of his own home just as his phone rang making him jump.

“Now I wonder who that could be.” He murmured to himself as he crossed the
room to his phone. Picking it up, he took off his glasses. “Rupert Giles.”

“Still so very English, Giles.”

“Cassandra, I am English, you idiot girl. Digs aside, however, I am glad
that you’ve called.”

“You are! I must sit down. By the way I saw Willow and Angel tonight. Your
ensouled vampire’s quite a fighter.” The voice over the phone sounded almost
as of the speaker was barely able to contain her laughter.

“So we’ve always thought.” He replied soberly.

“I must admit to being extremely surprised though, Giles. Is there something
wrong? You sound even more serious than is even your want.”

“There would appear to be. Something happened to Willow after you saw them
together.”

“I really don’t like the way this conversation is going, Giles.”

“I wasn’t too happy with what I head, Cass. Especially in respect of the
conversation we had this afternoon, there is something you need to made
aware of concerning Willow.”

Giles sat down, almost able to feel the aura of seriousness fall over
Cassandra over the phone line.

“Then I’m all ears, Giles. You better enlighten me.”

Settling back, the former Watcher proceeded to tell Cassandra what Angel had
told himself and Buffy earlier that evening.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

The following morning, Buffy found herself woken up by the sound of her
phone ringing. “Who ever that is go… a… way!” She muttered out loud burying
her head under her pillows. “There are people trying to sleep here.”

In a flash, memory flooded back to her and she woke up completely, snatching
the phone off the stand. “Who ever you are, you better have a good, good
reason for calling so early on a Saturday morning.”

“Buffy, its Angel.”

“Angel! In your case then, calling so late on a Friday night.” Buffy
corrected herself as she sat back against her bedstead. “Now why am I not
surprised its you.”

“Have you spoken to Willow this morning.” The vampire ignored her lame
attempt at humour, actually sounding short.

“Are you trying to be funny. You know I only just woke up. You damn well
woke me up so give me a break Angel.” Buffy promptly yawned so loudly that
the listening vampire barely contained a laugh. “I will however go and see
if you’ve managed to wake her up as well.”

Stretching, she threw back her covers and headed for the guestroom. Opening
the door as quietly as she could, she inserted her head into the gap.
Inside, Willow was still asleep, one hand tucked under her pillows; the
other clenched tightly on top of the covers. Her face was still as pale as
her alter-ego vampire counterpart.

Retreating, Buffy closed the door almost as quietly as she had opened it.

“She’s still sleeping like the dead, oops, sorry. No offence or deliberate
pun intended there, Angel but she is that pale.”

“Very Funny Buffy but leave the lame jokes to Harris.” Angel replied
(although she was relieved to hear the note of amusement in his voice).
“I’ll meet you at your place after sunset.”

“Somehow, I never doubted that for a single moment.” The dial tone rang in
her ear and she shook her head. “Well, goodnight to you as well Angel.”

Just then, she caught the sound suggesting activity from inside the
guestroom. Putting the phone down, she opened the door again.

Inside, Willow was sitting up, looking round the room with a slightly
confused manner. Seeing her friend, she frowned. “Buffy! I’m… I’m at your
place! But… I remember Giles… I think.”

Buffy crossed the room, sitting down on the side of the bed. “Yes, we
brought you home last night.” She said simply. “Do you want to talk yet?”

Willow shook her head, hair flying wildly, her eyes dark and deeply pained
and the Slayer’s heart ached in sympathy. “No Buffy, please don’t ask me.
Not just yet.”

“I’ll be here for you when you’re ready then.” Buffy continued in the same
serious tone. “You have Giles and Angel seriously worried, you know.”

Her next statement was however said in a deliberately lighter tone as she
attempted to relieve the darkness she could see on her friend’s face. She
rose and went to look out of the window, opening the curtains on the day. “I
had to push them both out.”

Willow laughed like she had planned but it was still not a normal Willow
laugh. “I was beginning to think that I had dreamed Angel.”

“No.” Buffy replied somewhat amused by the redhead’s unconscious revelation.
“You didn’t, Willow, believe me.”

“I’m sorry Buffy but everything is a muddle this morning. I feel all turned
up and inside out.” Willow looked down avoiding contact with her friend’s
sudden understanding gaze.

A moment later, she raised confused eyes to the Slayer’s. “Uh, Buffy, did I
bring any clothes with me.”

“No, but I have some things you can borrow if you want.” Buffy responded
with a sudden grin. “Actually I have something that will look fantastic on
you.”

Willow rolled her eyes as she allowed her best friend to pull her out of
bed. “I have the most terrible feeling, Buffy Summers, I’m not going to like
this.”

Buffy laughed again.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

An hour later the two girls sat in Buffy’s kitchen.

“I can not believe you have me wearing something like this.” Willow looked
down at the string strapped green sundress she was wearing when she was
suddenly struck by inspiration. “Alright Buffy. You put your hands on this
dress way too easily. Just how long have you and Cordelia been planning
this!”

The blonde grinned but before she could say anything in her defence, there
was an absolute fanfare of knocks on the Summers’ front door.

“Xander’s here.” Both redhead and blonde spoke at the same time before
bursting into furious giggles.

“You stay here Wills. I’ll go bring them through.” Buffy rose and left the
kitchen still holding the slice of toast she had been eating. Arriving at
the front door, she found as suspected and Xander and Cordelia standing on
the front veranda.

“You knocked, Xan-man.” She said wryly taking a bite.

“Funny ha-ha Buffster.” Xander responded grimacing. “Is Willow here? We
called at her place to pick her up but no-one answered.”

“Not surprising seeing that she’s here and in my kitchen eating breakfast.
Why don’t you go on through, Xander. I’m sure you’re still hungry as usual.”
Buffy stepped back waving him through. As Cordelia went to follow him
though, she reached out and caught her arm, murmuring something to the
brunette with a grin.

Cordelia looked at him slightly astounded. “Woah! Major break through,
Buffy. I was beginning to think you would never pull it off.”

“Lets just say that current circumstances made it possible.” Buffy replied
cryptically, literally borrowing from Angel’s old persona. She started to
pull the brunette down the corridor. “Quick, I don’t miss Xander’s reaction
to her.”

“Willster, Will, oh, I’m sorry I was expecting to find…” Xander’s voice
broke off just as the two girls arrived in the kitchen doorway to find him
staring in open mouthed shock at the redhead. The slender girl was blushing
slightly at his reaction to her new image. “Willow!”

Stifling giggles, Buffy and Cordelia moved forward drawing the dumbstruck
young man to a seat at the kitchen counter before sitting down themselves.

“You know I never thought I would see the day when Xander Harris would be
unable to speak at all.” Buffy said in amusement. “Embarrassed babbling,
yes, but not total silence.”

“Do you think he’ll come round any time soon.” Cordelia actually waved her
hand back and forth in front of her boyfriend’s face, barely able to hide
her own smile. “We really need to make plans for what we’re doing today.”

“Cody, don’t do that.” Xander broke out of the trance he had fallen into and
grabbed his girlfriend’s hand. “But my God, Willow…”

“Don’t go on about it, Xan because believe me, I know what I look like.”
Willow returned in slight embarrassment. “I already feel worse that I did
that time Ethan Rayne turned me into a ghost.”

“Get over it Xan. We’re all going to have to get used to just how stunning
our Willow actually is.” Buffy said firmly. “We have other things to do now.
First things first, Angel is back home.”

“Oh great. Hearing Deadboy’s back in town is just what I needed to complete
my morning. Thank you very much, Buffy.” Xander moaned in mock pain head in
hands.

“If I wasn’t for the fact that I know you don’t really mean that, Xander
Harris, I’m not sure whether one of us should hit you or thank you for the
back door compliment.” Willow poked her best friend in the ribs. “You can be
such an idiot sometimes.”

“Hit him any way.” Buffy said with a grin as she reached over and smacked
him on the back of his head.

“Ow Buff.” He objected violently as the phone rang. “Try answering that
instead.”

Willow looked across at it. “Three guess who it is and the first two don’t
count.”

“Will, what has got into you this morning.” Buffy shook her head at her
friend in mock despair. “And as it is my phone, I suppose I should answer
it.

“I don’t see your mom doing it, Buffy.” Xander responded and earning himself
another hit on the head, this time from both Willow and Cordelia.

Laughing, Buffy leant back in her chair and picked the phone off the wall.
“Summers residence.”

Pause. “Good morning to you too, Giles.”

“Same to you Buffy.” The librarian replied. “Have you by any chance spoken
to Angel this morning.”

“I think he must have phoned before he slept.” She replied glaring at
Willow.

The redhead had just murmured “I told you so” to the others and now just
grinned at the blonde.

“He’s coming here after sunset.” Buffy continued, as the other three started
to talk in low murmurs. “So he said.”

“Good, good, just what I wanted to hear. It will save me calling him. How is
Willow?” Has she told you what happened with her parents.”

“Hold on a second, Giles.” Buffy glared at her three companions who had
suddenly got louder, holding the phone against her. “I’m going outside to
finish this conversation. I can’t hear what Giles is saying for the noise
you three are making.”

She rose ignoring the tongues being stuck out at her and left the kitchen.

“Buffy, are you still there?” As the Englishman spoke, Buffy put the phone
back to her ear. “Buffy, you awful girl, are you still there?”

“Sorry Giles, the others started arguing and I didn’t really want to answer
your question in Willow’s hearing.” Buffy responded as she leant against the
wall. “She’s only just coming back to us.”

“Has she told you what happened last night.”

“Nope, afraid not. It’s a definite no go area at the moment.” Buffy paused
suddenly recalling what Xander had said on arriving. “Giles, there is
something. Xander said that there was no-one home when they called for her
this morning.”

“How very interesting.” Giles murmured thoughtfully. For a moment Buffy
could almost see him remove his glasses. “Very well. Buffy, can you arrange
for everyone to remain at your place today.”

“Sure, no problem. We were going to do that any way but what about Willow’s
parents.” She asked, her sense of the obscure activating. “What do we do?”

“All things in good time, Buffy. Besides, and I can not believe that I’m
going to say this, following a certain vampire’s behaviour last night, Angel
would most definitely not appreciate being kept out of any conversation
pertaining to the Rosenberg’s and a certain redhead we know.” He said
quietly and calmly. “By the way I will be bringing some one with me
tonight.”

“Wesley?” Buffy asked with a sinking feeling.

“No, Wesley will not be attending this evening’s gathering nor will Faith
before you even think to ask. I’ll see you all tonight, Buffy.”

As she listened to the dial tone for a second time that morning, Buffy
uncharacteristically swore. “How bloody annoying. I hate people doing that.
If it wasn’t for the fact one of them is a vampire, I’d swear there was
something wrong with the water and to cap it all, I’m sounding just like
Spike. Ugh gross much!”

She returned to the kitchen replacing the phone on the wall as she told the
others what Giles had said, apart of course for the section that concerned
Willow.

“Hey, I’ve idea. As it’s not Wesley or Faith, I wonder if it will be that
woman we saw him with yesterday.” She said on finishing. “Just a thought.”

I can’t see who else it would be.” Willow put in. “Unless he’s bringing…”
She paused for even greater effect, ginning mischievously at the Slayer.
“…Spike.”

Willow managed to time her last comment just as Buffy was taking a drink,
thereby making her choke silently in disgust. The others found themselves
laughing at the sheer expression of total disgust on the blonde girl’s face.

Recovering and wiping away the tears falling down her cheeks, she glared at
the petite redhead. “You go wash your mouth out, Willow Rosenberg.”

The frankly unrepentant Willow merely grinned. “Sorry Buffy, I just could
resist it.”

“Much you couldn’t.” Buffy scowled. “That’s the last time I tell you
anything.”

“I sense a lack of sharing here, girls.” Xander leant forward. “Tell the
Xan-man everything.”

“You always sense a lack of sharing. Here, have another slice of toast.”
Buffy jammed it in his mouth. “And if you want any more, you can’t. That was
the last slice.”

The disgruntled expression on his face had all three girls laughing.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Just before the sun set that evening, all three girls decided that they
really ought to change for patrol that night. At least, Buffy and Cordelia
did, Willow was just pulled behind them as they went upstairs obviously
planning something and leaving Xander with the single command of, “Don’t eat
all the munchies or you’ll be dead meat!”

It has to be said that not one of the girls believed his promise.

The sun had been down below the horizon for about fifteen minutes when the
first of the girls arrived back downstairs and much to the extreme surprise
of her boyfriend, it was Cordelia. However, and luckily for Xander as he had
been just about to put his foot in his mouth, the doorbell rang before he
could speak.

“I’ll get it, Xander. I’m nearest.”

“Saved by the bell.” He muttered to himself as he disappeared again.

Looking out of the window, Cordelia recognised the same black limousine from
the previous afternoon. ‘One up for Buffy.’ She thought to herself as she
opened the door.

“Hi Giles, come on in. Xander’s in the front room and the others will be
down any minute.”

“Good evening to you as well, Cordelia.” Giles walked into the hall just as
Buffy and Willow started downstairs, the brunette disappearing in search of
her boyfriend. “Buffy, Willow… Willow!”

“Oh please, not another one. Yes Giles, it is me.” Willow responded to the
look of shock she could see. “And no, I’m not a ghost nor am I a vampire
from an alternative reality or anything else. It’s just me, Willow. End
story.”

“You won’t hear any argument from me on that score then.” Angel’s low voice
from the open door started the two girls and the librarian. Turning
slightly, all three of them started at the vampire leaning on the doorframe
just outside. “About time you came out of your shell though, Will.”

Willow blushed, the colour delicately staining her cheeks as she lowered her
eyes from the appreciative gaze of the vampire.

Buffy smiled in amusement. “Alright enough of the compliments already.
Angel, don’t just stand there all evening admiring Willow, come in.”

“Thank you for that most gracious of invitations, Buffy.” Angel stepped
inside, bowing mockingly to the Slayer. “I’m not sure whether to compliment
you on your manners or ask if you’ve drunk something you shouldn’t.”

“Well thank you very much.” Buffy replied in mock hurt.

“Oh stop teasing both of you.” Willow stepped forward to prevent another
round, linking her arm in Angel’s. “I don’t think Giles is very impressed.”

“Thank you Willow. Now if you three would kindly join Cordelia and Xander in
the living room, it would be appreciated.”

Willow reached out for Buffy’s arm the effectively pulled the vampire and
slayer into the room with her. All three of them sat down in a heap on the
sofa; the two girls on either side of the vampire, Buffy however barely miss
Cordelia by a whisker.

“Nice entrance Deadboy.”

“Always a joy to see you as well, Xander.” Angel replied as he put his arm
behind Willow so she could make herself more comfortable.

Although the two of them would never really be friends, Xander’s
relationship with Cordelia and Willow’s constant championship had done much
to alleviate some of his hostility towards the handsome vampire with a soul.

Giles entered the room, glancing across at them. Taking a second look, he
removed his glasses then replaced them. “I really do not think that sofa is
made for five people.”

As Buffy went to respond, an amused woman’s voice came from behind him.
“Don’t be so stuffy, Giles. Let the children play while they can.”

The owner of the lovely voice came into view. It was indeed the young woman
they had seen with Giles the previous day. The former Watcher stepped
forward, a strange look on his face. “Slayer and Slayerettes, allow me to
introduce Cassandra, senior representative of the Council of Watchers.”

The response he received however was completely and totally unexpected.
Willow rose to her feet, pale and shaking slightly. Before collapsing into a
total faint she said something that completely blew them out of the water
and into confusion.

“Sandy!”

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

“Angel catch her!” Buffy shouted.

The vampire however was already moving forwards, catching the redhead just
before her head hit one of the coffee tables. He immediately drew her back
to the sofa, gently brushing back the hair from her face as he lay her
against the arm of the sofa.

“Damn it Willow, this is becoming a habit.” He murmured resting his hand
against her pale cheek. “You’ve got to stop it, ionúin.”

Cordelia and Xander had also jumped up, joining him at the end of the sofa.
The Slayer was on her feet, standing defensively between her best friend and
the stranger. She had moved to stand next to the former Watcher, an
expression of deep concern in her dark green eyes as she watched the young
woman she had so unwittingly startled.

“I don’t understand this…” The Slayer began to say before catching a sound
from her unconscious friend. She immediately turned and rejoined the others,
her concern for Willow over-riding her intense curiosity regarding the
stranger.

Kneeling down, she spoke softly, sharing a look with the vampire. He was
barely controlling his human face through his concern for Willow. “Cordy,
get her a glass of water. Xan, pass me that extra cushion for her head.”

As the Slayer, her Slayerettes and the vampire made their unconscious member
more comfortable, Giles drew Cassandra to one side. “You never said that you
already knew Willow, Cassandra. How could something that important slip your
memory.”

“I didn’t believe she would actually remember me. She was still a small
child when I saw her last.” She replied, deeply concerned about the young
woman. “Father did try to tell me that it was possibility but you know me, I
was so sure that she wouldn’t.”

“If it had been any other child other than Willow, you most probably would
have been right, Cass.” Giles replied. “Willow, however, has always been a
horse of a different colour, a little like you except for confidence. You
have too much and she doesn’t always have enough.”

“That’s one way of putting it.”

Giles placed his hand on her shoulder. “Cass, Willow will be all right. She
has good friends to help her.”

She shook her self. “So I can see. Thank you Giles.”

“For what?”

A smile broke across her face like sunrise. “Your honesty. It’s something
I’ve always relied on where you are concerned and you’ve never failed me
yet.”

Their joint attention was drawn back to the teenagers and the vampire as
Buffy suddenly called the redhead’s name. “Willow!”

On the sofa, surrounded by the people who meant the most to her, Willow
slowly opened her green eyes. “Buffy, I thought I saw…” She broke off as
Cassandra moved back into her line of sight. “Dear Goddess, Sandy!”

“Hello Willow.” She said softly. “Long time no see. Forgive an old friend
for scaring you.” She held out her arms to her.

For a moment, the girl hesitated before launching herself forward off the
sofa. She threw her arms around Cassandra’s neck, hugging her furiously. The
elder woman returned it with equal ferocity, stroking her hair.

“I’ve missed you, Sandy.” Willow whispered. “Why did you go away like that.”

“I’ve missed you too, little one but our parting was more necessary than you
know at present.” Cassandra took a small step backwards, scanning the
younger woman’s face with sharp intentness. “Go back to your friends,
Willow. I have something to say to you all.”

Willow turned and went back to the sofa, having recognised the note of
command from her childhood. She was immediately drawn down into Angel’s
protective hold, Buffy now sitting beside her. Cordelia and Xander returned
to the other end after giving each other strange looks.

Giles and Cassandra took seats opposite them. After sending the Englishman
an extremely peculiar look, Cassandra broke the silence. “First Buffy. I
have the honour to inform you that Giles has been reinstated as your
Watcher. Wesley is at this moment returning to London, the obnoxious little
weasel that he is.”

“Cassandra!” Giles said warningly.

She nodded at the subtle rebuke, before continuing her voice suddenly
sterner. “The Council itself is now being, shall we say, reminded that it is
sometimes necessary to bend the rules or even on occasion, to break them.
Especially on the front line.”

The sudden aura of power that literally seem to rise and surround the young
woman before them kept the curious blonde from asking any questions, how
ever much she wanted to. She was however determined to ask who was teaching
the Council their lesson at some point in the future.

“Second, and I apologise beforehand, Angel, if this brings to the fore a few
things you would rather suppress.”

Angel nodded in response unconsciously dropping his arm around Willow’s
shoulders, his hand touching the Slayer’s shoulder in silent comfort.

“I know just how difficult a time it was for you all, as I have read Giles’
diaries.”

Willow squirmed uneasily, leaning into the vampire’s side. He immediately
encircled her with his arms as Cassandra turned her direct gaze to the girl.
“Yes, Willow, I am now aware of everything it was necessary for you to bring
Angel out of Hell.”

She suddenly laughed, easing the sudden tension that had arisen. “At first,
I must admit that I was undecided as to whether I should be proud of you or
bawl you out for daring to risk your life the way you did when you are still
so untrained.”

She glanced at the vampire then back at Willow. “But considering the end
result before me, all I can really say is you did good, girl, extremely
good.”

As Willow blushed for the second time that evening burying her head against
Angel for a brief moment, Giles spoke. “It was immediately following your
unprecedented success, Willow that I sent a request around various networks
for someone who could train you in the Arts. To my complete surprise,
Cassandra herself responded.”

At this point, Xander spoke up. “You know I get the feeling that there is
something we are not being told here.”

“How very observant… for you, Xander.” Angel said a little sarcastically,
receiving a dig in the ribs from Willow whom was still leaning against him.

“Watch it, Deadboy, I never noticed you asking.” Xander snapped back.

“Stop it both of you. This is not the time for a display of your childish
one-upmanship.” Giles also snapped with unusual vigour.

Both vampire and youth subsided although Angel murmured “Cue Ripper much!”
to Willow, making her grin slightly.

Buffy leaned forward a little. “Cass, there’s something I need to ask you.
Something that’s been bothering me since you came in.”

“Then ask me, Slayer.” Cassandra replied quietly already aware of what the
question would most likely be.

Buffy launched straight in. “You’re not human are you. I mean, it’s obvious
you’re not a vampire, we’ve seen you in the sunlight but you’re not human
either are you. I mean, it just feels all wrong some how.”

“No Buffy, I am no nor have I ever been a human. I am not mortal either.”
Came the quiet reply. “My race, my people are among the First Ones, and I
refer not to the evil one. We are perhaps even older than the vampire race.”

“Then what… who are you?” For the first time that evening Cordelia entered
the conversation. “And why the secrecy?”

“Because I am what you would call an… Elf.”

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Sitting back in her chair, Cassandra waited for the explosion she was sure
would follow from the Slayerettes. They did not disappoint her, much to her
silent amusement.

“You’re a what?” The statement exploded from Xander.

“Exactly what I said, Alexander.” She replied firmly.

“Well, it would explain why you look the same now as you did in my
memories.” Was Willow’s quiet and simple acceptance, “Elves aren’t suppose
to age, are they?”

“We have chose not to.”

“It also explains the comment regarding children.” Angel murmured as he
looked at the elder woman with a respect born of his Irish heritage. A sheer
second later, he looked down at Willow before glancing across at Cassandra
again, a question deep within his dark eyes.

‘A tale for another time.’ Her voice seemed to fill his head although he was
sure that her lips did not move.

Her next statement however was out loud. “Other matters now concern us.” She
began formally before falling into impish colloquium. “That’s if you’re up
to it.”

She glanced across at Xander who was still frowning. “Get over it, Xander.
After all you’ve been through, I can not believe you find it so hard to
accept what I am.”

“Well, excuse me.” He said slightly insulted.

“Don’t want to.” She snapped back.

“Now, who is behaving like a child.” Giles broke in. “Cassandra, leave
Xander alone.”

She stuck her tongue out at him, thereby confirming his accusation and an
action was so contrary to the way she had been from the moment of her
entrance, everyone started to laugh. In fact they were laughing so much,
Xander fell off the side of the sofa onto the floor, tears of laughter
rolling down his cheeks as he clutched his sides.

“Alright.” He said eventually as Cordelia pulled him up. “I’ll give in
gracefully. If Willow reckons you’re an okay dude, then its dandy with me.”

“Why thank you kindly young sir. Consider I’ve curtseyed.” She grinned,
curling comfortably in her chair almost catlike in her movements. Her gaze
darkened, as she grew serious again. “I’ll ask one favour though now we’ve
all decided to be friends.”

“If we can.” Buffy responded quietly.

“I would rather Faith remains unaware of my connection with the Council of
Watchers and what I have told you about myself.” Her eyes grew even darker,
almost as if she was seeing something they could not. “All she needs to know
is that I am here to teach Willow in the arts, being a researcher of arcane
knowledge and a colleague of Giles.”

The Slayer looked round at her friends who nodded in reply to her silent
question. As she answered yes for all of them, Angel thought upon the grim
look he had caught passing the Watcher’s face at the mention of the second
Slayer.

‘There is definitely more going on here than meets the eye.’ The vampire
pondered silently.

Serious thoughts continued for a moment before Buffy made them start by
jumping to her feet. “Enough of the serious stuff, I need food. To be
precise, pizza.”

“I’ll order. Let me to the phone.” Xander immediately joined her pulling his
girlfriend reluctantly with him.

“All hale Xander’s true god, Food.” Willow murmured as she took the
opportunity to curl up against the vampire’s side. As she made herself more
comfortable, Angel looked down at her, grinning slightly as she dug her
elbow into him and she looked up at him, returning it. “About to graduate
and still all he can think about is food.”

“That’s our Xander for you. Long may he never change.” The vampire replied.

“Ah-ha. Blackmail material.” Willow grinned as a look of chagrin crossed his
face although his eyes were sparkling with internal laughter. “Oh, I’m not
going to let you forget that.”

“Forget what?” Buffy asked as she bounced back in.

Willow replied in a stage whisper but still low enough for Xander and
Cordelia not to hear her. “Angel actually said something nice about Xander.”

“He did!” Buffy stared in disbelief at him. “Aren’t you feeling well.”

“What did I do to deserve this.” Angel asked as he raised his eyes to the
ceiling while at his side Willow collapsed into hysterics, burying her head
against him. In front of them Buffy doubled over in laughter.

“Just what did I do?”

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Cassandra stood in the tower room of her home, thinking back on the unusual
evening that had just passed.

Following the two girl’s gentle teasing of the vampire, it had degenerated
from that point onwards. Even Giles had forgotten his habitual tweed Watcher
stuffiness as Buffy had called it to join the laughter and fun.

What she had noticed was that all of them had managed to keep Willow on the
sofa. She had also noted that the petite redhead didn’t really mind being
curled up at Angel’s side, his arm around her, hand lying on her hip.

At one point in the evening she had caught Willow’s emerald gaze in
amusement only to have the younger girl roll hers in mock exasperation
before returning to her quiet conversation with the vampire. She was still
leaning against his side, their heads close together as the others had been
arguing over something else around them.

Laughing at the memory she turned from the window to find the mirror lining
one wall shimmering. A moment later, her father stepped through. “Daughter.”

“Father.” She bowed in reply before leaning her head to one side, smiling
impishly. “How did it go at the Council.”

“They are all a little older and wiser, child.” He replied solemnly before
he smiled in amusement. “I’ve never enjoyed myself so much in years.”

His daughter laughed joining her arm to her father’s. “I’m glad to hear it.
You’ve been away too long.”

“You have made a good start here in Sunnydale, Cassandra.”

“Thank you, father.” Her laugher faded slightly. “She has grown to look so
much like Elinia, father. He is almost uncanny.”

“And the Slayer?” He asked seriously.

“A surprisingly insightful girl.” She stepped away to the window, looking
out over the sleeping town. “She is wise beyond her years. They all are
but…”

She swung round to look at him. “Father, am I doing the right thing. They
have done so well up till now without me.”

“Doubts my daughter.” He stepped forward, a hand under her chin. “Do not
lose courage, Cassandra. You were born for what you are doing. This is your
time at last.”

He moved his hands to her shoulders. “Do not lose your belief in yourself
nor in the strength of the Slayer and her friends.”

He leant forward and kissed her forehead. “Receive my blessing, my beloved
child and go forth upon the path destiny has set before you.”
 

FIN

read the sequal 'The Elven Chronicles II'

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