[and please excuse the Obi-Wan Kenobi bit, it slipped in when I wasn’t
looking!!]
 

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

“This has to go down as most definitely two of the most peculiar weeks I
have ever experienced.” Cassandra said out loud to herself. “And considering
how long I’ve been around, that’s one heck of a thing to admit.”

She was being driven to the school to give Willow, Buffy and Cordelia one of
the biggest and nicer surprises of their teenage lives.

The first week had begun with the situation concerning Willow.

Worried by her continued refusal to speak about what had happened with her
parents, Angel and Buffy had cornered the redhead in Cassandra’s library,
working on her until she had broken down and told them.

Held securely in Angel’s arms, her head on his shoulder, one small hand
clinging to him and the other held tightly in Buffy’s where she sat at her
side, Willow had finally spoken. She told her friends that her parents had
decided that now she was eighteen and about to graduate High School, she no
longer needed them around.

They had informed their only daughter that they were selling her home while
they themselves were relocating to Florida. She would therefore need to find
a place to live and would she kindly remove all of her personal belongings
from the house as soon as possible.

“Almost as if I was an unwanted hotel guest.” She had sobbed against Angel’s
chest.

She had always known that they were more concerned with their own lives,
holding simply no interest in hers whatsoever but even she had been stunned
by their sheer callousness. They had then gone on to tell her that they
flying out to Miami that same night to look over a house thereby giving an
explanation as to why Xander and Cordelia had received no answer when they
had called for her.

The following day, Buffy had told Giles and Cassandra what they had
discovered, eyes glinting angrily as she did so.

“You know, I think I’d rather have divorced parents like mine any day. At
least I know they both love me.” She had finished, only to frown deeply.

Giles had caught the look. “Something else happened last night, didn’t it
Buffy. To do with Angel and Willow.”

“I’ll say.” Had been her almost careless reply. “It must have taken us at
least an hour to talk Angel out of storming after them, then another for
Willow to calm him out of his game face. I’ve never seen him so mad before.”

She had grinned suddenly, making the two adults look at each other warily.
“Buffy,” Cassandra had broken the silence. “Tell us.”

“Willow literally had to sit on him to stop him leaving the house.”

At that point Willow herself had entered the library. “Sit on who?” She had
asked before catching the blonde’s grin and promptly blushed wildly.
“Buffy!”

Unrepentant, the Slayer had merely grinned at her best friend before leaving
for a class.

As the door had swung shut behind her, the slender redhead had turned to
look gravely at the only two grown people other than Angel she truly
trusted: Giles and Cassandra. “I take it that Buffy told you they’re making
me homeless.”

Cassandra had promptly risen to her feet and moved to stand just before the
young woman, a serious look in her own green eyes. “Under the circumstance
then, Willow, how would you like to make your home with me.”

The girl had been stunned, staring wildly up at her. “Honestly Cass.”

“Most definitely.” She had then moved to Willow’s side, putting an arm
around her shoulders. “You, Willow Rosenberg are just the sort of company I
need.”

Willow at first had been literally stunned in silence before suddenly
breaking into tears and clinging to the Elven woman. Giles had merely
smiled. “I would take that as a yes, Cassandra, if I were you.”

They had broken the news to the Slayer and the Slayerettes over lunch then
to Angel when he had joined them in the library that evening. At first, they
hadn’t even known that he was there until Willow had squealed as he
literally enfolded her in a hug. “People.”

They had all jumped, Xander recovering first to quip with a broad grin.
“Bells, Deadboy, get them.”

“Where would the fun be in that!” The vampire had responded before looking
down at the redhead that he still held to ask. “Are you alright, little
one.”

“I would be if you let me breathe, Angel.” She had replied caustically
looking up at him. He had released her but he had left one arm still around
her waist, holding her to his side. A fact no one had missed.

“I’m glad you’re here early, Angel. I’m moving this evening.”

“You are! Where?”

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

Cassandra came back to the present, laughing as she remembered the look that
had appeared on the dark haired vampire’s face at being told exactly where
the slender redhead was moving. It had been a mixture of dismay, pleasure
and something else that just escaped a description even now.

Willow had been moved into Cassandra’s home with all hands on deck so to
speak. Her parents had said barely a word almost as if they had completely
cut her out of their lives already. Privately, the older woman believed that
that the deadly look Angel had shot them had also had a great deal to do
with their silence as well.

Let alone the conversation that she herself had had with them.

The others had tried to make it up to her by drawing her into their own
chosen family. But it had been Angel though that had noticed that Willow was
being overwhelmed by all the attention, knowing only too well just how
unused to it she was thanks to her parents.

He had managed to surreptitiously draw the slender redhead away one night,
allowing her to grieve properly for the life she had newly left behind. To
yell the anger he had seen being buried inside her before it had the
opportunity to hurt her and to cry like the abandoned, hurt child he knew
that she was also feeling like. Through out it all he had been there for
her, her solid emotional rock to lean on.

He had held her when she cried. Remained unmoving when she had physically
hit out in anger, slamming her balled up fists against him then held her
again as she had started to cry once more, clinging to him. Relying on his
strength to help her.

Cassandra had returned that particular night to find them ensconced in the
huge armchair in her spacious living room, illuminated by a single lamp.
Willow had been cradled in his embrace, deeply asleep, head resting just
underneath his chin, one of her small hands resting on his shoulder.

“She has mourned?” She had asked almost formerly.

“She has.” The vampire had replied, resting his cheek on the sleeping girl’s
hair for a moment. “She is at peace now concerning her parents.”

“Thank you Angel.”

“It was for Willow, Cassandra.” He had replied, covering the pale redhead’s
hand with his own. “I couldn’t let her be destroyed by those unfeeling…”

“Alright, Angel, I get the picture.” Cassandra had suddenly seen exactly
what Buffy had meant. The vampire’s game face had flashed into sight for a
bare second before a slight sobbing murmur from the redhead had chased it
away and he had fastened his concentration on her again.

Once more she returned to the present and got out of the car. Walking into
the library, she found the huge table covered with in fashion plates and
magazines rather than the usual collection of research books. She was also
just in time to hear her young protégé exclaim out loud.

“Cordelia Chase, I am not wearing a dress like that, not for all the proms
in the world. Not this one or any prom in the future and any after that.”

“But Willow, the colour and style would suit you down to the ground.”
Cordelia sat back on her heels waving a hand at Cassandra. “Oh hi Cass…
Cass!”

“Hi to you too, Cordelia.” Cassandra stopped beside the brunette and looked
down at the three stunned young women smiling. “Show me the dress that’s got
you so heated up, Will.”

Wordlessly, Willow handed up the colour plate before staring helplessly at
Buffy. Her friend shrugged her shoulders, still stunned herself by
Cassandra’s silent entrance to the library. On her other side, Cordelia was
nervously shuffling the other loose plates back together.

“I’m feeling the vibes here, girls. Hand them over. I’m sure there’s a dress
both of you are thinking of for yourself as well.” Silently they handed over
them. “Okay girls, clear up your fashion books and I’ll tell you what I’ve
got planned for your immediate future. One tip though…”

“Yes?” Buffy queried as they jumped to their feet.

“Try to leave Giles’ library in its usual immaculate and pristine condition.
However if you can find some dust to leave as well…”

Her last comment did as she had hoped for the three girls turned to their
task, laughing.

“Teenagers!” She murmured to herself as she jumped up onto the booking
counter. “Whoever it was that said this was the awkward age was more right
than they’ll ever know.”

She looked down at the three very different plates, examining them closely
then rolled her eyes. “Heaven help me with what I’m about to do.” She said
to herself. “They’re on the right track, they just need a little guidance.”

“Cass, we’re finished.” Willow called from the table area.

Looking up, she took in the whole room, raised an eyebrow in silent query,
and then smiled sweetly at her young protégé. “Practising again, Willow.”

“Oh very funny. Ha ha! See, this is me laughing.” Willow responded as she
tried very hard to suppress a blush. “Don’t tease.”

“Cass, just what are you up to. It’s like you’re bursting to tell us
something.” Buffy sat down on top of the table. “Come on spill.”

Wrinkling her nose, a habit centuries old, Cassandra laid the pictures on
the counter beside her and turned a mischievous gaze to the three girls.
“Look, I know it’s normally traditional for your parents to buy your prom
dresses and graduation ball dresses but after what’s happened recently, I’ve
had an idea.”

“And this is new…” Cordelia murmured making the other two giggle.

The elder woman glared mockingly at her before continuing. “I must admit
that I did have a little problem with your parents, Cordelia but Joyce was
surprisingly quick to take me up on my offer, Buffy…”

Actually losing patience with her guardian, Willow almost shouted. “Cass,
will you get to the point. You’re rambling worse than me.”

“How would you like to come with me to New York City and get your dresses
from the House of Torelli.” She said swiftly, tensing slightly as she
anticipated their squealed response.

For a moment a heavy silence fell over the library as the three teenage
girls stared at each other, eyes wide before they broke it with extremely
loud shrieks of joy.

“We are so going to knock them dead.” Cordelia gloated gleefully as she
grabbed Willow’s hands and started to dance the pair of them around the
table.

Cassandra started to laugh herself. “That won’t be as difficult as you
think, considering two of your intended targets already are of the dead.”
She thought to herself, sending herself into even further hysterics. It also
earned her strange looks from the three girls as they continued to
celebrate.

Giles and Xander walked into the library in the middle of their celebrations
and looked at them. Xander immediately turned round and walked out again
before returning. “It’s most definitely them, G-man.”

“Xander please I’m having enough trouble as it is. I don’t need you adding
to it.” The librarian replied just as Buffy did a cartwheel across the top
of the table. “Buffy, how many more times must I ask you not to do that.”

“Sorry Giles, just celebrating.” His Slayer replied unrepentantly as she
leapt to her feet, still grinning broadly. “Just one question, Cass. When?”

“Well, if you must know…” She dragged it out, earning herself glares from
them as she jumped down from the counter top. “Actually, now. The plane’s on
the tarmac and ready to go.”

“Yes!” The Slayer shot her hand into the air as the other two whooped,
grinning.

“Cordy, drive Buffy home then go over to your place. You should find your
weekend bags ready for you. Willow and I will meet you at our place then
take my car out to the airport.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, Cassandra but where are you going? I mean, you
don’t have to tell me. I’m just the Watcher around here after all.” Giles
asked borrowing some of Xander’s sarcasm to make his point. “It’s not like
I’m really interested.”

“Gee Ripper, you haven’t lost your knack for sarcasm have you.” Cassandra
responded dryly as the girls started to leave, murmuring merrily. “It’s a
girls weekend, Giles. If you need us, we’ll be at the Plaza Hotel in New
York. Faith will cover this weekend. Tell Angel when you see him.”

The doors swung shut behind them.

Xander looked at Giles totally perplexed. “Was it me or do you get the
distinct impression that we’ve been deserted by the female members of this
group.”

“They are four extremely peculiar young women. Long may they never change.”
The librarian replied simply before entering his office.

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

When Buffy and Cordelia arrived at the old house Cassandra and now Willow
made their home, they found the slight redhead sitting on the front
doorstep. She was resting an elbow on her knee and her chin in her hands, a
strange expression on her face.

“Yo! Wills, what’s with the face.” Buffy asked jumping out of the car.
“What’s up?”

“Our trip to the Big Apple if I’m not mistaken.” Willow replied as she stood
up. “Cass has been on the phone since we arrived home and it sounds like
trouble.”

As if to answer their question, Cassandra appeared in the open door way
behind the smaller redhead. “Bring your things inside girls, we need to
talk.”

“That doesn’t sound good.” Buffy swung her bag over her shoulder.

“Is the trip to New York still on, Cass.” Cordelia asked as she followed the
Slayer and the two redheads into the house.

“It’s still on. I may just have to leave you on your own for a bit though.”
Cassandra replied her green eyes darkening. “Make yourself comfortable while
I call Giles then we can leave for the airport.”

She returned to the phone as the three teenagers sat down together on one of
the plush sofas, sharing puzzled but resigned looks.

“Giles, its Cass. We may have a possible problem.”

“Yes, I know but this trip is also important.” She said after a moment’s
pause and obviously in response to the Watcher’s objection.

“Giles, we are not postponing this trip. There is someone I need to talk to
in the Big Apple and this may be the only chance I get.”

She paused again only for her to exclaim his name in exasperation. “Giles!”

Behind her the three teenagers looked at each other then Willow grinned
impishly, running her hand through her hair while Buffy mimicked someone
talking on and on. Even Cordelia pretended to push imaginary glasses up her
nose as the elder woman continued to talk to the Watcher.

“Giles, there is no danger to any of them. I’m just going to research a
possible problem. We’ll see you in a couple of days. Goodbye.”

“Impossible man!” Slamming the phone down, she swung round to face the three
girls, eyes sparkling furiously and caught their respective and accurate
caricatures of the Watcher.

After a moment in which they wondered what she might say she startled them
by bursting into laughter. “Alright ladies, let’s get this show on the road.
It’s time to hit the streets of New York.”

Buffy sprang to her feet and burst into an impromptu chorus of ‘New York,
New York’. The other two and Cassandra immediately started laughing.

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

Angel arrived at the library that evening to find Xander and Giles working
on the latest problem. For a moment, he stood in the stacks looking down at
the youth and the Watcher after first looking round for the four girls.

“I take it there’s been a change of plans?” He asked as he moved down into
the main part of the library, startling both the Watcher and the teenager.

Xander immediately yelped picking up the stake he had at the side of the
keyboard.

“Deadboy, don’t do that!” He eventually moaned quickly recovering. “Get some
bells.”

“You’re repeating yourself again, Xander.” Angel leant back against the
rail. “Do us all a favour and get a new punch line. Where are the girls?”

“The girls are on their way as we speak to New York.” Giles adjusted his
glasses, an unconscious nervous habit he never seemed to grow out of.

The vampire stood looking at him, folding his arms across his chest, an
eyebrow raised. “Just like that. They’ve gone off to New York.”

“With a wave of their hands and with out a by your leave, off they went.”
Xander replied.

“No message at all.” Angel reiterated. “Have either of you checked for
email.”

“Oh the machine.” Giles threw a look of dislike at the computer. “I never
even thought about it. Xander?”

“Hey, don’t look at me either of you.” Xander stepped back, hands in the
air. “Willow lets me surf the Net on occasion but she forbade me on pain of
death against putting my hands on the email accounts. Not after I deleted
the last message.”

He scowled. “Besides, I don’t know the password.”

“It’s a good thing Willow told me then.” The vampire moved Xander to one
side and took his place at the computer. “Haven’t you somewhere else you can
be.”

“Xander, I require your assistance in the stacks.” Giles immediately stepped
forward, recognising the look the vampire was giving the young man. “I have
some rather heavy books that need to be replaced. I am sure that Angel will
tell us if there is anything important.”

Left alone, the vampire logged in to the system. ‘You have mail!’
immediately flashed on to the screen. He tapped into the mailbox to find an
email to Giles but for the attention of Angel. It was also from Willow and
he found himself smiling. He immediately opened it.

“Angel,

Knowing Giles still won’t touch this ‘infernal machine’ and I’ve forbidden
Xander from even touching my email accounts especially after he erased the
last message from Father Luca... I still ought to get him back for that, oh
well. Oh I already have. I gave you my password and never even told him that
I was doing so. <lol>

This is just so weird, Angel. I’m sitting in a private plane on my way to
New York with my best friends and I’m actually wishing I wasn’t here. I just
wish I knew why. Oh well, I’m sure that I’ll work it out sometime. It’s just
so weird, you know.

Angel, Cass says to ask if you have ever heard of something that she’s
calling the Valker. I don’t know what it is but there’s something that’s
troubling her deeply about the name but she is refusing to say why. Let me
tell you something else, she’s out doing you in the cryptic act because I
sure don’t get her at the moment.

What ever it is, I wish you were here too. Somehow this trip does not feel
right with out you. Its almost as if I have the strangest feeling that
something is going to happen but I don’t know what… I just can’t get it out
of my mind.

At least now I know how Buffy feels when she has one of those dreams of
hers. It’s decidedly weird.

I have to go, they need a fourth for the poker game they’ve just started and
Cass owes me for the last game we played. She went down fifty bucks,
remember and she still hasn’t paid me yet.

We’re staying at the Plaza on the Central Park. I’ll ring you when we get
there, Angel. I miss you.

Willow

P.S. Buffy and Cordy just read this over my shoulder and say they miss you
too. Besides if Cordy mentions Xander’s name one more time… Will.”

Closing it down, Angel smiled thoughtfully before a single paragraph from
the email came back to him. ‘Cass says to ask if you have ever heard of
something that she’s calling the Valker.’

Rising he called the librarian’s name. “Giles!”

The Watcher appeared suddenly, carrying an open book. “Angel, I take it
Willow has sent us a message.”

“Yes, she has.” Angel replied as he repeated the section of the message
covering them before frowning. “Giles, has Willow ever mentioned any
premonitions of danger before today. I’ve never known her to do so before. I
thought only Buffy had visions.”

Giles closed his book and walked down the steps. “What exactly did Willow
have to say, Angel.”

“Almost as if she had the strangest feeling.” The vampire summarised. “And
that now she knows how Buffy must feel when she has her dreams.”

“Hmmm, this may need looking into. I wonder why she hasn’t told Cassandra
yet.” The librarian walked over to the booking counter and drew out the
ancient book of ancient vampire lore he had shown Buffy the first day they
had met. He handed it over to the vampire. “You might find what you are
looking for regarding the Valker in here.” He then raised his voice.
“Xander!”

“Yo! G-man, you called.” Xander put his head out from around a shelf unit.

“Please bring us every book beginning with V from the shelves.” Giles
requested, forgoing the chance to rebuke the boy for the hated nickname, a
strange look in his eyes.

“Sure.” Xander disappeared into the shelves again allowing silence to fall
over the library once more. An expectant silence.

“Jeez Louise Giles! Do you know just how many books there are beginning with
V. It’s going to take forever to go through them.”

Giles smiled nastily glad the young man could not see him while Angel
covered a smile of his own. He had caught both the strange look and the
smile.

“Yes Xander. I know exactly just how many books there are.” Giles said loud
enough for the young man to hear. “And I still need them.”

“Revenge is sweet, Giles.” Angel commented wryly as he sat down and opened
the lore book, preparing for a long night. One he would have to go through
without the sly wise cracks of a petite redhead.

“Sometimes Angel, it’s very sweet.” Both vampire and Watcher laughed.

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

Willow sat on a window seat, looking out over Central Park, lost deep within
her thoughts. Dusk was setting over the internationally famous city of New
York and she found herself with out really understanding why, wishing they
were going to be joined by Angel and the others.

She frowned. “Bad Willow, you still have Buffy, Cordy and Cass.”

“But they’re not Angel, are they?” A voice deep with her said.

“Oh shut up!” She snapped back unwilling to send her thoughts in that
direction just yet.

They had spent the day being measured up for their dresses, shopping for
shoes and other clothes before going on a simply break neck speed tour of
the New York and Manhattan Island. Buffy and Cordelia had quite simply let
themselves go wild with the sudden lack of responsibility although the
Slayer had once or twice seemed to think they were being followed.

As Willow sat looking out of the window, Buffy and Cordelia were on the
ground floor of the hotel, looking around the lobby shops for a few last
minute things. Cassandra had left them all to their own devices, informing
them that she would rejoin them for a late dinner. Willow on the other hand
had returned to their suite, saying that she needed to check her mail.

Cordelia had accepted Willow’s statement at sheer face value, for even now
she had a tendency to see her friend as a computer nerd, tied to technology.
Buffy, however, had seen something else in her quiet statement and had given
her friend a thoughtful look before saying that they wouldn’t be long.

Apart from realising that her closest friend was missing a certain handsome
vampire, Buffy had become more certain that there was something wrong as
evening approached. Her Slayer’s instincts had woken up completely, making
her more alert.

Moving away from the window, Willow sighed and crossed over to her laptop.
She was just preparing to log on when the phone rang making her jump. “Who
on earth could that be?” She thought to herself as she crossed to the sofa
and picked up the receiver.

“Hello!”

“Willow, thank goodness. Its Giles, is Cassandra there?”

Feeling relieved, she sat down on the arm of the sofa. “I’m sorry Giles but
she’s not. Cass has gone to see that person she told you about yesterday
before we left home. I think it’s about this Valker she mentioned on the
phone.”

“Bother! Willow, this is extremely important. Can you contact her.”

Before she could reply, the door burst open, allowing Buffy and Cordelia to
almost fall in. Both of them were carrying bags and laughing noisily until
the blonde looked up. “Oops sorry Wills, didn’t realise you were on the
phone.”

“Hold on a second Giles, Buffy and Cordelia just came in. I’ll ask them.”
Willow turned to look at her two friends properly.

“What’s up, Will.” Buffy asked as she dumped her bags on the nearest sofa.

“Did Cass tell either of you where she was going or even tell you how to get
hold of her?” Both girls immediately shook their heads and Willow put the
phone back to her ear. “Sorry Giles, we don’t even know where she’s gone.
Let alone get in touch with her.”

“This is remarkably frustrating.” The Watcher actually growled. “Alright
Willow, it’s not your fault. She should have, at least told you something.
Can you put Buffy on the phone, I need to talk to her as well.”

Willow held the phone out to her friend. “Buffy, your Watcher wants a word.”

“Thanks Will.” The slayer took the phone and promptly moved away, putting
the phone to her ear. “Yo! Giles, what’s the problem?”

Willow moved back to the window, the feeling of unease back once more as she
folded her arms around her waist as behind her, Cordelia took her bags into
her room. Looking down, she suddenly glimpsed a redheaded figure moving
through the dusky park towards the hotel with a grace that was unmistakably
familiar. Utilising a spell that she had come across by chance and memorised
for some strange unclear reason, she waved her hand over the surface of the
glass and clarified the image.

It was Cassandra and she looked upset.

Cancelling the spell, Willow moved to the table and quickly wrote a note for
the Slayer. ‘Buff, keep Giles on the phone. Cass will be here shortly and
she’s worried.’

She handed it to the blond who nodded, then turned to Cordelia who had just
that moment returned. “Cordy, just how quick can you pack?”

“I just have to put these bags in and I’m ready to go already.” The brunette
replied surprising Willow tremendously. Catching the look, Cordelia smiled.
“I must be catching something from Buffy and you, Willow but I’ve had the
feeling that we wouldn’t be here for much longer for a while.”

Willow shook her head, her own smile emerging. “You’re just full of
surprises these days, Cordy.”

“I just thought I’d join the club. I’ve always been one for being in
fashion.” A remark that had both girls grinning.

Before they could say anything else, Cassandra burst into the suite.
“Willow, Cordelia go to your rooms and pack your things.” She said the
moment she saw them. “Buffy, is that Giles?”

The Slayer nodded and held the phone out to her. “He called to talk to you.”

“Good. Go and pack as well, Buffy.” She put the phone to her ear. “Giles,
it’s Cassandra, we’re leaving for Sunnydale in an hour. We should be home
just after that. You know how long it takes.”

She paused for a moment, listening. “Yes, I know. I just found out myself.
All of you had better come.” She listened to the Watcher for a second. “Yes,
him as well. Giles, we need to talk.”

She put the phone down, a thoughtful expression on her face. Turning, she
found the three young women standing watching her, packed bags at their
feet.

“We’re ready to move on out, Cass.” Buffy informed her, her own voice quiet.
“I take it trouble’s a bit closer than you thought.”

“I’m not sure, that’s the problem.” Cassandra crossed to her room, entered
and emerged seconds later with her own bags. “We need to do some research
back home.”

“Cass, what about our gowns from Torelli’s.” Cassandra asked dropping the
bag she was holding. “What are we going to do about them.”

“Lisa Torelli will be bringing them with her to Sunnydale during the week.
The family is opening a new shop in L.A. beginning of next month.” Cassandra
replied. “So have no fears on that score, Cordy. Now, didn’t I promise you
dinner, let’s go get it before we go home.”

For some strange reason, Willow felt the peculiar sense of depression she
had been experiencing vanish and unknowingly to her, her eyes glinted with a
strange revealing emotion.

Buffy, just happening to glance at her friend though, caught the look. “Home
is most definitely where Willow’s heart is.” She thought to herself,
laughing silently. “Safe in the hands of a certain dark haired vampire we
all know but I wonder if she knows that though.”

With that pleasant thought upper most in her mind, the Slayer followed her
friends out of their hotel suite, closing the door quietly behind her.

The small group of women was completely unaware of the fraught situation
that they were about to return to.

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

Part 2

Inside Sunnydale’s small airport terminal, Xander was walking impatiently up
and down, arms folded across his chest as he surveyed the sky for the plane.
To one side, actually stretched out on the bonnet of the car, new arrival
and old friend of the entire group, Oz watched him, a broad grin breaking
his normally stoic expression.

Giles and Angel stood at the open doors talking quietly although the
vampire’s attention was more on the overhead sky as well rather than their
conversation. A sudden droning sound from the sky caught their joint
attention.

Oz however had already sat up for a different reason as his werewolf senses
had caught the scent of strangers. At almost the same moment, Angel’s
vampire senses went into overload. Turning he looked at the werewolf who
nodded.

“Giles, Xander, we’ve got uninvited company to this reunion.” The dark
haired vampire said quietly turning back to the Watcher.

“Vampires?” He asked as Oz and Xander joined them.

“I can recognise only one, other than Angel.” Oz moved to stand in front of
them looking round casually as he allowed his enhanced senses to track down
the possible enemies. “A single presence in the shadows watching.”

“Is the threat from him?” Angel asked. In the time that he had known the
young man, he had gained great respect for his fellow nightwalker’s
abilities.

“I don’t think so. They just appear to be waiting.” Oz frowned turning his
head on one side. “But there’s most definitely something out there that just
doesn’t feel right.”

“Then what’s our plan of action.” Once more the soldier instinct activated
over eighteen months before came to the fore in Xander. “We have a plane
carrying friendlies coming into a possible hot spot and we have unknowns on
our perimeters posing a threat and no way of informing them.”

“Once the plane lands, I am sure that Buffy will be immediately aware of the
danger and be prepared.” Giles said quietly. “And Cass is quite capable of
protecting herself and Cordelia.”

“And Willow?” Oz asked, his former girlfriend uppermost in his thoughts.
“Who will be protecting her?”

“She’ll surprise you, Oz. She’s got some tricks of her own these days.”
Angel responded with a quiet note of pride that did not go unnoticed by
anyone. Xander even managed not to say anything for once.

The plane drew in closer, circling to land. The two men, werewolf and
vampire moved out into the open. At the same time, Oz sensed the second
vampire begin to move as well, tracking him as he moved to stand
protectively at the Watcher’s back. He looked across to Angel who nodded in
response to the baffled expression he could see on the werewolf’s face.

He had also sensed the other vampire move, feeling something familiar about
them. Like Oz, he was also wondering what was going on.

The plane finally came to a halt, taxi-ing until it was as close as it could
get. The small door in the side opened and someone inside the plane let down
the steps. No one emerged however.

“What are they playing at?” Xander exploded in exasperation.

“Patience.” Giles snapped quietly. “Buffy’s most probably sensed the need
for caution like I said. They’re most probably getting ready.”

Almost as if she had heard her Watcher, the Slayer emerged to stand at the
top of the steps. Looking casually around, she leant back to say something
to someone behind her then started down the steps. From past experience,
they could all tell she was tense and ready for whatever it was to be thrown
at her.

Cassandra appeared in the doorway next, dressed head to toe in black. Her
stance and manner were almost a duplicate of the blonde before her. She also
carried a quarter- staff leaning on it as if in need of its help. Cordelia
was close behind her, her gaze darting nervously around the airfield, her
companions’ actions having obviously made her jittery.

“Where the hell are you Willow?” Angel growled.

Cassandra and Cordelia were almost halfway towards the four men before
Willow had even appeared in the doorway. Inexplicably, in the five minutes
that had passed before she emerged, the atmosphere around the airfield had
grown even tenser.

The young witch eventually emerged to walk down the steps. Feeling as if
everyone was watching her, her manner was actually even more casual than the
Slayer and the Elven woman. As she stepped down to the ground and began
walking towards her friends, a shout of command exploded through the air.
“Bring me the witch!”

Five figures burst out from the shadows by a nearby hanger, moving at an
incredible speed across the open field towards the slight girl. For a
moment, she froze in shock before just over two years of knowingly surviving
the Hellmouth had her sprinting from a standing start towards safety. Safety
that meant only one person to her as his name left her lips.

“ANGEL!”

At her frightened cry, Angel’s demonic face sprang into place and he began
to run towards her. His enhanced speed took him pass the Slayer who had also
started to run back to her friend at her frightened call. Behind him, he
barely took in Giles shouting. “Xander, get Cordelia out of here and into
the terminal.”

Before he could reach the small redhead, two of the black figures grabbed
hold of her, twisting her arms viscously behind her, making her cry out in
pain as she kicked out trying to free herself. Her agonised cries as they
started to pull her away from him only angered the vampire even further and
he tore the strangers away from her, allowing Willow to break away before
collapsing to the ground in pain.

Another of the dark attackers dived towards the prone girl just as Buffy
reached them. She immediately flew in with a kick at their head, falling
like a cat to her feet. She glanced across at Willow, anger clear in her
hazel eyes as she sprang up, diverting the attacker once more from her
injured friend.

A second cry rang out. “Kill the vampire but bring me the redheaded witch
and the Slayer!”

A second group of attackers emerged from the shadows, just as a bleached
blond figure sped across the ground, removing another of the original group
as he was about to attack Buffy from behind.

“Evening pet, need a hand?.”

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

For a moment Buffy was stunned to hear the familiar English accent of the
peroxide blonde vampire, Spike but the last member of the original group
attacked and she was too busy fighting to even wonder what he was doing
there at the airport.

“I’ll take that as a yes then.” The vampire quipped as eyes flashing, he
kidney punched the man.

“Spike just shut up and fight.” She growled.

As the others fought around her, keeping the attackers from her, Willow rose
slowly to her feet. A difficult task she suddenly discovered when you are in
the middle of a fight, injured. Angel was still fighting the two men who had
originally grabbed her and somewhere in the back of her sharp mind, she
noted that the seemed to be almost as strong as the two vampires and the
agile Slayer.

She also happened to note just how well Spike and Buffy were working
together. Almost as if said vampire and Slayer were reading each other’s
minds.

At that point, the quarter- staff Cassandra had been carrying appeared in
her hands and she suddenly heard her voice in her head. “Use the staff,
Willow. Giles said that he has trained you in it.”

The feel of the staff suddenly brought forth a militant feeling in the
redhead as her temper ignited, her green eyes almost glowing with an eerie
light like the vampires. “I’m going to regret this.” A small voice murmured in
the back of her mind as she fell into the stance Giles had taught her.

“But it will be worth it.” A second voice literally smirked.

Back to back, the small band held off the second group, warning the others
to stay back out of harm’s way. The furious and mysterious attackers
continued coming until Willow began to feel she wouldn’t be able to go on
for much longer.

The strange voice in command of them obviously had other ideas as it
suddenly shouted out once more. “To me retreat.”

As quickly as they had appeared, the attackers vanished back into the
surrounding shadows.

Stunned for a moment by the sudden withdrawal of their unknown adversaries,
the Slayer, two vampires and the redheaded witch stood in the middle of the
field unmoving. They were only spurred into further movement by the sound of
the staff dropping to the ground as Willow finally gave into the agony
flaring through her slender frame.

A groan escaped her lips as she went almost deathly pale and she started to
fall to the ground.

Turning swiftly, Angel caught her, falling gently to his knees as he cradled
her slender body against his own. His attention was so completely focused
upon her he never even acknowledged the presence of his annoying childe.

Brushing back her hair with gentle fingers, he cupped her cheek willing her
to open her eyes. “Willow.” Even his voice sounded gentler than normal,
stunning the curious younger vampire. “You’re safe now, little one.”

“Dear Goddess, Angel, I hurt.” She turned her head to him, her voice barely
audible. “All over.”

“It will be alright, álainn.” He murmured as he lowered his lips to her
forehead. “I’ll look after you.”

Behind him, Buffy and Spike were looking at each other, the former frankly
curious, the latter blandly annoying as always.

“What gives, Spike?” She asked, calling the others towards them with a wave
of her hand. “You’re supposed to be in Brazil with that nutty girlfriend of
yours.”

“Obviously not.” He grinned at her, ignoring her dig as he calmly folded his
arms across his chest. “You’re taking this amazingly calmly, Slayer.
Especially that.”

With his last comment he nodded to the dark haired vampire and the witch.
Angel was just adjusting her position to make her more comfortable.

“Oh believe me, I would like nothing more than to dust you, Spike but
somehow I don’t think Willow would appreciate having you all over her just
at the moment.” She replied equally ignoring his last comment. “You’d never
be out of her hair.”

“Oh very funny… not Slayer.” The English vampire responded looking down at
his sire and the petite redhead he cradled with a puzzled frown. He also
caught sight of the others moving towards them, Xander with a stake in his
hand.

“Look pet, I’d gladly tell you why I brought my glorious self back to
Sunnyhell but that stupid ass of a kid you hang out with looks as if he has
other plans.”

Buffy looked at him warily. There was something about him that was most
definitely out of the ordinary but she couldn’t quite put her finger on what
it was.

“I did help you save the little witch and guard your back, Slayer.” He said
softly, holding out his hand to her. “Truce… again.”

“Buffy…” To her surprise, Willow entered the conversation. “If you can’t
trust Spike, trust me. I know what his reasons are for helping.”

“Red!” The younger vampire inserted almost as if he was pleading with her as
slightly panicky blue eyes met quietly confident but pained green eyes of
the redhead.

Angel rose to his feet, continuing to cradle Willow in his arms. “Do as she
says, Buffy.” He said quietly. “If only to thank him for his help.”

“Don’t do me any favours, Angelus.” Spike snapped sarcastically at his sire,
avoiding the redhead’s eyes.

“Angel.” Willow spoke again, lifting her fingers to his lips to silence him
then returned her gaze to the younger vampire. “And you can stop it as well,
Spike.”

The others finally reached them, different looks on their faces.

“Spike, your assistance is gratefully received if a little unexpected.”
Giles said the moment he reached the small groups.

Buffy stared at her Watcher stunned before slowly turning back to the blonde
vampire. Her gaze caught her quiet friend’s pained gaze and Willow nodded.
With a sigh, she gave into the inevitable and reached out to shake his hand
firmly. “Alright, Spike, truce… again.”

Turning she caught Xander’s disbelieving face. “Don’t say anything Xander,
just don’t say anything.”

Xander, catching the look in her eyes and the glare from Willow, promptly
shut his mouth.

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

An hour later, Cassandra returned to the main room of her home where she was
immediately confronted by Buffy. “Cass, Willow… she’s alright isn’t she?”

“She’ll be fine, Buffy. I’ve given her a healing potion and Angel has
volunteered to watch over her as she goes to sleep.” The taller girl replied
with a gentle reassuring smile before turning to the vampire standing just
behind her. “Spike, you are welcome to stay here. There are rooms suitable
on the second floor.”

“Running a risk, aren’t you Cass, letting him stay.” Xander spoke for the
first time since being told to say nothing.

“He will not harm me, Xander.” Cassandra replied as she joined him and
Cordelia on the sofa. “Will you, Spike?” There was a note of amusement in
her voice.

“Not if you are who I think you are.” Spike responded, crossing his arms.
There was a rare note of respect in his voice. “There are legends about what
your people do to our people when harmed.”

Giles looked up, intrigued by what the blond vampire had just unconsciously
revealed. Cassandra caught it and almost imperceptibly shook her head,
making him subside.

Buffy immediately jumped into the sudden silence. “I’m going upstairs to
look in on Willow.”

Before any could stop her, she was gone.

Oz grinned, filling the sudden tenseness. “I’m glad to see some things
around here haven’t change in any way.”

“Oz, you have no idea.” Cordelia replied a strange look in her dark eyes as
she linked her arm in Xander’s then lay her head on his shoulder.

Buffy in the mean time bounded up the stairs to Willow’s room. Hearing the
vampire’s pain filled voice suddenly she stopped just outside.

“Willow, my beautiful wonderful girl. If they had taken you from me…” His
voice broke off as just the sheer thought obviously became too much for him.
Glancing in, she found him leaning over the redhead, running his fingers
through her hair. “I promise you, álainn, never again.”

For a second, she was also sure that she heard Willow sleepily say. “Not
your fault. Bad Angel, stop brooding.”

Buffy quietly slipped back then deliberately made a noise as she returned
and entered the bedroom. “Angel, how is she?”

“Sleeping.” The vampire replied from the alcove he was standing in, his gaze
fastened unwaveringly on the sleeping girl. “I don’t know what Cass did but
Wills has barely stirred since she drank her potion.”

Buffy looked from her friend to her former boyfriend, then mentally nodded
to herself. “You’re in love with her, aren’t you?” She said suddenly.

“Buffy…” His low voice held a warning note.

“Oh please, Angel, did you think that no-one would notice.” The Slayer
replied with a grin. “You’ve been more protective of Willow since your
return than you ever were of me. You’ve changed and it’s all down to your
friendship with her.”

The vampire stepped forward, a puzzled look on his handsome face. “There is
something decidedly wrong with this conversation. Buffy what are you playing
at?”

She looked down at her sleeping friend, then across to the man who had been
a major and important part of both their lives. “I’ve finally grown up, I
think.” She said quietly. “You never answered my original question, Angel.
Are you in love with Willow?”

“Would you mind if I was?” He returned.

“Honestly… no.” She responded before grinning again. “Actually… I’m kind of
relieved.”

“I beg your pardon!” Angel replied startled.

“Well, you see, I’ve got these two really good friends…” She began teasingly
before Angel’s low growl stopped her. “I’m sorry Angel, it’s just that these
last two weeks, I’ve seen something between you and Willow that was never
there between us.”

Angel drew even closer. “I’m not sure I understand what you’re getting at,
Buffy.”

“Then let me try and explain. Between you and me it was always danger that
brought us together, the mystery, even your cryptic sayings.” Buffy bent
forward and adjusted the bed covers slightly. “With her, it’s been
friendship and the absolute trust you have for each other. Willow accepts
you completely; I was never able to do that, Angel and I think I’ve always
known it. I’ve just never admitted it until now, even to myself.”

“Buffy…” Angel drew closer to her, touching her shoulders with a gentle
hand.

“It’s alright, Angel.” Buffy looked up at him, eyes bright. “I do love you,
we’ve shared too much for me not to care for you, I’m just not in love with
you. Not the way I think you are with Willow, or she is with you.”

At her last statement Angel looked down at the sleeping girl, a sudden look
of hope in his dark eyes and Buffy gently moved his hand.

“You still haven’t answered my question, Angel.” She said softly.

“With every part of my soul and being.” His quiet reply was so low Buffy
almost missed it. “More than I ever thought possible. It’s almost as if I
haven’t really been whole until now.”

“Then tell her.” Buffy commanded forcefully, surprisingly unhurt by what he
had just admitted. “Give her everything she has ever missed in her life,
Angel. She need you more than all of us.”

She turned and started to leave the room, stopping only at the sound of her
name. “Buffy.”

The voice was Willow’s.

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

Turning she found her friend awake and looking at her from her pillows.
“Willow, you’re supposed to be sleeping.”

The redhead turned her head to the vampire. “Angel, I need to talk to Buffy.
Can you leave us alone for a moment… please.”

Angel moved to her side, a hand on her cheek. “Not too long Willow. Cass
said you need to rest for the potion to work properly.”

“When you and I have talked.” She responded quietly, covering his hand with
hers, her resolve face falling into place almost like his own vampire
visage. “But I need to talk to Buffy now.”

“I’ll be outside then.” Knowing Willow’s resolve face only too well, the
vampire nodded and left the two girls alone.

Buffy turned to look at her friend, a look that Willow returned with equal
seriousness before holding out her hand to her. “Come and sit down, Buffy.”

The blonde immediately sat down on the bedside chair with an almost resigned
sigh. “How much did you hear, Willow?”

“Most of it and most definitely the most important bits.” She sat up
grimacing. “Ow! I hurt.”

“You’ll recover.” Buffy responded with an almost unrepentant grin as she
leant forward to adjust the pillows behind her friend. “You’re just going to
have to take it easy for a while.”

“No! You don’t say.” Willow responded with Xander-like sarcasm. She fell
silent for a moment, studying her friend her eyes darkening. “Buffy… did
you… did you really… really mean what you told Angel.”

“Yes.” Buffy replied simply and with utter sincerity. “Will, even when you
and Angel were merely friends, you had more than he and I ever did.”

“You really don’t mind.” Willow repeated with an old air of insecurity that
had almost been eradicated. “After all…”

“Willow, stop putting yourself down.” The blonde replied, taking her hand.
“Let me tell you something, girl, you didn’t see his face when those men
grabbed you tonight. He would have torn them to pieces if they had been
vampires.”

Willow looked down, her hair hiding her face for a moment before looking up.
In her eyes, a strange green fire burned fiercely. “Send him into me,
Buffy.”

Buffy smiled and stood up. Walking away, she stopped at the door and looked
back at her friend. “Will, remember what I told you that first night at the
Bronze.”

“To seize the day and take a chance.” Willow replied a strange smile on her
beautiful face. “I’m seizing for all I’m worth, Buffy and with all my heart
and soul.”

“Then I’ll go and fetch him for you.” Buffy left the room, leaving Willow to
her thoughts.

When she looked up again, Angel was in the blonde’s place. “Willow, Buffy
said that you wanted to talk to me.”

“Angel…” She started before breaking off, lowering her eyes as her courage
left her slightly.

The vampire moved to the bedside and sat down close beside her, taking her
hand in his as he raised her shimmering gaze to his. “Willow.”

Outside an eavesdropping Buffy found herself holding literally holding her
breath as she silently urged her friends on. “Oh for heaven’s sake, just say
it will you.”

In response she got her wish.

“Really Angel.” Willow asked as she focused upon his handsome face, her
heart in her eyes.

“Completely.” Angel replied as he cupped her cheek. “Madly deeply,
eternally.”

“Oh goddess!” Finally the words he wanted to hear slipped free and he drew
her into his arms. “I… I’m in love with you, Angel. I love you.”

“I love you too, ionúin.” Lips met in that first sweet kiss of real love and
he wrapped his arms around her slender frame, drawing her even closer.

She went to put her arms around his neck but moaned in pain instead. “Oww!”

He drew back slightly, smiling softly. “You, young lady, need to sleep to
start healing.” He informed her as he gently lay her back against her
pillows.

“Don’t leave me please.” She begged turning puppy soulful eyes on him. “Hold
me.”

He shook his head, laughing slightly but was unable to resist the simple
request. He moved until he was lying down on top of the covers then drew her
into his arms, pillowing her head on his shoulder. “Sleep now sweetheart.”

“My Angel.” She murmured as she fell into the potion driven sleep, her hand
lying almost possessively on his chest where his heart once used to beat.

“Yours forever and always, Willow.” He murmured as he gently kissed her
forehead. “No matter what.”

Waiting until he was sure that she was asleep he then spoke again this time
addressing the silently celebrating girl in the corridor outside. “Go away
Buff. Willow’s sleeping.”

Buffy stuck her head around the door to grin at her former love then stuck
her tongue out of him. He replied by picking up the toy frog lying on the
bed and throwing at her. She withdrew, laughing quietly and skipped down the
corridor.

Angel glanced down at the sleeping face of the young woman he loved beyond
all understanding. Deep within him, he could feel the peace and joy she had
always brought him grow.

“Thank you.” He said quietly although he was not quite sure whom he spoke
to.

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

Still jubilant, Buffy jumped down the remaining ten steps landing to her
intense surprise in Spike’s arms. “Will you put me down, Spike.” She ordered
firmly, ignoring the strange feeling she was experiencing in his
surprisingly gentle hold.

The blonde vampire did as she requested a strange look in his eyes before he
turned and returned to the drawing room. Stunned, she watched him, frozen in
shock.

When Cassandra eventually came looking for her, she was still standing at
the bottom of the stairs in shock. Growing concerned she joined her
immediately. “Buffy, is something wrong? Is Willow alright?”

“No Cass, everything is good.” She said still puzzled though by the English
vampire’s continued strange behaviour before suddenly grinning.

“As for Willow, you could say she’s most definitely alright.”

Cassandra looked at the young woman, confused for a moment by the sudden
change in the girl before her. However when Buffy directed her gaze
upstairs, she felt the coin drop and she understood. A smile entered her
green eyes. “Oh I see.”

Placing an arm around the Slayer’s shoulders, she hugged the girl. “And you
really don’t mind about them getting together.”

“No. I could see it happening from the beginning.” Buffy smiled. “Angel and
Willow need each other in a way you don’t get to see very often. Soul
mates.”

“You’re a remarkable young woman, Buffy Summers.”

“No, I’m not.” Buffy shook her head. “I just have a very special friend in
Willow who deserves all the happiness in the world and an equally special
friend in Angel who can give it to her.”

“I think I’m talking to an equally special friend myself.” Cassandra
murmured, ruffling the blonde’s hair. “Oh the times they are a changing.”

“Huh!”

“Not important.”

“Oh! Cass, you’re weird.”

“Thank you.”

“That wasn’t a compliment.”

“I know.”

Laughing, they returned to the living room together.
 

FIN

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