*****----- ***** ----- *****

Part One

“First things first. I have to phone Giles.” Willow sighed heavily, brushing
her red hair out of her eyes; her gaze fastened on the still figure in her
bed. “Can’t break a promise even if I am dead tired.”

Rising wearily from the bed, she crossed slowly to her desk, sinking down
into her chair and picked up the phone. Dialling the Watcher’s number, she
turned with an exhausted sigh to stare at her heavily covered windows. As
she waited for the Watcher to answer, her tired eyes fell over once more to
the bed and her gaze softened.

“You’re home now and I won’t ever let you go again.”

After three rings, the phone was answered. “Rupert Giles.”

“It’s finished, Giles. We have him safe.”

“Willow! Thank God, I was beginning to get worried. Are you alright, child.”

Even down the phone line, the petite redhead could hear his sincere concern
and a tired but warm smile of affection replaced the look of exhaustion for
a brief space of time. It faded once more.

“We’re fine, Giles. Extremely tired but fine. In fact, Amy’s already asleep
in my spare room as we speak.” She paused for a moment, drawing on what
little strength she had left. “Giles, I don’t want to leave him alone… I
can’t leave him alone.”

There was a note in her voice he had never heard before. “I can be there in
ten minutes.”

He hesitated, unsure of how she would take it but pushed on. “Willow my
dear, are you quite sure that it is…”

“Giles, it is our Angel. I can feel it in my heart.”

The simple but sure answer silenced the Watcher.

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

Ten minutes later exactly, his old car drew up outside the Rosenberg
residence with a squeal of breaks and he emerged carrying a large sports
bag. Locking his car, he turned round to find Willow leaning against the
doorframe, looking pale and exhausted. “Hello Giles.”

“Good God, Willow!” He shot up the steps towards her, putting an arm around
her waist steadying the small girl. For a moment, he was actually afraid
that she would collapse. “Into the house, young lady.”

He gently guided her the living room, forcing her to lie down on the couch.
The tired girl promptly curled up against the cushions, yawning. “Angel… in
my room… sleeping.”

“All right Willow.” He pushed her head gently but firmly onto the cushions.
“Now try to get some sleep. Restore your strength, little one. I’ll check on
Amy and… and Angel.”

“You… promised… Giles.” Willow murmured as her eyes fluttered shut. “No…
judging and… no… no stakes… promise.”

“No stakes.” Giles repeated, suppressing the stab of pain that hit him for a
moment. “I gave you my word, Willow.”

Satisfied with his response, she snuggled further into the cushions,
stretching out. A final sigh fell from her lips and she stilled, exhaustion
finally overwhelming her.

Once he was sure that the redhead was finally fast asleep, Giles gently
covered her with a rug that lay on the back of the sofa. He then picked up
his bag and went through to the Rosenberg kitchen. Opening the fridge door,
he found that the redhead had already made plenty of room for what he had
brought with him.

“Now why am I surprised.” He murmured as he put the supplies into the
fridge.

He then went upstairs and unconsciously chose to check upon his young
protege’s companion witch first. The blonde witch was actually lying face
down on the bed, deep in exhausted sleep. Checking her pulse, he nodded to
himself then threw a light blanket over her as well.

Leaving the spare room, he headed slowly for the open door at the end of the
corridor. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself and entered Willow’s
room. Crossing to the bed, he looked down at the sleeping figure the two
girls had expanded so much personal energy over.

“I really hope…” He began, shaking his head. “Willow… dear child, I only
hope you are not wrong about him.”

With a resigned sigh, he settled into the chair at the bedside, opened a
book and readied himself for the long wait. From past experience, he knew
and expected an extremely long wait.

Over the next thirty-six hours, he periodically checked upon each of his
three sleeping charges. The blonde witch woke up first, allowing the Watcher
to grab some much needed sleep himself. With a show of great reluctance, and
much to Giles’ amusement, Amy took his place at the bedside, clutching a
cross in her hand.

The Watcher was once again in charge when the old grandfather clock in the
main hallway struck six the following evening. He was making his way to the
kitchen when a noise from the living room caught his attention. Moving to
the doorway, the Watcher discovered that the second of his three charges had
woken up.

Stepping inside, he found the petite still fragile looking redhead getting
to her feet. Although awake, she still looked extremely tired and he frowned
slightly, concerned. “Willow.”

The redhead spun round. “Hey Giles!” Yawning, she joined him in the doorway.
“How long have I been out of it.”

“About a day and a half, young lady. Amy woke yesterday evening.” He replied
folding his arms. “Why do I get the feeling you and I need to talk about
that.”

To her credit, Willow actually blushed slightly but before she could phrase
a reply, a frightening and terrifying scream filled the whole house, making
them both jump.

“Dear goddess, Angel!” She exclaimed. “Giles, get the supplies.”

“Willow…” Giles started to say, catching hold of her arm.

A second scream filled stopped him though.

Willow pushed past the startled Watcher, all evidence of exhaustion gone.
She dashed up the stairs to her room two at a time, concern clouding her
green eyes. Inside, the vampire was thrashing back and forth, his game face
in evidence and contorted in extreme agony, eyes flashing in golden fury.

True to her nature, and a single thought for her own safety, she went
straight to the bed. Sitting down, she drew the sobbing vampire onto her
arms, stroking soothing fingers through his spiky hair as she murmured soft,
calming phrases. “Shush Angel, hush. You’re safe now, they can’t hurt you
any more. You’re home now. Hush.”

She looked up as Giles entered his arms full of bottle containing red
liquid. “Willow, here.”

“Thank you Giles.” She took the first bottle, then gently lifted the
dark-haired vampire’s head and held it gently to his lips. The vampire
caught the smell of blood immediately and started to drink like a man
starved.

After several bottles, he slumped against the redhead’s shoulder, his human
face back once again. “Why, Willow why?”

The sheer agony and horror in his hoarse voice stunned the listening Watcher
and even brought a sleepy Amy from the spare room.

“Is it…?” She began before Giles shot her a warning look, a look that had
her mouth closing quickly.

Angel spoke again, sobs breaking his words. “You shouldn’t have done it,
Willow. You should have left me there. Dear God, I tried to hurt you. I
killed Jenny Callender.”

The hacker immediately placed a small hand over his mouth, silencing him.
“No, no, Angel. That wasn’t you. I was never you. That was *Angelus *”

The sheer belief and confidence in her voice was unfamiliar to the vampire
but had slowly become more familiar to the listening Watcher and witch. It
had after all convinced them after all to help her in the plan she had
devised.

“But I am Angelus.” The vampire groaned.

“No! You could never do such things, Angel. It’s beyond you.” She answered
in so sure a tone; it brought a tear to Amy’s eyes.

He raised dark tormented chocolate brown gaze to her emerald green eyes.
“But you, Willow… and… and Buffy…”

A look of pain did pass through the redhead’s eyes at the mention of her
best friend’s name. She had been badly hurt by the Slayer’s disappearance,
something she had kept securely to herself. In fact, Giles had only just
begun to realise the true extent of her feelings when she had brought the
plan to rescue Angel from Hell to him.

Therefore what she said next completely surprised the Watcher.

She lay her small hand on Angel’s cheek gently wiping a tear away. “Angel,
Buffy brought a lot of what happened on herself. You mustn’t blame yourself
for that. I won’t let you.”

Giles stepped forward at that point, taking the chair at the bedside. Amy
followed slowly, rolling the desk chair over to join them. Neither failed to
notice that Willow was still unconsciously holding the vampire in her arms,
his own linked around her small waist as if it was his lifeline.

And neither appeared to be showing any immediate sign of letting the other
go.

“As much as it pains me, Angel, I must agree with Willow with regards to
Buffy.” The sight of the vampire’s real pain and guilt, plus the small
hacker’s continuing campaign had done much to alleviate the Watcher’s own
anguished memories. “You really should not blame yourself for Angelus’
actions.”

“I am Angelus, Giles.” The vampire replied the anguish in his voice strong.
He buried his head against the hacker’s shoulder before he realised what he
was doing and pushed away from her. “Why, Willow, why did you bring me back?
In Heaven’s name why?”

Willow caught hold of him again with a strength that until recently no-one
had realised she had. It also helped that Angel did not try to break away
from her, unwilling to risk the chance that he might hurt the petite
redhead. A fact the Watcher recorded almost subconsciously.

“Because I’ve missed my friend.” She told him, tears sparkling in her eyes
as she held them back. She did however wipe the tears from his handsome
face, her fingers lingering for a moment on his cheeks. “Because the shadows
are scarier now without you, Angel, than when you were Angelus.”

Freeing herself, she stood up and moved away, swaying slightly as exhaustion
once more settled over her. Turning to look at him again, she caught his
haunted gaze with her sincere truthful honest gaze, her whole heart and soul
and her eyes if she did but know it.

“Because quite simply Angel we need you.”

She took a deep breath and continued. “Because I need you, Angel.”

With that, she promptly proceeded to scare them all by passing out.

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

Moving with all the superior speed of his kind, Angel caught her before she
even touched the ground. Turning, he carried her back to the bed and gently
laid her down, brushing her hair away from her pale face. Satisfied that she
was all right and merely sleeping, he swung round to face the Watcher and
blonde witch.

“Giles, what’s going on?” He demanded, his whole manner and thinking one of
concern for the unconscious girl, all evidence of his own weakness banished.
“What’s wrong with Willow?”

The answer however came from the unexpected direction of Amy Madison.
“Oops!”

Immediately the vampire and Watcher turned to face the young woman who had a
hand over her mouth. The guilty façade she presented them with gave Giles
all the explanation he needed, being aware of all Willow had hoped to do.

“Amy, please tell me she didn’t.” He demanded removing his glasses
nervously, cleaning them with his handkerchief and replacing them. “She said
she would wait until the time was right, not do both.”

“I, I… really wish I could, Mr Giles, but I can’t.” Amy stammered, moving
her chair backwards. “It was as if she knew. I could see it in her eyes the
moment we brought him out. Some instinct told her if she didn’t do it when
she had the opportunity she would never be allowed to.”

The blonde witch nodded towards the vampire now sitting on the bed beside
Willow. He was at present holding her small hand in his, unconsciously
running the other up and down her arm. “Willow said Angel would have stopped
her.”

“Giles, if you and Amy have quite finished…” Angel’s slightly and more
surprisingly, very sarcastic tone was insistent. “Would one of you please
tell me why Willow has totally passed out? What has she done? What wouldn’t
I have allowed?”

Giles spun back round to look at the vampire. He had released Willow’s hand,
and was looking as if his demon face would emerge at any moment. At that
point, he basely chose to pass the buck to the unconscious girl and
apologised mentally to her. ‘Sorry Willow.’

“Giles what?” Angel growled.

“Other than rescuing you from Hell, I take it you mean.” Angel nodded and
Giles indicated to the young woman the vampire was still unconsciously
shielding with his body. “I really think that under the circumstances Willow
should be the one to tell you, Angel, when she wakes up.”

“Then I’ll wait for her.” Speaking with sincerity the Watcher had never
heard before, the vampire stood up and covered the sleeping redhead with a
blanket before sitting down on the floor. He leant back against the bed and
closed his eyes. “After what she has done for me, I’ll do anything for her
for all eternity.”

The note in his voice convinced the Watcher. Rising, he shooed Amy out of
the room, then paused in the doorway. “Call us when she wakes up Angel.”

“My word.” The vampire replied simply.

Once again the Rosenberg residence fell into deep silence as they waited for
the young woman they were all concerned about to wake up from her
restorative sleep. For another twenty-four hours, they watched over the
petite redhead, although Amy spent a majority of the time sleeping herself,
building up her own strength.

Angel never moved from his position at the bedside as he also continued to
build up his strength once again following the nightmare in Hell. The only
time he did move was when Giles brought him the blood he needed to
physically recover from his ordeal.

Both Amy and the Watcher just happened to be in the bedroom when Willow
started to stir, bringing the vampire up from the floor and onto the bed.
His hand went to her pale cheek as the other two sat down.

“Wake up Willow.” He said softly, running his fingers down her cheek. “Come
back little one.”

“Huh… Angel!” His name left her lips as eyelids fluttering, she came out of
the deep restorative witch healing sleep. “Angel.” She sighed again.

As her emerald green eyes opened completely, they looked straight up into
the dark vampire’s concerned chocolate brown eyes. “Tell me, ionuin, what
exactly have you been up to.”

Giles’ eyes widened at the Irish pet name Angel bestowed upon the redhead
and in typical Watcher fashion, he mentally stowed it away. What made an
even deeper impression on the Englishman was that the vampire had used the
name completely and utterly unconsciously.

And for some strange reason, the Watcher found himself literally waiting to
see how the petite redhead would respond.

Willow lifted her hand to the handsome vampire’s face, brushing his hair
back understanding immediately what he was asking. “Angel…” She started
softly. “Angel, I… I anchored your soul… permanently. You’re here to stay
forever, my friend.”

The simple words had a profound effect on the dark haired vampire as for the
second time in two days, he found himself completely overwhelmed by his
emotions. Once again he broke down in heartfelt sobs, unable to believe just
how much the petite redhead had risked… and all for him.

He buried his head against her, hiding the blood red tears falling down his
cheeks, his whole body shaking. The redhead’s response was immediate, coming
from her pure, innocent and trusting heart. She sat up, wrapping her arms
around him. The vampire immediately moved his arms around her waist, burying
his head against her stomach.

The Watcher found himself stunned by just how beautiful Willow looked at
that moment. He was also struck by a strange feeling of deja vu as an old
memory threatened to reveal itself but it quickly faded away again.

An extremely gentle smile crossed her face as she soothed the emotional
vampire, running her fingers through his hair once more. It seemed to grow
even more angelic as she murmured something to him the Watcher only just
heard.

“Welcome home my Angel. Welcome home forever.”

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

Part Two

Two months later, Giles found himself sitting in his office, nursing a cup
of tea as he thought about the various changes that had occurred amongst his
charges since Willow and Amy had brought Angel back from the depths of Hell.

The most expected reaction, and in one respect perhaps the most painful to
Willow herself had been Xander’s reaction to the two girls’ exploits. Even
now the Watcher could see the scene, almost as if it was once more being
played out before him.

A week to the day after they had retrieved the vampire, Xander had been in
his usual seat at the library table alternatively turning a page then
stuffing a piece of pizza into his mouth. His girlfriend Cordelia had been
in the chair next to him, doing a manicure of her already perfect nails.

Amy, the newest member of the Scooby Gang as Xander persisted in calling the
small group, had been sitting on the stairs leading up to the stacks,
studying a new spell book. In fact she had been studying the book so
diligently, he had almost missed the frequent looks the blonde witch had
been sending towards the main doors of the library.

He himself, he recalled, had been leaning against the counter, waiting for
Willow to arrive with Angel. They had discussed it the day she had woken up,
agreeing that it would give both witches and vampire more time to recover
from their respective journeys.

“And more time to think of what to say to Xander.” The redhead had said as
he left. “Who I swear is going to have a fit.”

The redheaded hacker had actually announced her arrival by sticking her head
around the double doors. “Uh… hey guys.” The note in her voice had been more
reminiscent of the young woman he had first met at the beginning of his time
as Buffy Summer’s Watcher.

Xander had looked up grinning. “Yo! Willster, what are you doing over there.
We’re all friends here. Come on in, girl.”

The look of agony that had crossed her face was almost comical now that he
thought about it. She had turned back, appearing to tug on something behind
her, then entered the library. She had been followed closely by the dark
haired vampire.

The result had been instant and complete utter pandemonium… Xander fashion.

Xander had scrambled to her feet, pizza flying across the room as he had
pulled Cordelia behind him. “What the… Willow are you crazy? Have you
completely lost your mind? What have you done?”

Willow had immediately tried to plead with her best friend. “Xander please,
calm down. We… we need Angel. Without him, we’re not strong enough to deal
with everything the Hellmouth has started to throw at us. Xan, please, try
and understand.”

“But that bastard killed Jenny Callendar, Willow. Remember her, you know,
your dead mentor.” He had thrown at her with painful accuracy, uncaring that
he had hurt both her and Giles before throwing another harsh blow at her.
“How could you betray us like this?”

For a moment, Willow had actually taken a step backwards, almost as if he
had hit her. “Xander, please, listen to…”

“No!” The irate young man had cut her off. “I’ll never trust you again,
Willow. This is just too much… You’ve either possessed or you’ve gone mad,
completely mad.”

“Harris!” Angel had eventually spoken at that point, having seen the redhead
going white. He had growled the younger man’s name, his eyes flashing
dangerously. “Leave Willow alone.”

“Stay out this Deadboy.” Xander had growled back, drawing a stake out of his
pocket as he did so. “Just tell me when, Willow, when did you actually
betray us.” He had waved the stake at the vampire. “By… by bringing that…
that murderous creature back from Hell.”

Unable to listen in silence as he had attached Willow with a viciousness she
had never heard from him before, Amy had spoken up at that point. “Leave her
alone, Xander. Giles and I helped her bring Angel out of Hell a week ago.”

“I can’t believe this.” Xander had shook his head in sheer disbelief.
“Giles, how could you even consider helping them. He tortured you, for
heaven’s sake.”

“Willow’s reasoning was extremely convincing, believe me.” The Watcher had
replied calmly. “Xander, your behaviour is completely out of proportion.”

He had been completely ignored as Xander had caught on precisely to what Amy
had actually said and completely exploded. “A week! A bloody week! Damn you,
Deadboy, this is all you’re fault. I’m going to get rid of you once and for
all.”

With that, he had started for the vampire, stake raised in the air. The
others had been stunned into inaction as Willow had flown at him, latching
like a limpet onto the arm holding the stake as she had tried to wrestle it
away from him. Her initial impact had thrown the young man completely off
balance and the scrapping pair had landed on the floor with a hard thump.

The sound had broken the stupor that had fallen over the library and as one,
Giles and Angel had sprung forward into the fray. Each had grabbed one of
the two combatants, the vampire grabbing the angrily sobbing hacker around
the waist and pulling her up into his arms. She had turned burying her face
against him.

As Angel had attempted to calm the furious redhead, Giles had eventually
resorted to using his Ripper voice to command the younger man to gain
control of himself. “Alexander, control yourself. You could have hurt Willow
just then.”

Xander had looked at him, angrily surprised. “Me hurt her! Are you out of
your mind as well, Giles? She attacked me to save that damned killer
vampire.”

Willow however had thrown a comment at her oldest friend in response.
Stunning him into silence. “Do you realise just how jealous you sound,
Xander Harris. The only real thing you’re mad at is that we didn’t ask you
to be involved.”

And the whole group had been stunned by Cordelia’s sudden entrance into the
verbal fight arena.

“Willow is so right, Xander. You really should hear yourself.” She had
snapped at her boyfriend as she had moved forward to stand with Amy. “You’ve
just accused our Willow, our too nice, too sweet sometimes but always the
best of intentions Willow Rosenberg of one of the cruellest things possible.
She’s just not capable of betraying anyone. So grow up, dweeb boy.”

Giles returned to the present day and found him self smiling. Even now, he
was unsure as to who had been more gobsmacked: Xander at being thoroughly
told off by both girls he was closest to or Willow at being stuck up for by
the girl she had until that point still considered to be an old foe.

The smile was slowly replaced by a deep frown as he rose to look out of his
office window at the young redhead working behind the computer. The argument
had caused a serious rift between Xander and Willow that still had not
healed. The situation had not been helped in any way whatsoever when the
redhead discovered that Xander had not passed on the message about the
second soul restoration attempt to the still absent slayer.

The petite redhead had taken it hard, hitting him across the face with a
slap that had rung round the library, actually knocking his head back. “And
you call what I did betrayal. You hypocrite, Alexander Harris, you… bloody
hypocrite.”

She had turned to the only person she felt she could really trust: Angel. He
had immediately drawn her into his arms, glaring at the young man. Even now,
there was an aura of real hurt betrayal surrounding the hacker as Xander’s
cruel words still played upon her very sensitive heart.

Even the Watcher knew that Willow had very few friendships and those she did
have, she cherished deeply. Especially the friendship she had always had
with Xander even if for a while she had thought it was something different.
A fact that Giles had only recently discovered now that the petite redhead
had realised that it wasn’t.

His expression changed again to one of extreme thoughtfulness as the vampire
silently emerged from the shadows to join Willow at the computer. He watched
as Angel gently lay a hand on her shoulder and the hacker turned to look up
at him, a gentle smile of welcome on her lips before returning back to the
screen, drawing his attention to it.

“I never thought I would say this again about him.” He found himself
murmuring. “But thank God for Angel. If not for him… I don’t know how she
would have coped with recent events.” He sighed deeply, folding his arms.
“For that alone. I’m glad she rescued him.”

Indeed Willow had compensated for the almost disastrous but hopefully
temporary break with Xander by strengthening her other friendships,
beginning with her old friendship with Amy. In doing so, both girls had
begun to grow in leaps and bounds in their magical abilities, Willow
surprising them all as she swiftly caught up with Amy and fully looking as
if she was going to surpass her. In some aspects of their craft, she already
had.

She also had a fast growing friendship with Cordelia, begun by the
brunette’s unexpected partisanship the night they had told them of Angel’s
return. Both girls were continually surprised by the unexpected friendship
they now had, being so different in character and tastes but were both
equally determined to not let it deter them.

Then there was the friendship, and more importantly, the bond she now shared
with the handsome dark haired vampire.

“Ah yes, the bond Willow now shares with Angel.” He mused aloud.

As his gaze fastened on the couple, he thought about the most important
change of all. The change that should concern him the most considering the
vampire’s past history with the absent Buffy but strangely didn’t.

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

The unexpected side effect of Angel’s rescue from Hell and the permanent
anchoring of his soul by the young witch had been discovered the third week
of his return.

The Slayerettes and the Watcher had been doing a sweep of the park when they
had been attacked by a large group of vampires.

Fighting valiantly, the four teenagers and the Watcher had begun to go under
when from out of nowhere, Angel had arrived in game face and growling. The
dark haired vampire had gone for the two attacking Willow at the time of his
arrival, breaking the neck of one and stabbing the second stake he took from
her.

His furious arrival and help had spurred the small group on. Willow had
moved to cover his back as they finished the group of vampires quickly and
efficiently. Once they had all turned to dust, the Slayerettes had all
collapsed to the grass.

“How? Angel… you… were… nowhere… near us!” Cordelia had gasped, desperately
taking in air as she leant against Xander. Breathing deeply, she looked
across at him. “You… couldn’t… have… known we… were in trouble.”

The vampire had turned from the redhead, after ensuring that she had not
been hurt a puzzled frown on his handsome face and replied. “Believe me
Cordelia, I don’t know. I just had this sudden feeling that Willow was in
trouble and was calling out for me.”

The Watcher just happened to be looking at the petite redhead when she gave
a sudden gasp of shock. “Willow, what’s wrong?”

“I… I… could feel him.” She had stuttered, grabbing the hand Angel held out
to her, pulling her up from the ground. At Giles’ inquiring look, she had
continued. “Angel on the other side of the park. When we were attacked, I
called his name out in my head.”

“That’s what I heard!” Angel had said in stunned shock, looking down at the
petite redhead he was unconsciously drawing closer. “I heard Willow calling
me.”

“Intriguing.” Giles had found himself replying, thereby managing to
infuriate everyone. Willow had actually punched him in the arm.

Over the month and half that followed, they had discovered that the vampire
and the redhead could sense each other’s presence and emotions, even
thoughts. Somehow, no matter where he was Willow always knew when Angel was
brooding and would either go to him or call him.

It also appeared to be likewise with Angel where the petite hacker was
concerned. He would appear from out of nowhere when Willow was in trouble, a
strange anger fuelling him as he fought for the girl he considered under his
protection. It also seemed to draw him out when her spirits were low and
almost equalling him in brooding.

Privately, and for the first time, Giles admitted to himself, the bond
between them went even deeper. There was a closeness between them that went
beyond mere words. Closeness that he had never seen at any time between the
Slayer and the ensouled vampire. On the face of it, it was based upon the
petite redhead’s simple acceptance of what the vampire was and her total
trust in who he was.

Underneath it went deeper.

In fact at times it appeared as if they were unconsciously reading each
other’s minds. Even in the middle of a fight they knew what the other was
doing, working as a perfect tem.

It appeared to be the basis for what drew the hacker to the handsome vampire
for no reason what so ever when he appeared to be brooding on what his alter
ego had done. She seemed to have developed the uncanny ability to tease him
out of his dark moods, surprising them all by making him laugh with her sly
observations.

It had also been Willow who had persuaded Angel to once more rejoin their
research parties and patrols, a fact for which the Watcher was profoundly
thankful. His added strength, tactical abilities and knowledge combined with
the growing magical abilities of both Amy and Willow did a great deal to
balancing the continued absence of the Slayer in their fight on their
Hellmouth.

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

Part Three

The Watcher’s introspective thoughts were broken abruptly as Xander suddenly
burst in the office door. “G-man, the Willster’s found something on the
computer she says you really need to see, like now.”

“Xander!” Sighing, he stood up. “How many times must I ask you not to call
me by that… that particular name.”

“I’ve lost count.” The youth replied insouciantly as he rejoined the others,
more concerned with glaring at Angel as he still had his hand on Willow’s
shoulder. “Anyone know the total?”

“Fifteen this summer.” The hacker murmured ignoring the strange vibes as she
continued to read the screen. “Or should that be this week!”

Cordelia giggled, linking her arm in her stunned boyfriends. “Nice shot,
Willow and spot on, so spot on at that.”

“Yes, I thought so.” Willow peered round the screen at the couple, her eyes
sparkling brightly with sheer mischief. “And I wasn’t even trying, Cordy.”

“What is this, Pick on Xander Day.” He grouched.

“Well now that you mention it…” Angel murmured an equally humorous glint in
his dark eyes. “It’s one of your better ideas.”

Beside him, Willow swallowed a giggle.

“Very funny Deadboy.” Xander said with a growl that would do a vampire
proud.

“I thought so.” The vampire replied as he moved aside to allow the Watcher
to take his place behind Willow sharing a grin with the redhead.

“Angel. Xander, this is neither the time nor the place for one of your
ongoing arguments.” Giles commanded suddenly as he read the screen, making
the teenagers jump and the vampire widen eyes in surprise. He returned his
attention to the hacker. “Willow, can you find out where this has come
from.”

“Give me a couple of minutes and I’ll see what I can do.” The redhead set to
work immediately, her fingers flying over the keyboard with phenomenal
speed. The others moved away, allowing her the peace to concentrate.

“Giles, what’s all the fuss about. I never actually saw.” Cordelia released
Xander’s arm and jumped up on to the booking counter, pushing her hair back.

The Watcher looked up, peering over his glasses for a moment. “Someone used
Willow’s email address, not the general one she uses to hide behind and
warned us that we had major trouble heading our way.”

“Please tell me you’re kidding us.” Xander looked at the Watcher
disbelievingly.

“Have you gone quite deaf this evening, Xander.” Giles entered his office
and picked up a book before returning to Willow’s side as she pushed her
keyboard away. “Any luck Willow?”

“No! Blast them.” Willow actually thumped the table in an uncharacteristic
show of anger. “Who ever sent it knew how to cover their tracks way too
well.” She stood up, wrapping her arms around her waist. “Giles, this is so
not good, is it. So not good at all.”

“No Willow. I’m afraid it’s not at all.”

“Would someone please tell me what the actual message said.” Cordelia asked
in her most plaintive tone. “Like some time this evening.”

Willow moved slowly across to the vampire’s side, leaning against him
trustingly as she almost unconsciously sought his protection. Angel
responded automatically to the silent request, wrapping his arms about her
and resting his chin on her head. He ran his hand up and down her arm,
encouraging the petite girl silently.

Taking a deep breath, hand in the vampire’s, she answered the brunette
finally. “Someone using my real name email address sent a warning message to
Amy and me, Cordy. It would seem that there is a warlock of some kind
heading towards the Hellmouth. Every town he passes through he seems to seek
out people with magical abilities, just like us.”

“Then what?” Cordelia asked as the redhead stopped. “There has to be more to
it than that to get his Watcherness anxious. Spill, Willow.”

“He challenges them to something that can only be called a duel. So far he’s
left half his victims in comas, drained of magic.”

“And the other half?”

“Vanished… or dead.” Angel finished, tightening his arms around Willow as he
felt her shiver.

“What!” Xander reacted exactly as the petite girl had expected his concern
for his best friend over-riding the arguments that had gone before them in
the previous months. His stunned gaze fell on Willow. “Please tell me that
this is a joke, an extremely bad one but a joke.”

“Xander, the sender referred to both Willow and Amy by name.” Angel replied
as Giles once more rejoined them. “Let alone the email address. That itself
speaks of someone who knows us.”

He tightened his hold around her even further as the shiver became a
shudder.

“So just who is this so-called wizard?” Xander stormed his attitude causing
Cordelia to roll her eyes and Willow to sigh heavily leaning her head
against Angel’s shoulder.

Only he heard her mutter though. “Oh for goodness sake, Xan!”

“That’s what we now have to research, Xander.” Giles removed his glasses and
proceeded to clean them. “However someone should inform Amy of these
approaching danger, seeing that she was unable to join us this evening.”

“We’ll do that on the way home now, Giles.” Cordelia jumped down from and
grabbed her boyfriend by the arm. She then proceeded to pull him across the
library to the double doors. “My parents are expecting us for dinner tonight
but if we go now, we can fit in a sweep of the park as well.”

“Thank you Cordelia. I accept your offer with appreciation.” Giles called
after them just before the doors swung shut behind them. Grinning, he turned
back to Willow and Angel to find them smiling in amusement as well. “She did
offer. Willow perhaps…”

“I know, I know, net girl to work.” She grinned at him, then turned in
Angel’s arms to look up at him with soulful puppy eyes, a look she had
learnt from him and used with a bit more success especially against the
vampire. “Dinner please.”

The mock plaintive tone she also used had him rolling his eyes as he
released her. He leant over the counter to pick up the phone. “Will pizza do
my lady.” He asked in a mock servile tone.

“That will do nicely, my man.” She replied in a mock upper crust manner,
waving her hand as she went back to her sat at the computer. “Hawaiian grand
supreme, extra banana. Giles.” She fell back on her normal voice. “You’re
looking extremely absorbed. Have you thought of something?”

Just as she finished speaking, the Watcher reached the second level of the
library and he leant on the banister to look down at her. “I do believe I
may have seen something similar to this one of my books. I just need to
track it down.”

He promptly disappeared into the stacks, a determined expression on his face
leaving the young hacker to shake her head in amusement as she returned to
her screen – completely unaware of the similar expression on her own.

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

Finishing his call, Angel turned and leant against the book counter. His
thoughtful gaze fell almost naturally on the redhead as she worked - a habit
he had recently formed in the past month. A smile grew in his dark eyes as
she flicked back a lock of her now shoulder length hair, a look of
irritation passing swiftly through her eyes.

Once again he found himself amazed and astounded by just how much she had so
willingly risked rescuing him from the depths of Hell. While he and Willow
had been recovering Giles had told the vampire that the petite redhead had
literally browbeaten both himself and Amy into helping her.

He had only been able to keep repeating her name, stunned. “Willow, our
Willow.”

Even now she continually surprised him. One moment she was brimming with
confidence, a powerful young witch in the making, sure of herself and in
complete command of everything and everyone around her. The next, back to
her shy and insecure self once again. In either form, which he admitted to
himself was now growing together in to a persona that was and always would
be uniquely Willow, she had been his champion, bringing him back into the
Slayerette fold.

She also fought against his own dark side, continually trying to convince
him that he was not to blame for Angelus’ actions but the demon while
simultaneously doing the same to the others as well.

But it was her absolute trust and true friendship that meant the most to
him. More than he could put into words even to himself, let alone anyone
else if they were to ask him what made her so important to him these days.

A firm hit to his chest bought him out of his dark thoughts and startled he
looked down to find the petite object of his thoughts standing in front of
him, a sly grin on her face.

“What was that for, álainn?” He asked folding his arms.

“You were brooding, Angel. Haven’t we talked about that” She punched his arm
before her look became mischievous and she opened up her hand to him,
wriggling her fingers. “My pizza’s here and I’ve not got enough. Please,
pretty please.”

With a shake of his head, a smile starting to emerge, he reached into the
pocket of his jeans to pull out his wallet. Drawing a twenty-dollar bill
out, he handed it over to the bouncing redhead. “Go get your supper, Will.
I’ll let Giles know.”

Grinning she took the bill and skipped away to pay the delivery boy. “I’ll
pay you back tomorrow, Angel.” She called over her shoulder.

Before Angel even moved, the Watcher appeared, carrying several books. He
reached the bottom of the steps just as Willow returned carrying her pizza
box.

“I’m extremely thankful Xander’s not here.” He commented wryly as she sat
down.

“Believe me, so is my wallet.” The vampire added as he sat down next to the
redhead.

“Hey, leave Xander alone. It’s not fair picking on him.” Willow objected
glaring at them both and hitting the vampire.

“It’s not!” Angel and Giles said simultaneously looking at each other.

“Well, not when he’s not here to hear you.” At this nice statement, and said
with an air of complete innocence, the vampire and Watcher started to laugh
while the redheaded hacker merely opened the box and started to eat.

An hour later, Willow logged off and pushed her chair back. “That’s it,
Giles, my eyes are blurring even I’ve had enough.”

As her soft voice penetrated his concentration, Giles glanced at his watch.
“Good grief, is that really the time. I hadn’t realised it was so late. We
really ought to do a sweep of the cemetery.”

“I can do that.” Angel stood up, closing the book he had been reading.
“Giles, why don’t you see…”

“Oh no you don’t Angel.” Willow interrupted him. “I’d never hear the end of
it from the others if I don’t go.”

“In that case, I’ll think I’ll join you.” Giles murmured quietly, disrupting
the glares the pair were throwing at each other. “The Council recently
requested a current status report and now would be as good a time as any to
complete it.”

Concern dulling her green eyes, Willow was at his side immediately. “Giles,
the Council aren’t still having a go at you over Buffy, are they?”

“No, Willow, they are not as a matter of fact. My report regarding Angel’s
rescue from Hell and your particular part in it seems to have silenced
them.” Giles spoke with a note of sheer pride in his voice as he looked down
at the girl he considered his daughter. “By the way, hadn’t you better stock
up, Willow. I seem to remember you saying you were running low on supplies
this afternoon.”

“Oops, I’d almost forgotten.” As Willow went into the cage where the weapons
were kept hidden, Angel moved towards the Watcher.

“Giles, a current status report on what?” He asked quietly, keeping his
voice even lower than normal to make sure the hacker could not hear. “And
why do I get the feeling that it should be who?”

“The Scooby Gang as Xander persists in calling them.” Giles replied looking
briefly towards the hacker as she pulled stakes out of the supply box. “But
in particular Amy and Willow.”

He frowned slightly. “Recently, I have been getting this strange feeling
that they know something about Willow that we don’t Angel.”

“Please tell me she’s not…” Angel broke off, a feeling of dread beginning to
grow as he waited for the Watcher’s answer. “Giles please… not my Willow.”

“No thank God.” Giles said with wholehearted fervour. “I can safely say that
she is not.”

“Is not what?” Willow’s sudden inquiry startled them both and they turned to
find her watching them, amusement lighting up her green eyes as her gaze
went from the Watcher to the vampire. “Well, tell me?”

“It’s not important, Will.” Angel responded quickly as he tried to divert
her attention. “Have you got what you need, álainn.”

“I’m packed and ready to go.” She replied successfully diverted, although a
curious look crossed her face. She started to look round the library for
something as she picked up her backpack up. “Oh bother, I left my jacket in
Cordy’s car.”

“Willow, that’s the second time this week.” Grinning, Angel took off his
leather jacket and handed it to her. “If you like my jacket that much, keep
it.”

She threw her backpack at him and put his jacket on, then stuck her tongue
out at him. He merely chuckled silently, throwing her backpack back.

“I’ve locked up so if you two are quite ready.” Giles waited for them on the
second level, a deeply amused look in his eyes as he watched the pair tease
each other with such ease. “It’s time to sweep the cemetery.”

“After you.” Willow waved the way pass.

“No after you, I insist.” Angel grinned and waved her pass.

“No really Angel, after you.” Willow grinned back. “Age before beauty.” Then
giggled, blushing as well. “Although, I suppose in your case, both count. ”

“When you two have quite finished…” Giles inserted smiling himself at the
comedy being played out before him.

Angel responded by sweeping the giggling redhead over his shoulder and
carrying her up the stairs to join the Watcher.

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

An hour later, Willow sat on top of an old gravestone watching a newly
filled grave with what could only be called utmost indifference. Angel was
leaning against an old yew tree in the shadows, his dark gaze divided
between to redhead and the grave. The Watcher was sitting a slight distance
away on the steps of an old mausoleum, making notes.

“This is boor-ing!” Willow’s singsong tone suddenly filled the air. “Like
so, so boring.”

“I am well aware of that, Willow but thank you for letting us all know. I’m
sure that Angel and I truly appreciate being told though.” Giles informed
his protege, not even bothering to hide his smile.

“Nice impression of Cordelia though, álainn.” Angel’s low, amused voice
reached her easily and she grinned in reply, sure that his enhanced night
sight would catch it easily. “You’ve been on form tonight. Pity Xander and
Cordelia haven’t been around to hear you.”

“Ah well, them’s the breaks.” She sighed in mock disappointment, swinging
her feet against the stone. “I’ll just have to think of something to say
tomor… oh oh guys the vamp’s finally decided to make an appearance.”

“You know what to do, Will.” Angel’s game face fell into place as she jumped
off the headstone. “Ready to go.”

“I’m on it.” Willow replied as a stake slipped down her sleeve into her
hand. She wrinkled her pretty nose in disgust. “Ugh! This one smells.”

The newborn vampire crawled out of his grave, dirt falling off him. His
demon visage was in full view as he tracked down her heartbeat and he zeroed
in on her. “Ah dinner.” He growled, eyes flashing. “And on tap.”

“Sorry but I’m not on the menu.” Willow replied with surprising confidence
thereby startling the newborn vampire and the Watcher.

“Slayer!” The fledgling growled.

“No Slayerette.” At her flippant reply, the fledgling launched himself at
her, growling furiously and she responded in pure Willow-fashion. She ducked
under his flailing arms, pressing her stake in to an already moving Angel.
“New batter up.”

As the elder vampire caught it, she swept a foot out and knocked the new
vampire down. Scrambling to her feet, she scattered to the Watcher’s side,
breathing heavily. “Hi Giles. Wasn’t that fun.”

“Are you alright, Willow?” Giles asked concerned.

“I’m just fine.” She replied, sinking to the floor beside him. She brushed
back a lock of hair. “I hate being bait.”

“But you do it so well, álainn.” Angel rejoined them, dusting him self off.
“They can’t resist you.”

“Thank you… not. Cordy does it better.”

“Willow, Cordelia screams.” Giles reminded her in a dry tone.

“That’s the whole point, Giles. It tends to disorientate them even more,
making them easier to stake.” Willow drew Angel’s jacket closer around her
as a cool breeze started to blow through the cemetery. “She practised for
two days to get it pitch perfect.”

“Please Willow. I still have nightmares about the talent show.” Both Giles
and Willow shuddered at the memory. “Was that the only one for tonight.”

“The only one with puncture marks.” Came her casual reply as she slowly got
to her feet and put her backpack on. “And he was late by vampire standards.”

“Then I suggest we finally call it a night. Angel, if Willow doesn’t object
this time...” Giles put his notebook in his pocket. “Perhaps you could walk
her home.”

As Willow was doing her best to hide a yawn at that precise moment, both
vampire and Watcher shared an amused but understanding look. Angel then
placed his hands on the slender redhead’s shoulders, turned her and gently
pushed her out of the dark cemetery.

The Watcher followed behind the pair, stopping at the iron gates to watch
them walk down the street. Angel had moved his arm to around her shoulders
gently guiding her towards her home. The hacker was looking up at him, her
face animated in the streetlights as she told her vampire friend something.

What ever it was the redhead had told him the vampire laughed out loud and
she appeared to bounce happily as she took his hand in her own. She then
proceeded to swing their joined hands between them as they disappeared from
the Watcher’s view.

“Yes.” Giles thought to himself. “There is most definitely something between
them that Angel and Buffy never had any time.”

He folded his arms and rested his chin in his fingers. “I just wish I knew
why it feels so… right and more importantly, why I am so unconcerned by the
thought of it.”

With that thought uppermost in his mind, he turned for his own home.

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

Part Four

As they approached her home, Willow made for the front door instead of her
balcony, pulling the vampire with her. “Come on in Angel. They’re away
again.” She told him as she dug into her jean pockets for her door keys.
“Business trip.”

“Again!” The dark-haired vampire repeated as she opened the door and
followed her in. He was continuously amazed by just how little the
Rosenbergs appeared to care for the petite redhead’s safety and the way they
were never for her. “I didn’t even know they’d come back.”

Willow reached out a hand to turn on the living room lights, dropping her
backpack on the floor.

“Briefly yesterday morning. I must have been at Amy’s. I came back to fin a
credit card on the breakfast counter with a note saying ‘For whatever new
clothes and schoolbooks you might need. Also for your meals and whatever
bills that may arise. We should be home in three weeks but may be delayed.’
Loving note to leave your only child.”

“I can not believe your parents.” He growled, furious and sick at heart for
how forlorn she looked.

She sank down onto the nearest couch, closing her eyes in mental exhaustion.
“Don’t worry about it Angel. I’m used to it, especially these last two
years.”

He sat beside her, pushing a lock of hair away from her eyes before resting
his hand on her pale cheek. “Are you really, Willow. Be honest with me now,
álainn. Remember I know what you’re really feeling.”

“Oh Goddess why, Angel, why do they keep doing this to me, why?” She turned
to him and buried her head against his chest, shaking with violent sobs long
suppressed. He responded automatically by wrapping his arms around her,
rubbing her back in comforting strokes as he murmured nonsensical words in
her hair, trying to soothe her.

“My poor ionúin.” He thought to himself.

Gradually he felt her sobbing slowing down as her breathing pattern changed
as well. Smiling he realised that she was literally falling asleep in his
arms and he ran a hand down her arm. “Willow, ionúin, you can’t fall asleep
here, baby. Upstairs sleepyhead.”

“Noo, Angel!” She groaned settling her head more comfortably against him, a
hand resting on his chest. “Too comfortable.”

“Little one, you’ll find it easier to sleep in your own bed.” He bent down
to murmur in her ear in complete amusement. “So unless you want me to carry
you upstairs and undress you, álainn it’s time to get moving.”

Seconds later as her brain realised exactly what he had said, her eyes
sprang open and she jumped to her feet, blushing madly as she moved away
backwards. “No, no wake now. On my feet, going upstairs by myself.”

With that she scattered towards the stairs, taking her jacket off and
dropping it over the curve of his arm. He followed her, turning for the
front door intending to leave. “Get a good night’s sleep, Willow. I’ll see
you tomorrow in the library.”

“Angel, please don’t go… stay.”

There was something in her voice that made him stop. He turned round to find
the petite girl standing on the stairs, a pleading look in her beautiful
green eyes. A look he couldn’t resist as he realised that the e-mail from
earlier in the evening had disturbed her more than she had previously
revealed. He found himself almost overwhelmed by a sense of sheer pride in
the petite young redhead on the stairs before him.

He quickly made his decision.

“All right, Willow, if that’s what you want, I will. Now go. I’ll check on
your doors.”

“Angel protecto-vamp!” She grinned down at him mischievously, then dashed up
the remainder of the stairs laughing as he took a mock-threatening step
towards her.

“You won’t escape. Will. I’ll get you back eventually.”

She bent over the banister and looked down at him grinning. “I’m sure you
will Angel.” She stuck her tongue out at him and disappeared laughing.

A rare smile lingered in the handsome vampire’s dark eyes as he watched her
go, almost frozen in place. He had started to move away when a sound stopped
him and he looked up at the stairs. “Willow…”

Seconds later, her terrified scream had the vampire moving at his highest
speed to the second level. In under ten seconds, he had reached the shaking
redhead and had surrounded her in his protective hold, her face buried
against his chest. A swift glance through her open bedroom door told him all
he needed to know and his eyes flashed amber.

Willow’s room had been completely, even maliciously ripped apart. Even her
toy frog, a gag gift from Xander to help her get over her phobia over frogs
was in several pieces on the floor. Her computer lay ruined on the desk and
the floor. The whole room was covered in paint the colour of blood, almost
as the person who had vandalised the room hadn’t been satisfied with merely
destroying it.

Sweeping her up into his arms, he carried her downstairs and sat in the
corner of the sofa. Gently removing the leather jacket she was clutching
tightly to her, he covered her with it, then ran a soothing hand through her
hair. “It will be alright, ionúin. I promise you.”

He sat down beside next to her and picked up the phone. As he dialled Giles’
number, Willow wriggled round on the sofa beside him until she was buried
against his side, beginning to shake slightly as shock settled into her
small frame.

Angel moved allowing her to curl up even closer, his arm around her small
body.

“Rupert Giles.”

“Giles, its Angel. There’s no other way of putting this, so I’m going to be
blunt. Someone has broken into the Rosenberg house and has completely
destroyed Willow’s room. From what I can sense it’s the only room that has
been touched. Everything has been utterly ruined.”

“Dear God, is Willow alright?”

“Will’s in shock, Giles. She can’t stop shaking.” A whimper of pain escaped
the redhead’s lips and Angel drew her even closer, tightening his protective
hold. She wrapped her arms about him, shaking even more than before. “I was
going to take her back to my place

“No, bring her here, Angel.” Giles said firmly. “I’ll prepare my guest room
for her and you, so that we can both keep watch over her tonight. I’ll
expect you in about fifteen minutes.”

“We’ll be there.” The vampire put the phone down and ran his hand through
her hair, silently cursing the person who had done this to her.

“Come on, ionúin, we have someone waiting for us.” He stood up, drawing her
with him. “Let’s get you out of this place.”

Once on her feet, the hacker drew the jacket around herself, almost as if
she was seeking comfort in it. “Angel…” Her low voice trembled as she looked
up at him. “Why… why… me? Who… would do this to me?”

“That’s what I’m going to find out.” Angel promised her as he placed his
hand under her chin, drawing her troubled gaze to his own. As he moved his
hand to cup her cheek, she couldn’t help but notice, even in her shock, that
his face was at half-grr as she herself called it in the early years.
“Believe me Willow I will find out.”

She raised her trembling hand to cover his. “I know you will, Angel.” She
murmured in reply. “I trust you.”

With that he drew her close to his side and gently led her out of her home,
picking her backpack on the way pass. He slammed the front door shut in
silent disgust, then led the redhead away with out even a backward glance.

Neither of then noticed the tall figure in the long duster watching them
from the shadows of the trees, a cigarette in his fingers. “Well, well,
well, so Peaches is back and glued to Red’s side.”

He frowned. “Now do I tell them or not…”

He leant back against a tree in silent contemplation.

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

They walked slowly to Giles’ home, the petite redhead tucked close against
the handsome vampire’s side. Her head rested against him as his hand moved
constantly over her shoulder in silent reassurance. The vampire kept
glancing down at her worried by her continued silence.

Arriving at his house, they found the anxious Watcher pacing up and down his
veranda waiting for them. Willow took one look at the man who was more of a
father to her in the past two and a half years than her own in the last
seventeen and a sob escaped her lips.

Swallowing, she freed herself from the vampire’s protective hold and ran to
him. He immediately wrapped the girl he thought of as a daughter in his
arms, holding her close as she finally began to cry. Her shoulders shook
violently with the force of her cries and she clutched his jumper.

“You’re safe now, Willow. We won’t let anyone hurt you.” He murmured in her
hair as he ran his hand over her back.

Angel swallowed her slowly up the path, his eyes even more concerned. Giles
looked over the petite hacker’s head at him. “Come in, Angel.”

For the first time since his return from Hell, the ensouled vampire really
felt as if the Watcher had completely accepted him back. “Something else I
can thank Willow for.” He thought to himself. “Even under these
circumstances.”

He followed as the Watcher led the sobbing girl into his house, murmuring
soft nonsensical phrases to her. Once inside he dropped her backpack on the
ground and closed the door behind him, locking it firmly.

Hearing the door shut behind her, Willow immediately turned, looking for
him, her eyes frantic. Seconds later, she was back in his strong arms again,
clinging to him. Rubbing a hand up and down her back, Angel and Giles shared
a concerned look over her head.

“Bring her this way, Angel.” Giles said quietly as he led his way to his
guestroom. “The best thing for her now is sleep.”

Murmuring in a low voice, Angel gently guided her after him down the
corridor, following him into the bedroom. He couldn’t help but notice that
the Watcher had made the room safe for him as well. He gently freed himself
from the shaking girl’s hold, caressing her cheek. “Try and get some sleep,
ionúin. I have to go back to my apartment and get some things.”

Visibly pulling herself together, the little redhead drew upon the inner
strength they were only just discovering she had. She turned her green eyes
to the vampire’s chocolate brown eyes, resting her small hand on his chest
for a moment and pushing him slightly. “Go Angel. I’ll be all right. I know
Giles is here. I’ll be fine.”

“I know you will, ionúin.” He ran gentle fingers down the side of her face,
tucking a lock of red hair behind her ear. He raised her small hand to his
lips and kissed it, then withdrew to the door. “But I want you to know that
we’re here for you, none the less. Now go. Sleep.”

He drew the door shut behind him and turned to face the waiting Watcher. “I
don’t like this, Giles. I really don’t like this at all. To quote your
charges, it’s fairly wiggin’ me out. First this email, then her room. It’s
just too much to be a coincidence. Someone has targeted Willow.”

“Yes, I must admit I was beginning to think along the same lines.” Giles
folded his arms and sighed deeply. “If it wasn’t for the fact that I’m of
the opinion Willow needs to sleep more than anything else, I’d be calling
the others.”

Angel found him self frowning at the mention of the other Slayerettes. “I
think you’re right, Giles. After his reaction at just the possible threat,
we can definitely do without Xander. I know he…” <cough> “Means well but
he’d drive her mad.”

“Your dislike’s showing, Angel.” Willow’s voice came unexpectedly from
behind them. They turned to find her standing in the doorway, arms folded.
“Weren’t you going somewhere?” She continued, looking from him to Giles, a
touch of dark amusement barely lightening her troubled gaze. “Like your
apartment.”

“I’m leaving, I’m leaving.” He held up his hands as he backed away from her
in mock fear, making her smile. A small smile but a smile none the less.
“And I won’t be gone too long either.”

“I know you won’t.” The moment he was gone, she started to close the door
leaving Giles alone in the quiet corridor, shaking his head.

He looked up at the ceiling. “Tell me please, what did I do to deserve this
particular group of people.”

Having heard him, the door opened again and the redhead emerged once more to
look at him. “Just like us, you got lucky, Giles, extremely lucky.”

“Yes, Willow.” He murmured as the door closed more firmly behind her. “I
really think I must have done.” He turned and walked away.

Giles was in his kitchen when the vampire returned, carrying a bag and
frowning. He looked up as Angel looked back the way he had come. “Ah Angel,
can I get… is there something wrong?”

“I’m not sure.” The vampire replied as he put his bag on the counter. “I had
the strange feeling I was being watched on my way back here.”

“Perhaps this situation with Willow has just made you extra sensitive.”
Giles suggested practically.

“Maybe you’re right. I just have this feeling…”Forcing an unneeded sigh from
his lungs, he turned to his bags. “Has Willow fallen asleep?”

“Her eyes were closed that’s about all I can say.” Giles replied picking up
the cup he had just made. “There’s room in the fridge for your things.”

“Thank you.” Angel said simply, too stunned to say anything else. He just
took out his blood supply and put them in the space the Englishman had
prepared. He turned to speak to the Watcher but a sudden terrified scream
stopped him and made Giles drop his cup, smashing it.

Moments later, both of them were in the bedroom, Angel sitting on the side
of the bed holding Willow in his arms, rocking her. “It’s okay ionúin, I’m
here now, we’re both here. You’re safe Willow.”

Willow buried her head against his chest, arms tight around his waist as she
sought protection from her nightmare in his embrace. For a moment, Giles was
visibly reminded of the way that the slender redhead had held the vampire on
the night he had returned to them. There was an air around them that spoke
of emotions neither was yet ready to recognise, although they were close.

Making up his mind, he drew away knowing with absolute surety the redhead
was in the right place. “Angel, I’ll leave Willow with you.”

Nodding his head in reply, the vampire concentrated his full attention on
the petite girl in his arms. When he heard the door shut behind him, he
spoke. “Tell me what happened, álainn.”

Voice trembling, she spoke so low even his vampire hearing had difficulty in
picking it up.

“I, I was in my room, when… when they broke in and started to tear it apart.
I was… I was in the corner, too… too frozen to do any thing to stop them.
Too…scared.”

“Willow baby, you weren’t even there when it happened. There was nothing you
could have done to stop it.” He said simply, brushing his fingers through
her hair. “You might have been hurt if you’d been there.”

She leant back in his arms and looked up at him, her eyes full of tears. A
single one fell down her cheek and he wiped it away. “Angel, it was my room.
The one place in the world that was really mine and they’ve desecrated it.
They’ve violated me.”

He immediately drew her back against him, suddenly realising what she meant.
Placing a gentle kiss on the top of her head, he gently laid her back
against the pillows and ran a cool hand over her eyes, closing them. “Try to
sleep, álainn. I’ll be here.”

She obeyed him immediately. Turning on her side, she snuggled down into the
pillows then reached out for his hand, holding it to her. “Stay with me…
please.”

“Always.” As she finally fell into sleep, he moved so that he was lying
beside her, pulling the blanket over her as she shivered.

Drawing her into his arms, he gently soothed away her nightmares before they
could take hold of her dreams. Holding her close to his unbeating heart all
night.

It was during that long night that the vampire made her a further promise.
“I’ll be here for you always, my Willow. Just like you are for me.”

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

Part Five

Following early morning phone calls from the Watcher, the Slayerettes
converged on his home. Each of the three had been literally stunned. Xander
had reacted violently vocal, causing Willow to murmur something about,
“Always one extreme to another with him.”

As she just happened to be sitting on the arm of Angel’s chair during that
particular call, he heard every word the redhead said. Grinning he looked up
at her. “I really hate to be the one to say it again but that best friend of
yours means well.”

Willow responded by pulling a face at him. Ruffling his hair, she got up and
headed for the kitchen. “Maybe he does, Angel but even I have to admit he
has a tendency to go overboard… way overboard.”

Giles had merely laughed.

Much to the combined shock of all three of them, Cordelia arrived first,
screeching to a halt in her usual fashion outside. Slamming her car door
shut, she rushed up the path carrying a bag. A bag she threw to the ground
the moment she saw Willow.

Throwing her arms about her friend, Cordelia hugged the smaller girl hard.
“God, Willow, are you all right. I couldn’t believe it when Giles rang. You
must be devastated.”

“Cordy… too tight… can’t breathe.” Willow choked, freeing herself from the
brunette’s enthusiastic embrace. “But thank you and I’ll be fine.” She
looked across at the bag, a puzzled expression in her eyes. “What on earth
have you got there. It made the most peculiar noise when you dropped it.”

“Just some clothes, shoes and make-up.” Cordelia catalogued much to the
chagrin of the redhead but to the intense amusement of Giles and Angel. It
was so typically her.

She glared at the two of them before continuing. “Giles did say that
everything had been ruined. This is the prefect chance for a makeover, so
who says something good can’t come out of this mess.”

“Cordelia!”

The vampire actually moved away into the shadows to hide his grin from the
two girls, especially Willow.

“That’s what I thought too, Cordy!” The blonde witch’s voice startled them
as she arrived on the doorstep unnoticed, also holding a bag. “We agreed on
something again.”

“I may never recover from the shock.” Willow murmured quietly in Angel’s
direction making his grin even broader.

“All we need is Xander to arrive with a bag and we’ll have a full set.”
Angel quipped, much to Giles’ amusement and the combined disgust of the
three girls who immediately put forward their own opinions.

“I go for soda myself.” Amy said as she dropped her bag beside Cordelia’s,
closing the door behind her. “He always does.”

“My vote’s for chocolate and buns at that. I know my boyfriend.” Cordelia
wrinkled her nose delicately at the thought. She sat down drawing Willow
with her.

“Evens on both.” Willow held firmly, vast years of experience backing up her
opinion. “It’s the only thing he knows.” She caught a severely choked laugh
from the vampire’s direction. “Angel, go away and sleep.”

“And I was having such fun.” The vampire murmured as he moved backwards and
away to the safety of the shaded bedroom.

“That’s the problem.” She shot back. “You were having too much at Xander’s
expense.”

“Spoilsport, álainn. Tell me what happened when I wake.”

“Promise, cross my heart.” Willow replied directing a half-smile over the
back of the sofa at the vampire. A smile however that did not even reach her
emerald green eyes. “And I won’t spend too much either or at least try. So I
promise not to let Cordelia any where near your credit card.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about, Willow and you know it.” He growled
slightly, shooting a concerned look at her. Both ignored the insulted sound
that came from the brunette at her side.

The small redhead frowned and turned away, leaving Angel to share an
extremely worried look at the Watcher. He also caught the scared looks the
other two girls had shared, as the only sure thing in their lives seemed to
be falling apart right in front of their eyes.

“Then I’ll see you all this evening.” The vampire tore his gaze away from
Willow’s red head. “Giles, are we meeting here or back at the library as
usual.”

“Under the present circumstances, Angel, I think here would be best.” Giles
replied an almost identical look of concern in his eyes as he also regarded
his young protégé. “And I’ll try to make sure that they keep the noise down
while you are sleeping.”

“I’d appreciate that, Giles, but I won’t hold my breath.” He responded
deliberately tongue in cheek, hoping to provoke a more normal reaction from
the redhead.

He got exactly the reaction he had been hoping and expecting as all three
girls turned to look at him, Willow and Cordelia leaning on the back of the
sofa. Those two in particular shared a speaking look at each other, then at
him.

“Angel, you’re a vampire. You don’t breathe.” Cordelia finally said in a
confused tone.

“That’s exactly why he said it, Cordy.” Willow picked up a cushion off the
sofa and threw it at him. “Go away, you terrible teasing vampire.”

She was however smiling more naturally.

A silent sigh of relief seemed to go around the living room at the sight of
it.

“Could you lot be more obvious.” Willow actually rolled her eyes. “I’m going
to be alright, so stop worrying. I just need a little more time to get over
the shock, that’s all. Just like any of you if it had been you.”

“But it wasn’t us, it was you. I thought there was an unspoken rule that
major bad things were supposed to leave you alone.” Cordelia shot back.

“What rule book have you been looking through the last couple of years,
Cordelia Chase.” Willow asked with a half laugh. “I seem to remember my own
fair share.”

Grinning, Angel fielded the cushion neatly back to the redhead as the two
friends continued to debate the illogic of the brunette’s statement and
disappeared towards the bedroom Willow had used that night. He had just
started to shut the door when Xander announced his arrival with a quick and
loud succession of knocks on the front door.

As he heard the redhead exclaim, “Hah! I told you so.” He shut it
completely, a smile in his handsome chocolate brown eyes. In his mind’s
eyes, he could see the exultant look in a pair of hauntingly lovely emerald
green eyes.

Eyes he found himself willingly haunted by more and more.

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

Changing into a pair of black silk pyjama trousers, Angel drifted across to
the bed. In his dark eyes, there was an extremely thoughtful look as he
unconsciously rested his hand in the space where the redhead had eventually
fallen asleep at his side. Where he had spent the night, holding her.
Watching over her. Where he had listened to her heartbeat and breathing.
Anticipating then soothing her with a gentle touch before any nightmare
could take real hold of her.

Once again he found his thoughts drifting to a subject that was becoming
more and more familiar to him. Thoughts that he had been having ever since
she had rescued him from Hell. Thoughts he no longer wanted to deny himself
concerning the petite fragile-appearing beautiful redhead with the strength
of will and a pureness of heart unlike any he had ever seen before.

The seventeen-year-old young woman who had willingly risked her precious
life and soul to enter one of the most dangerous planes of Hell to bring an
ensouled vampire home. Only to go on and anchor that very same vampire’s
soul permanently and forever because he was her friend. A friend she missed
and needed.

With that realisation he also acknowledged that the petite redhead had taken
the place the Slayer had once held in his unlife completely. So much so, he
hadn’t even thought of the missing girl in weeks.

Now he accepted with ease that what he and Buffy had once shared had
completely burned it’s self out. Not only that, they had been completely and
utterly eclipsed by the feelings he could feel growing deep within himself
for the redhead.

“Well, what else did you expect, Angel.” He thought mockingly to himself.
“First there was Angelus, then she did send you to Hell immediately after
your soul returned. Add to that the century you spent in Hell and what else
could it be. I was just wish we knew where she was and if she was all right,
if only for them… No, for Willow.”

Lying down, he threw a sheet over himself, then covered his eyes with his
arm as he turned his thoughts to the Slayerettes. This particular and most
definitely unique group of young people had more inner strength and
determination than the majority of their peer group. The fact they had
voluntarily chosen to fight against the evil of the Hellmouth with the
Slayer in the first place was remarkable in it’s self.

What made them even more remarkable was the fact that they willingly
continued the fight in her lengthening absence.

Yet he knew the whole group except perhaps for Amy, were hurting at their
supposed friend’s prolonged absence.

Willow especially, he knew was deeply affected by it. Buffy had been the
first real girlfriend she had ever had, and it had been Willow and Willow
alone for a long while that had been keeping the hope alive the Slayer would
return to them. Even Giles had lost his belief in Buffy ever returning
before Willow had.

“Damn it, Buffy, how could you do this to her, let alone the whole group
after what you’ve been through together.” He growled aloud, his game face
actually falling into place. “How can you be so selfish!”

Just then the door opened and the main object of his thoughts slipped in.
“Angel.”

“Willow!” he sat up, his demon face melting immediately away as his handsome
human face reappeared. “What are… Oh!”

“Yes Angel, Oh!” She replied walking across to the bed and sitting down on
the side. Only the dark blush on her high cheekbones and the obvious way she
avoided his eyes revealed her innocent reaction at the state of his undress.
“You actually forgot the link for a moment, didn’t you.”

He cupped her cheek and drew her gaze to his. “Only for a moment, álainn and
unconsciously.”

“Your thoughts really must have been dark.” Willow took his hand in hers.
“You haven’t done that for a while, Angel. So why aren’t you asleep like
you’re supposed to be.”

“I’ve been thinking, Willow. It happens sometimes.” He lay back down still
holding her hand in his. He looked up at her plaintively, using what she
called his puppy brown soul eyes. “Forgive me for falling back into old
habits.”

“Oh Angel.” She sighed. “Sometimes, just sometimes… Of course I do.”

He tapped her nose, grinning. “Thank you.”

Standing up, she wrinkled her nose and returned to the door. “Now, remember,
no more dark thoughts. I was beginning to get a headache. You know I think I
will get that laptop on your card after all.”

At the stunned look on his handsome face, she literally giggled and slipped
out, closing the door quietly behind her. As it clicked, the vampire turned
on his side and smiled to himself, a feeling of intense relief sweeping
through him. The most precious person in his unlife was beginning to
recover. Slowly but she was beginning to recover.

Thumping the pillow, he closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep. Dreaming
if he knew it of silver moonlight on dark red hair.

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

“Cordy…” There was a note of deep weariness in Willow’s voice when she
spoke. “Cordelia, not another shop please. For one thing I don’t have
anywhere to put them remember.”

“Willow, would you stop being a square just this once. I promise you that
after this particular shop that will be it. Besides, I saw something in the
window that would be just perfect for you.” The brunette grabbed Willow’s
arm and pulled her down the mall towards the shop. “Promise me you’ll wait
until you see it before you make your final decision, Will.”

The look she threw back her friend was as determined as was the silent
thought. “Because you are getting this dress no matter what!”

Willow adjusted the strap of her new lap top carry case then threw a
desperate look over her shoulder at the blonde young woman following them,
grinning.

“Amy, don’t just follow us.” She pleaded. “Do something to help me. Stop
her.”

The other witch laughed out loud. “I’d give in gracefully, Will and just let
her show you this dress shop. She’ll never shut up about it for the rest of
the day otherwise and the guys will never know what they missed.”

“Amy, I may just never forgive you.” Willow shot back as she raised her eyes
to the sky in a ‘Goddess, why me!’ look. “Alright, Cordy, where’s this shop
of yours?”

“Yes!” She actually punched the air.

They followed her down the mall till the brunette stopped outside a shop
with decidedly old-fashioned windows and a shop which until that precise
moment in time the other two would never have connected with the decidedly
ultra modern cheerleader.

“There, what did I tell you, Willow. Sheer perfection.” Cordelia literally
squealed almost jumping up and down on her toes in glee. “It’s almost as if
it was made with you in mind.”

On display in the main window was a slender full length dress with a
sweetheart neckline and slim sleeves in a beautiful dark red brush velvet
and Willow was looking at it, completely stunned.

She dropped the bags she was carrying and stepped forward, almost touching
the window. “Dear Goddess.” The words were barely audible. “I’ve dreamed
this dress so many times, so many, many times…”

Cordelia and Amy drew back behind her, a little stunned if they were honest
by the redhead’s reaction to the dress.

“See, I told you she would love it, Amy.” The brunette murmured in a low
voice.

“Cordy, Willow’s completely stunned. Look at her, she literally can’t
believe what she is looking at.” Amy replied a strange look in her blue
eyes. “It’s as if one of her oldest dreams has come true right in front of
her.”

“Then let’s literally make it come true and go buy the dress.” Cordelia
stepped forward, took the stunned redhead’s arm and drew her into the shop’s
interior, leaving Amy to pick up the bags Willow had dropped before
following them inside, shaking her head in amusement.

Inside the brunette not only managed to persuade her bemused friend to buy
the red dress but also a green spaghetti strapped short dress in the same
material. Then following what could only be called bullying, Cordelia also
persuaded Willow to buy a top and bolero jacket in a beautiful rich peacock
blue silk.

It was only as they left the dress shop that Willow started to come out of
the state of shock she had been in. Shaking the final visages away, she
looked across at the brunette. “All right, Cordy you can say I told you so.
You were right and I’m sorry I doubted you.”

Cordelia grinned. “That’s fine with me, Wills. Let’s get going.”

As they started to walk away, Willow’s gaze suddenly caught a display in a
nearby bookshop window. Coming to a full stop, her two companions moved on
ahead of her not even noticing they had left her behind so caught up were
they in their quiet conversation.

Willow stared at the book display in sheer disbelief. “Goddess, could it
really be that simple.” She murmured to herself. “I’m going to kick myself
because I really think it could be.”

Turning, she swiftly tracked down Cordelia and Amy, finding them waiting for
her by the mall’s fountain.

“We have to get to Giles.” She said immediately on reaching them,
forestalling the comments they were about to make. “I think I’ve found a way
to defeat this warlock and we need to check it out.”

“Knew one of us would. Might have known it would be you.” Amy grinned as she
glanced at her watch and gasped. “Oh Goddess, it’s three o’clock and we said
we’d be back two hours ago.”

“We also said we’d bring back pizza. Cordelia exclaimed, an elegant hand
flying to her mouth. “Xander will moan all night if we don’t.”

“Which means he’ll go out of his way to try and wind Angel up.” Willow
growled in a credible imitation of the vampire. “He did last time. All
right, here’s the plan. Cordy, you take the rest of the bags to your car and
off load them. Amy, you go and get the pizzas but double the order. I’ll get
the soda and secret weapon.”

“Willow, what secret weapon?” Cordelia called after the redhead as she sped
off.

“The ultimate of course.” Came back the giggled reply. “Chocolate!”

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

Part Six

Xander stood on Giles’ veranda, arms folded, looking up and down the street.
“Where the Hell are they? They should have been back by now.”

“Xander, you should know your own girlfriend by now when she’s on a shopping
trip.” Giles looked up from the book he was reading. “After all, we have had
to listen to your complaints often enough and I am well aware that you are
more concerned by the absence of your lunch than anything else.”

“Very funny, Giles.” The younger man shot back at him, as he started to pace
up and down. “Even if you are wrong… well slightly.” He finished honestly.

Giles rolled his eyes, looking down the road just as Cordelia’s car turned
in. “In that case, isn’t that her car.”

“About damn time!” Xander exploded.

Giles shook his head in exasperation. “Xander, how many more times must I
remind you to keep your voice down.”

“As if I care if Deadboy wakes up.”

“You may not, and you’re a fool not to, Xander but he would.” The Watcher
put his book down and joined the young man just as the car drew to a
screeching halt in the driveway.

The three girls emerged and he started towards the car. “And more
importantly, especially where you’re concerned, Xander, Willow would. Don’t
you think you’ve upset her enough recently.”

Xander winced at the timely reminder. He knew better than most what Willow’s
temper was like, having spent most of his life trying to avoid it and being
the brunt of it in recent weeks. It also helped when he caught sight of the
various food boxes the girls were carrying and he jumped down the steps.
“I’ll take them for you.”

“Yes, we were kind of hoping you would.” Willow murmured sharing a knowing
look with Amy and Cordelia before turning to the Watcher. “Sorry we’re late,
Giles, we kind of got lost track of time.”

“Somehow I’m not at all surprised.”

“However I may have picked up a lead to fighting this warlock though. I’ll
tell you about it when Angel wakes up.”

“Your trip has been most definitely been productive then.” He commented
dryly, motioning to the mountain of bags in the car. “In more ways than
one.”

“You could say that.” Willow grimaced as she kicked off her shoes and picked
them up. “My feet are killing me. I think we went into every clothes shop in
the mall today and a few I didn’t even know existed.”

“You could say that again.” Amy added as she joined them. “Goddess, when
that girl shops, she really shops. It’s almost as if she declares war.”

Willow looked at the brunette impishly. “I swear most of the assistants
either groaned or went into hiding.”

“Look who’s talking.” Cordelia had now joined them. “You should have seen
the faces of the ones in the computer shop when they saw you, Willow.”

Giles nodded to the bag on her shoulder, grinning. “I would gather you took
a little revenge from the bag you’re carrying.”

“You could say that.” Willow laughed. “I hate to think what Angel’s going to
say when he gets his credit card bill. I think we almost maxed it and I
didn’t think that was possible with a gold card.”

She turned her head to the side slightly as she caught the sound of a phone
ringing. “Giles, isn’t that your phone I can hear ringing.”

Giles turned to face his home, tuning into the sound. “Good lord, so it is.
Willow, would you mind getting that for me?”

“Of course I don’t mind.” She ran into the house, calling over her shoulder.
“Just make sure Xander doesn’t eat all the pizzas will you.”

“Hey I resent that.” Xander exclaimed catching her last remark.

Laughing the redhead disappeared as the others told him he was an idiot.

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

Snatching up the phone in mid ring, Willow dropped her shoes to the ground
and skipped her bag off her shoulder on to the coffee table.

“Yo! Rupert Giles’ phone. He’s not here at the moment. Can I take a
message.”

“Willow is that you?” Hearing the startled but sombre voice on the other end
of the phone, Willow sat down in the nearest chair rather abruptly. “I was
hoping to get Rupert.”

“We’re all here today, Mrs Summers. Giles is just outside. I can get him for
you.”

“No Willow, don’t do that.” The older woman’s voice broke for a moment.
“Have you… have you heard anything from her.”

The hacker sighed deeply, curling her legs under her. “I was beginning to
hope that was why you had called.”

There was a slight note of sheer despair in her voice as she continued. “We
haven’t heard anything from her at all.”

The older woman sighed herself. “I’m sorry Willow, especially if I raised
your hopes. Can you let Rupert know I rang and that I’m back home from L.A.
I’m afraid that last lead was no good, her father and I couldn’t find a
single trace of her, if she was there, she’s most definitely not there now.”

“Thanks for letting us know, Mrs Summers. I’ll let Giles know immediately.
I’m sure he’ll call you back. Bye.” Willow put her down the phone, only just
holding back the tears as she slumped back in her chair and closed her eyes.

A tear eventually slipped slowly down her cheek as a sob escaped her tightly
shut lips, swiftly but surely swallowed. Moments later, a cool hand came
from out of nowhere and gently touched her cheek, wiping a second tear away
and alerting her to the vampire’s arrival.

“Willow.” His low velvet voice swept over her, soothing her slightly.
Opening now tear filled eyes, she found Angel kneeling in the shadows beside
her. His own gaze was even darker than normal with concern as he ran the
back of his hand gently down the side of her face. “Tell me who was on the
phone, álainn.”

“Mrs Summers.” A second sob escaped her lips as her self-control began to
slip. “They couldn’t find her, Angel. It was another dead end.”

With that statement, she tumbled out of the chair into his willing embrace.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she buried her head against his bare
chest, crying as if her heart was breaking. “They… they… couldn’t… f… find…
Buffy.”

The vampire adjusted his position, leaning against the back of the chair in
the deep shadows as he started to rock her back and forth. Her heartbroken
cries tore at his very soul and he found himself silently cursing the absent
Slayer again. “Damn you, Buffy, for doing this to her.”

Raising his voice, Angel called for the Watcher. “Giles, Willow needs you.
Giles!”

The Watcher appeared in the doorway almost immediately at the urgent call,
followed closely by the rest of the Scooby Gang. “Angel, what… Willow!”

“Willow!”

The moment they saw the sobbing redhead, they rushed to the couple’s side
almost immediately, crouching around them in their concern. Amy however had
the presence of mind to slam the door behind her before joining them,
sufficiently composed to think of the vampire as well as her crying friend.

“What the hell have you done to her, Deadboy.” Xander reacted negatively
immediately.

“Goddess, please stop her.” Amy uttered in heart felt tones, clenching her
hands together. “Please, she’s breaking my heart.”

At the same time, Xander started to try and release his best friend from
Angel’s hold but both vampire and hacker resisted with great ferocity. When
the redhead actually whimpered, burying herself even closer to him, Angel
growled deeply in his throat at the young man, game face emerging slightly.
“Harris, leave her alone.”

“Damn it, Xander, don’t be an idiot all your life. Can’t you see he’s
comforting her.” Giles commanded using his Ripper voice to try and draw the
teen away. He actually had to resort to physically pulling the young man
away.

Handing him to the other two girls, he waited until he was sure Xander would
behave himself then returned his anxious gaze to the vampire. “It’s the only
thing I can think of, Angel so I take the call was behind this.”

“Right. Joyce Summers called. They had no luck again.” Angel replied
succinctly as he ran his hand comfortingly down Willow’s back following a
particularly violent shudder. “On top of everything else, I think it was the
final straw.”

“Ah, of course.” Giles nodded understandingly then moved aside. “Why don’t
you take Willow through to the guest room and watch over her until she feels
ready to rejoin us.”

Angel rose, cradling his precious burden to his chest, his expression grim.

“Just keep Xander away from her, Giles.” He growled as he turned and left.

“What… exactly did he mean by that remark.” The young man stormed as he
stared after them, looking for a moment as if he would follow.

“Can it, Xander, please.” This time the snapped command came from his
slightly irate girlfriend as she grabbed his arm and literally yanked him to
a sofa. She then san down with a thump in his lap to make sure he couldn’t
move. “You’re over reacting as usual and Wills’ upset enough as it is. She
doesn’t need you going all over protective over her.”

“No.” Amy murmured loud enough for only the Watcher who happened to be
standing next to her to hear. “Angel’s doing a good enough job all by
himself.”

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

“All right, young lady, what exactly did you mean by that remark earlier?”
Giles as he cornered the blonde witch later that evening while she was
studying her spell books with intense concentration. “Your statement
concerning Angel and Willow earlier this evening.”

Amy raised her blue eyes from the spell she had been memorising to look up
at him with a touch of mild astonishment. “Correct me if I’m wrong, Giles
but you were there when Angel came round, weren’t you, so please don’t tell
me you haven’t noticed the chemistry between them. Now Xander, I can
believe, and I know what Cordelia thinks but I thought you at least… oh
well…”

“Amy, please stop rambling.” He said quietly as he turned to the quiet
redhead. “With Willow, I’m used to it but from you, it’s completely
unnecessary. Of course I’ve notice it.”

He turned back to the blonde witch. “You must realise that it could just be
part of the bond they now share, thanks to the spell.”

“Giles, that was really beneath you.” Amy said reproachfully, as her own
gaze crossed the room to the vampire.

He was watching Willow work at her new laptop, a book lying unnoticed on his
lap. There was a look in his dark gaze that made the teenager turn
surprisingly thoughtful. “You know as well as I do that the bond has nothing
to do with it. To be truthful, I doubt that bond would be as strong as it is
if it wasn’t for this… other bond.”

She turned to the Watcher. “It’s always been there, Giles, it’s just that
now…”

“There’s no Buffy.” Giles finished for her in an equally thoughtful manner.
His own personal thoughts came to the fore with a sudden rush before he
recalled something else the witch had let slip. “Amy, did you say that
Cordelia suspects something, didn’t you.”

“Yes, I did.” The young woman replied smiling suddenly. “Cordy sees a lot
more than she lets on.”

Just at the moment Willow gave an excited yelp, starting the printer by her
laptop humming. The Watcher moved to her side immediately. “Willow, were you
able to find it.”

“You could say that!” She looked up at him, her green eyes sparkling for the
first time that evening. “Right out in the open just like I thought. Rules
of engagement for magical duels as set by the most famous wizard of them
all, Merlin of Camelot. I’m printing them off for you.”

“Excellent work as always, Willow.” He smiled down at the petite redhead,
laying a hand on her shoulder. He then picked up the papers she had begun
printing off and started to read them.

Willow took the opportunity to stand up and stretch the kinks out of her
back. Realising that the librarian was intending to stand and read the
papers, she put a small hand on his arm and pushed him into the seat she had
just vacated. “For goodness sake, Giles, sit down. There must be thirty
pages at least.”

“Of course, of course.” He replied absently, turning a page over as he did
so. “Interesting, extremely interesting.”

Willow shared a grin with Xander who looked up at that moment. “Something’s
never change, Will.” He murmured with a grin before returning to the book he
was voluntarily reading.

Looking round, her gaze caught Angel’s and she moved across to his chair.
Taking the cushions he gave her, she sat down on the floor and leant back
against his legs, her own curled underneath her. He briefly massaged her
tense shoulders and she looked up at him, smiling softly.

Moving slightly, she rested her arm on his knee and turned her green gaze to
the other witch. “Amy, just what are have you been reading for the past
hour?” She asked in a puzzled tone. “Every time I looked up, there was an
extremely peculiar expression on your face.”

“I’ve found something too.” Amy picked up the book she had been studying and
brought it across to the redhead. “I think we can use this to give your room
a quick fix, Willow. We may need to get a few extra ingredients but it
should work.”

“Amy, you’re a pal. Let’s have a look.” Willow drew the blonde down to the
floor and the pair of witches began to look over the spell, murmuring in low
voices to each other. A one point, Angel leant forward, resting his hand on
Willow’s shoulder as he put in a word of advice. Immediately, they turned to
him and brought him in on their plan.

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

Part Seven

Half an hour later, the peace and quiet which until then had only been
broken by the low murmuring of the two witches and the vampire was
completely shattered by an exaggerated yawn from Cordelia. Barring Giles,
they all turned to look at her.

“All right, Cordy, spill.” Her boyfriend commented in amusement as he rested
his arm around her shoulders. “You have to enlighten us now, especially
after that Oscar winning performance.”

“I suppose everyone here does realise that it is Friday.” The brunette
replied swinging her legs to the ground. “All those that have a life, that
is.”

“Your point being… if you have one.” Willow asked as she leant back against
the vampire. Turning slightly she threw him a mischievous look. He ruffled
her hair in response.

“Can we please go to the Bronze… just for a change.”

“Sure why not.” Looking at the stunned faces of her friends around her, and
sensing the silent amusement of the vampire, Willow burst into a fit of
sparkling laughter. “I wish I had a camera, you should see your faces. It’s
absolutely priceless.”

“Cordelia’s right though, Willow. You all deserve a night off.” Angel stood
up, pulling the two witches with him. “And the Bronze is a good idea. Giles,
Giles!”

“Mmm.” The Watcher replied, not looking up from the papers he was reading,
merely turning one over.

“Xander.” Angel sighed as Willow, Amy and Cordelia giggled.

Xander grinning broadly reached over to wave his hand between the papers and
the glasses of the Watcher. “Yo! Bookman, we’re bailing.”

“Xander please, don’t do that.” Giles looked up to find the four teenagers
and the vampire grinning at him in fond amusement. “Did I miss something?”

“No more than usual, Giles.” Willow replied coming to his side. “We’re off
to the Bronze to relax, so we’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Good idea, you all deserve a night off.” He surprised them all by nodding
in approval. “Willow, you’re welcome to return here for a second night.”

A fond smile crossed her face and she kissed his cheek, making him stutter
in embarrassment. “You’re a complete dear Giles but I’m going back to Amy’s
tonight.”

“Yes, we need to brush up on the spell for her room.” Amy put in as she
grabbed her backpack. “I seem to remember someone once saying that
preparations were extremely important.”

“Excellent, then I will see you all in the library at 10.30 tomorrow…
prompt.” At the joint groan from all four teenagers, Giles merely smiled. He
was too used to hearing it. “Now go, have fun. Forget about everything for a
night.”

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

An hour later, the three girls joined the vampire and the young man at the
Bronze at their usual corner table. On leaving Giles’ home, Cordelia had
decided that they were going to change into an outfit more suitable for a
Friday night at the Bronze or be forever shamed. She had been greeted with
deep groans from Amy and Willow.

Angel and Xander had looked at each other then promptly opted to do a sweep
of the park and the cemeteries closest to the club.

Sitting at their table, the vampire and youth turned to watch them walk
across the Bronze’s dance floor. The brunette was now dressed in a crop top
and Capri pants in her favourite maroon, hair pulled back in a ponytail. Amy
had opted for a mid-thigh sky-blue skirt with a spaghetti strap shoulder top
and a matching silver blue cardigan. Her hair was fastened back with a blue
ribbon.

Both vampire and young man suddenly found their jaws dropping open as Willow
emerged from the shadows into the club’s low lights. A little
self-conscious, she was walking behind her two more confident friends,
trying her best to ignore the low wolf whistles and open stares she was
receiving as she walked by.

Cordelia and Amy had managed to persuade the shy redhead to wear her new
peacock blue set with black pedal pushers. They had then pulled her hair
back in to a ponytail of loose curls and literally bullied her into wearing
a pair of low-heeled blue sandals.

“Oh… my… god!” The words left his lips in stuttered astonishment as Xander
watched his newly revealed beautiful best friend move towards them. “W…
Will… Willow!”

Angel, on the other hand, quietly rose to his feet, a strange light in his
dark eyes as he watched the girl he had always known was beautiful come
publicly out of her shell. His gaze never left the redhead as all three
finally joined them at their table. Sensing the waves of embarrassment
coming from her, he took her hand and drew her to a stool in the shadows.
“Álainn.”

Willow looked up at him, clutching his hand, her green eyes darker than
normal. “Please Angel, this is so… so not me.” She said plaintively
tightening his hold on her hand. “I feel so… so stupid.”

“Willow, you look beautiful and you couldn’t be stupid if you tried for a
century.” He told her assertively, siting down beside her. At her
disbelieving look, the vampire cupped her cheek, running his thumb across
her cheek. “I mean it Willow, you could never be stupid.” He lowered his
hand, taking hers back. “And you are beautiful, you always have been.”

At this point fed up with the stupefied look on his face, Amy poked Xander
in the ribs. “Don’t just stare at her, Xander. Say something for goodness
sake.”

“You’re… you’re beautiful, Willow.” Xander eventually stuttered, much to
both Amy and Cordelia’s intense amusement. “What did you do with my Willow?”

Willow blushed even deeper, making her friends laugh delightedly, even
Xander eventually. They laughed even more as she buried her head against the
vampire, the blush going down her neck.

“Oh stop it, all of you.” She begged in a muffled tone. “It’s bad enough as
it is.”

“Oh she’s most definitely still our Willow.” Angel murmured, unaware of the
note of possessiveness that laced his voice as he raised Willow’s head and
ran a finger down her nose. “She’s just come out of hiding at last.”

“You’ll just have to get use to it, Xan.” Amy added as she recovered from
her laughing fit. She smiled at Willow mischievously and the other girl
grimaced back. “Especially after the major dent we made in Angel’s American
Express gold card today.”

“Thank you for the warning, Amy.” Angel murmured, grinning as all three
girls blushed.

“And Harmony is going to have a major fit.” Cordelia put in with a nasty
grin on recovering, making the others laugh out loud, the comment was so
typical of her. “She is so going to have her nose rubbed in.”

“That’s our Cordy.” Xander had recovered slightly at this point, although he
kept shooting looks at the redhead out of the corner of his eye. “Always has
her priorities in the right order.”

Willow had also regained her composure, although she was still highly
flushed. A glint appeared in her green eyes and she turned to Xander,
smiling nastily as she thought of the perfect revenge. “You guys realise
that we have to go back to school in just over a week. Our wonderful senior
year, SAT’s and that joy of joys, graduation.”

“Oh pu-leese. I thought we were here to escape reality, not be reminded of
it.” Xander moaned, banging his head in the table, all thoughts of Willow’s
new image driven out of his mind. “That was so not needed.”

“Xander, don’t do that.” Grinning, Willow hit the back of his head. “You’ll
dent the table.”

“Very funny, Will. See this is me laughing.” Xander glared at her, although
he was smiling. Amy giggled as Angel turned away, hiding his smile.

“Alright you two, that’s enough. Come on Xander, let’s do what you call
dancing.” Cordelia grabbed her boyfriend and dragged him onto the dance
floor.

Amy rose. “I’m thirsty. Will, do you want a soda too.”

“I’d love one but you better make it a caffeine free one.” Willow replied
smiling gratefully. Amy wrinkled her nose in reply knowing only too well her
friend’s reaction to the addictive substance then moved away.

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

The moment the blonde witch was gone, Angel turned to Willow and looked at
her inquiringly. “All right, Willow, what’s wrong? I can see something going
on behind those intelligent green eyes of yours.”

Willow drew closer to her friend. “Angel, this is going to sound strange
but…” She broke off, frowning. “It’s going to sound so selfish.”

“Willow, I can’t help you if you don’t tell me!” He said patiently.

“For a while now, I’ve had this weird feeling that something strange is
going to happen this year. I think what happened with my room is just the
beginning and it scares me.” She looked down at the floor. “Especially as
both Amy and I are sure that we were followed here tonight, and it’s not
been the first time either.”

The vampire responded by drawing the slender redhead off her stool and close
to his side. As he slipped his arm around her waist, her left hand seemed to
almost naturally find a resting-place on his shoulder as he held her close
against him in a hold that was both protective and comforting at the same
time.

“Will, look at me.” He commanded.

Their gazes caught bright emerald green and dark chocolate brown.
Unconsciously, their free hands entwined together, the vampire drawing it to
his chest. Willow turned her head on one side a puzzled look in her eyes as
a strange shiver ran through her. Unconsciously she drew even closer to him.
“Angel?”

“Will, you couldn’t be selfish if you tried, ionúin. It’s just not a part of
your make-up.” He raised their joined hands to his lips and kissed the back
of her fingers, before holding them against his cheek.

A further shiver ran down her spine as something went through her and she
drew even closer if possible. “Angel, what’s happening to us.”

“I’m not quite sure but I’ve got an idea.” Still holding her hand, he ran a
finger down the side of her soft cheek. “But what ever it is, Willow, I’m
more than willing to find out. You have no idea just how much I’m willing to
find out.”

Their gazes caught once more, Willow’s slightly confused and Angel’s firm.
“And when… if Buffy returns back home, what then, Angel?”

“Willow, listen to me. I promise you no matter what happens, I will always
be there for you. I won’t allow anyone to get in my way ever and I mean
ANYONE.” He said firmly. “Especially not her.”

Seeing the look of doubt in her eyes, he released her hand and cupped her
cheek. “I mean it, little one. You are the most important person in the
world to me.”

He slid his hand into her hair and drew her down, kissing her gently on the
lips. “The most important person.” He repeated emphatically. “Will, don’t
you understand, you are my world now.”

Willow raised her hand touching his cheek, before running it through his
spiky hair.

“Angel.” She said simply in wonderment.

He drew her down into another kiss, deepening it slightly before she drew
back.

For a moment, they stared into each other’s eyes until a coughing sound
announced the return of Amy and they both turned to look at her. “Ah guys, I
hate to be the one to ruin things but Xander looks as if he wants to stake
you, Angel.”

Both Willow and Angel turned to look towards the dance floor. Xander was
indeed glaring at them and the redhead found herself laughing, leaning even
closer to the vampire. The vampire that still had his arm around her waist.

“He’s just going to have to get used to it.” Angel murmured in Willow’s ear.
“Because I plan on repeating the experience frequently.” Which he did so,
right then.

“Angel!” She blushed, hitting him slightly. As she did so, she caught her
best friend’s angry glare and stuck her tongue out at him.

“Ignore him, Wills.” Amy shot back as the two girls sat down, Angel’s arm
still resting around Willow’s waist so she had to draw her stool closer to
him. “Xander’s just being an idiot.”

“Nothing new there then.” The vampire murmured making both witches laugh.

“Angel.” She said in a mock threatening tone as she hit him again. “You’re
just as bad as Xander sometimes.”

He shuddered. “Ugh! What a terrible thing to say.”

Both girls laughed again before the three put their heads together as they
started to talk over the finer aspects of the spell. Angel’s arm remained
around the redhead’s waist and she unconsciously leaned against his side,
ignoring the disbelieving looks they were receiving from all around them.

They were equally unaware of the pair of ice blue eyes watching them from
the second level.

“Most definitely not what I was expecting. At least Peaches has got better
taste this time around.” He thought to himself. “And I wonder who the blonde
girl is. It’s not the first time I’ve seen her hanging around with Red
either.”

He scowled frightening a girl who was just about to speak to him. “I’m going
to have to speak to them. What they did to Red’s room just wasn’t right.
Ack! I’m beginning to sound like that bloody poof of a sire of mine.”

Down below, the dark haired vampire suddenly looked up, his senses telling
him they were being watched. He scanned the club attracting the two girl’s
attention.

“Angel?” Willow queried worriedly.

“Nothing.” He replied covering her hand as Cordelia and Xander returned to
the table, changing the subject.

“At least it better be nothing.” He thought to himself, tightening his hold
around Willow’s waist.

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

Part Eight

“Giles, Giles, where do you want these books put?”

Willow turned from the crates she had been unpacking, holding a pile of
books to look at the librarian. It was the end of school on the first day
back and the petite redhead was helping out as usual. If she was honest with
herself, she had run for its serene quietness the moment her last class had
ended.

The week leading up to their senior year had passed in a complete frenzy of
activity for the Slayerettes. Their resident two witches restored Willow’s
room to its pristine condition with less energy than they both had expected
even though the little redhead was never able to feel completely comfortable
again in its surroundings, a fact only the vampire was aware of.

The two girls had taken down the warlock with remarkable ease once they had
bound his powers by the rules that Willow had discovered. Amy had been hurt
slightly but Giles and Willow had found a healing spell to help her.

They had also revealed that they had sensed themselves being watched during
the past week, which had led to Angel revealing what he had sensed in the
club.

“I have the feeling someone we know is back in town.” He had told them.
“I’ll see what I can find out. Willie might know something. If he doesn’t,
I’ll… persuade him to.”

“And if it is him, what in the Hellmouth’s name is he doing back in
Sunnydale.” He thought to himself. “And why is he watching Willow and Amy,
protecting them almost.”

After another lead in the search for Buffy had also turned out to be a dud,
Giles had returned from his trip with news regarding Kendra’s replacement,
one Faith Richards.

He had called the group into the library the previous Friday and told them
what the Council had informed him. “They’ve decided that she is not to join
us until the New Year, so we must continue as we have been.”

Xander’s wry comment in response had them in hysterics. “Should we write and
say thank you for the complimented or be insulted.”

Now, Willow was helping the Watcher unpack the latest delivery of books, the
others late, as was their usual custom to avoid the work. She raised her
voice slightly in a second attempt to get his attention. “Giles, where are
these books supposed to go.”

Giles looked up from the letter he was reading at the tone in her voice.
“Actually, Willow, this particular lot is for the history section.”

“I’m stunned, we’re actually talking school history here.” Willow said in
mock shock, putting the books down on the counter so she could raise her
hand to her forehead dramatically. “Giles, I said… oh, never mind.”

The Watcher had started to reread his letter again, leading to the hacker’s
last comment. He only looked up as Xander and Cordelia burst into the
library in their usual fashion arguing.

“You tell her, Xander.” Cordelia was saying as they came in.

“You’re the one who saw him.” He retorted before catching sight of Willow
and Giles. “Hi guys, the Xan-man is here.”

“So we see... and hear as usual.” Giles returned as he folded his letter up
and placed in his inner pocket. “And who have you seen, Cordelia?”

His answer however came from Willow.

“I think they mean Oz, Giles. He came back yesterday to repeat his Senior
Year.” She informed him as she jumped up on to the booking counter, took an
apple out of her backpack (which happened to be next to her) and bit into
it. “Amy, Angel and I bumped into him in the cemetery last night. The
Dingoes are back in town for a long stretch.”

“You never said.” Xander threw himself into a chair, scowling at his friend.

Before Willow could reply, Oz himself walked into the library. “That’s
because I asked her not to, Xander. Giles.”

“Oz. Welcome back to Sunnydale.” The Watcher replied removing the letter
unconsciously from his pocket. “Actually, I’m rather glad to see you. We
have need of your, how shall I put this, ah, special abilities and Angel’s,
I should think.”

“Yes, talking of our friendly fang, where is Angel?” Xander sat up looking
around the library.

“Use your head, dorkbrain.” Cordelia hit him on the back of his head then
joined Willow on the counter. “Even using the tunnels, it’s too bright here
in the library for Angel.”

“Yes, well thank you Cordelia.” Giles hid his smile at the discomforted
expression on the younger man’s face. Until he arrives, there is still work
that can be done while we wait.”

“Tell me something new.” Xander responded under his breath.

Glaring at him slightly, Giles returned his letter to his pocket again,
still not mentioning it. He turned just in time to see Amy arrive. “Ah
excellent time, Amy. I was just about to suggest training practise to the
others.”

“In that case, I’ll be back in a couple of hours.” The blonde witch made as
if to leave again although she was grinning as she did so. Jeers and
catcalls from the others had her laughing as she joined them round the table
.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Just as darkness fell, Angel arrived through the tunnels to find Willow was
the only one actually doing any practising. She was going through a series
of moves with a quarterstaff, creating an elegant dance in response to
Giles’ attack: a dance made up of moves that both the vampire and Watcher
had been teaching her.

Finishing with a bow to the Watcher, she turned to find the vampire leaning
against one of the stacks, watching them all.

“Angel.” She grinned up at him. “What did you think?”

“Willow.” He replied smiling back at her as he came down the stairs. “You’re
improving.”

At the sound of his voice, Xander screeched and literally jumped up into the
air.

“Deadboy!” He whined when he eventually recovered. “Make some noise please.”

“Xander, he did.” Willow threw at him as he put the staff away in the
weapons cage. As she came out, she caught a bottle of water Amy levitated to
her. “Thanks Amy.”

“Yeah but we don’t have your advantage.” Xander threw back at his best
friend.

Willow stuck her tongue out in reply as she moved towards the vampire.
Passing Xander, she hit him on the back of his head.

“I see things really haven’t changed.” Oz murmured to Amy. “At least between
Xander and Will.”

“Only on the surface. Xander almost managed to break their friendship not
that long ago and things are still mending.” Amy replied in the same tone.
“Oz, there’s something that you need to be made aware of. Important things.”

The werewolf fixed his intense gaze on the blonde witch. Deep in his eyes,
she could see a profound but resigned understanding. “I think I already
know, Amy.” He responded almost sadly. “I sensed it between them last
night.”

His gaze turned to where Willow and Angel were talking with Giles, the
redhead unconsciously leaning against the vampire’s side. His arm equally
unconsciously around her shoulders.

“Willow told me about the bond created by his return from the Hell and the
permanent anchoring of his soul herself when I was on tour. It’s one of the
main reasons why we decided we’d be better off being just friends. Anything
else just wasn’t possible, not now.”

“But that’s not what you meant though is it?” Amy queried drawing his
attention back to her. “Oz, what have you seen that we haven’t. Can you tell
me?”

The curious note in her voice caught his attention completely and he
physically turned to her. “I’m not quite sure how to put this so you can
understand but I’ll give it a try.” He leant forward. “Last night, when I
saw how they were working together, there was a sense of rightness about it.
Two rhythms working in perfect harmony.”

“I never felt that when Buffy and Angel were together. To be honest, the
only time their music was in harmony was when Angel reverted back to Angelus
but even then…” He broke off, his introspective gaze going back to the
redhead who was behind the computer again. “Then it was Willow who was his
discord, the pure note he could not and would not break. He wanted her
though.”

Amy nodded thoughtfully, resting her hand on his friendship. “Thanks Oz. You
just confirmed what I’ve always thought about him then and what I’ve been
thinking lately.” She broke off for a moment then continued. “I know it must
have hurt, Oz, but thanks for being honest with me.”

The werewolf broke into a rare full smile. “That’s the Willow effect for
you. You just can’t help it even when you’re only talking about her. The
honesty in her seems to touch everything and everyone around her.”

“I just wish that Xander saw it that way.” Amy murmured, looking across the
room to the young man in question and his girlfriend. “It’s not Angel he
hurts with his digs and comments, it’s Willow but he just can’t see it.”

“Xander’s an idiot, plain and simple where Willow’s concerned.” Oz responded
quietly and with surprising insight into that young man’s character. “She’ll
deal with him when the time is right for her… and if Angel doesn’t get there
first.”

Amy giggled at his final dry comment. “We have a lot of confidence in both
Willow and Angel, don’t we?”

“We both have reason to I think.”

“That’s for sure.”

Oz smiled again before turning to the Watcher. “Giles you said that you
needed my special abilities when I arrived earlier. How can I help you?”

“Yes, Oz, thank you for reminding me.” Giles pulled out his letter out
again. “A friend of mine has written to say that there is a possible
supernatural creature heading our way cross country to the power of the
Hellmouth.”

“Tell us something new.” Xander rolled his eyes then frowned, recalling
something. “Hold on moment, you’re not talking about the creature that’s
been plastered across the news the past two days are you Giles?”

As one, they all turned to stare at him, Cordelia almost pale in shocked
disbelief. “Xander!”

“What! I do watch the news these days.” He replied slightly offended by
their looks.

“Yes well…” Giles started recovering slightly as around them, the others hid
grins. “What exactly did they say Xander?”

The young man actually stood up and started to pace. “Well for one, it
appears to be mutilating animals all over the place and removing all of
their internal organs.”

“Like eww!” Cordelia exclaimed covering her mouth, as she grew pale. Amy
also had a hand to her mouth, eyes wide in slight disgust and Willow was
making strange faces, paler than normal.

“Xan, that is so gross!” The redhead exclaimed.

“But the plain facts, Will.”

The slender girl stuck her tongue out at him at that response and he
returned the favour.

With a sigh, Giles stepped forward. “Alright you two, enough. Xander, what
else did the news report say. I can’t believe that I missed them.”

Sticking his tongue out at Willow again, Xander continued. “It seems to grab
the animal, slitting its throat with either a knife or claw, leaving only a
small trail of blood. What’s real peculiar is that the blood trail
completely vanishes. When the creature’s kill is found, all the organs are
thrown about the area and it’s completely soaked with its blood. What makes
it really weird is that apart from the complete mutilation, the only organs
actually missing are the brains and eyes which the creature is believed to
eat.”

As one, two chairs fell to the ground in a crash as Cordelia and Amy raced
out of the Library, hands covering their mouths. Willow followed at a
slightly slower pace, hitting Xander across the back of his head as she
passed him. “Pig!”

As the door swung shut behind her, Angel moved away from the banister and
glared at him, growling. “Congratulations, Harris. The girls are now going
to be ill for the rest of the evening.”

“I don’t understand.” Xander replied in genuine confusion as he rubbed the
spot that Willow had hit. “We’ve come across much worse in the last two
years.”

“Yes, but you don’t normally go into such graphic and verbal detail or with
such glee.” Giles informed him, removing his glasses and cleaning them. “I
really feel that you have some apologies to make, Xander.”

Oz broke into a rare broad grin. “More than some, Giles.” He said in his
quiet fashion. “Humble pie is needed… in large doses.”

All three heads turned as the doors opened and the redhead returned, even
paler than normal. It brought the vampire to her side in a flash of speed,
arm around her waist as she leant her head against his shoulder, drawing her
over to the table.

Oz was on his feet as well. “Will, are you alright?”

She sat down in the chair that the Watcher had drawn out for her, still
leaning against Angel with air of overwhelming weariness. Turning her head
slight, she smiled weakly at her former boyfriend. “I’m a whole lot better
than Cordy. Xan, your girlfriend doesn’t exactly like you at the moment.”

“Oh lord.” Xander groaned as he made a move towards the doors. “I better go
find her.”

“Xander, you’re not exactly high on Amy’s like list at the moment either.”
Willow added quietly, giggling weakly.

With another groan, Xander thumped his head against the door. “Oz, come with
me, man. I think I’m going to need help.”

Oz rolled his eyes, making Willow giggle again as he joined their friend.

As the door closed behind them, she rose slowly to her feet, steadying
herself with a hand on Angel’s shoulder. “I’ll see what I can find out about
this creature on the net, Giles.”

“Thank you, Willow.” He replied gratefully. “But are you sure you feel up to
it, child. The pictures could be more graphic and much more disturbing if
Xander’s lurid description is anything to go by.”

“Those I can take.” The redhead replied as she returned to her usual chair.
“Xander was just taking too great a relish in describing it. Reading it I
can take, his verbal imagery I can’t.”

“Strange child.” Giles murmured warmly.

“Pick up a Stephen King novel one day, Giles and you’ll find out why?” Angel
said with a quiet grin. “Those books are enough to give a vampire a bad
scare.”

“Don’t exaggerate, Angel.” The murmured but absent comment reached both
Watcher and vampire easily. “I know one vampire in particular, namely you,
who had a fit of laughter.”

“I think that was supposed to put me in my place.” Angel grinned at the
Watcher; his eyes sparkling in a way not originally associated with him then
joined Willow at the computer.

Giles watched as he lowered his head to Willow, asking a quiet question. The
redhead replied then drew him down beside her. Angel immediately rested his
arm on the back of her chair, his other hand gently pushing back a lock of
hair.

The Watcher returned to the books he was looking through for his own reasons
and purposes, although his thoughts lingered on the look shared by the dark
haired vampire and the redheaded hacker.

He therefore missed the way Angel’s hand cupped her cheek before kissing her
gently or the way she smiled at him, eyes softer than normal.

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

All three looked up when the double doors opened and the remaining
Slayerettes returned to the library, doing their best to hide slight grins
at the look on Xander’s face.

“Xander, I may never talk to you again.” The blonde witch was moaning as she
leant against Oz. “Does your imagination always have to be so lurid?”

As Xander went to reply, Willow shot in quickly. “Don’t say it, Xander,
don’t even think it.”

Looking at his friend, then the other two girls, Xander quickly shut his
mouth, helping his girlfriend to her seat and sat down himself. He then
picked up a large book and promptly hid his face in it, trying to make
himself as small as possible.

Three hours later, Willow looked away from the computer screen. Frowning she
touched the vampire’s leg to get his attention. “Angel, look at this. I’ve
found something that seems to fit Xan’s description. It’s called, where is
it, oh, a Toldar.”
 

The vampire drew even closer, moving his arm from her chair to around her
shoulders. On the screen was a humanoid-like creature with huge scaly wings.
Long double-jointed arms with razor sharp claw like hands and large piercing
black eyes. It’s skin was a mixture of green and blue scales and smooth
skins.

“I’m sure I’ve heard of a creature like that mentioned in the Chronicles.”
He raised his gaze to the Watcher. “Giles, you better come and look at
this.”

The Watcher joined them and started to read out loud what was on the screen.
“The Toldar is a peculiar creature, even amongst some of the more peculiar
legends and bestiaries. It is believed to have been brought into existence
by the joining of a winged demon minion and a willing mortal woman steeped
in dark supernatural powers, and under normal circumstances, it mainly takes
on the characteristics of its in-humanoid father.”

“However it is believed to also have the ability to take on the appearance
of an extraordinarily handsome young man, a gift from its dark empowered
mother.”

“How come all these things are always handsome?” Amy asked curiously as she
and Oz came round to look at the screen. “It’s just so cliché.”

“I wouldn’t call that snake creature, Machida good looking.” Cordelia
objected fiercely. “Now that was down right ugly and then some.”

“If the peanut gallery has quite finished…” Giles inserted swiftly, glaring
at them over the top of his glasses. The two girls looked at him sheepishly
while Willow giggled. “Thank you. There’s a bit more here. ‘Legend has it
that prior to a prolonged appearance in human form and to aid its magical
transformation, the creature is thought to…’”

His voice fade away. “Oh dear, oh dear…”

“Giles, you’re wiggin’ me out here.” Xander moved forward. “Willow, explain
please and in American English.”

The petite redhead had taken the opportunity to scroll down the page and
read the remainder of the text for herself. The more she read though, the
paler she became and Angel slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her
closer. She looked up at him. “Goddess, Angel, it is coming to the Hellmouth
and when it does…”

“Humans are going to start being killed violently.” The vampire said flatly.
“Giles, we have a major problem.”

“But why would the Toldar be coming here.” Oz asked sensibly. “There’s no
real reason for it.”

“Halloo! The Hellmouth.” Cordelia murmured.

“Oz and Cordy are both right.” Willow turned to look up at the Watcher,
unconsciously leaning back against the vampire. “What exactly has the
Hellmouth got to offer it.”

“Then that’s obviously what we need to start looking in to, Willow.” The
Watcher replied moving towards his office. “It’s time to look in the books.”

“I’ll need the Chronicles then Giles. I have this vaguest feeling that there
is something in the earlier recordings.” Angel ran his fingers against
Willow’s cheek in silent reassurance first, the small redhead leaning into
it, then stood up.

“They’re in their usual place, Angel. Willow, see if you can find out
anything else on that machine of yours.”

“I’m already on it.”

Giles turned to the others. “Amy, Oz, see if you can find out anything in
reference to destroying this creature, if it turns out to be necessary.”

The witch and the werewolf nodded, then headed up into the stacks. Xander
and Cordelia looked at each other then at the Watcher. “What do you want us
to do, Giles?” The young man asked.

“Do a brief sweep, pick up some food for us then head back here. We can’t
afford to stop our usual routines.” He replied as he returned to his own
customary seat. He picked up his own current research book. “But the more
eyes we have looking the better under the circumstances.”

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

Part Nine

As it neared midnight, Oz slowly emerged from the stacks, still reading the
open book he was carrying, a frown on his face. “Giles, I don’t suppose that
you have any idea as to where Charlemagne’s sword is, do you?”

“Actually…” Giles looked up. “No, I don’t. Why do you ask, Oz?”

“Something I came across in this book just a moment ago.” He came down the
steps and handed the book to the Watcher. “Try the second paragraph down. It
appears to describe the killing of one of these creatures with the sword.”

“Does it now. Interesting.” He mused as he took the book. “Thank you Oz.”

The werewolf sat down, glancing round the library as he did so. Xander and
Cordelia were leaning against each other, fast asleep. Amy was curled up in
a chair by the steps, a book in her lap as she slowly turned the pages.
Sensing someone watching her, she looked up and grinned at him, before
returning to her book.

He looked over to the computer, expecting to find Willow in her usual place,
but for once she wasn’t. Looking round, he tracked the petite redhead down
to where she now lay stretched out asleep on the library sofa. The vampire
was sitting on the floor leaning against it, a tower of books at his side
that he was suppose to be looking through.

He was actually watching the redhead though, holding one of her small hands
in his, as he gently brushed back her fringe out of her eyes. Upon his face
was a rare expression of peacefulness. A small grin passed through the
guitarist’s normally stoic eyes.

“Giles, the gang’s asleep.” He murmured quietly. “And its midnight.”

The Watcher looked up and around the library, taking in the scene around
him, his eyebrow raising slightly as he took in the vampire and hacker. He
turned back to the werewolf. “Can you wake up Xander and Cordelia, Oz.”

“My pleasure.” He grinned, moving towards them.

Standing up, Giles looked over to the vampire. “Angel, you better wake
Willow up.”

The vampire dropped his hand away, turning to the older looking man. “I’d
rather not, Giles. She’s too deep for once in her life.”

Standing, he moved his books to the table, looking over the other witch.
“Amy, aren’t you staying with Will at the moment.”

Yawning, the blonde closed her book and stretched. “Yeah, Dad’s out of town
this month and as Will’s olds are almost permanently gone these days, it
makes life easier. Especially with whoever is following us.”

“I’ve got the van out back, Angel.” Oz said quietly as he joined the vampire
and the sleeping redhead. Behind him, Xander and Cordelia were walking
slowly and sleepily out of the library front doors, the young man holding
his drowsy girlfriend up.

“Thanks Oz.” Angel gently lifted the sleeping girl into his arms. “Giles,
I’ll have a look through the books I have at my place. I took most of the
books from the mansion when Willow made me move out.”

“I’d appreciate it, Angel.” The Watcher replied as he started to lock up.
“Amy, would you tell Willow that I’ll be here before school tomorrow.”

“Sure Giles.” The witch replied as she followed Oz and the vampire up into
the stacks towards the back doors. She caught up with them just as they
reached them.

“Is it me?” She asked suddenly catching hold of the vampire’s arm urgently
but gently enough not to disturb the sleeping redhead. “Or is it too quiet
for words?”

Both vampire and werewolf looked at her then surveyed the area with their
enhanced senses.

“Wait her while I get the van.” Oz said quietly. “There’s nothing out there
at the moment but…”

“We’re on the Hellmouth’s back door, and here is more defensive.” Angel
nodded, shifting the sleeping redhead in his arms slightly.

The werewolf nodded, then vanished into the shadows. The blonde witch drew
closer to the vampire, her gaze darting nervously around. “I’ve never really
realised just what they went through all this time.”

“Welcome to the Scooby Gang, Amy.” The vampire grinned. “As Xander puts it,
reality sucks.”

The guitarist arrived back a few moments later in his colourful van. Amy
opened the door, allowing the vampire to lift the sleeping redhead into the
back before joining her. He gently moved her so that she was leaning against
him and using him as a pillow.

Closing the door with an unnecessary slam, she promptly jumped into the
front seat with Oz. “Home James and don’t spare the horses.”

With a grin, Oz did exactly that.

As they turned into Willow’s street, she suddenly started awake. “Oz, pull
in here.” She commanded firmly. “Someone’s trying to get into the house.”

Amy swung round startled. “How can you be so sure, Willow. I didn’t feel a
thing.”

“I kind of added an alarm to the wards on my room, that’s why.” Willow sat
up, although Angel kept his arms around her shoulders as he sensed the
tenseness she was doing a good job of hiding. “I felt someone trying to get
in but being stopped.”

A moan escaped her and she buried her head against Angel, wrapping her arms
around his waist. “Oh Goddess, Angel, please not again please don’t let it
be happening again.”

He immediately drew her onto his lap, enveloping her with his strong arms as
he looked over her head to the werewolf. He nodded towards her home. “Oz,
see what you can find out.”

The guitarist nodded, slipping out of the van, leaving the vampire and the
blonde witch watching over their companion. Amy glanced at Angel for a
moment and found herself almost stunned by the look in the vampire’s dark
soulful eyes. He was gently rocking the petite girl back and forth, holding
her as if he never intended to let her go again.

What stunned her even more was the way her normally shy friend was clinging
to the vampire as if he was the only person she could trust. The little
redhead looked up at Angel for a moment and he kissed her gently before she
rested her head back against him, tightening her hold around his waist.

Oz returned five minutes later, carrying two long white boxes. “This was all
I could find. Who ever left them was gone long before I got them.” His eyes,
however, told a different story. “The cards have got your names on them,
Will, Amy.”

“Our names!” Amy exclaimed, taking the box he handed her. She swiftly
removed the black ribbon, then the lid. “Oh… my… Goddess.” She removed a
black rose. “It’s black but it’s beautiful.”

Willow raised her head, a puzzled look in her green eyes. Moving slightly
but remaining in Angel’s protective hold, she reached out for the second box
and opened it as well… only to remove a second black rose. “Now this
definitely qualifies as of the weird.”

“Hellmouth weird or just plain weird.” Oz murmured, grinning as the two
girls glared at him. He started up the van again and drew into Willow’s
driveway. “I’ll see you two in school tomorrow.”

“Okay.” The two girls slipped out, Willow turning back to the vampire.
“Angel?”

“Be there in a minute, Will.” Waiting till they were out of earshot and
inside the safety of the house, the vampire turned to the werewolf. “Well?”

“I caught sight of someone remarkably like Spike chasing after someone.” The
werewolf replied quietly. “I smelt two creatures on the balcony. The
strongest on the boxes.”

“Spike.” Angel growled.

“No. Scenario here – Spike came across who ever left the boxes and has gone
after them.” Oz looked puzzled for a moment. “This is weird, man.”

“Very. I wonder what the hell he’s playing at? I think it’s time I had words
with that childe of mine.” The vampire mused. “Alright, Oz, thanks.”

The werewolf nodded in response, then drove off.

Angel entered the house, locking the door behind him. He noticed the light
flashing on the answer phone and called out. “Will, you’ve got messages.”

“Get them, will you.” Her voice came back from the kitchen where it was
obvious she and Amy had headed straight for on entering the house. “Thanks
Angel.”

“What am I, Will, your secretary?” He called back laughing and shaking his
head.

“You mean you’re not.” She called back giggle fore and aft. “And there’s me
thinking you were.”

“I’ll get you back for that, young lady.” He called back as he pressed the
button. “You have 2 messages.”

“Will, it’s Cordelia. You’ll never guess what I found when I got home. A
beautiful black rose in a long white box. Way weird right! Xander is so
jealous. I’ll see you in school in the morning.”

“Extremely Cordelia.” Angel murmured. “Especially considering Amy and Willow
also got one.”

“Willow, this is your father. Your mother and I will be home on November
1st. Please see that the guestroom is made ready for our arrival. We will be
bringing an important guest with us. Important for your future, so your
presence will be required. Try to be there for once.”

“I’m so thrilled.” Willow murmured from behind him. “I must do my best not
to be. Anything else, Angel?”

Angel turned to find her leaning against the banister, her eyes dark. “Just
Cordy. She got a rose too.”

“Well weird.” Amy murmured joining them. “I wonder who else did.”

The vampire drew the redhead into his arms and she wrapped her own about his
waist. “I’m not happy with the idea of you two being here on your own here
tonight, Willow.”

“Angel, we’re seventeen and witches at that.” She replied firmly leaning
back to look up at him. This was not the first time she’d had this
particular conversation with the vampire. “We can take care of ourselves.”

“I know but…” Willow raised her fingers to his lips as Amy laughed.

“I wouldn’t say anymore if I were you, Angel.” She said quietly as she
walked passed them. “You should know her resolve face when you see it. See
you in the morning, Wills.”

“Night Amy.” The redhead replied fingers still on Angel’s lips. Green eyes
were fastened on brown as they fought a silent battle of wills.

Amy rolled her eyes and continued upstairs. “This would be sad if it wasn’t
hysterically funny.” She thought to herself grinning.

“Alright Angel.” Willow gave a sigh eventually removing her fingers and
resting her hand on his shoulder. “Just promise me you won’t cut it too
close to sunrise before you go leave.”

“You know me too well, ionúin.” He raised his hand to her cheek, caressing
it with his thumb. “What is it?”

“Did you really think I wouldn’t know you’re holding back on me.” She caught
his hand. “Tell me!”

“I will, I promise.” He lowered his head and kissed her swiftly. “When I’ve
checked it out.”

“Then you better go by the mansion.” She murmured, giggling at the stunned
expression on his handsome face. She raised herself on tiptoes and kissed
him. “Try not to dust him on sight, Angel. I have the strangest feeling that
he may be useful to us.”

She freed herself, running her hand over his cheek in a soft parting caress.

“You continuously surprise me, baby.” He murmured as he watched her go.

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

“Giles, Giles.” As one, the three girls burst through the library doors the
following day, carrying their respective white flower boxes. “Look what
we’ve got.”

“Doughnuts.” He commented wryly as he came out of his office grinning. In
reply they held out the black roses to him. “Very nice, and this is
important because…”

“Because every single senior girl received one last night even the geeks.”
Cordelia replied jumping up on the booking counter. “A white box, a white
card with their name in black, and get this, hand written script and a
single perfect black rose.”

The Watcher’s grin had faded to a frown. “Strange.”

“Hellmouth strange.” Amy said quietly. “What makes it even weirder is the
fact that they knew I was at Willow’s last night.”

“Willow…” He turned to find the redhead already at the computer. “Ah
excellent. Amy perhaps you can see what you can find on the shelves.”

The blonde witch nodded, moving towards the second level as he turned to the
brunette. “Cordelia, do you happen to know where Xander and Oz are? They are
suppose to be here as well.”

“That annoying troll grabbed them as we came in.” She jumped down off the
counter. “Have to go, Giles. Unlike these two, I’ve got a class first
period.” With that she promptly left.

“Thank you, Ms Chase, as always for your brief assistance.” He murmured as
he returned to his office, followed by a light giggle from the listening
redhead and smiled himself.

After a futile search, Willow abandoned her computer an hour later. She
raised her voice as the Watcher was in his office. “Giles, I’m going. I
won’t be back until after last class. I’ve got tutorials at lunch.”

She had just reached the doors when he called her name. “Willow, is Angel
aware of these new events.”

“Of course he is, Giles. For one, he was there last night and another, I
just emailed him.” The redhead replied grinning mischievously at him.
“Unlike you, dear Giles, he’s not allergic to new technology.”

Laughing she disappeared followed shortly afterward by a giggling Amy. “Bye
Giles.”

“I most definitely have the strangest of charges.” He murmured to himself as
he returned to his office. He was however smiling.

Mid afternoon, the sound of the phone ringing jarred the Watcher out of the
book he was reading. He reached out and picked it up. “Sunnydale High
Library. Rupert Giles speaking.”

“Giles, its Angel.” The vampire’s voice was agitated.

“Good lord, what are you doing awake at this time of day.”

“We may have a problem.”

“Talk to me.”

“Tell Willow to check on all strange deaths on the Toldar’s route leading to
Sunnydale. If what Willie’s just told me is true, the creature may already
be here.”

“This is extremely not good as the children would say.”

“Believe me I know. Is Willow there?”

“Not yet. She said she had classes this afternoon.”

“I’m about to come through the tunnels but if she does get there before me,
tell her he’s here. Willow will understand.” The line was terminated.

“Mr Cryptic lives, or should that be unlives.” Giles murmured to himself as
he put the phone down. “Good Lord, I’m beginning to sound like Willow.”

Just then the library doors opened and the young woman on question slipped
in. “Hi Giles.”

“I thought you had classes this afternoon.” Startled he turned to face her.

“So did I.” Dropping her book bag on the table, she jumped on top. “Got to
the lab and Mrs Sorrelson was there. It appears Dr Woods has been struck
down with a migraine attack, so we’ve got study periods.”

“Then shouldn’t you still be at the lab.” He asked removing his glasses to
clean them.

“I never thought being a student teacher would be useful.” Willow grinned
mischievously. “I just said I needed to speak to you about some books I
wanted.”

“Yes, well.” He put his glasses back. “You just missed Angel on the phone.
He’s on his way here through the tunnels. He wants you to look up all the
strange deaths on the Toldar’s route.”

“I’m on it.” The redhead jumped off the table and headed to her computer to
boot up. “By the way, you looked weird when I came in. What else did he
say?”

“He’s here. Angel said you would understand.”

A slight grin crossed through her green eyes making her look more
mischievous than normal. “That’s going to make life… interesting.” She
murmured to herself, then raised her voice again. “Oh, Oz and Amy
volunteered to get supplies this evening. Amy needed to go to the magic shop
anyway.”

“Thank God, no pizza!” The Watcher exclaimed as he went back into his
office, accompanied by Willow’s musical laughter. “You better close the
blinds.”

Ten minutes later, Angel emerged from the tunnels to find the library in
complete shade and the petite redhead at the printer. “Willow.”

“Angel.” She turned to look up at him, eyes deeply worried. “I’ve got the
information you wanted. In the past six weeks there have been twelve deaths,
all unexplainable and definitely no vampire links.”

“Go on, Will. What else did they say?” He joined her on the lower floor.

“They’re all exactly the same, even down to very last detail.” She replied
handing him the printout. “Angel, what’s going on?”

Giles emerged from his office just in time to hear the vampire’s unwelcome
reply. “I think the Toldar has already taken on human form, little one.”

“Oh dear Goddess.” She buried herself against him and he wrapped his arms
around her trembling form. “This is so not good.”

“I know, little one.” He replied against her hair before looking up at the
Watcher. “There’s something else you need to know, Giles.”

“Why don’t I like the sound of this.” He sighed.

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

“Xander, I can still look.” Cordelia’s furious voice could be heard by the
threesome working in the library long before the mismatched couple arrived.
“I haven’t gone blind, you know. Even if I have doubted my own sanity to
still be dating you.”

“Cordy, you were looking at him for ten minutes, and that last bit hurt.”

“He was sitting in front of me, you… you dweeb!” Cordelia burst into the
library ahead of her boyfriend slamming the door shut in front of his face.
“I had no choice. Willow, would you please speak to your best friend, he’s
being totally unreasonable.”

The redhead threw her hands up in the air, pretending to field her off.
“Leave me out of this one, Cordy. He can dig himself out of whatever hole
he’s in by himself. Just one thing though…”

“What?” Cordelia asked warily.

“Just tell me who you’re talking about because I am way in the dark here.”

Cordelia jumped up onto the booking counter and took out her mirror. “Troy
Warner the new senior. You haven’t seen him yet but he’s a bona certified
hunk, and worth a second look with out a doubt. Even if our own tall dark
and dangerous could beat him into the ground.”

She promptly proceeded to check her make-up after that backward insult
compliment to the vampire. He promptly grinned at Willow who shook her head
in response at him.

Xander threw himself down in his usual chair, glaring at the brunette. “He
should be in your computer lab on Friday, Will. I saw his timetable when the
troll grabbed us this morning.” He reached out and grabbed a chocolate bar,
proceeding to eat it in one go. “So what else have you found out about our
unfriendly demon of the week.”

“Only bad news I’m afraid. It would appear that he may already be in human
form.” Giles answered looking up from the book he was reading.

Xander sat up straight. “That’s so not good.”

“Masterly understated.” Willow murmured as she stood up and stretched. “I
said that earlier.”

“Doesn’t count, Wills. I wasn’t here to hear.” He threw back at her. The
redhead rolled her eyes, hitting him as she passed him. “Ouch, that hurt,
Will.”

“Good!” Cordelia chimed, grinning at the redhead. “Do it again, Willow.”

“You do it, Cordy. He’s your boyfriend. Besides Xan’s head is hard.” Willow
complained a smile lurking in her eyes as she shook her hand, pretending it
was hurt. At her comment, Xander promptly objected, Angel hid a smirk and
Cordelia giggled while Giles coughed, trying to disguise his own laughter.

Two hours later, the werewolf and the second witch, also arguing joined
them.

“I’m telling you, Oz, we were followed.” Amy put the bags she was carrying
on the table then turned to glare at him. “I felt it the moment we left the
magic shop.”

“Are you sure Amy.” Giles looked up from the sheet of papers he had been
going through with Angel on their arrival. Doing so, he noted that the
vampire had tensed suddenly, throwing a look towards the shelves.

He also caught Willow’s slight nod as she caught his silent communiqué.

“Very sure. I’ve felt this particular presence before.” Amy replied, sitting
down. “The strange thing is I swear who ever it is was watching our backs
all the way here.”

“Peculiar to say the least.” Giles replied writing something on a piece of
paper. He stood up and held I out to the redhead. “Willow, can you get these
books for please. They’re up in the stacks.”

“Sure thing, Giles.” Willow jumped to her feet and took the list, glancing
over it swiftly only to grimace. “Gi-les, half these books are on the top
shelves. There’s no way I can reach them even with a stool.”

“I’m quite sure Angel would be willing to help you.” He murmured, grinning
as she pulled the vampire out of his seat and into the stacks.

Once in the stacks, Angel took the lead, Willow following close behind him,
hand in his belt. He stopped suddenly and she bumped into him. “Angel, warn
me!” She hit him slightly.

“Spike!” He growled after kissing the top of her head in silent apology. “I
know you’re here.”

“Angelus, Red.” Came the familiar mocking accented voice as the blonde
vampire came out of the shadows. “What a surprise meeting you here.”

“Spike.” Willow moved to stand at Angel’s side, her eyes frankly curious and
her hand still in his belt. “I could say the same for you.”

“You don’t seem too surprised to see me though, pet.” He leant against the
nearest bookcase, grinning. “You either, Peaches.”

“Can the pleasantries, Spike and get to the point.” Angel growled. Only the
petite redhead's calming vibes through their link and her hand on his arm
stopped him going for the younger vampire. “Why are you in Sunnydale and
where’s Dru?”

To their stunned shock, Spike’s annoying grin changed, and there was
something in his blue eyes that was not quite in keeping with his usual
persona.

“In Brazil as far as I know.” He growled eventually. “As to what she’s doing
there, I neither care or bloody want to know any more. I’ve had it with
her.”

Angel and Willow shared a concerned glance at the sheer bitterness in his
voice before the redhead spoke again, her voice comforting. “I’m sorry,
Spike.”

“I’ll live, Red.” He reacted to the note in her voice automatically, his
tenseness fading slightly.

She nodded realising that now was not the time to push him for the real
answer. “So why are you back in Sunnydale, Spike and why follow Amy and me.”

The blonde vampire pulled out a book from his duster pocket. “I don’t like
what’s going on around here at the moment, pet and I found this.” He
responded as he handed her it to her. “And Sunnyhell is as good a place as
any to be.”

Willow touched Angel’s back then moved into the light to examine the book
she had been given. “Try not kill each other, there’s enough dust up here as
it is.” She murmured as she moved away, making the two vampires grin
involuntarily with her final remark.

The elder vampire continued to watch her for a moment then turned back to
the younger vampire, expression serious once more. “I know you were at
Willow’s place last night, Spike. Did you see who left the boxes?”

“A brief glimpse when I was chasing after the bugger.” The younger vampire
scowled. “And I saw what those other buggers did to Red’s room, Peaches and
it just wasn’t right.”

“Believe me, Spike, I’m of the same opinion.” The dark haired vampire turned
slightly so he could see both Willow and Spike. “So why are you following
Amy?”

“She’s Red’s friend, isn’t that enough.”

Angel just threw him a look that said not convinced.

“I like the look of the chit, alright.” He scowled. “How the pair of them
know I’ve been following them is beyond me.”

“Try witchcraft, Spike. Amy and Will are witches.” Angel replied
distractedly as he sensed a change in the redhead’s mood. “Willow, what’s
wrong?”

“Angel.” Her voice wavered and he was at her side in a second, arm around
her. “Look at this.”

She pointed to a picture of a black rose, her face paler than ever. He read
the text next to the picture and his face grew grim.

“Giles!” He raised his voice then took the book out of her trembling hands
as she wrapped her arms about his waist. He handed the book to the Watcher
as he joined them, wrapping both arms around the redhead. “You better look
at this.”

Giles immediately started to read the pages that were causing so much
concern, then looked up at the two vampires and the trembling redhead.
“Where did you get this from?”

“Spike gave it to me.” Willow replied as the dark haired vampire drew her
even deeper into his protective hold. Even Spike had moved closer, the
expression on his face one of concern for the petite girl.

“Giles…” She continued. “He’s picked his intended victims already hasn’t
he.”

The Watcher nodded sadly and the redhead buried her face against Angel,
shuddering in fear.

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

Part Ten

“Spike, duck!”

A bolt flew through the space where the peroxide vampire had been, dusting
the huge fledgling that had been about to grab him. He stood up, dusting his
himself off and turned to face the slender girl who had just saved his
unlife. She was just lowering her crossbow, an impish grin in her green
eyes.

“Nice shot, pet.” He sauntered over to her side as she slipped the strap
back on her shoulder. “Where’s your ever present shadow, Red. You don’t
normally patrol on your own.”

“She’s not on her own, Junior.” Xander emerged from the shadows behind her
followed swiftly by the dark haired vampire and the remaining Slayerettes.
“So don’t even think of taking a bite.”

As he spoke, the vampire heard the redhead suppress a growl. “Xander, will
you just stop. When will you get it through your thick brain that Spike’s
helping us now. He hasn’t even attempted to bite me.”

“Besides, I like my unlife and Peaches would dust me if I even thought about
it.” Spike muttered in her ear. “I’m not a fool.”

“Will, he’s a vampire and he doesn’t even have a soul to use as an excuse.”
Xander continued.

“Tell me something I didn’t already know.” She shot back as she moved to
Angel’s side. He immediately dropped his arm around her shoulder as she
punched her best friend in the arm. “Not another word, Xander.” She warned
him.

“Yes indeed, Xander. Your arguments are becoming a little repetitious,
especially after three weeks of them.” Giles agreed as he leant against a
nearby headstone.

The young man subsided under the glare of his best friend and a thump in the
chest from his girlfriend.
“Idiot!” She murmured in his ear. “You should know better by now.”

“Willow…” The Watcher asked turning back to the redhead. “How many reports
did you find for tonight?”

“Three newbies. The one I just took down was a bonus.” She replied drawing
her leather jacket about her as a cool breeze shot threw the area. The
nights had begun to grow colder, a rare thing for California. “One buried
over in Ferndale and two here.”

“Right, Xander, Cordelia, I would suggest that we take Ferndale.” The
Watcher straightened.

“We’ll take here then.” Angel nodded in response to the silent look in the
younger man’s eyes. “Spike, you’re with us.”

“Amy, come on. Let’s scope out a place to watch.” Willow drew away from his
side and caught hold of the blonde witch’s arm, looking back over her
shoulder. “Oz, are you coming?”

“Not this time, Will.” The werewolf grinned. “The band’s got a gig, so the
vampire population of Sunnydale will have to do without me for once.”

“I’m sure that they’ll be absolutely devastated, won’t they, Willow.” Amy
murmured a sly grin in her eyes. “We’ll see you in school then.”

The werewolf merely grinned at her then faded away into the shadows. Giles
and the other two teenagers had already left, leaving the two witches with
the vampires. The two girls immediately started to walk ahead of them, heads
close together as they left Angel and Spike to follow.

“When did Red start carrying a crossbow?” Spike asked curiously. “And how
come she’s so bloody good with the damn thing. That shot was in the air
before I’d even moved. I’ve never even seen a Slayer do a shot that good.”

“She found the coroners report three nights ago, and knew an ordinary stake
would be no good. He was a half-back from the rival High School.” His sire
replied, his sparkling eyes never leaving the little redhead’s back. “As for
the rest, good question. Will!”

She turned and started walking backwards. “Yes, Angel.”

“He wants to know how you made the shot.” The vampire told her with a grin.
“I think he’s in awe of you.”

“Very Funny Peaches.” Spike scowled. “So Red…”

“Natural talent of course.” Willow replied seriously straight-faced. Her
merrily sparkling eyes told a slightly different story.

“Willow!” Angel laughed, holding out his hand to her. “Tell the truth,
little one.”

The redhead skipped merrily to his side then punched the blond vampire’s
arm. “Magic of course, you idiot. While I concentrated on the shot itself,
Amy enhanced the bolt to make sure it penetrated.”

“You lot really do believe in teamwork, don’t you.” Spike murmured as he
started to grin in response to the highly mischievous look in the redhead’s
green eyes. The grin faded as he turned to look at the blonde witch still in
front of them. “Something wrong, pet?”

Amy was staring at something straight ahead of them. “Ah, Will…” She said
slowly. “I thought you said there were only two here.” She started to walk
backwards, bumping into Spike.

“I did.” Willow replied just as she felt the vampire next to her tense. She
slipped the crossbow off her shoulder. “Angel?”

“Seven.” He replied, eyes flashing.

Spike caught hold of Amy and pulled her behind him. “Stay there pet.” He
growled over his shoulder at her.

Willow barely hid her grin as she caught the tongue her friend stuck out at
his back. She just handed the crossbow back to her, nodding towards the
small table tomb nearby. Amy acknowledged it with a nod of her own, then
sticking her tongue out at Spike’s back again, started to move into
position.

Rolling her eyes, the little redhead turned to look up at Angel and found a
slight smirk playing on his lips.

She raised an eyebrow in silent query and he nodded his head, running his
finger down the side of her face. “Ready to fight álainn.”

“Always unfortunately.” She glanced over to Spike. “How exactly are we going
to do this? Spike, do the clans know that you are back in town.”

“They might do, Red, but couldn’t say for sure.” The blond vampire responded
his eyes glinting at the thought of the fight ahead. “Depends on whether
that stupid barman kept his mouth shut.”

“In that case, they know.”

Angel drew the petite girl closer, resting his arm about her shoulder, his
hand at her neck, finger softly stroking over the pulse point. “Trust me
little one.” He asked in a low voice, his game face emerging and his eyes
flashing.

“Always Angel.”

He bent down and kissed the side of her neck, running his tongue over it.
Willow promptly shuddered at the sensation.

“Well, well, well. Look whose back in town.” The first of the vampires
approached them, his attitude cock sure and arrogant. “If it ain’t Angelus
himself… and Spike. With a tidy little morsel as well.”

Angel grinned nastily as he sensed the silent growl from Willow through the
bond. The little redhead had most definitely not appreciated that particular
remark.

“So bloody what!” Spike growled. “What business is it of yours.”

“You’re not the Master here any more, Spike. There’s a new one in town.”

“And highly unimpressive he’s been as well.” Angel murmured, as he appeared
to thrust Willow at his childe. He began to clap his hands slowly, the smile
on his face very reminiscent of Angelus at his best. “Let’s give the man one
final round of applause.”

As he did so, Willow murmured to Spike, her hand in the pocket of her
leather jacket. “Spike, I’ve got a stake if you want it.”

“Thanks Red. I think I can manage without it.” He gripped her arms firmly.
“Peaches is ready to make his move.”

“I know. He just told me.” Willow replied simply. “Amy NOW!”

A bolt shot through the air straight through the heart of one of the
vampires as Angel shot out a leg, kicking the one nearest to him into a
broken branch. Spike released Willow swinging round to attack the vampires
to the left. The small girl pulled out a water pistol firing into the eyes
of the three vampires nearest her. She then launched herself into the fight
staking one immediately.

On top of the tombstone, Amy kicked away a vampire as it came near to her.
As an extra three came out of simply nowhere, she gave a panicked shriek.
Breaking the neck of the vampire he was fighting, Spike swung round to see
her shoot a bolt through one then use the bow to hit another in the face.

Angel swung round from staking another. “Don’t push watch, Spike, help Amy.”
He immediately turned to stake the vampire Willow had just kicked at him.

With a growl at his sire, the younger vampire shot forward to help the
blonde witch.

Willow staked her last vampire of the original group and turned round to
watch her friends. A pair of arms snaked round her waist and she leant back
against Angel’s chest. “That’s eleven, Angel, eleven in one night. Oh
Goddess, what if Giles and the others…”

He turned her round and she rested her hands on his chest as he silenced her
with his finger. “They’ll be fine, little one.”

The worry in her green eyes did not lesson in the slightest and he raised
her chin. Lowering his head, he kissed her gently. “They’ll be fine, baby.”

“Angel…” She started before he kissed her again. Her hand slid up his chest
into his hair and she held him closer, nipping at his lips as she returned
the kiss. He immediately took the opportunity to deepen it, drawing her
closer…

“I need a bloody insulin shot.” A familiar sarcastic voice broke them
reluctantly apart, laughing lightly.

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

“Can you believe it’s almost Halloween and we still haven’t found a trace of
the Toldar.” Amy put her books in her locker then slammed it shut. Turning
round, she leant back against it and looked over to her friend. “Willow, has
Angel said anything about what’s going down on the Bronze on Saturday.”

The redhead shut her own locker with a little less ferocity. “Are you
kidding! For reasons known only to himself, he’s turned it over to
Cordelia.”

“Are you quite sure his mind wasn’t messed up in Hell?”

“Very funny… not.” Willow turned round herself. “He just likes being cryptic
every so often still.”

“Plus the fact he kisses you every time you start to ask questions.” Amy
grinned mischievously. “So you’re not exactly going to complain are you
Wills.”

Willow grinned slyly. “Smoochies are good.” She cast an even slyer look at
her friend. “Kissed Spike yet?”

“Willow!” The genuinely shocked reply started the redhead laughing.

The pair started to walk down the corridor.

“You must have tried the link to find out by now?” The still blushing Amy
inquired.

“Where would be the fun in that!” Willow started to reply before groaning
suddenly. “Oh please tell me that’s not Troy down there. Why doesn’t the
Hellmouth just open up and swallow me if it wants to torture me.”

“I’d almost forgotten that he’d picked you to chase down this week.” Amy
grinned at the pained expression on her fellow witch’s face. “Poor Willow.”

“Poor Willow my foot!” The redhead retorted as she started down another
corridor. “I have to go. I promised Giles I’d get some things from the magic
shop tonight. I might as well go now.”

“Chicken!” The blonde called after her. “See you at the Bronze tonight.
Spike said he might join us. Something about annoying Angel and Xander.”

“In that case most definitely.” Came back the reply as she vanished. “And
I’m not chicken.”

“That girl is getting way too good at doing that. Angel is really beginning
to rub off on her.” Amy muttered to herself as she turned to face the newest
senior. “Dear lady what if…” She broke off that line of thought, unwilling
to even admit to herself that she had deeper feelings for the younger
vampire than people realised.

“Amy!”

Turning, she faced him. “Troy.”

“Was that Willow I saw you with just then. I wanted to speak to her.”

“Nope!” Amy lied without hesitation. “Haven’t seen Will since lunch. Said
something about going to see her boyfriend straight after school.”

“So, she does have a boyfriend. Is it serious?” He asked as he moved into
step with her.

“Extremely.” Amy replied looking at the young man out of the corner of her
eye. Catching the look on his face, a shiver went down her spine and she
suddenly felt very afraid for her friend. “I wouldn’t advise you trying to
break them up either, Troy. For one, you couldn’t even if you tried and for
another, he simply adores her and he’s not the sort of man that you cross.”

“So how come I’ve never seen him around.” His tone of voice clearly said
that he didn’t believe a single thing she was telling him.

“He doesn’t exactly hang out in the same places as you do that’s why. Just
like us.” Amy caught sight of a currently purple haired Oz and felt a sense
of relief. “Look Troy, there’s a friend of mine I really need to speak to.”

She started to move away, then stopped turning back to look at Troy. “I’m
not one for giving advice normally but this time I really think I will. Troy
put Willow out of your games. You really don’t know what he’ll do to you if
you try for her. Believe me, it won’t be nice.”

She continued down the corridor, latching onto the werewolf with a sense of
desperateness. He raised an eyebrow, looking back over his shoulder.
“Trouble.”

“Yeah and all for Willow.” Amy started to literally drag the guitarist away.
“He’s way more interested in her than all the others he’s gone after.”

“Then we better let the fountain of knowledge know.”

“A unique way of referring to Giles, Oz.”

“I’m developing a way with words lately.” A smile broke through his normally
stoic façade. “I was thinking we could let him tell Angel.”

“Who’s going to tell Spike.” Amy muttered. “Six weeks in his company and
it’s obvious he’s fond of Willow. Not as much as his sire but close.”

“Jealous Amy.”

“And just why would I of all people be jealous, Oz?” Amy said with a
threatening note in her voice.

The werewolf, wise as ever, chose to easy option. “Beats me. We better go
tell Giles about Troy.”

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

That evening, Willow walked into the Bronze with Xander and Cordelia
laughing. “Did you see Harmony’s face. It was just priceless.”

“I know.” Cordelia grinned. “Like so totally confused.”

“You two are taking too much pleasure from this.” Xander pointed out wryly.

“And you’re not. Why don’t I believe that somehow.” His girlfriend pointed
out as she stopped to see who was there.

“Of course I am. I just thought I should point it out that’s all.”

“Idiot!” Laughing, Willow punched her best friend then went to move towards
their usual corner only to find her way blocked by the one man she didn’t
want to see… Troy Warner.

“Willow, here you are. I’ve been waiting for you. You’re late.” He grabbed
her arm, speaking as if they had arranged to meet.

“Troy!” Willow said flatly as she did her best to free herself. “Well, here
I am, now can you let me go. I’m here with my friends and my boyfriend.”

“Of course you are.” Totally ignoring what she had said, the dark haired
senior started to pull her to the dance floor. “Let’s go dance.”

“Troy, let me go. I don’t want to dance with you.” As she was completely
ignored, Willow shot a look over her shoulder. “Help me! Get Angel.”

“Cordy, find Deadboy.” Xander ordered his girlfriend as e started to follow
them.

“Just don’t do anything stupid, Xander.” Cordelia responded as she headed in
the opposite direction. “And what ever you don’t dare embarrass me or
Willow.”

He merely muttered something under his breath and continued after the
redheaded friend.

Willow found herself in the meantime in the middle of the dance floor,
trapped in the new senior arms. He started to move them around floor and for
some strange reason, she found herself unable to even struggle making her
realise that some form of magic was being used to keep her there. She could
feel the familiar presence of Angel’s mind but sending urgent looks around
the club, the only face she could recognise was Xander.

Her best friend was watching her with worried eyes and she sent up a silent
prayer. “Goddess please help me!”

As the redhead sent up her desperate plea, Cordelia went up several steps to
look about the club for the dark vampire. “Where are you, Angel?” She
murmured aloud to herself. “You should know that Willow needs you right
now.”

As if he had heard her, his familiar voice came from above her. “Cordelia,
what’s going on? Where’s Willow?”

“Angel.” Cordelia heaved a sigh of relief and looked up at him. “I was
actually beginning to think you weren’t here. Has she told you about Troy
Warner.”

The vampire moved down a step, a dark look in his eyes. “Will’s said that
he’s been following her.”

“Well, he’s gone a step further. He grabbed her when we came in.” Cordelia
pointed out to the dance floor. “He’s got her out there and refuses to take
no for an answer.”

The dark haired vampire spun his head round as he suddenly felt the redhead
grow even more agitated… just in time to see the petite girl frantically
pulling away from the man holding her as he tried to kiss her. “What in
the... Cordy come with me.”

As she obeyed him without question, the former cheerleader could have sworn
that for a few seconds the vampire’s game face had completely emerged.
“Heaven help Warner if I’m right.”

As she reached the dance floor, it was just in time to catch her boyfriend’s
arm as he started to follow the vampire out onto the floor and pull him
back. “Xander, leave it. Angel can deal with Warner.”

“But Cordy…” Xander started to object before catching the relieved look in
Willow’s eyes. It was obvious she had just caught sight of the vampire
moving swiftly towards her. “I’ll hold that thought and raise Angel against
it.”

“I’ll take that bet.”

“Angel!” Willow breathed thankfully as she pulled away from Troy again.
“Thank the Goddess.”

“Problem baby.”

“Not now that you’re here. Troy… let… me… go!” Once again she pulled away
but this time she actually kicked him and succeeded in freeing herself.

Angel immediately reached out and pulled her into to his side. Her arms shot
round his waist and she raised her face to his. The vampire caressed her
cheek then lowering his head, gently kissed her. “Alright now, little one.”

She raised her own hand to his cheek, then rubbed her own against his grey
jumper allowing their bond to answer him. The fact that she drew even closer
to him also shouted her answer and he bent down and kissed her again,
lingering for a moment.

“Who are you?” A strange look crossed Warner’s face as he watched the
redhead cling to the tall handsome and most definitely dangerous looking
older man. He had honestly discounted what the blonde Amy Madison had
informed him earlier that day, believing she was just trying to warn him
away from her friend.

The extremely protective aura that now surrounded the redhead however seem
to confirm everything she had tried to tell him and for the first time, he
felt a feeling of fear going down his spine. This was definitely not a man
to be crossed.

Xander and Cordelia, catching the interested looks being thrown at the
three, moved forward. The youth touched the vampire’s shoulder. “Angel, I’d
move this side show off the floor if I was you.”

“You’re Angel.” Warner actually started to back away bumping into other
dancers and earning himself furious glares. “I wasn’t told about this.”

Before anyone could question what he meant, he slipped away leaving the
Slayerettes to look round at each other in bewilderment.

“Now that was way weird.” Cordelia said eventually.

“Way weird much.” Xander agreed as he put his arm about her shoulders.
“Wills, are you okay.”

Willow turned to look at him still in Angel’s protective hold and looking as
if she wasn’t moving from that place any time soon. “I’ll have a few bruises
tomorrow but other than that, I’m fine.” She looked up at the vampire. “More
than fine.”

He ran his finger over her lips, bending down to kiss her again.

“I can get rid of any bruises you’ve got, Wills but why do you have them.”
Amy said suddenly from behind them. The four turned round to find the
remaining two Slayerettes and the blond vampire. “Does it have anything to
so with Troy Warner.”

“Especially as we just saw him jump in a car outside and speed away like the
devil was after him.” Oz added.

“What did you do Peaches? The kid was pale as a ghost.” Spike inquired
grinning broadly as he drew closer to them. As he moved into the brighter
light, he caught the slightly pale features of Willow and his grin faded. He
promptly growled.

“Red, what’s happened?”

“Stuff.” Xander answered blandly earning a growl from both vampires. “Look,
I’ll fill you three in when we get Wills out of the limelight, so hold your
horses.”

“Please Angel.” Willow had suddenly seen the looks they were getting and her
old shyness came out in force as she hid her face against Angel’s chest.

“Alright baby.” He murmured into her hair.

As one the slayerettes and vampires responded to the quiet plea moving
across to the their usual shadowed corner of the Bronze.

Angel drew the petite redhead down onto the sofa with him and she curled up
against his side, holding his arm tight around her. Once she was
comfortable, she turned her gaze to Amy. “How come you were late, Amy any
way.”

“Giles called just as I was leaving.” Amy replied as she sat down on the arm
of the chair Spike had taken. The other official couple of the group had
taken the other end of the sofa while Oz was sitting on a chair turned the
wrong way round. “He’s got a firm lead on the sword that we need.”

“Trust the Watcher man to track it down.” Xander grinned. “The question of
the hour is can we get our hands on it.”

“He seems to think so. He tried your house, Will before he called me.” Amy
replied quietly. “So what’s the deal with Troy. I thought I managed to scare
him off this afternoon after you vanished, vampire style.”

Xander leant forward and started to tell the other three what had happened
as Willow dropped her head to Angel’s shoulder. He ran his hand down her
cheek sensing her active mind at work through their bond. “I can hear the
wheels turning, Little one.”

“Then let them turn by themselves for a moment.” Willow raised her head,
brushing back a lock of hair. She moved his arm and entwined her fingers in
his so that she could concentrate on his face. “You’ve been brooding on
something lately, Angel. I just haven’t got round to worming it out of you.
What’s going on?”

“Believe me álainn, there’s nothing for you to worry about.” Angel grinned
kissing her forehead. “By the way, still trying to find out what’s happening
this All Hallows Eve.”

“You’re enjoying this way too much, Angel.” She punched his chest. “No, I’m
not. One thing though, how are we going to persuade Giles to come on
Saturday.”

“Leave that to us.” Angel shared a look with Xander and Oz that had the two
young men grinning. “We have it well in hand, trust us.”

“He’s playing games, Red.” Spike rolled his eyes.

“Well, like duh! If that wasn’t of the obvious.” Cordelia put in as she
shared a look with the other two girls. A look that spoke volumes. “I’m
feeling worried here girls.”

“Bother worried, Cordy, I’m going straight to terrified.” Willow finished,
thumping Angel again. “Just what up to, Angel.”

“If that’s terrified, I’m alive and breathing, pet.” Spike murmured with a
smirk at the redhead. “Want to check.”

His sire promptly growled but Willow merely grinned back at him, lowering
her head to Angel’s shoulder once more as the conversation around them fell
into more general subjects.

He gently rested his chin on her head as they listened in contented silence
to their friends.

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

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