Willow literally flew down the corridor into the library.
"Giles, Giles, I need the disc. Hi Angel. I met someone in the
park.
They said that... ANGEL!"
Before he knew what was happening, the vampire found himself holding
a rambling redhead.
"She said that your soul was permanent, and something about Buffy
not
being in the same state. That she was a selfish chit and that she
knew all about the Scooby Gang because of Whistler and that we're
rare mortals and I was going to find out something about Oz that I
wasn't going to like very much and that..." She broke off
abruptly,
suddenly aware of what else she was going to say.
A deep blush invaded her pale cheeks as she realised that both
Watcher and Vampire were looking at her with amused expressions. With
an embarrassed groan, she buried her face in Angel's white shirt.
"Someone shoot me please." She mumbled.
"I don't think so, Will, you're way too important."
Angel murmured in
her hair, his smile audible in his voice. He suddenly stiffened.
"Permanent!"
Willow drew back, eyes shining. "Yes, that's what she
said." Without
knowing it, she raised her hand and brushed away a blood red tear
from his cheek, then spun round to find the Watcher holding out the
restoration disc. "But I want to make sure."
With that, she turned to the computer and switched on. Moments later,
she was running the curse through a recently acquired translation
programme.
"Willow, I think you better tell us exactly what has happened to
you
this afternoon." Giles eventually said. "When you left the
library
earlier you weren't quite this hyperactive. Are you sure you
haven't
just had an overdose of coffee."
"Giles!" Willow exclaimed indignantly before catching the
amused look
in the Watcher's eyes. "That was so not funny, Giles."
"Needed to be asked though." He replied, leaning against the
counter.
"Now sit down and tell us about this person you've met.
I'm sure
you've time while that blasted machine translates your disc."
Willow promptly jumped on to the table, dragging a still slightly
stunned vampire with her. Then with a little bit of editing on her
part, she told Watcher and vampire about her conversation with the
strange woman in the Park.
"I swear it, Giles, there was something about her that felt
familiar
and the moment she spoke, I knew I could trust her."
"Which is why you promptly came here, asking for the disc."
"Giles, we still live on the Hellmouth. No harm in double
checking is
there." The redhead replied, an innocent look playing in her eyes.
"No, my girl, there isn't." he agreed, grinning at her
just as the
computer beeped. "Your infernal machine appears to have
finished."
She grimaced in response but went straight to the computer. Both men
followed her and read the screen over her shoulder. Moments later,
Angel was swinging a laughing Willow around in the air, a grin on his
own face.
"Angel... stop... dizzy." She gasped through her giggles.
"You clever, wonderful, beautiful girl." He replied, lowering
her to
the ground and enveloping her in a tight bear hug. "How can I
ever
thank you."
She returned it, wrapping her arms around his neck. "You already
have, Angel."
"Who's going to volunteer to tell Xander though." Giles
said
suddenly. With Willow's help, he had more readily accepted the
souled
vampire's return than the younger man. Xander continued to treat
him
with great distrust.
Willow turned to face him, a mischievous look playing in her green
eyes. "Who's he annoyed most recently?" She asked.
"Willow Anne Rosenberg!" Giles exclaimed as she burst into
giggles
again. Giggles that began to grow slightly hysterical.
"Willow?"
In response, the small girl suddenly collapsed to the floor, tears
falling. "Oh God, Giles, she's never coming back." She
cried. "She's
never coming home."
Angel was beside her immediately, pulling her into his arms. The
redhead buried her face against him as she continued to cry
heartbrokenly. Over her head, he shared an understanding look
with
Giles as he made soothing noises to the redhead.
The older looking man was also looking decidedly shocked as the
realisation struck him as well. He sank down into the nearest chair,
removed his glasses and buried his face in his hand. Only the sound
of the small redhead crying and the vampire's soothing nonsense
noises broke the sombre silence.
It was upon this scene that Cordelia and Xander walked in. The young
man took one look at the posture of the Watcher and his crying friend
and his face blanched. For once in his life though, he did not jump
to false conclusions.
"Giles?"
"Xander, Cordelia." The Watcher looked up and replaced his
glasses.
"I have news."
"Is she...?" he paled even further and his girlfriend wrapped
her
arms around him. "Please tell me she's not..."
"No, from what Willow was told, she's alive." The
Watcher's tone
turned slightly bitter. "Just don't expect ever to see her
again."
"Good." Cordelia's almost please response managed to
shock them all.
Even Willow raised her face from Angel's shoulder.
"Cordelia!"
"Oh please Will." She rolled her eyes. "Alright, so
things haven't
been that brilliant since the selfish bitch walked out on us, but
we've survived. If anything, with Angel back, we're doing a
whole lot
better."
"Is this where I say thank you." The vampire murmured in
Willow's
ear, before standing up and drawing her with him. It was enough to
bring a smile to the still slightly woe-begotten little face.
"I'm just glad to know that she's alive." Xander said
suddenly, his
own face grim and strangely more mature. "But I don't think I
ever
want to see her again, not now."
The other four looked at him in stunned shock.
"Alright, who are you and what have you done with our
Xander!" Willow
exclaimed. To the relief of both vampire and watcher, her eyes were
beginning to sparkle again as she crossed over to the computer.
"Oh,
and while we're in the mood for telling news, Angel's soul is
permanent."
"Oh good!" Xander replied absently. He had started to look
for his
hidden stash of sweets and wasn't really listening.
His girlfriend's unexpected and uncharacteristic squeal of glee
had
him spinning round.
"It's what!"
"Permanent Xander. As in forever." Giles repeated with a
peculiar
note of glee, watching the young man.
"You're sure."
"Of course we're sure. I double –checked." Willow
moved back to
Angel's side and linked her arm in her friend's. She smiled
up at
him. "Angelus is history."
"In that case..." Xander turned to face the vampire, a
strange look
on his face. He then stunned them all by holding out his hand to him.
"Congratulations, Deadboy."
Angel was stunned enough to take the hand and shake it.
Willow immediately felt her best friend's forehead. "No
temperature.
Giles, he has to be possessed."
"Very funny, Wills." He punched her shoulder.
"Just one question..." Cordelia inserted sweetly. "How
did we find
all this out?"
"Willow." Giles answered. "Why don't you fill
Cordelia and Xander in
on your adventure this afternoon. Angel, may I have a word."
"Of course."
They moved to one side as the other two teenagers converged on the
redhead, bombarding her with questions.
Once he was sure they were totally involved in their conversation,
Giles turned to the vampire.
"Angel, I'm worried." He said frankly. "This Ven has
been right about
your curse and I have no doubt about Buffy as well, but..."
"What did she mean by Willow finding out something about Oz she
wasn't going to like." Angel finished for him. "It
doesn't sound
good, does it."
Giles sighed heavily. "Not at all. I know they have been growing
apart recently. Willow admitted as much to me earlier today, but
he's
still her friend."
"We're just going to have to see what happens, but if he
hurts..."
The vampire broke off, his dark gaze fastened on the redhead.
"Giles,
she doesn't deserve this."
"I know she doesn't." The former Watcher replied.
"None of them do,
Angel, but Willow especially doesn't. Just remember she has
us."
"Permanently." Angel grinned suddenly, startling the older
looking
man. "I never knew just how good a word that was till now."
"What word?" Willow inquired as she caught his last statement.
"Permanently." Angel repeated, smiling at her.
"Definitely the bestest." She agreed, moving to his side.
"Even
better with soul attached."
"I feel the sudden need to be sick." Xander muttered.
"That's what happens when you stuff five Ho-Hos all at
once."
Cordelia shuddered. "Sheer gross!"
"Then I think it's time we did patrol." Giles put in
quickly. "Before
these two need a closet."
"Giles!"
Both Xander and Cordelia blushed as Willow giggled and Angel
smiled... again.
The Watcher merely ignored them all, picked up the supply bag and
walked away. The others looked at each other, ginned and followed.
End
read the sequal 'Discoveries'