The vampire looked down at the young woman he cradled in his arms and a
deeply worried expression passed through his dark eyes. “She’s deeply
worried about Buffy though, Giles.”

“Why am I not surprised to hear that. In all the time I’ve know her, she’s
always thought of everyone else before herself.” The Watcher murmured as a
smile that could only be called a father’s crossed his face. He gently
brushed back a stray lock of red hair that had fallen into her eyes,
touching her cheek gently.

His soft touch brought her out of the exhausted sleep she had fallen into
and she opened her eyes with a sudden alertness, green eyes meeting his. A
blush immediately swept over her pale face and she lowered her eyes
immediately, remembering with a burst of internal shame her severely
anti-social behaviour towards the Watcher over the past couple of months.
“Uh hi, Giles.”

“Willow.” He returned, hiding his smile.

With a slight grimace, she gently tapped Angel on the chest indicating that
she wanted to be put down. He obliged by gently dropping her feet to the
ground, but left his hands on her shoulders, reluctant to break contact with
her after only just finding her.

Almost as if she could sense his reluctance to lose touch and feeling the
same way, Willow leant back against his chest. Entwining her fingers
together nervously in front of her, she shuffled her feet slightly, as her
blush grew deeper. “I think I owe you an big apology, Giles. I’ve been a
right you know what lately.”

“My dear girl, don’t be so ridiculous.” At the sincere understanding note in
his voice, she looked up into what could only be called a true forgiving
father’s gaze. He drew her toward him and wrapped her in a warm hug. “You
have absolutely nothing to apologise for, Willow, believe me.”

“That’s what I told you, little one.” Angel murmured in her ear as she
returned to him almost immediately. He slipped his arms about her waist as
he felt her wilt tiredly against him, seeking his strength to hold her up.

“You’re biased and doesn’t stop the way that I was feeling.” She replied as
she leant her head against his chest. “I feel so tired, Angel. I just want
to sleep now.”

“You’ve been through a lot tonight, baby.” He turned her round and lifted
her into his arms again. She slipped her arms around him, her head falling
almost naturally into the crook of his neck with a deep sigh and he glanced
over to Joyce Summers. “I’m going to carry Will up to her room, Joyce. Can
you make sure that she stays there and doesn’t try to slip into Buffy’s
room.”

“Angel!” The redhead exclaimed indignantly, raising her head to stare at
him.

“I know you, Willow.” He stared her down dark eyes blazing with an emotion
only she seemed to understand for she smiled shyly, a faint blush once more
covering her pale cheeks. Running her fingers gently over his cheek, she
rested her hand just inside his open shirt and lowered her head again, eyes
closing.

“Come to that, so do I.” All of Joyce Summer’s motherly instincts went into
overdrive. “Take her upstairs, Angel. This young lady needs a full night
sleep after the emotional afternoon and evening she’s had.”

Carrying his precious burden, Angel followed the Slayer’s mother out of the
library, leaving the Watcher to his introspective thoughts. Sitting down in
his favourite chair, he thoughtfully considered the look that had just
passed between the dark haired vampire and the immortal redhead, trying to
decipher just what it could mean. It was almost as if…

With an abruptness that was completely out of character for him, he sat
straight up. “They said I love you.”

His exclamation rang out through the library with a shocking clarity,
reaching the descending vampire with ease. Angel swallowed a chuckle, having
just been given a summary of their recent conversation by Joyce.

He made a sound to alert the Englishman to his return, grinning as he
entered the library. “Joyce said you were a little stunned earlier.”

“I thought you were just going to bring her back to us, Angel. I never
expected either of you to reveal how you really feel about each other as
well.” Giles’ smile in return was slightly weak. “Especially as according to
Joyce, I’ve been remarkably unobservant upon the matter for a Watcher of my
experience. She was trying to be polite.”

Angel laughed as he sat down opposite the Watcher, the kind of laugh that
had never been heard from him before. A laugh of pure happiness. “I’m sure
that’s nothing compared to what Buffy could have said.”

“Believe me, Angel, I am highly delighted to have avoided that experience.”
Giles replied, sitting back comfortably in his chair. “I’m highly relieved
that Buffy was asleep when Joyce made her observation.”

His eyes suddenly grew serious as he removed his glasses for a moment. “You
and Willow have revealed how you really feel about each other?”

“Yes, we’ve finally stopped hiding.” Angel replied quietly, his eyes
softening as he thoughts drifted to the beautiful redhead. “But we’re going
to take it slowly, especially with things the way they are or at least try
to.”

“Then let me take this opportunity to say that I am extremely pleased for
you both.” The Watcher said equally quietly. “If ever there were two people
that deserved happiness, it’s you and Willow.”

“Giles!” This time it was the vampire that was stunned. If he was honest
with himself, this was not the reaction that he had expected. “I don’t know
what else to say… but thank you.”

“Think nothing of it, Angel.” Giles grinned suddenly. “All I ask of you is
that if… when we come across Xander again, I’m there to see his reaction to
the news.”

“If Will doesn’t turn him into a frog first.” Angel grinned as well as the
image of Xander Harris shrinking into a frog came to mind.

“More likely to be a rat.” Giles murmured, his grin turning nasty. “More
appropriate somehow. Especially for a witch that has a remarkable hatred of
frogs.”

Angel swallowed a chuckle, just as he heard the front door open and shut
quietly.

“Must be Laura and Black. They’ve been on patrol for most of this evening.”

“I had wondered why things were so quiet.” The vampire remarked as he sat
back in his chair.

“Giles!” A young woman of sixteen, long brown hair tied back in a thick
pigtail and dressed completely in black literally bounced into the library
doorway. “I need to… Angel, you’re home!”

“Laura.” He smiled at the younger Slayer.

She wrinkled her nose at him, before her expression grew extremely worried.
“Is she… are they…?”

“They’re both fine, Laura. Stop worrying, child.” Giles said quickly,
reassuring the young Slayer as she and her Watcher moved into the library.
He looked towards Angel who shook his head slightly. “In fact, Willow is
well on her way to be completely alright.”

The younger Watcher caught quickly on to the look the vampire and his
colleague exchanged, and frowned slightly. “Then you have got through to
Willow, Angel. Buffy did say that you would be the only one to do so.”

“Will and I have talked.” Angel replied shortly, intensely disliking the
man’s tone.

Black pulled out a chair, turned it round and sat down, leaning on its back.
“So how is our feisty little redheaded witch?”

“Will has a little way to go.” The vampire replied a strange look darkening
his eyes as he again caught the odd nuance in the younger Watcher’s voice.
His eyes flashed slightly as he made a mental note to speak with Willow
about it. “Most importantly, she’s stopped shutting us out.”

“Excellent! Good news indeed.” Black nodded before turning to the young
Slayer now perched on the arm of the older Watcher’s chair. “Laura, you need
to do some extra training on defence manoeuvres. You were extremely careless
and sloppy tonight.”

“You get surrounded by five vamps and see how you do!” The teenager shot
back, eyes’ burning with sparks of sheer fury. “It wouldn’t have hurt you to
lend a hand, then again, it most probably would.”

“Laura!” Giles touched the irate girl’s arm, saying her name with a calmness
that came across as a command. She closed her mouth with an audible gnashing
of her teeth that had the vampire hiding a smile behind his hand. “Go to
bed, child. You’re tired. I’ll speak to you in the morning.”

For a moment, it actually looked as if she was going to argue with Giles,
but the vampire managed to catch her furious eyes, adding his own quiet
authority. She nodded slightly, swallowing what she had been going to say.
Bending down, she kissed Giles’ cheek, then stood up. “Alright, Giles, I’ll
go. Night.”

“Wait up, Laura, I’ll walk up with you.” After a silent plea from the former
librarian, Angel swiftly followed the younger Slayer. “I want to look in on
Willow. She was exhausted when she went up. I want to make sure she went
straight to sleep.”

The slim brunette stopped in the middle of the stairs. “Angel, is Willow
really going to be 5x5. I get the feeling that you were keeping something
back from Mr Perfection.”

Ignoring the last part of her quite simply spiteful statement, knowing it
was a matter for the two older girls to deal with, he answered her. “Believe
me, Laura. Willow is actually far better that okay.”

A private smile crossed his face in the shadows as he swung a brotherly arm
over her shoulders. “But you can ask her yourself when you see her tomorrow.
She’ll most probably be with Buffy as usual if I know my Will.”

A strange look crossed her face as she noted the possessive way he referred
to the redhead, but one that didn’t jar the way that it always did when
Black spoke of Willow. This time it sounded right. She raised an eyebrow and
filed it away under ‘Things to talk to Willow about’ part of her mind.

“Is that your way of telling me to speak to those two, Mr Cryptic.” She
asked as they reached the top, a grin emerging.

The vampire actually chuckled. “Would you really want anyone else to going
to bat for you.”

“I get your point.” She stopped at her door. “Angel, aren’t the rest of your
team due in tomorrow.”

“That’s the plan as far as I know.” The vampire replied as he moved down the
dark corridor towards Willow’s plan.

“Good.” She opened her door, then stopped. “Angel…”

“Yes Laura?”

“Thanks for the advice.”

“De nada as Willow and Buffy say. It was nothing.”

The young Slayer merely grinned and shook her head in disbelief. “Pull the
other one, Angel.” She went into her room, closing the door quietly behind
her.

Smiling to himself, the vampire continued towards Willow’s room.

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

The vampire slipped into Willow’s room again an hour or so before the sun
was due to make its ascent into the sky. Moving to the side of the bed, he
sat down close to her, resting one hand on the other side of her body.
Gently brushing a lock of hair back from her face with his other hand, he
ran his fingers over her cheek and she unconsciously leant into the caress
in her sleep.

He settled closer to her, content to watch her as he waited for her to wake
up.

Just before the sun began it’s daily journey over Sunnydale, the petite
redhead stirred and slowly opened her eyes to find him there. A smile broke
through, brighter than any sun-filled day to the vampire and his dark eyes
shone with sheer internal delight as he looked down at her.

“Morning beautiful.” He said softly, running his fingers over her cheek.
“Angel.” She murmured with sheer sleepy delight, catching his hand and
pressing a kiss to it. “What time is it?”

“Just before sunrise.” He replied, leaning back slightly as she sat up
yawning. “I wanted to see you and warn you as well.”

“Warn me!” She repeated as her sharp emerald eyes shot to his face. At the
look in his dark eyes she groaned, resting her head against him for a
moment. “Laura! She’s had words with Black again.”

Laughing slightly, he turned round and rested his back against her
backboard, then drew her back down against him, arms around her body. “I
swear you can read my mind, Will.” He murmured into her shining hair as she
nestled her head against his chest. “And yes, they’ve had words.”

“It’s been happening more and more often recently.” Willow sighed deeply,
then shivered, actually moving closer to him. “I really don’t like him,
Angel. I know for certain that Buffy doesn’t either. There’s something about
him that’s just plain… creepy.”

The vampire frowned, remembering his own misgivings. “I did notice something
when he referred to you last night. Something that makes me dislike him
intensely.”

“Angel, you’ve only met him three times. How can you be so sure.” Amused,
Willow half-turned and rested her hands on his chest so she could look up at
him.

“Believe me, sweetheart, it’s enough to know that he’s trouble.” The vampire
replied, running his hand through her hair. “And he’s just a little too
interested in you.”

Willow shuddered, burying her face against his chest. “That’s so not what I
wanted to hear, Angel. I so didn’t want that particular suspicion
confirmed.”

“I’m sorry little one.” He murmured in her hair as he tightened his hold on
her. “But when a man exudes as much jealousy as Black did, it’s a bit hard
to miss.”

“Huh!” Her head shot up again. “Explain.”

“He didn’t like the fact that you and I had even talked.”

“I wish Spike and Buffy hadn’t argued.” She said violently. “He’s been
running interference up till now.”

“Do you actually know where that childe of mine is”

“I think he was going to New York a month ago to cool off and track down a
book for Giles.” She blushed slightly. “I kind of blocked him out as well,
and he was one well unhappy vampire.”

He touched her cheek gently before entwining her fingers in her hair. “He’ll
be back, baby. Ever since he started helping you three years ago, he’s
rarely been far from you and Buffy.”

“You didn’t see him, Angel. It’s been a long time since he’s been that
angry.”

“He will come back, Willow.” He repeated firmly, then pulled her up his body
and changed the subject with a swift but hard kiss. “Just how sun proof is
your room, little one.”

“Not enough for you.” She murmured against his lips in mock sorrow, although
there was a note of real regret in her voice as well. “Besides, we said one
day at a time remember and I want to be there when Buffy wakes up this
morning. I didn’t see her last night, and we need to talk more than normal
by the sounds of it.”

She kissed him again, lingering to allow him entrance with his tongue for a
moment, then pulled away. “Time to go, Angel. You never know, I might just
be there when you wake up.”

“Now that would be a sight worth waking up to, sweetheart.” He suddenly
rolled her over, before proceeding to kiss and caress her into a state of
complete sensual confusion and breathlessness, before leaving her abruptly
for the safety of the shadows, a smile on his face.

Willow collapsed back against her pillow, her expression one of stunned
sensual confusion. “Goddess, can that vampire kiss of what.” She murmured
breathlessly aloud as she shook her head, trying to clear it. “And I have
that to look forward to for eternity! I am so going to have to learn to hold
my breath.”

Giggling at that particularly ridiculous thought, she threw back her covers,
went through her normal morning routine before promptly heading for Buffy’s
room. Finding her friend still sleeping, Willow sat down on the window seat,
drew up her knees and looked out at the garden. Her eyes were dreamily
unfocused as she dwelt on thoughts of the vampire she loved beyond reason.
The vampire she had loved for longer than even she knew.

Buffy woke half an hour later to find her friend gazing out of the window, a
soft gentle smile on her lips. There was even an extra bit of colour in her
pale cheeks and the blonde smiled to her self.

‘Thank God for Angel.” She thought to herself. ‘He’s brought her back to
us.’

She moved slightly as a brief but sharp stab of pain shot through her body
and the redhead swung round, her gaze sharply focused on her friend. The
observant eyes could not miss the fine lines of pain that merely enhanced
her friend’s now fragile beauty.

“Buffy!”

“Hey Wills.” The blonde replied grimacing slightly.

Willow made a strange sign in the air with her finger, then jumped down and
picked up a glass from the bed side table… a glass Buffy could have sworn
had not been there for a moment ago. “Drink this Buffy. It should help
relieve some of the worse symptoms.”

Buffy did as she was told, having caught the barest hint of the redhead’s
now famous resolve face. “One of your potions, Will?” She asked on finishing
and returning the glass to the table.

“I wish!” Willow grinned ruefully, shaking her head as she sat down on the
bed. “I remembered it but Amy made it up. She sent it over when I was
still…”

The redhead broke off, lowering her eyes as memories assailed her.

“Out of it, not in your right mind, incommunicado, possessed by the dread
machine.” Buffy continued helpfully for her, trying to relieve the sudden
tension and desperate not to lose her friend again.

Willow broke into laughter, unable to help herself at the gentle teasing.
The final black cloud that had been hovering over her dissipated and neither
girl ever felt the need to speak of her withdrawal, knowing there was no
need to. The matter had been settled without words.

“Very funny, Buff.” The redhead curled up on the end of the bed, her
expression turning serious. “Feel up to playing the elder and supposedly
wiser Slayer today.”

“Laura and Black have had another argument.” The blonde groaned before
glaring at her friend. “And I heard that, you!” She settled back against her
pillows.

“Bit hard not to, and it’s more like a few words really.” Willow picked up
the toy dog sitting beside her and drew into her arms, resting her chin on
its plush head. Her eyes grew even darker. “Angel doesn’t like him, Buffy. I
mean, he really does not like him, and I’m talking demon and soul here.”

“Now why am I not surprised. “Buffy murmured as the two girls fell silent.

The fading Slayer promptly took her first opportunity in a long while to
look her friend over. When she had last seen, Willow had been totally
withdrawn, emotionless even. Interested in nothing and not even caring. Her
bright eyes had been dulled by an unseen heartbreaking agony, almost dead.
It was almost as if there had been someone else using her body, because she
had not been their Willow at all.

The final realisation that they had been about to lose her completely to the
depression she had fallen into had come the day she had refused to see Angel
or even talk to him. No matter what had happened to the redhead in the four
years since the vampire had returned from hell, she had been the one person
to never shut him out. It had been a clear sign that things were approaching
crisis point.

It had also led to Buffy’s panicked call to Angel, demanding that he came
home to Sunnydale. She had long ago accepted that he was the only person
ever to truly understand her redheaded friend, just like Willow was the only
person who truly understood and accepted Angel for who he was.

Now Willow’s eyes once more shone with the deep emerald fire that seemed to
sing of the strong, pure unbreakable spirit that lived within her. Yet it
was the golden aura that now surrounded the petite redhead that shouted most
loudly to her observant friend. It was the one thing that she had always
hoped for her friend, allowing her own eyes to now burn brightly with
happiness.

It was the glow of someone who was deeply in love and knew that they were
loved just as deeply in return.

‘Way to go, Angel.’ Buffy thought to herself. ‘It was way overdue the fates
gave you two exactly what you needed, and you need each other.’

“Buffy, I can hear the wheels turning and you must know what I look like by
now.” Willow murmured in amusement. “What ya thinking?”

“Just how much love suits you.” The blonde went straight to the point,
grinning as Willow blushed. “It always has but this time… this time there’s
something different. It’s as if only now you’ve really come alive. Almost as
if you been playing on the edge of life, waiting for someone to bring you
into the game.”

“Buffy!”

“Well, it’s true.” Buffy reiterated with a broad grin, totally unrepentant.
“Beside, do you really think I would miss the perfect chance to tease you.”

Willow threw the dog at her, making her friend laugh.

The redhead shook her head. “You’re growing worse, Buffy. Spike has got a
lot to answer for.”

“You haven’t heard yourself on the odd occasion.” She replied her grin sly
before turning her head on the side. “Laura’s on her way. That was her door
just slamming.”

The redhead looked at her watch and eyes widened. “By the goddess, she never
gets up this early.” She looked at Buffy again. “This could be more serious
that we thought.”

“Witch sense.” Buffy murmured.

“No, just plain old common.” Willow stood up, stretching. “I told Angel I
wish you and Spike hadn’t argued earlier, especially when it was such a
stupid thing to have an argument over. Even when Black was at his most
annoying, Spike seemed to keep him under control.”

Buffy shot her strange look. “I’d love to know exactly what you mean by
that, Willow.”

“I’m sure you would, but I’m not telling.” Willow replied just before the
younger Slayer knocked on the door.

“Buffy, Willow, can we talk?”

“Come on in, Laura.” Buffy called back without coughing for one. As the
younger girl came, she threw an intrigued look at Willow. “Just what was in
that potion, Will?”

“Like I said, just something to help ease all of the really annoying
symptoms.” Willow replied as she sat down on the window seat. “It was the
only thing Amy and I could think of seeing that we’re unable to use our
magic to help in any other way.”

“Willow!” Both slayers were stunned in to silence, staring at the redhead
wide-eyed.

She just shrugged nonchalantly. “What’s the use of being a witch if you
can’t help your friends.” Her eyes suddenly sparkled wickedly. “I’m quoting
Junior here by the way and not the way he meant it at the time either.”

Buffy just shook her head. “It’s a real good thing Angel knows about this
dark side of you or I’d be feeling sorry for him.” Her grin turned extremely
mischievous. “Scratch that last thought! Angel’s not going to know what hit
him.”

“Buffy!” Willow’s tone was darkly warning. “Don’t!”

Laura looked from the blonde Slayer to the fire haired witch in total
confusion. “Huh!” She eventually got out, her usual awe of the two women
completely disappearing. “You make it sound as if Willow and Angel are
together, Buffy. Which you weren’t when I went out to patrol last night,
were you Will?”

Willow blushed delicately. “No, not then.” She replied in a low voice, her
eyes on the garden below. “I hadn’t even spoken or seen him then.”

Buffy stepped forward figuratively. Even now with her greatest dream
achieved, she knew her friend would be painfully shy about her new love
affair. “Let’s just say things happened, they are now and even I don’t have
all the juicy details yet.”

She shot a quick look at the blushing redhead, grinning. “Although I have
every intention of getting them, so fair warning, Wills.”

“Acknowledged.” Willow replied in a fair imitation of Giles, making the
other two giggle. She drew her knees up and leant forward. “Alright, Laura,
what’s wrong? You’re well into not happy.”

“Black!” The brunette literally spat her Watcher’s name out, loading it with
as much scorn as she could, sitting down on the end of the bed. “The man is
like totally impossible, and so way out of touch. Five fangs attacked me
last night but did that wazoo do anything to help. No thank you Jack.”

“Language Laura.” Willow murmured calmly, once more reminding Buffy of her
own dearly beloved Watcher. “Anger is no excuse for losing control.”

“Yes Master Obi-Wan, but isn’t there anything you can do, you two. He
wouldn’t be the first Watcher you’ve got rid of.” Laura replied, drawing her
knees up.

“Someone’s been telling tales out of school.” Buffy said in a sing song
tone, grinning at Willow.

“Don’t look at me.” Willow retorted. “Wesley Wyndham-Pryce never crosses my
mind is I can help it.”

“Actually it was your mother, Buff.” Laura inserted swiftly before the elder
girls could get really going, then frowned deeply. “He’s driving me crazy,
you two. Besides he always seems to be more interested in something else.”

Willow and Buffy shared a speaking look, the redhead raising a knowing
eyebrow to which the blonde replied with a firm shake of her head, then
nodded. Willow replied with a silent nod of her own, then turned back to the
younger Slayer. “Leave it with us, Laura. We’ll try to do something, just
don’t raise your hopes.”
Laura grinned. “Now why would I do something like that.” She jumped off the
bed and started to the door. “It’s a well know fact that when you put your
minds to something, things have a way of happening around here.”

“Goddess, what reputations have we got!”

“Good ones, Will.” Laura smirked. “All the vamps start shaking when they
hear your names.”

“There’s a comforting thought.” Buffy said with a choked laugh. “Thanks for
that, Laura.”

“You’re welcome. Well, I’m off to raid the kitchen for breakfast. I’m
starving all of a sudden.”

“Laura.” The brunette stopped and turned to look back at Willow. “Don’t say
anything to Black about Angel and me. Under the circumstances leave it to
us.”

Slightly taken aback by the request as she had been looking forward with
typical teenage relish to seeing Black’s face fall, the slender brunette
sighed and nodded. “Spoil my fun why don’t you but if that’s what you want,
Will.”

“Yes it is.” Willow stood up, stretching.

“Then your wish is my command.” Laura bowed mockingly, making the other two
grin. “By the way who does know?”

“Just my mother and Giles.” This time Buffy answered, sending a mischievous
grin towards her redhead friend. “And Angel, I should think.”

“Very funny, Buffy.” Willow snatched up Mr Gordo and threw it at her.
“Laura, just do us the favour and keep it to yourself. If you do, I’ll Angel
to give you those defence lessons you want.”

“Willow, you’ve got yourself a done deal.” The brunette slipped out.

“Well, she was easily satisfied.” Buffy settled back against her pillows,
grinning at her oldest and truest friend. “And just what makes you think
Angel agree, Willow.”

The redhead returned the smile with one of pure mischief. “Oh, I think I
know a way. I was planning on joining her. Angel’s always said that I needed
them, and well, there’s this work out kit Cordy sent me a couple of months
ago. I’m sure that you begin to get my point…”

“Willow Anne Rosenberg!” Buffy exclaimed, honestly shocked for a moment
before breaking out into a pure peal of laughter. “Poor Angel, he really is
going to have an interesting unlife from now on.”

Willow sat down on the bed abruptly, a worried expression in her green eyes.
“Buffy, are you really okay with this. I mean, Angel and me.”

“Yes, Will, I really am.” She held out her arms to the girl she thought of
as a sister and drew her into a warm hug. Willow lay her head on her
shoulder and Buffy ran her hand through her long hair. “Besides, who else
can I trust to look after my wily Willster when I’m gone other than the man
who would give his unlife for you, and who else can I trust to look after
him rather than you. All you’ve done is add love to the mixture, stirred it
up and dished up a relationship that been years in the making.”

Willow drew back, eyes flashing with controlled laughter. “Nice recipe,
Buffy. It’s a good thing you said it to me, cause I doubt that anyone else
would have got it. They would have been insulted… or would that be
complimented.”

Buffy responded by hitting her with the toy dog. “You can talk, ramble queen
and I’ll get you back for that by the way.”

Willow giggled, putting up her arms to defend herself. “Stop it, Buffy,
you’ll tire yourself out before the days even started. Amy’s potion only
does so much, you idiot.”

The two girls fell backwards, giggling madly.

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

An hour later, Laura appeared in Buffy’s room again, smiling impishly.
“Cordelia and Doyle have just arrived.”

“I told you the sound of those squealing brakes sounded familiar.” Buffy
responded with a grin. “Why those two still lets her drive is beyond me.”

“Doyle’s a sucker of a different sort.” Willow put her book down, a smirk in
her green eyes. “And Angel has stopped her.”

“Like gross, Wills, sheer gross.”

“Will, can you go down. Giles has been looking for you.” Laura stepped back
out into the corridor. “I’ll see you later, Buff. I’ve got fifteen minutes
to get to school in.”

“Later Buff. ” Willow followed her out, waving at her friend. “You’re
cutting it close to the edge again, Laura. Third time this week.”

“Fifth and whose counting. Joyce is giving me a lift.” Laura slid down the
banister, followed closely by Willow. “Remind me I hate you. You always make
it look so easy. I swear you cheat.”

“Get out of here, Laura.” Willow laughed as she waved goodbye. “You really
will be late.”

The teenager picked up her book bag and shot out of the front door, narrowly
missing the two people just coming in. “Hi LA, bye LA.”

“Hi guys, come on in. You can speak to Laura later. She’s running late for
school.” Willow grinned in welcome. “As per usual.”

“It seems to be a Slayer thing, Willow.” Cordelia dropped her bags to the
floor and rushed to the redhead’s side. She took one look at her, examining
her closely then narrowed her eyes. “Wanna clue me in here. Last I heard you
weren’t with us, now you’re literally glowing.”

“I’ll fill in you later, Cordy.” Willow replied catching sight of the second
Watcher out of the corner of his eye. She lowered her voice. “You’re need to
know is so not Black’s need to know.”

“You’re catching Angel’s cryptic disease, Willow. I always knew you would,
the amount of time you hang out with him.” The elegant brunette replied
before her eyes widened.

Willow caught both look and train of thought, immediately shaking her head
in slight warning causing the former cheerleader to nod. The petite hacker
then turned to greet Angel’s half-demon colleague.  “Doyle. Woah! Is that
actually a new outfit that I see, Cordelia, I am so impressed.”

“Oh you’re funny Red.” The Irishman pulled the young woman into a hug. “I
see the emergency where you’re concerned is well and truly over, so welcome
back.” He stepped back, took her by her shoulders, then stunned everyone by
shaking her. “Never do it again, lass.”

“Ow! Doyle!” Willow kicked his shin… hard. “Don’t do that or at least warn
me. I’ll kick your shin before you even try.”

“Thanks for warning me, I might just do that.” Doyle muttered between
clenched teeth, his eyes laughing. “You’re most definitely back, Red.”

“I never really left.” Came the cryptic reply, proving the brunette’s
accusation as the redhead started for the library. “Come and say hi to
Giles. Goodbye Black, don’t you have a job to go to.”

Cordelia and Doyle followed slowly after her, as Black walked out of the
house.

“Is it me or is dear old Blackie not exactly top of the hit parade.” The
brunette murmured in her companion’s ear.

“And did you see the look young Laura threw him on the way past.” Doyle
murmured back. “Now if looks were stakes and he a vampire, he’d be ashes.”

“Believe me Doyle.” Willow broke in having overheard him. “She’s not the
only one.”

“Not the only one what?” Giles asked as he turned from the French windows.

“Buffy and I will tell you later.” The redhead replied as se jumped up on
the table. “Laura said that you were looking for me, Giles, so here I am.”

“So I can see. Cordelia, Doyle welcome back as always.”

“Delighted… as always.” Cordelia smiled as she returned the Watcher’s hug
before sitting down, Doyle on the arm of her chair.

The Watcher immediately turned to the redhead, frowning slightly. “Willow,
must you sit on the table. It’s such a childish habit and sets a poor
example to Laura.”

“Someone has to.” The words were soft but clearly said that the matter was
to be pushed no further.

“Yes, well…” Giles adjusted his glasses, unmistakably understanding the
unspoken statement. “As to why I wanted you… This morning I received a
letter from the Council. A letter you all need to know about.”

“And this is unusual because…” Willow asked with a grin.

“Willow…” His voice broke and he had to swallow deeply. “Willow, I’m afraid
that it says the… the next Slayer is… already in Sunnydale.”

The grin faded from Willow’s face, her eyes dulling slightly as Cordelia,
her own eyes faintly cloudy, filled in the awkward silence Giles’
announcement had left. Beside her, Doyle touched her shoulder in silent
reassurance.

“But… I can hear the but, Giles.”

The Watcher turned away from the redhead to look at the brunette with a
slight expression of relief. He had felt depressed himself on reading the
letter for the first time, as he had at last realised that Buffy had less
time than they had originally first believed. The look of pure devastation
in Willow’s expressive green eyes had just about finished breaking his
already mourning heart apart.

With that in mind, he answered the waiting brunette, knowing that his reply
was sure to distress the other girl even further. “I’m afraid you’re right,
Cordelia. It would appear that they know she is here, they just don’t know
who she is… and they want us to find her.”

After a stunned silence in which disbelief was the main emotion, Willow
jumped down off the table; her face pale and her eyes shining brilliantly
with unshed tears. “Excuse me please Giles… I need to… I have to…”

She ran out of the library and the next thing they heard was the sound of
her running upstairs.

Cordelia turned her worried gaze to the Watcher. “Giles, will she… will she
be alright, do you think? Should I go after her?”
Before he could answer, the phone rang. Noting where the call was coming
from, he put it straight to the conference speakers. “Yes Buffy?”

“Want to tell me why Willow just went running past my bedroom?”

“I’ve just had to tell her something she wasn’t ready to acknowledge yet.”

“Oh way to go Giles.” Her tone was pure sarcasm. “Get her back and you
manage to upset her the very next minute.”

“Is she alright, Buffy? Should I come up after her?” Cordelia inserted as a
brief look of annoyance crossed Giles’ face.

“Of course, she’s not!” The Slayer snapped before her voice softened slight.
“And no, Cordy, I just heard her go into a mutual friend’s room so she
should be fine by the time she comes out again. If he lets her.”

“Buffy!”

“Don’t get old maidish on me now, Giles. They’re both over twenty-one and in
love.”

“Thank you for that particular news flash.”

“You’re welcome. Cordy, Doyle, why don’t you come and keep me company.”

“We’ll be there in five, lass.”

“Oh good, you are speaking to me, Doyle. I was beginning to think a demon
had stolen your tongue or something. You’re being uncharacteristically
silent.”

“To borrow a phrase from Cordelia, that is so not funny, Slayer.”

“Well don’t.” Cordelia hit him hard enough for the listening Slayer to hear.
“You’ve got enough of your own.”

“Just get up here, you clowns.” Buffy disconnected the call, clearly
laughing.

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

Willow slipped into the vampire’s room and he sat up immediately. “Willow,
what’s… sweetheart!”

Without a word, she threw herself across the room, landing on the bed and in
his arms. Burying her head against his chest, she wrapped her arms around
him clinging to him. The vampire responded immediately, his arms enveloping
her shaking body as he felt her hot tears fall on his bare chest. “Tell me
what’s wrong, baby.”

“Council… next… here… find.” With a wail of pure agony, she somehow managed
to bury herself even closer.

Realising what she meant, Angel actually growled, tightening his hold on
her. The sound filled the air in such a way it was menacing yet it also
seemed to comfort the girl he was holding, as it spoke of his immediate
perceptiveness.

Starting to rock her back and forth as he had the previous evening, he
changed his mind. He gently moved her so that she was lying on the bed, her
face buried against his chest still. As she felt the change in her position,
the sobs changed, slowing down until they stopped. Her arms remained locked
around him.

He slipped a leg between hers, rubbing his hand up and down her back in
soothing strokes. “Tell me exactly what was said just now, Willow.” He bent
down and murmured in her ear, deliberately brushing his lips against the
outer edge in an intentional attempt to distract her.

She shivered but this time, he was sure it was for a different reason
altogether. She started to speak, keeping her head against him, her warm
breath whispering across his bare chest in her own unconscious form of
silent retaliation as it sent a shudder through his own frame.

‘I’m a sucker for punishment.’ The thought went through his upper mind. ‘Bot
what a punishment.’

“Giles got a letter from the Council saying that the next slayer is here in
Sunnydale but they don’t know who she is and they actually us to find her.”
She actually managed to say in one breath.

“The ruddy insensitive jerks!” He growled, then shuddered again as she
gently moved her hand down his bare back, having felt the anger running
through him. She had perhaps unconsciously or deliberately run her nails
over his highly sensitive skin as she did so.
 

“Willow, don’t do that. You said one day at a time.” He growled in a deep
husky tone as he raised his head to look into her eyes, his whole body
growing harder. “Decisions like this shouldn’t be rushed. Especially when
you are as upset as this.”

She looked back up at him, green eyes darkened with the deep emotional pain
she was going through. There was also something else within their luminous
depths, something that revealed to the vampire just how deep her love was.
He also recognised the desire that would be there for the eternity they
would have together, a desire he knew his own gaze held.

She raised her hand, running her fingers through his hair, then gently but
firmly drew his head down. “A girl can change her mind, can’t she, Angel.”
She murmured against his lips before drawing him in to a deep but almost
desperate kiss.

Drawing on almost all his will power, he eventually broke the kiss, resting
his forehead against hers as they both took in a deep breath, literally and
figuratively. He cupped her cheek, running his thumb over her lips. “Little
one, as much as I want to continue this… and believe me, beautiful, I
really, really want to but…”

“Just hold me, Angel. Please just hold me.”

He automatically responded to the quiet tone of despair he could hear in her
voice and he caught her to him, wrapping his arms around her as if he would
never let her go again. She clung to him, seeking comfort in his strength.
After a while, he turned her on her side, her back to his chest almost
curling himself around her slender frame. He pulled the sheet over her and
she caught his hand holding it to her bosom.

Gradually he sensed her fall into sleep and he slowly raised himself onto
his elbow, watching her for a moment. Lowering his head, he kissed her cheek
softly. “Sleep little one. I’ll be here for you.”

With his hand still in hers, he curled the other one protectively around her
head then buried his face in her hair. He finally succumbed to the sleep he
himself desperately needed. Worry and fear for the girl that he adored had
kept him wakeful for several days and even for a master vampire, it had been
far too long.

Almost unconsciously, as if she had been waiting for him to fall asleep, the
petite redhead turned and buried her face against his neck, her arm around
his waist. One slender leg slipped between his as he immediately adjusted
his own position, holding her close in an embrace that looked impossible for
anyone to break.

Neither noticed the door quietly opening or Doyle looking in only to leave
as silently as his entrance. He turned round to look at his almost constant
companion, a definite smile on his quirkily handsome face. “Buffy was right
on the ball, princess. Red’s safe in the boss’s arms.”
Cordelia grinned back, laughing softly. “What makes you think our LA branch
of the Sunnydale Slayerettes is about to gain an extra member of staff and a
new field of expertise.”

“And about damn time too, don’t you think Cordy.” Doyle’s smile, if
possible, began to define the exact meaning of mischievous. “Especially if
it really stops the big Irish lug from brooding.”

“I’ll tell him you called him that.” Cordelia teased.

“You do that, princess.”

“Believe me, I will. We better go tell Buffy before she gets out of bed to
come and find out for her self.” Cordelia grabbed his hand and dragged him
back down the corridor to Buffy’s room.
 

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