"You come to us again. And you bring a child," the male Oracle said, turning
to Willow.

"We need help."

"You are not a warrior. Your problems do not concern us."

"Hear the mortal out," the female Oracle stated, turning from the male to
Willow. "But first, what did you bring us?" Angel looked to Willow. Opps,
knew he'd forgotten something.

Willow placed her left hand out and with her right, moved around it, a rose
formed standing in the palm of her hand.

"Enchanted rose." She held it out for the Oracles, letting it levitate from
her hand to the female.

"Interesting. Beauty not only of your world's nature but also of powers." She
held the flower. "Continue."

"The day --" Angel began but was silenced by the female.

"Let the mortal speak." Willow turned, a little shook-up, to Angel who nodded
and she turned back to the Oracles.

"The day you turned back. I saw it in a vision. Or, bits of it anyway. Why?"
The blue light shining from above increased in a glow and the Oracles looked
at it then back to Willow.

"The auguries say it is irrelevant." The female Oracle reached out her hand
and carringly touched her cheek. "You are no ordinary mortal. A gift that one
wishes to take from you. Use it well. Your soul is pure, as is why it was
given such gifts." She dropped her hand and looked to Angel. "Protect her at
all costs, vampire. She is but your greatest allie. But watch yourself. The
auguries tell that the danger the young mortal encounters is also your
greatest danger." She stepped back next to the male Oracle. "Be warned."

Angel took Willow's hand to lead her out and the male Oracle spoke.

"There is one other issue. But it is not to be taken lightly." He held an
amulet in his hand out to Willow. "Once believed to make one a god."

"Ambrosia?" Willow looked between Angel and the Oracles before stepping
forward and excepting the gift. Once held in her hand, she felt over the
metal Celtic knot-work till she touched the center ambrosia. The feel of it,
as weird as it seemed to Willow, was like a gel capsule and when she touched
it, the multitude of colors swirled together like an opal.

"Once taken from our world, it's power was far too advanced for your world.
It was taken back. Now we place its power in your hands," he continued. "When
worn, it protects you and those you touch from any harm, under any
circumstance."

"Thank you." She placed the leather rope dangling from it over her head.
"But, I still haven't had my question answered. What is the point of the
visions?"

"Be warned by all things seen by ways other than your own eyes." The Oracles
turned to walk away.

"But --" before Willow could finish her statement the male Oracle threw back
his hand and through the door both Angel and Willow flew. They landed against
the alter, Willow across Angel, their faces so close together.

"That wasn't rude at all." Willow commented, meaning to be sarcastic but with
her staggered breath and light whisper it came out as a factual comment.

"The Oracles aren't necessarily known for their hospitality," Angel said in
the same manner, meaning it the same as Willow had.

"Now what?" Willow asked, moving up a bit, tilting her head to the opposite
side it had been.

"I don't know. What were we doing before that vision brought us here?" He
tilted his head as she had, his head tilted in the opposite manner as
Willow's. Leaning in, he kissed her lightly on the lips, just barley
touching. Leaning forward, he deepened it, exploring her mouth. His hand came
up to lightly hold her face and he caressed her cheek as he continued.

Willow began to kiss him back. Enjoying his touch. She moved her hand to the
back of his head, running her fingers through his hair. As if a light had
just clicked on in her, Willow pulled away. Angel reached in and kissed her
again but once again, she pulled away.

"Angel." He pulled her in closer again but this time she not only pushed away
but stood.

"What? What's the matter?" He stood.

"Us. We can't do this."

"Why not?"

"This think, with us; it doesn't work." She turned around then back. "You
don't love me. You love Buffy."

Angel moved closer, taking Willow's arms in his hands. "I *loved* Buffy." He
corrected. "I love you."

"That's not fair." Willow practically yelled at him. She pulled her arms from
his grasp. "You can't just say that and automatically think it'll make
everything okay. I'm human, you're not. It didn't work before, it doesn't
now."

"That's not fair either." She put her head down in her hands and sobbed,
coming back up and looking at him.

"I love you, Angel." She wiped her eyes. "This is killing me to say but I
can't try to have something I know I can't. You're gonna live forever. I'm
not." With that said, Willow turned and ran out of the crypt.

_____________

No, no hissies please, it's not as bad as it seems, promise...
 

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