Bells, Books, and Spells

Parts: 1- 9

E-Mail: dark_angel@buffymail.com

Rating: NC-17

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Buffy characters. The only one that I own is the bad guy.

Summery: Willow makes a shocking discovery that puts her nice, comfy world all ascue.

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~Part: 1~

Willow carefully tucked the note inside the frame of Buffy's mirror. <She'll be sure to see it here.> Picking up her book bag, she left the small, cluttered dorm room and slowly walked down the hall. She had some major research to do and Willow was in desperate need of some peace and quiet.

As the elevator dinged its arrival, Willow stepped in to the somewhat crowded car and coolly requested the lowest level. Her hair fell around her face as she stared at the floor, trying to become invisible.

<Look at me. What's happened? I can't even be civil to people any more.> She continued to chastise herself vehemently. <How did I revert back to this stage in my life?>

When the car arrived at the destination, Willow patiently waited for everyone else to file out. She noticed the questioning stares from her fellow passengers as they stole to a safe distance where they could privately discuss "The weird girl." Sighing audibly, Willow pulled her courage together and began the short journey to the library.

The library. It had been a place of safety and security. For years she had tucked herself away among the pages of old friends like Shakespeare, Morrison, Thoreau, and Dickinson. Then Buffy had walked into her life and it became a center of power, where Willow ruled side by side with Giles in a countless parade of knowledge and wisdom. Many an important battle was won against evil because Willow had been there to do the research, but somehow, somewhere the tables turned and Willow wasn't quite sure how to turn them back.

She unlocked her bike from the rack and gently lifted it from its holding pattern. Rolling it down the sidewalk to gain momentum, she quickly lifted her frame into the seat and began to pedal furiously towards the quad. <I'm not going to think about this now. I have to finish McPherson's research.> Tilting her head to further emphasize the resolve, Willow began to scroll through mental notes about the Psychology teacher. <He said that we could write about any aspect of humanity that we wanted. As long as we could directly associate it to a person's behavior, then it would meet the requirements.> Grimacing at her choice of a topic, Willow shrugged her shoulders in an attempt to eliminate the guilt for putting off the project until the last minute.

<The soul definitely exists as part of humanity. And it certainly controlled Angel's actions>. She had repeatedly grilled McPherson on this subject and he finally conceded to give her free reign with the assignment. He'd even been willing to let her have an extra two weeks to finish due to her good standing in the class. His kindness was noted but not felt. Willow hadn't felt anything in a long time.

It was right after Buffy returned from LA that everything fell apart. At least for Willow they did. A new slayer had come to Sunnydale and conveniently slid into Willow's slot as Buffy's best friend. Willow appeared to smile and put on a happy face as she always did where her friends were concerned.

Usually they saw past it but not this time. She had turned to Oz in hopes of finding comfort. Too little too late. Depression had taken root and continued to flourish in the sad recesses of her heart. Oz graduated and they lost touch; the whole were-wolf thing never would have worked out anyway. He'd sent her a letter a few months back telling her of his success with the band. The new record was a big hit amidst the club scene and they were going on tour after Christmas. Xander and Cordelia were successful at irritating each other while subconsciously falling deeper in love. Last she had heard from them, they were engaged with the wedding set for the spring of the upcoming year.

Buffy had come to college with Willow but things still weren't the same. While Buffy seemed to thrive in an atmosphere full of social opportunity, Willow simply wanted to melt away under their scrutinizing gazes. Giles had spoken with the council and insisted that since the mix up of calling an additional slayer at Kendra's death, the mistake could be used to their advantage. Buffy was allowed to move away from the Hellmouth and receive some higher learning specializing in demon lore and mythology while Faith carried on the tradition of dusting the vampires. All in all everyone seemed to be getting what they wanted or needed out of life. Willow had simply been forgotten.

Turning at the fountain in the quad, Willow pushed her physical limitations to propel the bike uphill. <Just two more blocks and I'll be there.> The college itself was nice enough, Willow had found it mixed in with the applications to Harvard, Yale, and MIT. It had seemed perfect at the time. A small southern town on the other side of the United States. A place where no one knew anything about her or her past. A new beginning. Chapel Hill wasn't the best school, but it wasn't the worst and for Willow that was enough. She just couldn't deal with anymore pressures right now.

Willow never told anyone her parents split up. The divorce was handled as quietly as the separation. Even Xander hadn't noticed her father moving his things out of the house. Of course with all the evil lurking around Sunnydale, who was gonna notice a normal man getting the hell out of Dodge? Somehow, it seemed to be the most sane thing in the world. Willow wasn't even that upset about the whole thing. She never saw her dad much anyway. He had always been working or away on some trip. It just hurt a little more to know that from here on in, she wouldn't find his number stuck to the fridge. So she couldn't just pick up a phone and call him if she needed him, no big deal right? But she had needed him very badly last summer and he was no where to be found.

As she neared the entrance to the library, Willow slowed the bike and hopped off. Absentmindedly, she retrieved the lock from it holder and secured the frame to a nearby rack. Her life seemed to roll by as if in a movie. So methodical and repetitive. She snorted at the idea of exactly how cynical she had become. She was like a walking zombie, completely void of emotion most of the time. Like a vampire without a soul. Angel. The memories flooded back into her mind before she could build up her walls to stop them. A curse. Pure happiness. The demon. Ms. Calender. Acathla. The spell. Images flashed before her eyes and Willow had to blink to restore her sanity. So vivid and cruel, pictures of who she used to be haunted her. Climbing the stairs to the main lobby of the library, Willow fought with herself to maintain control.

<Get it together Rosenburg! This isn't the time or the place.> She hurried to the back stairs that would grant her access to her favorite study room. Running up the loud, echoing metal platforms, Willow prayed for privacy. If someone were already in there she'd be lost. <If I can only get up there...>

Reaching her destination and seeing her prayers answered, Willow slipped inside the glass door and shoved it closed roughly. With a resounding click of the lock, she let herself slid to the floor in an uncontrollable burst of emotion. Crying violently now, Willow let the memories of the last few months flood her, sweeping her along in their rough undercurrents.

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Tess Rosenburg had always been healthy and happy in her daughter's eyes. The truth that she had kept hidden was finally exposed shortly after Willow's graduation from high school. It seemed that Tess had been ill for quite some time and her frequent business trips were cover-ups for extensive hospital stays.

Tess had cancer, in the advanced stages and moving at a deathly pace. When Willow had learned of her mother's deception she couldn't contain the rage and had exploded into a furious rant. Tess took in her child's anger and tried to soothe the raw nerves that were exposed. She spoke to Willow as an adult, stressing information on insurance policies and last wills. "It's too late for me Willow, but not for you."

Pressing a single key into Willow's palm, Tess told her daughter to go to the family bank and search through the safety deposit box. It contained all the answers Willow needed. Wanting to remain with her mother but torn by confusion, Willow left her home, comforting herself with the thought that she would be able to talk to her mother later when Tess wasn't so tired. The chance never came.

Willow had gathered the documents together and stuffed them into manila envelope as quickly as possible. <I've got to get home to mom> she remembered thinking. <I've got to tell her I'm sorry.> She had rushed back through the door calling for her mother, remorse heavy in her voice. Dread had filled the center of her being and she knew that death had just paid the Rosenburg household a visit. Purposefully Willow strode through the house, up the stairs to what had been her parent's bedroom. The sight that met her eyes crushed the final spark of life Willow had. There, lying on the floor, was the source of her misery. Willow could smell the smoke still wafting around the room and the .38 shell left little to the imagination. Funny how something so small and seemingly insignificant could reek such havoc in Willow's life. She felt like that casing, used and spent. But most importantly, she felt empty.

Shaking violently from fear and unexpressed anger, Willow rocked back and forth in the floor of the library. <How could she leave me? How could she do that to me? We could have fought it together. We could have...> Her thoughts trailed off as she was once again sucked into the depths of her memory. The funeral was a simple affair. Just her friends and a few distant acquaintances of her parents attended.

She had tried desperately to reach her father but he had left no forwarding address with his employer and had simply cashed his final paycheck. It was easy to give up on someone who had given up on you, she realized. <To hell with him. I don't need anyone anymore. I will never beg for any attention from anybody not willing to give it to me.> Her resolve had hardened her. Given her some control in an area where she previously lacked any. She had made up her mind not to care about anyone. And she had stuck to it...sort of.

Gathering herself together, Willow eased her body off the floor. She retrieved her book bag off the floor and ungraciously flung it into the awaiting chair. Dropping her body in the next one over, Willow propped her elbows on the table and cradled her head in her hands. She perused her feelings about the discovery she'd made after the funeral and still questioned how she hadn't realized before.

Bringing the envelope with her to school had been Willow's way of avoiding the inevitable. She knew that she had to go through the paper work. All summer she had put it in the back of her mind along with her mother's fateful last words. Their implied meaning terrified Willow and forced her into becoming more withdrawn and worried about what her mother had meant. When she had gone home over fall break of her freshman year to close the deal on the house, Willow made up her mind not to avoid her responsibility any longer. She had come back to school early and locked herself in this very same study room with that manila envelope. It seemed to be a whole other person to Willow. Protecting a secret she wasn't sure she wanted to know about.

The answers her mother said she'd find were in the safety deposit box. Hidden amongst the burial information and various bonds left for Willow to use as tuition money, she found a small, plain white envelope with the words "For Willow," written in her mother's perfect handwriting. Fear grappled with curiosity as Willow slid her finger beneath the edge, slowly breaking the seal of her past. Inside, she found only more questions. An adoption certificate, legal papers relating conditions and terms of the adoption, a birth certificate, an old photograph, a strange emerald ring and name. Ophelia McKenzie. As she read and reread the pages before her, Willow couldn't comprehend what was happening to her. She wasn't who she thought she was. She wasn't Willow Rosenburg, only daughter of Tess and Ira Rosenburg. According to these documents, she was Marah McKenzie, illegitimate child of a gypsy!

~Part: 2~

Willow stared out through the glass walls. She had been here for two hours already and hadn't gotten a thing done. The mental breakdown had left her dazed and her mind wandered aimlessly. She had long ago shoved her psychology book to the side and in its place was the scrapbook of information she had drummed up on Ophelia.

In her hands was the picture, mesmerizing Willow and drawing her in. As she stared at the delicate woman captured and frozen in a moment of time, Willow studied her face. The uncanny resemblance had struck Willow as decidedly odd. They could have passed for sisters. Despite obvious wardrobe differences, their physical features were identical. Same cat eyes, same long hair. Willow was certain that the color was matching as well, though she couldn't tell due to the black and white photo.

Ophelia looked happy, content, and radiant. Her "come hither" look was enticing and Willow could sense that the photographer was a close friend, maybe even a lover. Still she wondered about the woman in the photograph. Why had this woman given her up? How old was she? Was she still alive?

Setting the photograph aside, Willow began to leaf through the other pages of the scrapbook, pausing to reread something that caught her attention. There were announcements of her birth that had run in the local papers. Her birth certificate naming Ira and Tess as her parents. The certificate with Ophelia named as Marah's birthmother.

A newspaper clipping about a gypsy baby that disappeared around the same time as Willow's proposed adoption minus the vital information of a name. She even had a small obituary for a woman named Ophelia McKenzie dated 1984. The only thing Willow could gather from her meager scrapbook was a lot of what she didn't have, like other family members' names and clues as to where they might be living. It was frustrating and irritating and Willow just didn't know what to do. She sighed heavily and picked up the photo again. <Who are you Ophelia? Show yourself!>

Suddenly, as if of its own accord, the picture began to move. The fabric of Ophelia's dress began to sway and wrap around her ankles. The faint tinkling of her laughter could be heard dimly, gently being carried on the wind. Ophelia stared out of the picture directly into Willow's soul. "It's all in my name, my child! Hurry! I won't wait forever, silly!" And with that the movement ceased, as suddenly as it began.

Trembling, Willow watched the photo for any other signs of movement but found none. <It's just exhaustion, sleep deprivation, something! That picture did not just come to life and move!> Her mind began to reel with the implications of such a strange occurrence and Willow prayed for the indications to prove wrong. "Oh, god. Please don't let this be another hellmouth. Please."

<No my child. It isn't the hellmouth that speaks to you. It's me, your mother. I need you Willow. Help me.> The thought seemed to invade her mind from an unknown source and Willow didn't quite know what to make of it.

A faint tinkle and images pressed forward...images of Ms. Calendar and of magick. Stumbling backward from the power of the visions, Willow collapsed in heap on the floor, willing herself to slow them down. Suddenly the movie was back, playing over and over again the same sections of a conversation she had had with Jenny right before she died.

"Willow, if something should ever happen to me...I want you to have this. You will need it in the future." Placing the heavy book in her waiting hands, Jenny passed on her Book of Shadows to Willow. "B-but Ms. Calendar...<!> Why? I- I mean, why me?" <What does she mean I'll need this?> "It isn't for me to say. Just keep it safe and take it with you wherever you go." Turning around she flipped the switch to the computer and walked towards the door. "B-but Ms. Calendar! Isn't there someone else you'd rather give this to? I mean, uh... like...well...Giles or someone?" It was a plea to relieve her of her responsibilities. She didn't want to follow in Ms. Calendar's footsteps. Sure she liked magick, but technopagen was a bitmuch.

Rotating around to face Willow, Jenny drew in a deep breath and crossed the room to where she stood rooted in place. "Willow, you are the only one who can use that book. Not Giles or Amy. You. When you are ready you'll understand. I can't explain because the story is not mine to tell. Trust me Willow. You will need it. And this will be here for you. <And so will I.> At that moment, Willow did not fully understand what Ms. Calendar meant but the mental projection of her thoughts and emotions frightened her. Willow nodded her head in compliance and accepted the book with out any further questions. No one knew Willow had it, though Giles had commented on it while they were going through Jenny's things. All it had taken was an eyebrow raised in question and Giles had gratefully let the matter slide.

<So that's what this is...a gypsy spell!> Suddenly the light bulb flickered on and Willow's mind began to race. <Jenny had known!! She had known about her true identity! And what's more, she was trying to help me!> Relief washed over Willow as she began to mentally track down the chest that held Ms. Calendar's belongings. Realizing that it had been one of the few belongings she had brought with her to school, she stared at the picture of Ophelia, mentally replaying the message.

<In my name...hmmm. Genealogy!> With a triumphant sigh, Willow slammed the scrapbook shut and rushed to the nearest computer terminal.

~Part: 3~

The air was crisp and filled with electricity that you could feel racing up your spine as students milled about the leaf-littered ground of the University of North Carolina. Ancient buildings resounding with wisdom stretched endlessly skyward. As if in contrast with the tranquility, a young sophomore experiencing some unforeseen drama burst through a crowd of graduate students, hastily mumbling her apologies.

Outside the door of the study room, people roamed about aimlessly searching for some wayward book. Inside, Willow flipped through the crumbling old newspaper clippings, piles of ancient volumes scattered around her on the table. Mindless of the time, she repeatedly scanned each page. Surely there was something she had missed, overlooked somehow.

Willow had been secluded in the upper alcove of the library all afternoon. It was quiet and somber; a small enclosed room, far away from daily distractions. Here she found the tranquility she needed to sort through her questions and resources to find the elusive answers.

"There you are! My God I've been looking all over campus for you!" Buffy's shrill voice broke through the silence with the tenacity of a sledgehammer. Raising her gaze, Willow smiled at the sight of her frazzled friend.

"Buffy I left you a note that specifically told you where I would be. I have to finish this research today if I want the extra credit. McPherson is probably already wondering why it's so late." It was a lie and Willow regretted it the moment the words left her lips. Momentarily her gaze shifted to fall on the clippings. Instinctively she slammed the book closed.

"Uh huh…then why the guilty look, Will? Can you say 'cat that ate the canary'? C'mon! I've lived with you almost two years. You don't think I can tell when you're lying?" The question was rhetorical but the words hit close to home. The evidence was clearly written on Willow's tortured expression at being out bluffed by her former best friend. Instantly Buffy changed her tactics, as fierce anger and panic faded into calm understanding.

"More research on her, huh? Will you've got to let this thing go." The tone was soothing as Buffy's voice echoed in Willow's ears. "Honey, she's gone. No amount of research is going to bring her back. There isn't a book in this whole library that is going to tell you why it happened. You've just got to let her go." The frantic energy Buffy held when she had entered the library faded right along side her anger. Her blue eyes were mournful for her friend's loss. Silently she cursed the source of Willow's pain. It just wasn't right.

Noticing the change in Buffy, Willow dared to look at her friend. Buffy didn't realize the ramifications of her words and Willow felt her heart lurch with pain. Despite desperately wanting to tell Buffy about Ophelia, Willow had kept it a secret for the past year. Her eyes betrayed her thoughts and she was unable to contain the hurt that lurked behind their green depths. And slowly that hurt seeped forth in the form of tears. One by one they escaped the fragile hold that Willow had kept them under for so long. Each salty crystal drop easing an emotion and relieving a tension she held deep in her soul. Buffy moved to sit down in the chair next to Willow and gently pulled her friend into a welcoming embrace. Wanting to absorb her friend's pain, Buffy clung to her own tears and battled against her will to remain strong for Willow.

Together they embraced the pain. Unaccustomed to losing control, Willow struggled against Buffy's attempt at comfort. Refusing to be shrugged off and determined to aid her friend, Buffy held on firmly, awaiting the moment when fear and pride would lose the battle against heartache. It wasn't a long fight but the despair left in the wake completely racked Willow's body with semi-audible sobs. Passersby looked on the scene with questioning eyes. Some even stopped to gape open-mouthed at the drama unfolding but Buffy's menacing glare quickly sent them scattering to the winds. She sheltered Willow through the storm and as the tide of reality washed back in, Willow used her remaining self-control to shove the floodgates closed. It wasn't the time or the place for such displays.

After a few endless moments Willow ceased clutching at Buffy's shoulders. She slowly pulled herself upright and absentmindedly began to rub away the evidence of her breakdown. Buffy remained at her side and patiently waited for Willow to clear her head. It couldn't be easy, Buffy thought to herself. And it damn well had to be frustrating!

"Are you okay, love?" Buffy gently inquired, not wanting to sound intrusive. At Willow's silent nod, Buffy surveyed the open books and came across an idea.

"Look, I'll tell you what. You agree to put all this stuff away for tonight and tomorrow I'll spend the whole day helping you go through these books, okay? Besides, I love the smell of old ink in the morning don't you? Hell, it might even cure the hangover I plan on getting tonight!" And with that, a dazzling smile broke across Buffy's face, conveying both sincerity and humor.

Temptation got the better of Willow and a small giggle erupted. She never could resist Buffy's charms no matter how depressed or angry she was. "Deal. But only if you tell me why you were looking for me in the first place. Especially dressed like that!" Dropping her gaze to Buffy's outrageous attire, she raised a delicate eyebrow in question.

"Oh, well, see…it's this big thing. You know that guy…umm…Trey…from Child Psych…well, he got a job bartending at this great new club opening up downtown tonight. So, I was in the middle of deciding what I was going to wear when I checked the clock and saw that it was almost 6 and seriously dark outside. That combined with the fact that you totally ditched Criminal Law this morning freaked me out and I just decided to tear the campus apart until I found you. Hell, I thought someone had kidnapped you or something. I guess I just didn't realize the clothes at the time." Apparently out of breath and obviously pleased with her concise version of the last hour's events, Buffy proceeded to grin at Willow madly and swat at the fly away blonde hair that tickled the end of her nose.

Nodding her uh huh's and quietly gathering her things, Willow took in Buffy story. Noticing the insane grin spread across Buffy fairy tale features brought a smile to her own. It was so like Buffy to be completely wrapped up in the present thought at hand and give no consideration to anything else around her, Willow thought. Once Buffy finished the recap, they walked out the glass door and down the steps to the main exit. "Buffy, where did you find orange platforms?" Willow asked, breaking the silence.

"Hmmm? Oh, well…I don't really know. See, I bummed the bell-bottoms off Kayla next door. And I raided your closet for the blue velvet shirt, but I think that the platforms were mine. But I'm not sure. I mean, they could be anybody's." The knowing look exchanged between the girls sent them into a fit of giggles, both of them well aware of Buffy's ability to confiscate and lay claim to any clothing that suited her taste, no matter who it originally belonged to.

As they stepped out into the cool evening air, Willow handed Buffy her jacket. "Put it on before you freeze. I'll be back in just a second, let me grab my bike." Buffy quickly wrapped the warm denim around her shoulders and moved to slide her arms through the sleeves. In her haste to find Willow she'd conveniently left her own jacket on the floor, and the skimpy shirt she wore provided no protection from the sharp wind that whipped around her thin frame. Watching Willow unlock her bike from the rack, Buffy casually made her way down the flight of stairs to the sidewalk, tightly hugging the jacket around her waist.

"Hop on girl. I'll try to make this as painless as possible." Carefully positioning her weight to maintain balance, Willow pushed off and began to peddle, rapidly gaining speed. The dorm was only four blocks from the library, but Willow and Buffy knew all too well the pain of bike riding in cool weather without proper clothing. As the wind brushed roughly against their bare faces and hands, shivers coursed through their bodies. It was only October but the air seemed to contain knives of ice, stabbing at their warmth and threatening to steal away their breath.

Seeing the destination come into view, Willow made one last lunge against the cold and catapulted the bike forward enough to roll into the receiving area of the dorm. Untangling from each other, Buffy and Willow dismounted the bike and began moving around trying to restore circulation to their extremities. Dismantling her bike, Willow quickly locked up the frame and carried in the front tire. She met Buffy in the lobby still trying to warm up and laughed once again at her friend's antics. How anyone could hop around that much and not feel ridiculous was beyond Willow, but Buffy never seemed to care.

"Damn, I don't see how you do that every day. It must be brutal in the mornings!!" Buffy began rubbing her hands back and forth as they stepped into the elevator. Willow smiled a secretive smile and pushed the button for the sixth floor. As the car began to move, Willow turned and faced her friend.

"Well, I don't wear summer clothes to class. Platforms and velvet crop tops tend to be rather chilly on winter days. Next time, try wearing three layers of clothes. It helps insulate you." The shocked look on Buffy's face only encouraged Willow to continue. "See, I wear a long sleeve tee shirt, turtle neck, sweatshirt, not to mention the long underwear and thermal socks. Add a wool muffler and an insulated jacket and presto! Instant sauna!"

"You've got to be kidding right?? No wonder you never get dates. You look like the abominable snowman! How the heck is the guy gonna find you under all that stuff??" The indignation on Buffy's face was mocking. It was just how they got along. Willow had a thick skin and could take the brashness of Buffy's self centered comments. Buffy never let anything bother her and Willow's sarcasm easily rolled off her back.

As the door slowly slid open, they continued to mock each other's choice of attire. Buffy scored one point for stating that the top she was wearing belonged to Willow. Willow took it back instantly when she stated that it was stashed with the Summer Clothes in the very back of the closet. They continued to laugh and joke heartily, both of them eager to forget about the incident in the library. And as they filed into the room they called home, Buffy proceeded to flop ungracefully in the middle of Willow's crisply made up bed.

"So, ice lady. What are you going to do tonight?? Conjugate French verbs, discover an unknown element, reconstruct the legislature?" Willow glanced around the room in search of some uncluttered area to place her book bag. Unsurprisingly there weren't any. Buffy had successfully managed to sling the remains of her fashion show all over both sides of the room leaving no spot uncovered. Suppressing the urge to scream at Buffy, she wandered around the room, gathered the stray articles into a pile, and dumped them at the foot of Buffy's bed. She went off in search of the low hum of the radio. Finding it under another pile of clean clothes, she quickly flipped the switch sending the room in to silence.

"Buffy get off my bed. If you want to loaf around, do it on your bed. And no, I'm thinking about a movie tonight. An Affair to Remember is going to be on cable at 8. If I motor, I can be done with dinner and the dishes in time to watch it." Using her weight as leverage, she heaved Buffy into the floor and snickered at the sight of her roommate sprawled in the center of the floor.

"Hey! Be nice snow queen. Your bed always smells so much better than mine."

"Well try washing the sheets once in awhile. It helps!"

"Look, let's not fight about this. It's the age old argument of 'why should I make my bed if I'm only going to mess it up again the next night.' We are both too good to argue this and reach a verdict. Hell, I have tons of witnesses that I could call in my defense!"

Sitting up, Buffy pushed her hair out of her face, only to have Willow come from behind and muss it up again. "Besides, I hate always playing the defense attorney. You're always brutal on the cross-examination. It's just not fair."

"Who ever said life was fair Buffy? Was slavery fair? Roe vs. Wade? What about OJ? Was it fair that they set him free?" Willow began her courtroom pace around Buffy and stared at her with cold unemotional eyes.

"Uh oh. Here she goes again. Listen, this is really fascinating but you're upsetting my plans." It was obvious that Buffy had started something and it was going to take quick thinking to get out it.

"Answer the question, Ms. Summers."

"Okay, I'll bite Will. No. Yes. I don't know. There are you satisfied. Look, can we get back to before you became Miss District Attorney. I want to ask a favor of you."

"The court will hear the motion."

"UGH! Stop that! Listen, do you want to go with me to this club tonight. I promise that we won't be gone long and you'll know everyone there. It will be tons of fun!"

"I didn't hear the favor part of that statement."

"Well, see…I sorta don't have the cash to pay the cover charge."

"I can loan you the money. Why do I have to go?" Willow watched Buffy squirm under her gaze and knew there was something more. She knew Buffy never asked for little favors but nothing under the sun could have prepared her for what came out of Buffy's mouth next. "David wants me to meet him there."

The words hung in the air between them. Tension so thick that you could almost feel it pressing against your lungs forcing the air out. Willow couldn't stop her mouth from falling open and thought deep down about how much she wanted to scream. Willow hadn't thought of David in months, not since he'd called to discuss their relationship at the end of finals last year. He'd said he didn't want to be tied down over the summer, like it was such a burden being socially involved with her. Willow hadn't tried to stop him from leaving. She'd spent the whole summer working like the devil to put as much work in between thoughts of David and her heart. Up until now she had succeeded.

"And you're going?" came the strangled reply. Willow wasn't even aware that her vocal cords were still attached to her body but apparently everything was functioning.

"I don't want to go alone." It was an honest statement and Willow couldn't decide who was hurt more by the circumstances, Buffy or herself. "Listen Will, I know that he hurt you and believe me I'm not condoning the way he treated you. I just thought you should know that he asked me. I was stunned too at first but after I thought about it …" her voice trailed off. "Well, will you go with me?" Buffy allowed the devilish look to surface and Willow could hear the treachery in Buffy's next statement. "I promise that my idea will make up for any shock I just gave you. Trust me. He's going to regret ever leaving you!" Sensing a plan, Willow cringed. She'd seen that look before and it never meant anything but trouble. Warily Willow shook her head in agreement and prayed for forgiveness as Buffy dragged her out the doorway, down the hall to the bathroom.

~Part: 4~

"Will you please hold still?" an agitated voice mumbled. Willow felt as if her entire lower body was numb and she just knew that she'd never be able to walk again after sitting Indian style for the past 2-½ hours.

"Are you almost done? Cleopatra didn't take this long to get ready for a night out!" Buffy groaned at the remark and continued her assault on Willow's hair and make up. It had taken her almost an hour to convince Willow to allow her free reign over the transformation but she felt confident as she added the last touches of hair spray and eyeliner.

"Okay queen for a day…what do you think?" and with a flourish of her hand presented Willow with a large hand held mirror.

It's not me. It can't be me. I'm not this pretty. The words bounced around in her mind, clashing with each other, and making her head swim. Aside from accusing Buffy of using a trick mirror, Willow couldn't explain the change. It was beyond remarkable and utterly shocking.

Her long wine red hair had been curled slightly, providing gentle waves to cascade down her back and past her shoulders. Her cat-like eyes sparkled and shone like emeralds, their natural green color emphasized by the slight shadows the make up provided. Her stark skin no longer looked bleached of color. Her cheeks held a pale blush, similar to her favorite roses. And her lips, heavy with the deep rich red that made them appear full of blood yet spilled, seemed invitingly seductive. It was beyond shocking but not wholly unappealing. In her mind's eye she recognized the look of a china doll. Now if only I could spend 3 hours getting ready every morning, maybe I'd get more attention from the opposite sex.

The last thought made her laugh and in her reflection she saw the final missing piece. A piece of herself she thought she buried long ago. She was happy. Not an entirely unpleasant thought but disturbing nonetheless. As she gazed at the woman staring back at her, Willow felt herself drift back into time. To the last time she was truly happy.

Graduation had been wonderful. The summer stretched out before Willow full of opportunities. She was ready to let go of her childhood and begin the transformation into an independent woman. Her heart was light and Willow just knew that this was going to be her moment of glory. But things change and for Willow they couldn't have changed more.

After Tess died, Buffy and Xander had tried to comfort her. Suicide was an ugly mark on her mother's otherwise perfect record. The insurance companies had given Willow a hard time before paying out benefits and only then when the doctors confirmed that Tess had been emotionally unstable but was being treated for it. Through those days,as Willow made the arrangements for her mother's interment, guilt weighed heavy on her heart. The anger of being lied to consumed her and Willow never once shed a tear for the loss of her mother. Giles had expressed concern at the lack of emotion on her part, but Willow convinced him that she was still in shock and was waiting for some private time to grieve on her own. Accepting but not believing, he left her alone with strict instructions to come to him if she needed help. Willow said her last goodbye to her mother on August 1, 1999 silently forgiving her for whatever secret Tess had taken to the grave. "I forgive you, mom. It's gonna be okay. I promise."

"Will?"

"Hmm…what?"

"Willow, what do you mean 'I forgive you'? Did I do something? Do you not like your hair or something?" The concern crept into Buffy's voice before she realized. It was uncanny to watch Willow transform so quickly and become wrapped up in her memories. Inwardly she prayed for Willow's freedom. Freedom from the demons that plagued her every waking moment.

"Huh? Oh, sorry. Guess I kinda got carried away in the fairy tale. Thanks Buffy. You did a great job." Noticing the her voice lacked the conviction of her words, Willow forced a smile and tried to forget about her mother for once since the funeral.

"Fairy tale. Okay. Whatever you say Will. Now, the most important key to being a knock out. Wardrobe." Regaining her momentum, Buffy leapt off the chair she had been sitting in and went to rummage through the closets. She had the perfect outfit in mind but it wasn't going to be easy getting Willow to go for the idea. Finding what she had been searching for, Buffy spun on her heel to face Willow.

Willow raised her aching limbs off the bed and began to flex her muscles in order to restore some type of blood flow. She watched as Buffy fumbled through her dark closet searching for some article of clothing. She lowered her upper body in an attempt to reach her toes, feeling the backs of her thighs strain at the unusual movement. She admired Buffy from her vantage-point and was mesmerized. Buffy Summers was every guy's fantasy come true. Her waist-long blonde hair curled into delicate ringlets around her dainty figure. Her genuine California good looks were amplified by her fantastic state of dress.

The tight red pants showed off her long muscled legs and the cropped white shirt exposed a generous amount of cleavage and chiseled stomach muscles. She was a portrait of sophistication until she opened her mouth. It was then that her true carefree personality escaped. Buffy was spoiled, fun, and at times down right outrageous. But after years of shared slayer work, Willow was certain she'd never have another friend quite like Buffy. Slowly pulling her body vertical, Willow stared at the dark material Buffy held in her hands.

"Oh no. Not that again." Desperation turned to sarcasm as Willow stubbornly glared at Buffy.

"Yes. It's perfect! You haven't even taken the tags off the damn thing. What are you waiting for the end of the world? No one is going to notice your great fashion sense if civilization burns down around your ankles!" Forcefully Buffy thrust the material in Willow's hand and tried to shove her behind the changing screen in the corner of the semi dark room.

Digging her heels in, Willow leaned against her friend in a futile attempt to remain stationary. "I'm not wearing that. It's not me. Anyone who knows me knows that I don't wear that kind of stuff. Besides, it's freezing outside. I'll by hypothermic before we get to the parking lot!"

Continuing her efforts, Buffy slowly edged Willow's body closer to the screen. "That is the whole point. You aren't going to be frumpy little Willow tonight. You bought the stupid dress to wear for David anyway. Might as well use it to show him what he gave up by leaving you. It's poetic justice for Christ's sake. Now get behind there," giving a final heave, Buffy threw Willow into the corner. "Put it on while I fish around for the shoes. And if you don't, I'll just have to use my slayer strength to hold you down and we'll do it by force. The choice is yours." With that resounding sentiment, Buffy marched out the door to find the resident shoe expert.

Conceding to the idea, Willow slowly began the task of removing her clothing. Eyeing the deep navy material, Willow jerked her tee shirt over her head. It was so soft and warm to the touch, Willow had fallen in love with the dress immediately. She had wanted to buy it on the spot but frugality had won out. Waiting and watching patiently for the price to lower, Willow had held off as long as she dared.

Buffy had been so pleased when Willow came home with the bag in hand. Deciding that it should be saved for a special occasion, Willow tucked it away until after finals. Then, as she was preparing to slide the material over her head on that fateful day, the phone had rung and her world had fallen apart again.

Removing her socks, Willow caught a glimpse of her full reflection and absently wondered where Buffy found the money to invest in such expensive lingerie. The items had been lying in the center of her bed when Willow had returned from her shower. She had been stubbornly obstinate for Buffy's benefit, despite the inward desire to see what they would look like. In the mirror, she reflected on the slim form of her body. The dark navy satin bustier contrasted with her ivory skin, making her appear almost transparent. She could see the thin blue veins as her life's blood ebbed and flowed just beneath the surface.

Sliding her jeans down, she ran a light finger down the center of her torso, lingering just below her rib cage. The skimpy triangle of satin across her hips certainly didn't leave very much to the imagination. Strangely, Willow felt invigorated by her appearance.

According to Buffy, most girls would kill for her body. Trim and toned, her waist held the perfect S curve. A womanly shape that belied the girl that hid inside. At nineteen, Willow lacked the courage of her convictions and had never been deeply involved with any member of the opposite sex. Though Willow appeared cool and aloof, inside she longed for a soul mate to fill the emptiness of her heart.

David had been among the few guys to even show the slightest interest in her but that had passed quickly. For the few weeks that they were a couple, Willow had been hesitant to feel any self-confidence. The dress had aided that emotion but disappointment shattered it immediately. Calmly folding her clothing and placing it to the side, she caught another glimpse of herself in the mirror. It was startling to look at her reflection, not only in the mirror but also in the picture of Ophelia.

It had taken Willow six months to find even the slightest trace of her birth mother's existence. The paperwork from the safety deposit box didn't provide much help so Willow had searched through newspapers from Sunnydale's archive. The records office had been less enlightening and now the trail seemed cold. All the books about genealogy had turned up very little other than three slim possibilities that would have to be checked. Frustration was becoming second nature.

Reaching for the dress that draped across the top of the screen, Willow eased the material around her body. Adjusting the material for the appropriate fit, she stared in disbelief. The skirt fell mid-thigh and softly brushed against her smooth skin. The open, rounded neck showed of her long elegant neck and exposed her delicate collarbone. The bell shaped cuffs lapped around her long fingers, stopping midway her palms. Silver buttons glistened in the dim bedroom light as Willow turned to check the fit along the back. It was as if the dress had been made with her body in mind. A small smile of satisfaction crept across Willow's usually stern features.

Tonight she was going to make history.

"Are you ready Willow?" Buffy had been dressed by the time Willow finished showering and was growing impatient. "I found the shoes to match the dress. They were buried on my side of the room. Willow?"

Buffy peered around the edge of the screen, but didn't find her friend. About to launch another search party, Buffy stamped her foot with exasperation. She surveyed the interior of their room and noticed a dark figure hunched over behind the beds. "What are you doing now, Willow?"

Grabbing the emerald and silver jewelry and rising from her kneeling position on the floor, Willow faced her friend. A faint tinkling sound broke the silence as Willow stepped across the carpet to her vanity. "I was just looking for my earrings. No big thing. I mean, it's only 9:30 right? I thought we weren't leaving until 10 anyway?" Looping the thin wire through her ear lobes, Willow stared at Buffy in the mirror. "Buffy?"

"Damn girl!! I didn't think it was possible. But…there you are. And you look great! My plan is gonna work even better now. Oh I can't wait to see the look on David's face!! This is going to be sooo classic!" A contagious laughter spread between the two of them, as Willow held up the heart pendant choker for Buffy to fasten while she slipped the heavy green stone over her knuckle. Once the laughter died down, Willow took a last look in the mirror and stepped into the shoes, adding another three inches to her already tall stature.

"I think I should say thank you, Buffy. But I'm not sure I'm going to after that last comment. Are you sure you didn't just do this to make David look bad for not asking you out last year? Or are you starting to feel jealous because I'm going to get all the attention tonight?"

The gentle teasing led Buffy to send a very disgusted look towards Willow. "As if!" was the only comment she could manage before spilling into another burst of laughter.

"So are we ready?" Willow inquired, grabbing her small black purse and flinging her leather jacket over her shoulder.

"Let's rock and roll, baby!" came Buffy's enthusiastic reply. And with that, the two strolled down the hallway anxiously anticipating the events of the evening.

~Part: 5~

The five-story building seemed alive in the midst of the darkened downtown street. Bright lights cut through the cold night air, slicing the blackness into a rainbow of throbbing purple, red, blue and yellow. Outside, lines of people inched forward, a slow processional into the loud hum of music emanating from the club.

Satan's Alley was thriving in the center of the rapidly decaying businesses lining the main street. Amongst the crowd, Willow and Buffy huddled together awaiting entrance to the latest college hangout.

"So where are you supposed to meet him again, Buffy?" Willow had questioned her friend repeatedly over the exact procedures they would follow while they were in the car. Willow was going to wait at one of the bars until 11:30 and then after Buffy had met up with David, they were all going to bump into one another, literally. It was Willow's job to try and get someone to pick her up so she could show off in front of David.

"He said that he'd be on the third floor. I just hope we get in before he leaves. We are already like 20 minutes late." Buffy shifted her weight from foot to foot, trying not to act nervous.

Truth be told, she was scared that David would make a scene. Willow had never seen David get mad so she was oblivious to the danger. But Buffy knew that David could get riled up pretty quickly and wasn't looking forward to a bar fight. There had been too many close calls in their debate classes.

"Identification ladies." The bouncer's abrupt words interrupted Buffy thoughts and she fumbled through her pockets for her license. Willow, forever the Girl Scout, handed hers over immediately and awaited confirmation of acceptance.

"Alright, Red. Go ahead. Barbie, what are you waiting on, hon? Can't let you in without ID." Apparently the guy's balding head did nothing to lessen his intimidation factor, as Buffy continued to search frantically for the elusive piece of plastic.

While Willow stood just inside the doorway, she caught a flash of light during Buffy's busy movements. Quickly ascertaining the source, she slid her hand to Buffy's back pocket and retrieved the photo ID with a fluid stroke.

"Here you go, Slick. Now how about letting my friend in out of the cold, huh? Can you manage that?" Sarcasm dripped from her lips like venom and Willow's cold stare only made her that much more domineering. A look of indignation lurked in the bouncer's eyes, but he waved them both on through the door as he returned the card back to the rightful owner.

"Damn, rude much or anything? Willow, where did you learn how to do that? I mean, that guy had to be like two hundred pounds or better. He could've squished you with his thumb!" The shrill was back in her voice again as Buffy laid down the money for the cover charge.

"It's okay, really. He wasn't going to do anything. He just wanted to see us squirm. And besides, I hate being called 'Red'." Willow turned to the cashier and accepted her change, wondering herself where the sudden courage had come from. <Must be nerves! I haven't been out since David and I were together. It's probably just old boyfriend jitters.>

Buffy continued to babble as they patiently waited for the doorman to stamp their hands. Willow listened half-heartedly as she slowly surveyed the room.

The ancient appearance of the building's exterior concealed the very modern appearance inside on the ground floor. Intricately painted designs adorned the walls serving as frames for the band posters plastered everywhere. The room glowed iridescent shades of green and blue as neon signs flashed from the ceiling. An acrid smell of must combined with some unknown stench hung on the air. It seeped into Willow's nostrils making her head feel like she was under water.

Despite the police enforcement outside, it was apparent that drug use still occurred behind closed doors.

"Welcome to hell." The statement came from the doorman and more than accurately described the atmosphere. As she and Buffy stepped into the elevator, Willow began to doubt Buffy's good idea. Besides the outrageous haircuts of the people on the elevator, everyone except for Willow and Buffy seemed to have large amounts of metal hanging from various body parts. As the elevator door slid closed and began to move, Buffy elbowed Willow's ribs and discreetly tried to point out the two guys making out in the back of the car. It took a major effort on both their parts but they kept their shock contained until the door opened onto the third floor.

Cautiously they stepped out into the room. Buffy seemed to relax once free from the confines of the elevator but Willow was less trusting.

Quietly she continued to study the surroundings as Buffy pulled her to the ornate bar in the corner.

Despite the softer sound of The Cranberries compared to the Marilyn Manson blaring in the lobby, the room carried the same theme. Here, the ten-foot ceiling was painted with stars and moons in red based neon colors that seemed almost three dimensional under the black lights. Posters were rampant on the walls, in a casual disarray to make it seem less planned. Small tables were scattered around the elevated dance floor that was currently packed with bodies in motion.

Clusters of people hung out in doorways that lead to alcoves, discreetly conversing on some private matter. In a far corner, Willow could see a DJ booth, shrouded by lava lamps and flirty young college girls.

"Evening ladies. What can I get for you?" A young male voice asked. Turning around, Buffy and Willow encountered their classmate, Trey.

"Hey there! I didn't expect you both to come! Wow, what a surprise! How's it going Will? McPherson was asking about you today." The suggested 'where were you?' went unanswered by Willow as Buffy jumped feet first into the conversation.

"I didn't expect her to come either! Isn't it great? And to think she almost graduated and never did anything like this! My roommate, little miss party animal!! Who'd have thought, right?" Loud laughter burst from Buffy and Trey as Willow decidedly remained silent. Slowly as the laughter died down, Trey and Buffy became wrapped up in their own conversation. Willow excused herself and went to sit at an empty table close by. It became clear in the next few minutes that Buffy was going to welsh on the deal to stay sober, so Willow reached into her purse for a cigarette. The darkness of the club provided little light for her to see, so Willow began a tactile hunt through the small bag for her lighter. Almost instantly a flash of fire appeared before her eyes, causing her to nearly jump out of her skin.

Willow raised her gaze from the flame in front of her to focus on the source of such kindness. She raised the cigarette to her lips and gently place the tip in the line of fire, drawing heavily upon the filter. With a snap the flame was gone and gradually Willow's eyes dilated to allow in the sight of her assistant.

He was tall, maybe 6'1". Deep, bottomless eyes that scoured every inch of her. Well built and attractive, with chiseled features that radiated masculinity. Recognition registered in Willow's eyes as she glanced to his left hand. The griffin was wrapped securely around the base of his pinky, it's ruby eyes sparkling.

"Long time no see, stranger. Where've you been?" Despite all the conditioning in the world, Willow could feel her body awaken at the sound of that voice. So deep and rich, it flowed around the words rather that actually spoke them. It was all Willow could do not to tremble at the sound.

"I've been working. School isn't easy you know. Especially for a woman like me." Exhaling heartily, she blew the smoke in his direction, pleased when it drifted straight into his face. It serves him right for being so damn presumptuous.

"Ouch! Why the cruelty? Did I offend you?" David's smirk told her that he was very aware of what had upset her. She was just desperately frustrated that she allowed him to twist the knife he'd placed in her heart. He enjoyed her pain and she gave him satisfaction in knowing that he'd gotten under her skin.

"You should know that I don't easily offend. I hold no grudges towards you or your flavor of the week. Who is she this time, David? Some poor unsuspecting freshman, or a seasoned veteran well worn around the edges?" Managing to hold her sarcastic tone she arched her eyebrow in challenge. Score one for me, she thought as he began to squirm under her assaulting stare.

"Let's not get personal Will. I just came to say hello. See how you were. I imagine that the insurance money is almost gone. How are you going to finish paying for school now that all of your family is dead?" With the final comment, Willow felt her entire body prickle.

An uncontrollable rage welled up inside her and she fought to hold back the tears that accompanied it. Unnoticed by both parties, the emerald ring began to glow a brilliant green as Willow's rage was transformed. <Something about him is very wrong! Get out of here! NOW!!> Scanning the nearby tables for some way out, Willow spied an unattended wineglass. Casually rising from her seat, she extended her fingers to cup the bowl of the glass.

"At least I won't be working for daddy to pay back the money. Hope you and your mail order bitch are very happy together!" Flinging the red liquid directly in David's eyes, Willow slammed the glass down on the table and turned to flee the room. Hurriedly she pressed the elevator buttons and took one last look back at the sputtering giant who stood cursing her with every breath. She frantically made her way through the crowd of exiting people to the back of the car ignoring Buffy's voice. Embarrassed by her display Willow lowered her head to block out her flushed face with a curtain of hair. The ring slowly dimmed to a low pulsing flash and then returned to normal. At that moment, all Willow wanted was to be away from David, Buffy, and the rest of the world.

The elevator jerked into motion and Willow recognized her mistake. Slowly it gained altitude and Willow examined each floor, looking for somewhere to hide. When the elevator reached the top floor and the doors opened, a cold breeze penetrated her clothing. The roof of the building had been set up like a patio with a large fountain as the focal point of the spacious area. The fifth floor of the building had no roof over the west side and decorative cement benches were scattered along the walls. Murals of angels and clouds were drawn in vivid color to contrast the dark hellish appearance of the other floors.

Despite the cold, Willow stepped out of the car and flung herself ungracefully down on the cold cement bench in the darkest corner. Desperately fighting for control of her emotions again, she rocked back and forth, shivering from the cold and pain her pride was suffering. For long minutes she hid, anxiously watching the doorway of the elevator for any sign of Buffy. When it became apparent that her friend was not going to come find her, Willow reached for her purse in desperate need of another cigarette. Absently she found and lit one, trying to recall what had happened to the other one she had been smoking. Oblivious to the strangers, Willow began to cry.

Damning herself with every tear, she berated her own insecurity and foolishness for being weak and breaking down three times in one day.

"Excuse me. I thought you might need this."

Startled out of her reverie, Willow looked up at the extended hand. The fingers were curled tentatively around her leather jacket. She raised her own hand to retrieve the leather when she felt it being draped around her shoulders.

"Thanks," came her barely audible reply. Easing her arms into the material, Willow wiped at her eyes and looked up at her guardian. Concerned brown eyes stared back into her green ones as she took in the sight of him. Wearing only jeans and a white tee shirt he resembled a James Dean wannabe. The black jacket he wore strained against firm biceps and through the thin material of the tee shirt, Willow could detect the presence of defined pectorals and abs.

Silently she continued to dissect him as she traveled further down. Realizing that black motorcycle boots completed the ensemble, she was in awe of the virility of her stranger. Beneath the surface she detected something other than masculinity. Hair the same color as his eyes was styled in disarray conveying lack of vanity uncommon among most men.

Aware that she was staring at him, Willow dropped her gaze into her lap as her ring began to glow once again. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so rude. You just kinda caught me off guard. Do I know you? I mean, it's rare to find kindness from people you don't know around here. You're lucky if you find it among people you do know." She sighed heavily, even more confused as to why she was babbling to a man she'd never met until five minutes ago.

He detected her sarcasm in the last sentence. Slowly so as not to frighten her, he lowered his body to a crouched position. He had witnessed the scene between her and the man downstairs. Their words had been quiet and fierce but the look on her face had broken his heart. Patiently he waited for her to speak again, hoping for an introduction.

"I do appreciate the jacket. I hadn't even realized that I'd left it down there. At least, not until it was too late." Studying him from beneath a stray curl, she wondered why he wouldn't say anything. Willow hated awkward silences and so she kept babbling like the village idiot.

"My name is Willow. Do you suppose you could tell me yours? I'd like to know the name of the person saving me from frostbite." Smiling femininely, she managed to restore enough dignity to look him in the eyes. For a moment, she forgot to breathe as his beauty mesmerized her again.

"Just call me AJ," came the simple reply, as if he were totally unaware of the effect he was having on her.

"AJ. Okay. I haven't seen you around before. Are you a freshman?" The question popped out before she had a chance to consider the implications. She didn't want to sound condescending but old habits definitely die-hard.

"No, you could call me a grad student. I've been around this place forever." He gestured gently to the seat beside her and Willow silently nodded her head. "Are you a student here?" he asked, moving to the bench and reclining against the wall.

"Yeah. You could say that I double majored. I'm a Psych student and my roommate is sort of pre-law. Although I've typed enough of her papers to know more about it that she does." Together they laughed at the joke and then fell into another quiet lull.

"Are you sure you aren't too cold? We could go inside," testing the waters, after witnessing a violent tremor course through her body.

"NO!" came her emphatic reply. Then more calmly, "No, I'm not really ready to go back inside yet."

Sensing her tension returning, AJ slid closer to her offering his personal space to help ease her discomfort. He gingerly placed an arm around her and began to lightly caress her back. "Calm down. I won't hurt you. I just don't think you should be out here too long."

Allowing his voice to lower even further, AJ tried a different approach. "Who was that guy anyway? Because if you are worried about him, the bartender threw him out just after you left. You needn't concern yourself with having to face him."

<God bless Trey!> Slowly allowing her body to relax, she gave in to AJ's ministrations and burrowed closer to his warmth. Still, she couldn't help but wonder why he was being so nice. Sensing a possible ulterior motive, she hardened her heart. Steadily, the jewel on her hand resumed the same undiscovered brilliance as before, shining like a tiny white light through the darkness.

"No, I just don't like going out much. The whole point was to keep my friend company and she just wanted a designated driver. Speaking of which, I probably should go. Buffy will be looking for me."

Disentangling herself from AJ's arm, Willow stood and stubbed out the cigarette on the ground. "Thanks again for bringing me my jacket. I appreciate it." Willow began to walk towards the elevator and turned back suddenly as if she forgot something.

"Hey," she called out and waited for AJ to look up. "Maybe I'll see you around," she added, unable to hide the hopefulness in her voice.

"Yeah," he replied. "Maybe."

~Part: 6~

Willow actively searched the third floor of the club, desperately trying to find Buffy. Tonight was just not going as planned and it was past time to head for home. Fumbling around the now packed bar, Willow motioned for Trey to come over.

"Hey, listen Trey. Did you happen to see where Buffy went? I can't seem to find her anywhere?" She sounded panicked and she knew it. <Why did she even agree to come here anyway? To get her heart ripped out again?> Rolling her eyes at the thought, Willow leaned in closer in an attempt to make out what Trey was saying.

"Will! God, she totally freaked out when you left! Last I saw, she went downstairs to leave. She couldn't find you and thought you took a cab back to campus." As comprehension took hold, all the remaining color drained from Willow's face. She was now officially stranded.

"Damn! I just went up to the fifth floor. Why didn't she come up there and look for me? Geez! Trey, what time do you get done here?" Frantically she tried to figure out a way to get home.

"Not until 3am Will, sorry. Why don't you just call a cab? Look, I'm sorry. But I've got to get back to work. We're packed and the tips are rolling. I'll see you tomorrow okay?" and without waiting for a reply, Trey turned around to face an angry mob of patrons leaving Willow to fend for herself.

She proceed to cross the room back to the elevator and began to condemn Buffy to an early grave for dragging her out and then leaving her. Checking her watch she realized that unless she got extremely lucky, she'd be stuck in Satan's Alley for another 2 ½ hours, a very unappealing concept. A blinking light alerted her to the elevator's arrival and glumly she stepped inside.

"Couldn't find your friend?" said a soft voice from the back corner.

Jerking her head up, Willow came face to face with AJ, casually leaning against the interior wall of the car. A smile replaced the frown she had been wearing as she sighed and spoke. "Yeah, apparently she thought I left already and went looking for me. Now I'm stuck either walking the distance back to campus or bumming a ride off somebody."

"Any prospects?" was his reply as AJ straightened up and moved to the side where she stood.

"Yeah, but I'd have to hang around another 2 hours or so. I could walk back by then. Of course I'd be frozen, but what the hell, right?" AJ detected the return of sarcasm in her voice and grinned at the joke. Taking another step forward, he moved closer.

"Well, I'm leaving right now," he supplied suggestively. "I could give you a lift, if you aren't afraid that I'll bite or something." The humor in his statement escaped Willow, but AJ grinned cryptically.

Hesitantly Willow moved away from the advancing AJ. 'Nice but a little creepy', she thought to herself. "No, I'll be okay. Really." Deep down she wanted to accept but something inside her refused to give in.

"Look, I can see that you are still shaken up after everything that's happened tonight. No one knows better than me how intimidating I can seem. Just let me take you to the pay phone downstairs. Call your friend and let her know you are safe and on the way. If we are even one second late, you can have me arrested. I promise no funny stuff."

His voice was sincere and soothing. A low purr amidst the rumble of the music in the club. The elevator ground to a halt and Willow felt herself nod her agreement to his terms. Together the two stepped out of the elevator.

"I'm okay Buffy. Really. No it's fine, I've got a ride back to campus. Yeah, I'll be there soon." AJ stood beside the phone booth in an attempt to deflect the breeze away from Willow. He caught her rolling her eyes at something Buffy was saying and chuckled softly.

"Okay, I gotta go Buffy. Yeah, see you in a few. Bye," gingerly hanging up the phone, Willow faced her escort.

"She doesn't sound too happy for you to be taking rides from strangers. Why is that Willow?" It was only a hunch, but he could tell from the way he'd seen the two interact inside the club that both Buffy and Willow competed against each other for male attention. The difference between the two was that Buffy was more obvious.

"Oh who knows. And you can call me Will if you want. Most people do. It kinda bothered me at first ...but you'd be surprised at what you can get used to!" She sounded a bit overly enthusiastic as she continued to babble about Buffy's carefree ways concerning personal matters but anything involving Willow was strictly by the book.

"I guess the basic thing is that she feels like I'm really sheltered and stuff. Not used to the real world. Sad part is that I've been dealing with the real world for longer than I'd like to admit." <SHUT UP!> She was coming unglued and totally set on edge by this guy. <Try to find out about him and quit telling him your life story!> Sighing audibly, Willow attempted to calm down.

"So," she began, following him down the sidewalk to the parking lot. "Exactly what are you in grad school for?" Pleased with herself for sounding aloof as was her usual trend.

"Hmm...oh. I'm studying Sociology." AJ placed his hand in the small of her back to steer her towards his means of transportation.

"Sociology. I've had a few classes in that. It's not that different from Psych." Startled by the warm hand that lingered at her back, Willow's simple statement sounded more like a yelp.

"Uh huh. Okay, here we go," walking up to the Harley that he drove. He watched her reaction out of the corner of his eye and was pleased by the shocked look on her face. Grinning inwardly, he handed her a helmet and proceeded to seat himself on the bike.

"Oh! Wow. A bike." <How the hell am I going to ride this thing dressed like this! This is worse than walking home!> Willow managed a small smile while her eyebrows conveyed her puzzlement.

"Look, it's easy. You can either sit astride like me or you can just swing both legs to one side. It's only going to be for about 20 minutes and at 1am no one is going to be invading your modesty. Now put the helmet on and let's go." AJ had managed to keep a stern but friendly expression on his face. Deep down he was thoroughly pleased with his success at surprising her. Willow was definitely going to present a challenge to him and anyone else she encountered.

Willow recognized the almost mocking tone of AJ's voice. Not wanting to be outdone by him, she straddled the bike and adjusted her skirt accordingly. Then after a moment's contemplation, she grabbed the weight of her hair and twisted it into a long red rope. Piling it into a heap on top of her head, she pulled the snug helmet down and fastened it in place. Tentatively she wrapped her arms around his trim waist and waited for him to start the bike.

With a mighty shove on the starter pedal, the Harley roared to life, vibrating with a rumbling purr. AJ motioned for her to pull down the visor and hang on tightly and began to ease the bike out of the parking lot. Willow complied happily and wrapped her arms around the body her soul had been admiring all night. The firm muscles that met her hands coupled with the erotic feel of the bike's movements sent her senses reeling. Unaware of her actions, her hands slid up and down AJ's washboard stomach, caressing him through the thin material.

Shining like a beacon, AJ chanced a downward glance at the light. It flickered a response to his stare and he returned his gaze to the task at hand.

AJ noticed the movement of her hands and pretended to be oblivious. He waited for the traffic to clear and then used his weight to steer the bike out into the main road. The air was still frigid but neither party was feeling the effects. The soft material of Willow's skirt flapped steadily in the breeze and AJ gently eased his hand back to stop it. Applying gentle pressure to the top of her thigh, AJ held the assailant in place.

At the touch of his hand, Willow trembled. Her body warmed to a feverish heat and she wondered how her body could betray her so quickly. Never had any man had this kind of effect on her. She'd always been successful at keeping emotions and sensations to herself, but no more. This stranger, this AJ, had walked right into her life as if he belonged. It was unnerving the way he unraveled her with a look or simple smile.

As they slowed down at the approaching traffic light, AJ leaned back and motioned for her to open the visor. "Are you cold?" he asked, unable to keep the seductive undertones controlled.

"I'm great," came Willow's breathy response as she quickly squeezed his waist to notify him of the light change.

Gradually they picked up speed again, all the while AJ's hand remained planted on her thigh. Carefully he squeezed, gently massaging the porcelain skin beneath his fingers. He could feel the rise and fall of her chest accelerate so he increased the pressure of his attentions. Slowly he eased his hand further up along the outer side of her leg, barely marking her skin with his touch. It was enough to drive Willow insane. She slid her body closer to his, fully contacting his back. Relaxing her embrace around his waist, she allowed her own hands to trail down the tops of his legs, leaning into the pressure of his hand on her body. It was wrong to be so forward, but Willow longed to ease the tension she felt around AJ. It just felt so right.

Sensing her submission, AJ accelerated the bike past the turn towards campus and continued into downtown. To his immense pleasure, she gave no resistance or objection. Instead, to show her approval of his decision, she ran her fingers lightly along the inside of his legs up to the source of his masculinity. Involuntarily AJ jerked at the contact before expelling the air he held captive in his lungs.

Turning sharply off the road and into a deserted parking lot, AJ removed his hand to retrieve a tiny black box from his jacket pocket. Instantly a door slide open before them, and he drove them inside.

Seeing no other cars or any sign of habitation, Willow wondered how he had found this place. The outside appearance seemed large and modern but inside resembled a dirty parking garage.

AJ eased off the bike as Willow removed the heavy helmet and attempted to straighten her hair. After taking the heavy object from her hands and placing it on the seat, he gently urged her to follow him. At his unspoken request, she swung around and stood adjusting the dress in the process. Silently he led her to a door previously unseen and with a slight movement on AJ's part, it swung open.

She stepped through the portal inquisitively eyeing her surroundings finding nothing but foreboding darkness. Suddenly the door clicked loudly and they began to move. A faint glow filled the room as he met her gaze. "Trust me," was all he offered in the way of an explanation before turning his back to her.

Confused and frustrated, Willow tried to remain collected as she anxiously awaited a clue as to where they were going. When he finally turned back to face her, green eyes locked with brown ones in an understood message. It was clear who was in control, and Willow willingly conceded to allow AJ to retain that power for awhile longer.

A subtly as it had done a moment earlier, the door once again swung open. AJ stepped out first, taking Willow's hand and gently leading her out into darkness. Leaving her in the middle of nothingness, AJ slipped free of her grip without a word.

"AJ?" came a hesitant voice. She trusted him, but she didn't enjoy all the secrecy. Exciting as it was, there was still the possibility of a threat from this man she had only known a few hours.

Without a word, dim light began to fill the room, easing her out of confusion. Slowly she began to focus on the appearance of an apartment, sparsely decorated. Those areas of her vision that remained dark adjusted to become furniture outfitted in black leather.

Still her host remained hidden and Willow quietly removed her shoes to avoid the clicking of heels on the tile she noticed below her feet. Cautiously she circled the room, stopping at particular points of interest such as the executive desk and bookshelves containing a massive number of titles.

"Have a seat," came a voice from behind her. Whirling, she came face to face with AJ. Barely inches away from her, his presence seemed to fill and occupy all of her personal space. She could smell cologne in the air between them and drew in a ragged breath. Mentally forcing her feet to move, Willow stepped away from AJ to sit down on the plush leather couch.

"Nice place," she mumbled and began fussing with her hair again. It wasn't tangled badly but there were some nasty snarls in it from her excursion to the roof. Reaching for her purse, Willow began searching for the small brush Buffy had given her for emergencies.

AJ halted her movements by clasping her shoulders and kneading slightly. He gathered up her hair and pulled it free from her back and moved to sit beside her. Tenderly he began working his fingers through the long tresses easily working out the tiny knots. At Willow's complacent sigh, AJ pulled her towards him until she was reclined against his chest. He gently placed her hair over her shoulder, exposing the slope of her long delicate neck.

"So Willow, do you usually go home with strange men that you've only known for three hours? Or is this a new policy that you've adopted just for me?" The seductive whisper of air against her ear fanned the flames of the wildfire rapidly spreading through her skin. She trembled at the brush of his lips against her ear and a soft moan escaped her lips.

AJ continued his assault, his hands lightly tracing the outline of her arms through the velvet. Desperately trying to regain power over her body, Willow forced herself to steel against his caress. "Do you usually bring home strange women you've only known for one night? Or is this a new policy that you've adopted just for me?" Oozing with charm , her voice became a weapon, mimicking his previous statement. She shifted in his arms to stare unabashedly into his eyes and saw the registered shock. The battle of wills had begun.

"As a matter of fact, yes. You are proving to be the exception to every rule I have." In her new position, AJ could easily access her back so he returned to the steady massage that had eased her discomfort earlier. Every tense muscle he found, AJ's magic fingertips loved away. Never once did they shift their gaze, each desperately trying to stare into the others soul. Willow never even noticed his other hand sliding under her breasts.

"I'm the exception? But I'm no different from anyone else. Nothing special about me." Playfully she batted her long eyelashes hoping to coax him into continuing the game further.

"Oh but you are," he purred. More persistently he kneaded at her back, forcing her to squirm beneath his hand. Unconsciously she leaned into his waiting hand and AJ seized the moment, cupping the feminine globe. Surprised by the contact, Willow jerked away, struggling to escape his reach. AJ pursued, and managed to pin her to the opposite end of the couch with his weight.

Reeling from shock, and fighting for sanity Willow's lip began to tremble. Too scared to move or speak, she stared at her captor. AJ's hair was flying about in every direction, his chest heaving from rapid breathing. She could see his muscles straining for control, a result of some inner conflict.

Gently, so as not to frighten her anymore, he lowered his head.

Anticipation forced Willow to lick her lips, swollen from unexpressed desire. The slight pressure of his mouth contacting hers immediately set her core to trembling. Teasingly, his tongue flicked out to caress her full mouth, begging for her to open to him. Silently obeying, she allowed him a leisure exploration.

The taste of her was heavenly. Her succulent lips drawing on his tongue and then easing the touch to allow him equal opportunity. Deepening the intimacy, he pressed harder into her opening while moving his knee to rest between her thighs. A soft moan escaped as together they began to ravage each other ruthlessly. He traced the roof of her mouth and the perfect line of her teeth. She luxuriated in the heat of his skin and the strength of his touch. When he began to slow the pace, Willow snatched it away, her sharp teeth worrying at his lower lip.

Breaking the kiss, AJ surveyed his prisoner. She lay beneath him practically panting, a glorious blush to her skin. Too emotional for words, AJ moved to leave her.

"Where are you going?" came Willow's gasped question. Hurt was in her heart but she refused to show it.

Quickly scooping her into his arms, AJ carried her down a long hallway. "To the bedroom," he whispered, leaning down to kiss her brutally used lips.

~Part: 7~

As they moved away from the dimly lit living room, Willow's nervousness returned. When he walked into the bedroom and shut the door, all light was eliminated and Willow's eyes fought to adjust.

She was aware of being placed in the middle of something soft and cool but once he released her, she could no longer discern AJ from the surroundings. The heirloom on her finger was quiet, seemingly pleased with the course of events. Straining her ears for any source of sound, Willow listened to the whisper of clothing falling to the floor.

Suddenly a match was struck and the heavy scent of fire and arousal hung beneath her nose. She watched as AJ circled the room lighting various candles. "I prefer candlelight if that's okay. Artificial light hurts my eyes." Uncertain about the implications, Willow nodded at his questioning look. AJ had removed only his shirt and jacket but with his back to her Willow studied his form. Visually there were no flaws, only perfection. His tan skin stretched at his shoulders and tapered at the waist. As he turned to approach her on the bed, she also noted the smoothness of his chest. Gasping at the desire that raced through her veins, Willow managed to finally return her stare to AJ's eyes.

"Is everything to your liking? Should I maybe walk around the room again?" he asked teasingly as he lay down beside her, pulling her to him.

Embarrassed at being caught, Willow dropped her head to her chest trying to elude those beautiful brown eyes. Tenderly his fingers reached out to lift her chin. "I'm sorry," came out of Willow almost like a moan as he covered her mouth once again. Lost in tasting her and playing with her tongue, AJ barely heard the apology. Desire swept through him as his self-control teetered in the balance.

Swiftly he rolled her onto her back, trapping her beneath his weight as his hands reached for the hem of her dress. Lightly dragging his fingers against her skin, he edged the material up while continuing to plunder her mouth.

When he finally released her lips to pursue other tantalizing areas, Willow was once again gasping for air. She seemed too wrapped up in the sucking pressure of his mouth on her throat to notice her skirt bunched around her waist. Her hands were still at her side and beneath their touch she was able to discern the sensation. Satin sheets in the richest black surrounded her and her stranger proceeded to move his affections from her throat down her body.

AJ leaned forward to kiss the valley between her breasts. Instinctively her hands jerked up to his shoulders. Her sharp nails dug into flesh as AJ buried his face in the softness. Willow groaned out loud as his lips pressed warm kisses on her rapidly hardening nipples. His hands roamed up and down her sides stopping only to caress the firm mounds.

AJ was pleased at her response. She definitely was passionate. Eagerly, he sought out new places to tease and his hands settled firmly on her backside. He smiled at the veiled look of lust so clearly written on her face. Massaging his way around her bottom, he discovered her pleasure in the slight pain inflicted by squeezing.

With each pinch of his hand, her desire escalated another notch. He found himself turned on further by the fact that she gave as good as she got. Those nails were painful but well worth the arousal they induced. With a small degree of urgency, AJ nudged his knee between her slightly parted thighs. Through the denim of his jeans he could feel the heat radiating from her sex. Using her condition against her, he began to taunt her, rubbing against her to create an unbearable friction.

Through it all they continued to mate with their mouths. AJ could sense her frustration at being held helpless for so long. In a spontaneous exhibition of trust, he reversed their positions, bringing her on top of him with a sudden flip. He was devilishly curious how she would use her control of him.

Startled by the sudden change in position, Willow immediately withdrew her tongue from AJ's mouth and sat upright. His hardness greeted her by pulsing beneath her center. Her hair was tossed wildly about her head and her eyes seemed to glow as if lit from the inside. AJ thought her the most beautiful woman in the world while she regarded herself as extremely naïve and stupid.

"Oh my god," was all she could manage. The position was so compromising, so intimate. And yet she knew nothing about this man. Begrudgingly she admitted that the fact of not knowing was the turn on. It was crazy she knew, but given current circumstances, she just didn't care.

Focusing her attention on the man lying beneath her, Willow began to peel the dress from her over-heated flesh. Slowly, the material rose higher and higher until the only thing preventing her from being totally exposed to his sight were Buffy's gifts. She forgot all about her insecurities when she heard his moan of appreciation. Casting the dress away, she grabbed his shoulders and pulled him up into her arms.

AJ had no choice but to bow to her demands as he assumed a sitting position with her situated in his lap, their bodies completely pressed against one another. She wrapped her fingers in his hair and tugged back, forcing him to expose his entire throat. She leaned toward the very center, mesmerized by the nervous bob of his Adam's apple.

Lightly, she brushed her lips against him and he sighed at the erotic pleasure. Soundlessly, she worked her way around to his ear, delicately nipping at his strained muscles along the way.

Reaching her goal, she whispered, "No promises, no regrets." The meaning understood by both, AJ nodded his agreement. At his concession of power, Willow began to rock her hips, allowing him to feel her heat even more. AJ remained still, enjoying the pleasurable sensations as they washed over him. For long, endless moments she maintained her torturously slow pace until he could stand it no longer. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he threw her back against the bed, moving into position between her legs. The look of alarm on her face captivated him. God but she was sexy.

At first Willow was uncertain what he intended to do. Still reeling from being tossed back on the bed, she eyed him with suspicion. But when he placed his hand between her breasts and began to trace a path down her body, she knew what he was up to. This wasn't a guy who was in a hurry. Practiced and skilled in every form of lovemaking, AJ was going to make this exquisite torture last.

When he reached the navy triangle at her hips, he casually allowed a single digit to slide beneath the edge of the material. She sucked in her breath as he traced patterns back and forth across her firm stomach, just beneath her panties. Inside she wanted him to rip the barrier between them and give her what her body was aching for.

Outwardly, she brazenly followed his eyes as they devoured her creamy skin. He dropped his head suddenly and began pressing moist kisses around her naval while his hands tugged at the navy satin. Willingly she raised her hips to let the material slid down. He smiled at her complacency and began lowering the kisses. Further and further until he was directly above her soft red curls.

Inhaling deeply, he reveled in her scent. By her manner he took her for some experienced lover reawakened to old fantasies. When he began to caress her, he discovered otherwise. At the feeling of his hand invading her nether lips, she bucked, scared by the unknown. Wanting to relax her, AJ began to utter soothing sounds as his hands worked their magic. Easing his finger inside the warmth, he marveled at her bravery. Slow at first, he began working in and out with small thrusts, all the while kissing her inner thighs and hips. Learning the rhythm, Willow began to undulate in synch with his hand. When he thought she was ready, he shifted his hand to place a thumb over the sensitive bud. Instantly, her body convulsed and clamped down on his finger in a wash of orgasmic pleasure.

Willow was still trying to comprehend what had just happened when he removed his hand and replaced it with his mouth. The warmth of his breath combined with the gentle lapping of his tongue sent her thoughts soaring. He found the source of her pain/pleasure and suckled eagerly. Allowing his tongue to invade the secret place his finger had already primed. Once again, she began to roll with him, carried on the intense feeling building in her stomach. And quickly she climaxed again, flooding his mouth with her essence.

Practically purring with satisfaction at having pleased her, AJ left his post to lie next to her. Cradling her in his arms, AJ nuzzled her neck until she calmed down. "Is my lady pleased?" he asked, knowing damn well she was. It was written all over body. Her nipples were rock hard and skin hot to the touch. Her mouth swollen and gaping partly open. She felt used, invaded, satisfied. And it was the most wonderful feeling in all her life.

Together they lay there, awaiting Willow's recovery. Before long, she recognized a familiar bulge pressing into her buttocks. Needing to repay AJ's generosity, she turned in his arms to face him as her glazed eyes found his alert ones. Willow felt certain that he would not ask her to duplicate his actions, but secretly she really wanted to please him too.

Timidly she reached out a hand to touch his chest. Beneath her fingers, she could sense his heart rate increasing. <Be brave> she told herself, as she slid her hands across his smoothness.

Tentatively she leaned down to place a kiss directly on his nipple. AJ groaned and Willow smiled. So it does work both ways, she thought, gently suckling on him as he'd done to her. He tangled his hand in her hair and urged her on, arching into her kiss. She flicked her tongue across the tiny pebble and giggled at the shudder that rippled through his body. Regaining the control she had held over him earlier, she pushed him into the mattress and straddled his hips.

Using her fingers to massage and play with his other nipple, she began to work her way back and forth across his chest until AJ was panting.

She ceased her attack on his chest and moved lower on his body until she came to the fastenings of his jeans. From her position between his legs she smiled seductively. Time to even the score. Her hands rubbed against the straining material while her teeth grasped the top button. Willow dragged her head back and the button popped free. She flicked her tongue out to the zipper, raising it. Again her teeth latched on as she slowly opened the jagged metal. He expelled a breath only to rapidly suck in another when she began to kiss him through the silk of his boxers. The thin material conveyed the moisture he anxiously awaited and AJ wondered again how she knew so much about the art of erotica and remained a innocent.

The incredible length of him was beyond impressive. What captivated Willow was how hot and hard it was. Wanting to prolong the inevitable as long as possible, she fought to control her curiosity. She longed to see him before her, naked. As curiosity won out, she grabbed the band and jerked down hard. Cool air bathed his skin as AJ was bared to her stare and attention. Immediately the coolness was shoved away as her mouth covered him in a hot, wet kiss. His manhood thrust forward into her mouth of its own accord and she welcomed it, sucking delightedly. The softness of his skin only made it that more enjoyable. Her hands kneaded his stomach as she slowly adjusted to accommodate all nine inches of him. Once she got used to the taste and feel of him, she began to experiment, trying to find that one thing that would send him over the edge. She bobbed her head carefully, trying to wring a moan out of her lover. When that wasn't successful, she began to increase her tempo to a furious pump.

Frustration began to mount, as her ministrations seemed to have no effect. Out of contempt, she bite down lightly, allowing her teeth to scrape slightly. In return, Willow felt AJ tremble and involuntarily buck his hips.

She was driving him insane with her mouth. AJ couldn't keep his eyes open as he visualized how good her passage would feel after being engulfed by her tight little mouth. It was senseless to continue the torture any longer. His control was gone and at any moment AJ felt like he'd crumble under the waves of desire.

He grabbed her arms and jerked her back up on the bed next to him. Silently, before she could say anything in protest, he covered her mouth with his own and positioned himself at her opening, easing the tip past her lips. His eyes locked onto her startled ones as he lowered himself into her. She began to squirm under the invasion but AJ held her still fearing movement would cause the pain to be greater. Withdrawing slightly, AJ shoved himself back into her, breaking through the resistance and covering her mouth with his own to swallow the moans.

The feeling of being completely full was foreign to Willow. As her fear subsided and the pain dissipated, she reveled in the wonderful feel of him. The rigid, unyielding length was shoved inside her warmth to the hilt and her lover lay trembling on top of her. To convey her readiness, Willow began suckling on his neck, occasionally snaking her tongue out to lick at his ear lobes. When she felt him respond by growing harder, she couldn't suppress the giggle that escaped. Searching the dim light for the glint of his eyes, Willow pulled her head from his shoulder.

Her tight sheath stretched to full capacity as AJ lay perfectly still on top of her. He thought that he was going to lose control the minute he sank into her completely. The warmth and slickness that had met his member was enough to tempt any man. Begrudgingly he'd remained still, not wanting to hurt her. Now as she greedily kissed his neck, AJ knew that his lover was ready for all that he had to offer her. Easing his weight on to his lower arm, he stared into her eyes. Finding no signs of rejection in their depths, AJ began to move. Slowly sliding his length in and out of her canal, he maintained his pace while allowing her to feel the full range of motion he used.

Willow couldn't believe how incredible it felt. The pleasure began to build once again with every thrust of his hips. She enjoyed the attention but passion gave way to desire for more as she began to raise her hips to meet him. <More!> Commanding him with her eyes, AJ understood and rolled onto his back with a lustful thrust. Instantly her body shuddered as her orgasm flowed through her body. AJ remained still and held her in place until it passed, taking his cues from the inner sanctum of her body.

Remembering something that Buffy had said about this position, Willow urged AJ to sit up. Then using all the control she had, Willow forced herself to contract around him as she slowly raised and lowered her body around his manhood. Working carefully, she built up speed, finding the hidden rhythm and allowing it to dictate her actions.

Soft moans of pleasure escaped AJ's lips as her advances increased in tempo. Sensing the moment was near, Willow reclined away from his body and began to thrash about, desperately searching for a final release. Tattered self control shattered easily as together they reached the stars resounding with Willow and AJ's mixed screams of satisfaction.

Gently easing her body from on top of his, Willow slid her weary body down next to AJ's. Remorse tried to take hold but Willow shoved it away as sleep clouded her mind. The panting from AJ slowed to a normal pace and Willow scrounged up the courage to look back into the face of her lover.

Horror mixed with shock and humiliation as Willow's eyes registered what was taking place. The features of AJ's face slowly slid and transformed into the familiar look of an acquaintance. Gasping for air and frantically reaching for the sheets, Willow managed one word before fainting.

"ANGEL!"

~Part: 8~

Buffy paced nervously around the dorm room, begging the phone to ring.

<This is so unlike Willow> Even Buffy had to admit that her friend had become more than a little withdrawn. Sure they had all been through a lot together, but Willow was the last one they figured would break. Giles had sent her here to watch over Willow and keep her safe during the last two years. He had been so afraid she would follow in her mom's footsteps that it was incomprehensible for him to believe she had changed her personality so completely. Gone was the shy, quiet Willow that had lurked among the library stacks. In her place stood someone cold and almost heartless.

Frantically picking up the phone to check for a dial tone, Buffy slammed the receiver down when she confirmed the phone was still working. <Where the hell is she? She has to know how dangerous it is!> They may not be on a hellmouth, but small towns are not immune to their own types of violence. Rapists were aplenty in college towns and this one was no different. Lately, there had been two reported incidents but neither victim had given any description of the assailant. For a month Buffy had felt her spider sense come to life every so often and now she was convinced that something was definitely not right in this place. She had called Giles earlier in the week and asked him for help. The gang was supposed to arrive tomorrow and hopefully, if they succeeded in kicking the bad guy's butt, they would all attempt to pull Willow out of the steel shell that she had locked herself in for the last two years.

The harsh bell of the phone invaded Buffy's ears and she grabbed at the receiver. "Hello?" Exhaling a sigh of relief, Buffy sank onto the carpet of the floor. "Willow I'm so sorry. Do you need me to come and get you? I can leave right now and pick you up." As she patiently listened to Willow explain where she had been, Buffy began to realize that Willow wasn't alone.

"Are you okay? It sounds like there is someone there with you. Who is it? You should be careful Will. You don't have any idea if that's the latest bad guy! <I'm sounding like her mom! When did I become her mom?>

"Okay," Buffy conceded. "But just this once. And if you aren't here in exactly 20 minutes, I'm coming looking for you! Got it??" As she said her good-byes, Buffy questioned her friend's judgement. A private assessment confirmed the spider alert and without thinking, she grabbed her keys and headed out the door. There was an old friend amongst them and she had a good idea about who it was.

***

Angel surveyed the unconscious Willow. He hadn't meant to frighten her. The spell was supposed to last until he had had a chance to explain what was going on and why he was here. Silently he suspected that the exhaustion was to be blamed but without Whistler, he had no one to question about the validity of his statement.

Wrapping the sheets around her motionless body, Angel left the room.

As he padded his way back down the hall, he continued to question his own motives. He hadn't meant to seduce her. It had just sort of happened. <As if life isn't complicated enough for her right now!>

Reaching for the telephone, he decided it was best to go ahead and get it over with. Buffy knew he had returned from hell, but Angel wasn't sure if she knew he had Willow. Punching the numbers to their dorm, Angel waited for her to answer. After three rings, a familiar voice answered.

"Hello?...Buffy and Willow aren't here right now. Leave us a message and we'll think about calling you back! Catch you later! BEEP!"

"Damn!" The growl was in his voice and his anger erupted as he slammed the phone down. <Where the hell is she?> Forcing himself to remain in control, he scanned the desk for his address book. Grabbing the small book and flipping to the correct page, he picked up the handset and called Whistler.

***

Buffy cautiously walked down the streets of downtown, searching for any trace of Willow. When Trey told her that Willow had left around 1 with some guy, she instantly became panicked. She grilled 'Slick' about the guy Willow was seen with and discovered that they had passed the turn for the campus and gone down towards the old industrial side of town. Now, as she studied each building, she looked for signs that would indicate her old friend had set up housekeeping. It was close to 3:30am when she finally stumbled across the new storage building.

Modern on the outside, the renovations made it an obvious suspect.

Quietly climbing up towards the only visible window, Buffy peered inside. Glinting chrome caught her eye and Buffy knew she had hit the jackpot. Using her slayer strength, she pried the window open and crawled through. <Let's just hope I've got the right friend!>

*******************

"You said the spell would last for 8 hours. It barely lasted 4! Now what the hell am I supposed to do!" Angel roared into the phone while angrily pacing back and forth in front of the desk.

"It wasn't in the game plan to seduce her, Angel. I warned you that it would take all of your strength for the spell to work properly. There were a lot of things involved with that one and it took me forever to find it. Don't blame me because you screwed it up, okay man?" The scolding tone of Whistler's voice set Angel straight and he cowered beneath his watcher's accusations.

"I'm sorry. Look, I've still got to tell her and explain why I'm here. Any ideas?" If Whistler could have seen the pleading look in Angel's eyes, he would have ceased his assault on the vampire.

"Angel, you are on your own. I can't reinstate the spell and by the sound of you, you don't have the control to pull it off anyway. Just calm down and go talk to her. You had to know this wasn't going to be easy." Slowly soothing the irate vamp, Whistler offered one last piece of advice. "Just remember, you can't tell her anything about the deal. It has to be of her own free will. If Willow doesn't volunteer, it's out of my hands."

A noise in the basement alerted Angel to Buffy's presence. Quickly hanging up on Whistler, he flipped the lights to see a startled Slayer go scrambling for cover. "Come on up," came a booming voice over the intercom as the elevator slid open. Buffy immediately recognized her ex-boyfriend's voice and walked into the awaiting car. Fuming over the scare he had just given her, she made a vow to pay him back.

He was waiting at the door when she arrived. Angel couldn't stop himself from grinning at her disheveled appearance. Watching her charge towards him, he dodged her intended assault. "Nice to see you too, Buffy!"

"Alright, where the hell is she?? I know you've got her." The accusation was an attempt at a threat. His lopsided grin was driving her crazy and she was still deeply worried about her friend.

"Calm down. You know, it wasn't necessary to break in. All you had to do was knock." Angel gently teased the slayer, hoping to break the obvious tension between them. Unfortunately, Buffy was not in the mood.

"Why are you here, Angel? And why did you kidnap Willow?" Glaring at the vampire, she backed him into a blind corner. <Time for some answers Dead Boy!>

<Don't call me that! You sound like Xander!> The shock of Angel's voice in her head sent her reeling. Buffy stumbled back across the floor, disbelief written all over her face.

"How did you do that?"

"Do what?" <This?>

"Yes! And stop it you're giving me a headache!" Clutching her throbbing temples, Buffy sat down on the couch. She could hear

Angel's heavy footsteps as he crossed the room and looked up to find him looming over her.

"Let's just say that Whistler taught me a few things." Sitting down next to her, he covered her eyes with his hand. A sound that she couldn't make out echoed in her mind and suddenly her headache was gone.

"Whistler? When did you see him?" Confused by Angel's presence and the cryptic statements he was making, Buffy wondered if it was all just some strange dream.

"Look, I'm just going to briefly fill you in on tonight and then I want you to leave. I need to talk to Willow about some things and it's going to be very hard to make her understand. Your being here will only complicate things. Do we have a deal?" Silently nodding her agreement, she leaned back into the couch and waited for Angel to speak.

"Whistler was the reason I came back from hell 3 years ago. I have an obligation to Willow that I must fulfil. I was supposed to explain everything tonight but we ended up in bed together before I could tell her. She's fine. She's in no danger of being killed, raped, or vamped. Whistler has made me human, if only for a little while. So now, I need you to go back to the dorm. Get some sleep. Willow is going to need you very much tomorrow." He had been staring at the floor during much of his speech and as he tried to meet Buffy's eyes at the conclusion, all he saw was shock.

Heaving his body off the sofa, Angel walked to the elevator and waited for Buffy to follow. Not fully comprehending what he had just told her, Buffy hesitantly duplicated his movements. Brushing past him, she stepped into the elevator and turned around.

"But how did you find us? Why Willow? And how the hell did you get her in bed with you??" came Buffy's angered yet somewhat babbled response.

"Trust me Buffy. Things will look better tomorrow. Tell Giles and the gang to put on their research caps. You've got a busy week ahead of you." The cryptic smile slid back into place just as Buffy bolted towards the door of the elevator.

"How did you-!" she began, as the door closed in her face, cutting off her question. Bewildered as to exactly what was going on, Buffy left the abandoned warehouse to trudge back to the dorm alone. <I hope you know what you are doing Angel. For all our sakes!>

~Part: 9~

Fitfully, Willow tossed in her sleep. Slowly her conscious mind returned to focus on the cool rag being pressed against her forehead.

Willing herself into wakefulness, Willow's eyelids fluttered open.

Angel sat beside her on the bed with a concerned look aging his features. Her slight movements alerted him to her mental presence and he lowered his eyes to hers. "Are you going to faint again? I'm really sorry that I scared you. I can leave and let you get dressed if you like?" The school boy nervousness tinged his words with fear as Willow's expression of disbelief widened.

"What are you-? How did you-? Who are-? Angel?" Rushing out all of her insecure questions, her mind momentarily lapsed into dazed confusion. Mentally assessing her state of undress, she blushed a deep shade of red. Pushing her face into the pillows, Willow quietly spoke a muffled request. "Could you leave for a minute, please?"

Angel drew himself upwards and undramatically left the room, pulling the door closed behind him. At the click, Willow flung the sheets back and dove for her clothes at the foot of the bed. Struggling back into the slinky garment, her mind raced with doubts. <Buffy's got to be worried sick! I can't believe I slept with him! What is he doing here?> Futilely trying to regain her composure, Willow fussed with her hair. She sucked in a harsh breath and bade her hand to willingly turn the doorknob.

The apartment was well lit now and Angel was pacing back and forth in front of the hallway. He had heard the door open and now looked expectantly into Willow self-reproachful face. "We need to talk..." he began, extending his hand to her.

"I've got to go," brutally cutting him off. "I don't know why you're here or why I slept with you or anything else for that matter!"

Hysterical laughter erupted from her throat as she moved around the perimeter of the great room. "I just know that I have to get out of here. NOW!" Making a sprint for the door, she jabbed at the down button.

Angel anticipated her escape attempt and lunged, throwing his full weight against her and pinning her to the wall. "Not until we talk. I have a lot of explaining to do and you have to hear it. Buffy knows you are safe so please, give me a chance?" The forcefulness of his voice commanded her attention and despite embarrassment she permitted him to lead her to the sofa where the whole mess had started.

Releasing her hand, Angel cringed when she scooted to the farthest end away from him. Torn as to how to begin, he cursed to himself and began his story.

"Willow I apologize for taking advantage of you. I just want to get that out of the way right now because I need you to trust me. What I have to say is going to be very disturbing but you must hold onto your faith that I would never lie to you, agreed?" Sternly he looked into her child-like face and waited for her response. Nodding so slowly the movement was barely noticeable, Willow tried desperately to give him her full attention.

"I am here to help you find Ophelia." Her loud gasp caused a pained look to cross his face but he pushed the pain deep inside and continued, resuming his pacing around the room.

"I'm not sure what you've discovered about her yet, but I'm going to tell you what I know in due time. I'm here because of Whistler. He saved me from the bowels of hell. I don't know exactly how, hell I'm not even sure of what I am. But I do know that I'm not a vampire, I'm not dead, I'm not human like you or Buffy, and I have limited time to help you find your mother."

"Ophelia McKenzie was the gypsy woman that I killed to anger Ms. Calendar's clan. She was not your typical gypsy either. There was a power in her that I can't describe but that she managed to pass on to you, her only child. I know nothing of your paternity or of how you came to be here. Just know that she died by my hand over 143 years ago and that you were born into this world as a human only 19 years ago. Your real birthday is October 31, 1981. On your 20th, this coming Saturday, you will receive your birthright. The catch is, you have to live to see it." Collapsing in a nearby chair, Angel sat in silence waiting for her endless questions to begin.

"What?" was all that he heard. He groaned aloud and moved to sit on the couch next to Willow, praying he could convince her without revealing too much.

"You were born into some other sort of spiritual plane while your mother's soul found a replacement body." Shaking his head at the audacious sound of his statement, he tried again.

"It is believed by the Wiccans that the body is merely a house for the soul for each lifetime that it experiences. Your mother was one of the more powerful ones. She had lived over a hundred lifetimes before I ever killed her. When I finally ravaged the gypsy camp, your mother, Ophelia, was already carrying a child. You. Unlike the Christian belief in the Guff and that a child gains a soul only after it is born into the physical world, Wiccans believe that the soul is present from the moment of conception. When she died, her soul and yours sought out a new physical form to inhabit. Now here's the tricky part, so pay attention. Something happened to her. She gave birth to you physically, with the aid of a host, and then became fearful of your life. Something about another of her kind being jealous of her power. She entrusted you to a mortal family and removed all traces back to herself. It was believed by her host's people, more gypsies, that you died at birth. Ms. Calendar was the host. Now despite what you and everyone thinks, I didn't kill Ms. Calendar. I...Angelus, had fully intended to make that woman pay for trying to restore my soul. But I didn't get the chance because the evil that had been following her beat me to it. It destroyed her physical body in such a way that her soul could not move on. It's your job to put her to rest. <And me.> Glumly sighing to himself, he placed his head in his hands and waited once more.

Willow slowly allowed his words to sink in. Despair fought with confusion as a dark pain crept into her heart. Realization at the implications of his words enraged her. <He killed her! He almost killed me!!> Suddenly, as if the world opened up, a scream began to creep from the depths of the earth's core up through her feet, consuming her body, and finally seeking release from her throat. She screamed with every fiber of her being, a wild primal noise that resonated off the walls and bounced back into her ears until it rattled in her head. The floodgates of emotion Willow kept securely locked tight, opened now with ease. Furiously pummeling Angel with every ounce of strength she could muster, she sought peace in his pain. Continuously raining a series of stinging blows to face and body, Willow struggled with her inner demons until exhaustion won over. Sanity recovered control of her senses and Willow was left lying in a puddled mess, like a ship tossed about in a hurricane.

Through it all, Angel was silent. He accepted her hate and her anger as further punishment for his deeds. His heart overflowed with sympathy at the grief he had just caused her, in this life and in the ones previously gone by. Wanting to comfort her but afraid of what it would do to her fragmented mind, Angel just sat there. Unmoving and unemotional the way he had been rehearsing for the past two years.

Now his hope resided in the determination to protect her and obtain her forgiveness.

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