Rated: PG-13
Disclaimer: The characters of Buffy: The Vampire Slayer belong exclusively to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy and Warner Brothers. I'm just borrowing.
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Willow stumbled around the corner, letting out a strangled scream when she bounced off a tall figure shrouded in the darkness. She turned to scramble to her feet when the figure reached out a hand to grab her by the arm, whirling her to face him. "Willow?"
The girl paused, her heart still pounding, and glanced warily through the darkness, "Angel?"
"Yeah, it's me. What's wrong? Where are you going in such a hurry?" He stepped around her to gaze round the corner, unable to see anything down the dimly lit alley she'd just emerged from. Angel looked back at her, "Invisible man?"
She fought for breath, "Not invisible..." Between gasps she continued, "Too much 'Grrr' for invisible..."
Angel smiled at her sweet use of the English language. All of the Scooby Gang, Buffy included, had their own way of speaking, but it was Willow's he liked the most. It was always as cute as she was. He shook his head, trying to focus on Willow's concern as she started tugging at his arm, anxious to keep moving. "Will, what are you running from?"
"If you can't see it, that's a good thing... Come on, Angel..." She yanked on his arm a little harder, gulping when she made out the loud footsteps echoing down the alley. "Uh oh."
Sticking his head back around the corner, Angel couldn't help but gulp along with her. A Demon, probably about 10 feet tall, was sniffing through the air, evidently trying to locate Willow. He took hold of Willow's hand, pulling her down the street, "I think we should move." Letting him drag her along, Willow nodded in agreeance.
The Demon let an excited scream spill from it's triple teeth layered mouth as it reached the end of the alley, picking up Willow's scent. It whirled, spotting Angel and Willow rushing along the street, and broke out into an ugly run after them. Hearing the stomping grow louder, Angel pulled Willow past the continuos row of Warehouses and into another alley, stooping quickly to the ground to tear open a small drain cover. When he got it open, he shoved Willow awkwardly into the sewers and then dropped down in after her.
As they landed with a resounding 'plonk' in the waist deep water beneath them, the Demon paused, the scent disappearing...
"Eeewww!!!" Willow whispered, "Angel, I think I landed in something!"
Angel groaned, "I think I did too..." He looked up at Willow, flashing a wicked grin at her, "So I've picked better escape routes in the past."
"Motion moved and seconded!" She smiled back at him as he took her hand and helped her onto the ledge at the waters edge. She bent when she was up to help him climb up beside her. As he straightened beside her, they bumped heads. "Ow!" Willow grasped her forehead, giggling.
"Sorry..."
She cut Angel's apology short, "Angel, you just rescued me, consider yourself forgiven." Willow's eyes met Angel's and a nervous flush waved through her, "Uh, we should... Be going to Buffy! Yeah, Buffy. So she can slay, because she *is* the Slayer and this thing would be slayable. Yes?"
Angel nodded, smiling warmly at her, hoping a smile would be enough to settle Willow's nerves. He often wondered why she was always so jumpy around him...
"This way." Willow tugged on his arm, but Angel didn't budge. She turned to look up at him, "What?"
He grinned, "Actually, it's this way."
"Oh." Willow smiled sweetly, "Maybe you should lead."
The vampire held out his arm, "Milady?" Unable to disguise the slight tremor racing through her, Willow took his arm, barely touching him. Angel sighed to himself, taking her arm and tangling it around his own so her hand rest on his forearm. He placed his hand over her own. "Shall we depart?"
Feeling her nerves start to settle at the adorable little gesture from the handsome man beside her, Willow nodded, and Angel's smile broadened all the more. He wanted her to feel comfortable with him.
They walked together silently for a few minutes, before Willow piped up innocently, "Angel?"
"Yeah?"
When she laughed, he was unable to resist the beautiful sound, laughing with her as she told him happily, "We smell."
The End