"So you waitressed in a Strip Bar." Lindsey gripped the steering wheel tighter, as images of a skimpily clad Cordelia flitted through his head. "I
bet that was an...interesting experience." He gritted out.

"It was a job. It's not as though I danced." Loosening his grip slightly Lindsey forced himself to relax. "Well except that one time Willow was sick
for two weeks and we needed rent money." The car veered off the road as Lindsey growled in outrage. "Lindsey road, two painted lines, they're there for a reason."

"You took your clothes off in front of a bunch of middle aged potbellied men for money!"

"No, we lived near an Army post so technically they were a bunch of well-muscled young men...Stop looking at me like that. It was for one night.
There were bills to pay, and since Willow was out cold in bed, I did what had to be done." Cordelia crossed her arms across her chest and stared back at Lindsey. "You look me in the eye and tell me that in the last two years you never had to do something low to get by. Or maybe having *three* men living together you never had those kind of problems. You and Wesley have the kind of education to get better paying jobs, so I'm sure you don't know the feeling of coming up short for rent. Willow and I both tried getting better jobs, but with our moving patterns and no experience the field wasn't quiet so wide open, as we wanted."

"I pumped gas." Lindsey muttered. Looking out the window at the cars that were passing them as they sat in the break down lane.

"Come again?"

"I pumped gas." Cordelia bit back a smile and tried focusing her attention on anything but the miserable expression painted across Lindsey's face. "Pumping gas, well it's a job..."

"Cordelia I Lindsey Aaron McDonald pumped gas. Do you know how pathetic that is? I spent six years in college to end up pumping gas. Gunn worked at a gym...as maintenance, wiping up other people's sweat. Wesley worked in a library; he's the only one out of the three of us that could get a decent job."

"Well at least you didn't have guys grabbing your...Guess that's not something to bring up now. Our crappy jobs are the past. For some reason the
PTB are calling us all together again, maybe it's time for us to fight evil again, and lucky you, your not evil anymore. Things are going to get better."
Lindsey flashed her a warm smile.

"So what did you wear?"

"Huh?"

"On stage, did you wear one of those small little numbers...OW! Stop hitting me!"

"I'm telling you man, we pass one more cornfield I'm going to jump out of this car." Gunn looked out his window at the rows of corn, a big fat moon
hanging from overhead.

"It is a little weary, how far do we have to go?" Wesley rubbed his tired eyes, hoping to hear good news.

"Shall I tell you as in how many states we have to go, or maybe in how many double digit hours remain, *or* how many inches are left according to this here map." Gunn waved the map back and forth before crumpling it into a tight ball.

"Inches how many inches?"

"Six.... So have you ever been to Maine?"

"I can't say that I have. Angel said the area we are going to is right on the coast, in fact the house has a private beach and the area is rich with
historical sights."

"Yeah great, sounds like a great old boring place. Let me guess it's an old town without a pulse."

The two men drove in silence for awhile. "I can't say how damn thrilled I was seeing Angel and the girls again." Gunn admitted honestly.

"That makes two of us."

"Willow...Little One wake up." Angel touched Willow's face lightly, enjoying the feel of her soft skin. Her body was curled across the front seat, her
head using his lap as a pillow. He had been playing with her red silky strands for the last hour, never getting enough of the feeling of it running
through his fingers. He'd steal glances at her face to see the angelic smirk that tugged at her lips while she slept. "Willow..."

"Five more minutes...yummy Angel dream." Angel's felt a feeling of masculine pride sweep through him at hearing this. So she had dreams about him did she?

"Willow wake up sweetheart." Willow stirred and peeked up at him, stretching a little she tried to drift off again.

"Oh no you don't. Get up, I need coffee and if you want something to eat now is the time."

Waking up fully Willow sat up and rubbed her eyes. "Food sounds great."

"Come on then. You can dream your yummy dreams when we get back on the road." Angel tossed over his shoulder as he got out of the car, giving her a devilish grin that made her blush.

"Yummy dreams, who said I was having yummy dreams?"

(Four states, eighteen hours and six inches later)

Three cars pulled up to the beach house, a full moon hanging from overhead. "Damn, he's been staying here, as we've been bunking with the cockroaches?" Gunn looked at the huge house and slowly got out of the car. Lindsey pulled up from behind and had the same impression.

"This is the place...and I get to stay here?" Sitting behind the wheel of his beaten up pickup Lindsey had the sudden urge to break down and cry. Not that he would with Cordelia sitting next to him, and Wesley and Gunn standing feet from the truck. But after the horror of the last say twenty-nine years or so the empty house sitting before him was like his reward. He was going to live in a beautiful place, with a beautiful girl, and great friends.

"Gorgeous isn't it. I remember the first time I saw the house. Willow and I had been up for like three days straight; not counting the catnaps that
didn't really help much. When Angel brought us here I felt like I'd died and gone to heaven." Cordelia spoke his mind. Looking over at the smiling girl
next to him Lindsey leaned forward and captured her lips with his. He wanted to remember this precise moment forever.

"So do you think they like our house?" Willow asked as she watched the two separate groups as they took in their new home.

"You saw were they were living, right?" Angel joked and pulled Willow closer to his side, taking in the joyous view of his friends getting to know the
surroundings of their new home. It felt right, having them all here like this. He just wished he knew what the PTB had in store for them. Having
Willow in his life he realized again how much he wanted to become human again, and that if he ever wanted that to happen he needed to become the warrior of good again.

"Wes man take a look at the water, Lindsey get your ass out of that truck and come here!" Gunn pounded on the truck window, getting the annoyed ex-lawyers attention. "You've got to see the water. Last one in does dishes for a month." Lindsey jumped out the truck and chased Wesley and Gunn to the beach. The three was stripping off clothes every few feet.

Cordelia joined Angel and Willow who were watching the boyish antics on the beach with an evil gleam in their eyes. "You think we should tell them?"

Angel smirked and shook his head anticipating the second the three entered the water. "Hell no."

"I wish I had a camera." Willow stood on tiptoe to get a better view. "Hey Cordy you boys rear is a little glow in the darkie." Cordelia smiled and
silently agreed.

"Shh..." Angel said as the three guys neared the edge of he water. "Three...Two...One."

"HOLLY MARY MOTHER OF GOD!"

"SHIT, SHIT, SHIT."

"COLD OH MY GOD ITS COLD." Three figures rushed out of the ocean to be greeted by their friends rolling on the ground laughing.
 

Chapter twelve

Xander stared at the star filled sky and remembered years ago as a kid doing the same thing with a tiny redhead. Shed point out the different
constellations to him, and to this day he still couldn't remember a damn one. He had just been so happy to have a friend like Willow, that hed let the
usually shy girl talk all night. Now that he was older he wished that he could recall some of the shapes that Willow had once pointed out to him. Then he could someday point them out to his child, telling him (or her) that their Auntie Willow taught him about the heavens above.

He never told Anya how much he missed his little buddy. He didnt think she would understand, or that she would think that he loved her any less. It was just that he had grown-up with Willow. That there was a bond that had been created between them that was almost like a lifeline. Neither were all that popular in school, and they had learned to depend on one another to get through the taunts and heartbreaks. Latter on they had made new friends, but the friendship he had with Willow was unparallel to any other.

He loved Anya with all his heart. And couldnt be happier knowing that they had created life that was growing in her belly. But with each passing day
the memories of Willow ate away at him. How could they have just let her and Cordy go off on their own? Sure the two girls had survived the horrors of the Hellmouth, but making it in the real world with the only skills of knowing how to kill a vampire or stop the world from ending.

Sighing, Xander slung an arm over his eyes trying to erase the images of the redhead growing up through the years. Her pixie laugh as she skipped around when she was five. Pretending to be a cowgirl, rescuing him from the evil Indians. When they were in the sixth grade and her heart had been broken the first, and not the last time, when Chad Hastings had told her that she was a pathetic loser. He remembered when they had first met the slayer, her trepidation at such a clearly cool girl wanting to be her friend. In High School she had truly blossomed from a little girl into the woman she would someday become.

Hearing the water turn off from inside, signaling that Anya was finished with the dinner dishes, Xander wiped the tears from his eyes and took a deep breath. Without Anya he wouldve given up long ago. She had been the strength during their exile from Sunnyhell. With each passing day her pregnancy became more pronounced, that would make her grumble about her expanding waste line.

They had decided on names for their child. If it were a girl her name would be Willow Anne Harris. A boy Angel (not Angelus for obvious reasons) Liam Harris. It had taken years, but Xander had finally faced facts that Angel had saved his sorry ass more times than he could count, and the vampire would always have a place in his heart.

The screen door squeaked as Anya came out to enjoy the night air. Xander pushed all sad thoughts from his mind as he pulled his wife closer to his
side.

"Buffy the deaths arent natural; I really think we should stop what ever is doing this before any more blood is shed." Giles felt his blood boil at the
bored look the blonde gave him. It took all his tolerance not to shake some sense into the retched woman.

"Im not doing that gig anymore Giles, you know that." Buffy turned and started to walk out of the room. "Let it drop. We escaped Sunnydale, lets
leave the ugliness behind."

Dawn looked nervously from Giles to her sister. She knew were her sister was coming from. Not wanting to reawaken any former glimpse of the past by doing duties that had at one time been second nature. But at the same time innocent people were dying, and with the powers that Buffy held she *should* be doing something.

"Ill help." Dawn whispered. Guilt from her behavior over the last two years had been nagging at her. She knew that Giles was getting irritated by the
lack of concern that had anything to do with Sunnydale and the people they had once cared so much for. Maybe this would help ease some of that pain.

Giles looked up sharply at the small voice. The look in the young girls eyes reminded him of the gentle creature she had once been. Her kindness once ranged with Willows, before she had become an extension of her older sister.

"Yes, well I will need help researching. Once we find out what we are against, they well see what we can do." Dawn nodded weakly, and headed to
the dining room table were Giles had books spread out on already.

After hours of research Dawn stretched and looked around. "Its not the same with out the others here is it?" Giles looked up from the book he had been reading and shook his head sadly. "I miss all of them you know. It may not seem like it but I do."

"I miss them too." Dawn nodded and went back to work, feeling as though her relationship with the former watcher was slowly healing.
 

Chapter thirteen

"So why do you think that the PTB are sending you the visions?" They were all sitting around the large kitchen table, drinking badly made coffee.

Cordelia screwed her eyes shut, reminding herself that Wesley was just being his watcherie self. But after three weeks of asking the same question she was getting a tad irritated by it. "I don't know, they don't send any post it notes with the visions." Lindsey put his hand over Cordelia's, rubbing small circles with his thumb. Trying to soothe her.

"Maybe they're telling us it's time to get back to what we do best. Dawn is still hidden, so it's not like we're putting her in danger. Plus if that
Glory chick was after us don't you think that one of us would have noticed being followed?" Gunn took a sip of his coffee, and made a face at its bitter after taste.

"I've been practicing some spells again. I'm sure after some practice I'll be back in top form." Willow was excited at the thought of getting back into the evil fighting business. The break was fine at first, in fact it was sorely needed. But now she was ready to pick up where she left off... Well, maybe not with Glory, but fighting the Big Bads in general.

"If we want to do this we can't stay here." Angel interjected. "If you haven't noticed this place has only tourists causing evil. We'll need to
relocate." He hated to admit it but the idea of doing something useful intrigued him. He didn't want the girls put into any more danger, but he
refused to leave them behind again.

"What about New Orleans?" Cordy raised her eyebrows in Willow's direction, they had several great memories of that city.

"I'm sure that will be a great choice." Wesley nodded in agreement.

Lindsey, who had stayed silent until that moment voiced his opinion. "You're all seriously considering putting your lives in danger again?"

The rest of the group froze for a moment and eyed him. "You don't want to help?" Cordelia asked in a hurt voice, scared that she was already going to lose him. Fighting evil was something she had long ago accepted as a way of life. When the group disbanded she had been lost for months, not knowing what to do with herself. Slowly she had learned how to live day be day as a normal person.

Lindsey threw his hands up. "No, I'm not saying that at all. I just don't think we're thinking this through. I mean one-second we're reunited, the
next we're making plans to move and go fight evil. I was thinking maybe we should figure out why Cora's getting the visions. Then make plans."

Cordelia let the pent up breath out, relieved that Lindsey wasn't going to decide not to help. "Fine, but it's not like Angel can go visit the Oracles
here in Camden Maine. Are there any other portals to see them besides in LA?"

Angel shrugged. "I really don't know. Doyle took me to the one under the Post office. I'm sure that there are more out there, we just need to find them."

"Oh does this mean research?" Willow asked excitedly. "I can be Net Girl just like in the old days." Angel laughed at the way her face came alive at the thought of doing anything that would stimulate her mind. One thing was for sure, where ever they ended up, or what they did, she was going back to school. Someone as intelligent as she was deserved better than a High School diploma and only a year of College. Maybe New Orleans wasn't that bad. It had several schools she could chose from.
 

Chapter fourteen

"So then we walked on the beach after dinner. Willow he was so sweet." Cordy and Willow were sitting on the deck, catching up on their girl talk. The sound of crickets filled the night air.

"I'm so happy for you Cordy. I mean it's about time you two were together." Willow was happy for her friend, but couldn't help to be a little jealous of her friend’s happiness. "So was there some heavy smooches?"

Cordelia blushed and Willow gave her friend a small smile. Yes this was hell, Willow thought. Sitting here being jealous of my best friend. Just because the one person I'm in love with doesn't have a clue. I'm a bad, bad friend. I shouldn't be jealous, but just happy that Cordy and Lindsey have one another.

"Stop it Willow. He's just clueless. Sooner or later he'll figure it out. Then you'll be as happy as I am." Cordy giggled at Willow's guilty look. "I
think you should crawl into his bed nude-."

"Cordelia!" Willow rolled her eyes.

"Crawl into who's bed nude?" Angel asked, having only heard the last of their conversation.

Both girls shrieked, and glared in his direction. "Don't do that!" Cordelia shouted, holding a hand to her chest. "You're going to give me a heart attack one-day."

"Crawl into whose bed?" Angel asked again, jealousy dripping from his words.

Willow blinked at Angel, not believing that he heard Cordy say that. How was she going to get out of this one?

"Um-well wow look at the time. Lindsey and I are going to the fireworks down at the water tonight. Well gotta go." Standing quickly, avoiding Willows pleading eyes, Cordelia rushed past Angel and into the house.

"Willow?"

"Angel, it was just girl talk. Cordy was just saying stuff to make me blush." I am so going to kill her.

Angel narrowed his eyes not believing a word that she was saying. "Really?"

"Yup. You know Cordy and her bought with Turrets." Willow looked out at the water.

"Gunn."

"Huh?"

"Was she saying to crawl naked into his bed?"

"Goddess no!"

"Wesley?"

"Angel stop it, that's just plan sick."

Angel sat silently sulking until a smile spread across his face. "You know that I'd never say no if you were to-."

"Angel!" Willow reddened as he hit the truth.

"What I was just saying..." Willow stood and walked to the front door her face the shade of a tomato. "What? Was it something I said?" Angel laughed as he heard the front door slam shut. If he hadn't been sure that the small redhead had feelings for him, he knew now that she did. And it was about time he did something about his feelings for her. It was Hell living under the same roof, and not having her by his side at all times, or in his bed curled up against him at night.

Willow woke with a start of the thunder shook the house. Reaching blindly for the light on her bedside table, she nearly cried when the lamp didn't switch on. Another flash of lightning lit her room up, and she braced herself for the upcoming boom. Seconds later the house shook again.

Ever since she was a child storms always frightened her. It wasn't too bad, until her parents started leaving her alone when they traveled. But Xander knew how scared she would get, and would sneak out of his house to be with her. Now he was gone, and she felt so alone in the dark room as the storm raged outside.

Taking a deep breath she slipped from bed to try the light switch, when the room lit up again. Putting her hands to her ears she waited for the crash of thunder. When the noise disappeared she hurried to the wall switch, nothing.

The electricity must have gone out, and Willow knew she couldn't sit alone in her room. Reaching for the doorknob she through the door open and ran down the hall, right into Angel's room. As another earsplitting crash made her jump, she was gathered into strong arms and tucked into bed.

Silently Angel rubbed Willow's back, willing her racing heart to slow down. "Shh Willow it's only a storm."

"I know I'm being silly, I just can't help it." She mumbled from his bare chest.

Bringing her closer to his body, he inhaled her scent, and smiled into her. He couldn't help but remember the earlier conversation on the porch. Well she was in his bed, she may not be nude, but she was in his bed.

Looking down he noticed her slow breathing and realized she had fallen asleep. He felt a warmth flow through him, that she felt safe wrapped in his
arms. That she had searched for him when she was scared. Hugging her tightly, he drifted to sleep, thanking the PTB for bring Willow back into his life.
 

Chapter fifteen

"So then I got worried and was going to wake Angel, to let him know you were missing." By this time the boys were done fighting over the paper and caught up in Cordy's story. And Wesley had stopped humming to eavesdrop as well. "Imagine my utter shock to find you there, in Angel's room, in Angel's bed, in Angel's arms." Willow could feel the blush creeping up her throat to her cheeks. For all her might she tried to remember a mute spell, but the fates weren't on her side. "So I said to myself...Self, I'm sure that Willow wont mind if you wear her new shoes, so I did."

Lindsey and Gunn chuckled as Willow tossed her pancake in Cordelia's direction, hitting her friend square in the face. "Willow that...OUCH my head
my head." Cordelia gripped her head squeezing her eyes shut.

"Funny Cordelia my pancakes aren't that heavy...Oh a vision, isn't this splendid." Everyone stopped for a moment from trying to sooth the seer, to
stare at Wesley. "Well its been so long since Ive seen her have one of these that... Oh bloody hell." Wesley left the room to get Angel; sure that
after the vision was over his assistance would be needed.

Tears were flowing from Cordelia's eyes as she tried to take deep breaths, but every time she thought she had the pain under control another vision
would rock through her head, making it feel as though a searing hot poker was being shoved through on of her eyes.

"Is she always in this much pain?" Lindsey stroked Cordelia's hair out of her face, worry etched into his face.

"Yeah, it's not a pretty sight." Gunn stood and walked across the kitchen to get his friend a glass of water and some aspirin, feeling a sense of deja
vue. It had once been like this. Cordy getting her visions and he Wesley and Angel would go out and slay the evil that caused their girl so much pain. A tone time Lindsey had once been apart of that evil, and never did Gunn think that he'd have Lindsey McDonald as his friend.

"Is there anything we can do to ease her pain?" Lindsey felt her body finally relax, and he gathered her into his arms.

"Just what you were doing." Angel answered from the doorway, having watched Lindsey get through his first encounter with Cordelia's visions. Scanning the room his eyes landed on Willow who had her arms crossed protectively around her. When she lifted her eyes to him, he saw the helpless look in her eyes. He knew how the redhead felt. He had always hated seeing Cordelia in so much pain, and unable to do anything to stop the agony she was in.

Cordelia could feel the groups stares and knew that her friends were worried. Most of all, she could feel the jerky movements from Lindsey as he
tried to sooth her. Taking deep breaths and slowly opening her eyes she gave her friends a shaky smile. Gunn offered her water and aspirin, which she gladly excepted.

"Giles, and Dawn. They were fighting an ugly scaly lizard like thing. It has this long purple tongue..."

"Where were they?" Willow sat on the other side of the Brunette.

"In some alley...Oh you mean what state. Michigan." The room went silent.

"What about...Buffy?" Willow winced at how hard it was to speak of her once best friend's name. It had been years, and when once the blonde had been the witch's best friend, Cordelia had taken over that spot. Plus there was her feelings for Angel now, and if Willow were to honest she was almost dreading the day the vision would come that would reunite them all.

"Didn't see her. But that doesn't mean anything. I didn't see Lindsey in the last one and he was all right." Cordelia also had mixed feelings about
meeting up with the slayer. Willow was *her* best friend now. Where Willow had always felt like an outsider, Cordelia had also felt the same way. Except she had been surrounded by people and felt alone.

At least Willow had real friends. Ones that worried about her, and didnt stab her back. Ones that wanted what was best for her, and didn't gloat when she failed. That was what Cordelia had, and when she had a chance to get away from Sunnydale and work with Angel and Doyle she had never felt so damn lucky. She had finally felt as though she fit, that she had something worth while. After Doyle's death she made an honest effort to let everyone in her life know how much he or she meant to her. But it wasn't until Willows friendship, the friendship of another female that Cordy knew what she had been missing. Now Buffy was going to take all that away from her. Not to mention that entire icky love/hate thing Angel and her had going on.

Cordelia worried how having Buffy around would effect Willow's and Angel's feelings for one another. It was one thing to tease the witch about her love for the vampire, and another to have something threaten it.

"So are we going to go and get them?" Cordy looked hesitantly at Angel, who looked as though he were ready to say no.

"If the powers want us to, then I guess we will." Angel turned and left the room, not seeing the tears that were threatening to fall from Willow's eyes. Gunn sensed the girls emotional state and pulled her to him, giving her a shoulder to cry on.

'This is fucked up.' He thought. Everything had been going great. Lindsey and Cordy were back together, so he didn't need to listen to the ex-lawyers whining about losing the love of his life. Willow and Angel were getting closer everyday. Anyone who was around the two knew they had feelings for one another.

As a group they had been working out again. Getting ready for the day they got back to the basics, and started to kick some demon ass. Willow was working on her witchy stuff, getting stronger everyday. Wesley was researching portals, seeing if there were any others besides the one in LA.
Now a small group of people that they had once been allies with was threatening the balance of things.

Sharing a glance with Lindsey, Gunn knew they felt the same way. They would try their damnedest to keep their friends from getting hurt.
 

Chapter sixteen

The airport was crowded as Angel lead Willow and the rest to the baggage claim. It had been decided that it would be a lot easier to fly with the
amount of people that were going. Otherwise they would have to take two separate cars. The group weaved through the airport, all lost in their own thoughts that they didn't notice the stares they received from other travelers.

To watch them move as one, all confident and sure. A sense of power and determination radiated off them. The leader never broke his pace, a hand on the lower back of a stunning redhead. Followed by another couple, eyes locked in front of them, yet always aware where the other was. Two separate males were in the back, one walked with arrogance alert to his surroundings. The other not as intimidating as the rest of the group, but no one would mistaken him as weak.

Angel stopped at the luggage carousal. "We have two hours till sunrise. We need to get our bags and find a hotel." Angel looked impatiently at the
opening where the bags should be coming at any moment. They had all packed light, the brute of the baggage had been weapons. Willow had cast a spell that would make anyone inspecting the bags think they saw the normal traveling gear; clothing and toiletries.

Willow looked around the crowded airport, studying the faces in the crowd. They were so close to seeing Buffy, Giles and Dawn again, and the stress of the upcoming reunion was tying her stomach in knots. She could feel Angel take her hand and give it a reassuring squeeze.

When the luggage finally came Angel grabbed the heaviest bag that contained the chosen assortment of weapons they brought. The rest took their own bags, as well as the one that Angel packed for himself. Finding a cab had been a chore, but finding two was a nightmare. With time being an issue for Angel he Willow and Wesley took the first available cab they could get, agreeing to meet up at the hotel.

"Angel there's only three rooms left." Willow whispered handing Angel the keys that the creepy little man at the front desk had given her. The hotel
was run down, and generally gave Willow the creeps.

Angel was glaring at the greasy man behind the desk, that was looking a little too intensely at Willow. "That's fine. Lindsey and Cordy can have one,
Wes and Gunn. And if you don't mind we can take one. Or I can bunk with Wes and Gunn." Angel looked back over at the pathetic excuse of a human that was licking his lips towards Willow's direction. He sure hoped that she didn't mind, because he would hate to have to sleep in her doorway.

"Mind? No...not at all. I mean it's not like we haven't slept together before." Willow answered nervously. Angel cocked an eyebrow at her choice of
words. "Well not *sleep* sleep together, but you know sleep...I'm just going to shut up now." Turning away from the smirking vampire she sat in a torn and dusty old chair. "Where did Wesley go?"

"He said he was going to find something to eat." Angel walked over and sat on the arm of Willow's chair. "So are you excited about seeing Buffy again?" He had been avoiding the B subject, but knew that he couldn't pretend any longer that the slayer would be a part of their lives again.

"Um yeah sure...I mean of course, she was...is...was my best friend." Willow's face reddened. "It's just weird is all. So much has happened. I'll
always love her, but things are different now. Cordelia has in a way taken Buffy's place, but the friendship is different. With Buffy I was just her
tagalong little pal. With Cords I'm an equal." Angel nodded, understanding what she was trying to say. He had seen the difference in the Willow from
years before, and the Willow of today. Angel knew it wasn't just because of her getting older and maturing, but of being taken from the back burner.

The lobby doors opened with a creak, and Cordelia waltzed through wiping her hands off on her jeans after touching the dirty door. "Well, at this place is cleaner then the cab, which by the way stuck like Xander's locker in High School." Willow rolled her eyes and took Angel's offered hand as he helped her up from the chair.

"Those were his *lucky* gym shoes. He swore that whenever he wore them the bullies left him alone." Willow giggled at the memory.

"Well, yeah, who would purposely get close enough to him with those rank shoes." Cordelia rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but smile. For the
hundredth time she wished that it was Xander they were meeting instead of Buffy.

"Here's your keys." Angel handed out the keys, and Cordelia wiggled her brows toward Willow when she realized the little witch and vampire would be shacking up for the night, possibly more. After the long night of travel they headed off for their rooms, agreeing to meet up at sunset. Angel looked over his shoulder at the disgusting clerk who was still leering at Willow. If that little pest didn't stop Angel decided that he would have to teach him a thing or two on how to treat a lady.

"Willow are you ever coming out of there or have you drowned?" Angel pounded on the door, growling in frustration. He wished he hadn't agreed to little the little water nymph take the bathroom first. I swear if you don't answer me I'm coming in. One..Two..Five." Angel turned the handle and peered into the steamy bathroom. Looking around he spotted Willow asleep in the tub, the bubbles from her bath reduced to a filmy layer that hugged onto the top of the water.

With a groan Angel walked in and grabbed a towel. He could do this. He could lift her from the bath, wrap her in a towel and get her dressed in the night clothes that were sitting on the counter. Who was he kidding he couldn't handle this. "Willow?" He whispered. Getting no response from her he cleared his throat and treid again. "Willow?"

Sucking in a deep breath he grabbed a towel and tossed it over his shoulder. Taking another step to the bath he dipped his hands into the water and gripped onto her slippery body, avoiding any parts of her body that were sure to set him off. Lifting her effortlessly from the bath he kept his eyes trained on the shower tile, and leaned her body against his so he could get the towel around her.

When she was safely wrapped, he picked her up and brought her to his lap as he sat on the edge of the tub. Letting out the breath he held trapped in his lungs, he waited for a second before starting the next step ... dressing Willow for bed. He could feel his arousal already straining against his
jeans, and willed it away, but like always it had a mind of its own. Leaning to get her clothes, her body was pressed firmly against his, and he nearly
moaned out loud.

Shirt first...shirt first. He chanted taking the baby pink top and struggled to get it over her head. After succeeding with that, he worked her arms
through the holes. Grinning at his accomplishment, he stared at the panties that were neatly folded on top of her PJ bottoms. "Oh God no." His cock
hardened even more. He couldn't do this, he should just wake her. But then she'd be embarrassed, and he would be embarrassed. Picking up the flower printed panties with his finger tips he couldn't help but think how utterly Willow they were. Cotton, with pink and blue small flowers all over. Slipping her feet through the holes he shifted her on his lap and pulled them higher up her legs. Her long smooth beautiful legs. 'Stop.' He scolded himself. He almost had them up over her hips when he ran into trouble. The way she was situated he couldn't pull them any higher, he was going to have to move her. If there was a time for her *not* to wake up it was now.

Sitting her up a little and wrapping an arm around her waist he pulled up one side. The towel was in the way, and he couldn't get the other side up without moving it, exposing flesh. 'I can do this...I am *not* a pervert...I'm just helping a very tired friend get ready for bed. A very tired, utterly sexy friend that I'm in love with.'

Moving the towel he couldn't stop his eyes from moving to the exposed flesh of her right cheek. Starting to pull the panties up his eyes bulged at the tattoo before him. It was his tattoo, smaller but he would know it anywhere. Willow had tattooed herself with his marking.

Angel couldn't suppress the smile that tugged on his lips. So this was the tattoo that Cordy was threatening Willow to tell him about. Smiling at the
beautiful young woman in his lap, he placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Alone at last." Lindsey walked behind Cordelia and wrapped his arms around her waist.

Cordelia smiled and leaned back. "I need a shower." Walking out of Lindsey's embrace she took her overnight bag and headed to the bathroom. Looking over her shoulder at his pout she purred to him. "Want to wash my back?"

Lindsey straightened and advanced on her pinning her up against the bathroom door. "No. But there are other places I wouldn't mind washing." Nuzzling her neck, he let one hand trace down her body, stopping at her ample breasts. Cordelia moaned and leaned into his touch. "I can be persuaded." Lindsey left her neck and sought out her lips. His hand slipped under her shirt and he pulled her bra down to have better access to her hardened nipple. Pinching it between two fingers he loved the throaty moans he could draw out of his love.

"You were saying something about a shower?" Lindsey pulled away from Cordelia and walked past her into the bathroom. Cordelia growled in frustration and followed him in. She'd teach him who was the best at playing these games.
 

Chapter seventeen

"Dawn you need to remember to stay out of the reach of the Klovorack's tongue. The creature's poison could be lethal, and I couldn't bare it if
something happened to you." Giles's gave the last bit of instruction as he and Dawn were prepared to leave their modest three bedroom house. Giles
double checking all of Dawn's weapons.

"Giles I'll be fine. You worry too much.” Dawn smiled at the older man that had in several ways became an adopted father. “I'm almost eighteen, by this age Buffy and the rest were veterans."

“Yes, well...” Giles sighed, he had learned through the years that there was no talking the Summers girls out of something they put their mind to.

“I just wish that Buffy would change her mind. I mean she is the slayer after all.” Dawn grumbled.

“Yes, well she has made it painfully clear that she is finished fighting. I think that she blames herself for the losses during the last battle against
Glory.” Giles turned his back to Dawn, not wanting the young girl to see his true feelings of Buffy’s refusal to fulfill her duty. Giles had to finally
admit to himself something he had know for quiet some time. Buffy was a spoiled rotten Brat.

Grabbing her jacket, Dawn took another look around the house they had been living in for the last four months, hoping for the first time that she see it again soon. "Ready?"

Giles looked at the brave young woman in front of him and wished for the hundredth time that day that he hadn't involved Dawn in this. Sighing he gave a short nod and followed the young girl into the night.

"So what are we looking for? Because I don't know about the rest of you but I'm getting sick and tired of slugging through these nasty alleys.” Gunn
followed the group, stepping around the trash that was littered around the dark and smelly alleyway.

“This isn't working.” Angel stopped. “We've been wandering the streets for over three hours now, and every alley looks like the last. We have to be
missing something. Cordelia is there anything else about your vision that you remember. Perhaps a sign we can look for?”

Cordelia looked around in disgust, Angel was right. Every alley looked just like the last. At this rate they'd never find Giles and Dawn. “I've told you
everything was blurry. But I remember seeing a trash dumpster.”

"Shh.” Willow stepped away from the group, her ears straining. The sounds of a struggle in the distance floated to her ears again. “There it is again, did you all hear it.”

Angel heard the sound too, turning back to the direction they had just come from he could see shadows about three blocks down. "Follow me."

"Dawn move away." Giles commanded, moving his position to be able to block Dawn from the threatening advances the demon was making on her. Dawn ignored his warnings and swung again at the Klovorack's head. She could do this, had to do this. To prove to herself once and for all that she didn't need Buffy. That when it came push to shove that Dawn Summers could take care of herself.

Giles had know terror before in his lifetime, had known the pain of loss. But seeing how close the demon's tongue was getting to Dawn almost made his heart stop. Perhaps he was being selfish, knowing that if he lost Dawn he would truly be alone. The only person left from his former life would be lost.

Taking another step closer to Dawn, Giles got the Klovorack's attention. Swinging his ax in the beast direction, he willed Dawn to run and take cover. He was prepared to yell to her to flee, when he saw her over the demons shoulder. What was the girl thinking?

Dawn raised her sword above her head, ready to plunged it into the demons back when it wiped around, lashing out with his tongue. Dawn felt it's razor sharp sting as its tongue flicked across her abdomen. Giles froze in horror as the young woman he considered as his own slumped to the ground, her eyes dazed and confused.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you not to stick your tongue out?" A deep voice came from the shadows. Giles looked up as Angel took a step in the demons direction. Soon a group of familiar faces followed.

Giles stood frozen for a moment, feeling as though he finally had snapped. That perhaps he had an aneurysm. But after a few tense moments he saw the gentle smile Willow gave him, and he knew at that moment everything was going to be all right. That after nights of praying for his friends safety had paid off, because here they were standing in front of him.

“And don't even get me started on just how wrong it is to pick on little girls." Giles inched closer to Dawn as Angel taunted the demon. The rest of
the group circled around, forming a barrier to protect Dawn. Willow made her way to Dawn's unconscious form, and checked for a pulse. Relieved to feel a faint recognition that Dawn was still alive, Willow concentrated on a protection spell for her friends.

Angel attacked first, barely registering Giles warning to stay out of the reach of the Demon's tongue. Gunn attacked from behind, with the assistance of Wes and Lindsey. Cordelia went to Giles's side, making sure that her former friend was okay.

Everything happened so quickly. Angel swung his heavy ax continuously at the Klovorack's direction. Hitting the beast several times. With one ferrous blow Angel sent the demon backwards knocking Gunn, Wes and Lindsey down. With one last downward swing of his ax, Angel decapitated the demons head.

"Now that's what I call fun." Gunn grinned at the others as he picked himself off the ground and helped Wes up.

Looking from Angel to Wes and Gunn, then to Cordelia and Lindsey Giles's felt his eyes water. This was more than he could've ever wished for. Hearing a moan from his right, Giles was brought out of his haze, remembering that Dawn was laying unconscious feet away.

“She's still breathing." Willow looked up at the others her gaze resting on Giles. "But we need to get her somewhere fast and see what's wrong with her."

Giles nodded and tried to scoop Dawn up in his arms, but after the battle his body wouldn't cooperate. Angel put his hand on Giles's shoulder, letting the older man know that he could get Dawn. Everyone followed Giles out of the alley and to the house.
 

Chapter eighteen

Giles kept looking back over his shoulder; just to reassure himself that Angel, Willow and the rest were there and not some sort of trick his imagination was tormenting him with. They were all here, the loved ones from his past. Well almost. Xander and Anya were still unaccounted for, but just seeing the other familiar faces gave the older Englishman hope that one day they'd all be reunited again.

There were so many things he wanted to know, to ask. It was almost a joyous occasion except that Dawn's life was in jeopardy. He knew he should have never allowed her to get involved. Especially after Buffy announced that she'd have no part with having to deal with any more demons. That her new life held no room for the things that went bump in the night.

"So what was that back there?" Willow's voice was heaven to Giles's ears. He had almost forgotten her voice. So many things faded with time.

"It was a Klovorack. They generally stay in warmer climates, but for some reason there was a group of them gathering here in Michigan. They stayed for maybe two weeks, and left, all but the one back there. It's odd, usually they stick with their packs, but for some reason this one stayed behind." Giles turned down a quiet residential street and after passing two houses headed up the walk of the third house.

"What was up with that tongue?" Gunn asked as Giles unlocked the front door.

"It's poisonous, and I'm afraid we don't have much time to search for the cure." Everyone but Angel followed Giles into the house. The vampire stopped right outside the door; Dawn still cradled in his arms. He shifted from foot to foot uncomfortably, waiting for his invitation

"Forgive me Angel, I almost forgot. You're invited." Angel nodded slightly, and stepped inside scanning the empty house for a spot to put Dawn.

"Her room is this way." Giles walked down a hallway that was just off the living area, and Angel followed him.

Angel was on edge. He was ready for Buffy to appear at any moment. It wasn't so much what she'd say to him, he was used to her thoughtless words and barbs. He was more concerned for Willow, and how the encounter would effect her. He could sense the unease the group was feeling, and Angel knew it all led back to Buffy.

Setting Dawn on her bed, he gently brushed the light brown stands of hair from her face. Her skin was already clammy, dark circles forming around her eyes. Guilt for not showing up on time ate away at him.

"Don't blame yourself Angel." Willow was standing in the hallway watching. Knowing Angel well enough that he would soon start beating himself up for Dawn's condition. "We just need to find the cure, and then everything will be all right." Taking a step forward she laid her hand in his arm. Turning to her, Angel pulled Willow into a fierce hug. He tried to relay to her all that he felt for her through that simple embrace.

"Air Angel. Big issue here." Willow gasped, pulling away slightly, but not completely out of his embrace. "Come on. Giles is finding some books for us to research." Taking him by the hand she pulled him out of Dawn's room to join the others in the dinning-room.

Two hours later Giles handed Dawn a mug of hot chocolate, smiling down at her in a fatherly fashion. They had researched, like they used to all around a large table nose in the books, and after a few wrong leads found what they were looking for. Willow performed a rather simple spell, and Dawn awoke surrounded by a group of familiar faces. "So Cordelia had a vision of Giles and I fighting, and you all came?" Dawn blew on the steamy liquid, looking at the others over the rim of her mug.

"Pretty much." Cordelia snuggled closer to Lindsey's side, and laid her head on his shoulder. "I just wish that we could've gotten here sooner."

Angel sat next to Dawn and took one of her hands into his. "I'm sorry you got hurt. I should have been there."

"Stop that Angel." Dawn scolded her friend. "If there's anyone to blame it's myself. I got too cocky, which made me careless. Giles warned me, but when I saw my chance I had to take it. To prove that for once I was good enough to be one of you guys." Everyone smiled at her youthful statement, all knowing how it felt to feel inadequate. "Besides if there's anyone who should be feeling guilty it's my super power filled big sister.  I really don't get her." Dawn stopped speaking as she noticed the shared looks between everyone.

"Yes well," Giles cleared his throat, feeling the tension rolling of the individuals in the room. "I'm sure that Buffy will be... thrilled to see you all."
Giles blushed at his blatant lie, and Dawn rolled her eyes at him.

"Is there something we should know Giles?"  Angel gaze unconsciously roamed in Willow's direction, worried that Buffy's behavior may hurt Willow's tender feelings.

"That my sister is a stuck-up-."

"That's quiet enough Dawn." Giles scolded the teen. "Buffy has been rather..."

"Bitchy." Dawn mumbled. Taking a sip of her hot chocolate. Giles sent her another scathing look, and Dawn flashed him 'what-did-I-do?' kind of look.

"It's just after the last encounter with Glory, and us all... going separate ways; Buffy sees this as a new chance at life." Giles hoped his explanation didn't sound as stupid to the rest as it did to him.

"Oh this is gonna be fun." Cordelia yawned into Lindsey's chest.

"Thanks Peter, I had a great time." Buffy led her date by the hand up to the front door.

"Really I couldn't tell. What with you falling asleep after the first twenty minutes of the movie." Peter leaned over to place a kiss on her lips, but Buffy took a step away.

"Yeah I'm sorry about that.  Not much into horror flicks."  Buffy smiled up at him. "Would you like to come in? My uncle and sister are probably still out."

Peter looked at his watch, "I don't know its getting kind of late, and I have work tomorrow." Buffy pouted, and Peter smiled down at her. "Well maybe for a little while."

Buffy smiled in triumph and opened the door to her home.
 

Chapter nineteen

Angel heard Buffy the moment she and her date stepped onto the porch. He knew the fireworks were about to start and he wanted Willow by his side when all hell broke loose. Pulling the redhead to him, he sat her down on the couch next to him gripping her small hand into his larger one. The sound of the front door stopped all conversation; everyone's eyes glued to the door as it opened slowly. Angel watched as the girl who once owned him heart and soul walked into the room, unaware that she had company. It was like watching a movie in slow motion as Buffy turned toward the living room, stopping at the sight of all the people gathered there.

Lindsey looked at all his friends faces, praying that this would go well and that none of his friends would get hurt, especially Cordelia. He knew that his girlfriend was scared to lose the redhead to her former High School rival. After living on the run for two years together, Cordelia and Willow considered one another more as a sister than a friend.

Buffy's smile faded off her lips as she took a look around the room, her gaze resting on Angel. "Buffy I'm glad your back." Giles stood, walking cautiously to the younger woman. "It's rather remarkable I think."

Buffy kept her eyes on Angel, not blinking. "Peter it seems that my *uncle* has some out of town guests he didn't tell me about. How about I call you tomorrow." The young man could feel the tension in the room, and decided that what ever was going on would be better with out him. Kissing Buffy on the cheek he let himself out.

"Why? I thought we all agreed to stay hidden to keep Dawn safe. Is Glory dead?" Buffy frowned slightly, her chest tightening. This could be it, the one thing she always dreaded. Somehow Glory had been defeated, and once again she was the chosen one. Having to fight the war she wished she could just turn her back on and forget all about.

"We don't know. The PTB have been sending Cordelia visions. They had been living in Louisiana when Cordy got the first vision to come find me. After that we found the guys with the second vision, the third here." Angel spoke. Willows hand clenched tightly in his.

"I thought you had the PTB strip her of her visions?" Buffy narrowed her eyes.

"I did, but for reasons of their own the PTB have taken it on themselves to send her visions to help us find everyone." Angel watched as Buffy crossed her arms over her chest, a stubborn look on her face.

"Well it was great to see you all; we'll have to do this again someday. The way I see it Dawn is still in danger of Glory finding her, and I wont let *anything* put her in danger."

"Buffy stop it! They saved my life, Giles too." Dawn cried out, jumping up from the couch dropping her cup of hot coco on the floor. "I'm sick of running. Of having to keep moving every three months. I want a home again, somewhere I can keep all my stuff, where I have friends that I know will be around five months from now."

"You don't understand Dawn, I can't do that... I mean lose you." Putting a hand to her head Buffy tried to clear her mind. "This is all to keep you safe." Buffy reached out to her sister, and frowned when Dawn stepped back.

"It has nothing to do with me, but everything to do with you. You don't want to be the slayer anymore. You say that you want to keep me safe, then where were you tonight when Giles and I fought that demon?" Dawn swiped at the tears that streaked her face.

"I told you I was finished with that." Buffy whispered.

"Are you finished with us too?" Willow asked in a small voice, keeping her eyes locked on the beige shag carpet.

"Willow don't get me wrong, I missed all of you. But after what happened during the last year in Sunnydale I can't take that much loss again." Buffy took a step closer to Willow but quickly changed her mind at the furious glare Angel sent her way.

"I always thought of you as this really strong person. Funny huh? You were really the weakest one out of all of us." Cordelia stood. "I'm going back to the hotel. Willow want to come?" Cordelia turned to look at Willow who had Angel's hand clenched in her lap.

Willow only nodded and stood, commanding herself not to cry. That it would do no good. Buffy hadn't missed any of them. Not really. The girl standing feet from her was *not* the person Willow had been friends with in Sunnydale. That girl would've ran to her and hugged her close. No Buffy was just a shell of the person she once was.

 "I'm ready." Stopping in front of Giles Willow wrapped her arms around the older man's neck and squeezed him to her with all her might. "Please
consider coming with us. I'll understand if you don't, but please promise to think about it." Giles hugged her back.

"Promise." Giles forced out, already knowing what his decision would be.

Willow turned to Dawn. "Dawnie, I missed you too. Please consider as well. I'd love to have you with us when we find Xander." The younger girl smiled back, stepping forward quickly and hugging the redheaded witch.

Willows smile faltered as she pulled herself from Dawn's embrace. "Willow I'll be leaving soon also, why don't you and Cordelia wait for us?" Angel's voice brought Willow's gaze to his, and he took a deep breath at the pain in her eyes. Damn he knew that any form of rejection from Buffy would tear his witch's heart.

"I just want to get some sleep. I'll see you when you come back." Leaning forward she brushed her lips on his cheek. When she pulled away to leave Angel crushed her to him.

"No baths, I don't think I can handle having to dress you two nights in a row." He whispered in her ear, trying to lighten the mood. Willow blushed and nodded. Going over to Cordelia's side. Buffy opened her mouth to say something, only to snap it shut.

"We're gonna go with them." Lindsey and Gunn also stood. "Like Cordy said I hope you decide to come with us, but I'll understand if you don't." Gunn slapped Angel on the back in a friendly gesture, Lindsey followed Gunn out.

"Did you feel the love in that room?" Gunn asked when they got outside.  Descending the front steps Lindsey let out a snort.

"Loads. I felt less tension during one of Wolfram and Hart's end of the year meetings." Lindsey missed the sour expression on Gunn's face at the mention of the evil law firm. The ex-lawyer was more concerned about his girlfriend's emotions at that moment to realize his slip.

"Did you catch little Miss things expression when Angel hugged Willow?" Gunn nudged Lindsey, chuckling at the memory of the blonde's obvious shock.  "Man it was priceless."

"I'm sure that it was." Lindsey could see Cordelia and Willow up ahead. There bodies close to one another, he could tell that Cordelia was saying something to Willow, probably trying to cheer the witch. "I thought these people were the death till you part kind of people. What the hell was that back there?"

Gunn kicked at a rock lying in the gutter and shrugged. "From what Wes said the real power the slayer had was the friends that backed her up. Guess he was right on the money. It was the people behind the slayer that were the real threat to the things that goes bump in the night."

"It was the same for Angel in LA. Without you Wes and Cordelia Wolfram and Hart would have had one evil soulless vampire on their side. It was the three of you that gave Angel so much power. The only difference between Buffy and Angel is that Angel knows this, Buffy doesn't seem to have a clue."

Gunn nodded silently slightly embarrassed at Lindsey's backhanded compliment. By the time they got to the hotel they had caught up with the girls. Seeing Willow to her room then retire to their own.

"I'm going with them." Dawn hadn't moved from her spot that she had just said good-bye to Willow.

"No, you're not. I won't allow it." Buffy nearly shouted back. Taking a deep breath she tried to make sense of the emotions that threatened to take over any rational thinking.

"Buffy it doesn't make any sense for us to keep running. It's a part of us; all of us, to fight what threatens man kind." Buffy turned to Giles in
disbelief. "Perhaps at first we had no choice, but all that we've been doing the last year is just hiding behind a threat that may no longer be there."

"Not you too. Giles of anyone I'd think that you'd understand this the most. As long as we don't have proof that Glory is dead, Dawn is still in danger."

"So what, we run from one demon-."

"God." Buffy interrupted Angel.

"God. But we let how many other demons take control of the night? The least we can do is stay out of Glory's way if she is still around, but keep on helping people. It's the right thing to do." Angel ignored the icy glare Buffy sent to him, hoping to somehow break through to the girl that still had to be somewhere inside.

"The right thing to do? That's got to be the stupidest thing I've heard in a long time. Do you know how many people I have lost doing the right thing? Too many to count." Turning her back to him again she looked back at Giles and Dawn. "Do what you want. But I'm staying." Leaving the room her back ridged in anger, Giles let out a long sigh.

"When are we leaving?" Angel looked at the Englishman in surprise.

"You still want to come?"

"WE want to come." Dawn added.

"What about Buffy?" Wes asked looking at over at Giles and Dawn.

"She's a big girl. If she changes her mind later on great. But this is my life too, and I'm ready to live it again, the way *I* want to." Dawn all of a sudden no longer looked like the fifteen-year-old Angel had last seen, but the young woman that she really was. He knew that no matter what reasons Giles and Dawn had he knew that Buffy would place the blame at his feet. But seeing the determined looks on the two people standing
feet away Angel couldn't seem to care.
 

Chapter twenty

"Are you sure you don't want me to wait with you until Angel gets back?" Cordelia followed Willow into the hotel room.

Willow gave Cordelia a weak smile. "I'll be fine. Besides you look as tired as I am and you need your sleep." Giving her friend a huge hug, the redhead
pushed Cordelia to the door. "Plus  you've got someone waiting for you."

Just before the brunette passed through the door's threshold she paused. "She's being stupid you know.  I could personally never give you up, you are the bestest friend anyone could ask for."

Willow felt her throat close from her friends honest words. "Bestest isn't a word." She laughed as she sniffed back a tear.

"See what other friend would point out my ability to slaughter the English language." Cordelia stood her ground.

"In a way I knew this was what the outcome was going to be, and I'm glad to have it finally over with. All I want is to curl up next to Angel and sleep for a week." Willow blushed slightly at her forward words.

"Really is that all you want to do?" Cordelia raised a brow, and Willow wished she hadn't said anything. Right at the moment she didn't have the energy for a little girl talk.

"Yes and besides nothing has happened-."

"Yet." Willow groaned at Cordelia and started pushing her out the door again. The brunette laughed and hugged her friend before she left, her laughter floating down the hall.

Willow turned back to the room and headed toward the bed. Flopping down head first she was soon fast asleep.

Angel walked back through the deserted streets, his thoughts on the redhead that was probably in bed already. The conversation that followed after the other's departure had been awkward and tense. He wouldn't be surprised to find Giles and Dawn packed and ready to go at the hotel the next night. But with out Buffy who had made it clear that she would not be going back to her former life.

Walking into the lobby of the hotel, Angel searched the desk for the annoying idiot that kept leering at Willow. But the hotel lobby was empty. With a shrug Angel turned toward his and Willow's room. He had told Giles that they'd stay for two days, giving them a chance to think about what they wanted to do. That meant two more nights with sharing a room with a little redhead that had his tattoo inked on her backside.

Last night having to dress her naked little body had been pure hell. He had erotic dreams about Willow the rest of the night and well into the day. He had found it slightly hard to look Willow in the eye when he first woke up, feeling guilty about the very sexual dreams he had had.

Now he was faced with yet another night in a bed next to the redhead. Angel didn't know how much more he could take having her by his side and not being able to show her how he felt for her. To be able to hold her close, kiss her delectable throat, whisper the loving words he felt for her deep in his soul.

Stopping to slam his head up against the wall, trying to banish the images of Willow from his mind Angel only succeeded in making a slight dent into the paint chipped wall. Straightening up after a moment he continued to their room. He could do this. Turning the corner he stopped in his tracks to see the greasy man from the lobby standing at his door putting a key into the lock.

Time froze for a moment the demon inside threatening to verge forward and tear the jerk into tiny pieces that they would be getting out of the carpet for years to come. But he was able to control the beast inside, barley.

"Funny, here I thought that this was my room." Angel stepped behind the man, trying his best to keep an innocent expression on his face. "I thought for sure that my room number was on the key..." Angel stuck his hand into his pocket and fished out his room key. "Yup here it is, room 121." Taking a step closer to the smelly little man Angel nearly growled. "I guess the question is what are you doing here?"

The little man looked for a way to escape but the larger, pissed of brunette in front of him didn't leave any options. "The girl called...something about a leaking faucet."

Angel nodded his head as though he understood. "Ahh, well then why didn't you just knock and have her answer the door?"

Panic flared in the little prick's eyes. "I...umm..."

"Here let me tell you what. You so much as look at my girl again I'll rip your arms off and beat you with them... are you understanding me?" Angel shook the man before dropping him to the ground. "Now leave." The man tripped over himself as he raced down the hall. Angel was shaking, he knew that the man was trouble, he should have known. What if he hadn't gotten there in time? Willow could have been hurt, and there wouldn't have been a damn thing he could've done to stop it.

Taking a deep unneeded breath Angel opened the door and shut it quietly behind him. Waling a few steps into the room he stopped and smiled to see a still clothed Willow draped across their bed softly snoring. Taking off his jacket and laying it across one of the cheep hotel chairs he went over to the bed and gazed down at the redhead.

Gently he removed her shoes and socks and tried to move her to her side of the bed without waking her. Taking another look he decided that she'd be more comfortable without her jeans on and tried to roll her over. Willow stirred for a moment, then drifted back to sleep. Reaching for the button on her jeans he struggled for a moment then lowered the zipper. Pulling the pants down past her hips he felt himself harden at the sight of her clothed in only her tee shirt and pretty cotton panties.

Turning from the bed to get ready to turn in, Angel mind went back to the disturbing little man that had been trying to enter their room. Angel knew that they couldn't stay here for another two days. Not when willow was in danger. Just thinking about it made his skin crawl.

Willow... He could have beaten Buffy for causing the redhead so much unneeded pain. Though perhaps things would be easier without the slayer around, Angel still wished he could have done something to lessen the apparent rejection Willow had felt.

Pulling the covers over her little body, he removed his own clothes, readying himself for another painful night of sleeping next to Willow. Slipping in-between the covers, he pulled her to him and breathed in the unique scent that was purely Willow.

"Angel?" Willow's sleepy voice whispered in the dark.

"Do you usually find yourself sleeping next to strange men in the middle of the night?" Angel smiled and kissed the top of her head.

"Tons...heaps." Shifting in his arms she tried to get a look at his face in the darkened room. "When did you get back?"

"Just a little while ago." Angel contemplated telling her about the desk clerk trying to get into the room and decided not to worry her.

"How did it go after we left?" Willow hesitated in asking, not really sure she wanted to know.

"I told them we'd be in town for two days, that if they wanted to come back with us they were more than welcome." Nuzzling her neck unconsciously.

Willow's eyes popped open at the intimate gesture and couldn't help but lean back into him. Angel moaned as he felt Willow's body press fully into his and couldn't resist the urge to taste the skin above her pulse point.

Not wanting to push Willow to far too fast Angel pulled away, nearly laughing at her outraged moan. He wanted her, that was without a doubt and by the sweet smell of her arousal she wanted him too. But he refused to have their first time be in some run down dirty hotel room. She deserved better.

Willow laid in the dark confused. Why would he pull away? She knew that there was something there, she wasn't that naive. Wiggling back against him, hoping that he'd get the hint she wanted more she was rewarded with his arm stiffening around her keeping her in place. Sighing she closed her eyes it was going to be another long night.
 

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