Summary: Giles calls the AI gang. Angel fights some…urges.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, Joss and Co do. One can dream though, right?
Distribution: NHA, SoG, Bewitching Angel, Simple Majik, and anyone else I post to. All other please e-mail me.
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She asked me not to tell. I don't think I want them to know anyways. Knowing Giles and Buffy they would swoop in here to take her back to Sunnydale, away from me. I can't let her leave.
"I won't," I say to her and give her a reassuring smile. She still looks distressed but relaxes a bit.
"Hello," I say into the phone.
"Angel, yes. Hello."
"What's wrong?" I stay staring at Willow, remembering how her skin feels on my lips. This is just not good. I know better. Haven't I learned my lesson? Perfect Happiness equals Angelus. It's a fairly simple equation. One that Willow is aware of too. So, why then, did she start that? Or did I start it? I don't know. She was just so...vulnerable, and sad.
"Well, it seems that Willow is missing," Giles says.
"How long?" I ask, silently fuming. They are just now calling? Do they hate her that much? Or, do they hate me that much? Probably a little of both. I'm not exactly loved in Sunnydale anymore.
"That's actually something we are not sure of. Possibly a week, maybe more. She did not leave a note."
"You're not sure?" Ok, now I'm pissed. How could they not know? Wasn't she supposedly Buffy and Xander's best friend? How could they just `not' notice her missing? Because no one looked, that's how.
"We are somewhat busy here at the moment Angel," he says defensively. "Anyways, would you happen to know where she is? Xander said something about her e-mailing you after you left for Los Angeles."
"We stopped e-mailing a while ago. Lost touch," I say. I can almost hear my teeth grinding.
"Well, if you happen to see her would you let her know we are worried about her?"
"Fine. Bye," I say and hang up before Giles can reply. The phone hangs loosely in my hand. I look to Willow.
"They called wondering where you are. A week, maybe more, they think you've been gone. How long has it been since you left?"
"Umm, I think about three weeks. I'm not sure. I was out of it most of the time," she says in a small voice. Tears are threatening to spill from her eyes again. I walk over to her, setting the phone on a nearby table on the way, and cradle her in my arms.
"Shh, it's ok. I'm here," I say into her hair. This poor girl…no woman. Of that I'm now sure. She's been so hurt by life. We both have, in our own ways. I wish I could offer her everything. My heart, my love, and my soul she already has. I sigh. Today has been horrible. Lorne slipping that she's a vampire, her saying that I'm her Sire. Now, Giles. I gently guide her to the bed and lay her down. She has to be exhausted.
"Angel?" she asks, unsure.
"It's ok, I'm just going to run you a bath," I say walking to the bathroom. I hear her say ok. Shit, I forgot to have Cordy get her some clothes.
"Be right back," I say and walk down to the lobby. Hopefully Cordelia is still there. I turn the corner and see her seated at the desk.
"Cordelia, could you do me a favor?" I ask.
"I don't know what kind of favor?" she asks cautiously.
"Could you…go shopping for some clothes for Willow? She doesn't have any."
"Oh!" Cordelia exclaims happily. "I can totally do that!" She puts out her hand for money…I think.
"Right, and could you go and get some more blood?"
"Eww, ok, fine…as long as I can buy myself something while I shop for her," she says. I hand her my card and write down the name of a supplier I know and put the cash needed with it.
"Here, and don't take too long. She's had a hard enough day and needs to sleep," I say turning to go back to Willow and make her bath.
"Right, whatever," Cordelia says and grabs her purse. She saunters out the lobby. I shudder at the thought of what my bill is going to look like.
Ok, back to drawing the bath. I walk back into the room. Willow has curled up in the bed in a fetal position. The strong smell of tears hangs heavy in the air. I don't know what to do for her; don't know how to take the pain away. I shake my head and go to start the bath water. I don't make it too hot. She's new, and the hot water may feel nice to me, but I don't know how she likes it… yet. I want to learn everything about her. Know what she likes and doesn't like. What temperature she likes her baths. What oils and scents to use. I want to know her opinions on her `soul' and on me. Does she hate me? I don't think so, but I don't think she's fully grasped everything that's gone on yet. The tub is full in no time. I place some patchouli oil into the water and go to get her.
"Willow," I say softly. "I've drawn a bath for you." She doesn't respond. I walk up to the bed. I know she's awake. Still crying. Her petite shoulders shake every now and then with sobs. I gather her up in my arms and take her to the bathroom. She clings tight to me, pushing her face into my chest. I make small reassuring sounds. Sounds a Sire uses to calm their Childe. Sounds I haven't made in such a long time. Not since Penn and Drusilla. Hell, I even did it for Spike sometimes. Angelus may have been a bastard, but he took care of his when it counted.
I set her down on the floor and go about removing her clothes. I try hard not to think of her naked before me. I have to try awfully hard. I'm almost clinical in the removal of her clothes. When I'm done I pick her up and set her in the water. I can visibly see her relax.
"Talk to me," she says as she lays back in the water, exposing her body to me. Does she know what she's doing? Probably not. I sit on the floor next to the tub.
"Well, what do you want to know?" I ask.
"Anything, everything. Just talk. Your voice is comforting."
"Ok, well, let's see. Last time I talked to you Wesley had come to work for me. It was…odd to have him here. He didn't quite trust me…," I say. I go on to tell her about Wolfram and Hart bringing Darla back and the dreams. Of how she was dying, and how Drusilla made her. I told her of the one night stand, and how that produced Connor. She listened to it all, everything. Not asking any questions. Just lying there with her eyes closed soaking it all in. It hurt to tell her some things, but she deserves to know. She told me all about her. It's only fair. We sat there with me talking for what had to be hours. The bath water long cold by the time I finished my tales.
"Come on Willow, let's go to bed." She gets up, water dripping, and grabs the towel from my out stretched hands.
"Thank you," she says.
"For what?"
"For everything. You've been so caring and good to me. Just, thank you," she says smiling sweetly at me.
"No problem," I say lamely. "I had Cordelia run and get you some clothes. I didn't know if you would mind."
"It's ok. I'm sure whatever she got will be just great. She is the Queen of Shopping."
I nod and walk out into the room. My jaw drops. At least 30 bags sit on my chairs and floor. A note lay on the table…
Angel,
Here's everything for Willow, from underwear to make-up. I put thebag with the blood in your mini-fridge. Have a good day.
-C
"Well, seems Cordy had fun," Willow says laughing a little. It's nice to hear her laugh. Much better then the crying. She has a lovely smile that lights up her whole face. Not many people do.
"Get dressed then go to bed. I'll go sleep in another room. If you want we can start to renovate a room for you. If you want to stay here I mean."
"Of course I want to stay, Angel. But, I don't want to hog your bed. I'll go sleep in another room," she says pulling a maroon night gown from one of the bags and slipping it on. It looks magnificent on her, coming to just above her knees.
"There's a room right across the hall that is ready. If you want, I can help you move these bags for you."
"Ok, that would be great."
We both carry the bags into the room in two trips. The room isn't homey, more of a hotel room, but I'm sure Willow will make it a home in no time. My own room felt more like a home with just the addition of her. I almost want to ask her to just sleep with me in my bed. Waking up to her earlier was…heaven. We can't though. I can't.
"You can put those away later. And we can go shopping for some more furnishings. Is there anything I can get you?"
"No Angel, I'm fine. You've done enough already."
I smile at her and tuck her into bed. She really didn't need tucking; I just wanted an excuse to touch her. The look in her eyes told me she knew too. I kiss her on the forehead and back out of the room.
"Good-night," I say.
"Night Angel. You get some sleep too," she says and blows me a kiss.
I have to fight with myself to leave the room. I want nothing more then to cuddle up with her, holding her in my arms. I can't. Dammit. This isn't fair, not to me or her. I sigh. Nothing can be done right now. I'm exhausted. I walk back into my room and fall onto my bed, clothes and all. I can still picture her naked and wet. Small droplets of water clinging to her body. Before I know it I'm asleep. Sweet oblivion.