The next night, Angelus made his way to Willie’s bar, at regular intervals he stopped to make sure he wasn’t being followed. Not a soul on the street, not even mine! Angelus opened the door, it closed with a ‘thwack’ behind him. Inside the snitch was talking to a fungus demon while pouring him a whiskey.

"Angel." The rodent-like man greeted. He looked uneasy.

He should be. "Willie." Angelus said neutrally, inhaling the scent of the man’s fear. Ahh, like a fine wine. Even though he couldn’t really hurt him it was nice to know that word hadn’t spread about his chip. He was as still as frightening as ever. "What have you got for me?"

"Two pints of O’Negative and four pints of AB." The man sat a crumpled paper bag on the bar.

"Is that the best you could do? You know my tastes run to O’Positive." Angelus leisurely leaned over the bar and straightened the man’s collar. "Say, isn’t that your blood type?"

"Y-y-yes. B-but I have a shipment of O’Pos coming in Tuesday night. No need to do anything rash."

"Alright, I’m in a generous mood tonight." The dark vampire grinned. " So I’ll take this for now, but I’ll be back on Tuesday." Angelus slapped the man on the cheek. "See you later, Willie." He strolled out the door with a large smile on his face, whistling.

What he didn’t see was a small redhead follow him out the door. As soon as the tall vampire turned a corner, she shimmered with a pale light -- making her visible once again. She knew that she wasn’t supposed to use her power now, but she had no choice. "Goddess, this is more serious than I thought." They were all in big bad trouble.

The next night, Willow followed him while he was out on patrol. At first it had seemed pretty normal. Only a couple of dusting. Then, she noticed that he seemed to be taking too much enjoyment out of killing the Zluch demons that he came across. He would hack into them with a roar. Often playing with them before he actually killed them, seeming to enjoy their suffering.

Willow could muster little sympathy though, they ate pets (usually house cats and small dogs) and they smelled like potato salad. Rotten potato salad. But that wasn’t the point. When he had finished killing four of them, and the coast was clear, Willow decided to announce her presence.

She rippled into view right behind him. "Hello, Angel." He whirled to see her standing there, small smile playing about her mouth. "You should watch your back."

"Litt- I mean Willow, what are you doing here? Where did you come from?" He seemed pleased to see her. She’d been avoiding him the past couple days, except for her covert observations of him.

He’d almost said ‘little one’, Angelus’ nickname for her! This is getting out of control! She decided to play this off like it was nothing. She didn’t want to alarm him. "That would be telling!" She grinned impishly. "I just decided to help you patrol, Cordy told me that she and Gunn were going to the movies tonight and that left you all by your lonesome."

Angelus had a ‘cat that ate the canary’ grin on his face. She was worried about him being alone? Or was she wanting some alone time with him? "Yes, those two seemed to have hit it off on this vacation. Cordelia even had me help her pick out her clothes for their ‘date’."

"Cordy asked you for fashion advice?" He looked hurt, but she gestured to his black coat, black trousers, and grey dress short-sleeved shirt. "You seem to dress very. . .somber."

No, Angel does. Seems to think he’s a mourner at funeral. I ‘m just stuck with his wardrobe. "I have many hidden talents, Willow." I would be more than happy to show all of them to you.

"I’m beginning to realize that." She smiled at him as they began to walk together. She’d really gotten to know a new side of him on their phone chats. She almost wished they could go back to that, the sexual tension didn’t seem to interfere then. On the phone, where he was miles a way, there could be teasing banter that didn’t go anywhere. Ar harmless flirtation. Here, when she stood beside him, it was dangerous. The threat of Angelus loomed in her mind. Even though she knew he couldn’t physically hurt her, there were more painful emotional ways that the demon could devastate her.

"Have you heard any more from Spike?" Angelus asked casually. Knowing full well that she hadn’t. He’d been keeping close tabs on his childe. And the vampire rarely left his young charge’s side. But he wanted to hear her answer.

"No." She looked over at him. "Do you mind if we don’t talk about Spike?"

"I don’t mind at all, Willow. We can talk about what ever you like." In fact, why don’t you just forget about Spike all together? Just then, a new crop of the Garfield-eating demons appeared. Angelus pulled Willow behind him and began slashing into them with his weapon. Willow sent a power surge through her fingers which burned two of the demons, rendering them crispy. The vampire quickly disposed of the other three. "Are you okay?" He called to her. She nodded.

As usual, after finishing a fight Willow was keyed up. Somehow the expenditure of mystical energy, tingled her senses. Made her feel more alive. She tried to tamp down on it, it was bad to feel this good after dispatching some demons. She took in several breaths trying to calm herself.

"You can’t hide it from me." Angelus said with knowing eyes.

"Hide what, Angel?" Willow asked dully, trying to ignore him and his cocky look.

"The way you feel." His voice deepened as he approached her, dropping his ax to the ground. "I know you feel it, don’t you Willow?"

"I don’t know what you’re talking about."

"Yes, you do. The power that just rushed through you. You feel more alive, don’t you?" He reached over and brushed a strand of hair from her face. His body came to a stop right in front of her, his chest an inch from her own.

"It’s just a magickal charge. Perfectly normal to be a little taken aback by it."

"I’m not buying that." He ran a finger down her throat and down her chest, it came to rest on her heart, right above her breast. "I can feel your heart beating, Willow. Picking up the pace. You’re breathing fast."

"Maybe it’s fear?"

"Or is it something darker and addictive?"

"I’m not dark." He was turning the tables on her, she was supposed to finding out about him.

"Yes, you are, Willow. You’ve changed since I’ve last seen you. Equal parts innocence and vice. Why did that happen? How did it happen?" He wanted her to confide him, revel in it,join him in his depravity.

"Nothing happened to me. My powers just increased."

"Then why are you using them when you know you could attract something deadly. That isn’t something sweet, dependable Willow does." He taunted.

"Maybe I’ve never been sweet, dependable old Willow."

Angelus smiled. There’s my girl! He’d been waiting for her to unleash her fire. "I know you aren’t."

Willow got closer to him. Wanting him to back away from her , wanting to show him that she wasn’t afraid of him. He held his ground. Willow did the only thing that she could do. She lifted her head and kissed him on the mouth. Not a chaste, schoolgirl kiss. An open mouthed, lingering kiss. An exploration of his mouth, a mastery of his senses.

Angelus groaned, his control pushed to the limits by her bold display and her attempt to dominate him. She was truly his equal. He tried to pull her into his body but she broke away, using her magick to heighten her strength.

"Goodnight, Angel." She whispered, moving off into the night, legs shaking slightly but with her head held high.

"Goodnight, Willow." Angelus watched her go, a proud smile on his face. He’d been waiting for this day for years. She would soon be his. Very soon.

Willow knew something with utter certainty as she made her way home. He was trying to pull her down with him. For both their sakes, something had to be done.

"What did you find out, Willow?" Giles asked, putting a cup of tea before the girl. She had voiced her concerns to the Watcher a couple of days ago.

"I think he’s not dealing with his grief. In fact, I think he’s shutting down, Giles." Willow said thoughtfully. At first, she thought, that through his epiphany he had started to integrate Angelus into his personality. But, sadly, that wasn’t the case.

Giles’ lips tightened. The Watcher still hadn’t forgotten or forgiven the torture he’d been forced do endure at the hands of Angel’s soulless counterpart. He was also dealing with own grief over Buffy’s death, he couldn’t make himself care too much about Angel’s plight. "Yes, I realize that, but is he in danger of turning?"

The red head sighed. ""I heard him say once that it’s easier to be Angelus, no emotions get in the way. Maybe in the wake of her death, he would like that kind of clarity again." She took a deep breath. " I told you that chocolate was what caused him to lose his soul, right? Well, I tempted him with it the other night, Giles. He was inches away from taking a bite. No self-control at all. "

"He still has the chip, Willow." Giles reminded. "So, the situation is quite as dire as we may imagine."

"I also saw him purchase human blood from Willie. You know and I both know that his methods of getting blood are not ethical, Giles. Angel didn’t even care! For the most part, he’s been existing on animal blood for years." She took a sip of tea. " I also think he’s been warming it."

"Spike does too. And how do you know that?" Giles said, a grimace on his face.

"Angel doesn’t!" She explained. " He has a mini kitchen in his suite. I’ve found two cups stained with blood in the sink, they were both warm." She bit her lip. " He drinks it cold because. . .well, I don’t know. Maybe he feels that it would be wrong, that he’d be indulging himself if he did. The point is he’s changing his habits, Giles." He’s also been teasing me, trying to kiss me! Very unAngellike! Then again, I’m very unWillowlike around him!

"These might be true, but he still has the chip." The Watcher was by no means Angelus’ supporter and had no desire to see him again but the demon was essentially harmless now.

"Yes, but that doesn’t stop him from taking control of another master’s minions. Or hiring some demon flunkies to send trouble our way. Or doing Goddess knows what else!" Like trying to seduce me! Or is that the other way around? And would that be such a bad thing? Of course it would be! Bad thoughts, Willow! " We’ve got to nip this in the bud." Before I go crazy!

Giles nodded. "Yes, I guess Angelus is still a very real threat. What do you propose?"

"It sounds silly, but I think it’s a good plan." Willow began to speak.
 

Chapter seven

Willow looked over her shoulder at Angel. The vampire stood in the middle of Buffy’s room with a look on his face that was mutinous. "I know you don’t want to do this, but you have to deal with your grief, Angel. I want you to stay in here. Smell her perfume. Look at her clothes. Remember all the good times you two had together. Talk to her and tell her goodbye." His dark eyes were thunderous. She needed to push him so she closed the distance between them with a few forceful strides. "Don’t give me that look. It’s the only way! You’re starting to get darker, Angel. More and more in touch with your demon. If you don’t stop this you’re going to free him. Do you want more evil deeds to atone for?" With that she swung away and closed the door behind her.

Angelus fisted his hands in the pockets of his long black trench coat, the only decent piece of clothing Broody owned. Part of him wanted to walk down the stairs pull his Willow into his arms and kiss her soundly, turn her knees to jelly and make her beg to be with for all time. But that would ruin all of his plans, make the past few months worthless. She had to fall in love with him before he revealed himself to her. She would only attempt to restore his soul again if she found out who he really was. Hopefully, Willow could be as much a slave to her passions as any one else. She would be so blinded by her love for him that she would do anything in order to remain by his side. He had pushed her too fast the last time, shown his cards too soon. It wouldn’t happen again.

He hated to admit it, but he was also a little hurt by her comment. Him, Angelus, Scourge of Europe -- a demon! Hurt by the careless phrasing of young witch. Devil take it, he had only spent a few weeks being Angel and now he was starting to act like his stupid soul. And was she truly being honest? The redheaded witch never wanted to see him again? He got the distinct impression that she had enjoyed his attentions even if she wouldn’t admit it. Especially that night in The Bronze when he’d scared those catty school girls. The night he had left for L.A. they had shared a scorching kiss, he knew she enjoyed that!

Whether she knew it or night, the Angel that she had spent so much time on the phone with had actually been him. It was Angelus she trusted, not his soul. His soul had barely given the witch the time of day. Drooling over the bubble headed bleach blond when he could have the fiery warmth of the young witch. He wanted to know just what he, Angelus, had done to deserve such a disappointing unlife. Being stuck with a slut of a sire like Darla was bad enough. But when the soulling, brooding, bad fashion sense, and playing house with a Slayer was factored in -- he must have royally screwed up somewhere. He had often thought that he had being wicked down to a science. Maybe it was something he didn’t do that was the problem. Didn’t eat enough nuns? Was it because he didn’t ingratiate himself to Darla’s bat faced sire? He shuddered. Angelus would stake himself before he went around looking like that. He shook off his thoughts and scowled. Great. He was starting to brood too.

She’d better hurry up and love him, he was no one’s fool and he wasn’t sure how much of this he could continue to put up with. Maybe he could convince her to come back to L.A. with him. Or they could go somewhere else. Anywhere but here. Sunnydale was positively provincial. They didn’t even have a decent coffee house.

Willow would be waiting downstairs while he ‘experienced his grief’, she had anxiously told him that Spike and Dawn were at the Watcher’s for the evening. It had all been arranged by Giles so that he could have some private time in her room. Willow hadn’t wanted to face Spike. Angelus had been elated by that bit of knowledge. But. . .back to his assigned task. He was resolved to follow through on this charade. My thoughts, feelings, and recollections of good, ol’ Buff. Well, she hated smoking. Made her cough..

Smirking, he reached into his coat pocket and retrieves his cigarette case. He lit one with the elegant flick of his wrist and inhaled deeply. He walked over to her chest of drawers and picked up a decorative bowl with kitties on it. He flicked his ashes in it. Her perfume lay out, the cap still off. He didn’t recognize the brand, she probably purchased it at the dime store. Curious he spritzed some in the air and inhaled the scent. Smells like cat urine. He dropped it into the nearby trash can.

He walked over to the floor and retrieved something was partially visible from under the bed. He held it by one leg, raising it into the air. The tiny stuffed pink pig’s glassy eyes stared down at Angelus sappily. He searched his soul’s memories for the pig’s name. Mr. Gordo. Well, he was starting to get bored and Willow had encouraged him to talk about his feelings for Buffy. The things he did for Willow! "Well, Mr. Gordo, Ihated Buffy. With a passion. She was a real, honest to Devil, bitch. I wanted to drain her die and leave her cold dead body on the Watcher’s doorstep. Or place her in a desk at her highschool, prop her up for all her friends to find. Except for Willow, of course. With the Slayer dead, I would have taken her away." He sighed. "Let’s see. What else? She dressed like a slut and acted like one too." Angel held a hand to his ear. "What’s that, Mr. Gordo? Don’t believe me? Well, let me present the evidence."

He stood up, pig in hand, and walked to her closet with determination. He sorted through her clothes and pointed out the damning clothing. "See these? Every last one of them is a mini skirt. And why did she try to show off her legs, anyway? They were skinny, looked like they belonged to a chicken. Oh, and all of these backless shirts, not to mention the see-through blouses. She was trying to get some ‘business’ from the male population of Sunnydale." He noticed a pair of black silk pumps on the floor, they were decorated with tiny red blooms. Exquisite. They easily cost over four hundred dollars and were still in the box, tags attached. They hadn’t been worn. He smiled. Buffy obviously hadn’t bought these, must have been a gift. She liked. . .pastels. He thought of Willow. . .no. These were more Cordy’s style with her fondness for black and exotic looks. He tucked them in to the large inner pockets of his coat.

"Come on, I know there’s more to see." Angelus walked back to her drawers and let the pig see her under clothes. Inside the drawer was a tangle of satin and silk. All thongs and push up bras. He pretended to listen to the pig. "Yes, she must have been to a sale at Hookers R’ Us."

A memory came back to him. He turned to look at the bed thoughtfully. "That’s where I sketched her after I lost my soul. I really should have killed her that night but I wanted to play. . . I always want to play. And I can’t anymore." Angelus tossed the pig on the bed and sat down on it carefully. He might not ever get to ‘play’ – kill again. It was a sobering thought. A life without killing. No stalking his victims. No thrill of the chase. No warm, fresh blood tinged with fear in his mouth. Angelus was astonished to find a single, silver tear streaking his face.

"Oh, Angel." Willow said from the doorway. She had been worried about him, there was no sound coming from the room. She had to check on him.

Angelus blocked his worries about the future from his mind. He would have Willow. That’s what mattered right now.  He had a feeling that with her in his life, all things would be possible. He held out his arms to her, striving to look tearful. "Hold me."

Willow went over to him and took him in her arms, standing between his legs. With a sigh, Angelus buried his face in her soft breasts, which were covered only by a couple thin layers of cotton. She stroked his brown hair. "It’s okay, Angel. I promise that everything will be okay." She was oblivious to what he was doing, lost in the relief that he seemed to be his old self again. Sad and somber Angel. Angel she could handle, she wasn’t stirred up inside by the soulled vampire like she was by his demon.

Angelus nuzzled her breasts, through the cotton. Delighting in the beating of her heart and her wonderful scent. She put her fingers under his chin and made him look at her. "Are you alright?"

He smiled. "I’m feeling much better now, Willow. Thank you." And to show his. . .appreciation, Angelus placed a kiss between her breasts. He felt Willow’s heart beat pick up. Good.  Now, throw her for a loop."Come on, we’d better be going before Spike gets here." He took her  limp hand in his own and dragged her away.

Hidden by magickal shield, a powerful figure watched the progress of his young witch and the vampire as they walked into the night. "Soon, my dear, it’ll be time to repay me. Very soon."
 
 

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