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Angel threw open the door of Giles apartment. Everyone in
the room tensed.
“It’s me guys. Angelus is gone!”
Anya eyed him. “Then why are you wearing leather? Angel
always wears black
and gray. He’s not fashionable.” Angel ignored her,
focusing on Giles.
Giles stood. “B-but, the Orb of Thessula. It broke and
we didn’t have a chance to
perform the curse again.”
Angel made a dismissive gesture with his hand. “There’s a
stipulation to the
gypsy curse. It states that if Angelus knows one moment of
true regret, the soul will be
restored.”
“Intriguing. I never read anything about that, it’s so-“
”I’m not surprised.” Angel said easily. “Angel only. . .I
only recently discovered
it myself when I was reading over an old Romany text.”
“Angel? You’re really. . . you?” Buffy whispered.
“Yeah, baby, I’m back. “ He grinned at her as he
pulled the drunken and queasy
Slayer into his arms. “Oh, Buffy, can you ever forgive me?”
He sat down heavily on a chair, Buffy landed in his lap.
He pressed kisses to her
cheeks and forehead. “I’m so sorry about your mother, and
what Angelus did, and for
not being here for you.” He punctuated each word with a
kiss.
Buffy stared at him dreamily. “Angel! It’s really you.”
She kissed him full on
the lips. “Do you love me?”
“More than my life, more than anything.”
She moved her leg so she was astride his hips and pressed
her mouth to his once
more. “Mmm. . .it’s been so long, Angel. I’m so lonely.”
“NO!!!!” Everyone in the room shrieked. Xander, spurred
into action, grabbed
the pitcher of ice water from the fridge and doused the
would-be lovers.
They sprang apart sheepishly. “I’m sorry.” Angel said,
trying to look contrite. “I
was caught up in the moment.” He brushed a lock of Buffy’s
hair out her eyes. “I just
love her so much.”
“Angel, that’s so -“Buffy’s sentence was interrupted when
her eyes rolled back
in her head and she passed out. Angel caught her easily
and placed her on the couch.
“She had a lot to drink.” Giles said as he pulled an
afghan over the sleeping girl.
“Buffy will be fine once she sleeps it off.”
“Poor thing.” Angel said sympathetically.
Willow walked in the door, looking a little tired and
frayed around the edges.
She’d been enjoying Angelus’ company. He was almost
irresistible. She had assumed
that Giles had somehow performed the soul restoration
ritual.
“Angel’s back.” Xander said.
“I know. “ Willow said. “ I watched it happen. There was
this flash of light in his
eyes and then he was crying.” She gave Angel a small half
smile. “Welcome back.”
Angel seized her in a hug and lifted her off her feet.
“I’m so sorry, Willow. Can
you ever forgive me?” He whispered in her ear as he
continued to hold her.
“Sure.” She said weakly. “You can put me down now.”
Angel slid her down his body, discreetly.
“That’s all well and good.” Spike said, not liking the way
Angel held his witch.
He grasped Willow’s hand and pulled her to his side.
“Hadn’t you better be going off
to L.A.? You’ve probably got loads to do. Demons to
kill, hair gel to buy, other
important poofter activities. “
”Spike.” Angel said neutrally, watching the interaction
between his childe and
Willow. They obviously felt something for each other.
“Spike’s right, as strange as that sounds. I really
should be on my way.” Angel
said. “I do have to get back to my work. Being a warrior
for the Powers That Be.”
“Well, Angel, have a safe journey. Don’t hesitate to call
if you need some
information on a dark presence or just want to compare
notes.”
“Thank you, Rupert, I will.”
He turned to Xander and Anya. “Goodbye, Xander.” He
refused to apologize
for his behavior with the young man. Anya was snacking
on a Dove bar. “That looks
so good. May I have a bite?”
“NO!” Willow screamed. Everyone turned to stare at her.
“Chocolate, that’s
how he lost his soul.” Angel looked at the ground,
chagrined.
“That makes sense.” Giles said. “Chocolate stimulates the
areas of the brain that
involve feelings of, er--love.”
Angel walked over to where Buffy was lying down.
“Goodbye, my love.” He
said loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Willow, why don’t you walk me to my car?” Angel said. He
had retrieved it
from the hotel parking lot before he came to Giles’
apartment. He waved to everyone as
she escorted him outside.
Spike followed behind them. Willow rushed to reassure him.
“I’m fine, Spike,
really. It’s Angel now. He and I are just friends.”
Spike pulled Willow into an embrace and kissed her deeply.
“See you at home,
luv.” He whispered. “I’ll be setting up that strip darts
rematch for us.” He nipped her
earlobe. “Only this time, no one will be drinking and the
stakes are going to be much
higher. Winner takes all.” He sauntered off, blowing a
mocking kiss to Angel as he did.
“Bye, Peaches. Good riddance.”
Willow sighed, a blush stained her cheeks. “I’m sorry
about that. He’s the
jealous type.”
“I know.” Angel said, studying her face. “You do care
about him, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do.” She smiled as she thought of the blond
vampire. “He’s so. . . well,
he’s Spike. I can’t really explain it.”
“I should let you know something. When I hit a demon at
the bowling alley, I
didn’t feel any pain.”
“But, you hit Spike and-“
”Spike isn’t completely a demon. Well, I’m not sure he
ever really was. He’s
always held on to some of his humanity. He never was good
at the whole vampire
thing. . .especially when it comes to women. Maybe living
among mortals with the chip,
changed him. . . I’m not really sure what happened. But I
wanted you to know.”
“Thanks, Angel.”
“It’s not easy, you know.”
“What?”
“Being with someone who has a dual nature.”
“I know. I dated Oz for two years.”
Angel nodded. “If he ever treats you badly, please come
to me. I can help you.”
She was touched. “Thank you, Angel. Of course I will.”
“Good.” They began to slowly walk towards his car. “You
know, I had an
epiphany.”
“ So, are you moving to a commune now? Going to raise
veggies and make
peace with yourself?” She teased.
“No,” He said and then chuckled. “I’ve learned to embrace
my demon half.
Become a more balanced vampire.”
“That’s good.” Willow pondered that, it must be difficult
to have to battle
against two forces inside of you.
“You know what my demon half is telling me now?”
“No.” She murmured.
“He’s telling me that he loves you, Willow. Never doubt
that. You meant more
to him than Darla and Drusilla combined.”
Willow blushed. “He’s. . .well, he’s different.”
Angel quirked an eyebrow at her. “You know what else?”
He pulled her into
his arms. “He remembers every expression on your face,
every word you say, every
nuance of your kiss.” He brushed his mouth against hers.
“Tell me to stop if you don’t
want this.”
She dazedly pressed her mouth to his. “Don’t stop.” He
kissed her until she
couldn’t breathe, until she wasn’t sure she could stand on
her own. Angel propped her
against a tree.
“Goodbye, Willow.” He said softly. He got into his car
and started the engine.
“Goodbye Angel.” She said, watching him pull out of the
drive. Willow was
confounded by his actions. Shaking her head, she began to
walk home. She put
thoughts of Angelus out of her mind. Having a relationship
with the irrepressible
demon was just out of the question. Besides, a different
demon was anxiously awaiting
her at home. She began to walk faster as she thought about
the possibility of beating
Spike at darts. Hmm. . . winner take all.
*******
The broody black convertible sped down the highway. The
pale young man in
the driver’s seat brushed a hand through his hair as it
blew in the wind. Nothing better
than having the top down on a summer night. Well, there
might be one or two things . . .He
chuckled. He stretched one of his leather encased legs,
enjoying the feel of the material.
Then he leaned over, opening up the glove compartment. He
pulled out a small square
package. Dove promises. He popped the sweet chocolate
into his mouth. As it melted
on his tongue, he turned the radio up.
Please allow me to introduce myself.
I’m a man of wealth and taste.
I’ve been around for a long, long year,
Stole many a man’s soul and faith.
He grinned. He gave Willow and Spike three months. Tops.
Eventually his
cocky child would get on her nerves. Probably as soon as
he ate all of her peanut
butter. He would go home, play with Cordy, Wesley and
Gunn, and check in on
Willow and Spike in a couple of weeks. After the kiss they
had just shared, he was sure
she would be anxious to talk to him.
And I was ‘round when Jesus Christ,
had his moment of doubt and pain.
Made damn sure that Pilate,
Washed his hands and sealed his fate.
It was simply amazing what trust you could earn with a
simple glamour-glowy-
eye trick. Humans . . .so trusting. So gullible. So lax
about hiding their spell books. He
smirked and lit one of the cigarettes he had filched from
Spike. As he exhaled, he
wished he could see himself in the rear view mirror. He
winked at his mind’s image of
Willow, showing up at his apartment in L.A. after a fight
with Spike. She would have
the surprise of her life. And he was going to make sure
they both enjoyed every
moment of it.
Pleased to meet you,
Hope you guess my name.
“Oh yeah, baby. I’m back.”
read the sequal 'Soul Food'