Willow,
 

Good Morning, my sweet.

Come to me after you read this.

Wear my gift.
 

A
 
 

Willow folded the note with trembling hands. She peered into the red gift bag which was lined with black tissue paper. She pulled a cream satin nightgown and matching robe out. They were delicately made, almost spider web like. Each was vined around the neck with a green rose pattern, sporting red roses. They were beautiful.

Willow put her hand in the bag to make sure she hadn't missed anything and collided with something sharp. She gasped in pain and then looked into the bag. A lush red rose lay at the bottom of the bag, it had been cradled by her nightgown. She plucked it from the bag, noticing the two crimson droplets that appeared on her fingertips.

Curious, despite herself, she placed her injured fingers in her mouth. She wanted to know what it tasted like for him. What it would be like to be a vampire. Not that Angel would ever take her blood. Not like Angelus had. The way he'd pressed into her, making her gasp. She shook her head, refusing to dwell on what had been. Then, she drew the flower to her nose to savor the scent.

She'd woken up this morning to find the bag on the end of her bed. Angel had been here during the night. She didn't know what to think anymore. He was acting more and more like Angelus. It thrilled her more than it frightened her. She had lost the bet though. Time to face the beast.

**********

Willow wrapped the coat tighter around her body. It was ridiculous, no one could see under it. But as she passed people in the street she could almost imagine them knowing where she was going and what she was about to do. She'd borrowed her father's black trenchcoat and it went all the way to her ankles. She'd put on a pair of strappy sandals with the nightgown and robe. When she'd looked at herself in the mirror, she had to admit that he'd chosen well. She looked beautiful but she still felt foolish.

She was missing school to go to him. Willow's mind swam with all the ways that this day could end. . .would end. She was able to admit that she wanted to experience his touch, wanted to know what it would feel like. She may have known his body but she had never been with Angel before. She only hoped that she would still have Angel's friendship when it was over.

*********

Willow went to back entrance of the mansion, by the garden. She pulled aside the heavy black velvet drapery and stepped inside the cool, echoing living room. A fire blazed in the fireplace and several candles were lit on standing candelabras. A black fur rug lay directly in front of the sofa which was situated near the fire place.

"You came."

She shrieked at the sound. Then she turned her head to see Angel standing in the doorway of the room holding a glass of champagne aloft. He was wearing another pair of those tight midnight dark leather pants and a silver chain with a Celtic symbol. That was it. No shirt. No shoes. Just lots of exposed golden skin. Unblemished supple golden skin that made her fingers itch to touch it. Touch him. Willow's breath caught.

"Cat got your tongue?" She managed to shake her head 'no'. "Good, because I may have some plans for it." He gave her a sensual smile that made her knees a little weak. Angel produced the champagne bottle and another crystal flute from behind his back. He set one glass down on the coffee table and deftly filled another before setting it down as well. "Aren't you going to say anything?"

Like what? Willow thought, a little hysterical. Nothing that she felt like saying seemed appropriate. Homina. . .homina. . .homina. Or she could always go with 'Wow!' Oh, God, he's staring at me. He wants me to say something. "Hi, Angel." She gave a small wave.

He padded over to her until he closed the distance between them. His cool hand reached out to cup her chin. His voice was low and husky. "Hello, Willow." She shivered. "I'm glad you came to me."

"What would y-you have d-done if I hadn't?"

"I would've come for you when it got dark." He rubbed his thumb across her berry tinted lips. "Maybe I would've punished you."

"Oh," She took in a shuddering breath. Why do I get the feeling that the 'punishment' would have brought me pleasure?

He ran his hand down the length of her neck then, stopping at the high collar of her coat. Angel inserted his hand in between the coat and her skin, coming to rest over her heart. "I can feel your heart beating fast." He licked his suddenly dry lips. "Do I excite you?" Willow nodded. He gave her a pleased smile and then withdrew his hand. "Take it off."

"All of it?"

"Just the coat for now." He backed away, so he could see all of her. Her fingers felt numb as she brought them to the buttons. She worked on them awkwardly, fumbling with the large buttons. Finally, she undid the last one. Willow locked eyes with Angel. She couldn't seem to look anywhere else. She drew the coat off of her shoulders. It sank heavily to the ground at her ankles. His eyes turned smoky black as he surveyed her slight form clothed only in the soft satin. "Come here."

Willow walked until she stood directly in front of him. She could literally feel the coolness of his body, offset by the feverish glint in his eyes. He captured the delicate chain she wore around her neck. The necklace Angelus had given her. "You're wearing it."

Her hands rose to remove it, she didn't want to upset him. "I didn't even realize-"

"Don't. I like it. It suits you." Somehow it didn't bother him that she wore it. He bent his head then and captured her sweet mouth in a sly kiss. He couldn't do rush this, it meant too much. When he pulled away, her eyes were still closed, her mouth trembling. "Aren't you going to. . .?"

"Did you think I would have my way with you as soon as you got in the door?"

She blushed, she had thought that. "Of course not."

"Hungry?"

"Yes." She murmured, staring at his mouth.

He chuckled. "For food?"

She lowered her eyes and cleared her throat and then threw him an evil glare. "Yes, I could eat something."

"Glad to hear it. " He handed her a champagne flute and picked up the bottle and other glass. " Follow me." He turned on his heel and lead her past an ornate dining room and into the large kitchen in the next room over. Inside, there was a small oak table and two chairs. A vase full of roses sat in the center. There were also two place settings out. A pitcher of orange juice lay on the table. Angel pulled out a chair for her, solicitous as any gentleman should be. "Have a seat. Breakfast is served."

Angel scooped up their plates and turned to the stove to fill them with flavorful food. He'd made sausage and bacon because he wasn't sure what she preferred. He'd also made them fluffy croissants and hot coffee. The piece de resistance was his eggs. Angel whipped up a batch of light and airy scrambled eggs flavored with some spices. He sat down opposite her.

She hadn't realized how hungry she was. But the food smelled wonderful and if they were eating there couldn't be talking. "It looks delicious, Angel." She said enthusiastically as she took a forkful of egg.

Angel smiled wickedly as he looked directly at her, not the food. "I agree." Before she could reply, he poured some orange juice into their champagne to make mimosas. He raised his glass and she raised her own. They clinked glasses and Angel said. "To surprises."

"To surprises."

********

Willow smiled, finishing up the last of her eggs. Breakfast had been a rather silent affair, except for the body language. Angel almost seethed with tension. Willow was flustered, making her drop her napkin several time as well as her fork. Luckily, Angel had a drawer full of them, which was odd for a vampire. "You know that I'm missing school right now."

"I know." He tilted his head to the side. "But you'll be learning today. I promise you."

She looked down at her plate. His flirting was so hard to deal with. Yet, Angelus' flirting hadn't fazed her. "Snyder might give me detention."

"No, because your father called you off this morning."

"My father's in Madrid at a conference on-"

"No, 'Mr. Rosenberg' called in this morning at 8 A.M. and reported that you weren't up to going to school today. In fact, he said that you'd spend most of today in bed."

She had no idea 'Mr. Rosenberg' was so clever. Or devious. " I see. Well, tell him thank you.

"I'm sure you'll come up with a way to repay his kindness."

Did all verbal avenues lead to sex? Subject change. Let's talk about the weather now or something else mundain. Willow set her napkin down. "That was a wonderful meal, Angel. Thank you."

"You're welcome." He poured her another cup of coffee, pushing the sugar and the cream towards her.

He liked his coffee black. "I try not to drink too much of this. It makes me jittery." He grinned.

For once today they weren't discussing sex. "Me too. Buffy always says-" she broke off. "Sorry."

"Don't be." He slid his hand over hers. "I keep telling you that Buffy's part of my past. We can talk about her, it doesn't bother me." Though a discussion about the Slayer wasn't what he had in mind.

"Okay." This wasn't the time to argue.

He turned her hand over, exposing her palm. His thumb traced the letter 'A' into it, as if he could emblazon it on her skin by the force of his will. He wanted everyone to know that she was his. "Maybe I need to offer you some proof?"

"Oh. No. That won't be necessary. I believe you. Yep. Whatever you say." She tried to pull her hand back but he held fast to it. She jerked her arm again and he released it, afraid she would injure herself. Her hand bumped into the half-empty mimosa glass, sending it into her lap.

Angel hopped up and pushed her napkin into her hand. She attempted to soak up some of the liquid but it didn't seem to be working. "Let me help you clean that up." After he spoke, she imagined him on his knees before her, his tongue lapping up the cool drink from her heated skin. Good Lord, he's corrupting me. But he retrieved a handful of paper towels and began mopping up the mess. Willow frowned. I'm not disappointed. Not at all. They soon had it cleaned up. "I'm sorry." She said, looking down at the stained gown. "I really liked it."

"I'm sorry I wouldn't let go." Though that little contest of wills was fun. He grinned then. "As for the gown. Don't worry about it." He held out his hand which she took hesitantly. "Come with me. Let's get you in the shower."

She stopped immediately. "I don't know if I-"

"Not with me." Not yet anyway. Maybe tonight.
 
 

She expelled a breath, trying to ignore the flash of frustration she had. "Oh." She blushed. Again. "Okay."

***********

Willow was luxuriating in Angel's large claw-footed tub. It felt decadent. She should be in school but instead she was goofing off. Soaking in a tub when she should be working algebra equations. She washed her left arm, enjoying the scented water. Angel had an array of bath salts. She'd chosen lavender to soothe her nerves. She couldn't imagine the vampire using them, but who knew what hidden depths Angel had.

There was a knock on the door. "You alright in there, Willow?"

"I'm fine. I'll be out in a second."

"Take your time." He offered.

Willow decided to do just that. She let out some of the lukewarm water, filling it back up with hot water from the tap. Then she added more lavender bath salt. Then she put a wash cloth over her eyes and leaned back. She hadn't felt this relaxed in far too long. How strange that she would feel that way while lying naked in Angel's bathtub.

*********

Willow woke up to find herself still in the tub. She'd been lying in the perfumed water so long that her fingers had gone all pruney. The water temperature was very cool. She stood up and pulled the plug on the drain. Then she grabbed a fluffy white towel from the small bench beside the bathtub. She stepped onto the bath matt and then toweled off her hair, wrapping it around her still damp hair when she was done. She took a second towel and began drying her body. When she finished, she draped the towel around her body.

She walked over to the clothes that Angel laid out for her when he'd escorted her to the bathroom. She went to the sink and found a silver tray full of men's toiletries. There was an old-fashioned razor. An expensive bottle of shaving cream. Next to it was a black hair brush and comb set. The last item was Angel's cologne aptly named 'Enigma'. She opened the bottle and sniffed experimentally. It had a musky, sandalwood undertone. She recognized the scent from being around him, it seemed to cling to him. She'd always thought the scent was just him.

"Willow? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. I just got done."

"Can you open the door? I had your nightgown dry cleaned down the street."

"That's fast!"

"It's a one hour laundry." He didn't add that they only perform that service so quickly if they're slipped a $50 bill.

"Oh. Thanks!" She actually been looking forward to perhaps wearing one of his shirts or even better -- one of his sweaters. She opened the door a crack and held out her hand. A large male hand insinuated itself into the small fissure and pushed, letting himself in. Willow clapped a hand over the generous amount of cleavage that was displayed by the towel.

His gaze was curious and frankly carnal. "Thanks." She said, taking the clothes from him with her other hand.

"You do wonders for that towel."

She let out a nervous giggle. "Yes. Well. Okay. I need to get dressed now."

He leaned back against the door. "Are you sure that's what you want?"

She could feel her pulse pick up. She wasn't sure what she wanted anymore. "I-I. . ."

"You what? Want to be prim and proper again? Admit it, Willow, you're curious. You want me every bit as much as I want you."

Willow felt her throat constrict with emotion. She managed to get out. "I am curious, but-"

"Shhh." He whispered, putting a finger to his own generous mouth. "Don't deny yourself any longer. Don't deny us. Come here. Let me show you."

She did, pulled in by his charm and wicked promises. He opened his arms to her and she went into them, loving the blend of soft skin and rippling muscle underneath her cheek. Angel brushed her hair back from her forehead and kissed her temple. Then he swung her up in his powerfully built arms.

**********

He laid her down before the fire on the soft rug. Then he laid down beside her, propped up on his elbow so he down into her sweet face. "He made love to you outdoors on the cold hard ground."

"Yes." And it had been glorious.

"This time I want you to be warm. Want you to feel the heat." He traced the line of her neck with his cool finger.

She gulped. "I think I already do."

Angel smiled softly before he leaned down to feather a kiss across her lips. "So sweet." Then he traced the seam of her lips with his tongue, begging entry. She opened them willingly, welcoming his invasion. He groaned as she granted him access. His tongue sought all the hidden recesses of her mouth. Willow wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down.

Angel was able to feel her body as he pinned it down with his own. She was so delicate, he was afraid that he'd crush her. But her arms kept him there. Willow wanted him to be that close to her. After he'd tasted her lips, he began to hunger for more.

Angel brought his hands to the tie on her robe and flipped open the silky panels, leaving her in the thin satin shift. It outlined her body more than it covered it. His hands sought the downy weight of her breasts as he reveled in her quiet moans. Angel placed a kiss on each globe before backing away and kneeling, a leg on either side of her body. He peeled off the robe and began sliding the nightgown up and past her hips. He gently lifted her with one arm and pulled it over her head. She now lay on his rug clothed only in creamy skin flecked with cinnamon colored freckles. Angel groaned. "I have the memory of how lovely, but . . .you're exquisite. I wasn't prepared. . .you're a painting come to life."

Willow basked in the glow of his praise. She'd never felt this desirable or so free in her life. "I want you, Angel." She cupped his face, tracing the line of his jaw. She couldn't help herself. She had to say it. "I-I love you." And Angelus too. I love you both.
 
 

"I love you too." Angel bent his head and kissed her hard. Desperate to convey his emotion. He'd never been able to express himself with words. So, he would tell her how much he loved her with his body.

He set out to prove his love with his lips and fingers. With his eyes and his heart. Angel traced an imaginary line from between her breast to her navel with his tongue, pressing kisses to her newly moistened skin. He lavished each hip bone with small nips of his white teeth as well as with his cool mouth. His eager fingers delved between her thighs to know her most intimate place. Eventually he brought his mouth there as well to worship her.

All the while, Willow moaned beneath him. She encouraged him by curling her fingers in his hair, grasping his shoulders, and holding him close in her gentle arms. When he began to lap at her, she lifted her hips up to him. Beseeching him for more. Demanding release. A release he was all to eager to give her. When she couldn't stand it anymore and sobbed his name he gave it to her.

Then he rolled himself to the side and shut his eyes. Angel was still clothed in his suddenly snug black trousers. Quite simply, he was in agony. Angel could touch her, take her body to new heights but he could never join her there. He was in love with her. And his love would cost him his soul.

When she collected herself, Willow cradled him in her arms. "Are you alright? You didn't-"

"I told you there were ways around it. I wanted to please you, make it good for you." He kissed the top of her head.

"You did" She ran her hand down his torso. "If we were careful, it wouldn't be a problem. Maybe I can help."

For a moment, he flirted with the idea. The thought of having her hot little hand wrapped around. . ."Oh, Willow." He shut his eyes as she cupped him in her hand through his pants.

"Let me give you pleasure too."

His hips began to move in time with her movements. He loved her, needed this so much. The specter of Angelus loomed in his mind. He saw himself killing again. Wreaking havoc on Sunnydale and perhaps the world. "No, I can't. It's too dangerous." He stood up abruptly.

Her hands reached for him. "But, Angel, I-"

"NO!" He backed off. Angel's voice calmed. "I want you so much." He let his longing for her show in his eyes, the trembling of his body. "But I can't , Willow." Looking down at her, he gave her smile. "I love you and I'm never leaving you. I won't make the same mistake I did with Buffy." With that, he left to take a cold shower. A very cold shower.

Willow was left to ponder this as she sat bare and satiated on his rug. "What am I going to do now?" She asked aloud. Unfortunately, there was no answer.
 

~Part 12~

Why couldn’t they hold Scooby meetings right after school when it was daylight? No, we want you to go tromping through the neighborhood. In the dark. Alone. All by yourself. With the demons. Willow grumbled to herself as she traversed Sunnydale’s park warily. Her eyes darted around, taking note of her surroundings. There weren’t any other people on the well worn path. She’d been hoping for safety in numbers. Maybe she shouldn’t have taken this shortcut home from Giles’ apartment. They’d decided to avoid the library tonight because Oz would be locked in and their presence would only anger him. Actually, it was bad for both of them, tt would only distract the Scoobies and Oz would probably end up injuring himself.

She had convinced her friends that she was safe. The vampire population was quite low since Angelus had taken over. Usually, a master vampire kills off any minions that are in the area because he or she wants loyal followers. The rest of the Scoobies had agreed with her decision to walk by herself because they believed she wouldn’t run in to any trouble. Although, they had asked her to carry a stake in her back pocket and a bottle of holy water in her jacket just in case.

Willow froze. She could hear the sound of an animal snuffling in the undergrowth right off the path. A stray dog? I can only hope. Dammit. She heard it, she had to look. It was the unwritten rule of Sunnydale. She peered into the shadows which were alleviated only by the hazy light of the moon. Suddenly, a creature stood up in the bushes. Its hair was a silvery gray and it was oddly familiar. It’s mouth had a terrifying array of sharp white teeth and it’s lips were curled back. The werewolf sniffed the air and howled. Oz! It was Oz! She recognized his wolf form. No two werewolves looked the same. He must have escaped from his pen at the library. Cordelia had been watching him. God, what if he’d killed Cordelia? Wait! What if he kills me?

Willow screamed. Wolf-Oz snarled. She backed away slowly, trying not to let her fear show. Fear only egged werewolves on. "Easy, Oz. It’s okay." She held up her hands and made sure her voice was soothing. He proceeded to sniff the air and began to follow her.

Willow continued to back up, hoping that she could stall for time and come up with a plan. Where’s a hefty tree branch when you need one? She was so lost in her own worried inner workings that she stepped on a rock and tripped. Willow grabbed for something to keep her upright and got a hold of the rose bush. It sliced into her palm. Wolf-Oz howled at the scent of her blood, hungry for more. She continued to inch back and bumped into something hard. . . something that smelled like tobacco and leather. "Seems you’ve got a bit of a problem, pet."

Spike! Great. She could choose how she died. Death by mauling or death by blood loss? I truly hate this place. "You could say that."

Wolf-Oz growled at Spike, clearly feeling possessive of Willow. Spike chuckled. He walked around Willow and faced the ferocious animal. "Come on then. Let’s have a go, puppy. I’ll teach you some new tricks." He moved into a fighting stance.

"Don’t hurt him!" Willow cried.

"What?!" Spike said, appalled. His eyes were still fixed on the werewolf. "Just so you know, pet. He wasn’t planning on only playing a game of fetch with you."

"I know that!" Willow snapped. "But I also know him. His name is Oz, when he isn’t a wolf. He’s my friend." She was almost tempted to run and let the two of them sort it out, but she couldn’t leave Oz with Spike even if that meant she was leaving herself in a dangerous position.

Spike rolled his eyes. She wanted to protect a werewolf. Probably one of those tree-huggin’ granola types. "Next thing you know, you’ll be buying him a bone, letting him sleep on the end of the bed–"

He didn’t have a chance to finish the conversation. Wolf-Oz attacked. Spike was caught off guard when the creature scraped his cheek with its talon-like nails. It left five bloody gashes on his handsome face. "Bad dog!" Spike yelled, clocking the huge beast in the face with his fist. Wolf-Oz howled. The vampire punched him again and knocked him to the ground. Then he kicked him in the stomach and banged his massive furry head against the ground. Wolf-Oz passed out with a whimper.

Willow ran over to her friend, checking for his pulse. She was relieved to find one. His breathing seemed to be normal, he was just unconscious. She glared up at Spike. She was sick of arrogant male vampires. "You could have killed him!"

"And your point is. . .?"

She stood up to her full height, pressing a slim white finger to Spike’s chest and poking him every once in a while as she spoke to emphasize her points. "I didn’t ask for your help! Who the hell do you think you are? I can do things myself, you know! I’m the best friend of a Slayer! And I’m a witch! " Well, sort of. . part of the way there anyway. Then she realized that she was poking a master vampire in the middle of nowhere on the Hellmouth. She stopped touching Spike and stepped back. She gulped and her face turned a ghastly white. "I have to go now." While I still have all my pieces and parts. She turned on her heel and was about to walk away when he grasped her elbow. Knew he wouldn’t fall for that.

"Hold on there, pet." He spun her around, he was feeling a little thirsty. She was a tasty morsel.

"I thought you left Sunnydale, Spike."

She knew his name. Didn’t she say something about being a Slayer’s best friend? "Nah, knew it would piss Angel off if I stayed. I never get tired of that. Besides, Dru likes the energy here. Says it makes her visions ‘all swirly’, whatever the hell that means." He took a good look at her for the first time. Familiar face. He could place her now. Humans sometimes looked all the same to him."You’re Willow, right?"

"Um. . .yeah." How did he know her name? She looked at him in askance.

"Angelus told me about you." He looked her over, considering. A slow smile broke over his face.

"He did?!" Her face flushed with embarrassment.

"Yes." Spike tilted his head to the side. "By the way, I never did thank you for making him all poofy and soul-having again."

Whew! He was grateful too. She might be going home with all of her blood. "Does this mean you’re not going to bite me?" Willow asked, rubbing her neck absently.

He looked her up and down. "I am hungry and you look very tasty." Willow silently cursed herself for bringing it to his attention. He took a hold of her palm which was streaked with crimson and held it to his mouth, inhaling the spicy scent of her magick infused blood. "No bloody wonder Angelus was fascinated with you." His chilly tongue swept out to lap the blood from her hand, taking care not to hurt her wounds. It was slightly raspy, like a that of a cat. After he licked away the last droplet he pressed a kiss to her palm. "Thanks for the snack, pet."

She sagged in relief. "Oh. You’re welcome. " She smiled, then frowned. Was it ‘okay’ to thank a vampire for taking her blood? Buffy wouldn’t think so. She shrugged. "So. . .um,Angelus talked about me?" He found her fascinating? He nodded. "What did he say?" He merely rose one black eyebrow. "Okay. You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to." She glanced down at Oz. "I’d better get him back to the library anyway."

Spike knelt beside the fallen werewolf and thrust it over his shoulder. There was no way she could carry him for that distance. "Lead the way, pet."

"You’re going to help me?"

"Why not? Dru’s having a tea party for her bleedin’ dolls, nothin’s good on the telly. Might as well."

"Well, thank you." She walked beside him as he carried Oz back to Sunnydale High.

"Cordelia? Are you here?" Willow called out as she entered the library. Willow began to see red. The brunette was nowhere to be seen. If Oz had almost gotten hurt because she skipped out to party with the twits she called friends, she was going to . . .going to . . .she didn’t know what. But if she was fooling around with Xander when she was supposed to be watching Oz, then she would sic Spike on them both.

All of a sudden, the door to Giles’ office sprang open. Cordelia emerged, a threatening scowl on her face. Her hair was messed up, her dress was ripped, her makeup smudged, and one of her heels was missing. And she was holding the tranquilizer gun. "Get the hell away fro--- Willow?"

"Cordelia? What happened?" Willow blushed. Stupid question. "Are you alright?"

"Do I look alright? Omigod! Willow, duck!" The tranquilizer dart flew through the air before Willow could figure out what was about to happen.

"Ow! Bloody hell! She sh-" Spike slumped to the floor, Oz rolling out of his grip.

Willow stood in shock staring at the cheerleader. "I didn’t know you had such good aim." She looked to the two slumbering males on the floor. What now? Too many guys, not enough cages.

Angelus hopped up onto the balcony outside of the room of his favorite redhead. He peered into the darkness. No one was home. How’s that for a twist? She was always home. Angelus shook his head. He wasn’t clear on how he had regained control. To be truthful, he could barely remember how he had gotten over here. He could feel the soul in there somewhere. It just didn’t seem to have any influence over his actions. He gazed up at the moon, it seemed to have a strange pull on him. What was going on?

There was a slight noise coming from inside. Angelus listened carefully. Someone was coming down the hall! The wicked vampire grinned as he smelled the faint hint of roses, sage, and magic. Willow. There was another scent too. But who was with her? The scent of bleach filled the air. Buffy? Back up, when did Buffy start smoking? His eyes narrowed as he watched his blonde childe follow Willow into her room. What the hell was Spike doing here?

Angelus stepped back from the French doors before they spotted him. He learned a long time ago that patience brought it’s own rewards. Leaning against the wall, he settled back to listen in. Somebody was going to have a lot of explaining to do.

"The bleedin’ chit didn’t have to shoot me! I was helping." Spike looked disgusted. With himself or with Cordelia she wasn’t quite clear on.

"Yes. But, for one, that’s a first. You’re usually trying to kill us, not help us. For two, she was just attacked by a werewolf. It would make anyone jumpy." Willow pointed out. "Also, not the sharpest tool in the shed."

Spike chuckled. "You’re not as quiet as you pretend to be, are you?"

Willow put a finger to her lips. "Shh! It’ll be our secret." He gave her a rakish grin. She probably needed to have her head examined. She couldn’t believe that she had just invited him into her house. Somehow she knew that he wouldn’t harm her. He’d had plenty of opportunity but he hadn’t acted on it. Besides, she’d invited his sire in already. . .the more, the merrier. Willow knew that Cordelia wouldn’t keep quiet about Spike. She should probably start working on reasons why she’d been with him. The truth would be unpalatable to the other Scoobies. She needed a hellmouthy excuse. Possession? Coercion? Mysterious memory loss? She’d think of something.

"Excuse me, luv? Am I boring you?"

"What?" Willow blinked. "I mean, no. I mean. . .I’m sorry. I have a lot on my mind. What were you saying?"

"Nothing important." She was a bewitching creature. No wonder Angelus was so taken with her. It was a shame that he hadn’t gotten to her first. Spike had been searching for the right human to sire for decades. He wanted a real prodigy for his childe and she fit the bill. But Spike had learned long ago that he never wanted to be involved with another woman who’d been with Angelus first. They never appreciated him. It was a pity, really. "I should probably go anyway. I have to get some dinner."

"Oh?" She said politely, then it struck her that he meant ‘somebody.’ "Oh."

"Don’t look so glum. I’ll make it quick for the poor sod."

"Right." She gulped. He was going off to kill someone.

"Actually. . .I don’t have to go yet." Spike’s gaze strayed to her throat. He got closer to her, invading her space. He’d never been able to get his hands on a woman that still belonged to Angelus. Drusilla had come to him only after she’d fallen out of favor with ‘Daddy’. He wouldn’t hurt her. Maybe he’d play with her a bit , it might be fun to . . .

"I don’t think you have to go either." Spike looked up only to see Angelus’ fist connect with his face. The blond vampire fell to the floor and gazed up at him in equal parts dazed disbelief and horror.

"Angel, what are you–" Willow stared hard at him. He wasn’t the same. ‘Angel’ now walked with that familiar cocky swagger. His eyes roved over her form in a blatantly possessive manner. He’d been acting strange lately but not like this. . .it could only mean one thing. "Angelus?" She asked, her voice squeaking. She was thrilled and terrified at the same time. He must be really angry. Really, really, really angry. Wait a minute! How did this happen? "But. . .but. . .I--"

"You what? Cursed me with my soul again?" Angelus sat down on her bed and schooled his features into Angel’s trademark tortured expression. "You have no idea how that made me feel." Then he laughed and it wasn’t completely in amusement. Meanwhile, Spike had gotten to his feet and had quietly inched his way to the door. "Sit down, my boy, I’m not done ‘talking’ to you yet." Spike cursed under his breath but dutifully sat down on the chair by her desk. At least his sire was far more interested in the He lit a cigarette and watched how this scenario would play out.

Willow still couldn’t wrap her mind around what happened. She’d given him the soul permanently. He couldn’t have come back without some sort of a catalyst. Angel slept with Buffy! It was the only conclusion she could come to. She was about ready to pass out. He looked distinctly unhappy with her. "W-what are you going to do with me?"

"Whatever I please." Angelus smiled, showing a row of gleaming, white teeth.
 

~Part 13~

Spike lit another cigarette and watched the unfolding show with avid interest.

Willow's mouth was open as she valiantly tried to form words and gasp air.  Angelus stood at his full height, eyes blazing with a mixture of anger and what Spike assumed was lust.  If they start shagging I'm getting the hell out of here.

"Do you have any idea what I could do to you?"  Angelus snarled.

Spike spoke up. "Let's see. . .beat her.  Eat her.  Shag-"

"Silence!"  The younger vampire nodded for Angelus to continue. "No one has ever DARED to make me this angry.  Not Darla.  Not Drusilla.  Certainly no human I've ever been in contact with.  The only exception might be-"

"Me."  Spike supplied.  "I just love to piss him off."  He noted his sire's stern expression. "Right, then.  Not about me. Continue."

"But you had the audacity to curse me.  Turn me back into that sniveling, pathetic excuse for a vampire who calls himself Angel."  He appeared bewildered.

"And why 'Angel'?  He might as well call himself 'Sweetheart' or 'Honey', I'll never understand that."

"Honey."  Spike cackled.  "That's better than Peaches. I'll have to remember that." At Angelus' look he sobered. "I know, I know 'silence!'"

"I did it to save you."  Willow explained. "She was going to kill you."

"What makes you so sure that she would have?"

"The only other alternative is that you would have killed her.  And I couldn't live with that either." Willow lowered her eyes.

"You chose Buffy over me."  He said bitterly, before she could protest, he began again. "So, that leaves me with the ultimate question. What should I do with you?" Angelus mused as he paced the floor of her bedroom.

"Let me go and leave?" She said hopefully.  She edged towards her table lamp.

"That's far enough, my sweet." He said. "I remember your affection for whacking me with objects. And no, letting you go is  what I did the first time I was here."  He pinned her with his eyes.  "I have something else in mind."

"You promised you wouldn't kill me here!" She wailed.

"And said you loved me!"

"Poor Angewus!"  Spike said, mimicking 'baby' talk.  "Did u get u wittle feewings hurt?" Angelus growled and Spike stopped.  But Willow saw the way his eyes were dancing with laughter.

She gulped. "I do." He obviously wasn't buying it. "So, what are you going to do with me?"  It was like being on a demon's version of a game show. She could almost hear the announcer. Behind door number three we have a horrible death!

"So many things."  He moved closer to her, his cool hand reached out to brush the side of her face.  "Things you've never felt before. After all, you deserve to be punished."

"P-p-punished?"  That sounded really bad.

He forced her to look him in the eye by cupping her chin. "What are you worried about, little one?"

Willow took in a breath as she feigned bravery. "I'm going to go with torture and and my untimely death."

"I'll keep that in mind."  Angelus ran his thumb over her lips and couldn't suppress a small smile at her wit.  "Not all punishments have to be painful though." His hand slid to the nape of her neck.

"They don't?  Because when you say 'punishments' that makes me nervous."

"Not if the punisher knows what he's doing."

"If you two are going to shag, I'd appreciate some fair warning." Spike said , not missing the aroma in the air.  "I'd rather miss that particular floor show."

"Fine. Why don't we start with a warm-up act, William?" Angelus took a menacing stance. "What were you doing here?"

"I was just talking with-"

"You were just trying to take what's mine." Angelus glowered. "I think it's time I put you back in your place again."

"No, Angelus. Don't." Willow pleaded. "He helped me with Oz tonight. And, he, he walked me home so I'd be safe, because he knows I'm yours!  He was just protecting me. . . for you, of course."

Angelus considered her plea. He didn't like her mention of Oz and he didn't like his Willow taking an interest in Spike, but it pleased him to hear her  restate his claim. He wanted to give in to her, but Spike really had it  coming. Suddenly, an idea struck Angelus. "Spike, get over here." He motioned for Spike and Willow to sit on the end of her bed. "Willow, we're going to make another thumb-wrestling bet."

"Thumb-wrestling?!" Spike burst out laughing. "Bloody poofter. You've been spending all this time with that delicious red-head thumb wrestling?"

"Shut up, boy." Angelus smacked Spike in the back of the head. Spike winced, but couldn't keep the grin off his face. "If you win-"

"You won't be mad anymore?" Willow said hopefully.

"No. You're not getting off the hook this easily." He frowned at her. "If  you win, Spike can go. I won't hurt him. This time."

"Like you could, mate." Spike had a tire iron in the back of the DeSoto that came in happy for cases of "When Angelus Attacks". Of course, he was kind of weaponless at the moment. Not to mention, Spike knew that Angelus would never seriously harm him. It was just customary for the two of them to tear each other up every few months. Kept things interesting.  They were vampires, they didn't have to make sense.

"If I win you swear that you'll never try to resoul me again." He thought for a moment. "Or have anyone else do it. Or leave the spell out in easy  reach of someone. Or tell someone where they might find it."

"Or post it on the internet." Spike added helpfully.

"Yes" Angelus nodded his head imperiously.

"Hmmm." She said.  "Are you sure you haven't been eating lawyers?" He glared at her.  "Okay.  I'll do it." She said, shrugging her shoulders.   She had found a copy of the spell  and put in the database for the Watchers' Council that she was working on for Giles' birthday.   He hadn't mentioned anything about that! She started to reach for his hand, but he pulled away.

"Not this time, little one. You thumb-wrestle Spike. It's his ass you're saving."

Angelus grinned. If Spike won, he could beat him up. If he lost,  he'd have to handle that humiliation, which would be retribution enough.

                            *********

Willow and Angelus stood on her balcony watching Spike walk away in a huff.

"Who knew he was such a sore loser?"

"I think its me.  He's just afraid of me." Angelus said, puffing out his chest as he thought of the beating he would have given his childe. "Probably thinks I'll change my mind."

"Because your such a big, dangerous vamp."

His eyes glittered. "I am."

"Uh, yeah, guess." Willow smoothed a piece of hair behind her ear, desperate for a topic change. "I don't get it. About the fighting, I mean.  Why do you do that?  When Buffy makes me angry I don't try to kick her butt."

He smiled. "Maybe you should.  I could help you with that." Yes, punching the Slayer would improve his mood.

Her forehead wrinkled. "Of course, if I tried it, she'd probably throw me through a wall."

"Never happen." She looked at him doubtfully.  "She might be a Slayer but only a fool would mess with you, little one." He smiled at her tenderly and then stopped himself. He schooled his features into a non-committal half frown.

She couldn't help but grin. "So, that would make you a-"

"Don't say it."  He scowled. "I'm still upset with you." He turned away.

Truthfully, he should be torturing her with something by now.  A branding iron maybe. No on treated him like this and lived to tell the tale! But somehow, she did.  And after being in her presence again he  just couldn't muster the anger necessary to properly deal with her.  His heart just wasn't in it.

"You know what?  I'm sick of this!"  She grabbed his arm and turned him around.  "If you're gonna punish me or whatever. . .just go ahead and do it! I'm not going to put up with your little mood swings and your-"

"What did you say, little girl?" He came closer.

"I said just do it! Do you have a hearing problem?"

"No, do you?"  He got in her space, backing her against the wall.  His hand strayed to her neck.  "All I'd have to do is squeeze."  But his eyes were roving her body. It wasn't her neck that he wanted to 'squeeze.'  Then, his hand moved on the soft skin. "Where's your necklace?"  He demanded.

"Oh. Here."  She pulled it from her pocket.  It seemed wrong to wear it, but she usually kept it near.

He plucked it from her fingers and placed it around her neck, rubbing his bite marks absently.  "Mine."

She was irrationally angry.  "Is that's what this is about?  Because I dared to talk to another vampire?  I'm not property!"

"Yes, you are.  You're my property.  Do with as I wish." He smiled dangerously. "To dispose of as I wish."

"You know what I wish?"  Willow said, her voice rising. "I wish you'd just get it over with.  I'm not going to sit here and be threatened by you anymore.  I've had enough."

He reached out and grabbed her up off her feet. "Do you know you you're dealing with, little one?  I'm not Xander or your precious little Oz.  I'm not a schoolboy you can tell to go away.  I'm a vampire!"

Willow forced down her fear.  Instead, she stared down at him menacingly. "And I'm a soon-to-be-witch.  So, you better not piss me off or I'll turn you into a toad! Or something else disgusting!"  He dropped her to her feet, his mouth agape.

She smoothed her shirt. "If you're not going to do anything about it, then stop threatening me because I don't want to hear it! You should be thanking me for saving your undead ass. Thanking me! You'd be fertilizing Mrs. Summers' daisies if it wasn't for me.  Now leave me alone and get the hell off my balcony!" She said, pointing into the blackness of the night. To prove her point she grasped the potted plant on the ledge and sent it smashing against his head.

With that, she flounced away from him and slammed the French doors behind her.  Angelus blinked, his world was spinning.  If it was possible, he think he just fell even more in love with her That's when he collapsed in a heap of leather and billowing black wool on her veranda with some uprooted daisies and dirt on his head.

                           ***********

Willow knocked on the door.  "Buffy?  Are you there?"

"Coming, Wills!"  Buffy shouted.  The Slayer opened the door a minute later.

She was wearing her pajamas, her hair in braids.  "Hi. What's up?"

"Can I come in?" Buffy narrowed her eyes, always on alert for vampire behavior.

Willow rolled hers and stepped in without the invite.

"Sorry, Will, you can never be too careful."

"So, how are you?"

"Good.  Ready to go to bed actually.  But I assume you have something to talk about. . .?" Buffy ushered her into the kitchen where they sat across from each other.

"Angel."

"What about him?"

"Uh.  Just wondering about you two.  Have you, uh, SEEN each other?"

"We're talking about Angel, right?  Over six feet tall. Big coat?  Kinda hard to miss."

"I mean, 'seeing' him."

"Oh, seeing him.  No, we're not." She looked down. "You know, doing that anymore."

"So, nothing's going on?"  Willow prodded.  Then, how had Angelus come back?

"No, um, you know."

"Geez, Wills, that's a little personal."

"Sorry.  I just-" What?  Have a passed out evil vampire on my veranda and wanted to know if you were involved? Though, many people could claim that on The Hellmouth.  She looked at her friend's earnest face.  Buffy hadn't been with Angel.  The all-too-familiar guilt would be there on her face. Something else had changed him.  But what?  Her night with Angel?  No, he'd been Angel afterwards. Angelus was a terrible actor.  She needed to do some research. "Okay.  Just checking." She stood up abruptly.

"Gotta go.  Night, Buffy."  She hurried out the door.

Buffy sat there in her chair, shaking her head.  "Okay. And she went mental when?"
 

~Part 14~

Willow stealthily made her way up the path to Giles' apartment.  She looked left and right, wary of both human and demon interference. Thankfully, the path was clear. She reached the front wall of his Spanish style apartment and peaked in the small window.

Giles lay there on the couch.  He was clearly sleeping, his glasses rested crookedly on his nose. His feet were propped up on the coffee table, one of them was untied.  An abandoned glass of brandy was beside him on the table.  He had a thick volume of demon lore open on his lap.   Gathering her courage, Willow went to the door and quietly turned the knob.  As expected, it eased open.  Geez, Giles, at least lock your door.  There are demons running around, you know. She had decided to come to his place for information. The items she was seeking weren't located in the library. She didn't think Angelus reappeared over getting a 'happy.' If it hadn't been her or Buffy who gave him a happy. . . no one did.  She knew it wasn't Drusilla, Spike hadn't said anything.  Angel wasn't the type of vamp to stray. . .if you call sleeping with three people not straying. . .scratch that. . .two people and demon. . .well, one witch, a Slayer, and a vampire.   The soul was supposed to be permanent now.  The most likely explanation was that something went wonky with her spell.

              After Jenny's family had taken some of her personal possessions from her apartment, Giles had removed several volumes that dealt with vampires from her private collection. He had also kept the knapsack Willow had produced with Jenny's notes in it.  Included in those effects was a treatise on the soul restoration spell. Though Giles probably hadn't bothered to look at it. It was a small book but might contain some clues. She'd run across it once before but had been forced to hide it when he'd walked in the room.

Normally, she would have waited until a better time but she didn't think she could afford to with an angry Angelus having a hissy fit in Sunnydale.  Who knows what he would do.  Besides, its not like she could ask to see those materials without arousing Giles' suspicions. With any luck, she could fix the spell and no one would be the wiser. She crept to the bookcase. Giles stirred and mumbled something unintelligible.  She froze.  He scrunched down in his seat and went back to sleep. Willow quickly walked to the bookcase and began to unload the books.  Giles always laid the books with the goods behind the regular ones.  She couldn't believe that he thought he could hide them from her with that low tech of a solution. Unfortunately, the materials she was seeking weren't there.    She heard Giles move behind her.

Willow ducked down behind an overstuffed chair.  "Jenny?" He murmured, hopefully. It killed her, he sounded like a little boy.

He sat up straight on the couch.  She saw him look at his wristwatch.  "Dear Lord, it's 2 A.M."  He rolled his neck and stood up. Willow kept quiet.  She heard him sigh as he began walking up the stairs which creaked as he stepped on them.  He reached the top of the stairs and went in his room.  Willow sighed in relief.  She listened for the door to his bedroom to shut and made her way back to the bookcase.  She began unloading all of the other shelves.

                            *********

Buffy crept inside Willow's open French doors.  "Wills? You okay?"  She had noticed signs of a struggle on the veranda, namely the uprooted daisies.  Though, what kind of lame demon who used flowers to fight was beyond her.  "Wills?"

"That's called breaking and entering, you know."  Angelus said.  He was lying on her bed in the darkness.

"Angel."  She said, recognizing the voice. "I didn't break, I just entered.  And I know your old but you must have heard of lights."  Buffy snapped on the light switch on the wall and gave him a look."What are you doing here anyway?  Is Willow okay?"

"She's fine, Buff-"She looked up sharply. "Y.  Buffy. She just stepped out."

Angelus clenched his jaw.  It was all he could to not walk over and back hand her. She was the reason he'd been saddled with the soul yet again. The only thing that stopped him was his Willow.  It was too bad. Slayer's blood would go a long way to soothe his bad mood. But he didn't think Willow would appreciate  dead Slayer on the carpet.

"Since when do you visit Willow?" She asked suspiciously.

"Since tonight."  Angelus was distracted by her computer, the screen was glinting in the light.  "Do you know how imaginative Willow is?"  He'd been itching to read her little stories ever since his soul has stumbled across them.

"Can't say that I do.  But why are you here?"

"Why shouldn't I be here?" He said silkily. "Willow is a very. . ."  He paused, his look suggestive. "Interesting girl."

Buffy didn't like his tone. "Geez, Angel.  Jailbaiting much? Isn't she a little young for you?"

"She's your age."  Angelus pointed out.

"But I've grown up faster.  One of the fringe benefits of world save-age." Willow was a beautiful, intelligent girl.  But Angel had a passel full of emotional baggage and a homicidal bad side.  The young redhead would only be hurt by his taciturn ways. It was her duty to set him straight.

"I really don't think my relationship with Willow is any of your business." He said, trying to appear affronted.  Maybe he should cry. Soulboy seemed to do that a lot. He tried to look tearful but he couldn't pull it off.  He decided to go for bland indifference.

"There's a relationship?" Buffy asked. She wasn't sure how she felt about that. On one hand, she knew that she could never be with Angel again.  But on the other, she didn't really enjoy the thought of him being with her best friend.

"Has been for a while."  He said, relishing the hurt in her eyes. Perhaps he'd sate his need for revenge on the Slayer instead of Willow. After all, it was Buffy's fault that Willow had performed the ritual. It would be a bloodless revenge but it would still be painful."You could say that I've felt like this about anyone else.  She's special to me."  It was the truth. . .in a way. Only his soul had loved Buffy. Buffy's jaw tightened. Her ex-boyfriend and her friend had gotten back together when she wasn't looking. "Well, I guess congratulations are in order."

                            **********

Why did Giles keep it so hot in here?  Maybe he was going Grandpa on her.  If they didn't watch him, he'd start wearing funny hats and talking about the inflated price of fruit.  She shrugged off her jacket and removed her outer shirt, leaving her in a lavender tank top.  She felt naked without them but she couldn't concentrate on her work when she was sweating so much. She sighed and turned her attention to the last stack of books.  She read through the stacks and didn't find anything she needed. Willow kicked the back of the couch. She'd been through everything.  The shelves, the stacks of books on the floor, even Giles desk.  Only to find nothing, nada, zip, zilch.  Where else could he be hiding it?  Her gaze rested on the staircase. He wouldn't hide it in his room, would he? He just might, after all, he was a clever man. Giles might have figured out that she wouldn't go there to access off-limits information. . . he was wrong, of course. "Dammit."  She muttered under her breath.

She ascended the stairs and opened his door gently. She shut it just as quietly. She kept her eyes closed, fearing being exposed to a naked Giles. She didn't think she could survive that. Thankfully, he was lying in bed clothed in a pair of pyjamas, covers strewn over his body. Thank God.   She went to the bureau beside his bed and began opening drawers. Unfortunately, all she came up with was underwear, socks, some undershirts, and. . . a pair of handcuffs?  Well, that's strange.  Why would Giles keep handcuffs in his bedroom. . . .wait a minute, handcuffs in the bedroom? Blech! She dropped them like a hot potato.  She really didn't want to know what those were used for.  She stared at her hands, she should probably wash them.  And then use some bleach.

But they jangled on their way to connect with the floor, landing with a soft 'thunk' on the carpet next to his bed.  Giles bolted upright in the bed, used to being a light sleeper. "Who's there?"  He called and it wasn't in the faltering, scared librarian tone, it was Ripper's Cockney accent.  He meant business.

"Willow. It's just Willow, Giles."  She said, bending down quickly.  She stuffed the handcuffs in her jeans pocket.  What if he'd caught her going through his drawers?

He turned on the lamp beside his bed. "Willow?  I-is something wrong? Are you alright?"  He picked his glasses up from the night stand and put them on to blink at her owlishly. "Is it Buffy or-"

"No.  Nothing.  Everything's fine."  She couldn't tell him about Angelus' reappearance.  It would only upset him.  And possibly cause a fatality.  She didn't know whether it would be Angelus or himself.  Either way, it wasn't a good idea.

"Then why are you here?  Are you in some trouble?"

"N-no, I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be fine?"  She babbled, desperately trying to appear normal. "I-I--"

"Why are you here?" He patiently repeated.

"Because. . .uh..."

"Because. . . .?"  He prompted, noting her clothing.  She looked unWillowish tonight.  There were no outrageous colors or childish sayings on her clothes.  The clothes actually fit her, they weren't too big and poorly tailored.

"I-I-I was w-worried.  About you." She sputtered.

"About me?"  He asked.

"Yes, y-y-you have been all grievy and non-verbal since. . .since. . .you know. " She was talking about Jenny's death.

"Yes, I know."  He shook off the familiar shroud of sorrow that accompanied her name, an image of her face, the smell of her perfume. Giles put a hand to his forehead, focusing on the present. "I see. A-and you decided to have a talk with me about it in the middle of the night."

"I-I was afraid you couldn't sleep." Willow lied. "I. . .wanted to help you with that. Cuz sleep, it's important."

"My brandy did that quite well for me , thank you."

He couldn't just kick her out of here, she didn't have everything she needed."But. . .but. . ."

"But what, Willow?  I'm very tired and need a full night's rest. What can't wait til morning?"

A homicidal vampire with a thirst for vengeance running around Sunnydale? "I can't leave!" She wailed, going to her knees beside the bed. "I-I. . .I'm  so worried about. . .er, you."

He was touched and his face softened. "I'm fine, Willow. Really." He reached out and chucked her under the chin.

"You see, I-I--" She said, trying to formulate a lie. "I wanted to do something to help you sleep."

"Something to make me sleep? Like a-a-a sleep pill or a dull book perhaps?" He was mystified by the workings of her mind.

"Yeah, uh, uh."  A what?  A spell?  From a spell book. Yeah, that's it. One that contains one of those rare soul restoration rituals.  That wouldn't fly with Giles. "That is. . " He was looking at her pocket with disbelief.

"What's wrong?"

"What are you doing with those?"  He asked, indicating the cuffs with the nod of his head.

"Oh!" She took them out of her pocket. "How'd those get there?  Wow, huh, you never know what you'll find in your jeans. Like tissues, or a dollar bill, or a stick of gum, or. . .or"

"Or a pair of steel handcuffs? Your telling me you just happened to have those in your jeans?"  His face flamed red and he kept staring at the shiny object in her pants.

"W-Willow, what was the real reason you came here?"  He licked his lips, because his mouth had gone dry.

Giles had somehow added two and two and gotten five.  He thought she had come to his room to seduce him.

                          *************

"So, you two have. . .have you been-"

"What?  Intimate?" Another one of those sly smiles.

"Completely."

"Completely? How could you. . .how could you. . ."

"Well, I know you aren't that experienced, Buff. . .y. But I'm pretty sure you got the gist of it last time." He sighed. "But if you insist. First, a man put's his-"

"That's enough! What's wrong with you tonight? You could give a Cordelia a run for her money in the bitchy department. What I meant was, you've been broken up with me for , like,  five minutes. And suddenly you're all over her?"

"I wouldn't call it 'suddenly', Buff. ..y."  Angelus grinned, stretching back on Willow's bed.  He stroked the right hand side pillow. "Did you know she sleeps on the right side of the bed?  With her hand tucked under her chin, like a child."

Willow did sleep on the right side of the bed. Buffy had been to her house for a couple of sleep overs.  "It wasn't sudden."  She parroted. "So you two were doing. . .whatever. . . behind my back? Willow wouldn't do that to me! And you couldn't have-" Then, her eyes filled with horror. "It had to be HIM!" She wasn't getting it.  But she did realize the passion, the possession in Angel's eyes. "What exactly are you saying? He was stalking her and then she fell for him? Or you?"

"I wouldn't call it stalking, exactly."  Though, he'd basically coerced her into becoming his girlfriend.

"Then what would you call it? Exactly?" She said, her jaw clenching.

"I thought you figured it out earlier."

"Figured out what?" She snapped.

"It was and is mutual. We're in love."

"Love?" Buffy whispered, her eyes filled with tears. She had only processed the part about Angel being in love.  With someone other than her. "So soon?" Her face turned to the side and she tried to hold back a sob before she whirled and dashed from the room.  She couldn't help her reaction.  Even though they were no longer together, she couldn't picture him falling for someone else.  She had been the only person he had loved in all of his two hundred and fifty years.   She was special to him.

Angelus threw his head back and laughed throatily.  "I never get tired of seeing her brokenhearted in a bedroom."

                           ***********

They both started speaking at once.

"Oh, no!  Giles I-"

"Willow, that's very. . ."

"I mean I like you but not like. . ."

". . .very beautiful young woman but far too young for. . ."

Giles finally held out his hand to her.  "You first."

She took in a large gulp of air. "Giles, I really like you.  In fact, I used to have a crush on you back when you first came to Sunnydale."  The Watcher looked abashed by the comment but he was pleased.  To think that a vibrant young lady like Willow found him attractive, well, that was flattering.  "You were so sophisticated and intelligent and that accent. . .but that's not the poi--"

"I-I never new you felt that way about me." A fuller blush bloomed on his cheeks.

"Well, I did.  But I didn't come here to. . .to. . ."  How could she put this? "Make love to you, Giles."  Dear God, she'd just said 'make love to you, Giles.'  Aack!

His gaze slid down to the handcuffs. "I-I-I see.  You came to do something a little more, er, exotic."

"Huh?"  Then she followed his gaze. "Oh! Oh, no! NO!  Ooh.  Nasty."  She caught herself as a hurt look came into his eyes. "Oh. . .Giles, no.  Not that.  I'm ewwwing at the cuffs because that's well, different.  But the rest of it. . . you are a handsome OLDER man."  She stressed, hoping he could just leave it at that.

"Are you saying I'm too old to do something . . .,er,differently?"

"No, not at all!  You can do. . .that, with whoever." Hopefully someone else. Hey!  Wait a minute. "Oh my God! Does that mean you and Miss Calender were-"

"That is none of your affair, young lady."  He said, sitting up straighter, trying to appear more adult.

She was angered at being put in her place so casually. "None of my affair? Well, I think it is.  Just who's holding the handcuffs, here, Mr.?" She twirled them in her fingers.  "Maybe I don't like your tone."

"Maybe I don't like yours."  He challenged.  What happened to his timid little protege? "How would you like me to phone your mother and father?"

"Fine.  How about I tell them I'm standing in your room half dressed? Somehow, I don't think it's me that they'd be upset with."

"Willow!  I most certainly was not going to do anything. . . unseemly with you."

"You didn't look THAT upset to see me here with these, Giles."

"Mr. Giles to you, young lady. What did you really come here for?"

Her shoulders slumped. "Fine, I came here for information."

He relaxed. "On what?"

"The soul restoration ritual."

"What do you need the information for?"

Here was the big moment.  Should she tell him?  Would he help her?  Could she get out of her without telling him?  "I'm just unsure of the spell.  I wanted to double check it."

"You think of this now?"  He stared into her eyes, almost to the depths of her soul.  "What aren't you telling me?"

"I may have. . .uh, made a small mistake."

"A small mistake?  Like what?"

"Maybe Angelus isn't as gone as we thought he was." She hedged.

"He could still gain control of Angel's body?" Giles pressed.

She sighed.  She was in over her head. And God know, Giles would pester her to death until she told him the truth.  "He already has."

Giles slid out of bed.  "We have to warn Buffy."

"Too late."  The door swung open and Buffy stepped in the room. "It took me about a half an hour to figure it out." She turned to Giles. "I went to Willow's room after she showed up at my house seriously wigged about something. I found 'Angel' on her bed.  It was really Angelus."  She turned to the hacker. "Wasn't it Willow?"  She nodded imperceptibly. "Apparently, Willow and he have had some sort of a. . .thing."

"A thing?"  Giles asked, perplexed.

"I forgot.  You're British.  I think they were doing the deed." She pinned Willow with her eyes. "Weren't you?"

"Uh, a d-d-deed may have been done."

Meanwhile, Giles had figured out what was going on. "Willow!  How could you? He's a soulless, evil, murderous creature."  He broke off, shaking his head. "I'm very disappointed in you."  He and Buffy both crossed their arms, glaring at her reprovingly.

Willow tossed the handcuffs at their feet.  "Hey, I'm not the only pervert here! Giles had handcuffs in his drawers so he can do something 'different'."
 

~Part 15~

"Something different?"  Buffy said, gaping at the handcuffs at her feet. She nudged with the toe of her shoe and glanced at her Watcher before going back to the cuffs.  "Giles, why do you have handcuffs?"

Giles cleared his throat and buttoned the top two buttons of his pajama top. "Well. . .demons. It-it-it's Sunnydale. One can never be too careful a-a-as you well know. Being the Slayer."

"Uh, yeah.  With you on that point."  Her brows drew together. "But I don't take cuffs with me on patrol.  I kill the demons.  I don't tie them up."

"They were in his bedroom."  Willow pointed out, she couldn't keep the flicker of mischief out of her eyes.  Buffy's mouth widened in horror and Willow gave a sigh of relief, she was temporarily off the hotseat.  Diversion was a very good tactic.

"Since when do you have demons in your bedroom?" Buffy asked, taking a healthy step away from her Watcher and raising a disbelieving eyebrow.

"Uh. . .they must have been. . .misplaced.  That's it. Misplaced  Must have fallen out of my pocket after I came back from patrolling with you one time."  He looked away, tugging at his collar absently.

"They were in his underwear drawer."  Willow said, stifling a grin.

"In your underwear drawer?!" Buffy screeched.  "Ewww. 'Those are for demons.'" She mimicked. "Demons, my ass. Those are for bondage fun." She made a 'barfy' face.  "That's so gross.  You are soooo old."

"I-I-I--" Giles stammered.

"Come to think of it, I think there was a blindfold in there." Willow said thoughtfully. She waited for that to sink in. "Under the leopard print briefs." He turned a deep shade of crimson.  It seems Mr. Giles did a lot of things 'differently!' She was actually enjoying his discomfort.  She must have hung around Angelus too long.

Buffy clutched her stomach. "Didn't need that visual, Wills."  Then, she glared at her friend. "Hey, what were you two doing up here?! Alone?" She looked green.  "Did I interrupt some S and M . . .stuff?"

Giles' eyes widened in abject horror. "No!  Willow merely came here to-"

"No!"  Willow shook her head in the negative. "No sex between me and Giles. We're like this." She put her two hands far apart.

"It's always the quiet ones."  Buffy marveled, not believing them.

Willow tried again. "No, Buffy.  Nothing happened. That's. . .yuck.  Ptooey!"

Giles had enough, he took off his glasses. "Here now!  I am not THAT old, alright?  And many women find me attractive. " He pointed to the bed. "On that very bed, I've-"

"STOP!"  Buffy and Willow said in unison, wide-eyed.

"Don't finish that story.  Ever."  Buffy ordered. "I don't wanna know about your sexcapades."

"Me either."  Willow agreed.

"No, you just want to be a part of them." Buffy wiped her hands on her jeans. "I need, like, a shower, and some handy wipes because I touched the door to your bedroom."

Giles crossed his arms over his chest and said thoughtfully. "Come to think of it, I've never done anything on the doo-"

"No more!"  Buffy said, gawking at him and then at Willow.

"What is WRONG with you people? You are both SO creepy right now."

"I don't know about me, but I agree that Giles is pretty creepy." She giggled and then stifled it with her hand. "Makes you wonder what exactly he writes in his Watcher's Diary."

"I don't detail my, uh, personal. . .affairs in there. It's about my work."  They both rolled their eyes."Well, at least I've never had sex with the undead which is more than I can say for the both of you."

"Hey!"  Buffy cried, glaring at Giles. He shrugged."At least I've never slept with the soulless undead." She pointed to Willow. "Which is more than I can say for you."

"Guilty as charged." Willow's lips twitched.  Somehow, she couldn't seem to regret it.  She felt better now that it was all out. She gave them a suggestive smile, the one that made Angelus' eyes turn to smoke. "And a good time was had by all. A very good time." Their mouths fell open, both of their feet were rooted to their prospective spots. "What? I was trying something 'different.'" She gave them both a jaunty wave before she exited the room in search of Angelus.  She was suddenly very anxious to see him.

                             ********

Willow shut Giles' door behind her and walked into the night with a self- satisfied smirk on her face. "Bout time you put in an appearance, pet. I've gone through a half a pack of smokes."  Willow squinted into the darkness and saw the vampire sitting in the middle of the courtyard on a bench.

"Spike?  What are you doing here?"

"Following you."

"I gathered that.  But why?" She gave him an engaging grin.  "Unless you're here for a rematch?"  She waved her thumbs at him in the style of Fonzie from Happy Days.

"Uh, no.  I don't think my ego could stand anymore of that." He bowed low, making sure the back of his hand touched the grass.  "You are the Thumb Wrestling Queen."

"Then, what brings you by?"  She gave him a hesitant glance.  "You aren't here to, um, have dinner are you?"

She could almost feel Spike's gaze travel her body.  It was a mixture of sexual interest and blood lust.  "How kind of you to offer, pet."

"That wasn't an offer!  It was a polite question!"  She grasped the stake that was tucked in her back pocket.

"Relax, Red. And put that big toothpick away, you won't need it. Angelus would rip me a new one if I so much as mussed your hair."   He blew a smoke ring. "Let's just have a chat while I walk you home." He held out his arm in the style of a courtier.  "My lady?" She laughed and put hers through it, unable to resist the blue-eyed demon's charm.

"You're walking me home?"  Her forehead wrinkled. "How undemonish of you."

"Yes, well, I've never been one to follow the bloody rules."

"Why are you here?"

"Not going to let that go, are you?"

"Nope."

"Well, pet, its like this.  Angelus wants you.  Hell, wanker probably loves you."

Willow nodded, agreeing with his assessment.  "And that kind of takes the heat off of me."

Willow snickered. "The heat off?  He was interested in you?" She patted his forearm.  "Never would of guessed it. You're so manly." She couldn't help but succumb to her good mood.  Things were looking up.

"Interested in Drusilla." Spike said, his lips twitching. She was quite an engaging little chit.   "Besides, he's my Sire."  He did a full body shiver. " That would be incest."

"Ewwww."

"You're the one who brought it up."

"So, you're happy he's interested in me and not in Drusilla."

"In a nutshell, yes.   I have a vested interest in keeping you safe and sound. So, see? Good ol' Spike will protect you.  You have nothing to fear. Except from Angelus. Be careful around that one."

"Hmm." Willow took his advice to heart.  Certainly, the demon had feelings for her but he was temperamental.  She should never let her guard down. Frankly, Willow was amazed that he hadn't been more upset about the ensouling.  She turned her attention back to Spike. "So I guess the Big Bad's my bodyguard."

"Yes, just not 'The Bodyguard' because Kevin Costner's a wanker.  I can't believe I spent a few pounds to see him piss in a pot and drink it."

"Well, Waterworld was bad, yes."

"Bad?  Try awful. Bloody awful!  I mean, the whole planet is covered in water. Why not lean over the side of the sodding boat and get a drink?  No, he'd rather drink some Dr. Pee."

"And why was everyone dirty?  There is no excuse not to bathe.  They spend the whole movie searching for dry land when it was right there on their faces.  They should have just gotten everyone together and dusted themselves off. Voila!  You'd have a new continent."

"Exactly!  And what's with the freakin' midget with the map on her back? What's that about?"

"You really took this personally."

"I take the movies very seriously, Red.  He bloody well tortured me for three hours and I paid him to do it."

"But 'Dances with Wolves' was good." She sighed.

"Especially Wind in His Hair. I've always been a sucker for tall, dark, and handsome types."

"Oh, really?  Like His Poofiness?"

"That's not the issue."

"Oooh, struck a sore point there."

"Move on, Spike."

"Fine. But the movie was too long, if you ask me.  I got hungry and had to eat a couple of ushers."

"Jeez, they didn't have Snowcaps?"

"I eat 'em for dessert.  Gets rid of that blood aftertaste."

"Ewwww."  She grimaced.

"What?  I'll never understand you humans, even if I live to be as old as my idiot of a sire.  The people at the movie theater were the same way.  They were scared at first but I shushed them and told them to keep on watching the movie.  Then, they got pissed me and started throwing popcorn and Jujee Fruits. But Dru likes those, so that wasn't too bad. They're lucky I didn't kill the lot of them."

"Yeah, well, bloodshed at the movies never goes smoothly." She was anxious to end the death and chaos talk. "But you have to admit, Kevin was great in The Bodyguard.  I mean, with that sword and the scarf!"

"Never figured you for a Kevin Costner groupie. You're not going to start singing that song, are you?  The one by Whitney bloody Houston?"  She gave him a blank look. "You know, the one where she just opens her mouth and aahhhhhh!"  He held his hands to his head. "I will always love you and all that crap."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Willow smothered a grin. "Hum a few bars?  Just to jog my memory."

Spike looked left and then right.   "Okay, coast clear." He let go of her arm and then spread his out wide, aimed at the heavens.  He opened his mouth and began singing in an exaggerated diva voice. "And I.......will always love you!  I will A L W A Y S love you!"  He pressed his hands to his heart and closed his eyes. "I will always, love.....I will always love you!"

A dark figure stepped into the light of street lamp and the mocking sound of faint clapping was heard. "Bravo, William.  I knew there was some of the old poet left in you."

Spike put his arms down and brushed his hands down over his duster. "I was just-"

"Serenading my lover?" Angelus placed a finger near his ear and winced.  "You might want to do something about that tone deafness.  It's guaranteed to drive the ladies away."

"Angelus."   Willow said, putting her hands on her hips. "I have a bone to pick with you."

"Best not to bring up bones."  Spike said, subconsciously putting himself in between Willow and his sire.  He didn't know why but he enjoyed the young redhead and he wanted no harm to come to her.  "He might be hungry."

Willow continued, craning her neck around, over Spike's shoulder.  "You just can't seem to keep that 'lover' business to yourself.  I did manage to  dodge the lecture by Buffy and Giles."

"What can I say?"  His eyes sparkled with mirth.  " I have to shout it from the rooftops. You're mine and you always will be." His eyes slid over her possessively. They flicked to Spike. "Get away from her."

Willow ignored his comments. "She figured out that you lost your soul."

"Way to be stealthy."  Spike commented, trying to grasp at any straw of his dignity he could find. As an afterthought he added. "Poof."

"Shut up, William."  He waved a hand at him dissmissively. "You can go now. Run along to your crazy lady."

"I don't think Red wants me to leave."

"WILLOW doesn't know what she wants." Angelus said, drawing nearer to the couple, his tone menacing.

"She knows she doesn't wanted a leather panted pillock like you telling her what to do."

"Spike, I appreciate the chivalry, but its okay." She met Angelus' fathomless black eyes. "He won't hurt me."

Spike looked from one to the other, he could practically feel the flames  shooting between them. He knew Red was safe, Angelus would never harm her.  "Fine, I'll be going then." He patted his stomach.  "I'm feeling peckish anyway."

Willow and Angelus still had their eyes locked on one another, oblivious to everything but themselves. His lips curled into a sensuous smile. "Are you so sure about that?"

"Completely.  I've never been more certain about anything." Her chin raised a notch.

"Clever girl." His hand reached out to slide over her cheek and lovingly glided down her neck.  He brushed away the hair from her throat. His thumb slid over the jugular, an erratic pulse beat there.  He could see his mark as well as the necklace he gave her.  "Mine."

Her eyes weld up with tears. "Yours."  She pressed her slim white hand over his own and held it to her.  "I missed you."

"I've been here all the time, my sweet.  Just under the surface."

"I could glimpse you every once in a while." A bird chirped in the distance, the black night was beginning to gray.  "We should go. It'll be day soon."

"Okay."  They began walking, hand in hand.  "Are you coming home with me?"

"I'd like to see you try to stop me." He looked down at her, a crooked smile on his face. "You might need to change your sheets, there may be some dirt on them."

She grinned. "Oh, from the pot."

"That hurt."  He rubbed his head with his other hand.

"You deserved it." She glanced up at him, silently daring him to contradict her.

But he didn't, he merely looked stoic.  "So, did you figure out what happened to me at Rupert's house?"

"No, I just found out way too much about his sex life."

He abruptly stopped walking, a murderous anger welling within. "Did he-"

"No, no!  Nothing like that.  I just found a pair of handcuffs and some other....apparel."

Angelus appeared to calm down as he pondered the topic. "He's more interesting than I thought."

"I think he's kinda creepy."

"That's just because you've never tried chains."  He looked down at her wolfishly. "We might have to remedy that."

"I'm going to pretend you didn't say that. I don't know if I want to do anything 'differently'."

He'd demonstrate soon enough. That is, if Soulboy didn't show up to be a buzkill. "We still have to figure out what happened to me."

"Don't worry, I'll get to the bottom of it."

"I'm not worried. I know you will.  And after you put me in permanent control of this body, I'm going to examine all of your spell books.  The spells I don't like, I'm going to rip out of them."

"Not bloody likely." She retorted, doing her best British accent. "Bugger off."

"And you're going to stay away from Spike.  You're beginning to pick up his habits."

"I like Spike."  He looked up sharply, his jaw tightening.

"Oh, please!  Like one vampire around isn't enough trouble.  Besides, he's not even my type."

"Oh, that's right." He grinned. "You like long hair."

"Huh?"

"Wind in His Hair?"

"What?"  Was he speaking in code? " Oh."  She glared. "You eavesdropped!"

"Yes, we vampires have been known to do that."

"That's just. . .just wrong." She blushed.

"I used to have long hair once."  He put his arm to where his shoulder was.  "It was down to there."

"Oh, really?"

"I could let it grow out, you know. If someone wanted me too. You know, someone who thought I'd be even more devastatingly handsome with it."

"Fishing for compliments?"  He glared. "Fine, fine, alright.  I'd like to see you with long hair.  I think it would accentuate those mysterious eyes of yours." He showed an even row of white teeth, pleased with her comment.

"Plus, you'd save a fortune on hair gel!"

He heard a snort of laughter in the distance.  "Spike, I told you to go home!"

There was the sound of feet jogging off into the night. Angelus was flabbergasted." He was eavesdropping!  That was just--"

"Rude?"

"Incredibly."

Willow stood still, regarding him with a calm expression.

"Vampires have been known to do that."  Then she laughed at him and tossed him a saucy little wave before she broke into a run, headed for her home.  "Catch me if you can!" She shouted over her shoulder. Then, she laughed. "You leather panted pillock!"

"Don't worry, my sweet, I will.  And when I do, I'm never going to let you go."

Angelus vowed to himself before he ran after her.  "Unless its to wrap my hands around Spike's throat."

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