Angelus was waiting for her . He was pacing the length of her room with his clothing mussed and his hair tousled, muttering. He looked as if he had ran all the way from the school. Willow walked in regally and appraised him with a cool look. "I think you should leave."

He ran a hand threw his hair, trying to retain his composure. Control his anger. "We need to talk."

"No, you need to talk. I’ve said everything that needs to be said for right now." She walked to the door to the balcony and flung it open. "Leave."

In answer, Angelus moved to the other end of the room to stand behind her fish tank. "I’m not leaving until I know his name."

"Leave!" Willow cried, exasperated.

"Give me his name."

"Get out!"

"Have you forgotten who I am, little girl?" Angelus purred. His tone was menacing and provocative at the same time. When he’d used it before, most humans shuddered. It had the desired effect, she went white but didn’t flinch. Brave girl.

"Haven’t you done enough for one night?" She whispered.

"It was an accident, Willow. Is it my fault she was clumsy?" He ran his hand along the cool surface of the fish tank. He needed to take his anger out on something. Anything but her.

"You went too far." She explained. "Giles is devastated." Willow shook her head, trying to figure a way out of this. "I just know he’s going to ask Buffy to stake you. He’ll order her to!"

Angelus smirked. So, he’d really wounded Giles and Buffy to boot. With almost no effort on his part. Damn, I’m good. . .well, bad. "We’ll wait and see." He really, really hoped they came after him. He’d enjoy killing them both. A Slayer and a Watcher! His vampire street cred would increase tenfold. Watch out, Dracula. The ‘Dark Prince’ didn’t stand a chance. Angelus had a much better wardrobe and plus, no dopy accent.

Willow correctly interpreted his glee. "How can you be happy?" She felt sick to her stomach. "Giles is almost like a father to me and Buffy is my best friend. Miss Calender was my favorite teacher. I know that she tripped, but you practically--"

"Again, not my fault that she tripped. Maybe if she weren’t trying to run in those high heels. . .what is with women and shoes these days?" He pondered this a moment and then stared at Willow who was beginning to fume. Excellent. Anger was much better than tears. "I wasn’t even going to torture her." He sulked.

"Fabulous." She said sarcastically. "You weren’t going to torture an innocent woman. Wow! They should pick you for man of the year."

"Vampire of the year actually." Angelus drawled, taking in her flushed cheeks and glowing eyes. She’d never been more irresistible. "Come here."

"Go to hell." At his surprised look, she went off again. " Yes, hell! Go there. . .you!"

"You missed me today, didn’t you?" His eyes became hooded, burning with need. "I bet you thought about me. Fantasized." He walked around the fish tank, giving it a once over. You got lucky tonight, fish.

"Fantasies?" She whispered. The conversation was taking a new turn. "No, I don’t have any of those.

"Sure you do. Tell me one of your fantasies." He continued to advance on her.

She held her ground. "I’m not talking to you about that. The last thing on my mind is sex!" By now he was looming over her.

"I doubt that." He brushed her lips with his own. "I get to you."

"No. . .no. . . you don’t. You really don’t" She said, taking a deep breath. She was desperately trying to ignore his nearness.

"Then this doesn’t bother you?" He leaned over and kissed the bite mark on her neck and she felt her knees start to buckle. He caught her.

"N-no."

"What about this?" He traced the curve of her ear with his skillful tongue and bit down gently.

Breath hissed out from between her clenched teeth. "No."

Then his mouth claimed hers and he pulled her off her feet. Angelus clutched her to his chest as he kissed her senseless. She clung to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. When it was over her he held her close to his chest, her feet still dangling in the air. "Tell me his name."

That sobered her. "Ugh! Now you bring this up again?"

He pulled her back to look at him. "Tell me!"

"Alright, that’s it." She smacked his chest. "Let me go!" He did so, making sure she could feel every inch of him as he slid her down his body onto her own two feet. "Get out!"

"No, I’m not going anywhere."

"Fine. If you won’t leave, I will." Before he could react, she had swept out the door into the hallway. As she opened the door, it slammed into another person.

"Ow!"

"Oh, I’m sorry!" Willow cried. "Buffy? What are you doing here?"

"Hi, Willow." She pressed a hand to her throbbing forehead. It just stung, she hardly ever bruised. "Being in pain, mostly."

"I’m so sorry!" Then she thought of something. She turned around and gave Angelus a truly wicked grin. "Come on in!"

He narrowed his eyes and ran for the door. She saw him leap off the balcony. Buffy made her way around the young hacker and settled herself on the bed. "Actually, I’m here because of Giles."

Willow was serious once more." How is he?"

"Angry, Willow. He wants to kill Angel."

She nodded. "Did he order you to–"

"No, he would never do that. I offered." Two teardrops fell onto her cheek.

"You offered to kill him? Oh, Buffy!" She pulled the Slayer into her arms.

It was if the flood gates were released. "I have to, Wills. I have to! It’s my job. What I was born to do. And he’s so. . .so awful. He kills, I know he does. Every night. He likes the killing, the torture and the blood." She sobbed on Willow’s shoulder. " He’s not my Angel anymore. My Angel is dead and I’m never going to get him back."

Willow rubbed her best friend’s back and murmured nonsensical soothing phrases. "W-when?"

"Tonight. I can’t put this off, I just want to do it and get it over with." She pointed to the heavy weapons bag which was just outside Willow’s door. "Giles is going to meet me at the factory they’re hiding out in."

Willow was starting to panic. No! She couldn’t kill Angelus! "Are you sure this is the right thing?"

Buffy scrubbed her face with her hands, trying to retain some composure. "I’m sure." She stood up and patted down her clothes. "I’ll go . . kill him. Then, I can mourn Angel." She took a deep breath. "And go on with my life."

"But Buffy–"

"I fine, Wills." She pulled her friend into a hug. "I just needed to tell someone. I really should go. The sooner this thing is over with, the better."

"Buffy–"

"Goodnight, Willow." The Slayer was already lugging her bag down the hall and out the front door.

"Dammit!" Willow cried, running her hand through her hair. She couldn’t warn Angelus, he would ambush Buffy and Giles and kill them both. She couldn’t let him die either. He might be a soulless demon, but he cared for her. Loved her. And she returned those feelings, she refused to let him die. Then, she knew. There was only one solution. With precision, Willow began laying out the contents of Miss Calender’s knapsack.

"Hello, Buff. What a surprise." Angelus called, walking down the stairs. "It is customary to call before coming to someone’s house."

"Yeah, well, I couldn’t remember your number." She took out a stake. "I did remember to get you a housewarming gift though."

"I see you brought your old man, too. ‘Fraid to be alone with me?" Angelus stubbed out his cigarette on the wall.

Giles pulled a broad sword from the duffel bag. "Actually, she thought your company would be rather boring."

"Enough with the small talk. It’s time to get dusty." Buffy said. She began to circle him, stake in hand.

"Fine. I’m a feeling little hungry, Slayer’s blood might hit the spot."

Willow knelt on the floor in front of the Orb of Thessula. A tray of animal bones and candles held the orb, it was accompanied by two braziers full of burning herbs. It was time to begin the ritual, she prayed that she was in time. "Goodbye, Angelus." She murmured. Then, she began. "Not dead, nor not of the living. . ."

Buffy kicked Angelus in the chest, but he grabbed her ankle and twisted it, sending her to the floor. He was about to jump on her when she flipped up and was once more on her feet. They circled each other once more.

"Gods, bind him, cast his heart from the demon. . . realm. . .return his. . ." Willow faltered. She felt so strange. Like she wasn’t alone in her own body. "I call on. . . I. . ." Her whole body tensed and it was as if something or someone snatched her. Took hold of her and was speaking through her body. "Te implor Doamne, nu ignora accasta rugaminte! Lasa orbita sa fie vasul care-I va transporta sufletul la el!" Willow was no longer herself, she was speaking another language yet it didn’t feel foreign to her now. Somewhere deep inside herself, she watched in awe as the spell was performed. " Este scris, aceasta putere este dreptul poporuil meu de a conduce. . " The globe began to glow.

"You’re looking mighty tired, Buff. You need a break?"

"I’m just fine, lover." She smiled nastily at him. "I’ll be even better when I’m sweeping your dirt off my sneakers."

"Funny, I’m not the one who’s tired here." He punched her in the jaw and sent her flying.

"Asa sa fie! Acum!" The orb disappeared. Willow gasped for breath as the presence released her.

Angelus’ eyes began to glow with a brilliant light. "Ahhh!" He hit his knees as the pain ripped through him. Angel’s consciousness emerged. "B-Buffy?" Tears began to flow down his face. "Where am I? What’s going on?"

"Angel?" Buffy gasped, afraid to believe. "Angel?"

"It’s me." He noticed a small bruise on her cheek. "You’re hurt." He reached out to brush her cheek but she withdrew. " I feel like I’ve been away for so long. Everything’s a blur." She flung herself into his arms and he held her tight.

"It is you! Oh, Angel. I love you. I love you." She pressed his kissed to his cheek, his forehead, his mouth.

Giles watched from the corner of the room. He was touched by their reunion . . .the emotion. . .the pain. But bitter. It almost choked him, the rage building inside him. There would be no tearful admissions of love for him. Jenny was gone, taken by this man. . .this monster before him. It might have been kinder in the long run to kill him. Angel had a lot to answer for.

Across town, Willow climbed into bed. She flicked off the lights and stared up into the darkness. She was clad in Angelus’ shirt once more, his scent surrounded her. "I love you." She said to the dark empty cavern of her room. She hadn’t been able to save Angelus but she had saved his body. At least Buffy and Angel would be happy. She pressed her nose to the sleeve and the tears began to flow freely. She stared sightlessly at the wall.

A calender on that wall reflected the date and the stage of the moon. The new moon had begun that day.
 

~Part 7~

Willow inspected herself in the bathroom mirror. The tear tracks were hardly noticeable now. She bent down and splashed some cool water on her cheeks and took a deep breath. The first Scooby meeting since Angel had gotten back his soul would be tonight. She needed to compose herself before she faced Buffy and the others. She didn’t want to break down in front of them and then have to lie to cover up her emotions. She hated lying to them, she’d done enough of that to last her a lifetime.

She smoothed her red tresses back, tucking them behind her ears and took deep, calming breaths. Since she’d resouled Angel she hadn’t seen him, it had been two days. Truthfully, they never had much contact before he lost his soul so things were already going back to normal.

Besides, she didn’t want to see him now. She could only begin to imagine his horror and disgust with her after he remembered how she had behaved with his soulless counterpart. Not that she was afraid of running into him at the meeting. Giles and Xander had made it absolutely clear that they held Angel responsible for the acts Angelus had committed. She new he wouldn’t be welcome there.

No, what she was afraid of was Buffy’s reaction. She hadn’t heard from the Slayer either, which usually meant that she was with Angel. She didn’t think she could bare to see Buffy bound in the room filled with enthusiasm for Angel’s return, her boyfriend’s reappearance. Yet she also could stand to see Buffy still angry at Angel, punishing him for the things his demon had done. Willow couldn’t win either way.

For all intents and purposes Willow and Buffy had fallen for the same guy. The major problem was that they shared one body. Willow knew that she had loved -- was in love with Angel’s darker half. She looked at her wan face was once more. "You can do this, Rosenberg. You have to." She exited the bathroom.

Giles was lost in his own conjecture. "Perhaps he spontaneously regained his soul. The curse was merely interrupted by some force."

"I really don’t care whether he has a soul or not." Xander said, his dark eyes looked fierce. "Angel’s still a vampire and he tried to kill all of us! He did kill Miss Calender. We should kill him."

"This isn’t your decision, Xander." Buffy said quietly. "It’s mine. I’m the Chosen One."

"Who just happens to be the killer’s boyfriend." The young man said sarcastically.

"What’s with all this Chosen One stuff all of a sudden? Before, you wanted to be Miss Normal." Cordelia contributed. "Somebody has a god complex."

"Enough." Giles said. His tone precluded any arguments. "Buffy must decide this on her own."

Willow was worried. So far she hadn’t said a word, didn’t want to draw their suspicions. Buffy was contemplating killing Angel again? She had to stop this. "I resouled Angel."

"You resouled Angel?" Giles asked incredulously. "How?"

"Uh, Miss Calender’s notes." Willow grasped the knapsack and handed it to him.

He fumbled with the zipper but finally got it open. Inside, written in the Gypsy’s own hand was the curse. "Jenny." Giles whispered softly. She had saved them. He viciously tamped down on his emotions. He had work to do, this was no time to break down. "And you, uh, performed the ritual?"

"Yes. Miss Calender told me she was working on it. She didn’t want anyone else to know, didn’t want your hopes to be dashed if she failed. I was. . .worried about you and Buffy. I wanted to do it. . .just in case. " Another lie. The main reason she had performed the spell was to preserve Angelus’ body. She believed Buffy and Giles to be more than a match for Angelus.

"I see." Giles read over the spell carefully. "Willow, this was risky. You may have inadvertently opened a door inside yourself. Once you’ve let magick flow through you--"

"I knew the risks. I’ve asked Miss Calender about it often enough. I wanted her to train me in witchcraft."

Buffy had remained curiously silent during the discussion. Giles concluded the meeting and they all went there separate ways. The Watcher went into his office with Jenny’s knapsack, presumably he needed some time alone. Xander and Cordelia went out to her car, they were going to take in a flick. Buffy offered to walk her home, then the Slayer was off to patrol. They walked in silence for a block until the Slayer was ready to speak.

"You. . .you did that? You restored his soul ?" Buffy was awed.

"Yes."

"Oh, Willow. And you were keeping this to yourself! Giles and I were wondering. . .were you worried that I would be angry?" She faced her best friend and then embraced her."I’m not. You can’t imagine how. . ." She pulled back and kissed her cheek. "Thank you. You’re a good friend."

I didn’t do it for you, not completely. Well, at least my thoughts are completely truthful. Thank God Buffy wasn’t a mind reader. "You’re welcome."

" I know that I can’t. . .be with Angel." Buffy appeared to be lost in thought. "I didn’t want him to die though. I can have him as a friend. . .he can still be in my life somehow."

"Yes, he can still be in your life now." Willow said sadly. But Angelus could never be in her life. They finished the walk to her house without uttering another word.

That night, Willow was idly surfing the net. She looked at nothing in particular. She just went from site to site following links, paying little attention to the contents of the sites she visited. She was searching for a distraction. Seeking a net-induced oblivion. There was a peck at her glass.

She went to the doors and saw Angel standing there. He opened the door and leaned against it. "Willow, can I–"

"Of course." Angelus would have just walked right in like he owned the place. He didn’t lurk like Angel. She moved out of his way and he entered, looking around the room.

"I need to talk to you." He said, his hands were in his coat pocket. He looked distinctly uncomfortable. Angel looked at her bed and then at the desk chair and then at the floor. He was searching for someplace to sit. Someplace safe. Clearly, being around her made him nervous.

"Have a seat." She said, indicating the chair and ending his indecision.

Angel sat down carefully. She sat on the end of the bed, looking at her lap. "Willow, I ‘m not sure how to say this. I’m sor–"

She held up one slender white hand."Don’t apologize." She didn’t want to hear him do that. Willow treasured the memories of Angelus teasing her, laughing with her, making love to her. . .she didn’t want to hear Angel’s regrets about it.

"I raped you." Angel whispered, putting his head in his hands.

What? "No, you didn’t. . .he didn’t either." Willow said, she went over and dropped to her knees in front of him. "I wanted. . .I wanted him make love to me." She gently squeezed his arm, trying to take away his pain.

Angel met her eyes. "He’s so much more experienced than you, Willow. You didn’t stand a chance against him. He tricked you, gained entrance to your bedroom. He can be charming when he wants something and he wanted you. He seduced you."

"I didn’t want to stand a chance, Angel. I wanted him. Why don’t you understand that? You have nothing to feel guilty about." She took on of his cool hands in her own. So much like Angelus. She couldn’t’ help herself. The same hands. Cool, white marble-like skin that she. . . She dropped his hand quickly.

"But I do."

"What?" Then she saw the guilty look on his face. "Buffy."

"Yes, Buffy." He agreed. "I betrayed her. Not just with you, with Drusilla too."

"Oh." Willow felt tears sting her eyes. "He was . . .with Drusilla and with me at the same time."

"No." Angel cupped her chin and forced her to look at him. "Once he met you, he didn’t want anything to do with her."

Willow tried to hide the pleasure that brought her. Angel couldn’t deal with that now. "You aren’t responsible for his actions, Angel."

"Buffy thinks I am, I feel like I am.."

"I don’t." It was that simple.

He caressed her cheek, unconsciously. He had every one of Angelus’ memories. They were like complex images, complete with technicolor, sound, and even taste. God help me, the taste of her. . . He shuddered. "You don’t hate me? The others–"

"I know how they feel about you. I don’t hate you, how could I?" He ducked his head. "Angel, do you know how many time you’ve saved my life? All of our lives? And more than that, I know that you aren’t Angelus." A single tear drifted down his cheek. "You’re nothing like him." Willow tried to keep the wistfulness out of her voice.

"You wish I was him, don’t you?" Angel said quietly.

Yes. In my more selfish moments. "No. Yes and no. Part of me wishes he were here. I can’t help that. But I also know how good you are, how you help people. And Buffy needs you."

"But you don’t?" Angel said. He wouldn’t look her in the eye.

"Well, no." He was making her very uncomfortable. Why did he care about that?

Angel stood suddenly. She was still on the floor as she watched him walk to the door. He paused, holding the doorknob and turned to look at her. "He did love you, If it helps. He loved you more than any other woman he has ever known." And then he was gone.

Willow stood up, still staring at the empty space he had occupied. "How strange was that?"

That night, Angel paced the floor of the mansion. He had moved there directly after becoming resouled. There wasn't much left for him at the factory anyway. Spike and Dru had left shortly after his battle with the Slayer. They were probably in Mexico by now. He had thrown away most of Angelus’ possessions, preferring his own items. He wanted no reminders of this time in his unlife. He had also burned every pair of leather pants his demonic self had purchased.

Angel was restless. He grabbed his coat up and went walking once more. He was playing his conversation with Willow in his mind over and over again. For some reason, when he saw her now, he saw her through Angelus’ eyes. She was so beautiful and innocent and trusting. No wonder the demon wanted her. Why hadn’t he, Angel, ever noticed her before?

Suddenly, he recognized where he was.  The Summers' House. He watched the light go off in Buffy’s bedroom. She had survived another night as a Slayer and so had he. He closed his eyes, he truly didn’t know what to make of his relationship with the young woman anymore. He had hurt her so much.

He still didn’t know why he was back. What his purpose was. The myriad possibilities made him uneasy. Before his soul had been ripped away he knew with utter certainty where his future lie. With Buffy. He’d help the Slayer, stand by her side and defend the world from demons and vampires. Angel had always planned to walk into the sun the day she died. But he wasn’t her lover, not anymore. He couldn’t be. Nor could he imagine a friendship with her. It was frustrating and confusing to him. And here he stood on the sidewalk looking up at her window like some lovesick swain.

Angel walked away, heading into the shadows once more. He didn’t deserve Buffy. He never did. She had so little time on this plain of existence, she shouldn’t waste it on a monster like him. Yes, Angel had come to terms with the truth. He was a monster, there was more Angelus in him than he was comfortable with, despite what Willow said.

But Willow accepted that part of him. She even fancied herself in love with the demon. He couldn’t help but be intrigued. She had come up close and personal with his deepest darkest secrets and she wasn’t afraid of him. Wasn’t disgusted. It was a heady feeling to know that someone else could accept him, fangs and all. There was more to Willow Rosenberg then met the eye. He intended to find out more about her.

He looked up at the bit of sparkling moon in the sky. Maybe it was time to get to know her better.
 

~Part 8~

Angel shadowed her movements, silent in the stillness of the night. He watched her fluidity of movement, admired the innate grace of her stride. She was fierce, powerful. Like a mythical Amazon come to life. Two vampires approached her from behind. He tensed, ready to run in to help and reveal his presence. But he was too slow. She slammed her stake through one’s chest and efficiently beheaded the other with his own ax. She dispatched them in mere seconds, their dust blew in the breeze, flying around her blond mane of hair. She didn’t need him to fight with her. . .for her. . .she didn’t need him for anything. He’d better get used to that.

With one last look, he turned around and made his way towards Willow’s house. He felt the urge to speak with her once more. Her gentle demeanor and genuineness had imperceptibly lightened his soul during their talk. Last night’s talk had proven worthwhile, though awkward at times. After having been a social creature for a couple of years now, he found that he craved human companionship. Willow was the only person he could speak to in the whole world and she was an engaging companion.

He pecked on her glass once more. She looked up and saw him, her eyes grew warm and a smile creeped into her expression. Angel tilted his head to the side, charmed by the change in her features, the light in those snapping green eyes. Then the light went out. She remembered he wasn’t Angelus. Wasn’t her demon lover. Angel suddenly had a desperate urge to see her light up when she saw him, not his demonic other half. Madness. "Can I come in, Willow?"

"Please do." She said, walking over to the door.

He let himself in and then walked over to where she had been typing on the computer. She quickly closed out the screen she had been looking at. "What’s that?"

"Nothing." She said immediately. Then she flushed. "Something for school, no big deal." She took a sip from her water bottle. "What brings you here?"

"Do I need a reason?"

"No, I guess not." She smiled at him tentatively.

"Are you allowed to have boys in your room now?"

She laughed. "It’s nice to see you, Angel."

"It’s nice to see you too, Willow." He sat on the edge of her bed. "Why didn’t we do this more often before. . .?"

"Yeah, before." She bit her lip, thinking a moment. It was a typical Willow response. She often mulled over what she was about to say, chose her words carefully. "I don’t know why we didn’t. Maybe we just lived in different worlds."

He looked miserable again. "I used to be with Buffy."

"Yeah, that was probably it."

"She hasn’t even talked to me since the night I came back. Hasn’t even come by."

"Have you gone to see her?"

"No."

She rolled her eyes. Men. "She’s probably wanting to follow your lead on this."

"Should I go see her?"

"Uh, I’m thinking yes. You can’t avoid this any longer, Angel."

"I can’t be her friend. Just her friend."

"You can and you will." She said sharply. Dammit, I brought him back to be with her and he will! "I brought you back so that you two could–" She turned away, fighting back a sob.

"You have that kind of power?" He stared at her. "You’re not even a gypsy."

"I’m a witch." She lifted her chin. "Or I will be, after I study for a while. What’s the matter? Surprised little predictable Willow could defeat Angelus." She smiled bitterly. "Wasn’t as hard as you would think."

Hmmm. . .a backbone of steel in this otherwise gentle young woman. He filed that bit of information away, while searching for a way to change the subject to something less emotional. "Can I help you with your school project?" He said, pointing to the screen.

She blushed that adorable shade of red again. "No. I don’t need a tutor."

"You let Angelus help you with a project." Did he just sound like a jealous beau?

"You’re not Angelus." Willow said, raising her eyebrows.

"So you keep telling me."

"Come on, Angel. Don’t be that way." Willow soothed. "Tell you what, why don’t we get some coffee? Or can you--"

"I can, I like coffee actually."

"The Expresso Pump it is." She saved the file, before he could read more than the title over her shoulder. A Demon’s Touch? Must be a horror novel.

"That’s one tall mocha and one grande French roast, please." Angel said to the cashier. Willow automatically pulled out her wallet from her coat but the vampire shook his head. "My treat."

She smiled. "Thanks." The man brought over their drinks and they took a corner booth. Angel looked at the other customers surreptitiously. Large groups of people always upset him. People in general did that, too.

Willow was happily sipping her mocha, enjoying the fusion of fine coffee and sweet chocolate. Angel watched her curiously. Humans were so hung up on food, he’d really forgotten what that felt like. It was such a simple pleasure, one of many he had unwittingly forfeited to become a vampire. Food hadn’t tasted the same since he’d become a creature of the night, his taste buds preferred liquid fare now. "Taste good?"

"Really good." She smiled. "Oz brought me one from her the other morning. chocolate chip muffins too."

"Oz, yes. I noticed that two of you are close."

Still engrossed in her mocha, Willow didn’t bother to look up before she answered him. "Uh-huh, I guess so. We’re friends."

Angel’s nostrils flared and his eyes glittered. "And how friendly have you two been?"

Willow’s mouth fell open at his tone. "That is none of your business, is it?"

"If you say so. " His lips seamed into a thin line, they were white around the edges. "Just let me. . .he’s not good enough for you, Willow. You deserve better."

She gave an unladylike snort. "Like who?"

Like me. Where the hell did that come from? Angelus abruptly stood. "I have to go." He reached into his pocket and withdrew a handful of coins that he spread on the table. In a matter of seconds he was out the door.

"Was it something I said?" Willow said, staring at the empty place across from her.

"Angel?" The vampire whirled to see Buffy standing by the hearth. She had her arms wrapped around her body.

"Buffy, hello." He faltered for a moment. "Are you cold?"

"Yes." She shivered slightly. "I was just stopping by to . . . I was on patrol . . .I was about to le–"

"Buffy, you don’t have to make excuses." He burrowed his hands into his coat pocket and turned to face the empty hearth. A chill wind stirred the ashes.

"I wasn’t." A thought occurred to her. "Where were you?"

"I just stepped out for a minute." He shrugged, trying to appear casual.

"Try an hour." He started to protest. "Angel, don’t lie to me." She looked at him in disbelief. "I’ve been here for a good hour."

"I–I was with Willow." A voice in his head chuckled, unnerving him. In more ways than one. "I just wanted to thank her, for bringing me back."

Buffy waited for the surge of jealousy. None came. "Oh. How was she?"

"Good." His eyes darkened as he thought of her pleased tone of voice when she mentioned Oz. "I guess."

"Angel? Are you ok?" She stepped toward him, placing a hand on his arm. He looked at her upturned face. Buffy. The Slayer. The love of his life. He laughed inwardly. He hadn’t felt anything besides pain and anger since he had gotten back. His soul remembered feeling normal in her presence . . .happy. Willow’s words came back to him. I brought you back so you two could– Maybe he should try to find what he had before. Maybe his conflicting emotions toward Willow were the last traces of Angelus’s influence and it would all soon be gone.

He cupped Buffy’s face with his hand. "Buffy." He muttered low in his throat. Her eyes were filling up with tears. "Don’t cry, my love."

"Angel, I just . . ." She shook her head helplessly. A part of her wanted to touch him, hold him, hide from the pain in his arms. Another part of her saw image after image of what he had done. . .what he could do if they touched again. A moment of blind passion.

He lowered his head to brush his lips with hers. It felt like kissing a steel statue. Cold. Immobile. Frozen. His mind flashed with images of Willow, her heat, her passion, her fire, her magick. He deepened the kiss, trying to block Willow from his mind, trying to find Buffy, his savior, his warrior for good, his purpose for existing, in his heart. She just wasn’t there anymore. He would still fight on her side. His purpose was to atone for his misdeeds, and now he had more than ever. But whatever spark that had been there had died out. The embers as cold as the hearth they stood in front of.

Buffy tried to enjoy his kiss. Tried to rejoice in the return of her lover, in the sanctuary of his embrace. But her watcher’s broken hearted face kept replaying in her mind. She saw Jenny’s twisted body. Xander full of unexpressed anger. The quiet hurt in Willow’s subdues visage. She saw Angelus laughing as he fought her on a dark street. She saw everyone but the Angel she had loved.

They sprang apart at the same time, their looks mirroring each other, full of regret, pain and hurt. They knew, without speaking that it was over. They could fight side by side, they could be friends, but they would never again be lovers. And the scariest part, for both of them, was that it didn’t seem to matter as much as it should have. But they realized that some things couldn’t be undone.

Angel’s hand dropped from her cheek. "Buffy, I’m sorry."

"Me, too." She looked down. She needed to get out of here. "Look, I have to finish patrol."

Angel nodded, feeling defeated, yet relieved that she was leaving at the same time. "Yeah, you should go."

She leaned up and pressed her closed mouth to his. "I’ll see you around." He nodded in agreement and watched as she strode quickly outside, to do what it was that a slayer did. Kill demons. He stood, wrestling with his own inner version. She never looked back.

Moonlight filtered through the flimsy curtain, it bathed her in an ethereal glow. She sighed in her sleep, clinging to her pillow. Angel sat down at her side, the bed dipped under his weight. She was the only thing he had left in this world. A small young woman who had restored his humanity. His new savior. Rescuing him from an eternity in God knows where demons end up when they become ashes. "Thank you, little one. Good night." He ran his hand over her sleek red hair and pressed a kiss to unlined brow. Angel walked to the door and let himself out.

"Good night, Angelus." Willow mumbled, still in the dreamworld.
 

~Part 9~

"Willow." Oz nodded, hiding a slight smile as she slid into his van. She looked forward to their morning time together. He was soothing, really. He merely talked about something seemingly inconsequential. They would discuss music or school and he would subtly work in some jokes and make her laugh. It was good to have another male friend.

Though, she suspected that Oz might have some feelings for her that went deeper. But he didn’t push, so she was free to have fun while she was with him without any strings attached. He probably had no idea that she needed that so much. She’d hate to see something happen to him. "You’re sure you want to go to the Slayerettes meeting?"

"Not so sure I wanna be called an ‘ette’ anything, but yeah I need to go."

"Need to?" She said, turning to him.

He pulled in the school parking lot. "Yeah." He sighed, thinking for a minute. "I know that all these weird things happen here. Now that I do. . .I have to do something. I can’t put the blinders back on. I want to help."

"I know exactly what you mean." He grinned at her and she grabbed up her book bag, ready to face another day at Sunnydale High.

"Try it again. Willow, like poetry? I know a place where they’ve got it. No, no. Casual. Be casual. So, Willow, I was wondering if you’d like to go to a poetry reading. I was just in the neigh- She’ll see through that. I just ‘happened’ to be on your balcony." He ran a hand through his hair. "Would you like to go to a poetry reading? Yeah, that’s good. I’ll use that one. " Angel dusted off his coat, searching for imaginary lint and walked out the door.

Willow wearily laid down on her bed. She kicked off her shoes and threw an arm over her eyes. There was a new demon in town and she had spent an hour researching with Giles. Willow had been pleased to see that Oz had fit right into their group again. He had performed a metasearch on the web with her for information about the demon. He was proving to be a valuable member of the team.

There was a pecking at the glass again. Angel. She pasted a bright smile on her face, ignoring the faint stab of pain. It was never Angelus. "Hey there. Did you hear about Ziqrux?"

"Huh?" He shook his head. "No. Who’s that?"

"Demon."

"Oh. Dangerous?"

"Yep. Buffy’s looking for him." She smiled. "Actually, she’s patrolling in the Sunnydale Cemetery #21 if you want to go with." The cemeteries were so numerous that they had been numbered for easy reference, like streets.

"No. Actually I came here to see you."

"Okay." She moved aside and he sat down on the edge of her bed, looking uneasy. "What’s up?"

"I want you to go out with me." Her eyes got big. "To a place! Yes, I want you to go with me to a place."

She relaxed. "What kind of place?"

Angel groaned inwardly. What the hell was it called again? How can I concentrate when she’s looking at me like that? Glowing green eyes and that adorable wrinkle of concentration in between her brows. Angel tried to compose himself. He’d had years of practice at this when he was a mortal. There wasn’t a woman in the village under a reasonable age that he hadn’t ‘dated’. And Angelus was always a charming devil. "Uh, it’s dark there, people wear black and are depressed."

"A funeral parlor?" He wanted to take her to a funeral home. Ewww. Oh, this was a working visit. Not coffee. It was probably to stake some random vamp. "Staking some vamps, right?" She closed her eyes, getting it. He thinks I’m his girl Friday without the sexual overtones since he’s still trying to patch things up with Buffy, he wants a friend to fight demons with. She really didn’t need to be Angel’s sidekick.

"No! A poetry reading."

"A vampire poetry reading?"

"No, no vampires other than me are involved."

"Um, sure." This sounds like a date. Nah. . .this is Angel. " That sounds...fun."

"You don’t have to go if you don’t want to." But I really need you right now. Can’t be alone. Say yes. Please?

"Yes."

YES! Wait a minute, why am I so worked up about this? "Great. It starts in around an hour. Would you like to go for coffee?"

"Yep. I should warn you, I never turn down a mocha so if you keep asking you’re doomed to go with me to the coffee house."

He filed that information away and made a sweeping gesture with his arm to the door. "After you." A voice in his head chuckled. You’re ‘after her’ alright.

She sat next to Angel at a small table in a darkened smoky room. It was cozy, like being curled up in her grandma’s attic while reading. Only it was less smoky there. The poets were edgy, talking about social issues. Crime, racism, sexism, and other weighty topics. She noticed that Angel seemed to be weighing their words, searching for something in them. Poetry was so personal, maybe he was seeking some answers about life.

When it was finished, he escorted her through the park. Sunnydale’s botanical gardens weren’t that spectacular but they appeared more beautiful in the darkened shadows of night. Maybe it was being with him. He made her feel so safe, she knew that nothing would hurt her while he was around. Angel kind of had that effect on women, he was a protector.

He took her hand in his and they walked that way for a while. They reached a small courtyard and he stepped into a patch of silvery moonlight. Angel seemed to absorb the light, bask in it. He relinquished her hand and tilted his head back and lifted his arms, like he was offering himself to the moon. There was something about him. . .his stance, the confidence. "I feel different."

Willow’s breath caught and her heart speeded up. "In what way?"

Angel rolled his head in her direction, arms still raised. He slid his eyes up and down her body like he knew what she looked like without her clothes. "Released, little one."

That’s because he does know what you look like without your clothes! She gulped. Wait a second. . .did he just say. . .? "Little one?" Angelus’ name for her.

Angel blinked. He seemed shocked by his own position. The words he had just spoken. He put his arms down and stared at her. "What. . .what just happened?"

"I don’t know. Has it ever happened before?"

"No." He shook his head, mentally evaluating his own behavior. "Probably nothing. I’ve been dealing with some stuff lately. Buffy and I. . .broke up."

"Oh no!" I released you so that you two could be together again and you both keep screwing it up. What do I have to do? Draw the two of you illustrations?

"It’s okay. It had to be done, Willow. We couldn’t repair the damage."

"I’m so sorry." She squeezed his arm. "It’ll blow over. You two have that big, forever kind of soulmate love. I know you can’t. . .but there might be a spell to fix that."

"It’s alright." Angel sighed, not wanting to drudge up those issues just now. Sooner or later Willow would accept it, he had. He took her hand again. "Let’s get you home."

Why isn’t he going home? He’s sitting on my bed, watching the television. So very unAngelike. He should be in a dark corner somewhere surrounded by candles with his shirt off, reading Dante’s Inferno or something. He was freaking her out. First the poetry date thingy, then the moon bath, he’d broken up with Buffy, and he was watching Animal Planet. "Put that rattlesnake down, you nitwit!" Now, he was talking to the television.

"That’s Steve Irwin." She sat down beside him at a discrete distance away. "I think he’s kinda brave." She offered.

"Brave? He’s an idiot." he scoffed. "I’d like to see him face down a cadre of vampires. Or what about a Lunz demon? He’d runaway screaming. . .like Xander."

"Hey! Xander’s brave but he’s realistic. And no, I think Steve would probably jump on top of them and make them mad." She giggled. "Can you picture him running around the cemeteries with a film crew, picking up some poor demons?" She did her best Aussie accent. "By crikey! He’s a grumpy one. What a beauty! Don’t try this at home folks, these are man eaters."

Angel laughed despite himself. He schooled his features into their trademark deadpan expression. "We could call him and have a Sunnydale special episode. Live from the Hellmouth."

"Angel!"

"What?"

"You made a funny!" She playfully smacked his arm. "I thought you were too broody to make jokes."

"I have a sense of humor." He sniffed.

"Yes, but I’ve never heard you be funny. Those are two totally different things."

"You don’t know me that well."

"I know. But I’m getting the chance to now, right?"

"Right."

"That’s settled then." She rubbed her stomach. "I’m hungry, I’m gonna get us some popcorn." He raised an eyebrow. "See, that was funny too. It’ll be for me, but it makes me feel better to say for we. I’m a good hostess that way."

He laughed again. Then, as soon as she was out the door he dove for the computer. His curiosity had gotten the better of him and he couldn’t resist. His mind had been coming up with all sorts of thoughts on a what "A Demon’s Touch" could be about. He said softly. Luckily, it was still open on the desktop, just minimized. If he had to actually had to turn the computer on and find a file he’d be in trouble. Just click the grey box with the rat and voila!

Angel kept one ear on Willow’s movements downstairs, he could hear her heartbeat, the beeping of the microwave as it accepted the time she put in. He scanned through the words. She was writing a story. . .for English class? She was writing about a character named Cypress who was having an affair with a demon named Seraph. Or should I say Willow and Angelus? Angel faltered, unsure if he wanted to read more. Did he really want to know what she truly thought of his demon? He knew that she had professed acceptance, but Willow had a way of saying whatever a person wanted to her and thinking what she pleased. He listened carefully to her movements downstairs, he could still here her puttering around in the kitchen. The phone rang and she answered, saying a greeting to Xander. Good, he’d have time. That stupid boy could talk about nothing for hours. At least it wasn’t Oz. He steeled himself, put away his regrets about reading her private thoughts, and plunged into the story.

From ‘A Demon’s Touch’. . .

She walked towards him, red hair fanning around her face like a curtain of silk. Seraph pressed a single cool finger to her lips before he captured them with his possessive mouth. "You look beautiful tonight, little one."

Willow should hear that more often. She was a lovely young woman but was yet unaware of her own beauty. Well, at least until Angelus had pointed it out.

He cupped her silky peaks of pleasure and rubbed them gently. Cypress ran her hands down his well sculpted chest, admiring the symmetry of his masculine form. He was a handsome man, so handsome that he almost took her breath at time.

Angel smiled wickedly. Willow thought he was a hottie, well his body at least.

His large hands covered her own and brought them down his abdomen. And then lower. Cypress’ eyes widened at the sight of Seraph’s love stick.

Angel blinked. Love stick? Some sort of a ritual wand? No. . .that didn’t fit within the text. Why, she means mine, er, his. . .

He heard her footsteps coming up the stairs. Angel lifted his hand from the keyboard, minimized the file, and jumped back on the bed. He tucked his hands behind his head and tried to be appear casual as she appeared in the doorway. "Steve’s doing something dangerous. He just picked up a–" He stared a moment at the television. "Actually, he’s off the air. It’s those animal vets now."

"Uh huh." She had a steaming bowl of popcorn and some cola cans for both of them. "I brought you some pop too. I figured that caffeine was caffeine. Do you drink it?"

"Yeah, I’ve had Coca-Cola before." He chuckled a little. "Funny story actually. I had my first taste just after it was invented." She looked at him curiously, trying to gauge his erratic mood. He looked shifty. And jumpy . He didn’t even have any stimulant laden beverages yet. "But I’ll tell you later. Hey, did you know the first Cokes had cocaine in them?"

"Yes." She pursed her lips. "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing. Nothing. Not a thing. No. I have to go." He stood up and made a beeline for the door. "Night, Willow." He called.

Willow set down the pops and her corn. "Why is he always running out on me?" She stuck out a hand and breathed, batting the scent back to her nostrils. "My breath doesn’t smell."

Angel lay in bed, Willow’s words were floating around in his mind. He was trying to identify what he felt. Then it hit him. Jealousy. Plain and simple. He was jealous of, for all intents and purposes, himself. It had been his body that had given Willow her first taste of passion but he hadn’t actually been there. God help him, he did wish it had been.

Her ‘story’ moved him, made him want to fulfill some of those girlish romantic notions and ideals and teach her true desire. Angel realized that she was discovering herself and what she was like a sensual, sexual being. Angelus wanted her and took her, he had awakened her slumbering sexuality. But he wasn’t here to deal with consequences, help her handle with the experience. She was all alone in this. . .because of him.

Angel rolled over. True, he had taken Buffy’s virginity. But she was a strong young woman. A warrior fighting the good fight. She’d been able to deal with Angelus and put the whole ordeal behind him. She didn’t need him. Willow did.

This was more fallout from Angelus’ ‘visit’ to the Hellmouth. But this was something he could correct. He told himself that he was only willing to do this because it was right and necessary. It had to be done. He wasn’t about to let Willow seek to fulfill these cravings with some untried boy like Oz. No, he was going to be the one who would teach her about making love. Help her appreciate her own body and her mind. Mold her into the amazing young woman she was becoming.
 

~Part 10~

Angel walked down main street. It was just after midnight and the place was deserted. It was his favorite time of the night. There was a lull in demon activity and the human traffic was also at a low point. It allowed him to collect his thoughts. He had a song stuck in his head as he gazed up at the moon. Angel paused to sit on a porch stoop and allowed himself to whisper along, not wanting to wake the occupants of the house up. "It's a wonderful night for a moon dance, it's a wonderful night for romance."

He grinned as he leaned back to take a better look. It was bright in the velvety blackness of the night sky. Almost a full moon. It would be here in only two more nights. He usually dreaded those nights. Both demons and humans acted up at that time. Moon madness is what they called it when he was a child. 'Lunacy' actually came from the French word for moon -- luna. He chuckled as he shook his head, he was full of useless knowledge.

Now he was looking forward to the full moon. He felt stronger, more powerful in the moonlight but he had no explanation for it. It was as if he was at peace with himself. That hadn't happened since he got the soul back. True, Angelus was a brutal bastard but he was comfortable with himself. And he had no problems in the self-esteem department. Angel had always felt set apart from both demons and humans. He wasn't completely one or the other, yet somehow, he felt whole now.

Angel reluctantly stood and continued walking. He was also in an inordinately good mood, which was surprising. All in all, his life sucked -- he'd lost his girlfriend, he'd went evil and terrorized his only friends, and he'd taken advantage of Willow. Sweet, innocent Willow. His thoughts drifted towards Willow as they inevitably did. She was the brightest spot in his existence now.

He still intended to follow through on his seduction plans for the young woman. It was for her own good really. Angelus had awakened her sleeping sensuality, not even stopping to consider the consequences. He didn't want Willow experimenting -- as he knew she would do -- with another man. Well, boy really. Oz was a mere child compared to him. Funny, he didn't think of Willow as being a child. Angel looked up in surprise. He had drifted to Willow's house without realizing it. He grinned, his body seemed to have a mind of it's own. Maybe it was time for a visit.

*********

Willow shut her eyes, lost in memories of Angelus' touch. She drifted in a quiescent idle, dreaming of his fingers drifting over her, the feel of his hands on her skin. It had been so perfect, her one night with him. He had been the consummate blend of demonly danger and gentlemanly concern. Touching her body in ways that made her tingle even now, just thinking about it. Who would have thought he could be so seductive?

"What are you thinking about?"

She jumped. Great. Another Angel sneak attack. Xander was right, he really did need a bell. "Nothing." Oh, yeah, that was convincing, Willow.

Angel smiled wolfishly as he hopped up on the desk surface beside her computer. He was enjoying her discomfort, pleased to know that he bothered her. She wasn't immune. "What are you writing about? Must be very interesting." He cocked his head to one side. "I can even hear your heart beating faster."

"Oh, it's a scary story. Uh-huh. Very scary! " Willow lied.

"You live on the Hellmouth with real demons running around. . .and a story you're writing scared you? Not buying it, but I'll let it go." He tried not to sound upset. She was thinking about Angelus again. He hoped that maybe she would confess what she was writing.

"Uh, Angel?"

"Yes?"

"Why are you wearing leather pants?" She was looking at his legs as if a snake had slithered up beside her.

Angel leaned back on the desk and looked down at his legs. "I was searching around for something to wear in my closet and they just felt so good when I accidently touched them. I wanted to put them on." Angel's sable eyes were fastened on her. "So soft and inviting. I had to have. . .them." She gulped, he wasn't talking about his pants. "Touch them."

"I don't think that's a good idea, Angel." Willow blushed furiously.

She wouldn't have hesitated to touch Angelus. Hell, they'd have been on the floor by now if he were his demon. A small voice in his head crowed with laughter. 'Jealous, soul boy?' He ignored the voice, wanting only to focus on her. Making her want him. "Touch them. Come on, you know you want to." His voice was hoarse. She wasn't sure if he was pleading with her or ordering her.

Willow tentatively ran her hand down his leather clad knee. She patted it awkwardly. "Nice. Was it expensive?" She pulled her hand away as if it had been burned.

"Nice?" Angel laughed throatily. "I know something that would be nicer." He brought her hand up to his thigh and ran it up his leg inch by inch. Letting her feel every sinewed length of muscle. Until he almost reached . . .

She pulled away. "What are you doing!?" She jumped up, then her face softened and her voice became a mere whisper. "Angelus?"

He scowled. "No, not Angelus. I'm Angel. Angel!" He jumped up from the desk to stand over her. Then his hands reached down to pull her up and stand her on the chair. She was not a little bit taller than he was. But he was in control. There was no doubt about that. "It eats at you, doesn't it? Seeing me in this body instead of him."

"No! No, I'm glad to have you back. " She denied.

"Are you really? Or are you just disappointed?"

"Of course not! You're my friend."

"Friend? Friendship is so weak, Willow. It's not what I want to be to you."

"But Buffy-"

"I get it now. You are disappointed. Disappointed that I didn't turn away from you, transfer my affections to Buffy. Forget about poor little Willow. That robs you of the chance to be the martyr, doesn't it? Doesn't help you get over your guilt." He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close to his body. "I can't forget about you, Willow. I can't! You're in my thoughts, in my dreams. All I can see is you!"

"I-I'm sorry." She took a deep breath. "I didn't know you felt that way. I'll leave you alone-"

"But I don't want you to leave me alone. I want you." He pulled her down to kiss him, ravaging her mouth. "Do you know that? I need you, Willow, I want you all the time."

"W-we can't. Angel, if we-"

"Isn't that what you want? All you have to do is give me a moment's happiness and you get him back. I know you've thought about it."

"No, I haven't!"

"Yes, you have." He tightened his hold on her. "One moment of happiness, Willow, and he could be yours."

"Stop it! I love Buffy, I would never-"

"This isn't about Buffy. We're OVER! There is no Angel and Buffy. There's only you and me."

"I don't think of you that way!"

"Really Then your body lies, Willow. I can feel your heart beating, hear blood pounding in your veins. . ." He kissed her and she felt herself respond. Then he murmured against her mouth."Say the word. Let me teach you about passion. Pick up where he left off."

Gods help her. It was so tempting. She shook her head, wanting to stave off the reckless impulses of her body. "I can't-"

"Yes. You can." Then his a sinful smile spread across his handsome face. "And you will. Thumb wrestle me."

"What?" Willow blinked.

"Thumb wrestle me. Or don't you think you can beat me?"

"You want to leave this decision up to thumb wrestling?"

"Yes." He pulled her down and set her on her feet. "Come on. Are you afraid?"

"No! I'll beat the pants off you!"

"I'm counting on that." He rose one silky black eyebrow.

"That was a figure of speech!"

"Or a Freudian slip." He countered. " But let's stick to the topic, shall we? We'll remove our pants later. If I win, you become mine. To teach, of course."

"And if I win, you start courting Buffy again. I'll look for a spell to secure your soul."

"Courting Buffy?" That damnable voice in his head made a disgusted sound. He shook his head.

"Is it a deal or not?"

"Alright." He stuck out his thumb and joined it with hers. "I'm going to win this one."

"I don't know who's more evil, you or Angelus."

"It's a toss-up, little one." He smiled. "Actually, I've been dying to do this. I always wondered if I would have won against you."

"You won't."

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

He did. "You won. You actually won." She glowered at him. "You must have cheated! I know you cheated somehow."

"I do not cheat." Angel said, affronted. "I just have a special technique." He smirked. "And longer thumbs."

"Angelus won because he kissed me, threw me off balance. Why didn't Angelus-"

"Because he doesn't have access to all my memories all the time. This technique is an obscure memory. Besides, it's not like he thought all that clearly around you anyway." The trick was getting your opponent on the run. He had ruthlessly chased down her small thumb and pinned it easily.

"Oh." Willow blushed. "Can you teach me how to do that?"

"No, in case I need to use it again."

She stuck her tongue out at him. "I will teach you how to do something with that appendage though."

She blushed and then fired off. "Aren't you afraid that you'll turn back into him?"

"No. I have. . . ways around that."

"Oh."

"Don't sound too enthusiastic."

She was enthusiastic. That was the problem. She must be a terrible person, doing this to Buffy. Doing this to Angelus. "It's just-- I just hate keeping things from Buffy. And I suck at lying. Really suck."

Angel's smile was wicked, exactly like one of Angelus' trademark grins. It melted knees and made butterflies stir. But he didn't comment on her 'suck' comment verbally. "Well, you can't tell her. We aren't involved anymore, but I don't think she'd want to see me with her best friend. I don't think it would hurt her exactly, but can you imagine the rant we'd have to listen to?"

"Angel! That's not very nice."

"I know." He retorted.

"I just don't get it. Why are you doing this?"

" I have my reasons." His eyes softened. "I wouldn't do this if I knew you were unwilling. You want me , Willow. Let me teach you." He moved forward, seeking out the warmth of her body. "Give me a goodnight kiss."

"G-goodnight? You're leaving?" She tried not to sound so dissapointed.

"There isn't time for a lesson tonight." Then his mouth fell over hers, teasing and tasting her as if for the first time. Then he pulled away to brush a finger over her mouth. "I don't want to rush this, little one."

"Why are you calling me that?" She asked as he released her.

"Because it suits you." He crossed to the balcony doors and then called over his shoulder. "Oh, and little one?"

She gritted her teeth."Yes, Angel?"

"Just remember, I've got you under my thumb this time."

next