Scratch

AUTHOR: Dante

DISTRIBUTION: Everyone who already archives my fic. Uh, could you also send me the link? I lost all of my bookmarks. Also, those who archive my fic, please note the email change. Freeze.com didn't like me and chased me away! Thanks a bunch!

SPOILERS: Basically, the characters take a different road after "The Gift" in BtVS and about the same time in Angel.

RATING: Rated R for violence and brief nudity <g>.

SUMMARY: Willow is in L.A. and everyone knows but Angel.

DISCLAIMER: "Buffy" and "Angel" belong to Joss Whedon. I'm just having them play in my universe for a while.

FEEDBACK: I would appreciate it. Really, I would!

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~Prologue~

The shower of sparks went unnoticed by anyone who happened to be out on the street that late at night. The girl who materialized soon after the electric discharge had died down was also overlooked. But that didn't matter to her. It was what she wished. Her torn and bloodied appearance would only serve to prompt questions she didn't really want to answer.not that anyone would believe her anyway.

Carefully picking herself up off the ground where she had for all intent and purposes, landed, the young woman stumbled forward as she tried to get her bearings. Not having had enough energy to teleport herself from the club all the way to the Hyperion Hotel, she hoped she had at least gotten close. She was running out of time.

With a sigh of relief mixed with pain, the redhead realized she was only a block away from the hotel. In fact, she could see it from her position on the sidewalk. Now all she had to do was get herself there without passing out. Wrapping her arms around her stomach, hoping to staunch the flow of blood, she moved forward, determination in every shaky step.

There was only one thing on her mind. She had to get to the hotel. It was her only option. Her safe haven. Angel would be there. He'd know what to do. Angel would help her.

"Angel, Angel, Angel.." Taking strength in his very name, she took the last difficult steps to the front of the hotel.

~Part: 1~

"So when are Wesley and Gunn coming back?" Cordelia asked, leaning against her desk.

The vampire standing across from her, frowned. "They aren't. They took the night off. Didn't they tell you?"

"What?!" The former cheerleader said, outraged. "No one said anything to me about having a free night. Angel, why didn't you say something?"

Angel's lips quirked up into a slight smile. "I'm not the boss anymore, Cordy. It's not my place to tell you."

Cordelia rolled her eyes. "Stick to brooding, Angel, sarcasm doesn't become you." She folded her arms across her chest. "I can't believe they just went off and didn't tell me anything."

"Maybe they thought you'd figure it out," Angel replied. He hastened to clarify his statement when he saw Cordelia's face take on a dangerous scowl. "It's been pretty slow around here for the last few days. They decided it was a perfect time for a break. Maybe they assumed you'd take off, too."

"Well, they shouldn't have assumed anything," Cordelia huffed. "Guess I'm going to have to have a talk with those two."

"Good idea, Cordy," Angel agreed. "Give them a piece of your mind."

"Yeah, that's what I'm going to do," Cordelia declared. "I can't believe those creeps left and didn't tell me. Well, I'm not going to waste another minute here. I'm so gone." With a toss of her head, the brunette turned on her heel making a beeline for freedom.

Angel watched her head for the lobby and the front doors. "Have a good time." He turned and went into his office. Just before he closed the door he added, "Be careful."

"Aren't I always," she called back over her shoulder.

The vampire just shook his head and shut the door. He had a Dickens' novel lying around somewhere. It would be good to escape from the pressures of his own unlife while he had a chance. He allowed himself a chuckle. Not that slipping into the dark and despondent world of Dickensian London was lighthearted fare.

Angel was just sitting down at his desk; GREAT EXPECTATIONS opened before him when he heard Cordelia scream.

"Willow!"

Moving so quickly that his chair flew backwards and his book fell to the floor, the vampire threw open the door of his office. Panic gripped him as thoughts swirled through his head. Had his seer had another vision? Was his redheaded friend from Sunnydale in trouble?

The last question would have robbed him of breath had he possessed any. Willow was a close friend, very near and dear to him. Ever since the night he'd found her in the lobby waiting to tell him the awful news of Buffy's death, they had forged a bond. She had held him together through the trying times before the slayer's miraculous resurrection.

That had been a year ago.

Their friendship had continued to grow despite the long distance between Sunnydale and Los Angeles. Even Buffy's return hadn't curbed it.something he'd feared. He had really been surprised when the former love of his life had actually encouraged it. Angel was glad that she had. It had allowed him to be there when Tara had broken up with Willow seven months ago.

The vampire could still remember the night Buffy had called him. The conversation with the slayer echoed word for word in his head.

**********

"Angel, it's me, Buffy," her voice sounded frantic. "Listen, I need you to come to Sunnydale. It's Willow. She hasn't eaten or slept in days. She refuses to leave her house. We've tried everything, even Spike. But she's wasting away, Angel, and I don't know what to do anymore."

"Buffy, what happened?" Angel demanded. "What's wrong with Willow?"

"Oh, god, she didn't tell you?" Buffy sounded shocked. "Oh, Angel, it's worse than I thought. I was sure she would have told you."

"Told me what?" The vampire growled in sudden fear. "Spit it out, Buffy. What the hell is going on with Willow?"

"Tara broke up with her," Buffy answered quietly. "It was really messy. They fought. And I don't just mean arguing. They were using their witchy powers. At least Tara was. From what I could get out of Willow, she only used hers to protect herself. Neither was seriously hurt, but there was some damage.big time. Their apartment was totally wrecked."

"Willow's hurt?" Angel demanded to know.

Buffy hesitated. "She's okay. At least physically. Just some bumps and bruises. It's her heart I'm worried about, Angel. It's broken and I don't think she cares if the rest of her breaks along with it."

"I'm on my way," Angel replied.

~Part: 2~

Angel would never forget that call from Buffy. After hanging up the phone, he'd broken all speed limits to get to Sunnydale. When he had arrived at the Rosenberg home, Willow had been curled up on her childhood bed. He'd stayed for a week, never leaving her side. Buffy had later told him that she believed he'd saved Willow. He was just glad he had been there for his friend.

As Angel shot passed Cordelia's desk, he heard his seer shout out again. This time, she called for him.

"Angel, come out here. Oh, god, Angel, hurry!"

The vampire flew into the foyer only to have two things assault his senses. The first was the scent of blood. The air was heavy with it and the demon roared within him. The second was the sight of Willow and his soul joined in chorus with his demon.

His friend was crawling on the floor of the landing, attempting to stand. Cordelia, a look of horror on her face, was trying to reach the redhead before she fell down the stairs.

Willow didn't appear to see her. She lurched and stumbled away from the former cheerleader's reaching hands. Slipping on the first step, Willow rolled down and landed with a thud on the floor.

"Angel!" Cordelia shouted again as she reached Willow's side.

But the vampire was already there, falling to his knees next to Willow. He reached for his injured friend only to have her jerk herself away.

"Angel?" Willow called, her vision blurring. She had to find him and fast. It was almost too late. She couldn't save herself without help. "Angel?" She called again.

"Willow! Willow!" She heard him answer. "I'm right here. Right here, Willow." She felt strong hands grip her shoulders and she couldn't hold back a scream. Instantly, she felt the hold on her ease.

"No, No," Willow mumbled as she reached blindly for the dark form hovering over her. Instinctively she knew it was Angel. Gripping his shirt in her bloodied hands, she tried to pull herself up. But her legs wouldn't cooperate and she fell against him, tearing another scream from her lips. "Help me.help me.please, Angel, help me." Willow whimpered as she struggled to hold onto him. Her feet kicked, trying to find purchase on a floor suddenly slick from her blood. She had to get to him. She had to make him understand. She needed his help.

"Willow, Willow, I've got you," Angel murmured soothingly as he let go of her shoulders and gently wrapped his arms around her. "Calm down. Take it easy." He didn't care if he sounded frantic. He could barely see the long scratches along her shoulders and stomach beneath the blood that covered his witch. The tattered remains of her blouse were soaked with it and the material clung to her wounds.

"Need energy," She murmured between moans of pain. Willow clung to him, her hand reaching for his shoulder as if to raise herself up or to pull him down. It was as if she was trying to see eye to eye with him, but her gaze was glassy and unfocused.

With an overwhelming sense of fear, he realized she was dying. "No, Willow, no," Angel murmured, his voice cracking. "Y-you can't leave me. You can't."

"A-angel?" Cordelia asked. Her eyes never leaving the witch's pale face, she laid a hand on Willow's cheek. "Please.please, tell me she's.she's not." The seer looked up at the vampire. The haunted hopelessness she saw in Angel's golden gaze told her all she needed to know and her own eyes filled with tears. "No, she can't."

"Willow," Angel said, anguish in his voice as he laid his cheek onto the witch's head. He couldn't say any more. Grief was already taking its hold of him.

"C-cordy?" Willow's soft, pain-filled voice was almost too much for him to take. Angel couldn't lose her. He was supposed to have more time. He needed more time.

"Yes, Willow?" Cordy replied tenderly. She rubbed lightly at the witch's cheek, hoping to impart comfort.

"W-will you help me, too?" Willow asked in a pitifully weak voice. Her movements had become sluggish and they seized all together. No longer able to keep her head up, she let it drop forward onto Angel's chest. She didn't seem to notice that the body beneath her shook with silent sobs.

"Of course I'll help you, Willow." Cordy replied as she looked from the redhead to the vampire that held her. But Angel's eyes were closed and therefore, didn't see the questioning look Cordelia gave him.

"I-I could turn you," Angel finally spoke, emotion constricting his voice.

~Part: 3~

"No!" Willow jerked against him. "No, need your energy. Please, help me." With a small burst of strength, she struggled to turn over in his arms.

Sensing her intent, he shifted her onto her back so that she was lying against his knees. "Will?" Grief gave way to confusion as she grabbed one of his hands and laid it on her bloodied stomach. Angel watched her grasp Cordelia's hand and place it next to his own.

Willow, holding both hands against her, began to chant. Softly at first, her voice grew in strength as she felt their energy coursing through her.

Amazed, Angel and Cordelia glanced at each other as they felt the witch channel their own natural power into her body. They shifted their gaze to Willow, looking on in wonder, as the scratches on her shoulder seem to fade.

Willow completed the chant and took a deep breath. Looking from Cordelia to Angel, she whispered, "Thank you." Her eyes fluttered closed and she passed out.

"Willow?" Angel's voice took on a panic note once again. "Willow!"

"What just happened, Angel?" Cordelia asked in an uncertain tone.

"I-I don't know," Angel was unsure how to answer his seer's question. "I think she might have used our energy to heal herself."

Carefully, Cordelia moved her hands and Willow's. Realizing what she was doing, Angel lifted his hand away as well.

Willow's blood still covered her stomach, but they could both see that the torn skin of her wounds had somehow knitted back together. Vampire and seer looked at each other. It did, indeed, seem as if Angel's theory was correct.

"Okay," Cordelia said slowly. She felt for a pulse at Willow's throat. "Can you hear her heart beat?"

Angel nodded. "It's strong," he answered; relief in his voice, confirming Cordelia's own impression. He couldn't help but hug the redhead to him. "She's going to be okay."

"Yeah," Cordelia agreed, smiling. "She's just going to need some time to get her strength back."

"Right," Angel replied. "Rest is what she needs and rest is what she's going to get." With infinite care, he shifted the hacker in his arms and rose to his feet. "First thing's first, she needs a bath and something clean to wear."

Cordelia cocked an eyebrow at him. "And who's going to give her a bath?" She asked as she followed him up the stairs to his room.

Angel flashed her an irritated look. "I am. You have a problem with that?"

Cordelia held up her hands in surrender. "No, no, not at all. You're going to give her a bath. I get it."

"Good," the vampire said, entering his bedroom. "Can you get her something to wear? There's got to be a T-shirt or something in the top drawer of my dresser."

"Cordy?" When she didn't reply, Angel stopped in the doorway of his bathroom to turn and look at his friend. What he saw chilled him. Cordelia was staring at her hands in stunned silence.

"A-angel?" Her hands began to shake and her eyes began to water. "They're all.they have.Angel, there's so much blood!" She burst out.

"It's okay," he tried to soothe her. "Willow's going to be fine. We saved her. It's all right now. Let it go."

"B-but, Angel, She could have-"

"Don't say it, Cordelia," Angel interrupted her harshly. "Please," he added, his voice going soft with weariness. "I.can't hear it. Please don't say it."

The seer looked at Angel and noticed the fear still radiating from him as he cradled the witch. She nodded. "Okay, I'm going to go wash up and find something for Willow to wear. I'll be back in a few minutes to help you." With that, she turned and rapidly left the room.

Angel looked down at the girl in his arms. "Oh, god, Willow, I could have lost you," his voice cracked as his tenuous hold on his emotions slipped. He laid his forehead against hers. "Thank you. Thank you for coming back to me."

Kissing her cheek, he entered the bathroom. Suddenly, he was filled with indecision. Looking from Willow to the bathtub, he wondered how he was going to do this. There was no way he was going to let go of the precious woman in his arms. His problem was solved when Cordelia chose that moment to enter the bathroom.

Without saying a word, the former Queen C bent and started the bath. Adjusting the temperature, she allowed the tub to fill with water. Once satisfied, she turned the taps off. "It's ready," she said, looking at Angel.

The vampire knelt next to the tub, still cradling Willow to him. He glanced down at her and frowned. What was once a short-sleeved, T-shirt was now nothing more than bloodied rags. Carefully maneuvering the still unconscious woman so that she was once again propped against his knees, he reached for the T-shirt. Grabbing two fistfuls of the shredded material, he yanked it apart easily. Quickly, he removed the destroyed garment from Willow's body. "Get her skirt and shoes, will you, Cordy?" Not waiting for an answer, he removed the bra the witch was wearing, knowing it too was a lost cause.

Angel closed his eyes and concentrated on extinguishing his sudden desire. Now was not the time to listen to his libido. Willow needed him to take care of her. And now that he had a second chance, he knew there would be time for his passion later. Taking an unneeded breath, he opened his eyes to discover that Cordy had already removed Willow's skirt and shoes. She was looking at him with equal parts amusement and concern.

"You okay?" She asked.

"Yeah," he grunted. "I think-just keep her panties on," he managed.

Cordy gave him a knowing smile and helped him to settle Willow in the warm water. In silence, they washed the blood from the witch's body. As the clearness of the water became tinted with a reddish hue, they both realized what they could have lost that night.

Sharing a look, they finished washing Willow's hair. With gentle, unhurried movements, they made sure she was clean. As if by unspoken agreement, neither wanted to see any sign of blood marring the now almost perfect pale flesh.

"I think we got all of it, Angel," Cordelia broke the silence. She turned and grabbed a couple of towels from underneath the sink.

Angel nodded and lifted the redhead from the tub. Carefully holding her, he allowed Cordelia to wrap a big towel around Willow's body and another around her hair. Leaving the bathroom, he crossed over to his bed. He noticed that the covers had been pulled back and he shot Cordelia a grateful look. Angel set the witch down.

"Angel?" Cordelia asked as she watched him gently dry Willow.

The vampire didn't look up from his self-appointed task. "Yes?" Tenderly he wiped the moisture away from Willow's skin, taking delight in its healthy glow. As he swished the towel over her shoulders and her now flawless stomach, Angel couldn't help but wish that one-day he would be doing this when she was awake.

Cordelia watched him, allowing him to take pleasure in the fact that Willow was alive. She didn't want to spoil the moment just yet. Instead, she handed him the black, silk pajama top she had found.

Angel took the garment and slipped it over Willow's head. As he eased it down her body, he remembered the wet panties. He glanced down at the apparel in question and swallowed hard as desire once again rolled over him in waves. It had been a mistake to look. The wet fabric clung to Willow like a second skin, leaving little to the imagination. Quickly, he looked up at Cordelia. "I-We need to get her underwear off. She won't be comfortable," Angel said, his voice thick.

Cordelia wanted to smile. She'd known for a long time that Angel had feelings for the redhead. Willow had done so much for him. She'd restored his soul and had anchored it. But, more importantly, she had given the vampire unconditional love and friendship. Cordelia knew that was something Angel had always craved. Willow's intelligence and beauty were only bonuses. "Yeah, Angel, you're right."

Angel looked away. "You're-you're going to have to take them off." The huskiness still hadn't left his voice. "I can't."

"No problem," Cordelia responded, moving forward. Noting that the vampire's eyes were trained in the opposite direction, Cordelia quickly pulled the wet panties from Willow's still frame. With quick and efficient movements, she tugged the silk top down, noting that it stopped just above Willow's knees. Grabbing the comforter from the bottom of the bed, she draped it over her friend. "There. All done," she announced.

Angel turned back. "Thanks, Cordy," he said, relief evident in his voice. Glancing over at his seer, he noted her exhaustion. "Why don't you go grab a shower and some sleep. I'm going to stay with Willow."

"Um, good idea, but you might want to grab a shower first," Cordelia replied. "I'll wait with Willow. Go on."

Angel looked down at himself and realized that despite the bath he'd given Willow, there were still traces of her blood on him. He could see it. He could smell it. More than anything he wanted to scrub it away. "You don't mind?"

"Angel!" She admonished. "How could I mind? This is Willow we're talking about. I know you don't want to leave her, but I'll look after her until you come back. Now go."

"Well, okay," the vampire agreed reluctantly. "I'll be right out. Take care of her." He turned and walked toward the bathroom.

"As if I wouldn't," Cordelia muttered, showing signs of her old self. Then she remembered what she had wanted to ask the vampire. "Angel?"

He turned to look at her. "What is it, Cordelia?"

The former cheerleader's eyes held a hint of sadness. "Who-who could have done this to her, Angel?"

~Part: 4~

Angel's response was low and his tone was full of anger. "I don't know, Cordy, but I'm going to find out. That's for damn sure." With that, he disappeared into the bathroom.

"Oh, man, Will, whoever did this to you is going to pay," Cordelia whispered, looking at the redhead. Somehow, the thought didn't bother her. She sat down next to her friend to wait for Angel.

True to his word, the vampire was out of the shower in a few minutes. He came into his bedroom wearing nothing but a pair of boxers. "Sorry, Cordy," he apologized as he noticed the faint blush staining her cheeks. "I forgot to take clean clothes in with me." Reaching into one of the drawers in his dresser, he grabbed the silk pajama pants that matched Willow's top.

"S'okay," Cordelia mumbled, looking away as he donned the pants.

"Has she woken up yet?" Angel asked as he made his way over to his bed.

"No, she's still-" Cordelia's reply was cut off by a whimper from the woman in question. They both turned to look at her.

"Willow?" Angel asked, reaching out to touch her arm. "Come on, wake up and look at me, Sweetheart."

Cordelia noticed the endearment, but said nothing. It seemed appropriate and long overdue.

The witch tossed her head, her eyes still closed. Whimpering again, she reached out. "Help me."

Angel grabbed her hand and held it between his own. "It's okay, Will. I'm right here. So is Cordelia. You're okay now. We're not going to let anything happen to you."

"No, no," Willow mumbled. "Please, don't hurt me. You can't...don't do this....Oz. Please...please...no..."

Angel and Cordelia exchanged looks. "It-it can't be," Cordelia muttered in amazement.

The vampire's eyes narrowed into dangerous golden slits, shifting to their true color as they always did when his emotions gripped him in a vise. "She was mauled, Cordy," he answered through clenched teeth.

"B-but he'd never hurt her," Cordelia protested. Then, looking down at Willow, she added uncertainly. "Would he?"

"He's dead," Angel said calmly. Golden eyes returned to brown as Angel climbed into bed with Willow. Taking her into his arms, he held her to him. "It's okay, Willow. You're safe now. He's not going to hurt you ever again. No one will. I've got you now, Sweetheart, and I'm not letting anyone take you away from me."

Cordelia knew the depth of his emotion and the sincerity of his words should have surprised her, but neither did. She and Angel had been friends for a long time. There were only a few people the vampire could call friend, but once you had been admitted into his inner circle, he would move heaven and earth for you.even enter hell itself. The former Queen C had experienced his loyalty firsthand. She had also witnessed his friendship with Willow blossom. Cordelia had always suspected that the only component missing was love-the romantic kind. There was no doubt the vampire and the witch loved each other. They just hadn't discovered they were in love with each other. Looking at Angel holding Willow close, Cordelia decided their deep feelings for each other would soon be revealed, taking their relationship to another level.

She looked away from the pair, suddenly sad. It was unfair that Willow and Angel had had to experience such pain and grief before coming to the realization that they loved each other. A near death experience should not have to precipitate such a revelation. But, as always in their world, things were never easy. In fact, danger was more of a way of life for them and sometimes it led to injury and pain. Knowing that, Cordelia sighed, realizing she should have gone with Willow. Maybe if she had, the witch wouldn't have nearly died. She sighed again. But, then, Angel wouldn't have realized what he could have lost. Either way she looked at it, she and her friends were on the losing end.

"Cordelia?" Angel's concerned voice broke her from her reverie. "You okay?"

She looked at him and tried to smile. Failing, she decided to just tell him what was on her mind. "I should have been with her, Angel. If I had, maybe none of this would have happened."

~Part: 5~

Angel frowned. "Cordy, if you had been with her, you could have gotten hurt, too. You don't know what would have happened. You both would have been in danger. Besides, how could you have been with her? You didn't even know she was in town."

Suddenly uncomfortable, Cordelia could no longer look him in the eye. Instead, she fussed with Willow's blanket, smoothing the creases as she thought of what to say. Finally, she opted for the truth and hoped he wouldn't be too angry. "Uh, actually, Angel, I knew she was in L.A. Will was going to be staying with me for a few days."

"What?!" Angel growled, abruptly sitting up and inadvertently jostling Willow. The redhead, however, didn't notice the eruption nor was she cognizant of the flowing lava of anger that began to pour from the souled vampire. "You knew she was going to be in Los Angeles? How long have you known, Cordy? Why the hell didn't you tell me?"

Stunned by his sudden display of temper, Cordelia could only stare at him in shock. Too late she realized how much her divulgence had hurt the vampire. Keeping him in the dark had not been a good idea. Unfortunately, she was going to make it much worse. Now that she had begun, she had to tell him the rest of it. "Willow called me two weeks ago to ask if she could stay with me for a few days. She said Oz was performing at The Pub and he'd invited her to see him play." Cordelia paused, wondering how much to tell him and decided to come clean about everything. "I know they haven't been together for quite a while, but Willow still thinks of him as a friend."

Angel's eyes once again turned golden as he went from anger to fury. Carefully, he gathered the redhead in his arms, pulling her up. "You call this being friends?" The rage in his voice was hard to miss. "Look what he's done to her, Cordelia. Do you remember what she looked like when she first came in? Do you?! The blood.it was everywhere. I can still smell it. Friends don't do this, Cordy. Fuck! I can't believe neither one of you told me she was going to be in town. If I had known, Willow would never have been alone at that club."

Throughout Angel's tirade, Cordelia's eyes never left the limp body of her friend. "Angel," she managed to gasp out. "Neither of us meant to hurt you. She wanted to surprise you. That's why we didn't tell you. It was supposed to be a surprise. That's all it was supposed to be." She swallowed, tears suddenly clogging her throat. He was well and truly angry. Angry and upset. It scared her.

"I don't like surprises where my friends show up on my doorstep covered in blood," Angel growled. "I should have known she was going to be in town, Cordy. You should have told me." He looked down at the girl in his arms. Softly and with a hint of sadness, he continued. "*She* should have told me. I would have looked after her. I would have made sure she didn't get hurt." Tenderly, he gathered Willow impossibly closer. Cradling her face in his hand, he tucked her into his chest. "I'm sorry, Sweetheart. I should have been there. I'm so sorry." He ducked his head in close to hers and began to rock her back and forth.

"Stop it," Cordelia ordered. "Listen, this night has been." She shook her head. "Actually, there are no words to describe what this night has been like. The important thing is we got through it and Willow's going to be fine. I understand how you're feeling and I'm sure she does, too." She touched his arm again, compassion filling her eyes and voice. "You're scared, Angel. That's okay. We could have lost Willow tonight and you think that if you had known she was in town, she might not have gotten hurt. But you don't know that for sure. Neither of us could have known this was going to happen. We shouldn't blame ourselves. I know Willow doesn't. So let it go. Just concentrate on Willow now. She's going to need us."

"You're right, Cordy, she's going to need us," Angel answered. He realized the truth in her words. "I just-I don't want to see her hurt ever again. You understand that, right?"

"Yeah, I understand," she replied as tears pricked at her eyelids.

The vampire stopped rocking the sleeping girl. He brushed a wet strand of hair from her face and when he spoke again his voice was quiet. "What am I going to do?"

"What do you mean?" Cordelia asked in confusion. "Are-are you wondering what you're going to do to the person who did this to her?"

"Oz? No, that's not what I meant," he dismissed her question. "He won't see the next full moon."

"Uh, what *are* you going to do?" Cordelia was a bit apprehensive of his answer, but she was curious.

When he looked up at her, Cordelia felt a shiver of fear dance up her spine. The cold, calculating look in his eyes reminded her of Angelus. "Do you really want to know?" A silent promise of violence darkened his voice as he replied enigmatically.

Cordelia met the flickering anger in his gaze head on. Someone had hurt her friend and if it was Oz, well, Willow wasn't just feeling the pain of physical injury. For that, Oz deserved whatever punishment Angel saw fit. "Tell me."

Angel's lips curled up into a smile-a smile that held no humor. "I'm going to rip his heart out and feed it to him."

Quiet sincerity rang through his words, leaving Cordelia a bit unsettled. She hadn't seen this much darkness within him since Wolfram and Hart had brought Darla back. Angel had become obsessed with his former sire and had subsequently shut Cordelia out of his life. The seer swallowed. She had no desire to revisit that miserable time of her life. Instead, she focused on Angel and the woman he held in his arms.

"I see," she said and she did. Angel wouldn't let any more harm come to Willow no matter what the cost. "So if you weren't talking about Oz, what did you mean about not knowing what to do?"

Angel marveled at her calm acceptance of what he was going to do to the werewolf. He thought Cordelia would have argued with him about his decision. Violence for the sake of violence wasn't condoned by any of his friends. He, too, felt the same way. The urge to kill was tempered by his ever-present soul. But there were times when he felt like letting the demon run loose. In his mind's eye, he saw Willow's bloodied appearance and he knew he'd have no trouble allowing Angelus free reign. Angel was just surprised Cordelia was going to let him do it.

But then again, he reflected, this was Willow they were talking about. Out of all of the members of their group, she was the one who inspired fierce protectiveness. Maybe it was her soft smile and her kind words, or maybe it was the way she took care of everyone-always there with a shoulder to cry on, a hug to give-it didn't matter what the reason, she was important to all of them. Angel had no doubt Buffy would be after Oz in a heartbeat if she knew what he had done to her best friend. And Angel knew Xander would be right behind her.

"Angel?" Cordelia's soft tone broke into his thoughts. "You there, Angel?"

"Uh, yeah," he replied, focusing on her concerned gaze. "Sorry, I was just thinking about things."

"I could see that," she returned softly. "So, are you going to tell me what you meant?"

Angel looked down at the redhead still cradled against his chest. "I don't know what I'm going to do, Cordelia," he whispered.

"You've already said that, Angel," Cordelia was becoming exasperated. Now wasn't the time for his cryptic routine. "Just tell me and maybe I'll be able to help."

He looked back up at her, hearing a hint of the old Cordelia in her voice. It almost made him smile. And he would have if he hadn't been wrapped up in his own dilemma. "I think I've fallen in love with her, Cordy, but I don't think I'll ever be able to tell her."

Cordelia's eyebrows shot up. "'Bout time. I can't believe it's taken you this long to figure out what we've all known for ages."

Angel frowned at her. "What? You knew I was in love with Willow?"

"Apparently before you did," Cordelia murmured. Then she sighed. "It's been pretty obvious. Gosh, even Buffy's figured it out. The way you helped Willow through her break up with Tara was a big clue."

The vampire considered her words. "I don't know what to say. I probably was in love with her then, but I didn't know. It wasn't until tonight when." He couldn't continue.

"It wasn't until she nearly died that you figured it out," Cordelia finished for him softly. She reached out to touch his arm. "It'll be okay, Angel. Give her some time to recuperate, and then you two can talk."

"I don't know, Cordy," Angel replied in a low tone. "I don't want to spoil what we already have. She's my friend and it would kill me to lose that friendship."

"Trust me, Angel, you won't lose Willow's friendship. I can almost guarantee that," Cordelia stated firmly. "You need to tell her how you feel. It wouldn't be fair to you or to her if you didn't. Besides, you might be surprised."

"What do you mean?" Angel asked.

Cordelia smiled. "You might find that you're feelings aren't one-sided."

"Y-you can't be serious?" The doubt in his tone held a note of underlying hope. "Do you think she might return my feelings?"

Cordelia stood up from the bed. "Angel, who stayed with you when Buffy died? During that time, who made sure you had enough to eat, enough sleep, and enough company to keep you from walking out into the sun? Who was there six months ago when your soul became permanent?" She looked at the vampire, noting his stunned expression. "Just think about it, Angel. We almost lost her tonight. Don't throw away your second chance."

Angel didn't answer. He was too busy contemplating what she had said. Could it be possible that Cordelia was right? Every now and again, she amazed him with her insight. When he finally spoke he was surprised to see her near the door. "I'll think about it."

Cordelia nodded. "Get some rest, Angel. I'm going to crash in one of the spare rooms. I'll see you in the morning."

"Thanks, Cordelia," Angel said softly. "Thank you for everything. Sleep well."

"You're welcome," she replied. Silently, she committed the picture before her to memory. Angel was wrapped around Willow, holding her in a loving embrace. Maybe things were going to work out after all. "Goodnight."

Angel waited until she was gone before he lay back down on the bed, taking Willow with him. As he held her tightly to him, he thought about what Cordelia had said. He didn't even realize when his eyes closed and he joined his witch in slumber.

~Part: 6~

"Dear Lord in heaven!" Wesley exclaimed as he and Gunn entered the Hyperion Hotel the next morning. "Is that what I think it is?"

Gunn knelt down on the landing and reached out to touch the floor. Grimly, he looked up at the Englishman. "If you're thinking blood, then you're right. The question is, whose blood is it?"

Wesley's forehead wrinkled in consternation. "Good question. I suppose we had better find out."

"Well, at least there isn't a big pile of dust," Gunn muttered, not wanting to give into his fear over the safety of his friends.

The men shared a look of understanding. Silently, they made their way down the stairs and into the main lobby of the Hyperion. Both were careful to avoid the blood.

"I'll call Cordelia," Wesley decided. "Why don't you go upstairs and check on Angel. We really need to get to the bottom of this."

Gunn nodded as he turned and took a few steps toward the stairs. "Man, I hope they're both all right."

Wesley, his hand on the telephone, was about to agree when he was interrupted.

"We're fine," Someone wearily replied.

The ex-watcher and the vampire hunter glanced toward the source of the voice. Both were shocked at Angel's tired appearance as he descended the stairs.

"What happened to you, Angel?" Wesley asked as the vampire came to stand in front of him. "You look awful."

"Gee, thanks, Wes," Angel laughed mirthlessly. "I didn't think it showed."

Gunn looked at the vampire, puzzled. "What's going on, man? Where's Cordy?" He asked and then gestured toward the bloodstained floor. "And what the hell happened?"

"Cordy's okay," Angel replied. "I think she's still upstairs asleep."

"She stayed here last night?" Wesley asked, eyebrows climbing in surprise. Something dire must have happened if the ex-cheerleader had decided to stay at the hotel.

"Yeah, I did," Cordelia herself replied as she joined the men in the lobby.

If they had been surprised at Angel's appearance, Cordelia's simply shocked them. Not only did she look extremely tired; her eyes had a dull sheen to them. It was as if someone had bruised her. Not her body, her heart. Whatever happened last night had taken a toll on the young woman.

"You get any sleep last night?" Angel asked as he slumped against the counter behind him. His tone was flat and his eyes were as spiritless as Cordelia's. Whatever had effected Cordelia last night had also left the vampire weary.

Again, Gunn and Wesley exchanged glances. Their friends looked like they had gone to hell and back.

"I got some," Cordelia returned, unaware she was under any scrutiny. "Not as much as I would have liked, but I couldn't stop seeing." She trailed off.

Angel nodded. "I know, me too."

"Didn't get much sleep, either, huh?" Cordelia asked sympathetically.

"Not much. I was too worried," Angel admitted with a shrug.

"What about---did--?" Cordelia glanced upward in the direction of his room.

"Yeah," Angel replied to the somewhat broken query. "Still sleeping."

"I thought so," Cordelia moved to sit on the sofa. She leaned back, closing her eyes.

"Would someone please tell us what is going on?" Wesley asked, both troubled and concerned. The quiet conversation between Angel and Cordelia had done nothing to ease the trepidation the Englishman felt. "What's happened, Angel?"

"Yeah, man, whose blood is that?" Gunn, too, was anxious to hear the story.

Angel looked from his tired seer to the two men in front of him. "The blood." he managed, not able to even look in the direction of Willow's collapse. "It's-it's Willow's."

Wesley's eyes narrowed in horror. "Willow Rosenberg's?! Oh my!"

"What?" Gunn blanched as he once again looked over at the blood-covered floor. There had been a lot of it, he could tell. "That's Button's blood? No, no it can't be. Angel, man, please tell me this is some sort of sick joke."

At any other time, Angel would have been amused to hear Gunn's nickname for Willow. But there was nothing funny about what had happened to her. "It's no joke, Gunn. I could never joke about something like that. She nearly-" His voice cracked as he remembered holding her, the blood slowly seeping from her wounds, staining him forever. "She nearly died in my arms last night."

"Oh, Lord," Wesley sucked in a deep breath. "Is she-how is she now?"

"She's going to be okay," Angel answered. "She's upstairs sleeping."

Wesley looked toward the bloodied floor. "Angel, she lost a lot of blood. How can you be sure she's going to be fine?"

"She healed herself," Cordelia spoke up, her eyes still closed.

"That can't be possible," Wesley replied, surprise in his tone. "From what you've told me, she couldn't possibly have had enough power to do that. It takes a considerable amount of energy to do something like that and if she was dying-"

"She used our energy," Angel interrupted, gesturing to Cordelia. "She took our hands and channeled it. I don't know how it worked and I really don't care. Willow's back with us now. That's all that matters."

"I quite agree," Wesley said hastily, hearing the underlying edge in Angel's tone. "I'm just curious, that's all. She lost a great amount of blood and was dying, yet she managed to tap into your energy and recover."

"I didn't say that," Angel said quietly responded.

"But-but I thought you just said Button was going to be fine?" Gunn asked in confusion.

"She is," Angel confirmed, "but whatever she did left her completely exhausted. It's going to take her some time to actually recover."

"I'm not surprised," Wesley murmured. "It takes a great amount of strength to not only perform that sort of spell, but to channel all that energy. I'm curious, indeed. I'll have to ask her how she did it. I'd also like to know why she didn't require a blood transfusion as well. It's quite remarkable.quite remarkable." The others could see the wheels in the ex-watcher's head turning.

"Like I said, I really don't care how she managed it, I'm just glad that she did." The topic was making the vampire increasingly uneasy. He didn't want to tempt the fates by questioning how it was Willow had managed to heal herself so thoroughly. Angel was no fool. Using witchcraft to heal someone was nothing new, but Willow had lost a lot of blood. And up until now, he'd never heard of any witch being able to replace blood. She was much more powerful than he thought.

Gunn nodded. "That's good enough for me." He glanced from Angel to Cordelia. A question was gnawing at him. "So, any idea what happened to her?"

Angel's eyes narrowed. "Yeah," he said in a hard voice. "She was attacked."

"It looked like some type of animal," Cordelia interjected nervously as she finally opened her eyes to look at Angel. They had discussed it last night and she had thought she was okay with it, but in the light of day she was having doubts. She just didn't think Oz would do something like that to Willow. "It was horrible," the seer continued, shuddering. "Long, deep scratches and all that blood."

"Did Button manage to describe her attacker? Does she know who did it?" Gunn's eyes were snapping with anger. Willow had become a good friend despite a somewhat unusual introduction. Six months ago, he had returned to the Hyperion after his nightly reconnaissance of Los Angeles. For Gunn, it was business as usual. What he found, though, wasn't.

~Part: 7~

Gunn stepped into the Hyperion like he had a hundred times before. However, this time the sight that greeted him was one he hadn't expected.

Angel, his vampire friend, was lying on the cold floor. A few feet away from him, was a girl Gunn had never seen before. She was motionless and from his position on the stairs he couldn't tell if she was breathing.

Hesitantly, Gunn walked toward them. As he got closer to the pair, his apprehension grew. Angel seemed to be lying in a chalk-white circle. No, Gunn amended that thought, it was a pentagram. A shiver went through him. There was some sort of magic at work here and Gunn didn't like it one bit. He glanced at the girl lying outside of the circle and wondered what she had done to his friend. She had to be the spellcaster.

Worry and anger vied within him as he looked from the girl back to the still form of his friend. "Angel? Hey, man, snap out of it." When he got no response from the vampire, he turned back to the girl.

"What have you done to Angel, little girl?" Gunn asked as he knelt next to the witch. He reached out and felt for a pulse. "Well, you're alive. The question is, what am I going to do with you?"

"Bring her to me," Angel rasped behind him.

Startled, Gunn turned to stare at his friend. "Angel, my man, glad to see you're awake. You okay?"

"Gunn, bring her," Angel managed to grunt as he held an unsteady hand toward the African American.

Gunn frowned. "I'm not sure about that, man. She could be dangerous. I still don't know what the hell happened here."

Angel managed a laugh, surprising Gunn. "You're right. She could be dangerous. Now, please, give her to me."

Still uncertain, Gunn looked back at the unconscious girl and realized that in her present state, she was no threat to anyone. So he decided to do what Angel asked. He reached down and started to pick her up.

"Careful!" Angel hissed at him.

Gunn glanced at Angel and glared before turning back to the woman. Heeding Angel's command, he gently picked the young girl up from the floor. Making sure she was secure in his arms, he went back to Angel and knelt down next to his friend. "What now?" he asked.

Angel didn't say a word. Instead, he opened his arms.

Wondering at the vampire's strange behavior, Gunn nevertheless held the woman out to him. What Angel did next was something that would forever stay etched in his mind.

Angel took hold of the girl and tenderly pulled her to lie on his chest. Cradling her, he rubbed her back as he kissed the top of her head. "Thank you," he whispered into her hair.

"Hey, man, who is she?" Gunn couldn't contain his curiosity.

The dark-haired man lying on the floor smiled. "This is Willow and she just permanently anchored my soul."

Dumbstruck, Gunn could only stare at Angel for a few seconds. Finally, he found his voice. "Willow? As in the girl you went to see in Sunnydale last month?" At Angel's nod, he continued. "She's a witch? You never mentioned that."

Angel chuckled. It wasn't everyday you could stump the vampire hunter. "Guess it never came up."

Gunn rolled his eyes. "No, I guess it didn't." He looked at the woman lying in Angel's arms. "'Course, you never said she was as cute as a button."

Angel raised an eyebrow. "Guess I forgot to mention that, too."

**********

With a sigh, Gunn returned to the present. Button had gotten into trouble and he needed some answers. As far as he was concerned, heads were going to roll. "Well," he demanded. "Do we have anything to go on? Whoever did this isn't gonna get away with it."

"I couldn't agree more," Angel affirmed in a deadly tone. "But he's all mine."

"So you know who did it?" Wesley wanted to know.

"Angel," Cordelia pleaded, "maybe we should wait for Willow to wake up. She didn't exactly tell us what happened last night."

"How could she, Cordy," Angel's eyes flashed golden. "She was too busy trying to stay alive."

Cordelia flinched at his tone. "All I'm saying is-"

The ringing of the telephone interrupted her.

"Angel Investigations." Wesley lifted the phone and spoke into the receiver. "Oh, hello. Yes. Yes, he's right here. Of course." The Englishman was frowning as he held out the instrument to Angel. "It's Ms. Summers."

"That was quick," Angel muttered before taking the phone. Once Buffy had realized her best friend was missing in L.A., Angel knew she would call him. He just hadn't expected it to be so soon. Deflecting her worry and maintaining his composure were going to take a great amount of skill. The slayer wouldn't be easily dissuaded, he knew, especially where Willow was concerned. He would just have to keep his wits about him. "Buffy, it's Angel." The three friends watched their vampire as he tersely spoke to the slayer. Of course, they could only hear Angel's side of things, but it was enough.

["Angel, is Cordelia there?"]

Angel glanced at his seer, surprised. It was not the question he was expecting. "Yes, she's right here," he replied, still looking at the now frowning Cordelia. "Did you want to talk to her?"

["No!" Buffy's response was explosive. "If she's there then Willow has to be there, too. I know she wanted to surprise you. Can I talk to her? Please, Angel? I've been trying to reach her at Cordelia's for the passed half hour."]

"Buffy," Angel responded as he unsuccessfully tried to hide his consternation. "She's here, but, uh.she can't come to the phone right now."

["Angel!" Buffy shouted.]

The vampire winced and held the phone from his ear. He was sure his ex-lover hadn't meant to screech, but she had. When Buffy continued, everyone in the room could hear her. "I need to speak to Willow right now. It's important."

"Listen, it's really not a good time," Angel tried to reason with her. "I can have her call you later."

There was silence on the other end and Angel cautiously put the receiver back to his ear, disappointing the others. "Buffy?"

["What aren't you telling me, Angel?" Buffy's voice was calm. Much too calm.]

Immediately, it put Angel on the defensive. Her tone of voice unsettled him. It was much too reminiscent of trapped steam, waiting to scald you after lifting the lid. Angel had no desire to get burned. He'd have to be careful here. Unconsciously, he straightened; preparing himself for the attack he knew was coming. "Buffy-"

["Put her on the phone," Buffy interrupted. There was an edge in her voice although its pitch and volume hadn't varied. "I want to talk to her. Now!"]

Angel frowned; realizing Buffy was much closer to exploding than he had originally thought. "Buffy, what aren't *you* telling *me*?" It was his turn to ask. She knew something he didn't and Angel didn't like that at all.

["Something's wrong," Buffy muttered. "Willow *is* with you, right?"]

Raking a hand through his hair, the vampire closed his eyes briefly. Irritation grew within him with each passing word he exchanged with the slayer. Counting to ten silently, he willed himself to relax and to consider the situation from her perspective. She was just as worried about Willow as he was with the added concern that she was completely in the dark about her friend. Opening his eyes, he took note of his friends watching him. With a tired lift of one shoulder, he finally spoke into the receiver. "Willow's here. She's fine. I'm taking care of her."

["Taking care of her?" Buffy asked suspiciously. "Explain, Angel."]

Angel had had enough. There wasn't time for her demands. He wanted answers, too, and he was going to get them. "Like I said, Buffy, she's okay. Now, why don't you tell me what you know." The fear and frustration he felt sharpened his tone.

["She better be," Buffy grumbled. Hearing her former lover growl in response finally convinced her to answer his question. With a sigh she said, "Oz called me."]

"He called you?" Angel's voice lifted in surprise. Not waiting for an answer, he continued. "What the hell did he tell you?"

The others in the room exchanged glances. Cordelia's eyes were filled with worry and not a little fear. Gunn and Wesley were just confused. They knew Cordelia was aware of whom Angel was talking about, but they were still clueless.

[When Buffy answered, she, too, sounded apprehensive. "Well, you know Oz. Doesn't say much. All he told me was that he'd seen Willow at the club, but when he went to talk to her, she disappeared. And he means literally disappeared. I know Willow has that teleportation spell down so my guess is that's what happened. What I don't know is why. Willow would only use that type of spell if she were in trouble. So tell me, Angel, why did she use it? What's happened to my best friend?"]

Angel surged away from the desk and paced as far as the phone cord would allow. "That's all he told you? Nothing more? Nothing about what happened to her?" Barely controlled anger flickered through his voice.

["No, Angel, he didn't tell me anything more. I don't know what's going on. What's happened to Willow? Why can't she come to the phone? Why can't I speak to her? Tell me, Angel." Buffy sounded desperate.]

"She's fine, Buffy. S-she was hurt," Angel choked slightly, "but she's okay now. You don't need to worry."

["Oh my God!" Buffy exclaimed, a note of panic coloring her tone. "Something really bad has happened, hasn't it. She's more than just hurt. I can hear it in your voice, Angel. P-please, what happened?"]

"Buffy-" Angel started to answer, his tone softening. He finally realized Buffy was genuinely scared for Willow.

[The slayer interrupted. "No. Never mind. I'll just go down there and see for myself."]

"No!" Angel replied explosively. "You don't have to do that. Buffy, she really is okay. J-Just very tired. She needs to rest. She can't do that if you come down here and start badgering her with questions."

["Too bad, Angel," Buffy replied with finality. "I need to see her. She's my best friend and I need to make sure she's okay. The only way for me to do that is to see her for myself. You're just going to have to deal with that."]

"Buffy, you know I wouldn't lie to you," Angel tried to reason with her.

["I know that," Buffy replied. "I also know you aren't telling me everything. You don't want me to worry. But it's too late for that. I'm totally worried. In fact, I'm on the verge of wigging," she confessed.]

"Yeah," Angel replied softly, "and I understand. That's why I don't think it's a good idea for you to come down here. I just don't think Willow can handle you freaking out right now. Give her a couple of days to rest. Then, you can come to L.A. and stay as long as you like."

["Now you're really scaring me," Buffy said, a barely noticeable tremble in her voice. "I'm really worried about her, Angel. I need to see that she's all right. Once I know, I won't freak."]

"I hate for you to be worried, Buffy," Angel said. "But there's really nothing you can do. Everything's under control-"

"Oz!" Cordelia spoke a bit too loudly as she sprang to her feet. The sudden adrenaline pumping through her veins was the only thing allowing her to stand without swaying.

Angel looked up from his conversation with Buffy, stopping in mid-thought. The receiver, crushed into tiny pieces by the fierceness of his grip, dusted the floor in a shower of plastic rubble. He growled deep in his throat as he eyed the intruder who dared to enter his domain.

~Part: 8~

The guitarist, currently blue-haired, didn't hear the growl and was oblivious to the danger. His gaze was trained downward. The floor with its rust-colored stains seemed to hold him captive and he could only mumble one word: "Willow."

Angel snarled and took a step forward. "How dare you." The deadly fury underscoring his words was hard to miss. Dark brown eyes shifted to gold.

Realizing his intent, Wesley made a move to step in front of the vampire. The attempt was aborted, however, when Gunn grabbed his arm. "You crazy, English? Angel's got that look in his eyes. You try to stop him and you might as well sign your own death certificate."

"Someone's got to," Wesley shot back at him. "We still don't know what's going on. We simply can't allow Angel to attack someone he considers a friend."

"Not anymore," Cordelia asserted in a low voice. Nervously, she took a step closer to Gunn. "Angel wants to kill him."

Gunn's eyes hardened. "I take it this is the fool who hurt Button?"

"He attacked her. Carved up her flesh, spilled her blood," Angel flicked his gaze at them, his voice low and rough. It made Gunn's skin crawl and he had to resist the urge to shiver. "He meant for her to die."

Wesley's eyebrow climbed in amazement. "I don't understand. I thought they were friends. In fact, they've even dated. I clearly remember them being quite close."

"You didn't see her last night, Wes," Angel rejoined, a touch of bleakness coloring his angry tone. "The only thing that could have.hurt her like that was a werewolf."

"He's a werewolf?!" Gunn questioned, astonished.

Cordelia nodded. "He is. And Wesley's right, too. They did date. Willow knows all about him being a werewolf."

"And she was okay with that?!" Gunn was still amazed.

The former cheerleader gave him a sharp look. "Willow lives on the Hellmouth. It's really not as odd as it sounds." She groaned. "I can't believe I just said that."

Wesley ignored the comment and brought them back to the matter at hand. "Just because he's a werewolf doesn't mean he did it. That's like saying every body drained of blood must have been Angel's doing because he's a vampire."

"She was with Oz last night, " Cordelia began, but was cut off.

Angel spun on the Englishman. "Willow said he did it. Do you understand now? Willow told me."

"Oh, well, then," Wesley back-peddled verbally even going so far as to take a physical step backward. "That's quite different."

"That's not really true, Angel," Cordelia protested. "We haven't exactly talked to Willow about it."

Gunn and Wesley exchanged puzzled looks. "What's that supposed to mean?" The young black man asked.

"We don't have time for this," Angel growled, hands balling into fists. "He hurt her and now I'm going to kill him."

"Angel, now wait," Wesley implored even as the vampire turned once again to face his enemy. The former watcher's plea was cut short.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Rage shook every word as they flew like bullets out of Angel's mouth. The fury was almost paralyzing as he watched Oz fall to his knees and reach out to touch the blood. "Get away! You have no right!" Every part of Willow was precious.including her spilled blood. There was no way in hell Angel would allow Oz to sully it with his murderous touch.

"Angel, I--" Oz looked up, eyes full of confusion and worry. "What--" He swallowed hard. "Is this--" The young man couldn't finish.

"Yeah, that's Willow's blood," Angel barked harshly as he took a few steps toward Oz. "She came here for help after she was attacked."

Oz flinched as he stood up. "I knew she'd come here," he murmured. "She considers this a safe place." Hesitantly, he took a step down the stairs. "Will's okay, right? It wasn't too bad, it can't have been too bad." Oz seemed eager to convince them that his former girlfriend was all right. Or maybe he was trying to convince himself. "C-can I see her?"

"Y-you want to see her?!" Angel asked incredulously, the words nearly choking him. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been so angry. Angel wanted to torture Oz, to kill him slowly, painfully. The part of him that was vampire--the part he often tried to deny--wanted to play in Oz's blood. In his head, Angelus-like thoughts swirled and Angel didn't mind. For once, he had no desire to suppress his violent, more dangerous tendencies.

As if sensing the change in their friend, the remaining members of Angel Investigations uneasily took a step back and drew closer together. From their perspective, it looked as if Angel was about to erupt, incinerating everything--and everyone--in his path. They could almost see the darkness pulsing within him and they nervously glanced at each other. It was sometimes easy to forget he was a vampire, but the dangerous power that now exuded from his tall frame was a sobering reminder.

Either Oz sensed it and chose to ignore it or he was unaware of it. Instead of running out the front door as good sense dictated, he took the remaining steps down into the lobby. "Yeah, Angel, I have to see her. I want to make sure she's okay." He frowned, suddenly unsure. "Where is she? You've gotta let me see her."

"I'm not going to let you do anything. You're not getting anywhere near her," Angel growled low in his throat. "Now get the hell out of here."

Oz took an involuntary step back as he watched Angel move toward him with the deadly grace of a jungle cat. His frown deepened and he lifted his hands as if to show he was no threat. "Look, I don't know what's going on, but I gotta see Willow. She is okay, right? I mean, when I last saw her she didn't look so good, but she made it here. She must be okay."

So caught up in his feverish pleading, Oz didn't noticed Angel's glowering expression darken to one of doom. "You think she's okay?" Angel's eyes narrowed. "You do your g-damned best to shred her like a paper doll and you think she's okay? You have some nerve showing your face here after what you did to her."

Oz's eyes widened as comprehension dawned. "Oh, no, no it's not what you think--"

With a howl of rage borne of his very soul, Angel flew across the remaining distance between them. Grabbing Oz by the scruff of the neck, he jerked his prisoner around and up the stairs to the landing. "It's not what I think?!" Angel shoved Oz to his knees. Still gripping the smaller man's neck, Angel forced Oz's face toward the floor, holding it mere inches from the dried blood that coated it. "What exactly am I supposed to think?" He snarled into Oz's ear as he leaned over the guitarist. "That's Willow's blood, Oz. When she stumbled in here last night, there was more on the outside of her than on the inside. You did a really good job with those claws of yours." Angel yanked Oz around to face him. The vampire allowed his countenance to shift, his natural features replacing his human mask, and was delighted to see true terror flicker in the depths of Oz's eyes. "You're going to pay for what you did to her, you pathetic, worthless, bastard."

"N-no, wait!" Oz tried to jerk himself away from the powerful grasp. But Angel's fingers dug a little more painfully into his neck, making him wince. "You can't do this, Angel." The vampire blocked his view of the others, but he begged them anyway. "Please, Cordelia, Wesley, help me."

"Why should they?" A cold voice asked. "You nearly killed Button last night. I say you deserve what's coming to you."

Angel grinned predatorily down at him. "See? Gunn agrees with me," he said in an almost happy tone. "So don't even bother begging for your life. They're not going to help you." Angel grabbed Oz's chin and jerked it up. Running his tongue over his elongated teeth, the vampire lowered his head toward the exposed neck.

The normally reticent young man continued to plead with him. "Please, Angel, you have to listen to me." Oz pushed at Angel's chest, but it was futile. The vampire was much too strong and refused to be moved.

Angel sank his teeth into the jugular vein, letting the warm, red liquid flow over his tongue. Oz's struggles only served to spur Angel to draw more blood into his mouth. The sweet nectar coated his throat, giving him some satisfaction. Nothing was going to stop him from his revenge.

"Angel? What are you--Oh, Goddess, no! Angel, stop!" The weakened cry came from the top of the stairs.

It was the only thing powerful enough to stop Angel from his destructive deed. He jerked his head up and stared at the pale figure wrapped in the comforter from his bed.

"Willow?" He managed out of bloodstained lips.

There she stood at the top of the long staircase, swaying.

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