Author: Dayna

E-mail: honzr@midstate.tds.net

Rating: PG-13

Distribution: TPWFLD; Angel of Mine; otherwise please ask.

Disclaimer: Characters don't belong to me. They belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. No copyright infringement intended.

Author's note: This is an alternate universe story.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Rocking 'C' ranch had always been rivals with the Double 'M' ranch. A feud that started years before, now had to be aside in order to save them both.  The Trick Corp., a giant development company wanted the land, and would let nothing stand in the way of getting both properties.  Ethan McCall and Giles Cardell decided that their homes were more important than fighting each other over an old feud.  They came up with a plan that would provide them with a united front and secure both ranches for future generations.  Now all they had to do was get Giles' oldest son to agree.

Giles Cardell was pacing in front of the fireplace waiting for his family to assemble.  He knew what he had to say would come as a shock, and he hated having to team up with Ethan McCall, but that was the only way for either of them to stop the Trick Corp. from taking over both ranches. "Now that everyone is here we can get down to business."

As Giles related the story of Trick's scheme to push out both owners, he studied his family's expressions.  His wife Jenny already knew the whole plan and supported him fully, and his daughter Cordelia, the baby of the family, was friends with the McCall girl, so she wouldn't be a problem. And since he wasn't a key player, his middle child Xander wouldn't raise a fuss.  But his oldest son would not like this whole idea one little bit.  But Giles knew that Angel was loyal to the family, and would hopefully do what was necessary to protect the Rocking 'C'.

"And Trick isn't playing fair, so Ethan and I have come up with a way to pull both ranches together and show a united front and watch each others back."

"I never thought I'd see the day you and Ethan McCall helped each other do anything."

"Angel, this is more important then some feud that started before we were even born.  We're talking about family and saving our heritage."

"So, what's the plan, daddy?"

Giles looks to his daughter.  She appeared so shy and timid, but had shown that she ha the will and stubborness of a Cardell.  He still remembered the day he found out that she'd been carrying on a friendship with McCall's daughter.  He had told her, in no uncertain terms, to stay away from all McCalls.  She had openly defied him, and in the end it had been him who had backed down and allowed the friendship to continue.  And he hated to admit that he had even come to like the young woman. "A marriage between the two families.  If Willow and Angel marry, that legally joins the two families and unites the ranches.  And the children would be heirs to both properties."

"No way!  I'm not marrying Willow McCall."

"If everyone will excuse us, I think I need to speak to Angel alone."

After the rest of the family left, Giles allowed his son some time to get over the shock, and let him rant and rave before he spoke. "This is a matter of doing what you have to do in order to protect this family." Giles said.

"I have no intention of marrying her.  There must be some other way to beat Trick."

"There is no other way.  I assume that girl is part of the reason you are fighting this.

"Yes, Buffy is part of the reason.  We've been going together for a long time." Angel stated.

"She's not right for you.  You need a wife who knows how to take care of life on a ranch, and Buffy Bellroy wouldn't last one day on a ranch."

"She'd learn to like it.  I've made up my mind.  If and when I marry, it'll be to the woman I love."

"And you think you love Buffy.  Please...what you feel for her is lust. And let's see how long she stays around when the ranch and the money is gone."

"She's not after my money.  She loves me no matter what."

"Fine!  You want to believe that and turn your back on your family, then I have nothing more to say to you.  I want you packed and off this ranch first thing in the morning.  And I want you to remember this day when the Rocking 'C' is nothing more than a memory."

Giles stormed out of the room leaving Angel to stare after him.  If he didn't marry the McCall girl, his father would kick him off the ranch. And his family may lose the ranch entirely.  He decided he needed to talk to Buffy.  Angel sat at the desk and dialed Buffy's number.

"Hello?"a seductive voice answered.

"Buffy, it's Angel."

"Hi baby.  I was just thinking about you."

"Buffy, we need to talk."

After he finished explaining the situation, there was a long silence. "Are you sure you're father would disown you?"

"Positive.  He already has, unless I agree to marry the McCall girl."

Another long silence.

"I think you should do what your father wants."

"What!?"

"Listen, it wouldn't be forever.  And it won't have to change anything between us.  We can still see each other, and this way you'll secure your future."

After his conversation with Buffy, Angel found his father and agreed to the marriage.  Giles was relieved his son finally came to his senses.  The wedding would be in two weeks.  As Angel walked up to his room, he wondered if he'd just made the biggest mistake of his life.
 
 

Willow McCall sat in her bedroom looking out the window.  She had always had a crush on Angel Cardell, but he never noticed her.  The only person who knew about her feelings was her best friend Cordy, Angel's sister. Which was one of the reasons Cordy was so happy that her brother was marrying her best friend.  She was expecting it to turn into a fairy tale. Willow knew better.  In the time since Angel had agreed to the marriage, he had made it perfectly clear that he was only marrying her in order to save the ranch.
 
 

Willow looked at the engagement picture that her parents had insisted on having put into the papers.  They said it would put Trick on notice that the McCalls and the Cardells were now united.  Looking at the picture she could almost fool herself into believing that this was all real.  Almost. Although she loved Angel with all her heart, Willow realized that this marriage could become her worst nightmare.

Willow's wedding day should have been the happiest day of her life, but it wasn't a typical wedding.  Both mothers had agreed it should be an elaborate wedding with all the trimmings.  But, even though both her father and Mr. Cardell had agreed to a truce, that didn't mean that the extended families had forgotten the feud.  At the reception, the guests were grouped McCalls on one side, and Cardells on the other.  Only Angel's immediate family came over to talk to her.  Even her new husband ignored her except when absolutely necessary.  It was too much for Willow to handle, so she headed out to the balcony.

"Are you okay?"

"Oh Cordy, this is all too much.  I don't think I can handle being married to a man who can barely stand to be in the same room with me."

Willow cried on Cordy's shoulder, unaware of the man watching them.

A commotion from inside caused the girls to look up.

"I wonder what's going on.  Should we go see?"

"Cordy, you go ahead.  I just need some time alone."

Cordelia headed back in while Willow looked out at the city lights.

"Willow, we need you to come back in."

Willow turned to see her father-in-law standing there.

She allowed him to lead her back into the reception.  Right away she noticed that the families had all joined in a single group facing the entrance.  Before she could question Giles, she heard her father talking angrily to someone.

"You have no right to interrupt my daughter's wedding.  I want you to leave."

"Well, I just came to give my best wishes to the young couple.  Where are the lovebirds?"

Before Willow realized what was happening, Angel grabbed her hand and pulled her forward.  She had no idea where he came from.  The last time she had seen him, he was in a corner talking to his ex-girlfriend Buffy Bellroy.

"We're right here.  Now I'd appreciate it if you would leave.  Scum like you tend to upset my wife."

"I guess bad manners run in your family.  Congratulations my dear.  I am Nathaniel Trick."

As Trick reached out to kiss her hand, Willow instinctivly moved closer to Angel.  Trick laughed.

"I guess I'll be leaving for now.  But I'll have you know this 'marriage' changes nothing."

The band started up and everyone went back to what they were doing as though nothing happened.  Angel gave her a brief look and walked away. Willow was still shaking from her meeting with Nathaniel Trick when she felt a hand on her shoulder.  She looked up to find Giles and Xander standing there.  Giles gave her shoulder a squeeze and a smile before he walked away to claim his wife for a dance.

"Would you like to dance?"

Willow nodded and let Xander lead her onto the dance floor.

"It'll get better.  Angel just needs some time to get used to this idea. He's usually not so rude.  This marriage will be good for him.  You're going to be good for him."

"I don't think he'd agree with you."
 
 

Xander looked around to find his brother, who was no where in sight. {He must have gone outside with Buffy.}  As Xander glanced down at his new sister-in-law, he wondered if his brother would ever realize what he could have.  And Willow deserved the best his brother had to offer, not to be treated like a toy that could be discarded at will.  Only time would tell.
 
 

Later that night, at the hotel where Willow and Angel spent their wedding night, everything was silent.  Angel had been asleep for hours. Willow climbed out of the bed, careful to not wake Angel, and went into the bathroom and cried.
 
 

They had been married two months and Willow knew that the 'business' trips Angel took into town were actually meetings with his old girlfriend Buffy.  The one time she had mentioned the trips to him, he'd made it clear that it was none of her business.  He was gone so much and so distant when he was home that she hadn't been able to tell him about the strange phone calls she'd been receiving, so she'd mentioned them to her father and Giles.  She also hadn't found the courage to tell him that she was pregnant.  He only slept with her out of a sense of duty, and it was never romantic or loving.  She had no idea how he was going to react to this news.  A strange noise outside broke into her thoughts.
 
 

Ethan and Giles were sitting in Giles' study discussing the 'accidents' that had been happening at both ranches when the phone rang.  Giles answered the phone and his face paled.  When he hung up, Ethan knew something was wrong.

"That was one of  the ranch hands.  He went over to Angel's to check on things and saw that the front door had been kicked open.  He found Willow lying inside.  She's been hurt pretty badly.  An ambulance is on the way and we need to get to the hospital."

Ethan called home and told his wife, while Giles gathered his family and they all headed to the hospital.

They were all sittting in the waiting room, anxiously waiting for news on Willow's condition, when the doctor came in.

"How's my daughter?" Ethan asked.

"Mr. McCall, I'm afraid your daughter has been badly injured.  Her left arm is broken, there was internal bleeding, a serious head injury,and a number of cuts and bruises.  She was severely beaten.  And, I'm afraid she suffered a miscarriage.  We've done what we can for her, but she is in a coma and her condition is critical.  I'm sorry."

The families were stunned.  They knew about the baby, but had all promised to let Willow tell Angel herself.  How could anyone do this to Willow?  They all knew it had to be Trick behind this and he was going to pay. But where the hell was Angel?  He should have been there to protect his wife.  However, the answer to that question was obvious.

"Xander, I want you to go over there and get your brother.  He belongs here with his wife.  If I went, I'd probably strangle him or let Ethan do it."

Just as Xander left, the sheriff arrived and Giles told him what happened, and their suspicions about who was responsible.
 
 

Xander drove over to Buffy's house and sawAngel's pickup parked in the driveway.  {Damnit, none of this would've happened if Angel had been at home where he was supposed to be.  And he doesn't even have the decency to be discreet.}  He went to the front and pounded on the door.

"Xander, what a surprise.  What can I do for you?"

"Cut the crap Buffy, where's my brother?"

Angel walked out to the door.

"Xander, what are you doing here?"

"You need to get dressed and come with me.  There's been trouble and dad wants to see you now."

"Well, whatever it is can wait.  Now why don't you run along."

Losing what little patience he had left, Xander grabbed his brother and slammed him against the wall, sending Buffy back farther into the house.

"What the...."

"Just shut up!  You make me sick.  You have a wonderful wife who's done everything to make a home for you and how do you repay her?  By having a cheap affair.  I once told Willow that you would come to your senses and be a good husband, but I guess I was wrong.  I would give anything to go back and tell her to leave you, then none of  this would've happened."

"What are you talking about?  Let go of me, you're talking crazy!"

"You don't know the half of it. Dad sent me to get you because he thought he'd probably kill you if he came, and right now that sounds like a pretty good idea."

"Look, I don't know what's bugging you, but why don't you go calm done and I'll see you tomorrow."

Buffy walked over and put her hand on Jeremy's arm, but flinched when he knocked it off.

"Xander, why don't you...."

"Stay out of this Buffy.  You're partly to blame for this.  If you had any morals, you'd stay away from married men."

"Buffy, go wait in the bedroom."

After Buffy left, Angel pushed his brother away from him.

"I think you better leave."

"I don't think so.  You need to get dressed and come with me to the hospital.  NOW!"

"Why?"

"Why?  You want to know why?  Your wife is in a coma in the hospital because you weren't there when she needed you.  And because you were too busy playing house with Buffy, your child is dead!"

"What the hell are you talking about?  What happened?"

"Get in the truck.  I'll tell you on the way.  We've wasted enough time."

Angel went into the bedroom, and got dressed, while he told Buffy what he knew.

"Pregnant?  Who's baby was it?"

"What kind of question is that?  It was mine." Angel said.

"Yours!  You told me you weren't sleeping with her."

"I never told you that.  You knew my parents expected grandchildren."

"You bastard!  Get out of here.  I never want to see you again." Buffy yelled.

"Look, I don't need your hysterics right now.  I'll call you later."

He went out to Xander's truck, and they headed to the hospital. "Now, tell me."

"Willow was home alone when someone kicked in the door.  They beat her very badly.  One of the ranch hands found her and called an ambulance. Her condition is critical, and she lost the baby she was carrying."

"I didn't even know she was pregnant.  Why didn't she tell me?"

"When were you ever around?  And with the way you treat her, she was afraid to tell you."
 
 

They got to the hospital and Angel went straight to Willow's room. Cordy was sitting next to the bed, softly talking to Willow.  When Cordy turned to look at him, it was a look of disgust.

"So, you decided to show up?"

"Don't start.  I came as soon as I found out."

"You should've been there.  If you had been a real husband to her, she wouldn't be lying here fighting for her life.  My God, she loved you morethan life itself, and you threw it back in her face.  Then you stuck youraffair in her face.  How could you be so cruel?  But I swear to you,when...if she gets better, I'll do my best to convince her to leave you. She deserves better."

Cordy stormed out of the room.  Angel took her seat next to the bed.  His breath caught in his throat, and a rage built deep inside as he looked at his wife's battered face.  He took Willow's hand.

"I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you Willow.  But I swear I'll make those responsible for this pay.  And then I'll do everything I can to make this up to you.  I know I've been a lousy husband, but that'll change.  I swear it to you."

"Nice sentiment, but you're a little late."

"How did this happen, dad?"

"Just the way Xander told you.  She was alone and unable to defend herself and her unborn child.  But I'm surprised you even care.  You certainly couldn't tell by the way you've been acting since you got married." Giles said.

"How can you say that?  That was my baby too, and she never bothered to tell me she was pregnant."

"Don't try to blame Willow.  You never gave her any indication that you would want this baby.  She was scared, and I can't say I blame her. She made a home for you and was going to give you a child, but you never paid attention to anything she did.  You were too busy with Buffy.  I see now that the marriage was a mistake.  I never should've subjected Willow to your cruel treatment, she deserves so much more.  But what's done is done, and I expect you to make good on your promise."

With that, Giles walked out of the room, leaving Angel feeling worse then ever.

Angel found a pay phone and called Buffy.  She told him that she never wanted to see him again, and hung up on him.  When he turned, Xander was standing there.

"You can't even go ten minutes without calling that woman."

"Well, you don't have to worry about her anymore.  She broke it off." Angel stated.

"Don't expect me to feel sorry for you.  The sheriff just called.  They found the man who hurt Amber.  He's confessed and implicated Trick."

"That's great.  I hope they throw the book at them both."

"What are you going to do now?" Xander asked.

"Do about what?"

"Willow.  Are you going to try to make your marriage work, or are you going to walk away again?"

Xander walked away before Angel could answer.  Angel decided he needed some fresh air and walked outside.  A few moments later, his mother came out.

"Hi Mom."

"Angel, I want you to make me understand how you could be so cruel."

"Mom, you know I didn't want to marry Willow in the first place."

"That's no excuse for the way you treated her.  I taught you better then that."

"I'm sorry.  I don't know what else to say."

"When Willow gets better, she's going to need a lot of love and supportfrom all of us.  Are you going to be able to be there for her?  If not, you need to tell me now.  There is no way any of us are going to let you hurt her again."

"She's my wife.  I wasn't there for her before, I know that.  But I made her a promise that I was going to change all that and I intend to keep that promise."

"I hope you mean that."
 
 

Willow's recovery was slow and painful-both physically and emotionally-but with the love and support of her family, she began to heal.  The presence of her husband was the best medicine. Finally, a month after she was admitted to the hospital, she was able to go home.  Angel stayed with her, and helped her to recover.
 
 

Three weeks later, Angel came in from checking outside and found Willow staring out the window.

"Willow, are you okay?"

She didn't respond.  He walked over to her and turned her to face him.

There were tears in her eyes.

"What is it?  Are you in pain?"

She just shook her head and turned back to the window.

"Willow, you're scaring me.  What's wrong?"

"Do you want to leave?"came the soft whisper.

"Of course not.  What gave you that idea?"

"I don't want you staying with me because you feel guilty or because you pity me."

He turned Willow to face him and tilted her head so that he could look directly into her eyes. "Listen to me.  When we first got married, I treated you bad and I am so sorry for that.  But I want you to know that I've changed since then.  I grew up a lot when I saw you lying in that bed.  It's taken me a while to figure it out but I do love you.  I think I have for a long time but I didn't want to admit it so I tried to push you away."

Angel pulled Willow into his arms and held her as if he was afraid he'd lose her.  "Then when I saw you in the hospital, I realized how close that decision came to being taken out of my hands.  I want to spend the rest of my life making up for the way I treated you."

"Angel, you don't have to make up for anything.  Hearing you say 'I love you' is all I've ever wanted from you.  Because I love you too."

Angel kissed Willow and silently vowed that nothing and no one-including himself-was ever going to hurt Willow again.  And someday, hopefully, they would have a child to love.  And he would be there to protect the ones he loved forever.

THE END

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