Final Justice

Author: Dayna

Summary: Willow, Angel, and the gang in the Old West.

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

Disclaimer: The characters don't belong to me. They belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. The song 'Big Iron' is by Marty Robbins. No copyright infringement intended.

Author's note: Takes place in alternate universe, so Angel and William aren't vampires.

Characters:

Angel as Arizona ranger
Willow as rancher's daughter
Xander as outlaw nicknamed Texas Red
Buffy as saloon girl
Cordy as saloon girl
Snyder as saloon owner
William(Spike) as another ranger
Setting: 1845 Frontier town.

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

Daniels sat silently listening while the rancher yelled. He said nothing, only sat nodding his head. The rancher's daughter had been kidnapped and he wanted her found immediately. And when you're one of the richest men in the territory, you got what you wanted.

"Sir, we will do everything in our power to find your daughter. I'll assign one of my best men to the case."

"Listen to me. I already told you who I want on this. He's close to my daughter and he's the only one I will trust to go after her."

"I'm afraid that's not possible, he's away on another case."

"Then bring him back!"

"I can't do that." Daniels said impatiently.

The rancher leaned forward and propped his hands on the desk, "Then you leave me no choice. I'll send some of my men to find him. I know that boy, and as soon as he hears what happened to my daughter he'll take off after her."

Daniels sat back in his chair, rubbing his forehead. He hated being forced into something, but he knew the rancher was right. Daniels couldn't afford to lose the best man he had, and that's what would happen if Angel found out about this from someone else. Daniels yelled for another ranger to come into the office.

The blond man entered, and looked from his boss to the rancher. He had seen the man before, but was more familiar with his daughter.

"Yes, sir?"

"William, I want you to go after Angel. Tell him he's needed back here immediately. You will take over his present case."

"But sir, you know Angel doesn't like being pulled off a job."

Before Daniels could respond, the rancher stood up, "You tell him that Willow was kidnapped, and he won't hesitate coming back."

William nodded, then left to get his gear. During the ride to Angel's camp, William couldn't help be uncomfortable with the situation. He had known Angel for quite a few years, but they were more acquaintances then friends. Angel was a very private man who had no emotional attachments to anyone....except Willow. She was the only person Angel considered a friend, and he would give his life to keep her safe. Which is why the relationship hadn't progressed beyond friendship. Both Willow and her father hoped someday she'd marry Angel, but he kept the relationship platonic. William knew it was the dangers of the job that made Angel keep his feelings hidden. He didn't want Willow hurt because of him. But now she was in trouble, and it had nothing to do with Angel's job. But he was the only one who could save her.

As William neared Angel's camp, he noticed it looked deserted. Tying his reins to a tree, he walked into the camp. Angel's bedroll was still there, but that was it. Kneeling by the dead fire, he reached out a hand. The coals were still warm. Before he could stand up, he felt a gun pressed into his back.

"What are you doing here?"

William raised his hands and turned around slowly. Angel stood looking angrily at him. Looking up at him, William could understand how he'd gotten the nickname Angel of Darkness. Angel was dressed all in black, from his boots to his hat. And that gun was a wicked looking weapon. His dangerous appearance was enough to scare most people.

"Damnit Angel, you nearly gave me a heart attack. You're too damn quiet."

Angel holstered his gun, then bent to relight the fire.

"Keeps me alive."

Angel eyed the other man, "You didn't answer my question."

William sat down and removed his hat.

"Something's happened. Daniels wants you back right away."

"Why?"

"I think it's better if you find out when you get back."

Angel shook his head and leaned back against the log. Crossed his legs at the ankles and his arms across his chest.
"I'm not leaving."

William got up and started pacing. This would've been so much easier ifhe'd just go back without questioning me.

"Can't you just trust me on this?"

"Don't trust anyone."

"Not even Willow?"

At the girls name, Angel sat up. He eyed William suspiciously.

"What does Willow have to do with this?"

Angel watched the other man fidget. William had earned his respect years ago, and Angel knew that he wouldn't have brought up Willow unless he had a reason.

"Answer me!"

"She was kidnapped. Her old man stormed into Daniels office demanding you be brought back. You're the only one he wants going after her."

Angel stood up, and began throwing his gear together. As he listened to the other man, Angel felt as though he'd been punched in the stomach.

"I'll take over for you here." William said.

"Who took her?"

"An outlaw nicknamed Texas Red. He's rumored to be a fast draw."

"I'm faster."

And with that Angel jumped on his horse and raced away. William stood staring after him. He knew the outlaw didn't stand a chance. Someone had dared touch the only person Angel cared about, and that man would die. Angel would see to that.

As William turned back to unload his gear, he found himself praying that the young woman would be found safe.

After reaching Daniels office, Angel got whatever details he could from Willow's father. She had been coming home from a visit with her aunt out east, and the stagecoach had been ambushed. The drivers were killed, and Willow abducted. Daniels had wired some contacts he had and learned that Alexander Harris aka Texas Red had a hideout near a small town in Texas. Angel stood up to leave, but the rancher stopped him.

"I don't care what you have to do, or how much you have to pay, just bring me back my daughter."

Angel stared at the man. He looked tough as a bull, but the disappearance of his only child had frightened him like nothing else could have. Angel knew the feeling only too well. "I'll bring her home. You have my word."

"I know you will, Angel. Because you love her too."

Angel didn't acknowledge the remark, but grabbed his coat and left. He restocked his supplies then rode off.

Angel rode through the night, only stopping briefly to let the horse rest and catch some sleep. His dreams were filled with images of the young woman who had come to mean so much to him. She had been the only person to look past his angry attitude and obnoxious behavior, and see the hurt boy inside. Six years younger then himself, she had stuck up for him and dared anyone to mess with him. Gradually she won her father over, and he offered Angel a job on the ranch until he was old enough to join the rangers. He hadn't wanted to care about her, but he did. She was the only family he had.

In the past year or so, he had kept his distance. Making his visits few and far between. He couldn't handle watching her cry when he left, and knowing that she loved him made it hard for him to leave. But, he couldn't allow his past to hurt her, and had stayed away to protect her. Now he was left wondering, if he had been around, could he have prevented her abduction?

The next morning he resumed his trip. It wouldn't be long before he reached the small town, and he would begin his search for Willow. He wouldn't allow himself to think that she might be hurt....or worse. In his mind there was only one acceptable outcome. He would find Willow, kill the bastard who took her, and get her back home safely.

"Hold on Willow, I'll be there soon." Angel whispered.

End Part 1

Angel looked at the town from a distance. It was a perfect place for an outlaw to call home. A general store, a couple saloons, a hotel, and the local sheriff. Not many people to get in his way, and no one to badger him. And Willow was somewhere in that town. He kicked his horse into a gallop.

To the town of Alfrea
rode a stranger one fine day.
Hardly spoke to folks around him
didn't have too much to say.

Angel rode into the town, not bothering to notice the looks he was getting from the people on the streets. He was used to being stared at, and it worked well for him. His dangerous appearance kept strangers away, and that was what he liked. Angel was a loner, and always had been. The only one who had gotten behind his defenses was Willow. And he would tear this town apart if he had to in order to find her. Stopping outside the saloon, he tied his horse up. The saloon was as good a place to start as any. Drunks tended to run off at the mouth. Silently, Angel entered the saloon. It took only a moment but then all eyes turned to him. He walked to the bar, and signaled for a drink. The bartender handed it to him, then backed away. Angel knew everyone was waiting for him to make a move. But when it became obvious that he wasn't going to do anything, the noise started up again.

No one dared to ask his business
no one dared to make a slip,
the stranger there among them
had a big iron on his hip.

"Hey, stranger. Haven't seen you in these parts before."

Angel turned to see two of the saloon girls walking toward him. Looking up, he saw a weasly looking little man standing near the end of the bar. The man had obviously sent the girls over to find out who he was.

"Just here to pick up a friend, then I'm leaving again."

"My name's Buffy, and this is my friend Cordelia. Maybe you'd like to buy us a drink and we could get to know each other."

"I don't think so."

"Ok, but what's your name?" Buffy asked.

"Angel."

"Oh, that's not a very tough sounding name for an outlaw." Cordelia said coyly.

"Who said I was an outlaw?"

Buffy slithered up to Angel, and leaned against him. She ran her finger down his cheek and smiled seductively. "You look tough....and hard. What are you wanted for?"

Angel let the double meaning slide. He finished his drink, and stood up. "Not wanted for anything. Just came to collect my friend."

Buffy and Cordelia both followed Angel outside. They stood next to him, still trying to get him to go upstairs with them.

"Your friend could wait for a little while. Maybe he could even join us." Buffy suggested.

Angel disentangled their hands from his jacket, and mounted his horse. "I don't think she'd appreciate that very much."

"A woman, your friend's a woman?"

Angel tipped his hat to the ladies, purposely ignoring the question. He saw their disappointed faces, then rode towards the sherriff's office. Both women had been quite attractive, but he hadn't even been tempted. Without even realizing it, he compared them to Willow. And in his mind they fell short in every category.

It was early in the morning when he rode into the town.He came riding from the south side slowly looking all around.He's an outlaw loose and running came the whisper from each lip,and he's here to do some business with the big iron on his hip.

Angel entered the sheriff's office. A man was seated at the desk reading some kind of file. He looked up when Angel closed the door. The man's hand drifted to his gun when he saw Angel enter.

"Are you the sheriff?"

"Yes, the name's Giles, who are you?"

Angel walked slowly into the room, making no move to reach for his own gun. The sheriff stood up to face the stranger.

"I'm looking for an outlaw by the name of Alexander Harris. He kidnapped a young woman in Arizona and I'm here to see that she gets home safely." "I've never heard of anyone by that name, and believe me if he was here, I'd know it."

Angel sat in the chair, and dropped his hat onto his crossed knee. He waited till the sheriff returned to his seat to continue. "You may know him by his alias. Goes by the name Texas Red."

Angel watched the sheriff's face grow pale. The man knew something, and Angel wanted to know what.

"Look, I told you I never heard of him. So you better keep looking elsewhere."

"I don't think so. You know the bastard, and I think you know where he is."

Giles sat in his chair and wished he was anywhere else. Texas Red was a mean son-of-a-gun, and he didn't want anything to do with him. But looking at the stranger, he wasn't sure he wanted to get on his bad side either.

Angel grew impatient. He jumped up and grabbed the sheriff, pushing him against the wall.

"Now listen to me carefully. He kidnapped an innocent woman, and I'll do whatever necessary to find her. If that means beating the hell out of you, so be it."

"I'm the law in this town, I could have you thrown in jail."

Angel pulled out his ranger badge, and the sheriff looked at him in shock.

"You're a ranger?"

"Tell me what you know."

In this town there live an outlaw by the name of Texas Red, many men had tried to take him, and that many men were dead. He was vicious and a killer though a youth at twenty-four, and the notches on his pistol numbered one and nineteen more. After talking to the sheriff, Angel headed back to the saloon. Giles had told him that both Buffy and Cordelia had ties to Texas Red, he just wasn't sure what they were. Angel had also found out that Texas Red was responsible for the deaths of several men who had come looking for him. Some were bounty hunters, but a couple had been rangers. He was getting a real good idea what kind of man the outlaw was. Angel's fists clenched at the thought of Willow anywhere near this murderer.

As he sat at the bar, waiting for the two saloon girls to return from upstairs, his mind drifted to the last time he had seen Willow. He had made a quick stop at the ranch to assure himself that she was alright. They had gotten into an argument before he left, and he hadn't gone back to apologize. His mind flashed to the argument.

"Angel, when are you going to quit running away from me? I love you more then anything in this world, but you are constantly pushing me away."

"Willow, I don't want to get into this again. I'm a loner, and I always have been. You are my friend, but that doesn't mean I want to be around you all the time."

Angel had regretted his words as soon as he'd said them, and had tried to reach out to her. But, for the first time since he had known her, Willow backed away from his touch. She looked at him with tear-filled eyes. "Well, you've made yourself perfectly clear. I guess I was fool to think that your feelings went beyond friendship. Now I understand why your visits have become less frequent. Instead of avoiding me, you could have told me the truth."

"Willow, I didn't mean it the way it sounded."

"Don't. Look, you don't have to worry about avoiding me for a while. I'm leaving to visit my aunt and I'll be gone a couple months. So feel free to drop by and visit dad and the ranch hands without having to worry about running into me."

Willow turned to walk away, but Angel grabbed her by the shoulders. "Damnit Willow, that's not it. I can't think about you as anything but a friend. I won't let myself. What I do for a living is dangerous, and I don't want you exposed to it anymore then you already are. I couldn't stand it if anything happened to you."

"Don't use your job as an excuse. There is danger all around me. My father has a past too you know. Who's to say an enemy of his won't come after me. The world's full of danger, Angel. So you can't use that as an excuse."

Angel didn't say anything, because he didn't know what to say. He knew what she said made sense, but he needed to believe in his reasons. If he didn't, he'd have to acknowledge the truth. He was afraid to love Willow. So, he stood silent as he let her walk away. When she reached the house, she turned to him.

"Did you ever think that you'd be able to protect me better by being here with me? I know you love me, Angel, but it's not enough unless you willing give me your heart. As long as you hide from your feelings, you'll never realize how wonderful our life could be together. Do me a favor, and just think about that while I'm gone."

That had been the last time he'd seen Willow. He had received letters telling him of her stay with her aunt, but she hadn't mentioned their argument. Reading the letters, Angel realized he missed her terribly, but still refused to admit that he could have that wonderful life she talked about. He had decided she was better off without him. Then he found out she was missing, and suddenly the choice had been taken away from him.

End Part 2

Angel sat at the bar and watched the saloon girls descend the stairs. The brunette noticed him first, and pointed excitedly to her friend. They approached him again, and he followed them upstairs. Outside one of the doors, they were stopped by the man he'd seen downstairs.

"You two make sure you get the money first."

"We will."

The man watched them enter the room, then walked away. Those two better make it worth it for the stranger. He didn't want that one upset, he looked dangerous.

Now the stranger started talking made it plain to folks around,
he was an Arizona ranger wouldn't be too long in town.
He came there to take an outlaw alive or maybe dead,
and he said it didn't matter he was after Texas Red.

Angel sat on the edge of the bed, wondering how these two were connected to the outlaw. Buffy crawled on the bed behind Angel and began massaging his shoulders. Cordelia came to stand before him, and began untying her blouse.

"I need information, and I'm told you two are the ones to talk to."

"What kink of information, lover?" Buffy asked.

"About Texas Red."

Cordelia stepped back and looked fearfully at Buffy. Angel jumped up and blocked the door before either girl could get out of the room.

"Sit down." Both of them sat on the bed, and watched the stranger.

"Now, I want you to tell me where I can find him."

"We don't know."

"Don't lie to me!"

"I'm not, he always comes to us. We've never gone to his hideout."

Angel looked closely at the two girls, and reluctantly accepted that they were telling the truth. "Who would know? He kidnapped a woman, and I want her back."

The two girls exchanged a quick look, then looked back at the floor. "You know something about her, don't you?" Neither girl spoke.

Angel grabbed Buffy and pushed her against the wall. "I asked you a question."

"He'll kill me if I tell you anything." Buffy wailed.

"I'll kill you if you don't. Now tell me where my friend is!"

Buffy looked up into the man's handsome face. She had been about to lie some more, but when he told her the woman was his friend, she changed her mind. This man didn't look like someone to make friends easily. She saw in his eyes that he would kill to get information on the girl. And she wasn't about to die for a creep like Texas Red.

"I know where she is."

"Buffy!"

"Cordelia, this guy will kill us if he doesn't get his woman back. I don't feel like dying today."

"But, what about Texas Red?"

Angel was still processing hearing Willow referred to as 'his' woman. The girl's fearful question broke into his thoughts.

"Don't worry about him. You tell me where the woman is, and when Texas Red comes after me, only one of us will be left standing. And I can assure you, it won't be him."

"You're a fool if you think that. He's killed alot of men, and they all thought they'd beat him." Cordelia said.

"Then you have to decide if you want to die now, or take a chance that I'm as good as I claim to be. Which is it going to be?"

Buffy walked over to Cordelia and whispered in her ear. The other girl nodded her head.

"I'll take you to her. Cordelia will stay here so that Snyder thinks we're still using the room."

"Who's Snyder?"

"The man downstairs. He owns this place."

"How do I know she won't take off and alert the whole place as soon as we leave?"

"Because she knows you'll kill me if she does."

Angel pushed Buffy out of the room. She led him down some backstairs into a basement. Finding a hidden key, she opened the door. She stepped into the room, and Angel entered. There, lying on a cot, was Willow.

"Willow?"

Willow opened her eyes and looked toward the door. She thought she must have been dreaming again.

"Angel?"

Angel rushed to Willow's side and gathered her into his arms. Buffy watched the couple embraced, and for a moment wished she had someone who loved her as much as the stranger loved the woman.

"You have to get her out of here. Texas Red will be here soon."

"Then I'll be waiting. Willow, can you walk?"

"I'm okay, Angel. Please, let's just leave."

"I can't. He has to pay for taking you. I'm going to take you to the sheriff's, then I will send him to hell, where he belongs."

Angel pulled Willow close to him, and began leaving. He turned to leave, but stopped in front of Buffy.

"Do you think you're little friend has reached him by now?"

Wasn't long before the story was relayed to Texas Red.
But the outlaw didn't worry men that tried before were dead.
Twenty men had tried to take him, twenty men had made a slip,
twenty-one would be the ranger with the big iron on his hip.

Surprise flickered across Buffy's face. "Wha....what do you mean?"

"Do I look stupid to you? I know as soon as you led me out of that room, she hightailed it toTexas Red."

"But, I told you, we don't know where his hideout is."

"No, but you do know where some of his boys hang out. And they will relay her message to him." Angel pushed Buffy into the room and closed the door. Her pounding on the door was frantic.

"Don't push me lady. Be quiet, and I'll let Snyder know where you are. After I get rid of a certain outlaw."

The pounding stopped, and Angel led Willow out the back of the saloon. "If you knew they were going to betray you, why did you leave her alone?"

"Because I want him to come here."

Angel pulled Willow into his arms. He could feel her shaking. "I was so scared Angel. But, I knew you would find me."

Angel tightened his hold on Willow. Her unwavering faith touched something deep inside of him. "Did he touch you Willow?"

Willow buried her face in Angel's shoulder, and he could feel her tears. Gently, he raised her face.

"Willow?"

"He touched me.....and kissed me, but that's it. He had plans to finish, that's why he left me at the saloon. But, he planned to get me after that. Then he said he was going to....." Willow's sentenced dropped off.

"You're safe now. I won't let anyone hurt you ever again."

Angel took Willow to the sheriff's office. He sat talking to her, telling her about her dad, anything to keep her mind off of the impending showdown. Angel had left briefly to find one of Texas Red's men, and he called the outlaw out. Angel made sure plenty of witnesses heard the challenge. The outlaw would have no choice but to show, or be considered a coward.

Then he went back to be with Willow. Since finding her safe, he hadn't wanted to leave her side. The past few days had shown him how foolish he'd been. Nearly losing Willow had forced him to admit to himself that he wanted her in his life. Not as just a friend, but as so much more. But, that would have to wait till he disposed of Texas Red. The bastard would never touch Willow again.

End Part 3

"Don't you think it would've been wiser to leave when you had the chance? Red isn't a man to take kindly to being called out." Giles stated.

"Leaving isn't an option. I'm going to make sure he doesn't hurt anyone again. By the time this is done, he'll either be in jail......or dead. It doesn't matter to me which one."

"And what happens to your young lady if Red is better then you think he is? I won't be able to stop him and his men from taking her back. I'm only one man."

Angel looked toward the back room, where Willow was resting. He had made arrangements for her to get out of town safely, if something happened to him.

"I've already taken care of that. A colleague of mine is on his way here as we speak. He won't interfere in the fight, but if I lose, he'll get Willow out of town."

Giles watched the young man sitting across from him. If he didn't know better, he'd think the man didn't have a care in the world. He exuded a confidence that Giles hadn't seen in a long time. This one may actually give Texas Red a run for his money, but Giles had seen the outlaw in action. And he didn't think the ranger stood a chance.

The men sat in silence until a yell from outside drew their attention. They moved to the window, and Angel got his first view of the outlaw. Obviously a few years younger then him, the dark haired man looked like a teenager. Except for the shadow of a beard, and a nasty looking scar down the side of his neck. Dressed in jeans and black duster, he looked like a child playing grown-up.

The morning passed so quickly it was time for them to meet,
it was twenty past eleven when they walked out in the street.
Folks were watching from the windows, everybody held their breaththey knew this
handsome ranger was about to meet his death.

"Where'd he get the name Texas Red?"

"He's left bodies from one end of the state to the other. People started saying he painted Texas red. The name stuck." Giles answered.

"Doesn't look like much to me."

"He may look like a kid, but he's vicious. You don't want to think about what he would do with that young lady. I've seen the results of his temper."

"Angel?"

The whispered voice shook with fear. Angel turned to see Willow standing behind him. He walked over to her, and pulled her into his arms. "Don't go out there. Please."

"I have to. If something happens to me, you'll be safe. William is here somewhere, and if I'm killed, he'll make his move. He'll make sure you get home safely."

"Hey, stranger! Show yourself!" came a yell from outside.

"I have to go, Willow. Stay inside."

"Good luck, son. I think you're going to need it." Giles replied.

Angel nodded, then took a final look at Willow. He smiled gently at her, then left the office. Willow ran after him, but the sheriff stopped her outside the office.

"Stay here, miss."

"I can't let him do this."

"The only thing you'll do is distract him. If he's going to survive, he needs to concentrate on Red."

Willow stood outside, watching as Angel walked toward the outlaw. She shuddered as she remembered the outlaw's hands on her. Willow knew she would prefer death to being anywhere near Texas Red. She stood silently, praying that Angel would survive.

There was forty feet between them when they stopped to make their play,
and the swiftness of the ranger is still talked about today.
Texas Red had not cleared leather for a bullet fairly ripped,
and the ranger's aim was deadly with the big iron on his hip.

Angel stopped and faced the outlaw. He could tell the man thought this would be an easy kill.

"So, you're the stranger who came looking for me, huh? You don't look so tough to me."

"Then you're more of a fool then I thought." Angel taunted.

"I don't appreciate people sticking their noses in my business. You had no call to interfere here. Who the hell are you anyway?" Red asked. "Name's Angel. And you made it my business when you took my lady friend."

"Angel? What kind of sissy name is that? Hey boys, his name is Angel, isn't that cute."

Angel heard the grunts of laughter coming from the outlaws band of flunkies. He ignored them, and stared at Harris.

"Course, some people call me the Angel of Darkness, does that sound tougher to you? Besides, my name is the last thing you should be worried about. If I were you, I'd be concerned about how fast a draw I am."

"Don't matter, I'm better. I've proved that."

"All that proves is that you've been lucky. This time, your luck's run out."

"Tough words, hope you can back them up." The outlaw said.

"I can, although I'd prefer you're death to be slow. You'll never touch Willow again."

"Ahh, now I see. You've got a thing for the little lady. Can't blame you for that, she's sure a spitfire. And I fully intend to explore the possibilities once I dispose of you. Very careless of you not to get her out of town."

Angel felt the rage building inside of him, and knew he wasn't going to take this dirtbag to jail. He was going to see him dead!

"Anytime you're ready."

Willow watched from outside the sheriff's office. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. One minute they were talking, the next Texas Red was lying on the ground and Angel was holstering his gun. She hadn't even seen him draw. Neither had Texas Red, since he hadn't even been able to draw his gun out completely. She watched as Angel made his way over to check the body. When Angel turned and looked toward her, she knew the outlaw was dead.

It was over in a moment and the folks had gathered round
There before them lay the body of the outlaw on the ground.
Ooh, he may have went on living but he made one fatal slip
when he tried to match the ranger with the big iron on his hip.

Giles stood watching the scene intently. He had never seen anyone so quick on the draw. The outlaw's surprise was evident on his face, just before he dropped to the ground. Giles looked around at the townspeople who had gathered around the body. Texas Red had been a bully in this town for years, and now, thanks to the stranger, they were all free of him. It hadn't taken his boys long to figure out they better hightail it out of town, taking with them the two saloon girls. He could only hope that was the last they'd seen of that bunch.

Angel sat in the hotel room, waiting patiently for Willow to return. He had found William and thanked him for watching his back. Then William had gone back to his job. Angel decided that he and Willow would stay in town for the night, and head home in the morning. He'd sent a wire to let Daniels know that he had found Willow, and was bringing her home safely. Willow entered the room, having finished washing the stench and dirt of the last few days off her body. Angel stood in the room, looking out the window. He looked so handsome, standing there with his black jeans and black shirt. Her heart fluttered as her thoughts strayed to unladylike images.

"I wired Daniels, he's going to let your father know you're safe."

"Thank you."

Willow sat on the bed, and stared at Angel's back. He had barely said two words to her since they entered the hotel. She desperately wanted to know what he was thinking. "Angel, why won't you say something? You won't even look at me."

Angel remained still, not turning around. She was beginning to think he wasn't going to answer her. "I almost lost you, Willow. And it scared the hell out of me. This is exactly what I've been trying so hard to fight against."

"Angel, I....."

"Let me finish, please. My reasons for staying away from you were the truth, but only part of them. I've never had anyone in my life that I could count on, or that I cared about. Then you showed up, all pig-tails and mothering attitude. You made me care about you, and it scared me to death. I figured if I stayed away, it would make it easier. In fact, I had nearly convinced myself of that. But, then William came after me and told me you were missing. That nearly destroyed me. I knew I had to find you, and get you home safely."

"You've done that, Angel."

"But, my intention was still to walk away. I was still convinced you were better off without me. But, I realize now that I can't do that. Hearing that bastard talk about touching you, I wanted him to die slowly. When I turned and saw you standing there, all my noble intentions went out the window. I can't walk away anymore Willow. Whatever it takes, I need you with me."

Willow couldn't stop the flood of tears, and ran over to Angel. Throwing herself into his arms, she hugged him tightly.

"That's what I want too. We can deal with anything, as long as we're together."

Angel cupped Willow's face in his hands, and gently wiped away the tears. He saw the love shining in her eyes, and finally let the love he felt for her, shine through in his eyes.

"I love you, Willow. You are my life. Will you marry me?"

"Yes, yes, yes."

The couple stood holding each other tightly, completely closing themselves off from the outside world. Decisions would have to be made, but this was their time.

Epilogue:

The parents of the bride had spared no expense. The bride had been given a fairy tale wedding. Her father could be heard grumbling about how it had taken the groom long enough to marry his little girl. Everyone knew that he and his wife had the wedding planned long before the couple ever became engaged. The groom had been chosen years earlier. No other man would've been good enough for their only daughter.

Angel had wanted to leave his job as a ranger and take up ranching, but Willow wouldn't hear of it. Being a ranger had been his dream since he was a teenager, and she wouldn't allow him to give that up. He didn't want her exposed to the danger, but Willow was as stubborn as he was. Finally, they agreed that he would continue with his job, but when he was away, she would go to stay with her parents. That way, he could continue with the job he loved, and be secure in the knowledge that the woman he loved was safe.

The future held only promises of a life filled with love. Their children would know the love of a family, something Angel had never had.

As Angel laid in bed with his wife, he marvalled at how his life had changed. And all due to one delicate red-haired imp. She had given him so much in his life, that he felt like the luckiest man in the world. He basked in the love she gave him, and returned it unconditionally. The nightmares of the past were behind them, and he would protect their future with his life.

Pulling Willow securely into his arms, Angel fell asleep with a smile on his face. Willow was right, theirs was a wonderful life.

The End!

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