~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Isn't that sweet? Trying the old seduction routine, Angelus?"
Angel and Willow seperated, and turned to face the new danger. Willow wasn't sure how much more she could handle.
"Aren't you happy to see me?"
Willow watched her former teacher approach them.
"Well, it would appear I've stunned both of you silent."
"What are you doing here? What's the point?" Angel asked.
"That hurts, Angel. I tried to help you, and how do you repay me? You killed me, then layed me out for Rupert to find. Now you've set your sites on Willow, but I won't allow you to hurt her."
<What is Patrick up to now? Bringing the gypsy here has to be significant.>
"Willow, you must come with me now. I can get you home, but you must trust me." Jenny reached her hand toward Willow.
Willow backed up. She looked from Angel to her computer teacher. It didn't take her long to figure out what was going on. <If I leave with this woman, then Angel dies, because he'd be left to finish the maze alone. And I don't believe for one minute that I'd be allowed to go free.>
Angel watched Willow intently. He'd also figured out Patrick's plan.....divide and conquer.
The decision was made when Willow moved next to Angel and gripped his hand.
"I think I'll stay with Angel."
"Willow, you don't know what you're saying. He's a killer, or have you forgotten the people he's killed. Have you forgotten me?"
"I haven't forgotten anything. But have you ever considered that you and your people are partly to blame for this?"
"What are you talking about?" Jenny inquired.
"Think about it. Your people wanted to make Angel pay for killing the girl, so you gave him back his soul. That meant he would be tormented by what he'd done. But, you couldn't leave well enough alone. You added that stupid stipulation to the curse."
"We couldn't allow him happiness!"
"Oh, heavens no, you couldn't have that. So, instead you allowed Angelus to return. That makes a hell of a lot of sense to me!"
"You don't understand gypsy vengeance."
"Obviously not. I would think allowing a repenitent Angel some happiness would be a heck of lot better then letting him turn back into the killer you were punishing."
"He needed to suffer for what he had done!"
"Which is what he was doing when he had his soul. Even after finding some happiness with Buffy, he was still suffering. Taking away his soul only released him from that suffering."
The three people were silent. Angel was impressed with Willow's insight into the curse. Jenny was stunned.
"You have to take some responsibility for Angelus' actions. His return could've been prevented if you had been honest with us about who you were."
"I couldn't. I had to keep my identity a secret."
"Why? What good did it do you?"
"I tried to make it up to all of you, but he killed me."
"Kind of like the scientist being destroyed by their own creation."
Angel wasn't sure he appreciated the comparison she was drawing, but he kept quiet. Willow was managing this fine on her own.
"If you stay with him, you'll die."
"If I go with you, he dies. And I think I would die too. Isn't that right?"
"Don't say I didn't warn you."
Jenny disappeared as quickly as she had arrived. It felt good to finally say the words that had haunted her since Angelus' return. There had always been a part of her that blamed Jenny for what happened to Angel, but she knew she could never voice that opinion. Especially in front of Giles.
"You handled that well. Did you mean what you said?"
"Every word of it. No offense, but you would never have returned if they had just left the curse alone."
"Then I guess I should've thanked her for the gypsies stupidity."
Willow didn't respond. She wasn't about to get into that argument with Angel. It was then that she noticed that the maze had changed again. But this time she saw something new.
"Angel, look!"
Angel looked in the direction she pointed. It looked to be a clearing at the end of the path. <Could it be we've found the end of this maze?>
"Alright, this might be it. But don't get your hopes up. Patrick may be playing games again."
Together they headed toward the clearing. <So far, so good. This might finally be over.>
Angel stopped at the edge of the maze.
"Why'd you stop?" Willow asked from behind him.
"Just checking for unexpected company. It looks clear, but stay close."
"Not a problem." Willow whispered softly.
Angel smirked at her response. He stepped into the clearing, and felt himself being shoved forward.
"What the.....?"
The question died in his throat as he turned.
"Congratulations, my friend. I see you've made it through. I'm impressed."
Patrick stood in the clearing, his hand gripped around Willow's neck.
"Brings back memories, doesn't it, Angelus? Except our roles are reversed."
Angel stepped forward.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you. My hand might get twitchy."
Angel stopped. <There has to be some way to get her away from him. Keep him talking.>
"This was your intention the whole time, wasn't it? You never intended for us to go home. So, then why bother with the maze?"
"I had to give you time to fall in love with her."
"You're crazy if you think she means anything to me. I got her through the maze because you made the rule."
Angel watched Willow's face, stained with tears.
"Nice try, Angelus. But I've been watching you. I know you care about her."
"Then you don't me too well. You want to kill her, go ahead. But what is it going to accomplish?"
"Justice. You took away the only person I ever loved! Now, you can deny it all you want. That just proves to me that you have fallen in love with her. You're doing whatever is necessary to try to save her, but it won't work. First, I will snap her neck, and then I will destroy you!"
"Please, don't do this." Willow pleaded.
"Nothing personal. Your death will be quick. But I have to do this for my Caitlyn."
"Do you really think this would be what she would've wanted? To see you do the same thing that Angelus did." Willow tried to reason with him.
"Shut up! You don't know anything about this. It's not the same."
"You're right, Patrick. It's not the same.....it's worse."
Patrick whipped around, dragging Willow with him. Angel approached carefully, looking for an opening. But the site that greeted him, stopped everyone in their tracks.
"Caitlyn?"
"Caitlyn? Is it really you?"
The woman walked forward. Her gaze swept the faces of the startled people in front of her.
"It's me, Patrick."
Patrick started toward the woman, but stopped.
"No, it can't be. This is a trick."
He turned toward Angel, his hand still around Willow's neck.
"This is some trick of yours, Angelus."
"Don't be stupid, Patrick. I don't have that kind of power, or magic. You know that."
"He's got nothing to do with this."
Patrick turned back to the woman. Angel used the opportunity to move forward.
"Stay back, Angelus. Let me handle this. All you'll accomplish is getting her killed."
Angel stared at the woman. Memories of the day he'd killed her became more vivid. There was something in her eyes that told him to do as she said. He looked again at Patrick, then to Willow. Patrick's grip was as strong as before, and Angel knew he'd be able to snap Willow's neck in an instant. Angel stopped to the side of Patrick, so that he would be able to see Willow.
"Let the girl go, Patrick."
"I can't. Angelus must pay for what he did to you. He's a monster and must be destroyed."
"Who will make you pay?" Caitlyn asked.
"What are you talking about?"
"You are convinced that Angelus must be punished for killing me, but who will punish you for killing this girl?"
"It's not the same thing!"
"And I said it's worse."
"You're not making sense. How is it that you're here?"
"Which do you want me to explain first? How I was sent here to try to stop you from making a mistake you'll regret for eternity, or how what you are doing is much worse then what Angelus did to me?"
Patrick watched Caitlyn closely. <She's really here. My God, she's as beautiful as I remember.>
"What Angelus did to me was wrong, and he will be punished for what he's done. But not by you.....you are not his judge, jury, or executioner."
"It's my right! He destroyed everything I held sacred!"
"Wrong, Patrick. You allowed yourself to be driven by vengeance, you alone are responsible for the lose of your honor and your soul. Now you want to kill an innocent girl. You have planned out every detail of how she will die. You have become as much of a monster as Angelus....maybe even more so."
"I loved you! When you died, I wanted to die too."
"That's what was supposed to happen. You were to die that day. We would have had eternal life together, but you threw that away when you sold your soul."
"What are you saying?"
"You didn't lose me when I died.....you lost me when you lived. You've forfeited your place with me, your eternity lies elsewhere now."
Patrick stood silently. <How can she say this to me?>
"Everything I've done has been for you."
"No, I was just the excuse you used. You have always had a vendetta against Angelus, even before that night. Jealousy, anger, hatred,....those are the reasons for what you've done. Don't make it worse by killing an innocent. Someone who wasn't even born when this feud began. Let it end, Patrick."
"No!! I've waited too long for this moment. The time has come for me to take my vengeance!!"
Angel saw that Patrick wasn't in his right mind.
"Willow!!"
At the instant when Patrick would've killed Willow, Caitlyn used her magic to send Patrick flying backwards. Angel rushed to Willow's side.
"Are you alright?"
Willow couldn't reply. She just held onto Angel. He swung her up in his arms, then turned to the others.
"Take her and go. Walk north, and you will arrive at the same spot where Patrick took you from."
"Why are you doing this?" Angel asked.
"She didn't deserve to be dragged into your mess. If it had been just you and Patrick, I wouldn't have interfered. But I couldn't sit back and let her die. Whether you want to admit it or not, you have changed Angelus. Hold onto that, she could be the one thing that could save you."
Willow looked at the young woman. <She appears so calm, but I know that having to go against the man she loved, is hurting her.>
"Thank you, Caitlyn."
"You're welcome Willow. The path you have chosen won't be easy, but your destinies have now been linked. Now go."
Willow watched as Caitlyn walked toward Patrick. Then in a blinding light, both of them disappeared.
"What'll happen to them?"
"I don't know, and I really don't care. The sooner you forget about Patrick the better."
Willow knew by the tone of his voice, that Angel wasn't in the proper mood for a discussion. She leaned her head on his shoulder, and was soon asleep.
Angel knew the instant Willow drifted off. He had come so close to losing her. <Patrick's gone. His spell should've died with him. Why do I still care about her?>
After several moments,
they reached the park. It looked the same, as though nothing had happened.
Willow was still asleep, and Angel didn't want to wake her, but he knew
he couldn't just drop her at her home, she needed medical attention for
her leg. <Shit, I have no choice but to take her to the library. Perfect
way to end this....with a visit to the Slayer and her little friends.>
Buffy was the first to hear Angel enter. Her gaze flew to Willow.
"Willow?"
Giles and Xander came running, and the site that greeted them chilled both to the bone. They were sure that Willow was dead.
"Don't worry, Slayer. She's just asleep."
Angel laid Willow on a table and turned to leave.
"Angel?"
"What?"
"Where's Patrick?" Buffy asked.
"Gone. She's got an injured leg that needs attention."
Without a backward
glance, Angel left the library. <Now it's over. Patrick's spell will
weaken, and I'll be free of these feelings.> Angel decided it was time
for dinner.
Back at the library, Willow had come around.
"Angel?"
"It's okay, Will. You're safe, and we're going to get you to the hospital."
Willow looked up to see Buffy and Xander hovering over her. She sat up and looked around the library. No Angel. <So much for never leaving me. I guess things have gone back to the way there were. Except for one little thing......I've fallen in love with Angelus.>
Buffy and Xander
watched helplessly as their friend broke down in tears. They thought the
stress of what she had been through was the reason. Willow wasn't about
to let them know the real reason.
Giles carried Willow into her house. Her leg had been treated and the doctor said what she needed was sleep.
"Do you want me to stay with you?" Buffy asked.
"No, I need to be alone. Please?"
"Okay, but call if you need us."
Buffy, Giles, and Xander reluctantly left Willow alone. They were worried about her. She had barely spoken since she got back, but they would respect her wishes. Maybe she'd be better after a good night's sleep.
Willow watched her friends leave. She knew they were all concerned, but she didn't want them hovering around her. <What I need is Angel.> Willow turned out the light, and fell into a fitfull sleep. She was never aware of the figure watching her from the window.
<Sleep well....you deserve it.>
Then Angel turned
and left.
Willow stood, fidgeting nervously. She was scared to death, but she knew what she had to do. Slowly, she lifted her hand to knock on the door.
"What do you want?" Angel asked when he opened the door.
Willow fought the urge to turn and run. Angel looked gorgeous as he stood at the door, wearing nothing but jeans. But the look on his face terrified her. <Just remember the man in the maze....the man I fell in love with.>
"May I come in?"
Angel said nothing, but he backed up to let her enter. Willow was encouraged by this. <At least he didn't slam the door in my face.>
"Well?"
"Well, what?"
"I've had enough of games, Willow. What the hell are you doing here?"
"I haven't seen you since you left me at the library."
"So?"
"I want to know why." Willow said.
Angel sat down on the couch and streched out his legs.
"I would think that'd be obvious, even to you."
"It isn't obvious to me. After what happened in the maze....." Willow began.
"Nothing happened in the maze. I got you through because I had no choice. Patrick's dead, and now things will go back to the way they were."
"But we care about each other."
Willow was stopped by Angelus' laughter.
"Oh, God, you are so naive. I don't give a damn about you. Why would I.
"But the way you acted in the maze?"
"You just answered your own question. I was acting. Don't you think I realized what Patrick was up to? I had to convince him that his plan had worked so he would show himself."
"What do you mean?"
"Wake up! Patrick wanted to do to me what I had done to him. In order to do that, he needed me to fall in love with you. So I let him believe that I had. My only regret is that I didn't get to him before Caitlyn. It would've been very rewarding to finish what I had started."
Willow watched Angel, tears building in her eyes. <He's lying. He has to be.>
"What are you looking at?"
"What if Patrick had killed me?"
"Then I still would've killed him, but Caitlyn stepped in because of you, and robbed me of that honor."
"I meant, would it have mattered to you?"
Angel walked over to Willow. She looked up and immediately drew back. The smirk on Angel's face gave her the answer before his words did.
"Not in the least."
Willow fled the apartment
in tears, vaguely she heard the door slam behind her. Willow had no idea
where she was going. <It was all a lie. I let myself believe that he
cared about me.>
Willow kept running, eventually she wound up at the park. She sat down on the bench, and let the tears fall freely. <What a fool I was.>
"Willow?"
Willow looked up to find Buffy watching her.
"What's the matter? You shouldn't be out here alone."
Willow couldn't bring herself to Buffy the truth. She knew Buffy's first response would be to find Angel and stake him. And even though he had hurt her, she didn't want him dead.
"I just needed some air. Time to think."
"This isn't the safest place to be at night. You know that as well as I do. Let me walk you home."
"Okay."
Willow walked silently beside Buffy. She knew Buffy was concerned, but she couldn't handle talking to her friend now. The only thing Willow wanted to do was cry in peace.
When they got to Willow's house, Willow thanked her friend.
"Are you sure you're okay, Will."
"I'm fine. I just need to sort some things out for myself."
"Okay, I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"Bye, Buffy."
Willow went in and got ready for bed. She turned on the radio, and began crying again, as Colin Raye's song 'I Can Still Feel You' began playing:
It's that feeling,
that someone is standing behind me,
And I turn around,
and there's no one there.
And it's the sensation
that someone just whispered
I still hear you're
voice but you're not really here.
You're memory's
like a ghost,
And my heart is
it's host
I can still feel
you just as close as skin every now and then,
All by myself in
a crowded room or my empty bed
There's a place
you've touched with your love
That no one gets
close to
I can still feel
you...I can still feel you...I can still feel you
Willow got up and
shut off the radio. The song only served to depress her more. Willow climbed
into bed, thoughts of Angel dominated her mind. <He never loved me.
He's certainly a good actor, I was totally convinced. But, what do I do
now?>
Before Willow fell asleep, Caitlyn's words replayed in her mind. <You're destinies are linked.....The path you've chosen won't be easy.> Willow was convinced that meant she and Angel were supposed to be together. With a renewed determination, Willow decided she would fight for the man she loved. Whether he liked it or not.
Angel watched Willow's house from the shadows. He had followed her after she left his apartment to make sure she got home safely. He had thought he'd feel better after telling her off, sure that Patrick's damn spell would've worn off. But, the look on Willow's face when she'd run out, had ripped at the heart he swore he didn't have. <Why can't I just walk away?>
"Because you love her, Angelus."
Angel turned to find Caitlyn standing behind him. She appeared the same as she had at the maze.
"What?"
"You can't walk away because you love her."
"How the hell do you know what I was thinking?"
"I know everything about you."
"Obviously not everything, because you're wrong. This is all Patrick's fault. Him and his magic."
"What you're feeling has nothing to do with Patrick. His power ended when I took him, thus ending any spells he cast. It may have started because of him, but you fell in love with her on your own."
Angel turned back to the dark house. He refused to think about the young woman lying inside, who was hurting because of the things he'd said.
"The question now is what are you going to do about it?"
"Nothing."
Caitlyn walked to Angelus. She touched his shoulder, and turned him toward her.
"Do you remember what I told you?"
"About what?"
"I told you that she might be your only hope."
"Hope for what?"
"Forgiveness."
"What makes you think I want forgiveness?"
"Because you've changed, Angelus. The time you had your soul has changed you, even though you don't want to admit it."
"My soul is gone."
"But not your feelings. Some part of you has allowed you to have feelings for that girl. Sooner or later, you will have to face the truth. If you don't, you'll face a future more bleak then the one you've been living."
"I like the way I live."
"Do you? Can you go back to living that way, now that you know what it's like to have someone give a damn about you?"
"I did it before."
"That was different. The Slayer didn't love you, she loved Angel. So you took great pleasure in using that against her. But this time, you're hurting someone who loves you....Angelus. Think about that."
Caitlyn disappeared as silently as she had arrived. Angel was left with his own thoughts. He didn't want to think about the things Caitlyn had said. They had hit too close to home. <How the hell could it work? She's the Slayer's friend, and I am her enemy.>
Angel started to walk away, but stopped after a few steps. He was at war with himself. Part of him told him to forget about Willow, and go back to the life he'd had before Patrick interfered; but, the other part told him to go to Willow and not let anything take her away from him. <What the hell am I supposed to do?>
<Go to her, Angelus. Don't make the same mistakes I made.>
"Patrick?"
Angel stood, listening, but Patrick said nothing more. He was right though. To hell with everything else. Angel walked to Willow's doors, and knocked.
He waited patiently, then the door opened. Willow looked at him in shock, fear and hope mingled in her eyes.
"Angel?"
"I need to talk to you."
Angel watched Willow try to decide what to think.
"Please."
Willow's eyes widened. She'd never heard him say that word. <Hell, I don't remember the last time I said please.>
"Come in."
Willow went in and sat at the end of her bed. She thought she must be dreaming.
"I want to apologize."
"For what?" Willow asked suspiciously.
"For lying to you."
"What did you lie about?"
Angel walked over to her, and kneeled. He took her shaking hands into his own.
"My feelings for you. Everything I told you at my place was a lie. But, I wasn't only lying to you, I lied to myself too. I tried so hard to convince myself that I didn't give a damn about you."
"What changed your mind?"
"Caitlyn.....and Patrick."
Willow looked at Angel in confusion. He explained about Caitlyn's visit, and Patrick's words.
"I don't know how this is going to work. Besides the obvious, we are totally different. But, I'm tired of trying to figure out why I have these feelings, and sick of trying to forget them. Whatever it takes, I want you in my life."
Tears fell down Willow's cheek, and she threw herself into Angel's arms. He held tightly, never wanting to let her go.
"I love you, Angel."
"I lo...."
"It's okay, you don't have to say it. I can see it in your eyes."
But Angel knew he had to say the words. Not just for her, but for himself.
"I love you, Willow."
Willow's smile made
the effort worth it. He leaned in and kissed her passionately. Whatever
doubts he had faded. This felt right to both of them.
Later, Angel got up to leave. They had fallen asleep in each other's arms. The first peaceful sleep either had enjoyed since the whole mess began.
"Angel, where are you going?"
Angel sat down next to her on the bed. He pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"It's nearly sunrise. I better get home."
"Will I see you tonight?"
Angel was silent.
"Angel?"
"Are you sure about this? Buffy and the others aren't going to exactly jump up and down about this. There are going to be alot of problems."
Willow grabbed his hand, and held it tightly.
"I know that. And I realize that we have a lot to talk about, and decisions that need to be made. But, I love you, and I won't let you go just because things are going to get tough."
"Okay, but if you change your mind...."
"I won't. I had already decided to fight for you even before you came here last night."
"You did?"
Willow nodded. Angel kissed her and walked to the door.
"I'll see you tonight." Then he was gone.
Willow got up and looked out the door. There was no sign of him. She walked back to bed.
Willow knew that she and Angel would have to make some compromises, and some of them were going to be difficult. She also knew that Buffy, Xander, and Giles wouldn't understand her relationship with Angel. <But will they accept my decision?>
Tomorrow would be
a turning point in Willow's life. But she'd made her choice, and she would
stick by it. No matter what the outcome.
Willow walked into the library, feeling less then confident. She knew she had to face her friends alone.
"Hey, Willow. Good seeing you up and about."
"Hi Buffy. Where are Xander and Giles?"
"Back in the stacks someplace."
"I really need to talk to you guys."
"Sounds serious."
Buffy didn't like the look on Willow's face. Something major had happened.
"It is."
Buffy went to get the others. Willow leaned against the table, trying to calm her nerves.
"What's up, Will?"
Willow turned to her best friend.
"Somethings happened, and I need to be the one to tell you guys. And I know you aren't to going to like it, but my mind's made up, and nothing you say or do will change it. I don't expect you to approve, but I hope you can accept my decision."
The others had become nervous. They knew that whatever Willow had to say was going to be bad.
"So, tell us."
"I'm in love with Angelus, and we want to be together."
"WHAT!!!! Have you lost your mind?" Xander exploded.
"Willow, you can't be serious. He's a monster." Buffy tried to reach out to Willow.
"No, he's not. Things changed in the maze.....he's changed."
"Willow, it was Patrick's spell. He told us about it when he came here."
"You're wrong. It started because of that, but Patrick's spell ended when he died. Angel loves me."
"You're kidding yourself. He doesn't care about anyone. Don't you see, he's using you."
"No he's not. I know that there are going to be things that we need to face and deal with. But, we are going to do it together. He's willing to compromise, and so am I."
"Willow...."
"Don't say it, Xander. I told you, I'm not here to get your approval."
"Then why are you here? You seem to have already made up your mind." Giles asked.
"To explain it to you. You're my friends, and I want you to stay my friends. But, I need to know that you'll accept my decision. And that you will leave Angel alone." The last part directed at Buffy.
"Look, we're grateful that Angelus saved your life, but we can't forget the things he's done. And we can't trust him not to continue where he left off. I'm sorry Willow."
Willow fought the tears. She knew this was it. Caitlyn had said it wouldn't be easy, and she was right.
"Then I guess there's nothing left to say." Willow turned to leave.
"Wait! You mean you're picking dead boy over us?" Xander asked.
Willow refused to turn around. It would be harder that way.
"I didn't want to choose." And with that Willow walked out of the library, and out of their lives.
"We have to go after her."
"No, give her time, Xander. She'll realize that she's confusing gratitude with love. In the meantime, we'll keep an eye on her, and make sure Angelus doesn't hurt her."
Xander looked towards
the door. He had the sudden urge to run after Willow, and say he'd try
to accept her decision. But, he did as Buffy asked.
Willow went to her
house and packed a few belongings. She left a note for her parents, saying
she had left with the man she loved, and that she would be in touch. Then
she wrote a note for her friends, and dropped it in the mailbox on her
way to Angel's.
"Are you sure about this?"
Willow went over to sit on Angel's lap. She had told him of her plan for them to leave town together.
"I'm sure. You know as well as I do that they won't accept this. And I don't want to live in constant fear that some night you won't come home. Please, let's just leave."
Angel held onto the girl in his arms. They had made many important decisions since she'd come to his home. She knew that he wasn't willing to go back to eating blood out of bags, but he knew how she felt about him killing innocent people. So they had compromised. Then they had talked over the other matters, and found a way to compromise on those also. This was the final point that needed closure.
"Willow, do you realize you'd be leaving behind everything and everyone you love?"
"Not everyone."
"You know what I mean. And you know that even though we've come a long way in making choices, this won't be easy. I'm not exactly the easiest man to be around."
"I know all that. And I know it won't be easy, but we belong together. Caitlyn told us that. We're going to have problems, and arguments, but we'll face them together."
"And what if I try to hurt you?"
"You won't. I love you, and I trust you with my life."
Angel pulled Willow into a kiss. Whatever the reason, he was willing to do for this woman, things he'd never do for anyone else. He agreed that if they were to have a future together, they would have to leave the past behind.
"Ok, we'll leave."
"Tonight?"
The hopeful expression on Willow's face did him in. With a final kiss, he lifted her off his lap. It only took him moments to pack his few belongings. They got on his bike, and headed out of town.
At the edge of Sunnydale, they stopped.
"Last chance."
Willow turned back to take a final look. It was harder then she thought it would be, but she was determined to start a new life with Angel.
<Maybe some day I'll be able to come back.>
"Let's go." Willow said as she tightened her hold on Angel.
He squeezed her hands,
then put the bike in gear. Both were leaving a part of themselves behind.
"She's gone!"
Xander came running into the library the following Monday.
"What?"
Xander passed the note to Buffy to read.
Xander- By the time you get this, Angel and I will be gone. I couldn't stay, knowing how you guys feel about him. I would be constantly worried that Buffy would kill him. But, I want you to know that I'm not mad at you. You'll always be my best friend. And I hope to someday see you again. My future is with Angel, though. Tell Buffy and Giles that I love them too. Please don't worry about me. Whether you believe it or not, Angel does love me, and will protect me. I won't say goodbye, so I'll say till later. All my love, Willow.
"God, what has she done? We have to find her."
"No, Buffy."
Buffy stared at Xander in shock.
"What?"
"We have to let her go. This is what she wants."
"But Angel....."
"I've known Willow my entire life. I trust her instincts. She'll be fine with him."
"I don't believe you're saying this."
"I'm no fan of Angel's, never have been. But, if she believes he's changed, I'll take her word for it. The last thing she asked me for was to accept her decision....and that's what I'm going to do."
With that declaration, Xander left the room.
"He's right, Buffy. This is one time you have to step back and let Willow handle this alone."
"Giles, she's making a mistake."
"Then it's her mistake
to make. If you don't let go, you'll lose her for good."
Several days later, Buffy received the call she had been praying for.
"Willow, where are you?"
"I can't tell you that. Just know that I'm fine."
"Are you happy?"
"Yes. I'm not going to say that we haven't had problems, because we have. But, we are working through the difficult times, and things are getting better."
"Isn't there anything I can say to change your mind?"
"Nothing. Look, I've already called Xander and my parents. I just wanted to let you know that I'm happy and healthy. This was the right move for me. Please understand that."
"I think I finally do. Will we ever see you again?"
"Maybe....in time, but not right now. Always remember that I love you guys."
"We love you too."
"Bye."
Buffy hung up the
phone. <Bye Willow. Take care of yourself.>
"Are you okay?"
Willow walked into Angel's arms. "I'm fine."
They got back on the bike, and headed for an unknown destination.....and an unknown future.