Author's Note:
This was the first BtVS fic I ever wrote, and I didn't plan to send
it out. But, what the heck. Here it is.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
In the early months of the new year, Willow's whole life changed. Giles had found that since the demise of Spike and Drusilla, the other vampires had disappeared, leaving Sunnydale vampire free. So with her Slayer duties over, Buffy decided she needed to get away from Sunnydale...and Angel. Their relationship had been strained and Angel had accused her of always throwing his past back at him. They decided it would be better if they didn't see each other any more. Willow finally told Xander of her feelings for him, but he couldn't return those feelings. Since then, their friendship had been rocky. So when Xander received the acceptance letter from a school in New York, he decided it was for the best. At the same time Xander left, Buffy left to spend time with her father. With her friends gone, Willow had never felt so alone in her life. Even Giles and Ms Calendar had left to travel on an extended honeymoon. And when Angel told her he too was leaving, she broke down in tears. Everyone had left her.
Willow's life had become boring and predictable. She went to school and then home to her lonely apartment to study. She found it hard to make friends, so she spent all her time alone...doing homework or working on the computer. She got e-mail from Giles and Jenny fairly frequently, and Angel sent her postcards from wherever in the world he was travelling. But it wasn't the same...she missed her friends.
It was late when she got back home from the University library. Once it would have been dangerous to walk alone at night, and she would've called Buffy, but that was the past. So she was startled when a hand grabbed her arm as she was opening her door. She froze in fear.
"Willow, it's me."
Willow immediately recognized the voice, even though it had been nearly a year since she'd heard it.
"Angel?"
The man took her keys, opened the door and turned on the light.
"It is you. What are you doing here?"
Willow was so happy to see a friendly face that she didn't notice the look on Angel's face.
"Willow, I need to talk. Can I come in?"
After they entered the apartment, Willow went to put away her stuff while Angel looked around the place. Small but cozy, it had the feeling of a home. He saw photos of her parents, of Giles and Jenny, and to his surprise, a hand drawn portrait of himself. There were no photos of Buffy or Xander. The omission told him all he needed to know.
Willow stood in the doorway watching Angel. He had changed. There was a guarded look in his eyes that hadn't been there for a long time.
"Angel, what's happened?"
Angel looked at the redhead in surprise.
"What do you mean?"
Willow moved across the room and sat down on the couch, motioning for Angel to join her. Reluctantly, he sat down.
"There's something bothering you."
Angel looked at the young woman beside him and knew he had made the right decision in coming to her. She wouldn't laugh at him for his weakness. If anything, she would understand it only too well.
"I got lonely."
The whispered reply was so soft that Willow almost missed it. But when she looked into the vampire's eyes, she saw all her feelings reflected in his eyes. She reached over and covered his hand with hers, relaying in actions what she couldn't in words.
"I was alone for so many years that I thought it would be the same now. But I had found out what it was like to have friends, and it was hard to go back to being alone. So I came back. You have been a true friend to me and I missed that. You never treated me different because of who...what I am. If my appearance will complicate your life, let me know and I'll leave."
"There's nothing to complicate. My life is school and the computer. I don't make friends easily, so I've been alone except for my parents. It will be nice to have a friend again."
The way she said that made Angel wonder what had happened with Buffy and Xander. He knew they had gone away, but surely they kept in touch with their friend.
"How are Giles, Xander, and Buffy?"
"Giles and Jenny are enjoying their travels. I've saved their e-mails and letters if you'd like to read about their adventures."
"I'd like that. It was about time they got married. What about the others?"
Willow got up and walked to the window. Even after all this time, their abandonment hurt. Angel sensed the mixed emotions Willow was experiencing.
"I don't know. I've only heard from Buffy once. She informed me that she didn't want reminders from the past and would appreciate if I didn't write again. And Xander seems to be too busy to communicate with me at all."
<What kind of friends turn their backs on each other after experiencing the things those three had faced? Looking at Willow he could see that she was still devastated by their behavior.>
Angel got up and walked over to Willow. He took her by the hands and looked into her eyes.
"I guess it's just the two of us."
"Until you decide to leave again."
"I'm here to stay. If I decide to leave, you can come with me."
With that said, Willow gave Angel a hug and they just stood there. Two lonely people finding companionship and friendship at a time when both thought they were alone.
***
Six months later....
Willow got home from school and grabbed a soda from the fridge, trying to be quiet so as not to wake up Angel, and headed for the computer.
Hooking up to check the e-mail, she was pleased to see a message from Jenny.
Dear Willow-
These have been
the best days of my life. Taking time off to travel
and put the events
of the past behind us did wonders.
We were glad
to hear that Angel is back. Giles and I were worried
about you being
alone. Tell Angel that he better take good care of
you, or he will
deal with me.
This might be
the last message you'll receive from me. But not to
worry, we will
just have to talk in person. Giles and I have decided
that it's time
to come home and resume our jobs. We should be back
in Sunnydale
by the end of the month.
Looking forward
to seeing you and Angel. Take care.
Love Giles & Jenny
Sorting through the rest of the messages, she didn't hear Angel walk up behind her until he started rubbing her shoulders.
"Good day?"
Leaning back into his hands, Willow still found it hard to believe all that had happened in the past few months. After Angel came back, she had invited him to stay with her and they spent almost every moment together. It was just recently that their relationship had turned romantic.
"It is now. Giles and Jenny will be home by the end of the month."
Angel read the message and smirked at Jenny's 'threat'. He was glad to know how much the teachers cared for Willow.
"It'll be nice to see them. We'll all have to go out."
The telephone ringing interrupted the conversation. Angel answered the phone and then hung it up.
"Who was that?"
"Don't know, they hung up. I'm going to go get dressed."
After Angel left the room, the telephone rang again. Willow went over to pick it up.
"Hello?"
"Willow?"
Willow sucked in a breath. Buffy...what did she want after all this time?
"Willow, are you there?"
"I'm here."
"I know hearing from me is probably a surprise, but I needed to ask you for something."
"What?"
Willow looked up as Angel entered the room. She mouthed who was on the phone.
"Have you kept in touch with Angel since he left town?" Buffy asked.
"Yes."
"Great. Do you know how to reach him? I really need to talk to him."
"What could you possibly have to talk to Angel about?"
"That's between him and me. Do you have a phone number or something?"
"I can put him on right now." Willow replied.
"Angel's there?"
"That's right."
Silence.
"He answered the phone the first time I called, right? I thought I had the wrong number."
"It was him. Just a second."
Covering the mouthpiece, she handed Angel the phone.
"Buffy wants to talk to you."
"About what? We have nothing to say to each other."
"Apparently she thinks you do. She said it was personal. I'll go into the other room."
Angel took the phone, but held onto Willow's hand.
"No, stay with me."
Willow nodded, privately thankful that he wasn't going to keep any secrets.
"Hello."
"Angel, it's Buffy."
"I know. What do you want?"
"I called Willow to see if she knew how to get ahold of you. It really threw me when she said you were there. I thought you left to travel?"
"I came back a few months ago. Why did you want to talk to me?"
"I've been doing some serious thinking since I left and came to some decisions that I need to talk to you about."
"Well, I'm glad you've been soul searching, but whatever you came up with doesn't involve me. We've both moved on with our lives and the past is best left buried."
"Angel, please.... Wait a minute, what are you doing at Willow's anyway? And why were you answering the phone?"
"Not that it's any of your business, but I live here."
"But I thought it was Willow's apartment."
"It was. Now it's ours."
Silence again.
"Ours?"
"That's right. Now I have to go. Goodbye."
"But..." click.
Angel looked to Willow as he hung up the phone.
"She wants you back, doesn't she?"
"It doesn't matter what she wants. I love you Willow Rosenburg."
Any doubts Willow had about Angel's feelings disappeared and she knew that no matter why Buffy had called, Angel was free of the Slayer.
***
Several evenings later, Angel was taking a shower and Willow was curled up on the couch reading when there was a knock at the door.
She got up and went to look through the peephole. Her breath caught in her throat. Slowly she opened the door.
"Surprised to see me Willow?"
"Buffy, come in. Yes, I'm surprised. It's been a long time."
Buffy walked in and looked around the room. Very Willow-like. But Buffy also noticed the little things that alerted her to Angel's presence.
"Nice place Willow."
"Thank you. What are you doing here?"
"Can't I stop by to see my best friend?"
"Not when you haven't spoken to that friend for almost two years."
Buffy threw Willow a look over her shoulder.
"Have you heard from Xander lately?"
"No."
"Really? I hear from him quite frequently. Mostly about Katherine."
Buffy noticed the blank look on Willow's face.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Katherine is Xander's girlfriend. From what he tells me, it's quite serious."
"I'm glad he's happy."
The tension between the two girls was almost at the breaking point when a voice broke the silence.
"What are you doing here?"
Both turned and saw Angel standing in the bedroom doorway wearing nothing but jeans, having just stepped out of the shower.
Buffy hungrily watched Angel. It had been so long and she freely admitted that she had missed him...alot.
Angel looked from Buffy to Willow, and noticed how pale Willow looked. He walked over to Willow's chair and sat on the arm.
"Hello Angel."
"Buffy. You haven't answered my question."
Buffy felt uncomfortable watching Angel and Willow together. She had come here to tell Angel that she still loved him and wanted him back. She had assumed it would be easy to take him away from Willow.
"After our phone conversation, I decided what we needed to discuss would be better done in person."
"You wasted your time. I told you on the phone there was nothing left to be said."
Buffy felt herself losing ground.
"Willow, would you excuse us? I'd like to talk to Angel privately."
Willow began getting up when Angel stopped her.
"I don't know what you're trying to do, but it won't work."
"Angel, please. We need to talk. I know everything will change once you hear what I have to say." Buffy pleaded.
"I don't care...."
"Angel, you should at least hear her out."
Angel looked in surprise at Willow.
"The two of you have unresolved issues that should be dealt with. I'll be in the bedroom."
Before Angel could protest, Willow went into the bedroom and closed the door.
"So talk."
Buffy proceeded to tell Angel about everything she'd done since they last saw each other. She told him of all the times she'd thought about him and how much she missed him. Finally, she told him that she'd never stopped loving him. They deserved a second chance...a chance at the happiness that had eluded them.
During all this, Angel sat silently in the chair.
"You see why I had to come here. We belong together. I was a fool to leave you and I realize that now. But we can pick up where we left off. I love you Angel."
Buffy waited patiently for her words to reach Angel. When he got up and walked to the windows, Buffy walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him, thinking she had won him back.
She wasn't prepared for him to push her away. Or for the look in his eyes.
"Angel?"
"You selfish little witch! You think you can just walk back into my life after two years, tell me you love me, and I'd fall at your feet. I don't think so."
Buffy starred in stunned silence as Angel continued.
"You may have spent the last two years living in the past, but I haven't. I spent it living in the present, and finding a new life and a new love. I don't intend to give those up for you or anybody else."
"You can't mean you're choosing Willow over me?"
"I'm not choosing Willow over you. I'm choosing to spend my life with Willow, you don't figure into this. What you and I had was in the past. Leave it there."
Buffy tried to reach out to Angel, but again he pushed her away.
"You still love me. I know you do."
Angel looked at the woman he once loved.
"Wrong. What I felt for you is in the past. It's over. You made a mistake coming here, but at least you know how I feel. Now you can go back where you came from and start living your life, and leave me to live mine."
"With Willow?"
"That's right. I think it'd be best if you leave now."
Angel went into the bedroom to get Willow. Seeing them together, Buffy realized that she'd lost Angel forever. She would never understand how that had happened, but it was something she would regret for the rest of her life.
"Well, I guess there's nothing left to say. I'm sorry to interrupt. Goodbye."
Buffy turned and walked away, wiping at the tears falling down her face.
After Buffy left, Willow turned to Angel.
"Are you sure?"
Angel smiled down at the woman in his arms and kissed her passionately.
"Does that answer you're question?"
Willow leaned into her lover's embrace. Any doubts she had about Angel's feelings for her had vanished.
***
Two months later....
The phone was ringing when Angel and Willow returned from an evening out with Giles and Jenny.
"Hello?"
"Angel?"
"Yes, who's this?"
"It's Xander, is Willow there?"
"Just a minute."
Angel handed the phone to Willow.
"It's Xander. Do you want me to leave you alone?"
"No."
Angel nodded and sat down. <This must have been how Willow felt when Buffy called. He was furious with himself for being jealous of the boy on the phone, but was still unable to block out the conversation.>
After what felt like hours, Willow hung up the phone.
"What did he want?"
Willow turned, surprised at Angel's tone.
"He wanted to apologize for the long silence between us. He didn't know how to talk to me after I told him how I felt about him, so he decided the best thing to do was keep his distance."
"So, why's he calling now?"
"Buffy called and told him about you and I. He realized I had moved on, just as he had, and that I had fallen in love with someone else. And he wants us to try to be friends again."
"And do you?"
Willow went over and sat on Angel's lap.
"Yes, I want my friend back. But that's all. We're both madly, crazy, in love with other people. Can you handle Xander being my friend again?"
"As long as I know you're mine, I can handle anything."
Angel began tickling Willow and chased her into their bedroom.
***
Later that night, lying with Willow in his arms, Angel realized that in order to move forward together, they both needed to let go of their past loves. They had done that, and were now free to move forward in their relationship. The ghosts of the past were gone, and only the sweet promise of their future remained.
THE END