Valentine's Apology

Author: Dayna

E-mail: honzr@midstate.tds.net

Rating: NC-17

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.

Dedication: To Beth, who begged for smut before she left for the PBP. I didn't get it done, so I'm making it a welcome back piece. And to my best friend Amy, who first encouraged me to send my stories to the Internet. {I hope she knows what she started!}

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

Willow walked quietly into the mansion, carefully carrying a paper bag. She walked to Angel's room, and noticed the bathroom door closed, and heard the shower running. Willow set the bag down, and quickly began setting up her surprise.

As she was arranging everything, Willow worried about Angel's reaction. He had been distant the last two weeks. Ever since the last time they'd made love.....or tried to. Willow had tried to tell him that it didn't matter, but Angel just became frustrated. The frustration turned to anger when she tried to distract him from the problem. Angel had gotten up, and walked out. Willow hadn't seen him since.

Willow knew that Angel had followed her every night she'd gone out, but he hadn't approached her. And she had decided to give him the time and space he had obviously wanted.....until tonight. Next week was Valentine's Day, and she didn't want to spend it alone.

After she had everything set up, Willow sat on the edge of the bed and waited. When she heard the water stop, Willow walked to the corner and dimmed the lights. And unconsciously crossed her fingers, hoping that her plan would work.

The bathroom door opened, and Angel emerged only in unfastened jeans. Willow could tell he was still damp from his shower, and her heart began beating faster. {Please let this work.}

Willow watched as Angel's gaze went to the bed. She had pulled back the covers, and the black silk sheets were covered with white and red rose petals. His gaze took in all the lighted candles, and then settled on two jars on the nightstand. He picked up one, then the other. As he set the jars down, he stared straight ahead.

"What is all this, Willow?"

Willow moved to stand at the end of the bed. Angel's expression was unreadable, and he hadn't looked at her.

"It's a surprise for you."

Willow watched as Angel sat on the edge of the bed. She wanted to go over and wrap her arms around him, but his behavior stopped her.

"And what's that for?" Angel asked, pointing to the two jars.

"I just thought it'd be fun to try something different. We don't have to."

"Maybe you thought all this would help get me aroused, is that it? Maybe you were afraid that without trying something different, I wouldn't be able to 'get it up' again!" Angel said angrily.

Willow stepped back as she saw Angel's anger. She had only wanted to do something nice for him, but it had obviously backfired. Realizing that Angel was still refusing to look at her, Willow's tears began falling.

"I'm sorry....I just wanted.....never mind."

Angel stared at the floor, refusing to acknowledge how his actions were hurting Willow.

"I don't want your pity, Willow. I just want to be left alone. Is that so hard for you to understand?"

Willow became angry. Angel was letting one incident ruin their relationship.

"I don't pity you, Angel. You're doing that yourself. What, you're male pride can't handle that you aren't perfect?"

"You don't know what you're talking about. Why don't you just leave?" Angel said.

"You're right, I don't understand this. You aren't the first man that this has happened to, and you know it won't last. It's not your fault."

"Maybe you're right. Maybe it was your fault," Angel said cruelly, "I never had that problem with Buffy."

Angel regretted his words as soon as he said them, but it was too late.

Willow paled, and looked at Angel through tear-blurred eyes. Those words had cut her to her soul.

"You want me to leave? Fine. I've let you freeze me out the past two weeks because I love you, and I thought you needed some space. I guess I wasn't smart enough to realize that you just wanted to be away from me. Goodbye, Angel."

Willow walked toward the door.

"Go ahead, run out when things get hard. But then I guess that's the problem, isn't it? Things aren't *hard* enough for you!" Angel taunted.

Willow shook her head sadly. "I'm not running away, Angel. You're pushing me away."

Willow walked out of the mansion, and ran the entire way home. Once in her room, Willow threw herself on her bed and sobbed.

Angel picked up the two jars, and threw them against the wall. He watched as chocolate syrup and marshmellow creme mixed together and ran down the wall. He sat with his head in his hands. It took him several moments for the realization to hit him. {I just let Willow run out of here alone.}

Angel threw on some shoes and a shirt and ran to Willow's. He went to her balcony and was relieved to see her in her room. Angel could see the shaking of her shoulders, and knew that he was responsible for making her so sad. Satisfied that she was safe, Angel started to walk back to the mansion. About half way there, he changed directions.

Angel laid in his bed and thought about everything Giles had told him. He'd felt uncomfortable asking the Watcher about such a personal situation, but Angel wasn't sure how to handle it by himself. If he didn't find a way to deal with his emotions, he'd lose Willow. And as Angel remembered the comment he'd made about Buffy, he wondered if maybe it wasn't already too late. Had his ego or male pride, caused him to lose the woman he loved?

Angel confronted his anger and fears about not being man enough. Once he was able to accept that it wasn't a permanent condition, and that it didn't make him less of a man, Angel was able to see it for what it was....an abberation. It hadn't happened before, and probably wouldn't happen again. {I hope.}

After he'd dealt with those issues, Angel began planning how he was going to make it up to Willow. He had hurt her deeply. Now it was time for him to grovel, and beg forgiveness for his unnecessary cruelity.

End Part 1

Willow walked into the empty house, but didn't even bother turning on the lights. Today was Valentine's Day and she'd be spending it alone. Lord, how she missed Angel! But Willow refused to go to him again. She'd learned a painful lesson the last time.

After grabbing a can of pop, Willow trudged up the stairs, and opened her door. As she stepped into her bedroom, Willow stared in surprise. The can of pop slid out of her suddenly numb hands, and rolled across the floor. Candles were lit all around the room, and the covers on her bed had been pulled back. She knew if she walked closer she'd see rose petals.

Willow's hands went up to cover her mouth, and she began crying. Angel had recreated the scene from his room.

"I ruined your surprise, Willow. Please let me make it up to you now." Angel said, appearing next to her.

"Angel, I don't know what to say."

Angel stepped in front of her and took her hands in his own. He brought them up to his lips, and kissed them gently. Willow glanced at him.

"Don't say anything. I know I hurt you, Willow, and I'm sorry. The things I said were cruel and untrue, and I wouldn't blame you if you kicked me out of here right now."

Willow wasn't sure what to do. Part of her wanted to throw herself in his arms and forget everything that had happened before. But, part of her couldn't forget the things he'd said. Especially the comment about Buffy.

Willow watched as Angel knelt down in front of her. The tears continued to fall as she realized what he was doing. She knew that Angel was willing to beg for her forgiveness.

"Willow, I know I've behaved like a horse's ass the past few weeks. I was scared of losing you. When I couldn't....perform, I didn't know how to react. You have touched my life like no one ever has, and I was afraid it would drive you away from me. But, I swear here and now that I'll never push you away again. From now on, if I'm scared or hurting, I'll talk to you. I promise."

Willow saw the truth of his words in his eyes, and she smiled at him. This was the man she loved more then anything in the world, and he was groveling at her feet. She pulled on his hands, but he remained on the floor.

"I can't take back the hurtful things I said, and I don't expect you to forget them. No one has ever excited me like you do, and I've never desired anyone as much as I do you. Can you find it in your heart to forgive a stupid vampire?"

Willow nodded, and Angel brought her hands back to his lips. "Then I only have one more thing to ask. Willow Rosenberg, will you marry me?"

Willow gasped in shock as she realized that he was proposing. She had never expected that.

"If you say yes, I'll spend the rest of our lives making you happy."

Willow backed away from Angel, and sat on the edge of the bed. She was suddenly feeling very strange. A few moments ago she had been devasted by Angel's absence, and now she had him on his knees proposing.

Angel went to stand in front of Willow, worried by her actions. If she said no, he planned to keep trying to win her back. He couldn't let her go........he wouldn't. Angel crouched in front of her, and caressed her cheek.

"Willow?"

Willow wrapped her hand around the back of Angel's neck and pulled him into her kiss. Angel stood, pushing Willow back on the bed. They kissed hungrily, then Angel looked down into Willow's beautiful face.

"Is that a yes?"

"Yes, I'll marry you Angel. I love you."

"I love you too. Happy Valentine's Day, lover." Angel said before recapturing her lips.

Angel's hands moved under Willow's shirt, cupping her breasts. Willow moved her leg seductively against Angel's thigh, while her hands began unbuttoning his shirt. She pushed the shirt off, then began kissing his chest. As Angel tried to remove her shirt, Willow stopped his hands.

"You have recreated the scene perfectly, except for one thing."

"What's that?" Angel asked.

"You'll see."

Angel reluctantly allowed Willow to leave the bed. He saw her grab something out of a drawer, then she left the room. While he waited for her to return, Angel removed his socks and shoes. Then he took off his belt, and threw it on to the floor, and unbuttoned his jeans. Reaching into the bag he'd brought, Angel placed two jars onto the nightstand, then stretched out on the bed.

Willow returned to the bedroom, dressed in a ratty terry-cloth robe. She let her gaze rest on Angel's half-naked body. Slowly she approached the bed, smiling as she saw the two jars.

"I thought you didn't like that idea." Willow said.

"I changed my mind. That's what you had to do?" Angel asked referring to her change of clothing.

Willow smiled seductively, and straddled Angel's hips. She brought his hands to the ties, and he opened the robe. Pushing it off her shoulders, he was surprised to find her wearing a black lace teddy.

"You were wearing this that night at my apartment?" Willow nodded.

Angel shook his head at his stupidity. He pulled Willow down against him, and ran his hands appreciatively over her body.

"I was an idiot."

Willow's hands caressed his chest, while rubbing her body against his. Angel's hand moved to her shoulders, pushing down the teddy. Pulling her up his body, Angel took one nipple into his mouth. His hands cupped her ass, and Willow wound her hands in his hair.

Willow moved her hands to his pants, and with his help, pushed them down to his ankles. Angel kicked them off, then flipped Willow onto her back. With a savageness born of desire, he ripped the teddy off her body.

"I'll buy you a new one."

Angel thrusted into her, and Willow clung to him. Gone were the doubts and the hurt of the past few weeks. They had overcome their problems....both physical and emotional.

Later, the lovers laid in each others arms. Willow laid her hand on his chest, admiring the her hand. Angel had finally gotten around to putting the ring on her finger.

"It's beautiful, Angel."

"You're beautiful. I love you, Willow. More then I ever thought possible."

Willow moved and lowered herself onto his erection. Angel's hands gripped her hips, as Willow leaned over to the nightstand. She gave him an evil grin as she opened the jars.

"And what do you think you're going to do with those, young lady?"

"It's tradition to eat chocolate on Valentine's Day." Willow replied innocently.

Angel's hands caressed her legs, as Willow dipped her fingers into the chocolate syrup. Running her hand down his chest, Willow left a path down to his stomach. Angel captured her hand, and brought it to his mouth. He licked the chocolate off each finger. Then Willow dipped her fingers into the other jar, and applied the marshmellow creme to his chest. Angel smiled as Willow bent and began licking the sticky mess off his chest.

"Time to share."

Flipping them over again, Angel began thrusting into her. Willow's legs wrapped tightly around him. As soon as they'd climaxed, Angel reached into the jar of chocolate, and let it run over Willow's breasts. He repeated the action with the marshmellow. Willow moaned as Angel's tongue swirled around her breasts, while she felt him harden inside her.

"Guess we've solved your problem." Willow teased.

Angel smirked down at her, then reached for the jar of chocolate.

"What are you going to do?" Willow asked.

Angel didn't say anything as he emptied the contents onto Willow's body. Willow could feel the cold chocolate running down her stomach to the spot where they were joined. Angel laughed at the look Willow gave him, then bent back to his task. So involved in what he was doing, Angel didn't notice the unholy gleam in Willow's eyes. Slowly, she reached for the marshmellow creme.

"Payback's a bitch, lover."

Angel had barely registered her words, when he felt the creme on his head. Willow began laughing as she dumped the entire jar onto Angel's head, then rubbed it onto his back.

"That wasn't very nice, Willow."

"Who said I was nice?"

Angel smirked again, and bent down to kiss Willow. Their hands caressed each other, and soon both were covered in chocolate and marshmellow. Angel pulled Willow back against him, and rubbed her stomach.

"You know, this is really becoming sticky. Maybe we should get cleaned up." Willow said.

Angel stood and lifted Willow up in his arms. They both eyed the bed and laughed.

"How do you suppose I'd explain that mess?"

"I think it's time you got new sheets." Angel said teasingly.

Angel carried Willow into the bathroom, and went into the shower. Grabbing a bar of soap, Angel washed off Willow. Making sure he'd covered every part of her body. Willow returned the favor. They stood together, under the spray of the water.

Willow pressed herself intimately against Angel, and reached around to grab his ass, as Angel wrapped his arms around her.

"You know what I've always wanted to do?" Willow asked.

"What?"

"Have sex in the shower."

"Your wish is my command." Angel replied.

"I think I'm going to like this fiancee business. Now I've got you right where I want you." Willow answered.

"Then you'll like the wife part even better." Angel promised.

Willow melted into Angel's arms. Her life was good. {Although, maybe next time we'll use something not quite so messy.}

Later, as Willow laid in Angel's arms, she reconsidered. It may have been messy, but it had been worth it......and the cleaning up hadn't been so bad either.

"What's so funny?" Angel asked.

"Nothing, go to sleep." Willow said, burying her face against Angel's chest. She knew her cheeks were flame red.

Angel pulled Willow tightly against him, and smiled. He couldn't wait to see what his fiancee would come up with next. After all.........he was up for trying new things.

THE END

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