All was quiet as the group of figures sat perched over their respective research materials, looking up the latest demon to destroy. Sighing the
brunette sitting at the corner desk sighed and shut her book in frustration. "Urgh!" she groaned
as everyone looked up to see what had distressed the young beauty. Meeting her companion's looks she shrugged her shoulders and abruptly
bounced off her chair.

"It's Saturday night, we have no people to help yet we are still researching." she complained.

"Cordelia, it is always beneficial to know the latest foes." Wesley instructed, responding to the distressed seer's complaint. Rolling her eyes in
frustration she threw up her hands in defeat, "Yeah! But I'm bored, do you people understand
what a 19 year old women my age would be doing on a Saturday night?" she explained.

The handsome black man at the corner could only raise his eyebrows before getting bored with her antics and looking back down at his book
unseeingly. The man at the side could only look blankly at the youth before getting up and
grabbing another book letting the ex-Watcher take care of the situation.

"But normal people don't know what we do Cordelia." Wesley responded eyeing
the girl carefully, knowing that if he said the wrong thing they could all be in
for it, she was after all a ticking time bomb. "You guys aren't any fun!"
Cordelia complained sitting back down and pouting like a child. The others could just
groan, minus the dark haired vampire who looked on helplessly not sure what
to do.

All was silent in the tense room. Suddenly the shrill ring of the phone
snapped everyone out of their dazes. Gunn jumped for the phone eager to escape the
situation, not accustomed to such things. Planning was foreign to him. Going
out to kill the evil's that roamed the night, now that was what he understood.
Though someone more distressed, namely Cordelia beat him to the punch.
Grabbing the phone right out of Gunn's hand and muttering a perky, "Hello Angel
Investigations, We help the helpless." After a brief pause a smile graced
the face of the female.

"Willow hi!" Cordelia bellowed, almost causing the men to cringe at her
loudness. Angel tensed and his ears perked at the name of his old friend,
well sort of friend. His ears burned for the update on what was going on, never
having heard from Willow since that somewhat rushed encounter at a coffee
shop when he questioned her about Buffy's interest, Riley.
______
"Hey Wills, what's up?", Cordy asked. "Oh wow, you're in town. Great!"

Angel's dark eyes widened. 'Willow was here. In L.A.', he mused. The desire
to see her slammed into him with the force of concrete. Why the redhead
would be in L.A. didn't even occur to him.

Cordelia's mouth turned slightly upwards. "Wow, your right down the
street...."

Gunn frowned in confusion. He looked around the room, and noticed that the
two other men, seemed to be listening to the tall brunette's conversation rather
intently. 'What the hell...Am I the only one who doesn't know this Willow
person?'

Silently, the demon hunter gestured to get Wesley's attention. "Who's
Willow?", he mouthed silently. "Tell you in a moment", the former watcher mouthed
back. Gunn nodded.

The Seer giggled suddenly. "God, Wills, save me. I'm bored outta my mind.
I'm stuck here with a broody vampire, a geek, and the poster boy for Tommy
Hilfiger, and they are all boring me to death."

Suddenly, Cordelia slammed the phone down and ran to the front door. She
opened it and rushed forward to hug the slight figure framed in the doorframe.
"Willow!!"

Gunn strode over to where Wesley sat, noting the fact that Angel had also
suddenly jumped to his feet. The vampire looked almost giddy. The young
man's curiosity was now definitely getting the better of him. "So who is this
chick Wes?"

"Why Miss Rosenburg is from Sunnydale. She and Cordelia grew up together.
They were never the best of friends, but apparently things have changed."

"You mean where Barbie is from?", Gunn asked, slightly unsure.

The bespectacled man nodded. "Yes. Willow's a witch, and quite intelligent.
She's best friend's with the Slayer, and probably one of the main reasons
Buffy is the longest lived Slayer on record."

"Wow.", Gunn said impressed despite himself.

In the meantime, Angel waited impatiently for the Cordelia to let go of the
little witch, so he could hug her himself. His thoughts turned inward
suddenly with memories of Willow. Thinking of the redheaded angel the dark vampire
couldn't help but feel the his lips turn up of their own volition, as he
smiled to himself. He remembered her like it was yesterday, innocence and purity,
as beautiful as any sun. A soul full of pure light and sunshine, coupled with
the most gorgeous beauty that he had come across to date. Perfect in all ways,
she had restored his soul to him and she was his savior, pure as snow she was
everything that was wholesome and good.

Cordelia finally released a giggling redhead. Willow grinned and walked into
the offices of Angel Investigations. Viewing the people around her the young
redhead smiled at her old friends, it had been a long time in her minds eye.
To
think of all the changes that had happened since Angel and Cordelia had
left.
Looking at all of them she smiled a pure genuine smile. "Hey guys!" she
bellowed
happily.

Angel's jaw gaped slightly as he took in the changes in the sunshine before
him. Gone was the shy outfits that she had once covered herself with, leaving a
seductive body that Angel couldn't even have imagined this young women could
possess. Bare mid-drift showed off pale smooth skin, a cute little belly
button. Vinyl pants that were deliciously sinful, a tight tank proud revealing her
assets, it was a delicious shiny green and encased her upper frame. Her neck was
adorned with a beautiful spiked collar that drew attention to that delicious
tempting expanse of flesh.

Cordelia smirked, watching her boss' gaze travel her friend's body. "Hey
everybody. Look it's Willow! Doesn't she look great?"

Wesley eyes widened, as he too took in the redhead's clothing. "Well hello
Miss Rosenburg. You look-- well, I must say you've become a beautiful young
woman."

Gunn cleared his throat loudly. "Ahem." The young man was practically
drooling. 'Hot girl!', his mind screamed.

The Seer ignored the young man, all the while silently noting, the look of
absolute surprise on Angel's face. "Jeez, Angel are we going to get any more
of your impersonations of big mouthed bass, cause I have got to tell you, that
is soooo not a good look for you."

Willow blushed at all the attention, secretly pleased that her appearance
had apparently made the gorgeous vampire sit up and take notice. Allowing her
natural friendliness to combat the slight nervousness seeing Angel again had
started fluttering around in her stomach, the redhead ran forward and gave
the shell shocked vampire a tight, heartfelt hug.

Seeing the slight blush, Angel realized that this amazing creature really
was Willow, his Willow. He almost groaned as her arms wrapped around his waist
and her warm, soft body burrowed into his cool, hard one. It took every ounce of
control not to just give into the lust that coursed through him for this
little red haired goddess in his arms. Oh had she changed, never would he have
thought that she could have changed this much. Reluctant to part with her warm body
pressed against him, it took all his will power to do so, and he started to
wonder when he had started to feel "this" attracted to the women before him.

Angel released her, he knew that it would look unusual to hold her for much
longer. He missed the warmth as soon as she backed away. He smiled gently
down at Willow trying to mask the emotions that ran through him. Even her face
had changed somewhat he noticed, all for the better. He longed to run his hands
through her hair, noticing for the first time that it had been cut short. It fit, just like
this new look on her, still perfect, just matured.

Looking up at him, the redhead smiled, "I missed you Angel." she stated
looking around at everyone else. "Hello Wesley!" she waved to the man in the corner
as he watched. standing next to the unfamiliar man, "And who might you be?" she
implored. Cordelia never one to miss a moment of attention took the
opportunity by hand and yanked.

"Oh silly me, this is Gunn, he works with us, Gunn this is one of my good
friends now that I grew up with back in Sunnyhell. Meet Willow." She
introduced, eyes sparkling. Willow laughed at how giddy Cordelia look, she knew she had
made the right decision coming to see her old friends. Opening her mouth to speak
again everyone was startled as the phone started to ring. Nobody moved as if
in some paralyzed state for no apparent reason. Perhaps nobody wanted to break
the moment, after the 4th ring though the moment was broken as the answering
machine came on.

Who was more shocked, no one could tell, Angel, Wesley, Willow? Who knew but
no one was prepared for the voice that whined into the speakers and echoed
throughout the walls of Angel Investigations.

"Pet, Luv! Willow!?" A familiar bleached headed blonde that everyone but
Gunn recognized as Spike bellowed over the phone line and could distinctly be
heard."Pick up! I know your there! Bloody hell women! Pick up and leave right in
the middle of a conversation, not mannerly I tell you! Common!?! Ditch me to
visit the Poof, you know how I get! Pick up!" There was a brief pause before they
heard Spike sigh. When they thought it over out came more, "I love you!
Please  pick up baby... you know I can't live without you!" Angel's childe
continued, unaware everyone was listening, no one except Willow could tell if he was
joking or not.

Angel stood there flabbergasted and in shock. Jealousy and anger swept
through him. 'What the hell was his childe doing telling Willow he loved her and
couldn't live without her.'

Gunn had no idea what was going on, or why the ensouled vampire looked like
he wanted to rip someone's throat out. Cordelia was giggling, she knew Willow
and Spike were friends, but this was too hilarious for words. And to top it all
off Wesley looked like he was going to faint. The Seer snorted indelicately.

Willow groaned and rolled her eyes. She couldn't believe him. She was so
gonna stake Spike's ass for this. Unable to believe his temerity, the redhead
strode to the phone and picked it up. "Spike", she said through clenched teeth.

"Spike, I told you I'd be back tomorrow. Chill! Goddess, I'm sorry if you're
lonely and horny.....", the witch paused listening to the British vampire
rant and rave about being stuck with Chubs and Slutty. "No, Spike stupidity is
not contagious. And no, I've already told you I don't know anybody I can hook
you up with...", suddenly Willow's voice trailed off as her emerald eyes
alighted on Cordelia, "actually Spike, do you remember my friend Cordy?"

"What?", Cordelia squeaked, shaking her head. "Willow are you nuts?", the
brunette hissed.

Willow's eyes glittered with mischief and she covered the mouthpiece with
her hand. "Oh come on Cordy. He's sexy, you know he's chipped, you know what
kind of demon he is, and its guaranteed safe sex. I mean, its not like he could
get you pregnant or anything. You can't tell me you wouldn't mind getting a
little nookie every now and again."

Angel gasped in disbelief, and looked at his Seer. He couldn't believe it,
but Cordelia seemed to actually be considering the cyber witch's words. 'That's
it, its finally happened, I've completely lost it.'

By this time Gunn was chuckling so hard, tears were running down his cheeks.
Wesley was blushing so hard, the handsome young man thought the ex-watcher's
head was going to explode.

"Yeah Spike, she's hot... look whatever Spike, I gotta go", Willow spoke
into the phone. Exasperated, the young woman finally managed to get the vampire
to hang up.

"Willow...", Angel said, uncertainly, "ummm... maybe I just imagined this,
but it seemed like you and my wayward childe are actually ... friends?"

The wiccan quirked her eyebrow at the dark haired vampire, and smirked.
"Yup, and I'll tell you about it some other time. Its an obscenely long story."

Cordelia finally snapped out of her revelry. "Oooohh... I have an idea. Lets
all go out!!!"

Gunn shrugged, "sure, sounds good to me." Willow nodded agreeing with him.
Turning the redhead looked at the ensouled vampire questioningly. "Whaddya
say Angel?"

Despite thinking that this was probably a really bad idea, Angel found
himself nodding as well. There was no way in hell he could turn down the opportunity
to spend more time with Willow. Wesley on the other hand, begged off
immediately.

"Oh come on Wes", Cordelia wheedled. "You don't want to miss the chance to
bond with all of us do you?" The ex-Watcher shot the girl a look of pure distain
before caving in and sitting down not saying another word.

After a brief gap of silence between the occupants inside the room Cordelia
finally broke the silence by opening her mouth, "Jeez I for one don't intend
to
waste another moment, Willow how about you?" the brunette asked cheerfully
beaming a smile towards the petite redhead.

The young redhead smiled back, glad the the tension was momentarily
forgotten, "Yeah lets go."

Twenty minutes later, the five white hats found themselves
sitting around a table sipping drinks. Cordelia and Willow were talking and
giggling. Angel found that he couldn't take his eyes off of her. He shook
his head ruefully. 'Like sweet, innocent Willow would ever get involved with
him....'

The door to the bar opened and closed with a bang. Everyone turned to look
and most of the males occupying the room at that moment couldn't help gaping at
the exotic creature that had just entered. Cordelia rolled her eyes at all the
men and turned to talk more with her companion only to find the young redhead
giving the creature who had walked in moments ago "the" look. Smiling at her
friends nerve she wished she could be just as out going as her friend.

Slowly looking the young brunette that had walked through the door up and
down, Willow knew to anyone that looked at her it would look like she was checking
the girl out. She didn't care though, having dealt with her sexuality before,
what could she say? She was attracted to women. Letting out a slight whistle
through parted lips she hardly noticed when her groups attention was diverted her
her.

"Damn she's hot!" she mentioned to know one in particular. "I'd like to
piece of that." She muttered. If she had looked at her friends she would have noted
the slightly red faced Wesley or the look of pure shock on Angel's face.
Cordelia and Gunn just stood by and watched with amusement and true interest.

Narrowing her eyes in on the beautiful girl, she watched as the brunette
obviously felt her gaze, dark brown met emerald as the girl smiled in her
direction returning the once over towards Willow. Willow never broke gaze as
her eyes widened slightly as the girl started to saunter towards her.

"Hi, my name's Raye", the girl said. Willow smiled seductively. "I'm Willow,
nice to meet you Raye."

"So Willow", the brunette purred, "do you want to dance?"

The spellcaster nodded and licked her lips. She grabbed Raye's hand and
headed toward the dance floor. Cordelia watched Angel's reaction in amusement. It
seemed obvious to her that the dark haired vampire was jealous. She could
swear steam was actually coming out of his ears.

Shaking her head in amusement. Cordy looked over at Gunn, and gestured
towards the dance floor where her redheaded friend and the new girl were practically
mating. "Wanna dance Gunn?"

"Let's go", the young demon hunter, said. Together the young people left.
Wesley and Angel sat in strained silence.

Wesley grimaced as he drank the watered down piss Americans considered beer,
and stared at the whiskey in Angel's hand. Maybe he'd have one of those next.
After all Angel was Irish, he had to have a better idea what good alcohol
was, than most of the people in here.

The ensouled vampire stared out at the dance floor. He watched as Willow and
the brunette girl, Raye got better acquainted. The two women writhed and
grinded together. Jealousy and desire pooled in his belly. His hand
tightened about his glass.

Wesley ordered a whiskey on the rocks and knocked it back in short order. He
grinned crookedly as the alcohol zipped through his system. Signaling to the
waitress, he asked for yet another.

Angel arched an eyebrow inquisitively at the younger man. "I've never see
you drink, Wesley. Don't you think you should slow down?"

"Actually", the former watcher said carefully, "I don't." Grabbing his new
drink, he proceeded to slam that one back as well.

Angel could practically see Wesley's eyes roll back in his head. "Ahh...
Wes... you okay?"

"I'm fine Angel....", the bespectacled man slurred, "how are y-y-you?
Everyone is having fun except us. Willow's going to get some, Cordelia and Gunn are
crawling over each other.... and well I'm planning to get p-p-pissed. How
about you?"

Angel almost laughed until his eyes fell back onto the redheaded witch of
his dreams and the interloper. A low growl escaped his throat instead.

Wesley continued. "And you, you stubborn v-v-vampire. Here you sit with your
soul secure, moping, while the woman you're obviously lusting after is right
there in front of y-y-you practically begging to get laid. W-w-what the hell
is wrong with you?"

Angel's eyes widened and he looked on with astonishment. "Wesley I think
you've had enough." Trying to end the subject of his feelings that he disclosed so
hard only to find that they obviously were plan as day for the petite young
redhead.

Rolling his eyes fast suddenly the watcher groaned as he brought his hands
to to cradle is spinning head. "Everything is. all fuzzy." He muttered childishly
and promptly his eyes rolled back into his head and the support to his head
dropped when his hands gave way to seal his fate of skull meeting wood as he passed
out.

Panicked for only a second Angel realized he was still breathing and had
just passed out from consuming to much. Sighing in frustration his eyes reverted
back to the mating dance upon the floor a few feet away from where he stood.
Narrowing his eyes he felt his cold skin started to burn with rage until he
saw nothing but red in clear vision that was now distorted. He could hardly
think as his jealousy built, trying hard to disclose it. < How dare that little dark
haired bimbo try to but the moves on my Little One>

Shaking his head to clear out his thoughts as suddenly the song ended and
the couple was forced to detach themselves. Letting out a breath of relief,
knowing that his Willow would now be coming back and everything would
be fine. Though luck was not on his side as he smiled hesitantly, the faint
curves of his lips barely rising when the red head started to walk away.
Quickly the feeling was replaced again with a jealousy that Angel had never thought
he was capable of, as the lil bitch of a lesbian grabbed a hold suddenly of
Willow's arm and pulled her around laughing jokingly.

His eyes practically rolled back into his head as he saw something he never
would think the redhead would be capable of in this situation. He could do nothing
but feel aroused as the brunette abruptly grabbed the redheads face and leaned
in to give her an opened mouth kiss. It lasted only a few brief seconds, but to
Angel is seemed to last for an eternity. He couldn't prevent the low growl that
escaped his lips as he saw a hint of tongue. Even if he was aroused demon
and  human soul a like, they both agreed that the hidden treasures of the fire
pixie were only meant to be tasted by him. Fierce possessiveness held Angel
captive, his gaze locked unto the redhead's dazed eyes as she smiled with a
wistful expression of contentment. She almost looked high, and Angel could not
contain the thought the he wanted to have been the one to kiss her
breathless and leave that dazed expression on her face.

Knowing that he could have been the one, as if she liked him back he would
think to himself suddenly and come to his senses straight after, plan fact, she
would never be his.< Oh but as long as she was in his care she would be>, he
thought to himself.

The flustered young women's eyes suddenly cleared, becoming focused when
meeting Angel's, For a brief second he thought he saw the spark of lust
return, or was it just his imagination? Whatever it was he felt something, something unspoken and
deeper than he could have imagined. He watched, unable to pull his eyes away. eh
broke free only when her eyes broke away from his, obviously jolted by the
female hoe. He watched as they giggled and flirtingly touched. He watched as the
brunette handed her a piece of paper that obviously was little enough to be
the phone number for another real rendezvous. <I'm walk over fire first> he
thought angrily.

Willow smiled and blushed as the girl came in yet again and captured her
semi-swollen lips for another pleasurable kiss. Sighing as the brunette,
Raye,  caressed her cheek and promptly dropped it backing away seductively and
saying cheerfully, "Call Me, Till we meet again." Before she turned and walked out
of the door somewhat flustered as well.

Smiling and giddy Willow swayed sexily over to where Gunn and Cordelia had
once again seated and where Angel lay mysterious disclosed even more than
possible. She wondered about him, the feelings that fluttered like moths in
her tummy she tried to calm the tingles of something foreign to her that she
had managed to suppress from Angel.

Taking her seat she smiled dreamily and Cordelia suddenly jumped from her
seat across the table and proceeded to give her a high five. "Way to go girl, you
totally nailed that one." She replied excitedly as the redhead gasped,
producing  and holding the piece of paper that held the number, waving it back and
forth mockingly and proceeding to gloat un-Willowy like.

She gasped in surprise as a hand from the corner of her eye grabbed the
piece of paper that was once in her hand that now lay barren. Turning, her eyes
widened in astonishment just in time to see the enraged look spread upon Angel's
usually calm face as his eyes flashed yellow briefly and suddenly the paper was no
more.

Her eyes widened in rage as he tore it up into little itty-bitty pieces.
What right did he have?

"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO THAT FOR!? I WAS SO CLOSE TO GETTING SOME!" she
askedenraged, one octave away from a screaming.

"Willow can't you see that you are obviously not yourself, your acting as if
your attracted to a girl!" Angel pointed out, trying to rationalize his
actions without unmasking his true feelings and throwing them out into the opened.

Willow eyes widened in disbelief at his nerve, before she could let loose,
tears suddenly starting to come to her eyes as she started to laugh outright
insanely.

Angel frowned and couldn't see the point of why she was laughing so damned
hard. "Excuse me, what is so funny, this is not a joke I'm seriously Will-" he
stopped as she raised one of her hands up to quiet him as she used the other hand to
wipe away the tears that had escaped her eyes, all the while trying to keep from
collapsing in amusement and downright annoyance.

"Your actually serious!? Man you gotta keep better tabs Deadboy. For the
pastyear after Oz cheated on me with a slut for a werewolf I had a girlfriend
that I did 'everything' with, I'm bisexual!" she laughed, and than her eyes
narrowed in anger.

My acting in a manner that you did not approve of did not give you the
damned right to do that", she shouted before she slumped back on her chair
completely exhausted.

Angel stared opened-mouthed at the girl sitting across from him. He was
completely in shock. He had never thought.... He didn't... The dark vampire
finally groaned in self disgust. He couldn't believe that he had completely
missed something so important as the truth about Willow's sexuality. Now,
he'd known that the Vampire Willow doppelganger had been attracted to both
sexes, and to a certain extent he was himself. He had always assumed that
aspect of the Evil Willow's and his own sexuality had more to do with the
their demon, with being vampires. Angel had never consciously given thought
or bothered to wonder if the doppelganger's behavior actually stemmed from
Willow's own bisexuality. Fleetingly Angel wondered what that meant about
his own. He sighed and massaged his aching temples. 'And here I'd always
thought vamps didn't get headaches', he thought.

Disgusted with himself and conscious of the fact that except for Wesley, who
was still face down on the table, all his friends were staring at him, Angel
reached his hand out to the sad looking redheaded witch seated across from
him.

"Angel?", she queried, mildly confused. 'Was this a peace offering?', she
wondered.

"I'm sorry Will", he said, his dark eyes boring into her own. "Sometimes I
only see what I want to see...sometimes I miss the important things, things
that are sometimes right under my nose."

Willow pondered Angel's words. Somehow she got the feeling that the gorgeous
dark haired vampire was talking about more than just how he'd ruined her
chances of getting laid.

A slow song started to filter through to her ears. She hadn't been paying
attention to what was going on in the club, but now she suddenly felt hyper
aware. As if someone had thrown a switch in her mind. The spellcaster gasped
in sudden awareness as Angel leaned towards her and whispered in her ear.

"Dance with me Will."

The young woman nodded mutely, and allowed herself to be led from the table.

Cordelia stared at her boss in openmouthed shock. She turned to Gunn. "Okay,
tell me you heard that... Please! Tell me I have a witness... cause nobody,
and I do mean nobody is going to believe that I am sitting here actually
watching Mr. Broody Pants dance?!", she said shrilly.

Gunn's lips curved slightly. "You know Barbie, we should hang out more
often. This has turned out to be a hell of an interesting night." Grinning
mischievously he winked at the hazel eyed brunette. "So... you think Angel's
gonna get some?"

The Seer blinked.

It was Wesley who answered much to their surprise. His voice was muffled by
the fact that his head was still laying on the table. "He'd better", the
ex-watcher mumbled. "I mean, he's been impossible lately. And after four
years of actually being able to have sex, and yet NOT having sex... I think
he's finally starting to crack." Slowly lifting his head, Wesley's eyes
sparkled almost dangerously. "And if he doesn't, and keeps up being an
annoying, brooding pissant, I'm gonna stake his undead ass myself!" With
that, the bespectacled man's eyes rolled back up into his head and he passed
out again. His head hit the table with a resounding thud.

"Holy shit!!", Gunn exclaimed smirking. "I didn't know good ol' Wes even
knew how to say ass." Turning back to Cordelia, Gunn saw that the brunette
was looking intently out onto the dance floor. There ahead of them were the
swaying figures of Willow and Angel.
~~~~~
The vampire and the witch swayed in time to the music, completely losing
themselves in the music and the feeling of holding another person close. It
had been a long time for both of them.

Willow allowed Angel to guide them, she wondered idly if anyone noticed that
his steps were more graceful and sure than those of anyone around. She
wondered if anyone noticed that the dance he was leading her in was more
formal than the back and forth swaying most of the other couples on the
floor considered a slow dance. A small smile formed on her face. She was
really enjoying this.

She pressed in closer to the dark vampire's chest, inhaling his clean scent
and the slight hint of calming sandalwood. "Mmmmm...", she breathed.

"Did you say something Will?", Angel asked, still keeping time to the music
his mouth by the redhead's ear.

"No, I was just thinking that I'm enjoying this", she paused, gathering her
thoughts. "I'm sorry about before. I was acting childishly. I've just
been so lonely and well.... so--"

"Horny", the vampire interrupted, one dark eyebrow arched in an inquiring
manner.

Willow flushed slightly. "Well... yes, actually. Jeez, it sounds so stupid
when you say it."

The ensouled vampire stopped dancing, he became still ignoring the sounds of
the music and dancing couples all around them. Gently placing one finger
beneath the lithe young woman's chin, he lifted her face. "Its not stupid
Willow. I understand loneliness... and you know I would be lying if I
didn't say I also understood the concept of being horny."

Emerald eyes met eyes the color of bitter chocolate. Something intimate was
passed to Willow in that glance. She felt warm and safe, cared for somehow.
Nodding slightly, the redhead snuggled closer to the vampire's chest. She
could feel his body rumble as he spoke again. "I'm sorry too... I'm a 248
year old vampire, you'd think in all that time I would have matured too."
Sighing ruefully, Angel shook his head. "I shouldn't have torn up that
girl's phone number... I am sorry."

"That's all right. It was silly, one night stands aren't really my style
anyway. I would rather be with someone I had feelings for. You know,
friendship, caring, maybe even love." She snorted shortly. "Not like I'm
any good at love anyhow."

"Like I'm any better. As a human, I just loved myself... well, myself and a
good lay. I had probably been in every of-age woman's bed in the town where
I grew up by the time I was 18. I didn't even care whether she was married
or not. And look where that got me. Undead for over 240 years, and alone
for almost a century."

The witch pulled the vampire away from the crowd, toward the back of the
club where it was quieter. The music had changed and she hadn't liked being
poked and prodded by the enthusiastic clubgoers as they 'danced'. "But
Angel, at least you finally found love, true love... the soulmatey kind."

Angel looked at the redhead thoughtfully, gently placing an errant firey
strand behind her ear. "Yes, I did Willow, but it wasn't with the Slayer."

Willow's heart sped up, her face registering her confusion. "What? But I
thought... you and Buffy..."

"So did I, but were we? I mean, look at what happened. No. No, I don't
think any of us can really say we believe what happened between Buffy and I
was meant to be."

"Then who was it?", Willow asked, her heart in her throat, her body tense.
She knew what she wanted him to say, but it was so insane, there was no way
he could be interested in her. Angel was gorgeous, he could have anyone he
wanted.

"Did you know my soul's been secure for a while now Willow?", Angel said
deflecting her question with one of his own.

The cyberwitch nodded slowly, "Cordy kind of let it slip, it wasn't on
purpose."

"Did you ever wonder why if Buffy and I were soulmates I didn't come running
back to her?"

"Well, actually now that you mention it....", Willow began.

"I never told her Willow", Angel spoke again. "I never told Buffy. She'd
moved on by that point and so had I."

Disappointment settled in the pit of Willow's stomach, her lip quivered.
"So you mean, you've met someone else than?"

The dark vampire's finger gently traced a path down the soft skin of the
redhead's cheek. "You could say that", Angel replied. "Or more correctly
you could say that I finally realized who and what I really wanted."

"Oh", Willow blinked.

"Yes...oh."

Angel moved closer to the slight wiccan, noticing how she backed up
slightly, her heartbeat sounding loudly in his ears despite all the
surrounding noise.

"Willow."

"Yes Angel?"

"I don't like one night stands either. They're empty, they don't help the
loneliness. I want to be with someone I care about, someone I feel for
too...." Slowly, the ensouled vampire's hand trailed up Willow arm. He was
barely touching her, the feeling was like the fluttering of butterfly's
wings.

"Willow."

"Yes Angel?"

"I care about you."

Willow blinked in shock, her eyes widening. She was suddenly unbelievably
aroused, her nipples beaded under her shiny tank top. Angel's eyes wandered
over her pert breasts, noting the effect his words had had on the witch with
satisfaction.

It was his self satisfied grin, that stirred Willow to action. Hormones and
endorphins surged through her body. With a groan she grabbed the handsome
vampire before her and propelled him against the very same wall he had held
her captive to only moments before.

"Angel", she growled, pressing her body against his wantonly, grinding her
vinyl clad mons over his hard male form, "I care about you too. And boy did it take you long
enough to figure all this out or what?"

Suddenly, warm, soft lips crushed themselves against Angel's mouth. He
groaned, feeling her tongue seek entrance between his lips. He gave himself
up to the feeling of finally having his Willow in his arms, something he had
thought would never happen.

In retaliation, for her sexually aggressive stance, the dark haired vampire
grabbed Willow's hips and ground her against him. She gasped against his
mouth, the feeling of his hardened cock against her aching, wet core was
heavenly, even through the frustrating barrier of her pants.

The witch reluctantly broke the kiss, panting for air. "Damn...", she
murmured.

Dark eyes bored into limpid verdant orbs. "This isn't a one night stand
Willow. I want you, and I have for a long time", the vampire growled. "I
want to know everything about you. How you've changed, how you've grown, I
want to know the woman I have now in my arms, not just the girl who was
Buffy's best friend when I left Sunnydale."

Willow moaned, her womb twitching with every word that came from his mouth.
"Goddess yes...", she sighed, "I want that too..."

"How about we get out of here Willow?"

Silently, the redhead nodded her agreement. She made a mental note to call
her friend Raye in the morning and thank her for making an appearance. She
couldn't believe this had worked.
~~~~~~~~
Cordelia watched in amusement as the vampire and the witch exited the club
together. She gasped in surprise as Angel's car keys appeared on the table
by her hand in a small shower of golden sparks, and grinned. The Seer found
it amusing that even though her two friends were so wrapped up in each
other, they had remembered them.

"Do you want another drink Barbie?", Gunn said, standing up.

"No", she said, picking up and dangling the keys in front of the youth.
"I'm now designated driver. I think I'll just have a diet Coke. I have to
get you and Drunkboy over here home in one piece." Wesley groaned, his head
still on the table.

The brunette smirked as the handsome youth walked over to the bartender.
She couldn't believe Angel had finally made a move on Willow. It was about
time. 'Take that Spike', she thought. The blond vampire now owed her fifty
bucks. She couldn't wait to collect.

She looked down at the drunk former watcher and grimaced. "Ewww....Wesley,
you're drooling! Gross!"

The End.
 
 

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