Parts: 11 - 14
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~Part: 11~
Willow was in the hospital for 6 days until she was strong enough to the house, Angel had been by her side every night. Faith and Riley watched over her everyday. No one was going to get to her this time, the three of them would make sure of that. The second she was brought home Angel greeted her at the door staying out of the light, but waiting for her return. He had filled the house with flowers, roses and lily's everywhere, bunches of daisy's and violet's were place about too. Carnations and heather seemed also to be all over. Willow was in awe of what he had done for her, and she turned to him her eyes wide.
Angel simply shrugged and stated "I didn't know what your favorite flower was so I got as many different kinds as I could, thought you would like one of them." he smiled and gave her the look that asked, do you like? Still being pretty weak Willow smiled and nodded, "yes, I love them all Angel", her face beamed as she walked around the room smelling the different flowers. Willow walked up to Angel and tip toed so that she could give him a kiss on the cheek.
Riley followed in and put the rest of her things on he floor near the couch and coffee table. Faith waltz in and gave Angel a smile as well, Running a hand up Riley's back she gave his neck a quick gentle squeeze and turned to Willow. "Hey Red, think your going to be OK tonight. Riley and I are going out on patrol, and fang here is going to keep a watch over the homestead."
Willow only smiled and nodded, she had asked Faith and Riley to stay with them, it seemed only wise as their numbers were falling. What was left of them needed to be close together, to help keep the others alive. Faith had argued only a little but it seemed even Riley knew it was a good idea. Angel wasn't the happiest about it, but then a slayer in the house would make any vamp, even a souled on somewhat nervous.
With only a few words and a hug or two, Faith and Riley left for the evening. Willow stood alone with Angel sharing a quiet moment. This was her first time on her feet in weeks, more like a month or so. She had been very upset to know Giles had nearly killed her, the sadness seemed to fill her with constant darkness. Angel could understand that darkness, he was in a great deal of pain himself. They had both lost so much in the past six weeks. There was no good way to deal with all the dark things that had been happening to them both.
Angel crossed a few steps to Willow and pulled her in his arms, she seemed to cling to him for a minute, then she broke into tears. Not great heaving sobs but the quiet cries of someone who knows they have no choices left. The cries of someone in deep regret and sadness. She felt her body slipping to the floor, except Angel's arm were around her, holding her up. Finally he reached down and lifted her into his arms and carried her to her room. Willow only clung to his chest letting her tears soak his shirt.
When he got to her door he shoved it open with his foot and walked in with her, putting her on the bed. Willow just slipped from him like a drowning victim would into the sea. He didn't know how to help her, only that he would not leave her like this. He was the only one she would let herself be this way, with. The only one she would fall to pieces in front of and she needed to be able to let go and get it out of her. He did know that much.
Angel looked down at her and she raise a thin hand up to him, which he took in his own and pulled a chair up behind him. Sitting as close to her as he could. Willow excepted this for a little while, but what she really needed was contact. She wanted to be held, and he was the one she wanted to hold her. She had heard nothing from Oz, since his last visit to her. She knew he wanted nothing more to do with her and the rest of the scoobies. It was this that forged an even stronger link between the two couples.
They were alone, fighting something that in the end would win and there was no way around that. The only one of them that had a chance to live beyond the rest was Angel, and that was no comfort to him. So when Willow pulled him closer to her, in a silent request to join her, to hold her, he didn't deny her that. It would have been denying himself and he knew now that would be impossible. He had always care for, even loved Willow, he just never knew the depths of his feelings until they were thrust into an even darker place then they had ever been before.
They had always had each other, meaning Xander, Giles, Willow, Buffy, Cordy, Oz, and Angel. Even Faith played her part, helping as she could before the mayor, before her fall. Now of the eight there were only four left. They had lost some of the best of them, and only the edges were left.
Angel lifted off the chair and moved to the edge of the bed. Laying next to her, curling around her frail body. In his thoughts he could not understand why Giles would do this. She was still so weak, much stronger than she had been, but the bella donna had taken it's toll on her. Angel worried she would never be the same again. Willow pressed herself closer to him, and he could feel his body answer the movement. She was so warm to him, and he wanted to touch her. But found all he could do really was, kiss her cheek as she lay spooned against him. Willow moved just enough to allow his kiss to miss it's mark and land on her soft lips. She knew what she wanted and that what ever happened she didn't care anymore. If the goddess saw fit to not keep Angel's soul bound to him then she figured she was dead anyway, and if he was secure, well then why wait till another day. As she had once read in a poem. Willow pulled him into that kiss, all her fear gone now, she had nearly died, at the hands of a friend. It was truly time to seize the day.
Angel was surprised at her strength of will, she made her physical demands known to him. Tracing her tongue over his lips and dipping into his mouth when he reacted in mild surprise. Angel didn't take long to recoup and he turned her enough to allow their hands roaming room. He suckle her tongue and plundered her warm mouth. He knew she was still pretty weak and he wanted to take it easy on her. She was having none of that, "Angel, she hissed through clenched teeth, love me, now," it was a demand not a request.
Angel had never know her to act like this so he was taken off guard again, and instantly turned on. His body went into hyper drive and he pulled back enough to lift her top of her and let his huge hand cover her rounded breast. He pulled her closer with the other hand and kissed her again, she moaned in response. Willow came alive in his arms, every touch and caress was rewarded with a sigh or moan of pleasure from the witch. She surged to him and undulated under him, until he rolled her on top.
Willow flung her hair back and landed kisses along his chest and neck, they still had some of their clothes on but, they were making short work of that. They both wanted skin to skin contact, and they needed it now. Willow kept mumbling soft words, under her breath almost, but Angel could hear every one. Soft, "yes, and hmm more touch me," he couldn't resist doing what ever she asked of him. Her every stroke of a hand caused more sighs, he was wondering if he could stand more. It was all he could do not to flip her over and drive into her still frail body. Control he kept telling himself, and he did keep his cool. For the most part, until she loosen the button holding his pants together and lowered the zipper slowly.
Tight fingers closed around his manhood and stroked him firmly. Angel's head rolled back and his eyes closed tightly. The real shock came to him when she flicked the tip of it with her tongue. Shivers run over his whole body, when she surrounded the head of it with her lips letting his hardness filled her mouth. Angel groaned as if he were in pain, and tired to pull her up to him. But Willow was unwilling to let her new toy go for the moment. She wanted him to squirm and she was making sure he did. Angel held on letting her assault his body to the point of no return. Then he hefted her up wards so he could crash down on her soft mouth a rain of kisses that she would never forget.
His body moving over hers, he let his hands wander over her perky breasts, pinching each nipple in turn. He lowered his head to first one harden nipple, blowing a cool breath across its harden bud. He nibbled and lave it with is soft cool tongue, then passed his attentions to the other one. Giving it the same treatment. He loved the taste of her, hearing her little cries and moans of pleasure, spur him on to more teasing and tasting. She was so responsive to his every caress that he found himself burying his mind in the sight and sound of her. He lowered his face to her navel, nibbling around it and gently dipping his tongue into its sweet center. Willow even in her weaken state seemed to rise off the bed to meet his taunting mouth.
Angel only smiled at this and went lower still skimming her hip bones and squeezing her bottom with his large hands. Pulling her body to his face, as he took his time devouring every inch of expose flesh. When he finally reached his goal, she was so close to exploding he only had to delve the tip of his tongue to the trembling source of her sweet agony to have her grabbing at his hair and pulling him down where she needed him to be. It was all she could do to keep from screaming out her intense pleasure. Angel wasted no time, pushing deeper into her folds enjoying her scent, as he worked her back into a frenzy again.
Willow thought she would go insane and proceeded to fight him, pulling him up to her, yanking and groaning loudly as her mind lost ability to function, her body took over. It's one driving need was to get him up to her and into her body, fully. She could only feel the ache that he trailed behind him as he worried her little nub. Her pleasure so intense, that at once she screamed and finally pulled him where she needed him to be.
Angel was shocked and fired up to hear her scream that to him, he had never heard her say words like that and in some strange way, had thought she never knew them. But there it was, her voice went off like a boom and the words "fuck me" were what she said. Angel felt a shaft of lighting go through him. He became single minded, his job was to give her what she asked for. Moving to her, he looked down at the beautiful red headed woman who lay beneith him, her face flushed and eyes wide, her hands reached up and pulled him into a fiery kiss. She tasted herself on his lips, his tongue, he was dueling with hers in a total effort to win in the minor war of flesh.
Willow wrapped both legs around his waist, pulling his hard body to hers, wanting to feel his length inside her. When he teased her more, not letting her, she bit his lip, drawing blood. Angel moan in a haze of lust and love, he hadn't known he could feel. Willow, his Willow lay wrapped around him and was drawing his blood, in her frenzied passions. She was a goddess to him. Angel centered himself at her opening and in one quick downward thrust he entered her body. Willow gasps at the intrusion, she had never felt anything like that and wasn't sure she could take it.
Angel stilled his movements and began kissing her face and mouth, he would let her adjust to his size and not hurry her. She knew this and her body, took comfort in that. Still so close to the edge she felt as if she would explode if the didn't move some, so she wiggle her hips as much as she could under his weight. Angel began very slowly at first, letting her feel all of him entering and leaving her. Her sighs and soft moans told him he was doing well, she raked her nails softly down his back, a prelude of things to come he wondered in a quick flash of random thought. Angel's actions heated up at the very idea she could become mildly violent.
Willow reached up and kissed him again, pushing her tongue into his willing mouth and nibbling his lips. She could feel Angel inside her and she almost thought he was getting even larger, harder. The thought excited her and she thrust her hips up to meet his. Pushing him deeper and slamming her cervix. Sending thrills of pleasure in waves over her body. She rocked over the top and plummeted off, shivering and shaking. She began to cry when Angel too lost his seed to her convulsing core.
Her tears came in a flood and she clung to him as if she were dying in her arms. Angel was not entirely surprised by this but the force of it was almost to much for him to deal with. He just cradled her in his arms and rocked her back and forth. There was so much tension and pain in both their lives right now. The release of their union had broke her barriers and she was crumbling in his arms. But he knew this woman would like the Phoenix, be reborn. Sadder, maybe somewhat hard around the edges but she would survive. As he held her he knew one thing was true in him, as long as she would want him there, he would never leave.
After awhile her tears slowed and she reached soft lips up to kiss Angel's cheek. Never saying a word she only pulled him down with her back on the bed and curled up in his arms, close to his protective body. Willow fell into a deep sleep, Angel laid next to her his eyes peering at her ivory face.
Strolling along: He had to pick up some smokes so he had gone out. Leaving his golden demon to play with her new toy. Spike needed another meal soon and he would not really have to wait much longer as he knew Buffy was even now making plans, choosing if she would just kill the watcher or turn him. Spike hope for the former, as the idea of sharing her with anyone didn't sit well with him. He had just walked out of the quick mart, and right into the dark slayer. His first thought, "sodding slayer needs a bell". A smile crossed his full mouth and he said to her, " needen a new man pet, or just out for a walk" he side stepped her a bit, he leaned into her and whisper in her ear, "you know I hear that slayers make sodding wonderful undead", he back away some a grinned at her.
Riley came up on the little scene and nearly decapitated Spike on the spot. That creature had no business even acting like it was friendly toward Faith. After all he and Faith had become more than close, he held her nightly, trying to decided when would be the best time to bring up the idea of marriage. Now he he was staring at Faith with Spike and the blonde vampire looked as if he were having a good time.
A Sudden flash of movement and Spike was face first with his free arm behind his back, Faith putting on the pressure as she spread his legs with her foot. Not letting him get any leverage to kick or swing on her. Riley trotted up to them a smile on his face. Spike growled at her, "ay lov that's no way to treat the man of your dreams." he struggle against her. Riley grin and said, " she treats me just fine Spike, you one the other hand.. " he let his voice trail off. Faith looked at both of them and shook her head, "you guys are a trip, then she turned her attentions to Spike, all I want from you is to know, where is Buffy?" he voice harsh.
Spike gave a slight smile and answered, " well it's like this, I can't really tell you see, cuz then you will tell your friends and they will tell theirs, pretty soon, she and I wont have any bleeding peace. Faith just pulled him from the wall and slammed him back into it. Spike grunted, Riley grinned, and Faith asked her question, again, "where is Buffy, Spike now, dammit give it up" she slammed him into the wall again to make her point. While she did that Spike felt her grip loosen and he broke free heading on a dead run away from them. He might have been able to deal with the slayer on his own, but he knew Riley wanted him dead. Spike just wasn't going to wait and let them kill him.
Riley and Faith both darted out after Spike with a few hand signals they went in opposite directions and while Spike was looking behind himself they were coming round his sides. Riley had already pulled his stake and was the closest mostly due to the fact that the way he had gone, Spike had curved around in his direction. Spike was more than surprised when he slammed into Riley, even though he knew they were close, he could smell them both. Spike allowed his weight to catch Riley off guard and knocked the solider off his feet. It wasn't intentional, so his chip didn't sound off.
Riley push Spike off him only to have Spike slam his weight back down on him. Something Riley didn't expect, Spike did still have his chip in place of that Riley was sure. But it could be malfunctioning, which Riley had no way of knowing. In defense on himself Riley shoved his stake through Spike's chest watching awed as the second Spike's dust fell Faith was almost on top of him. Neither of them noticed the pair of amber eyes watching, waiting for them to leave, before making it's move.
Faith helped Riley up and frowned, "really wish you hadn't done that solider boy, " her eyes deep in thought. Riley knew this was not a good thing, one he was the first link they had gotten in a month that would have brought them strait to Buffy. Two, no one knew what Buffy would do now, when she found this out. Finally three, if Giles was still alive she would surly kill him now. Riley put his hand on Faith's shoulder, his eyes sadden by what he knew. They walked together, quietly now, both wondering how they were going to tell Willow and Angel this one.
It wasn't that losing Spike himself was so bad, Faith took her job very seriously, she was a slayer, he was a vampire, which meant to her that he would be one dead vampire. But she and Riley both knew Willow would view it differently. Angel on the other hand was an unknowable factor, would he be enraged at the death of his childer, who was more or less unable to fight back. Would he be glad Spike's involvement was over. Or would he worry what Buffy would do, with Spike having been killed by them.
They still had a shift to finish so they went on patrolling. Nothing could be done but wait until dawn. When they would go by Willow's and tell her and Angel what had happened. Walking off into the dark, the eyes followed them. Then retreated away from them, the boys movements quick and quiet. He knew Buffy would want to know what had happened to Spike, and maybe she would want a new consort as well, he smiled to himself.
She had been waiting for him to return her play had left he feeling needy and she wanted her blonde demon to relive her tension. Buffy stood watching Giles in his chains, his head hung low. She walked over to his hunched body and ran her hand through his hair, tightening her grip in the back of it and pulling his face to hers. "Giles, she whispered to him, oh watcher, wake up please, you poor man" her voice breathy and lowered. Giles opened his eyes letting them flutter as he tried to focus on Buffy's face. She leaned to him and laid her soft cool lips aganist his. He allowed the kiss with little to no resistance, and she deepened it.
Giles was a man lost and he knew it, his only thought was Buffy,even now after she had beaten and tortured him, it didn't matter, the mystic bond between them as watcher and slayer seemed to hold no matter what. Giles logical mind knew this was all wrong, but he was her protector. Her watcher, he was at her beck and call, and it seemed it didn't matter if she was good or evil. The only reason Buffy hadn't killed him so far as he could tell was because he held a lot of mystic knowledge. Or again it could be the link, between them. It was something he had written a paper on in his training as a watcher.
Of course he was scoffed at, no one wanted to believe that there was a reason certain watches ended up with the slayers and why even though the slayer died, no matter how good or young the watcher was, he/she was never given another slayer. Giles was Buffy's watcher, and it seemed he would be so until she killed him.
Buffy continued her assault on his mouth, running her hands over his bare chest, licking up the runnels of blood and tracing fingers over each and every mark she had put on him. Burn slash or bruise, placing mild pressure on each in turn, making Giles moan in his agony. She smiled and pushed Giles up on his chair, she straddled his legs with hers letting the floaty skirt fall over both their laps covering them effectively. Buffy knew this action would cause Spike to go off like a rocket, and maybe kill Giles this time,
The voice that came from behind her was not Spike, and it angered her to know someone would intrude on her. "Mistress, the voice of one of Spike's minion called to her, the slayer has killed Spike, he is dead". The servant lower his head to Buffy and tired not to look her in the eyes, which was likely a good thing since she would have taken his head off. Instead she turned her attentions back to Giles, looking at him in his weaken state, she levered herself up and opened him so that she could stroke his length.
Feeling him harden in her hand, she waited just long enough to lower her core over his shaft, then leaned to his neck, biting deeply as she slowly push him in and out of her body. Buffy fed until she knew he would die and then pulled from him, "I guess its now or never, she said complacently, I let you die or make you mine. Giles, which do you want," her lips curve in a vicious smile. Giles made a half moaning sound deep in his throat, but Buffy could hear what he was saying to her. She kissed the side of his neck where she had bit so deep, and reentered the wound, deeping the bite and claiming him.
Giles took that moment to plunged his blunt teeth in a last effort to live in the side of her neck. He was rewarded with beading pearls of red, that he lapped at as quickly as his failing body would let him. Buffy only lifted her head and laughed.
~Part: 12~
Internal Musings
Riley woke curled around her, one arm about her waist the other under her head. He could hear her snoring softly as she slept; feel her breath on his arm. The closeness they now shared only amplified the dangers that were all around them. He knew Faith would not leave here until Buffy was ashes. If she would go then, the hell mouth was a very bad place but perfect for a slayer to complete her calling. Riley pulled her lithe body tight to his, in an effort to control his thoughts, his fears. The ones that had them both dead by some demons hand, worse by Buffy's.
His maybe greatest fear was that he would somehow be the cause of it; with only the devices in his body, making him stronger and more agile. In time he would lose most of that, in his mind he knew their lives couldn't be long. He would never have children with Faith, she wouldn't allow it, of that he was sure. It would take her away from what needed to be done, and she would never want to leave a child behind like her mother had done her, by being to drunk to notice she even had a daughter. Riley snuggled close to her back, holding her closely as she started to wake.
She rolled toward him, facing him, Riley kissed her gently and she responded in kind, "Hmm morning", she moaned at him through their kiss. "Morning babe,? he said casually to her, he could never tell her these things that plagued his mind. It was not her fault she was the slayer, nor was it his that he wanted to be with her. What do you do when love beats down your door, he smiled inwardly. You let love in, and you deal with whatever life gives you. He pulled Faith closer in his arms and kissed her in earnest.
Faith wasn't surprised by the intense need she felt coming from her nearly naked comforter. She had just woke from a dream about making love to Riley only to be in his arms and carrying on in real life. It was truly heaven to her, and she didn't know how long she could stand it. He was to good to be true, to kind. to nice, no real problems, he was truly a good man. He understood her need to be the slayer as well as the fact that it was something she really didn't have a choice in. She knew he wasn't as powerful as she was, but it was fairly close, he knew when to get out of the way and had enough training to keep her back. Sometimes that was all it would take for her to defeat an overpowering number of undead, someone at her back; keeping some of it off her until she could get to them.
He had prove himself more than able to deal with what was out there, and if ever there was something he could not deal with, she would be there too. Or would she, something inside her made her doubt that she could stay with him, sheltered in his arms, his love. She knew Riley deserved better than she could ever willingly give him. She couldn't even guarantee that she would be alive in the coming weeks. The idea that Buffy was out there, waiting, stalking them all, terrified her in more ways then she could count; this wasn't the Buffy that had nearly gutted her, no this Buffy had no real purpose except to kill and tear their world apart.
Before she was trying to save Angel, and Faith had been the reason Angel was dying, it made a kind of poetic justice in a way. She understood why Buffy wanted her blood so badly, it was to save someone she loved; now she just wants them all dead. Ripped to pieces, and tossed aside, left behind to rot and be forgotten. Faith wasn't ready for that, they were both slayers, it seemed that Buffy had retained most of her powers as a slayer and it also seemed that she now had a new consort.
He was powerful, and very smart. Something they had Willow to defend against, except that it seemed this new vamp, understood how Willow thought and was able to get around her somehow. In sheer brain power alone who knows who would come out on top. It was like watching an old, Sherlock Holmes movie, and as always he was just a step behind the villain, keeping himself and those around him as safe as possible without actually catching the crook. It made Willow feel edgy all the time, she would snap at almost anyone, Faith mused, except Angel, and her near dependence on him was getting scary to Faith as well.
She would stay in her room for hours, sometimes days devising spells or potions that would help catch Buffy and her new playmate. But nothing helped, nothing stopped the killings. They were losing people they knew and just people by numbers reaching 10 to 12 a night. Faith could hear them in her room, Angel and Willow, engaged in love making that would rock the house, or conversations so intense that they would not hear her pounding on the bedroom door. But that she couldn't say much, she and Riley were know to shake a few windows as well. But never did either of them hurt the other.
Not true in Willow's and Angel's case, many times she had seen Angel walking to the bathroom for a shower, with his back cut to ribbons, and more than once she notice the bite marks on Willow pale neck. Whatever they were doing, it could not be termed as safe sex. But they both seemed happy enough, considering their dire straits. Who was Faith to judge them, the witch and the vampire, Faith had to laugh inwardly. As Riley looked down at her, she smiled; it seemed no couple on the hell mouth had a chance at being even semi normal. Pushing her slender hands into his hair, she looked deeply at him.
Riley had no clue what was flashing through her dark eyes. But he enjoyed watching them and her soft red lips kept his attention when nothing else did. Sometimes he would just sit and watch her speak, how she turned her head, how her lips would move to each word. Everything was precious because it was very likely the last time. They were on a death watch, and taking turns keeping each other alive. He knew as well as anyone what Buffy could do to them; she was to close, to near everything they lived with. Understood them better than any vampire they had ever gone up against before.
He and Angel had both been her lovers. Faith had been side by side in battle with her more than once, and Willow, she was really the key, and had been the best friend. For hours sometimes Buffy and Willow would be together talking about everything, anything. They knew each others secrets and the darkest parts of their hearts. What would hurt them, most and quickest? The only problem was that Buffy really wasn't her self any more, but all her memories were left for the demon to explore and exploit. She hadn't used much yet, but he was sure that Buffy was behind the raids, at the Bronze and the school.
These were done more or less to draw parallels between now and when Willow was a teen. Buffy must have wanted to throw Willow off her guard, leave her stunned, it had and hadn't worked. Yes it had upset her, but no it did not make her dysfunctional. Willow was for the most part keeping a firm grasp that this was not really Buffy. Riley found it reassuring that she was that strong. That she was able to deal with Giles disappearance, and wondered if she could keep it up. Riley looked deeply into Faith's eyes and thanked the lord that she was with him. They had been together for a few months now, and because of that they were both more or less happy and alive.
Alone Buffy would have picked them all off quickly, together, they were harder to kill. The only wish that Riley had is that the dreams would stop. He couldn't control his dreams but he wished he could. It seemed almost every other night he was dreaming about Buffy, as she is now. Her fangs and game face on, she would call to him, licking her lips suggestively. He hated those dreams but he would wake up aroused beyond the telling of it. Did he have a death wish, he didn't think so. But it was getting to the point he couldn't stand them anymore.
He had been having the horrid things for over a month, and was already going crazy with them. Riley felt he needed to tell someone but for the life of him, he knew better than to say anything to Faith, worse he didn't have much of a bound with Angel and would never talk to him. Willow was the only one he felt he could talk to but he had not had the chance over the last two weeks. She had always been in Angel's company and the dark vampire was very resistant to the idea of her talking to anyone really. But Riley had even worse fears about Angel?s and Willow's relationship, though he had not really bothered to find out.
Sometimes he would see Angel sitting at the table in the kitchen or in the study; quietly reading some old tomb of magic or book or other book of mystic knowledge. If he found one that pertain to anything they might need he always brought it to Willow. She kept herself away even more than Angel did these days. Riley didn't want to think about it, but what if Angel had turned her, what if Angel wasn't himself, his souled self anyway.
Riley would ponder how hard would it really be to fool him and the rest of them. Since Willow and Giles wanted to get the soul back for Angel so badly, would it not also be possible for Angelus to pretend and then maybe he was the one that poisoned Willow, not Giles. Maybe Angelus had killed Giles, which would be a real good reason why he had never showed up again, dead or alive. Riley found himself thinking about things like that more often then not.
He had to see Willow, something was up there and he knew it. He had always liked the little witch, but had ended up with Buffy. Riley found he could talk to Willow, and he wanted to badly. She would understand, and if nothing was wrong with her, then he could spill his heart to her and tell her about the dreams. Maybe she could give him something to stop them, a potion or herb, even a spell, anything. He didn't really care he only wanted it to stop.
Riley pushed all thoughts of fear and worry form his mind when he felt Faith place tiny kisses on his neck, she nibbled at him and his heart rate went up. Faith flipped him over and her grinned. "What you want on top again?" he asked teasingly. Faith smiled back and landed a kiss on his lips to shut him up a second. "You know I like the control,? she hissed out at him as she nibbled her way over his body.
Riley decided that wasn't a good enough answer so he flipped them back over and landed straddling her thighs. The thin night shirt she wore rode up just enough for him to hook his finger under it and pull it up as far as it would go; revealing her tanned body to his hungry eyes. "What if I said I want control this time? Faith grabbed his arms and pulled him on top of her, finding his lips in a searing kiss. They both fought for dominance each trying to out do the other. Before long their giggles and teasing became slow and sensual love making. Reminding each of them that time is a precious thing and they needed to treasure one another.
Back on the Farm
Buffy crossed the floor of the abandon hotel, looking around she saw two of her minion fighting over a slip of a human girl. She was ragged and dirty, from their treatment of her and the two male vampires, her keepers seemed more interested in fighting then feeding. Buffy walked up to the girl and smiled in a comforting way to her.
She reached out one hand and stroked the girls near black hair, "I think you remind me of someone," Buffy's eyes gleamed with an amber glow as she lifted the girl up and carried her away from the stupid minions that now stood watching their meal leave with their master. One of them touched the other on the sleeve and smiled, "Heather would have been better off if we had just ate her" he chuckled at the first.
Walking with the girl in her arms into her own rooms she tossed a question over her shoulder, "Giles my love, do we need to do the spell again. I want Riley on our team by tomorrow night." Buffy placed the girl on her bed. Giles popped out of another door way, "well if we concentrate all our efforts on one more calling, my dear he should be yours." Giles absently looked down at the girl in the bed he shared with Buffy, "early dinner Buffy dear" he asked. Buffy shook her head and smiled, "no Ripper, this one will be a message" the venom in her tone not missed by him.
Buffy looked over the girl carefully and pulled a lock of her dark hair over her pale shoulder, stroking her lovingly. "Pretty don't ya think Giles, looks sorta like a cheerleader I used to know" her smile cruel. Giles walked closer and lifted the girls chin with two cool fingers. "Yes, yes indeed I think your right, same dark hair same dark eyes, this child could be her sister" he looked over at Buffy and smiled. "Just what do you plan on doing with her?" his question asked with an amused look. Buffy nearly giggled with glee, "well first I am going to have some fun then I am going to send her to the gang, should be quite interesting" Buffy took the girls hand and pulled her up. Smiling sweetly she said, "Ready, we have to get you cleaned up, after all you are about to be a new woman", Buffy giggled.
Walking her to the bathroom in her suite, Buffy began stripping the torn and ripped clothing from her body, "What's your name," she smiled at the girl. A soft whisper escaped the girls lips, "Heather" she mumbled. Buffy nodded, "Well, Heather, how do you feel about living forever," Heather seemed to tremble, maybe she was cold, or maybe she understood what Buffy was saying to her. Buffy turned on the water in the shower and helped the girl into it, carefully Heather stepped into the shower her legs wobbly and weak,she turned and tired a smile. Watching as Buffy striped off her own clothing and stepped in as well. Grabbing the bar of soap and a wash cloth she clean the clear girl up.
Heather just stood still and let herself be washed, she was weak and full of aches and pains. The hot water feeling very good to her and being, cared for was comforting, though she had a sinking feeling that this would be the last of earthly comforts she would ever know. In her young mind it was better than how she had been treated by the other two. Buffy washed her hair, that had been matted with dirt, blood and other types of filth. Then Buffy gave the girl the soapy cloth and motioned for the girl to do the same for her. Heather did as she was soundlessly requested, and in slow moments completed the task, never saying a word. Once the bathing was done, Buffy and Heather stood in the waters spray, Buffy leaning in and pulling Heather into her arms.
She whispered to Heather, her voice like a knife, quite and cutting, "are you ready?" the question only to let the taller girl know it was time. Then letting her face change and her ridges appear she leaned back enough for Heather to see her face and smiled. Heather made a small gasp, her eyes going googly then she squeezed them shut in fear. "No Heather, look at me", Buffy's tone angry.
Heather's eyes snapped open and she watched tears had begun to stream down her pale cheeks, as Buffy lowered her face to her neck and then out of Heather's sight again she shivered in fear. Buffy sunk her razor sharp fangs into the girls neck, loving the taste of her young blood, sweet and rich. Feeding off the girls life until there was no more. Then slitting a spot on her neck she leaned Heather to the wound, letting the free flowing blood fill her young mouth. She stroked gently at Heather's head and down her back, squeezing her eyes shut in the bliss of the turning. In Buffy's arms the girl shivered and trembled, "shhh, Heather, it's a new world for you now." Buffy felt Heather's mouth latched to her neck as she began feeding with serious intent. Her arms coming up around Buffy holding to the one thing that seemed real to her now. She could hear Buffy purring into her ear.
Release
Willow turned in his arms and looked at Angel's sleeping face, or at least she thought he was sleeping. It was always so hard to tell. Reaching out a hand she stroked his back lovingly. Tickling what she knew was a good spot to get a reaction from him, only to see his lips curl in the slightest of smiles. She smacked him on his naked butt; "Angel, it's not nice to play all possum on me" she smiled as he opened his eyes. He focused his dark orbs on her face and reached up and pulling her down to him. Kissing her deeply, Willow sighed in pleasure and wrapped her arms around his neck. Sliding her body to his as close as she could, her warmth heating up his skin as well.
Angel moved them so they were on their sides and pulled one leg over his, pushing closer to her warmth. Kissing her neck and teasing her with light nips and licks she covered his mark on her with his mouth. Willow pushed her lower body closer to his stiffening member and rubbed her soft breasts on his solid chest. She was so glad she had been too tired from their last lovemaking that she had not bothered to put anything on. He felt so good skin to skin. Cool and solid, his probing shaft rubbed on her thigh and she was going insane with the teasing of it.
Angel dropped his human visage and bite into his mark, reclaiming her, in his head his demon screamed ?mine.? Even Angel had to admit she was a dream for him. Her body soft and supple, willing to try anything he wanted and having her own wants and needs she would let him know about. He loved every curve, every inch of her pale flesh. He filled his mouth with her blood just as Willow directed his aching hardness into her body. She slid downwards enough to impale herself and sighed, "oh, Angel, more", Her face flushed with desire.
He answered by thrusting his hips filling her with his need. Slowly pulling back he trust in again, burying himself as deeply as possible. Willow cried out in pain and pleasure, as he struck her cervix. Angel still fed slowly from her as he plunged into her so intensely slow, pushing completely in bottoming in her. Willow pulled his body to hers,chewing her lower lip and digging her nails in his back, drawing his blood, a protest to his painfully slow torture of her. He only growled in heated arousal, plunging again into her willing body. Stopping his forward movement he began to rotate his hips while buried deeply in her.
Finally pulling his bite from her neck, he gently licked the wound something like a purring sound coming from the dark vampire. Angel showered kisses up her throat to her chin and then her sweet mouth. Delving his still somewhat blood coated tongue in her mouth. Willow groaned at her own unique flavor and pulled her leg tighter over his hips. Letting him understand she wanted more friction. Angel pulled her up over him then sat up her his body still tightly embedded in hers. He ran a hand up her back and held the back of her neck and deepened the kiss.
Willow gaining leverage began to move her body on his. Pulling and pushing her body on his shaft. Moaning her delight in his mouth, she bit his tongue causing him to bleed, filling both their mouths with his blood. Angel groaned and pushed Willow backwards so that she landed under him. His movements becoming more forceful and heated; he drove into her at a pace that sent her mind south for the winter, as she dug her nails into his butt this time leaving half moons of blood there as well. Heated glances passed between them, Angel's eyes, half lidded, with intensity, matching Willow's flush color and grasping hands, her mouth a o of pleasure.
Just before she reached her release he pulled out of her body and moved slowly downward, kissing her face and neck, he cupped one soft breast and pinched the harden nipple between his first finger and thumb. Rolling it back and forth between the while his mouth sought the other. Nipping and licking the rosy nub until she cried out as if she were in pain. Angel moved on further down her body paying her navel special attention, dipping his tongue into it's sweetness as he lowered a hand to her burnished coppery mound. Moving her nether lips apart lightly and sinking one finger into her folds; her wetness covering his finger instantly with her near violent completion.
Angel smiled up at her panting, sweat glistening body, as he lowered his smile to those lips as well. Willow looked in awe as he raised her legs and pulled her body closer to his hungry mouth; spreading her legs so that there was no part of her that he couldn't get to or see. He bent his head to the work at hand with a grinned, he loved the sweet taste of her in every way. Flicking his tongue over her most sensitive part just to hear her moan, then lapping at her tenderly, alternating, from nibbling and sucking at her little engorged nub, to long licks from her entry to the sweet spot.
Willow felt her body go tense and shutter she pushed her hands into his dark hair pulling and petting him as he brought her to release again. His own release far from his mind, he moved her body like she was a toy doll gently but without any real notice of her weight or size. The shear power of him was causing ripples in her body again. The way he moved her you would think she were only an infant. But the way he made love to her let her know he didn't think of her as a child.
Angel turned her and pulled her body so that her back was to him but she was sitting nearly on his lap. Using one hand, he shifted her so that he could push in his painfully engorged shaft. Willow sighed feeling him fill her so deeply her own body giving over to his attack on her senses. Angel troubled her nub with knowing fingers as he moved in and out of her body. Letting her choose the pace, he nipped at the back of her neck. She reveled at the idea he was giving, and taking control from her, she slid her body up and down on him at a pace that would bring them both pleasure.
Angel waited until he could feel her body tensing again then pinched her tiny nub roughly, as he sunk his fangs into her shoulder. He trembled as she came again, this time the release took her by surprise; it tumbled over her and then shook her again. She didn't know how many times she fell into the abyss of sensation, before her body calmed. Angel then let his own release rock his body and he rammed himself home one last time. The feeling of his cool seed flooding her pushed her one last time over the top and dropping her like a rock off a bridge. She shivered and her mind went numb as her body fought for solid ground.
Angel cooed at her and rocked her on his lap, still buried in her sweet depths. Letting them both come down, letting his body regain its composure. Then laying them both on their sides he curled up around her. Feeling himself slipping from her now, he waited until her panting subsided. Brushing her hair from her face and licking the fresh wound on her shoulder, sealing it. Their happy nest only disrupted by the pounding on the door to their room. Willow jerked her head up and asked, "who is it,? Then from the other side of the door she heard, "it's Riley, Willow, can we talk" his voice sounded worried. Willow nodded to Angel and he got up growling at the intruder. "This better be good", he snarled.
Undertow
It was nearly a full moon and he was out walking. What was he thinking, he told himself he needed to get to his cage, keep himself from hurting anyone. But what good did that really do, he lost almost everyone he cared about. Deep in his own thoughts Oz didn't notice the slim blonde vampire walking up on him from the side. She cleared her throat and smile waiting for him to notice her.
Oz looked up from the ground he had been studying as he walked and gave a curious look at her. He could smell that she was a vampire, but she wasn't attacking him. "Hey, Harmony," he said blandly. She smiled sweetly at him, "hey yourself Oz," she move slowly in front of him standing maybe four feet away. "what are you doing out here all alone" she seemed to be trying to make polite conversation. Oz could only think of how absurd it all seemed.
~Part: 13~
Knowledge is Power
Riley's knocking on the door had disturbed there little nest. It had Willow pulling on a robe and Angel cursing the humans name. He was determined not to dress or move and with a low growl he let her know just how he felt. Willow tossed a dark look over her shoulder as she walked out the bedroom door, closing it behind her she looked up at Riley. Her eyes confused at his sudden intrusion.
Riley stood in front of her, his body trembling and a slight sheen of perspiration covering his forehead. Something was really wrong, Willow let her eyes cover more of him as he stood quietly in the hall with her. She wondered why he had called her out only to stand and look at her, but she waited a few seconds before trying to pry from him what was wrong. Willow looked up at him curiously, but still he said nothing.
He didn't feel right and he knew it. Willow was standing in front of him and he didn't know how he got there. He felt sick, he could still hear her words in his head. "Come to me Riley, kill her and come to me" but it was just a dream he thought, his mouth didn't want to work. He wanted to warn Willow, but the words wouldn't come out of his mouth. His eyes kept searching for a way to make her understand before his body could react. How could he tell her he needed to kill her, what would help her understand he didn't want to. He was compelled to, driven nearly mad with the need to end her life.
Willow looked at Riley and tried to ask what was wrong, he was trembling so badly now, he looked as if he would collapse at any second. Willow turned her head, only for a second, and called softly to Angel. She felt danger, but didn't understand where the danger was coming from.
It was then, as her head was turned that Riley moved. There was no way he could have touched her in violence with her eyes pleading with him to let her help. He closed both hands around her slender neck and began to squeeze. Choking the life from her right in front of her own bedroom door with Angel on the other side. In his mind he was yelling, 'no' at himself but his body moved on it's own. His control all but lost, the most he was able to do was keep from putting all his pressure on her. Tears began to stream down his face as Willow clawed at his hands, digging in with her nails and drawing blood.
Then it was over, Willow leaned to the wall, gasping for breath and coughing, rubbing her bruised throat. Riley lay on the floor in front of her, unconscious. Angel had burst through the door and clocked him solidly across the back of his head, knocking Riley senseless in an instant. Faith came dashing out her room and looked over the sight, Angel vamped out, dressed only in his boxers, Willow still dragging in heavy breaths, and Riley laying on the floor at their feet.
Faith was enraged and turned her anger on Angel, moving like a panther she attacked him. Willow trying to scream at her to stop, for Angel to back off. Faith landed a kick to his mid section and knock Angel off balance. Angel countered by pushing all his weight at her and nearly breaking her jaw with one punch. Willow tired to get in the middle but it was happening to fast. No one was hearing her small scratchy voice over the shouts grunts and blows being landed.
Riley came to enough to realize what was happening, pushed himself from the floor and in one swift movement was between them. His large back to Angel as he faced Faith, "No, Faith," he shouted, stopping her mid swing. The blow coming an inch from his face. He covered her thrust out hand with his and pulled it to his chest, "Angel, he started, was only protecting Willow." Faith looked at him wonderingly, as she stood back and waited for him to finish. Riley looked at the floor and simply stated, "I tried to kill Willow". His green eyes holding all the regret of a man condemed.
Faith was shocked as were Willow and Angel, "what, but why Riley" Faith found her voice quavering as she asked. Her eyes searched his face for some good reason, it wasn't like him. She just couldn't make sense of it. Faith reached out a slender hand, her eyes dark and worried she touched his cheek softly, "why baby, would you do that". Willow and Angel both waited to hear the answer to that one too. Riley was such a good guy over all, it didn't make sense. Something in Willow's mind clicked and she was beginning to understand. She moved to stand in front of Riley with Faith, even as Angel tried to stop her. He didn't want her getting out of his protective circle. She looked up at Riley and asked, "you had a dream didn't you, I bet you have been having them for awhile." Riley only nodded, his shame plain on his face.
Willow's mind race with possibility's, she had read the entire journal in which Giles had detailed his assent into madness. That had lead to his nearly killing Willow, and leaving for parts unknown. Though now Willow was pretty sure of what may have happened to him. The 'voice' that Giles had heard had been Buffy's and she was calling him to her. Maybe by way of a spell, Giles had been easier because he was already attached to the slayer. Or so his journal had said, she had no doubt his observations were correct.
Then that would mean that it was a possibility that Riley was undergoing the same thing. Willow reached out again to Riley and touched his face gently cupping it between her delicate hands. He was such a good man, but he had been so in love with Buffy. That at one time, in order to understand her feelings for the dark vampire, he had allowed himself to become food for their kind. Could it be that Buffy was somehow using the love he had felt and what love he still had for her in order to seduce him. To take him away, maybe kill him. Not that there was really any doubt in that. Buffy would kill him if he went to her. The thought also crossed Willow's mind that maybe that's exactly what had happened to Giles.
Taking Chances
Willow, looked in his eyes and reached a hand to his pallid cheek, she saw the depths of his pain. He never meant to hurt her. He was still trembling and his face was damp, clammy, as if her were ill. Willow pressed her lips together, her resolve face took over her eyes and she tried a soft smile, a gift to Riley. Letting him know she forgave him. Letting him know she understood and was going to do something about it. Riley leaned into her touch and closed his eyes, fighting back the near sob that escaped him.
Willow heard the soft growl from behind her. Turning she saw Angel's eyes glowing amber, in the near dark of the hall. He was all predator at the moment and in his mind Riley was the prey. Angel didn't really care why Riley had attacked his mate. Only that he did and deserved to die for that alone if nothing else. Willow frowned at him, great she thought we will kill each other at this rate. In the quiet understanding came to him, she had found something, maybe something very important. Angel backed down and quieted, waiting to see what she wanted to do.
Turning her attention to Faith, "you need to keep him close to you at all times Faith, this is very important. Riley is under a spell, and I think that's what happened to Giles as well. I need to prepare a counter spell", her eyes going dark the green in them showing more, her lips pressed to a thin line.
Anyone watching could see she was thinking of something, planning. Willow gave her sore neck a quick rub then turned on her heel and headed to her study. Leaving Angel, Faith and Riley to watch each other cautiously. Murmured words, not as friendly as they should have been were exchanged. Then a parting of the ways, Riley and Faith to their room, and Angel after Willow.
He needed to know what she was thinking. His face shifted back to human form but he still felt the tenseness of a few moments ago. He would have killed Riley, he knew that, without a second thought at the time. His hands shook at the idea it would still be so easy to take Riley's life. Angel's expression anything but calm he opened the door to Willow's study. The scent hit him just before that but his mind didn't register what it was at first, he had been so engrossed in his own thoughts.
Willow sitting at her alter, her sleeve pulled up to mid upper arm. Her athame/dagger in her other hand she had already made a slice on her arm, letting the blood run into a stone bowl. Her eyes met her lovers, they were black, Angel noticed. He could feel the power curling around the room, a haze of reds and oranges obscured his sight. He closed the door behind him as he felt the energy reach out to him. Hesitant and careful he stepped toward where he had seen her a minute ago. His ears perking to the voice in the mist in front of him.
~Part: 14~
Change of Plans
Buffy in anger slammed her fist on the desk, the old wood splintered and cracked under her unleashed power. Giles merely sighed, "it had to happen sooner or later Buffy, it's not like she is stupid, in fact quite the opposite is true." His face contrite as he watched the exslayer, storm around the room, "But I wanted him here, now, damn that witch, I will kill her myself". Buffy lower her arms and in one swipe she cleared what had been carefully laid out spell components and symbols. Dashing them to the floor like so much trash.
Giles frowned at her and began picking things up, candles and herbs, smudge sticks and stones. A few things that can't be picked up in a local Wiccan store. Giles knowing many creatures good and evil was able to have on hand many exotic things. As he fumbled the items up off the floor and stood his arms full. He glanced at Buffy and nearly growled, but knowing his place he kept his mouth shut and watched her. Buffy looked over Giles playing clean up and shook her head, what good was he if his magic couldn't help her strip Angel bare of any and all possible help. She needed him alone, with no love, no friends, no support of any kind. It would be the only way the spell she had found would work. Every spell she had used so far was through dreams and subconsciousness. She was using their own minds against them, the men were easier prey then the woman so Buffy went for them first. She hadn't counted on her plan being countered in anyway.
Buffy stormed out of the small room and down the darken hall to her own rooms. Walking in she smiled, seeing her new playmate on the bed. Dress only in the red satin sheets, a smile on her red lips. She looked more and more like Cordy every day, her body long and graceful, skin dark and tanned, deep dark eyes, and dark satin hair. Buffy wondered if Xander would have enjoyed this version of her as much as she did. Walking over to the bed Buffy smiled back at Heather, "hey sweetie, miss me much" the girl leaned to her and rubbed her cheek against the slayers leg nuzzling close. Letting her dark waves of hair fall over Buffy's thigh.
Distracted Buffy pulled her thoughts back to her biggest problem, Willow. Through the spell she and Giles had tried to cast she knew that Willow had placed a protection spell to ward off dream and blood magic's on those in the house. It would be more difficult then ever to extract Riley now. She needed to take the group apart until only her sire was left. Then if she couldn't find a way to make him hers again she would simply 'play' with him until she could. That might take hundreds of years, but the idea of having Angel as a pet, only wet her appetite more.
Letting her hand stroke her pets head gently as she thought, Buffy sat on the edge of the bed. Her mind absently questing for the one thing that would help her in her push to take back her sire. In her campaign to destroy the only ones who would have a chance to stop her. If she couldn't kill them all over the next few weeks her plans were lost. Giles had already told her of the prophecy that would either take the whole of the world into the abyss. Or she herself would be destroyed and a new creature would be born or fire and blood. Something that had never walked on the physical planes before, a force of good, to help unite the rest.
The words didn't say enough to make sense to Buffy, but Giles had said that the one in the prophecy, the one to oppose her, was most likely Willow. The magic's she was able to use were far beyond what she should have ever been able to use in a hundred years. Let alone her short life, there was something already different about the red witch, and Buffy meant to find it out. Stroking the head of the mewling girl laid on her thigh, she pondered what she needed to do. Fast and hard, she would need to hit them as quickly as possible and kill them all but Angel. There had to be a way, she thought as she jerked the girl back from her legs by her hair. Snarling at her in her frustration.
A soft knock on the door got Buffy's attention and she went full vamp face in anger at the intrusion. Snapping her head to the door way as it opened slowly, "who is it," she demanded. Heather cringing at her anger, and scooting away some. Buffy waited for who was so bold, who would enter her rooms without being asked. She couldn't fathom who would be 'that' stupid.
Harmony ducked her head in and smiled sweetly to Buffy, "Mistress? I have a gift for you." her voice filled with jangled nerves. Harmony, came fully into the room when Buffy didn't rage at her to leave, pulling on the silver chain in her hand. On the end of that chain, came Oz, dressed only in his lose fitting jeans, his red hair glowing in the candle light. He looked as if he had been beaten. Buffy nearly went into a rage seeing the, 'gift' she was being given, and it's his overall rumpled appearance. Then a thought struck her, and a dark smile curved her shinny peach shaded lips.
Buffy stood and swayed her way over to Oz who stood his ground even as he trembled. Knowing what Buffy might do to him and fearing what he didn't know. Harmony had only been able to subdued him because she knew of his werewolf state and had been ready. She and two others had shot him with sleep potion filled darts, rendering him unconscious. Then they kept him in chains and cages until he was in human form again. Now Harmony brought him like a gift for the vampiric slayer, and handed him over.
Walking around him as if he were a brand new toy. Buffy smiled at Harmony and waved her away, "Latter Harm," she said. Letting Harmony know there would be a reward for her little 'gift'. Buffy gave an appraising glance over Oz's half nude body, noting the marks from blows that had been given to secure Oz when he was captured. Buffy ran fingers over his ribs pushing her fingers against the dark purplish marks there. Oz only let out a small gasp, and shivered at the pain. Buffy looked into his eyes and smiled, "Well this is going to be fun," she let the words out in a rush of unneeded breath.
Harmony cringed at that last words she heard Buffy say before she left the room, closing the door ever so quietly. Not disturbing Buffy right now would be a very good thing. Anyone who knew the golden vampiress knew that when she had a new toy, you didn't bother her. Once outside the room, Harmony high five herself and giggled. She wasn't sure why, but she felt as if she had done something really smart, Buffy would for sure grant her want she wanted. All she had to do now was wait for her to get through with Oz, Harmony frowned, he had been fun for the time she had him. The only thing that could have made it better was if she had been able to taste his blood as well. Her face in mild concentration, she wonder what a were wolf would have tasted like. Giving her head a toss, her long blonde hair flowing around her shoulders she dismiss the whole thing. After all she has something to look forward to now. Harmony made her way down the hall, with a light step and a happy undead heart.
Calling for Help
Sitting in her office, Catherine Elisabeth Crane, looked out the over sized double windows of the Watchers new building. It had been three years in construction and finished for only a year. She and two other watchers had been all that was left of the council. Now there were again nearly a hundred in various countries around the world. It had taken them nearly eight years to recover even part of their numbers, and they were still in the process of regaining all the artifacts and records, along with books and tomes of the mysteries in the world. One of her top priorities were the watchers journals lost in the America's.
Tapping her elegantly long nails on her desk, Ms. Crane had been waiting for a phone call. She had long read in detail, all the sources of information she could get a hold of from the watchers, on the 'slayer' and her friends for years now. Now it seemed one of them, wanted to speak with the council. A beeping sound from the phone brought her mind back to the now. She picked up the receiver, saying "Hello," in her tight British accent. "Yes please, transfer the call here, Millie." and she waited.
The voice coming from the other end of the line was deceptively young and innocent. "Hey, I am Willow Rosenburg," the power in the voice was the only thing that revealed the years at the base of a hell mouth. Ms. Crane brushed back her salt and peppered black hair, with long thin fingers. Standing now as she walked to her window squinting out at the bright daylight.
Ms. Crane made her voice calm and answered, "Yes, and I am Catherine Crane." a smile curving her mouth slightly, "How may I help you Ms. Rosenburg." Catherine tugged on the front of her well tailored deep blue jacket, as she waited for the reply.
Willow cleared he throat,wondering about this woman she had never had the pleasure of meeting. Not that it mattered, she needed information and the watches most likely had what she would need, "I need to know some things about the magical side of the union between watcher and slayer. Also, are there spells that could cause a person to react totally opposite of their nature. Umm, based on past or present love held for that person." Willow knew she was babbling some but needed to ask everything she could and as soon as she could.
Catherine smooth one hand down her slim skirt and paced back to her desk, picking up a pencil not bothering to interrupt Willow yet as she jotted down some of the things Willow was asking about. When she was down marking the things that she had been asked for, Catherine decided it was time to ask. "Ms. Rosenburg, I have a favor to ask of you as well." She waited to see how Willow would react, since the relatshionship between the two groups was in little more than tatters. Catherine's predecessor had made sure of that. As new head of the council she planed on changing that if at all possible.
Willow went silent for a minute, she had not really expected for the leader of the Watchers to need a favor from her. So the question had caught her off guard. She muttered into the phone, "Un well yes if I can be some help I will try." Willow was feeling the need to be able to do something. This seemed as good as anything else, but she felt confused about why they would want something of her.
Catherine's voice crisp and clean came through the line, "I would like you to research and maybe scry a prophecy for us." it was a big thing to ask. The watcher knew this, but Willow Rosenburg was likely the most powerful witch on the planet. They truly needed her help, having only bits and pieces of the old text that spoke of the 'Worthy', and the 'Rising'. Somehow it was all tied to Sunnydale again.
The old parchment text was only in pieces and she knew there was a lot more to the prophecy than what they understood at the moment. Willow was the only one Catherine could ask about something like this for the simple reason that she had already exhausted all other avenues that she had. The fact that Willow was one of the most intelligent people the field and also a powerful witch, didn't hurt matters.
Catherine spoke softly now as if every word could be something very important or very evil. Not that she was saying anything that bad a few random facts she had read from the text herself and that she would scan the work entirely and send it via computer email to Willow in a hour. If, of course Willow was was willing to help. Otherwise they discontinue contact. Catherine knew the last bit was iffy, Willow might decide the price was to high for what they needed.
Much to Catherine's surprise Willow didn't seem to have any problems with the idea of helping the watcher, Catherine would have been suspicious of anyone else but Ms. Rosenburgs reputation was well known to her and she took her words for what they were.
Willow gave her email address so that she could receive the text she would be trying to decipher. When the conversation was over she hung up the phone her eyes wide, she was bartering with the watchers council for what she needed and they seemed willing to help. Angel stood at the red heads side and eyed the notes she had jotted down. Worthy One, The End of Endings, and The Rising, he was pretty sure he understood part of it from something he had read before. One of Giles old books, maybe he should start looking in Giles apartment and see if there was anything left there that could help them in their search for this 'Worthy One'.
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