NOT FORGOTTEN (4/?)
"Well, you'd better over that fear" Buffy said.
Angel looked at her closely, "I don't know if I can. You know my track
record with women. I think she'd be better off without me."
"Hey, I resent that. We may not have been perfect, but I loved you. I
knew you loved me. We just weren't meant to be. You and Willow? You two
belong together. It will be different." Buffy paused, "Now about the
whole Drusilla and Darla past? No comment on those two nutty bitches."
Angel just shook his head, "Buffy. Think about it. All I ever bring to
those I love is pain and heartache. I couldn't do that to Willow. I
never want to hurt her."
"You are hurting her Angel. By denying that it was anything other than
sex. By letting her go. Do you think she isn't sitting in the dorm this
minute hurting? She's in pain, Angel. You can change that. Only you."
"She's better off without me" Angel protested.
Buffy gave up, "Fine. I'll talk to Spike. He'll do something."
Angel narrowed his eyes, "What does Spike have to do with this?"
"Duh. He's the one that noticed first. Made the connection between you
and her. Guess now he smelled you on her. Makes more sense. Anyway, he's
the only one she's letting in at all."
"Spike noticed?" Angel said, frowning. He felt jealous that his childe
was the one consoling Willow.
"Yep. I was worried she was getting too close to him....wonder if it's
the connection."
"Connection?" Angel asked.
"He's your childe. She can't have you so maybe he's the next best
thing." Buffy said.
"I'll stake the bastard if he's touched her!" Angel said, his voice low.
Buffy laughed, "How if you're in LA and he's in Sunnydale? Just let it
go, Angel. Remember? You're the one that is bad for her. Spike's just
being a friend. He's still hung up on looney tunes. He's not after
Willow...not in that way. Of course, the longer he goes without Nutsy,
who's to say..."
Angel glared at her, "You love this don't you? Knowing that I have no
way of knowing if you're even telling the truth. Having to sit here and
wonder if she'd ever actually be interested in Spike...knowing he might
do something to her just to hurt me...."
"He wouldn't hurt her" Buffy said with conviction. "What? I don't like
the asshole, but he cares about Willow. They've been friends for months.
And, as I said, he's the only one she'll talk to about this."
"Fuck" Angel cursed softly. "I know. Spike isn't that bad, most of the
time. Just, the thought of him with her...."
"Makes your blood boil? Makes you so jealous you can't see straight?
Makes you want to pack a bag and come back to Sunnydale with me right
now and claim what is yours?"
Angel looked at her, a slow smile spreading over his handsome face. "I
think I'll choose the third option. She's mine. I just hope it isn't too
late...."
"I'll help you pack, Angel" Buffy said, smiling. She only hoped Willow
knew how much she owed her for this one. Actually, Angel owed her too
when she thought about it. Who knew how long those two would have
suffered rather than making a move. Silly twits, she decided. Oh well,
that's what they had her for. To force them into action. She smiled as
she imagined Willow's reaction to seeing Angel again. She had done good.