The dark gray sky showered away the blood on the drenched fields. Once green hills of hope, now heard the whispers of death. The anguished cries for help and salvation still echoed across the cold wind, while the red liquid that coursed through their bodies spilled and mixed with the large puddles of mud all around.

His arms were weak, but he would not stop. His trembling hands grabbed onto the loosened and wet earth, pulling himself towards her. Each move was excruciating, but he could not stop. Somehow, he found the strength he needed to move forward stored in his heart and soul. He crawled slowly, losing the feeling in his legs. He reached her and thanked the good above for this final chance. Placing his arm around her small body, he felt how cold she had become. Uncontrollable tears streaked down his dark face.

“My beloved,” his strained voice managed to say as he placed his head on her chest.

“I am here,” she whispered, all feeling slowly leaving her.

He pulled his head up and looked into the green eyes he had always adored. He could see the twinkle in them fading.

“I have...I failed thee,” he told her painfully, more tears spilling.

“Never...never...you...you are the reason...the reason...I was born...You are my purpose for...for which I live....I love thee with....with all...all my..heart...Never forget me....never...You...you are my light...the light in..in my eyes..,” she whispered to him, wishing she could feel him one last time.

“Thou own my heart, thou art my soul. I shall love thee forever...and then even more,” his voice becoming lower.

“Forever.... I shall... shall see thee once more.... forever..,” she said, knowing her time had come.

He kissed her once more, tasting the blood that spilled from her lips. He pulled back and looked at her bruised face.

She gave him a small, weak smile, her life with him flashing before her.

“Together... forever... beloved...,” her final words drifting into the blistering wind, over the lonely hills, the life in her gone.

He saw the twinkle in her eyes disappear and began to sob softly, knowing she was gone. He kissed her once more, then laid his head back on her chest. He now knew how blessed he was for each day she had spent with him. He closed his eyes, laying in her arms, thanking God above for their last moment together. He was ready and with his final words he whispered the words to his slain love, “Together...for..eternity.”

The hills went silent as the sky began to cry harder.

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

Willow awoke crying, not able to catch on to the dream --memory-- she saw while asleep. A terrible feeling of loss and loneliness fueled her sobs. Loss of what, she was never sure, only that it hurt like nothing else she had ever experienced.

She tried to reason with herself, telling herself it was because Oz was on tour for a couple of days, leaving her alone. But deep inside she knew that wasn’t it. Over the past few months she knew what had been happening. She wasn’t stupid; they had been drifting apart, more on her side than his. When he had told her at the Bronze two nights ago he would be leaving, she had not felt any sadness, only happiness for him. This was his dream and she was happy it was happening to him. She had hugged him and wished him well. He pulled back and kissed her, and it was as soft and sweet as all his kisses had been before.

He had walked her home that night, perhaps wishing to hear some pleas for him to stay, but none came. She hugged and kissed him once again, telling him she would miss him terribly while he was gone, wishing she could attend all his gigs. He smiled at her, telling her how much he loved her and how he would miss her as well. She nodded her head and smiled, placing one last kiss on his lips and wished him luck. She entered her house and waved good-bye to her boyfriend, then closed the door, hoping she would feel the same as he.

Now, in the second night of his absence, she admitted the truth. She did not miss him terribly as she had told him she would. She felt as she had been feeling these past few weeks for him, a love, but a love of only friendship.

As she lay in bed crying, she wished to know why she felt a larger void in herself than before. An intense feeling of loss overwhelmed her and she wasn’t sure why. Four nights of complete sadness and depression gripped her as they had never before. The only way she achieved any sleep was by crying herself into it. She looked at the clock on her nightstand, wiping her eyes. The red digits glowed 3:45. A deeper sense of loss and desperation rocked her, her sobs becoming louder. She reached over for her phone, knowing who could save her from this state. She punched in the numbers, holding her breath. She was patient and on the fourth ring a simple hello on the other end found its way in helping her mend the hurt in her.

“Hello?”

“Angel?” her strained voice managed to say.

“Willow? What’s wrong?” he asked, concerned.

“I’m not...I’m not sure... It’s happening...it’s happening again,” she said in hiccups.

“I’ll be right over,” he told her immediately.

She thanked him and hung up. She got up from bed, still crying, and decided to change into something more appropriate than her nightshirt. As she waited for him to arrive, she thought of how it all had began.

Four nights ago, as she watched Oz play in the Bronze, a sudden sadness had engulfed her. It had been after spending the day at the fair with her friends. She tried to hold back her sudden tears, but could not. It was too much for her to take. Tears began to fall against her will. She felt the Bronze suffocating her. She took a glance back, and seeing Xander and Cordelia completely into each other, she got up and sprinted to the door. She took in the fresh air, able to breath once more, as she let herself sob softly. She ran down the block, not sure where she was going, only trying to get as far away from the Bronze as she could. Her tired legs were the only things that stopped her at the park, forcing her to sit on a bench. She continued weeping openly, wishing to find a way to stop the tears, a way to stop such pain. It was cutting her in half and she couldn’t understand why. It was the voice of her friend in back of her that had helped her to control herself a bit. Embarrassed, she tried to wipe her tears away, hoping to stop the rest from spilling, but it was useless. He sat next to her, his hand daring to touch her shoulder lightly.

“Willow,” his deep soft voice said.

That had been more then enough to encourage her to do what she did next. She turned to him, looking at him once, then hugged him tightly, holding on to him, as she would to dear life. Her head rested against his chest, crying harder. After only a moment he placed his strong arms around her, holding her.

Exhausted by all the emotions that ran through her, she fell asleep in his arms.

She awoke to find herself in his new apartment. He had laid next to her on the bed, staying close to her. He awoke a moment later, perhaps sensing her staring at him intently. She hadn’t meant to, but she never quite realized how truly handsome he was. She blushed and looked away.

He had asked her for whom she shed her tears for, or whom or what she grieved over. She was not able to tell him, since she did not know either, but somehow by his presence, by his friendship, the pain seemed to become bearable, seemed to slowly disappear. She thanked him for that. They spent all night doing something she now rarely did with anyone anymore, talk the night through. They shared their lives with each other, as much as they could. She left his house with a new appreciation of him and their friendship, hoping it would continue to grow.

She had gone to school that morning without a worry of the night before, only to find herself at his door once the sun had set, as the overwhelming despair once more had overtaken her. He had welcomed her in, not asking what was wrong, only holding her until her sobbing subsided. He caressed her hair, and told her the words that still remained close to her heart.

“I will always be here,”

He was, and for that she was grateful.

Once again she left his house at the break of dawn, thankful for his attentions. She left for school in high spirits, only to have them fall to a dangerous low by mid-day.

“Will, are you O.K.?” Buffy had asked her before their last class.

“Sure, fine, great, wonderful,” she told her, hoping the fake smile on her face was convincing.

“Really?”

“Really, so how are you?” she asked, wanting to change the subject.

“O.K. I guess. Training’s good. Slaying’s good. Loneliness good,” she said with a small smile.

“What about Angel?” she asked, curious to hear the response.

“Weird, distant, cryptic, everything you can think of. He hasn’t joined me patrolling these past few days. I go visit him at the mansion, but he isn’t there. I guess he forgot to give me his forwarding address,” she said with a little sadness in her voice.

Willow was confused. Angel didn’t live at the mansion anymore. He had moved into a new, nicer studio style loft, close to the Bronze. She thought Buffy had known.

“Buffy, what’s happened between you too?” she asked, needing to know.

“It’s hard, Willow. I’m happy he’s back from Hell, but he won’t talk to me about it He won’t talk to me at all for that matter. I know I still love him, but I’m still scared of him,” she revealed.

“Buffy, it’s Angel, not Angelus, and he’s been back for five months. He wouldn’t hurt you. You have to know that”, she told, feeling a bit angry.

“It’s easy for you to say,” Buffy remarked.

“No, no it isn’t. He almost killed me at the school remember? And my fish, I don’t think they went on to afterlife peacefully. But that was Angelus, not Angel. It wasn’t him who did all the bad things; it was the demon.”

“I just can’t forgive like you, I guess. I can’t see past his actions,” she told her on the verge of tears.

“Then you don’t deserve his love or be loved by him,” she said, anger building in her, not quite sure why she had told her that.

Buffy looked at her and snapped.

“What? I don’t deserve his love? What if he doesn’t deserve mine?” she said, stopping in the middle of the hall.

“That isn’t love then, Buffy.”

“I love him.”

“Not enough. You’re scared to love enough, or scared he won’t love you enough. He doesn’t need to prove to you that he deserves it, nor do you. Love is a wonderful gift we give to each other. Maybe you should start working on your friendship with him, before you start something more serious,” she told her.

“This is all because of Oz?” she asked, surprised to hear her friend talk about love as if she were a pro at it.

“Oz?” she asked confused.

“Yeah, Oz. You know, your boyfriend. It sounds like you’re talking from experience, something I guess I don’t have. You must really love Oz,” she said a bit envious.

“Yeah, Oz...I should go, Buffy. I need to get to class,” she said as she picked up her pace. She needed to get away, knowing her tears were not far behind.

Buffy remained in the hallway a bit confused by her actions, then let the words she told her sink in. She was right, maybe the place to start was from friendship. It was something to think about. She headed off to class, feeling a bit more optimistic about her love life.

Willow had ran out of the building, crying harder with every step. She had skipped her last class, racing home. Every instinct in her told her to run to his apartment, but she refused to do so. He was probably already tired of the cry baby. She lay in bed, thankful her parents were out of town for at least two weeks. All she wanted to do was talk to him, ask him to take the pain away. She was being a child. She would not call. She closed her eyes, hoping sleep would numb her. It was of no use. She would not move the void in her away, store it away as she had before. It now threatened to swallow her whole, or kill her softly.

An hour later, the ringing of the phone forced her to open her red sore eyes. She reached for it, hoping deep inside it was him.

“Hello?” her low, hope filled voice said.

“Willow?”

“Angel?” she replied, a smile spreading across her face.

“How are you?”

“Better, thank you. You should be sleeping, Angel.”

“You don’t sound better. Have you been crying?” he asked, full of worry.

“I was. But I’m better now,” she told him with a small smile.

“Why didn’t you come over?” he asked, a tint of sadness in his voice.

“I didn’t want to bother you. You need to sleep.”

“It isn’t a bother, Willow. Whenever you need to talk, I’m here, a call or a house away, which ever you need more. Please remember that.”

“You’re too kind.”

“Willow?”

“Yes?”

“Will you call me when you need me?” he asked.

“I will.”

“Good. I’ll be able to sleep a bit better. I just wanted to make sure you were O.K.”

“Thank you Angel.”

“That’s what friends are for, aren’t they?” he asked.

“Yes, they are, and I’m glad you’re one of them.”

“Rest, and remember, I’ll be here,” he told her.

“I know. Go to bed. You need rest, too. Angel?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Everything.”

“It should be the other way around, you know?”

“No, it shouldn’t. Now go and rest.”

“I will.”

“Bye.”

“Bye.”

No one had ever lifted her spirits higher than he had at that moment. It was wonderful. She got out of bed and took a shower, a burst of energy overwhelming her. It was still early, so she decided to go to the Bronze and wait for her friends.

She left early, the same sadness she fought against daring to take hold of her again. She hoped it was sadness over missing Oz, but after she stepped into her room, she tried to analyze what she really felt. It wasn’t fair to treat him this way. It wasn’t. She kicked herself for that. She reached for the phone, wondering if he was home. His answering machine picked up. Just the sound of his voice had made her smile. She didn’t leave a message, knowing he was probably out with Buffy patrolling. She felt a sudden sadness inside. She refused to let go of her festive mood. She changed for bed, feeling the void in her filling. For the first time in three nights, she slept with no tears, or so she thought, until she awoke screaming in the middle of the night, her eyes full of tears.

Now she stood, close to four in the morning, waiting for the only person who knew of this terrible occurrence in her, the only person who seemed to be able to pull her out of it. She waited patiently on her bed for him to come.

A knock on her window make her jump as more tears fell. She opened the French doors, inviting him in. He pulled her in his arms, knowing she needed to be comforted. He held her, whispering soothing words. He held her for an hour, her sobs slowly stopping. Again, with sleep overcoming her, he placed her in bed, kissing her softly on her warm cheek, disappearing into the fading night.

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

“So, Will, how long is Oz out for?” Xander asked as they waited for Giles and Buffy to arrive.

“Two more days, I think.”

“Miss him?” Cordelia asked.

“Yeah,” she said simply.

“Must be hard,” Cordy commented.

“What’s hard?” Willow asked, a bit confused.

“Oz, gone for so long. I know how much you love him,” Xander told her.

“I’ll manage,” she told them, feeling a little low about lying to them.

Xander found her reply a bit disturbing. He was about to ask her something, but was cut off by Giles voice.

“I’m glad everyone is here.”

“What’s wrong, Giles?” Willow asked.

“Yeah, what happened, tweed man?” Xander added.

“I received a message last night from one of my sources in Italy. Included was a prophecy,” Giles replied.

“I really don’t like those,” Cordelia commented, shifting in her seat.

“I know, they make you think,” Xander said cheerfully. Cordelia sent him a deadly stare.

“Actually, I’m not sure you can even call it a prophecy. It came out of a legends book,” Giles revealed.

The group began to moan aloud.

“That should make it a lot easier,” Xander said sarcastically.

“Just more of a challenge,” Giles explained.

“Ready?” Buffy asked as she entered the room.

“Are you sure Angel is coming?” Giles asked her.

“Should be on his way,” Buffy replied.

“Wait....no one told me Angel was invited!” Xander said angrirly.

“He can help us,” Buffy told him.

“Really?” Xander said doubtfully.

“He can, Xander,” Willow included.

Cordelia took his hand and urged him to calm down.

“I just can’t forget,” Xander told Cordelia. She ran her hand over his hair.

“Then forgive,” Willow told them all, knowing they shared the same feelings as Xander. They looked at her, surprised. She looked so sure about the reply, they weighed that option carefully. Willow looked up and saw him standing behind the stacks. She smiled at him, her heart beating faster, her mood swelling up to happiness. He looked at her and returned a smile, then noticed the silence in the room.

“Hi Angel,” Willow said cheerfully,

“Hello, Willow,” Angel remained in the shadows, away from the sunlight streaming in through a nearby window.

They awoke from their thoughts, acknowledging him.

“We should begin,” Giles said.

“Okay, so what is the icky stuff?” Buffy asked.

“It’s about a witch,” he began as he pulled a piece of paper from his jacket.

“Like we don’t have enough of those around?” Cordelia commented.

“He says a rather powerful warlock may be on his way to Sunnydale.”

“A man?” Buffy asked, sounding somewhat surprised.

“He seems to be looking for something that will make him immortal.”

“A vampire,” Xander commented.

“I’m sure you can find those in other places too, dweep boy,” Cordelia said as she hit him on the arm, making everyone in the room chuckle.

“What kind of witch is he?” Willow asked a bit fearfully.

“An evil one. He’s caused all kind of havoc in Europe and the UK. It’s rumored he’s one of the most powerfull in existence.”

“How are we supposed to stop him?” There was worry in Buffy’s voice

“I’m not sure. We have to try and get as much information about him as we can,” Giles replied.

“What is the second part...the legend?” Willow asked him.

“The final day shall come when destined souls shall meet to battle the fates of immortality,” Giles replied.

Willow’s face went deadly pale as she heard the legend, shivers running up and down her spine. Everyone one else began to complain, not knowing what it meant. Despair invaded Willow. She tried extremely hard to keep herself under control, knowing that tears would soon threaten her.

“There seems to be more to the legend, so I’ve asked a friend in Ireland to research it for me, and if necessary to send me the book as soon as possible,” he told them.

“Have you ever heard of this?” Buffy asked Angel.

He awoke from his thoughts and emotions and looked at Buffy.

“Never”, he replied, knowing he had not, but feeling as if he should.

“How soon is he coming?” Cordelia asked.

“I don’t have a date. I’m hoping we have at least a couple of weeks, but it might be less. My source wasn’t able to tell me. The warlock is still in Italy,” he replied.

“What’s his name?” Xander asked.

Willow looked at Giles, suddenly filled with unreasoning fear.

“They aren’t sure what his real name is. My friend in Ireland will be researching that as well,” Giles replied.

“What do we do now?” Buffy asked.

“Wait, research, patrol. Keep a look out for anything out of the usual -- new strangers who come into town, things that may be bewitched, anything. Keep an eye on everything. Willow, I don’t want you or Amy using your powers during this time. If you must, keep it limited, just in case. We’re not sure what this man wants and it’s best to keep temptation out of his way,” he said as he looked at Willow.

Willow nodded her head in agreement, looking down at the floor, hoping they did not see her face. A tear escaped and she knew she would have to leave.

“Now we should start looking through the prophecy books. See if we can find anything there that would be able to help us. Angel, do you think you might know someone in Ireland who can help us out?” Giles asked him.

Angel had been looking carefully at Willow, so he almost didn’t hear what Giles said.

“Ah?...yes, I know a couple of people who would be able to help. I’ll try to speak with them tonight,” he told him.

Willow excused herself to the bathroom and left. Once outside the library she let her tears run freely. She ran to one of the classrooms nearby, locking the door behind her. She covered her mouth with her hand, wishing her sobs would stop, but they did not. She looked out the window and saw a couple who walked hand in hand across the campus. The sight made her tears hurt more, the void in her deepen. She closed her eyes, seeing a momentar memory/image. She was smiling, standing on a cliff, looking out over the ocean. She felt safe and warm, so loved and cared for. She was happy, in love. She felt strong arms wrapped around her. Then the image was gone, as quickly as it had come it left her. She tried desperately to hold on to it, so hard to get it back, but it was useless. She opened her eyes, a feeling of complete warmth washing over her. She wiped her tears away, controlling her emotions. She went to the bathroom, and splashed her face with water, hoping to leave no signs of her past tears.

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

Angel lay in bed worried about Willow. He still had two hours before the sun set and he could go and see how she was doing. Ever since the night he had followed her to the park, something between them had changed forever. Even before that, he had felt a connection to Willow he could not explain. He was able to sense her moods, feel her near him, even when she was not. It was an odd feeling, but one he became accustomed to quickly. Once he thought about it more, he realized it had all started the day he came back from hell. He awoke to find himself in her arms. He had tried to control his overwhelming feelings of guilt and remorse, not wanting to wake her. His sobs became louder, waking her. She had rocked him softly, caressing his hair, asking him to tell her what he was feeling. It was the first time in ages he did. He opened his entire heart to her, telling her about the time he spent in Hell, as well as the last thing he remembered seeing before he was sent there -- Buffy. She stayed with him that entire night and the following one as well. She had not left his side, even eating it front of him if needed be. She had restocked his supplies and fed him when he was hungry, since he was still too weak to do so himself.

It had been a hard battle, but Willow had won. She had the right to claim his soul, and for that he would be eternally grateful. She had not just saved him from Angelus, but saved him from hell. She risked her life, her soul, in order to save him -- a person she called friend. It had been the hardest two nights he had ever gone through, but in the end had found salvation in her arms. Since that night, it had become a regular occurrence for her to come over and talk to him. It had even been her idea for him to move.

“In order start over, you have to let go,” she’d told him.

It made sense. She had helped him pick the new place he would be calling home. It was a building he owned near the Bronze. She even helped him decorate.

Her next mission, as she liked calling them, was to help the others heal and hopefully be able to look past the wounds that still hurt. He tried to convince her it was impossible, he was a demon that deserved their hatred. That night, Willow had almost punched him for that remark; she did, however, slap sense into him, literally. She had somehow convinced him that he was not responsible for what Angelus had done, and he needed to get over that. He was not a superhero, but if he still wanted to find redemption just by doing “good” things, he would find it. Third, he was her friend and she would help him and be there for him forever. What he had done to deserve such a wonderful gift from God, he wasn’t sure, but he thanked Him every night for it. With Willow in his life, Buffy slowly began to disappear from his nightmares and slowly from his thoughts. The void he felt from her loss soon began to dissapear. For the first time in a long while he felt good, simply because of the will and stubbornness of a small red head with a heart of gold.

She even urged him to start talking to Buffy once more.

“Talking can help ease open wounds.” She had told him with her resolve face.

The first talk with her had been strenuous, bad enough that afterwards he woke up Willow in the middle of the night, seeking her comfort. She listened to him intently, making suggestions, then telling him how proud she was of him, something he never thought he would hear again. After that night, he continued talking to Buffy, trying to find a common ground, even joining her at times for patrols. All done with the push and the help of a soul he believed had come from the heavens above.

She had gone through so much for him, almost losing her friends because of him. He had asked her once, why she was doing it. Why she was willing to lose her friends, solely to help a damned man. She looked at him, her green eyes meeting his and with a smile simply said, “Because your my friend and I missed you.”

Now, in her need, he was happy to be there for her. It had been weird, but the night he found her in the park, he had had a sudden urge to go to the Bronze. Willow had been starting to make progress with Xander, Cordelia, and Buffy. She would invite him when they went out, and they even started to say ‘hi’ to him.

The moment he saw her head droop low and rush out of the Bronze, he followed her, knowing something was terrible wrong. He found her in the park, crying. He wanted to comfort her, not knowing the best way. He had touched her shoulder, then felt her arms around him, making him smile, pulling her closer to him. She told him she wasn’t sure why she felt so horrible. All she understood was that she was scared, lonely and very sad, so sad it threatened to engulf her. She stayed with him that night at his apartment and then returned looking for him the next. It was just something Willow was not able to explain, something she couldn’t understand. Then Oz had left and I asked her about him, if perhaps his departure affected her more then she thought. She simply shook her head no. He was not the reason for her sadness. He knew her relationship with Oz was changing. She had confided in him, about the changes in her feelings for Oz. He was becoming more of a friend then love mate. She still felt strongly for him, but those feelings ran deeper in friendship than any other way. She wasn’t sure why her feelings had changed, but she felt guiltier each day as she saw his feelings for her grow. She did not want to break his heart, but she knew that she would have to tell him if she could not meet his own happiness in their relationship.

Angel could not find any other explanation for her state. Willow was passing through a rough time and he wasn’t sure how to end it. He smiled as he thought of what Willow had told him -- in his arms she found the comfort she sought, the pain becoming beareable. I was her cure, she had told me with a smile.

His eyelids dropped, seeking the reward of sleep.

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

Willow was not able to concentrate as she searched the net. Her thoughts drifted to what she’d seen when she had closed her eyes earlier. It had felt so real, as if she had really been there. But she knew she had never stood on a cliff, held by someone. Yet she felt as if she had. It unnerved her, as she remembered the words the woman had told her at the fair. It wasn’t possible. It was absurd, she told herself. Yet, in a strange way, it made sense to her, making a part of her believe it. She shook her head, causing a reaction from Giles.

“Are you all right?”

“I’m not feeling well,” she told him.

“Why don’t you head home,” he told her.

“Are you sure?” she asked, rubbing her eyes.

“I don’t think there’s much more to do, not until we can get a bit more information at least.”

Willow nodded in agreement and thanked him. She told her friends she would meet them at the Bronze later if she felt better.

“Poor Willow, I’m sure she misses Oz,” Buffy said as her friend left the library.

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

Willow made it home before the sun set. She flopped on her bed, trying to meditate in order to bring back the image she had seen. It was not working. As hard as she tried, she couldn’t. It was not a long time after that she heard a knock on the French doors. Without opening her eyes she knew who her visitor was and it made her smile. She opened her eyes and motioned for him to come in. He did so gladly, carrying a small box with him.

“How are you?” he asked.

“O.K.,” she replied.

“You didn’t seem well at the library.”

“I know. I wasn’t, but I am now,” she told him with a smile, as he sat beside her on the bed.

“Good... I brought you something,” he said as he fidgeted a bit.

Willow’s smile grew larger. She looked at the box, wondering what it would be.

“You didn’t have...,” she started to explain.

“I wanted to,” he told her as he handed her the box in his hand.

Willow accepted it graciously and carefully began to take off the bow and paper, finally opening the box. She removed the tissue paper from the top and gasped at the beauty of the item. She took out the fragile crystal castle from the box and placed in it in the palm of her hand. It was heavy and rather big. The light from the moon cast an array of colors in it. The fine design and texture gave the castle more detail, more life to it. The skillful cutting made it smooth to the touch. She looked at it with wonder for what seemed like forever, her eyes lighting up. It was the loveliest gift she had ever received in her life. She carefully placed it on her dresser across from her and then hugged him.

“I love it,” she whispered in his ear, tears of happiness forming in her eyes.

“I was hoping you’d like it. You know, it’s a magical castle,” he told her as he hugged her tightly.

“And what kind of magical castle is it?” she asked, wanting to hear his story.

“Where dreams are granted,” he told her.

She pulled back, seeing him smile.

“Thank you.”

“It was nothing. This doesn’t even come close to all that you’ve given me, Willow. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay you for that.”

“You don’t need to. We’re friends.”

Angel’s smile lit up the room.

“Follow me?” he asked, needing to know if she would.

“Anywhere,” she replied, completely trusting him.

He took her hand and pulled her to the door.

The castle glistened in the dark, happy to have been returned to its rightful owner.

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

Willow climbed over the fence, jumping down and into the waiting arms of the man below.

“This is illegal you know?” she told him as he put her down.

“I know, but I can’t change the hours,” Angel told her.

Willow understood and wished it could be different. He took her hand and headed inside the botanical garden. They walked and talked, noticing how pretty the garden looked at night. It was in the reflection of the moonlight that Willow picked a flower, handing it to Angel. He accepted it after his initial shock. No one had ever given him a flower before. It usually worked the other way, he thought.

“The Irish Daffodil,” Willow said, not sure how she knew.

“You think I’m chivalrous?”, he asked, knowing the symbolism of the flower.

“The only person I know who is,” she replied.

“That would be because I’m 245 years old,” he said with a chuckle.

“True, but you’ve lived through centuries, you would have lost it”, she pointed it out to him, “your just naturally a good person.”

He looked deep into her green eyes and marveled at them. Willow could not stop from blushing. Breaking the intense gaze, she continued the walk. The silence between them was peaceful, settling their souls. They again resumed talking about her day, then drifting lazily into her past and his. They spoke for hours, learning more about each other, enjoying every minute of their time together. Willow looked up at the moon which serenaded them on a bench, then looked at Angel. She could see a twinkle in his eyes, his hair looked lighter for a moment. She wondered how he would look in the daylight, a hope growing in her. She wasn’t sure how to ask.

“What do you miss most about the day?”

Angel arched his eyebrow in surprise.

“It would have to be the rain”, he replied.

Willow’s eyes opened wide. She had not expected that reply. Then thought of something.

“The rainbow?”

Angel smiled, never knowing anyone who knew him so well. He nodded his head in agreement.

“I loved the way the rain washes everything, then the sun comes out and dries it, sometimes even showing off with a rainbow,” he further explained.

He seemed to try to remember how it looked, and that tore at Willow’s heart. She would help him remember. She had found her next mission.

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

It was close to three in the morning when they arrived on her front porch. She thanked him for the wonderful evening, and opened the door. The air around them had turned electric and Willow began to get goosebumps all over her body. She waited before she entered, wondering if he felt the same sensation as she. He said goodnight, but before he left, he handed her a lovely purple lilac. Her face once more lit up, wondering when he had picked it. He took one of her hands, pulling it elegantly to his mouth. He placed a soft kiss on her fingers, making her temperature rise dangerously.

“Thank you for a wonderful evening, milady.”

Willow blushed as he reluctantly released her hand. He began to walk backwards, his eyes still looking at her. He stopped at the sidewalk, waiting. Willow entered the house, looking one last time at him, before closing the door. She leaned against the door, looking down at the flower in her hand before bringing it up to her nose to smell. She closed her eyes, then saw something. *She saw herself accept the flower, knowing then what it meant. Her sister was always telling her stories about it. Her heart sped up, waiting to see, waiting to see what he would do. She was too timid, she couldn’t look back up at him. She just couldn’t, knowing his eyes would be her undoing. Those beautiful eyes--*

Then, as quickly as it had appeared in her mind, it was gone. She searched her mind, looking, hoping to find it once more, but it was useless. She opened her eyes and looked down at the flower in her hand, an overwhelming warmness shaking her body. It was wonderful, simply wonderful.

Her thoughts drifted back to the fair. Could it be? she thought. Was it possible? She replayed the conversation in her mind. Looking closer at the events of the night, she realized that was when it had all started. She felt it had always been in her, waiting, waiting to emerge. She placed the flower on the table next to the phone. She did not want to go alone, so she grabbed the phone and called the only person who could help her.

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

“So, does this mean no class?” Amy asked as she met Willow at her door.

“Do you mind?” the redhead asked, feeling a bit worried.

“No, just let me leave my bag here. The books I brought over are too heavy to carry.”

Willow did as she was asked and thanked her for coming along. Over the past year their friendship had grown stronger. Since Buffy had left over the summer, and Xander had found Cordelia, she found fewer people to turn to and talk. When she brought back Angel, Amy was the only person who continued talking to her. She knew she could count on her and that made Willow happy.

“I hope I didn’t call you too late last night.”

“I was just getting ready for bed,” she lied.

“Thank you for coming, Amy.”

“No problem, but I’m still confused about where we’re going.”

“I went to a fair a couple of days ago. I need to go back and speak to a woman I met there”.

“Why?”

“She told me something, and I need to know more about it,” she tried to explain.

“Cool. Then what are we doing?” she asked.

“Research, I know this doesn’t sound like a lot of fun...”

“It’s cool, Willow. We’re friends and I can help,” she said as they walked down the block.

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

“It’s you,” the old woman behind the booth said the instant she saw her.

Willow gave her a small smile before asking, “May I speak to you?”

“Of course,” she agreed, handing Amy the balls for the game.

Amy looked at the dark woman confused.

“Remember, one dollar for three balls. And if they have to throw down all three stacks for a price,” she instructed the blond witch.

Amy accepted the balls reluctantly. It appeared she was in charge of the booth until they returned. Willow gave her a weary smile, leaving with the woman. Before Amy could protest, a customer placed his dollar bill on the counter.

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

“You returned”, she told her as she motioned for her to seat in front of her. She had taken her to a trailer, and offered her something to drink.

“I had to”, she replied a bit low.

“You’ve remembered haven’t you?”, she asked her anxiously.

“I’m not sure I have”, she replied carefully.

“You still don’t completely believe?”

“It’s hard to, I’ve never really thought about it before”.

“But the eyes don’t lie”, she told her.

Willow looked at her for a moment, trying to see if she was lying to her.

“What do you see in my eyes?”, she asked, fearing a bit what she would say.

“You’ve lived for so many years. Your far older then the years you have here in the present, But I think you know that. Your meant to know that, if not I never would have seen it”.

“What do you see?”, she asked fidgeting in her seat.

“An aura around you, a magical one. Your a witch”, she told her.

“How did you...”, she began to ask uneasy.

“I can see it. I’m very old Willow, lived too long, seen too much. I see things others cannot, I was gifted with it as I am sure you have been gifted with what you have. You have a golden glow to you that I can see, your eyes hold the wisdom of thousands of years. You seem to be looking, looking perhaps for your second half”, she explained to her.

“My second half?”

“There are souls that are meant to always to be together, they search for each other each lifetime, only reaching true happiness when they do. There are different kinds of soulmates. Groups of souls reincarnate together, learning and bonding in different ways. They are all linked to each other in different ways. The same group usually is together each time, other times only in passing”.

“So the same people I know now, I’ve known in different times?’, Willow asked trying to understand.

“Possibly, only they were all different then, as I am sure you were as well”.

“How can you know?”, knowing she was holding back something.

“In this lifetime, it is meant for you to know what you were”.

“Why this one?”, fearing what she replied.

“It means you are meant to do something here, correct what has been wronged, or change your fate. You can only do that by learning from your past errors”, she hesitated.

Willow read the fear in her eyes. She knew what she meant.

“This is my final chance isn’t it? That’s how you know about me, that’s what you can see in my eyes?”, she asked her close to tears.

“I know it is, by the sadness in them, I just know”, she replied.

“I have a boyfriend”, she told the woman, wondering if that made a difference.

“It is not he you seek. You still feel empty inside, like a void you cannot fill. That is the sadness I see in your eyes. A loneliness like no other, s sadness too deep. Tell me Willow, do you really love him?”, she asked, already knowing the answer.

“I do”, she said defensively.

“Then why are you so sad? Are you confusing love with friendship, or gratefulness with love. Look deep in your heart, is he the one?”, she asked her voice becoming soft.

Willow’s eyes watered. She knew the truth, just scared to admit it. Tears began to run down her cheeks.

“He is....he is...my friend”, she replied, ashamed, looking down at her hands on the table.

“It was the gentleman that tried to win the bear for you?”, she asked, remembering her with a boy the first time she saw her.

Willow nodded, then looked up.

“How will I find him?”, she asked, knowing what she was saying was true.

“Bodies change, but souls do not. You must look deep in him to find him”, she replied, patting her hand.

“His eyes, that’s how I will see, that is how I will find him”, she said reasoning what she had said.

A shiver swept through her at her own revelation. She knew she was right, she understood what she said, which scared her as well.

“Willow, what made you start crying at the booth that afternoon”, she asked.

“I saw the medallion you were wearing. It’s a Celtic crest. When I closed my eyes, I saw a village burned to the ground somewhere. Then I felt a sadness inside that cut deep. I know I’m being foolish”, she told her.

The woman took out a chain from underneath her shirt.

“This one?”, she asked.

Willow looked at it closer, then closed her eyes and nodded.

“Take it”, she told her.

“I can’t, it’s yours”, she replied quickly.

“If it can help you take it, perhaps it will help you remember”.

Willow’s reaction made her eye her suspiciously.

“You have remembered?”, she said a bit surprised.

“I think...bits and pieces...I get flashes....in my head...I see things...feel things.....I know it sounds stupid...but I can’t see him...everything is still a big mess...I don’t know what to do...what to think”, she explained.

The woman nodded, sensing her confusion.

“You will know how it is. You’ve just had your eyes closed. Listen to your heart, to your soul,, that’s how you’ll find him”.

“What about my memories?”

“You’ll have to find someone who can regress you back”.

“Hypnosis?”

“Someone you can trust. Let him take you back to your past, that’s the only way. You’ll be able to bring back bits and pieces, but not enough. I don’t know how much time you have left”, she told her concerned.

“I know someone...”, she remarked out loud .

“Then speak to him as soon as you can. I’ll be here if you need me. The fair will be here till Monday, then were on the road once more. Take this, as a gift to remember me by”, she said as she took off the pendant and handed it to her. Willow accepted it, thanking her.

Willow left feeling confused, and scared, for there was a longing in her that had re-awakened. She believed and knew what she had to do.

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

“I think it’s this one”, Amy told her, handing her the book.

Willow read it intently, a smile appearing on her face. It had to be it.

After five hours of research, they had found what she had been looking for.

“I have two of the metal we need, but the other one I guess we can buy”, Amy told her.

Willow took out the medallion she had been given and showed it to Amy.

“Willow, where did you get this?”, she asked her surprised.

“The woman in the fair gave it to me”, she replied with a smile.

“Then you have everything. What does the crest mean?”, she asked.

Willow thought for a moment then knew.

“Connected for Eternity”, she replied with a smile.

“How did you know?”

“I don’t know, I just did”, she told her.

“Then you do believe what she told you?”

“I don’t know, it feels right. We’ve talked about Oz before Amy, What she told me was, everything so far has been right. I’m scared, I don’t know if I’m crazy for believing it, or if I didn’t believe in it.

“You know what this means then?

“What?”

“She said you had to find your soulmate. In your “memories”, you’ve been with him and if certain souls reincarnate in groups, then that means someone you already know is him”, she said, hoping she made sense.

Willow hadn’t thought about it.

“That means your soulmate is either Giles, Xander, or Angel, since you say it isn’t Oz. The only other guy you know is Spike, and I don’t think he counts, he loves that crazy chick, Drucilla”.

“Which one?”, she asked worried, but excited.

“Xander seems the most logical choose at this point”.

“Cordelia”, she reminded her.

“True, but you’ve known him longer, not to mention you loved him before. Maybe, like the woman said, he has to open his eyes?”, she said, laughing a bit, hearing how silly the conversation sounded.

Willow throw her a pillow, joining in the laughter.

Amy looked at the watch on the her nightstand.

“You have an hour and a half before the sun sets, you have to get moving if you want to do this”, Amy reminded her.

“Then you have an hour to get ready for your date tonight”, she said with a smile.

Amy blushed. Making Willow laugh.

Willow had told Amy everything. From the first day she had met the woman at the fair, to the emotional rollercoaster she was on. She even told her about the conversation she had had with the woman. Amy was still a bit skeptical about it, but supported Willow and would help her in what ever she needed.

“So does this mean you’ve opened your eyes?”, Willow asked with a wicked smile.

Amy blushed once more. Willow had caught her flirting with a guy from school, who was also playing hooky for the day. She’d known him for years, but never really paid attention, until today, when he placed dollar after dollar on her counter to win a stuffed bear, which he finally did after $15 dollars and gave it in turn to the person he had wanted to win it for, her. Tonight would be there first date.

“I am definently seeing him in a new light”, she replied, making them both laugh out loud.

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

Willow let herself in with the spare key Angel had given her. He had told her he wanted her to think of his apartment as her second home, and she did. She carefully went up the stairs to the second floor, heading to his bedroom. She made sure not to trip over anything on the floor as she entered his dark bedroom. She tried to be as careful as possible, not wanting to wake him. She made sure she had everything she needed on her. She sat down on the bed next to him and gazed at him. Even in sleep he seemed to be punishing himself. She was happy to see he slept with no shirt on, it would be alot easier for her. She took the pendant from her pocket. It was still the crest, but she had entwined the other metals needed into it. She was ready. She took one deep breath and soon saw Angel begin to wake. She quickly placed her hand over his eyes, whispering words into the air.

“Angel?”, she asked in a very soft voice, close to a whisper.

“Willow?”, he mumbled.

“Do you trust me?”, she asked,

“Yes...but what?”, he said as he fought to get out of the sleep that refused to abandon him.

“Good. It will hurt Angel, but stay asleep, do not open your eyes to me. Sleep Angel, trust me and sleep”, her hypnotic voice said.

“But..?”, he was about to protest.

“Do you trust me?”, she asked, fearing he did not.

“I do”, he replied, calming down a bit.

“Then trust me, sleep for me Angel. Sleep”, she coaxed.

He did as she asked and fell back to the sleep that beckoned him. She saw his body stop moving, his eyes be still and knew he did. She smiled then began the spell. She placed the charm in the middle of her hand, then began to chant the words, making the charm glow. After ten minutes of chanting, the crest glowed a strong gold. The next part would be the hardest. She placed the pendant on his right shoulder, and began to see it burning his skin. She pushed on the pedant farther down on his skin, chanting. It would a long hard process, but she would do it, she only hoped he trusted her enough not to wake. If he did, everything she was doing would be fruitless. She found strength in her to continue the strenuous ritual. She only hoped Angel would trust her enough to stay asleep.

After hearing Willow’s voice, he had calmed himself down. Then she had asked him to trust her. something he did, never questioning it. He remained asleep, but then felt his body burning, He was in so much pain, he wanted it to stop, but then Willow’s words haunted him.

“Good. It will hurt Angel, but stay asleep, do not open your eyes to me. Sleep Angel, trust me and sleep”

He trusted her. He took the pain, fighting to continue sleeping. He would not let her down. He swallowed his pain, sinking into sleep, trying to relax, thinking of her.

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

Willow awoke passed out on the floor next to his bed. She rubbed her eyes, then slowly began to get up. She was still tired, but felt good enough to get up. She looked at her watch and pushed the Indiglow button. It was four in the morning. It was a night like this she was happy her parents were out for two weeks on a business trip. She looked down at the person on the bed and smiled. He had remained asleep. It had taken her at least two hours to perform the spell. At the end she had simply fainted, collapsing onto the floor. The spell had taken a lot out of her. She still needed sleep and took off her shoes, followed by her bulky sweater. She kept on the small shirt she had on and moved over to the other side of the bed. She lied down next to him, over his covers. She had to make sure he remained sleeping to complete the change. She closed her eyes, sleep coming in waves.

Two hours later, Willow awoke. She opened her eyes quickly and looked at her watch. It still wasn’t time, but knew Angel wouldn’t want to miss it. She got up and headed for the bathroom. She took a look at herself, then tried to comb her hair with her fingers. She looked terrible, but that wasn’t important now. She stepped back to his room and saw him still sleeping. She headed to the kitchen, taking what he needed. She went back, sitting next to him and started to wake him.

“Angel”

He slowly began to wake up, He blinked several times, focusing on her. He was hungry and his head throbbed. His game slipped as he felt his body feel the acheaingness of pain.

Willow jumped a bit back, then settled back, closer to him then before. She handed him a bottle, smiling.

Angel accepted the bottle reluctantly. He had never really feed with someone so close, unless of course that person was as well. He still wasn’t quite sure why he was so sore and tired. He knew Willow had something to do about it. She handed him a second bottle, He took it greedily. Once the demon feed, it left him alone. He looked at her, wiping his mouth,, looking more guilty then ever.

She touched his cheek then wiped away some blood from the corner of his mouth. She knew she should have been disgusted by it, but she wasn’t. It was a part of him she had accepted a long time ago. She knew it wasn’t him who feasted, but the demon. It seemed she was the only one who understood.

He looked at her astonished at the acceptance in her eyes. Yet as he looked deeper in her green eyes, they seemed acheingly familiar, as though he had seen them before such a long time ago. He shook the thought off.

“So do you think you can walk me home?”, she asked him, her smile becoming larger.

He looked at the clock next to him and saw he had slept through the entire night, something he had never done. He looked at her worried. It would be less then ten minutes before the sunrise.

“I can’t Willow”, he said, a sadness in his voice.

“Follow me?”, she asked him as she stood up.

“Where?”, he asked seeing a small twinkle in her eye.

“Follow me?”, she asked again as she took his hand in hers.

He did as she asked. He got out of bed, boxer shorts his only cover and followed her as she led him. At that moment he knew he would follow her where ever she asked him to go. They went up the spiral stairway to the third floor, heading to the open terrace. Angel stopped for a moment, not sure what she wanted to do. When she pulled him to follow her, he knew what she wanted and fear swept through him. He froze.

Willow turned around and looked into his frightened eyes. She touched his cheek once more.

“Do you trust me?”, she asked him once more.

“Of course, but Willow I can’t...”, he tried to explain.

“Then follow me”, she said, cutting him off. He searched her eyes for a reason, and found reassurance. If this was what she was asking for, he would do it. He owed her his life, even his soul. He trusted her, and followed her as she pulled him towards the sliding doors. Angel held his breath as they stepped onto the open terrace. They had a nice view of the sunrise. He saw the night begin to fade, the sky beginning to change. His hand squeezed Willow’s hard. She would sense his body become rigid. She asked him to place his arms around her. He looked down at her, his panicked eyes, seeking some kind of explanation, and found a tenderness in them he had never seen before. He did as she asked, placing his arms around her as they turned to face the sky ahead. Angel closed his eyes, not sure what to say, thinking off all he had done, and what he would no longer be able to do. Perhaps it was time for him to rest, to die. He waited for his fate, not quite sure why Willow had picked now. Willow entwined her arms in his and looked up at him as the first signs of the sun’s rays began to shower them. Willow looked at up at Angel, whose eyes were clenched tight, his face stiff. She smiled.

“Angel, I know it’s been a long time, but you really can’t see the sunrise with your eyes close”.

Angel was confused. He slowly began to open his eyes, squinting into the sky as he saw rays in the sky.

“What the...”, he was about to say, but was stopped.

Then it happened.

Something clicked.

Something rose.

Something died.

The sun fully showed its complete colors to the world, welcoming a new admirer with a warm touch.

Willow felt the arms around her tighten and leaned her head back against his chest and closed her eyes.

Angel was ready. He had made some peace with himself, not enough, but perhaps enough for sanity’s sake. He waited for the burn, but never for the warmth. He opened his eyes to see his first sunrise in over 200 hundred years. He could not believe it. He remained speechless as he continued looking at the colors that seemed to tease the sun fully awake.

Once the sun fully rose, Willow unlocked her arms from his and turned in them to face him. She looked up into his face and saw his tears fall. She saw his eyes turn a lighter shade. She took in his full beauty, not wanting to disturb him. Angel looked down and smiled, still overwhelmed with emotion. Willow placed her head on his chest, letting him enjoy the first of many days to come.

Willow’s eyelids dropped, but she was soon fully awakened as she felt his arms move under hers, pushing her off his body and up into the air. She looked down at herself held at arm’s length, seeing the biggest smile she had ever seen from him. She giggled.

“It was you. You did this,” his voice full of happiness.

She nodded. <Guilty as charged> she thought and began to giggle louder.

“All I have to do now is get you on solid foods and you’re good to go,” she said humorously.

He laughed at her twisted humor. He placed her back down on the floor in front of him.

“Why Willow? Why would you do this?” he asked, more tears falling.

Her look became tender and soft. “Because I miss my friend in the day.”

Angel crushed her in his hug.

Willow waited to protest, but soon felt oxygen becoming an issue, as well as her ribs.

“Breath,” she managed to let out.

Angel understood and loosed his hold on her, but didn’t let her go.

“You know what this means?” she said, her lips moving against his bare chest.

Angel pulled back, not sure what she meant.

“You owe me big.”

“Willow, I know I...,” he started to say.

“No, no, I’m not finished. This is a biggie, you know. As fun as it was, no more leaping over fences. I checked and this Sunday you will be taking me to the Botanical Garden at noon to see a puppet show”, she said with serious face.

Angel started to laugh, something he had not done in a very long time.

“No, no, this isn’t funny. You will come with me to see Joshua the Panda tell the tale of Cinderella and enjoy it. It that understood, mister,” she said as she poked him with her finger into his hard chest.

His laugher grew louder as he saw how serious she had made it sound. It was wonderful. He hugged her a little tighter, thankful for the treasure he held in his arms. Her head suddenly fell to his chest, her arms moving to his waist for support.

“Willow?” he asked, terrified something was wrong.

“I’m still...still a little weak...tired,” she told him.

Then, in one swift movement, she was swept up in his arms, being carried back into the house, back to his bedroom.

“Angel, I want you to enjoy your day out there,” she protested as he tucked her into the bed.

“I am and I will, but not before I know you’re back to your healthy self. Then I will,” he told her as he caressed her cheek.

Willow smiled, then remembered. She looked at the clock. It was 7:25 a.m. Her face turned paniced.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“School,” she said as she tried to get up, but her weakness and a slight push prevented her from doing so.

“You need rest.”

“I missed yesterday,” she blubbered out, covering her mouth.

“Why?” he asked suspiciously.

“I was busy,” she replied.

“Willow,” he said, his voice a bit stern.

She looked down into his pillow and simply mumbled.

“Researching?”

He smiled, knowing what it meant to Willow to miss a day of school, not to mention two, but none the less, she was too weak to go.

“Thank you,” he said, making Willow look up and blush.

“No need to thank me,” she said happily, “Remember, Joshua the Panda”.

Angel chuckled at her reminder.

“You’ll stay here in bed until you’re back to your old self, no sooner. You need food, I’ll cook,” he said with a smile as he got up from the bed.

“I might start liking this,” she told him with a smile.

“Eggs?”

“Sounds good. Angel, can I use your phone?”

“Willow, everything in this house is yours. You never have to ask,” he told her.

She smiled at him, then watched him leave through the door.

She picked up the phone and hoped Amy was still home.

“Hello?”

“So, how’d it go last night.”

“Good, very very good,” Amy said with a short giggle.

“I can’t wait to hear the details,” she said, happy beyond belief.

“At lunch, no, in first, definitely have to tell you in first,” she told her.

“Amy...I’m not going to school today.”

“Why, aren’t you O.K.? Shit, I forgot. Did everything go right? Are you fine? Angel?”

“Amy, it worked”, she said, happier.

“Then he can..”

“We saw the sunrise this morning,” she giggling.

“Wow, Willow, you did it. I knew you could,” she said, proud of her.

“I’m just a little weak. It took a lot out of me. Angel won’t let me out of the house until I’m better, so that’s why I won’t be going in to school today.”

“Don’t worry, Willow. Xander called me last night. He was worried since he hadn’t seen you in school and you weren’t home. I told him you felt sick when I went by your house yesterday to get something, so I decided to stay ‘cause you looked pretty bad and since your parents weren’t home. Then you came over to my place to spend the night.”

“Thank you, Amy. I’m sorry about this whole mess. Just tell them I’m sick, but feeling better, and not to worry. Tell Xander to get my homework assignments, and I’ll have Angel call school and report me out.”

“Sounds good. Will do”.

“Amy.”

“What?”

“I found him.”

* * * * * * * * * * *

Willow managed to convince Angel to eat out on the patio. She would hear no arguments. He carried her out to the terrace, then brought her food. Every other word out of his mouth was a thank you. She kept reminded him it wasn’t necessary. When she finished eating, Willow felt better, but was soon rushed back to bed for more rest. By mid-morning she felt good as new and when she woke saw Angel sitting on the floor next to the bed reading.

“You should be out walking or something,” she told him, waking up.

He turned his head up to look at her and placed the book down.

“How are you?” he asked.

“Refreshed,” she told him, then looked down at herself. “Except for the clothes.”

Angel chuckled. “I’m glad.”

“So why aren’t you out riding a bike or something,” she asked him as she rubbed her eyes.

“Don’t know how.”

“You are kidding me?” she asked, amused.

“Can you really see Angelus on a bike?”

Willow laughed as she tried to visualize him on one.

“But you should be out there. It’s your first day back under a light blue sky.” she said with a smile.

She closely looked at Angel’s change of expression.

“Willow what if..,” he began to ask.

She stopped him, knowing what he was going to say.

“I am only going to tell you this one more time. Listen good. You cannot lose your soul. You have it permanent now -- forever. But just in case, just in case, there is a secondary spell that will anchor it once more before it completely emerges. Then there is the third and fourth precaution I took. Then there is the fifth and sixth one I did after that. Then that reminds me of the seventh and eighth to take care of those, oh, and we can’t forget about the ninth. And, if all somehow fail, there is that tenth one I did that will turn you into a frog,” she told him seriously.

Angel laughed at the last comment.

“Ah, you mock the life of a frog. Well, I’ll have you know they have a hopping life,” she said with a smile, then turning it into a chuckle.

Angel laughed harder at her odd sense of humor.

“So see, you have more chances than a cat, Angel. You’re stuck with your soul,” she said happily.

Angel still couldn’t believe it. He pulled himself up on the bed and hugged her, nearly squishing her on the mattress.

“What did I ever do to deserve you?” he asked, close to tears.

“I was asking myself the same question about you,” she replied.

Willow hated to lose the feel of his body over hers, but weighted her options, then reluctantly decided to speak.

“Oxygen is becoming an issue.”

He bashfully pulled himself up.

“Now, what are we doing today?” she asked.

“I wasn’t sure you would want to join me?”

“I’d be hurt if I didn’t. I have an idea,” she said with a twinkle in her eye.

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

Willow looked at her watch. It was only 11:30 a.m. She had managed to pack a picnic before they headed for the park. She had finally convinced Angel that a leather coat in the middle of a heat wave was not the best thing to wear. She had successfully made him change into normal looking blue jeans, with a white T-shirt. He looked as good as always. Willow, on the other hand did not look as good as he. She had changed into one of his many v-neck T-shirts, replacing the small shirt she had worn earlier. It made it mid-way to her skirt, but it felt better than what she had on before -- loose and much cooler.

She found the perfect spot under a large tree. Angel followed, still absorbing all the wonder around him. Willow unfolded the cool sheet and then began to take off her shoes. She waited for him to come over and bring the pillows he carried. She sat down on the sheet and breathed in the fresh --smog mostly-- air. Angel came over and sat next to her. She placed one pillow against the tree and leaned back on it. Angel wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do. Willow looked at him and saw the confusion on his face.

“You have to take your shoes off,” she instructed.

He looked at her feet and saw her toes wiggle at him. He did as she asked.

“Lie down,” she further explained. He hesitated for a moment, until Willow showed him how to position himself. He laid his head on her lap, then saw the playground in front of him where children played. His face softened. He felt Willow’s hands caressing his hair, then heard her voice. She begun reading the book he had left off reading back at his apartment. Angel felt an inner peace he had never felt before. It felt right, it felt good, it felt familiar. He had found what he had been looking for.

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

Willow took a shower before heading to the library. She had checked her answering machine to find ten new messages -- one from her parents, six from Xander, two from Buffy and one from Giles. She thought back over the past 36 hours as the water fell on her body.

She had skipped school to visit the fair, to speak to a woman who told her she needed to find her soulmate if not lose him forever. She also had found Amy a date, returned, found the spell, went to Angel’s, proved he trusted her entirely, passed out, shared with him his first sunrise in over 200 years, got carried to bed, nursed back to health by him, went to the park and read to him, and was asked to join him later on this evening to watch the sunset with him. She was happier then she ever been. She couldn’t seem to stop smiling. She finished up and got dressed. It was wonderful. She got ready, anxious for the evening to come.

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

Amy waited for her at the front steps of school. She had so much to tell her, she was ready to explode. Once they saw each other, they both squealed in happiness. Amy went up to her and gave her a hug.

“I have so much to tell you,” they both told each other at the same time.

They started laughing.

“What happened?” Willow asked her.

“He asked me to be his girlfriend,” she said happily, showing her the charm he had given her.

Willow stopped and hugged her.

“I’m so happy for you.”

“I haven’t been this happy in a long time,” she replied.

“I know, but does he know you’re a witch?”

“He does and is a bit skeptical, but told me it didn’t matter and would keep open-minded about it,” she said with a smile.

“That’s great news.”

“And you. Where were you?”, she asked curiously.

They began walking towards the library again.

“I spent all day with him at the park. It was nice,” she said with a wide smile as she remembered.

“What else?” Amy asked, knowing she was leaving out something.

“He asked me to see the sunset with him,” she said, feeling a bit nervous.

“I haven’t seen you this happy before, Willow. It’s him, isn’t it?”

She smiled and simply replied,

“I found my second half.”

“Second half in what,” Xander asked as he met them in the hall, startling both of girls.

“Xander!”

“How ‘ya feeling?” he asked, eating a twinkle.

“Better.”

“Good, ‘cause we need help. Giles has more of the legend,” he told her, walking with them to the library.

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

As they waited for Buffy to arrive, Willow took Giles to the side for a moment.

“Giles, have you ever heard of...well....I’m not sure how to put this...souls that seek each other throughout lifetimes, hoping...I don’t know...to make it this lifetime.”

“Reincarnation?” Giles asked, a bit confused.

“I think that’s how it could be explained.”

“Perhaps. Anything is quite possible here. I’ve never really researched it,” he replied.

“Would you know how to regress someone?”

“If I can remember, I’m sure I can. Why?”

“Ms. Carpenter wants to see if we’d be able to regress.”

“A rather odd assignment.”

“I know, but if I needed to, could you?”

“If need be, I suppose I would be able.”

“Thank you, Giles.”

Buffy emerged from the hall.

“Did I miss anything?”

“Nope, just in time,” Xander replied.

“My friends informed me the warlock left for London last night. They are trying to keep an eye on him. The gentlemen in Ireland is still researching the legend for me, but he did, however, find a second part to the legend.”

“Let’s hear it, my man,” Xander said.

“The final day shall come where destined souls shall meet to battle the fates of immortality. Searching and empty, the entwined shall meet and await the arrival of their new found fate”.

“That makes no sense, Giles,” Buffy said.

“I know, it’s up to us to make sense of it,” Giles said

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

Willow looked at her watch and nearly jumped out of her chair. It was five.

“I have...I need....well, got to go,” she told them as she got up and headed to the door, hoping no one protested. To her relief they only wished her luck and nodded their heads.

“Must really be in a hurry to meet Oz at the bus station,” Xander commented.

Amy looked up confused.

“Oz?”

“Yeah, he comes back tonight.”

“That explains why she so rudely left,” Cordelia said, flipping through the pages of her book.

Amy’s eyes widened. If only they knew, she thought.

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

Willow had changed four times, taken another shower, and combed her hair eight times. It was nearing 5:45 and Angel had just called and told her he would be by in 15 minutes to pick her up. She paced the floor of her room wondering what she was doing.

She knew it was him, she knew how she felt, now she worried what he thought, what he felt. Buffy, she thought, wondering if it was possible he still loved her, wanted her instead. It terrified her to think it. So deep in thought, she didn’t hear the sound of a low purr coming from outside. She nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard the doorbell.

“Calm down, calm down,” she told herself.

She headed to the door.

Angel wasn’t sure what he was doing. He was nervous, excited, happy. It was almost too much for him to take. He looked down at himself and made sure he looked presentable. He knew this was Willow, Willow his friend, his dear sweet friend, his beautiful, kind, loving friend. He shook the thoughts out of his head and pressed the doorbell. He had made all the necessary arrangements to make this night as special for her as possible, to thank her for everything she had done for him, although a voice in the back of his mind spoke the truth --- he wanted to woo her. He knew it was wrong, she had a boyfriend. But being with her, talking to her, spending so much time with her, felt so right and chased away the loneliness and sadness he always felt. He waited for her to come out.

Willow’s hand was not working well and she had trouble opening the locks. She looked at him and smiled, feeling her cheeks become hot. He took in her beauty and handed her the rose he held in his hand. Willow took it happily.

“Ready?” he asked.

She nodded and stepped out of the door. Closing it, she did not pay attention to the ringing of the phone. He extended his arm to her and she accepted it gladly. Then he walked her to the transportation of the day, a beautiful, jet black, shiny new motorcycle. He smiled as he saw the look on her face. He grabbed the helmet from the bike and handed it to her. Willow accepted it and started to put it on. Angel remained standing there, admiring how she looked. She had dressed up a bit, wearing nice, form-hugging, black pants. She had chosen a nice white silk shirt with spaghetti straps that showed off her milky white shoulders, and a sheer white, button down shirt which she had left open. She had swept up her hair in a French twist, and she smelled like jasmine. She thrilled him with a single look of her green eyes, more than any other woman ever had. He helped her put on the helmet and then got on the bike, holding out his hand to offer her a seat. She swung her legs over the bike and shifted a bit to find a comfortable spot. She placed her small arms around his strong stomach and heard him start the engine.

“Hold on tight,” he told her and felt her arms tighten around him. He pulled out of her driveway and roared down the block.

As he headed home, Xander looked up as he heard the roar of an engine. He headed up the patio to his house without a worry, excited about spending time with Cordelia at the Bronze.

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

The voice of Amy filled Willow’s house as the answering machine kicked in.

“Will, are you there? Do you know Oz was heading back tonight? Xander told me at the library. I wasn’t able to get to a phone sooner. I hope everything is going good. Give me a call when you get back. Have fun.”

A moment later a second voice filled her empty house.

“Yeah, baby, it’s Oz. Came in on an earlier bus. I missed you. Can’t wait to see you. We should all get together tonight at the Bronze. See you soon.”

“Willow, pick up the phone. It’s Xan the man. Just wanted to let you know we’re all meeting at the Bronze tonight, after 8:00 p.m.. It’s a couples night out, and since it’s Friday we can make it an all nighter. Everyone’s coming with their significant other. Oz called to let me know he’ll see you at the Bronze. He has to set up and I have to pick up Cordelia, so, see you later”.

“Willow? Guess you’re not there. Well, anyway, I’ve been thinking about what you told me, so I’m going to try it. I know it’s wiggen, Buffy actually taking advice

for once, so....I was wondering if you have Angel’s number. I went looking for him, but can’t find him. I’m inviting him to the Bronze tonight. We should start somewhere and what better than with a group. Give me a call.”

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

Willow held on to Angel as she would to dear life. She felt a rush course through her body as the motorcycle sped up and gripped the curves. He drove her to the mountains, where the trees towered up to the sky and a peaceful silence enveloped them. She laid her head on his back and took in the view, completely enjoying herself. She smiled as she thought about his rose. She hadn’t known where to put it, so she added it to her hair, under the helmet. The moment she had opened the door of her house earlier, she had forgotten how to breath. Angel looked great, handsomer then she had ever seen him. His ever present leather jacket was gone and he was wearing black pants and a button down, black shirt, tucked in, with a white shirt peaking from underneath. His hair was still wild, and his skin tone a little darker. What finally melted her completely was the smile he flashed her. It was not possible for him to look better. She loved the bike, and their speed chilled her with excitement. She looked up and saw it was half an hour till sundown. Her heart beat quicker as she thought of the wonderful evening ahead, any time she spent with him was wonderful, but tonight she could feel the electricity in the air, making her smile.

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

“Willow, it’s Buffy again. Can’t seem to catch you. Call me. I still haven’t been able to reach Angel. I’m going to try the number Giles has for him. Call me.”

“Willow, it’s Amy. I know you’re out, but if you hear this message do not go to the Bronze. Everyone will be there. I just got invited to go too. When I see them, I’ll tell them you were still a bit sick, stomach flu or something, and your cousin came to see you and took you with her until Sunday maybe. Call me so we can talk. I hope everything is going well with Angel. Should I even call him by his name? No, well, I didn’t mean Angel, I meant your cousin. Call me before I have to cast a “let’s not talk about Willow just yet” spell on them. Bye.

“Will, Oz called me. Time change. Meet at 9:00 at the Bronze. Where are you? Anyway, call me. I’m leaving to get Cordelia in a couple of minutes, we have “extracurricular activities.” See ‘ya.”

“Will, it’s me, Amy. Just wanted to let you know that I was joking about the spell, well, only partly. I was thinking maybe each time they said your name they got hungry or something. That way they won’t ask me. Just kidding. Wanted to let you know they changed the time for the Bronze. It’s later, so avoid it completely. In that case avoid the city if you can. Anything happen? You owe me your confession. Call me and have fun, Willow. Be happy.”

“Angel, I’m sorry I missed you. You’re becoming a stranger. Just wanted to know if you wanted to go to the Bronze tonight. I miss you. Call me or just meet me there. Around nine. See you soon.”

“Damn....oops, sorry. Willow, where are you? I can’t find Angel. Give me a call soon.”

* * * * * * * * * *
 
 

He blindfolded her and carried her to the spot he knew she would love as much as he. He carefully placed her back on the ground and removed her blindfold. Before her stood the sunset over a magnificent cliff, overlooking the mountains below. It was truly breathtaking. He pulled her into her arms, holding her in front of him, as she had done that morning. They looked on as the sky lullabied the sun to sleep with its exquisite colors. Willow felt the warmness of it on her face and settled deeper in his arms. After a couple of minutes the tranquil darkness appeared. She turned in his arms and hugged him.

“Thank you,” Angel told her with tears in his eyes.

Willow hugged him tighter. She was close to tears as well, but they were tears of happiness, not of the sadness that had haunted her for such a long time. Once Angel regained control, he pulled her chin up.

“It was wonderful,” she said, finding words to express herself.

“That was only the beginning,” he told her in a sexy voice.

She smiled. He pulled away from her and, taking her hand, led her into the forest ahead. She followed.

She was a bit frightened, walking in the woods at night, but with Angel by her side her fears diminished. She soon saw small flames not far in the distance. Her curiosity grew. After a brief 5 minute walk, she emerged from the woods and saw a large white sheet laid in an open meadow. It was eliminated by the light of the candles around it. On the large sheet were elegant trays and dinnerware for two with two long candlesticks in the middle. He had managed to amaze her once more. He took her hand and placed it on his arm.

“Would milady do me the honor of joining me for dinner?” he asked as he looked at her.

Her face lit up.

“It would be my pleasure”, she replied with a large smile.

“Then let us eat,” he said as they walked to their private dinner.

* * * * * * * * * *
 
 

“Has anyone seen Willow?,” Oz asked as he got to the table.

“I’m sure she’s running late or something,” Xander replied snuggling closer to Cordelia.

“Hey Buffy,” Oz said as he saw her approach.

“Has any one seen Angel?” she asked.

“No deadboy,” Xander replied with a smile.

Oz and Buffy sat down, wondering where their dates could be.

* * * * * * * * * *
 
 

Willow finished off her second glass of Ginger Ale. She had tasted each type of food that had been placed around her and liked each one. Two hours after the food was eaten, Angel and Willow remained where they were, talking and enjoying each others company.

“This is your estate?” she asked, surprised.

“It reminds me of the land my father had in Ireland,” he revealed.

“It’s gorgeous here.”

“It’ll take at least take you a day to see everything.”

“Wow,” she said, hoping something inside.

“Can you stay that long? The house is just over that hill and I would love for you to see it in the day,” he pleaded, hoping she would.

Willow looked at him for a moment, then looked down at her hands on her lap. Angel felt his heart sink at her expression. He should be grateful she had come this far with him, but something inside told him to keep on, to continue trying.

“I would love to, Angel. I’ll need to make some calls to let everyone I know I’m O.K. and will be out of town”.

Angel’s face lit up with happiness. He took out a cell phone from a bag next to him and handed it to her. She smiled as she accepted it from him. He stood up and told her he would be right back. She thanked him and then he was gone. Willow dialed her friend’s number, hoping she was still there. After three rings, the phone was picked up.

“Amy?” she questioned, since the person on the other end was breathing rather heavily.

“Willow....it is ...it’s about...time,” Amy said, trying to catch her breath.

“Is anything wrong?” she asked nervously.

“Xander called me to ask if I had seen you, but my dad picked up and I told him to tell him I was out. I’m meeting them at the Bronze tonight and I have no idea what to tell them. I was thinking stomach flu, and your cousin, or what ever, came to see you and took you in for the weekend. You think that’ll work?”

“Sounds good to me. My cousin’s name is Mary, and she came to check up on me under my parents orders, and took me in when she saw I was still sick. That way I can spend the weekend here.”

“I take it you aren’t in Sunnydale.”

“About half an hour away.”

“How’s it going?” she asked, knowing Willow would have a huge grin on her face.

“Wonderful, great, magnificent. It’s beautiful here, Amy. I’ve never seen a place so pretty. Everything is perfect and I’ve never been happier.”

“Geez, Willow, rub it in, why don’t you.”

“You have, Jonathan remember?”

“Yeah, but he isn’t loaded like Angel, I’m sure, or that handsome. Sure Jonathan is cute, so very cute,” she said with a giggle.

“I feel like I’ve known him for ages.”

“Well you have.”

They both started laughing.

“Then I must have known you for ages, too”,

“Best friends even then.”

“I’m sure.”

“When do you think you’ll be heading back?”

“I don’t know. Angel wants to show me the estate, and...”

“You are in no hurry to come back, are you?”

“Well...”

“Don’t worry, you deserve to be out, having fun. Don’t think about anything but you and Angel this weekend. Find what you’re looking for, she told her.

“I already have, Amy....I love him.”

“Who?” Amy asked, surprised.

“Angel,” Willow replied simply.

“Are you sure?”

“More then life.”

“Wow, and after only one day in the sun.”

“Before this happened. It just took me five months to realize it,” she confessed.

“When you nursed him after he got back from Hell?”

“It started then, I think, but maybe before. Then, after the gang found out what I did, you and he were the my only friends I had left. Even Oz didn’t speak to me for a week. Then something happened, I can’t explain it, something else started to grow.”

“I’m happy for you Willow, He’s a good man if you love him,” she said as the doorbell rang.

“I’m sure that’s for you,” Willow said with a giggle.

“Have to go. CALL ME TOMORROW, young lady”.

“I will. Have fun.”

“Stick to the plan.”

“Thank you.”

“Have a great time.”

“You to.”

“Bye.”

“Bye.”

With that Willow hung up and took a deep breath. She smiled, finally able to admit what her heart had tried so hard to keep hidden. The only problem was, she didn’t know how Angel felt. Then a tugging thought entered her mind. What if he still loved Buffy? She knew her heart would break in two. She looked at her phone and called Xander, leaving a message with his mom, and then talked to Giles. He told her he hoped she felt better and to try and have a nice time at her cousin’s house. She told him she would check in tomorrow. He thanked her and told her to rest.

Willow did feel guilty about lying to everyone, but when she thought of why she did it, that burden was lifted. She waited patiently for Angel to return and sipped her Ginger Ale.

* * * * * * * * * *
 
 

Angel left Willow alone, knowing she would want privacy to make her calls. He wasn’t sure what she had told the others, and that in turn somewhat unnerved him. He called his answering machine at home and found no new messages, then called the number he had given Giles. To his surprise, he heard Buffy’s voice. She said she missed him and then invited him to the Bronze. His heart did not stir, it remained still. He knew he would always care for Buffy, they had been through a lot, but now his heart and soul called out for a different name, for a woman he knew he had completely fallen madly, deeply, in love with -- Willow. But that woman was taken, and he felt terrible knowing she loved another, wanted another. He knew it wasn’t fair, but he couldn’t help himself. The real purpose for tonight was to woo her. Woo her until she would fall for him as he had already fallen for her. Guilt speared him, but when he was with her that guilt disappeared. He called Giles and told him be would be out of town that weekend, but he could reach him at the number he had given him.

He hadn’t meant to eavesdrop. He thought she was done. He almost fell when he heard those words come from her mouth.

“I already have, Amy....I love him.”

He would have held his breath if he could. His heart waited.

“Angel.”

He rejoiced. Could it be? Was it possible? He waited and calmed himself, missing some of her words.

“It started then, I think. Then after the gang found out what I did, you and he were the only friends I had left. Even Oz didn’t speak to me for a week. Then something happened, I can’t explain it, something else started to grow.”

Angel couldn’t believe what he had heard. She loved him, only him, him. He knew what she meant, every emotion she felt. It was a wonderful feeling. He left quietly, not wanting to scare her or intrude any longer. As he left, he did something he had never done as a mortal or as one of the damned -- be thankful he was alive.

* * * * * * * * * *
 
 

“Amy, do you know where Willow is?” Oz asked, becoming worried.

“She was sick and her cousin came by to check on her. I think Willow went back home with her.”

“Which cousin?” Xander asked, worried.

Amy drew a blank. Willow had told her, but she couldn’t remember. That’s when she decided to do it. She knew she would get interrogated all night by them and she wanted to have fun with her new boyfriend, the only problem was it didn’t quite work the way she had hoped it would.

It was going to be a long night.

* * * * * * * * * *
 
 

“Still scared?” he asked as they walked calmly through the woods.

Angel had sensed she was a bit unnerved by the darkness in the woods and asked her for a walk through them. He wanted to show her not all darkness was bad. Now, Willow seemed to be relaxing.

Willow had become rather hot, since the heatwave was still plaguing even the mountains. She had even taken off her sheer white shirt, only leaving her smaller one on.

“You’re right, I shouldn’t be scared,” she told him, enjoying the feel of his hand in hers.

“You’re sweating,” Angel noticed.

“Humid, hot, I’m glad I’m just not that sticky yet,” she told him as she wiped her forehead. It was a good excuse for having damp hands.

“Then what about a swim?” he asked as he changed the direction they were going.

Willow thought about it for a moment, the idea of seeing Angel in a bathing suit placed a grin on her face.

“That would be nice,” she said, a bit of a giggle in her voice.

They walked a short distance and she soon found herself in front of a pond. She looked around, then realized something very important was missing.

“Angel, we’re in the middle of the woods....it’s a...a pond...I don’t have my...”

She stopped talking when Angel pulled his shirt out of his pants and then started unbuttoning the cuffs.

“I was surprised to see it here when I bought the estate. It’s rather large, but not too deep,” he informed her as he continued unbuttoning the front of his shirt. Willow’s eyes grew wide. He was undressing in front of her without a care in the world.

“Angel, you’re...you’re....”

She stammered to a halt and gulped. His black shirt was already on the ground and he had just taken off the white one, revealing his muscular broad chest.

Angel smiled at her response. He had suspected, but had not been sure.

“It’s only a swim”, he reasoned with her.

“In a pond....with...noth...nothing....?” she stuttered.

He pushed off his shoes and took off his socks.

“Haven’t you ever gone... skinny deeping?” he asked as if he was surprised, but already knowing quite well the answer. His hands went to his belt buckle.

Willow squealed and turned around, not able to face him.

“Haven’t you ever seen a man naked?” he teased her.

“NO!”

“I just thought, with Xander and you having been friends for a long time, and then there’s Oz....” he probed, wanting to know, hoping in a way he was right.

Willow felt her cheeks burn.

“I haven’t seen them or any man naked before, well, maybe in a magazine or something like that, but no never, I haven’t gone that far with Oz and..... and Xander, well, he’s my best friend, but we don’t know each other that well and we mostly likely never will,” she heard his zipper and she swallowed hard, her imagination running free. She could feel her cheeks got hotter. “And right now with Oz, well, I don’t think, I haven’t had many boyfriends you know...and no one has definitely seen me naked...” She began blushing harder, not sure why she volunteered that bit of information to him.

“If you don’t want to do it, Willow, it’s fine. I’ll take a short swim, then we can go back to the house if you want,” he offered, hoping to reassure her. This had not been a part of the plan, but he didn’t see it hurt it in anyway, he thought.

Willow stood frozen, not able to respond. Her peripheral view caught sight of something appealing, compelling her to turn her head and take a quick look. He walked into the water carefully, giving Willow a great view of his backside. Her eyes drifted from his nicely sculptured shoulders, to his lower back, down to his nicely curved ass, down further, to his strong legs and well formed calves. He was perfect, she thought in her dreamy state, then saw him splash into the water. She quickly tuned away.

“Breathe Willow, breathe,” she told her herself.

She couldn’t do it. Mousy, geeky, shy Willow didn’t have enough courage to do it. The comment in her head angered her, and at that moment she found something new in herself and relished in it. She would do it, even if it sounded crazy, she would do it.

“How’s the water?” she asked him.

Angel smiled.

“Cool and wet.”

She turned to look at him and saw him comb back his wet hair with his hand, then he smiled, shoving away all hers fears, all her uneasiness.

“Turn around”, she instructed him as she started taking off her shoes.

“Why?” he asked, hoping once more.

“I’m coming...” Wrong word, she thought as she corrected herself. “I’m going in, but no peep show”.

Angel checked his excitement and did as she asked.

Willow stripped down quickly. She felt an excitement and fear as she stood there, naked in the middle of the woods. She went in, hoping he didn’t notice how nervous she was. She swam out to him, staying some distance away.

Angel turned around and looked at her. He saw her bare shoulders bobbing in the water, arousing him. He gave her a sexy smile. Willow began to blush. He looked great wet. She bit her lip. He moved closer, not wanting to startle her. Willow didn’t move. She wanted him to move closer to her. He knew she was nervous. He was even able to smell her excitement and fear, a dangerously powerful turn on for him. Everything in his body told him to take her, make her his, but he refused to do it. If it happened, it would be because she wanted to. He would not push her. He needed to relieve her tension. His hand began making small waves in front of her, then unexpectedly started splashing her. Willow giggled and the splashing game began.

“Truce. Truce,” Willow yelled, her arms growing tired. Willow dove under the water, trying to avoid more splashes.

Angel stopped, looking for her. Willow miscalculated and came up to the surface, inches away from him. She tried to catch her breath, but his look make it next to impossible. She froze, knowing she should move, but not wanting to. Her heart beat quicker, her mouth went dry, and she could feel the air around them becoming electric. His eyes could not help but glance down for a moment, able to catch a glimpse of the top of her breasts as they heaved up and down. He touched her hair lightly with his hand, pushing back her wet strands. He moved a little closer, his hand trailing down her face, caressing her cheek.

“May I kiss you?” he asked in a husky voice, his eyes spellbound by hers.

Willow was speech less, she simply nodded.

Angel leaned in and kissed her softly, tasting her lips for the first time. They were so soft and wet. He meant to pull away, but her response to him told him not to. He pulled her closer to him, able to feel the tip of her breasts brush against his chest. She did not move away, but touched his cheek with her hand and slightly parted her lips for him. He surpressed a groan of delight as his tongue was invited in and was greeted by hers. Angel shuttered, becoming hard at her simple touch. He deepened the kiss, seeking the hidden pleasures her mouth contained for him.

Willow could not believe she would expericene such pleasure by a mere touch, a mere kiss. Her hand moved to his hair, pulling his head closer to her. As there bodies touched they moaned in each other mouths. They craved so much more. Angel’s hand slipped down in the water, touching her waist lightly, his touch burning her. Willow placed her arms around his neck, pulling her into him, crushing her small breasts against his hard chest. Angel pulled her waist against his stomach. Willow broke the kiss, moaning at the feeling of his body touching her bare one. Angel’s mouth moved down to her neck, nibbling and licking, his teeth grazing her soft wet skin. Willow pulled him closer to her, small moans of pleasure escaping her mouth. His mouth trailed up to her ear, his lips sucking on her lope, his mouth teasing her.

“I love you,” he whispered.

Those were the only words she heard before the tears began to fall and pulled away from him. She looked into his eyes needing to make sure. Angel became worried, fearing he had hurt her in some way, or pushed her too far.

“Willow...” he was about to ask, but her trembling lips stopped him.

“Do you really?” she asked, scared to know his response.

Angel smiled.

“With all my heart and soul, beloved. I am yours, if you’ll have me.”

Willow face lit up, gracing him with the loveliest smile he had ever seen, knowing he would carry the memory of it in his heart forever.

“I love you,” Willow said. “You are my second half.”

Angel kissed her urgently, needing to taste the sweet lips that had hypnotized him. Willow arched her body into his, making Angel’s head spin. He wanted her as he wanted no other woman. She responded to his kiss as her hands caressed his neck and hair, their tongues hungrily wrestling. His hands slowly trailed up, imprinting each of her curves in his mind, his thumbs brushing her breasts, making her tense a moment. He stopped the kiss, pulling apart a bit to look in her eyes.

“Willow, I want you, but I need to know if your ready....I will wait...,” he told her with desire and concern.

Willow’s heart grew. She knew what she wanted, but she wasn’t ready for that yet. It was too soon, too much for tonight. She began to cry, hoping he didn’t think her a coward for her fears or concerns. She was ashamed to stop.

“I can’t..right now...I’m sorry,” she said as more tears fell as she looked down.

Angel pulled her chin up softly, then kissed her softly.

“Don’t ever apologize for this. I can wait Willow, and if I’m not the one..”, he began say.

“You are the one, Angel. You are the one I want, the one I will only want”, she said reassuring him as she kissed him tenderly. He pulled her away, needing to know.

“What about Oz?” he asked worried.

“I don’t love him, I’m not sure I ever did love him more then just a friend. I was so lonely Angel. He was there, I was...I was grateful”, she said a bit guilty.

Angel‘s heart rejoiced. She was his, only his.

“And Buffy?”, she asked a bit scared.

“I care about her. I always will, I think. What we had was quick and fiery, a challenge of sort, but as quickly as it started, it ended. I know that sounds horrible, but every time I’m with you, I feel alive Willow, I feel complete,” he replied.

Her tears fell harder. She never knew she would be this happy. She wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him against her. Angel held her, holding back his desire to have her there. They swirled around in the pond, smiling, enjoying the feel of each other in their arms. Angel caressed her hair, as his other hand caressed the softness of her back. Angel pulled away, his body responding to her warmth.

“Willow, we should get dressed”, he said, his voice soft and arousing.

Willow smiled, knowing what he meant. She blushed, not quite sure how to put it.

“Who first?” she asked.

Angel looked at bit confused then understood what she had meant.

“What if we go together?”

“Only fair, she agreed. They swam over, then walked hand in hand out. They tried not to look at each other, trying to keep there gaze forward, but were unable to steal a glance.

Angel let go of Willow’s hand and picked up his black shirt. He moved in back of Willow and helped her put it on. He turned her and began to button the buttons. Her cheeks flamed red, but let him take care of her. Once he was done he reached over and grabbed his pants, slipping them on. Willow didn’t dare look down.

He led her back, enjoying the look on her face as they reached the meadow. The food had been cleared, and a new white large sheet had been laid on the ground, the candles renewed, with a smell of berries. Her eyes began to get teary eyed as she looked at the vases on each corner, holding the prettiest red tulips she had ever seen. She looked up at him, not able to form the words to describe her complete joy. He kissed her tenderly, overjoyed to see her reaction. They waslked over to the sheet and sat down, Willow wrapped in Angel’s arms. She looked up and kissed his chin, making Angel smile. He pointed up to the clear dark sky, the stars showering down at them. He laid back, pulling Willow with him. Her head settled on his chest, looking up at the stars that seeemed to shine brighter then she had ever seen before.

Angel pointed to a star above and began to make a shape in the sky.

“When it was too hot to sleep in the house, my mother would take us out to sleep outside. She’d point to a star and conjur up a story, or tell us a legend. We would spend hours listening to her voice,” he told her, rememebering a time so long ago.

“Will you tell me them?” she asked, hope in her voice.

“It was such a long time ago,” he remarked, trying to rememeber.

“I’m sure you can remember,” she said confidently.

He smiled and looked deep inside him, looking for the exact words his mother had used. One hand carresed her hair as the other remained pointing at the sky.

“The Fairies, they say, are not immortal. They can live to great age, but they too know death. And when one of their kind dies, the music of their mourning is the saddest, sweetest sound in all the world. And on that particular night Lanna wondered into the forest, her eyes feasting in the nature around her...but she awed at the marvel hidden behind a tree...the human Ronan who hunted by the creek......”

Angel’s voice filled the night air, lulluing Willow to sleep in his arms.

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

Angel was the first to wake as the first begining rays cascaded upon them. He looked to see Willow still slepping snuggly in his arms. After three stories, they had both drifted off to a peaceful sleep. He looked on, his second day in the bask of the light as overwhelming as the first. He looked on as the sunlight shined upon them, making Willow’s hair look fiery. She was a vision in his arms, making his mind elaspe to a time he had never before seen. He closed his eyes, as his fought to coprehend what he saw. He was holding someone in his arms, looking out at the blue sky above them. It looked familiar around him. He could have sworn it was in Ireland. He tried to keep focused on what he was seeing but couldn’t, before he could look down at the woman in his arms the vision disappeared.

Angel didn’t know what to make out of it. He was sure that in all his 240+ years, he had never lived that memory, not even as a mortal. What unnerved him the most was not the way he was dressed (warrior clothing), but that he was human. He looked back down at Willow whose face was now a glow with the sun. He smiled and tightend his arms around her as the sun fully rose in the sky. He responded to the silent warning from deep in his soul, that if he let her go, she would be gone forever. He pulled her as close as he possible could to his body, taking the warning deadly seriously.

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

Willow’s face lit up as they toured the mansion. It was incredible. The high ceilings, the wonderful art decor, the vases, the rugs, the multiple rooms. It was like nothing she had ever seen before. Angel showed her as many rooms as he could, not sure why he had left one particular room from view.

They spent all morning touring the house and the grounds. She was delighted to see he had almost everything a resort would die for. As much as he would have liked to stay secluded with her for the entire weekend, they headed to down by early afternoon for some light shopping. Angel had clothes, but she had none.

The couple walked hand in hand down the small town’s main street, taking pleasure from each others company. After a bit of window browsing and modeling, Willow had managed to by at least four new outfits, gifts from Angel.

“You know, I can get used to this,” Angel said as they walked out of their fifth store.

“The shopping or me?” she asked with a smile.

Angel chuckled a bit.

“I think I like you more then the shopping,” he teased.

Willow punched him lightly on his side, her arm entwined in his. She looked up and noticed all the decorations on the street, then caught sight of a small shop across the street. Angel looked at the direction she was looking at and led the way in crossing the street. Willow looked up at him and smiled, silently thanking him.

They walked in and Willow’s face lit up. She began to look over all the wonderful Renaissance costumes, one gown in particular catching her eye.

“Are you here for the Knightly Affair?” a voice in back of them asked.

They turned to meet an attentive, elderly woman greeting them with a smile.

“The Knightly Affair?” Willow asked.

“Our annual ball dance here in town. We dress in appropriate attire,” she hinted as she looked at the dress Willow was looking at.

“And when is the dance?” Willow asked curiously.

“Tonight at the Great Hall. Rumor has it that the Queen shall be joining us for the festivities.”

Willow looked at her Angel with the cuttest I-really-want-to-go-can-we-please look. Angel grinned, knowing there was nothing he could or want to deny her.

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

The couple returned back to the Mansion with an array of boxes. Willow had remained in the shop, taking her time in searching for the right dress and making the alterations needed. Angel had been sent to a shop a couple of stores down to pick out his “knightly” wears. Once everything was done, they met by the square, walking down the streets, seeing the decorations being placed all around them.

At a quarter past nine, they were ready. Angel paced the marble floor of the entrance hall as he waited for her to come down. He wondered how horrible he looked. He hated not being able to look in the mirror. The moment he looked up he saw her at the top of the stairs and lost the ability to speak. His hungry gaze looked her over greedily. The wonderful green dress flowed freely, hugging her waist and chest. Her hair was swept up, a few simple locks falling down to caress her face. She gently gathered her skirts and descended the stairs. She smiled, doing the best to look him over discreetly. His tunic was black, with a green crest in the middle of it, a design of a phoenix. His pants were nice and tight, showing off his well formed thighs. To her disappointment, his tonic covered his backside. She wouldn’t help but blush, as her thoughts ran away from her. She tried to slow down her breathing, but she was too nervous.

He extended his hand and took hers as she reached the final step. He pulled her into his arms, pressing him against her, whispering into her ear.

“You look ravishing.”

“Not too bad yourself,” she whispered back, holding him close.

He pulled back, taking in her beauty completely. His gaze couldn’t help but linger at her half covered breasts that seemed to tease him as they rose with each breath she took, down to her small waist, lower to were the dress flowed around her. Willow couldn’t help but blush, and feel goosebumps all around as he looked at her. His intense look had made her temperature rise.

“Shall we go?” he asked as he turned to her side and offered her his elbow.

Willow smiled and took his elbow.

As soon as they walked out, they were greeted with an open carriage. Willow looked at Angel in complete shock.

“Milady, your carriage awaits,” Angel said as he opened the small door and helped her in.

“It’s wonderful,” she told him once he joined her inside.

He wrapped his arms around her as the coachman shook the reins. They looked up into the sky, taking in the peaceful surroundings. By the time they arrived in town, the streets were filled with nobility from the 17th century. Cars had been replaced by horses and coaches as the street was lit by torches instead of street lamps. It was much more then either one had expected. Once they’re coach stopped at the main hall, Angel quickly stood and got out, then swiftly lifted Willow by the waist, lifting her out and onto the street.

They entered the great white hall and were introduced at the entrance. The ball was in complete swing as Angel swept Willow into his arms and began to move to the feel of the music.

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

“I can’t believe, Angel, just left,” Buffy said in complete shock.

The small group had assembled in the library for another all night research session. Giles had been the bearer of bad news for Buffy and Oz. Angel would be gone for a couple of days, as Willow would remain with her aunt for the weekend, depending on how she felt by tomorrow.

“Did he tell you were he was going?” Buffy asked a bit disturbed by his sudden absence.

“I didn’t ask Buffy.”

“Maybe he went to a blood sucking convention,” Xander humored.

Buffy glared at him, as Cordelia chuckled.

“Has Willow called you?” Oz asked worried.

“No she hasn’t, I thought she would call you,” Xander replied.

“Giles, did Willow tell you how she was doing?” the blue haired male asked.

“She did inform that she was feeling a bit better, but was not up to talk to me much. Her aunt was taking her out this afternoon to see a doctor.”

The group had a sudden attach of the munchies and reached for the junk food that had been piled in the middle of the table.

“Did Angel ask about me?”

“No, Buffy, he did not. He was rather short.”

“And Willow?”

“She was in a bit of a rush because of her aunt, but sent everyone a hello.”

Oz and Buffy both reached for a second twinkie, wondering why they hadn’t received a call from the people that loved them.

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

“Do you think that every person has a soulmate?” Willow asked as looked up into the clear night sky.

“The luckiest do,” Angel replied as he kissed the top of her head that was nicely tucked under his chin.

“How do you think they find each other?”

“Because they’re meant to. They’ll find each other no matter what and complete themselves,” he simply said, enjoying the feel of her in his arms as they stood on the terrace, looking over the lush botanical gardens.

“Are we meant to?” Willow asked softly.

“We are, ionuin. Ours’ is eternal.”

He turned her in his arms and kissed her passionately, making them both breathless.

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

“Buffy, I really didn’t want to say anything, but that’s your third Ho-Ho. Self-control, some self control please,” Cordelia tried to reason with her.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into me. I just get this sudden urge to eat something.”

“You aren’t...you know.....you have used...if you have...right?” Cordelia asked her, close to a whisper.

“What?” Buffy asked completely confused.

“You aren’t...pregnant are you, because if you are...eeewww!”, Cordelia said a bit louder.

“No! of course not, I’m just hungry.”

“Then you better start training a little bit more,” she commented.

Buffy finished her Ho-Ho in Xander fashion, and reached for her fourth, bumping into Oz’s hand.

Amy looked up from the book she was reading and silently prayed Willow and Angel came back soon.

* * * * * * * * * * *
 
 

Angel held her tighter as they waltzed across the crowded dance floor. They had been dancing, kissing, talking and laughing for the past three hours. He had never been happier in his long existence and suspected Willow was as happy as he was. A question had been looming in the back of his mind for some time and found the sudden need to ask it. He buried his nose and cheek into her soft, silkily copper hair, smelling the wonderful scent of jasmine. His mouth trailed lower to her ear, whispering the words he yearned to say.

“Will you marry me?”

Willow almost didn’t hear those wonderful words whispered in her ear, still spellbound by being so close to him. Her silence unnerved him, damning himself for scaring her.

“When?”

At her response, he held her closer, silently thanking the heaven’s above.

“Tonight.”

“No.”

He stiffened at her reply and halted their dance in the middle of the dance floor. He pulled back to see her smiling.

“Tomorrow night. I shall marry you, Angelus Robert Donavon, if you shall have me.”

“For always as my wife,” he replied, his utter happiness apparent.

He lifted her up, swirling her in the air around them, oblivious to the stares around them.

* * * * * * * * * *

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