Part 2

                 It had been three weeks since Willow’s serenade at Liquid, three weeks since
                 Angel had kissed her. Even though she saw him every night he never mentioned
                 the incident to her or anyone else. Yes, there were times when Willow would
                 catch him staring at her for a moment, but that was as far as it had gone.
                 They still spoke, as the best friends they were, but as she wished for more,
                 he seemed content to remain only as that, friends.
                         Her love for him had come to fully blossom in Sunnydale back when she had
                 taken care of him while he lay in deaths bed. She could have lost him that
                 night and that realization placed all of her hidden emotions to light. Her
                 heart had belonged to him, not Oz, not Xander, just to him. When he had told
                 her he was leaving that summer, her world had come to a halt. There would no
                 longer be anymore late night movie marathons, or early morning Akido
                 lessons. No one to go and sneak over to her house at midnight for some
                 cookie dough ice cream. But what horrified her the most, was there would no
                 longer be anyone to hug or hold or play tag with. No one to talk to, no one
                 to laugh with. He had come to mean so much in her life that his leaving made
                 her take inventory of what she had. Of what she wanted and where she wanted
                 to go.
                         She had laid countless nights during the first half of that summer in bed
                 wondering and worrying about him. The night no longer held the same magical
                 appeal as it had once for her. It was a week after he had left that Willow
                 had learned that Angel had not gone to say goodbye to Buffy or anyone else,
                 just her and it was then that her heart had made the decision to leave
                 Sunnydale. She had done the unthinkable, surprising not only her friends but
                 herself. She had stood and fought on her own and helped defeat the Mayor,
                 bringind forth two realizations – a new found confidence in herself – the
                 second – that life was too short not to try and be happy.
                         So she set forth to LA knowing who could make her happy, finding two great
                 friends along the way.
                         She hurried to her car as night began to fall, a bit in a hurry to get home
                 and start studying for her finals. She pulled out of the UCLA parking lot
                 and headed to the freeway. Her cell rang, making her reach for her cell with
                 one hand in her purse.
                         “Hello?”
                         “Willow, it’s Angel.”
                         “Are you okay?” she asked concerned.
                         Angel wouldn’t help put smile on the other end for her worry for him.
                         “I’m fine, are you? We were getting a bit worried.”
                         “I’m good. Class ran late.”
                         “Thought you had changed your mind about coming over tonight.”
                         “Now why would I do a silly thing like that? You know I jump at the
                 opportunity to be with you.”
                         Angel simply cleared his throat, making Willow giggle a bit.
                         “Doyle had a vision,” he said, wanting to change the subject quickly.
                         “Is it serious? Is he okay?”
                         “Just a headache. It seems we have time, but we need your help.”
                         “Headed right over, just 10 minutes away. Computer, spell, or me.”
                         “Computer and some shopping.”
                         “Oh shopping. Cordy must be happy.”
                         “She’s itching for my Platinum card.”
                         “Must be big. I have to get off the ramp. I’ll be there soon. Love ya’”
                         Not needing to wait for a response, she hung up and tossed the phone on the
                 seat next to her. Ten minutes later, she walked into Angel’s office where
                 the whole gang was grouped, even Kate to Willow’s surprise. She moved over
                 to take a seat next to Doyle not wanting to interrupt the conversation they
                 were having.
                         “I really don’t think the senator and ambassador will be in danger.
                 Everyone invited needs clearance, which means invitations are few and
                 difficult to get. How can this guy just go in, open a vortex, bring fourth a
                 demon and kill everyone without anyone seeing?” Kate asked.
                         “I don’t get all the information, just bits and pieces and that’s what I
                 saw,” Doyle defended.
                         “That’s why we’ll be there,” Angel added.
                         “And just how are you going to get in?”
                         “We’ll have an invitation,” Angel replied as he looked over at Willow.
                         “That’s impossible.”
                         “Nothing’s impossible,” Willow said as she headed to the computer room that
                 Angel had built for her.
                         “I truly doubt she’ll be able to even get into the governments system.”
                         “Then you don’t know Willow,” Cordelia said as she stood up and left, going
                 to join Willow.
                         Kate just rolled her eyes at the comment then turned back to Angel.
                         “I’ll see what I can do. I’ll have extra men placed inside.”
                         “Thanks.”
                         She left with a smile as Angel simply nodded. Both men moved to the room
                 where both women were busy hacking away, well at least one.
                         “Find anything,” Doyle asked.
                         “She’s trying to get into the Senator’s computer,” Cordelia said close to a
                 whisper.
                         “You do know they won’t hear us over there,” Doyle teased as he whispered
                 back making Angel chuckle.
                         “Ha ha. Let Willow concentrate,” Cordelia scolded.
                         “Can you get in?” Angel asked as Cordelia and Doyle remained bickering.
                         “It’s gonna take some time, but I will,” she replied confidently.
                         “Anything I can do?”
                         A million thoughts ran through Willow’s head, not one she was sure he would
                 like, so she asked for the only thing possible.
                         “An extension on my finals or a coke,” she said with a smile.
                         “I’ll get that coke for you,” he replied with a smile.
                         Willow smiled back as she began to run the decoder program knowing it would
                 be a long night.
                         *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                         Willow eyes became blurry as she double checked the information on the
                 screen. She pressed enter and printed out four copies of the invitation. She
                 smiled happily the moment she felt his arms on her shoulders, massaging the
                 tense muscles.
                         “How’s it going?”
                         “Almost done. Just have to sneak out as quietly as I sneaked in,” she told
                 him as she leaned back a bit, giving him more room to massage.
                         “Six hours. It’s a new record for you.”
                         “We don’t have much time. The parties tomorrow.”
                         He took a quick look at the monitor and read what the invitation entailed.
                         “It’s a masked ball.”
                         “I know. It’s gonna make it harder for us to find them.”
                         “We will, we’ll just have to pay closer attention.”
                         She nodded, trying to shake off her drowsiness.
                         “Do you think you’ll be able to get a copy of the blueprints of where it’s
                 going to be held?”
                         “Yeah, just need a nap,” she said as she began switching from screen to
                 screen.
                         “I’ll make you some tea,” he said as he moved to the kitchen.
                         As much as she would have liked to keep him as he was with her, her back
                 and head were demanding something more comfortable then the chair. She moved
                 to living room’s couch, promising herself to close her eyes for only a
                 moment.
                         Angel returned to find the computer off and alone. He moved to the living
                 room where he found Willow slumped over the armrest. He placed the cup on
                 the table and went over to smooth back the coppery strands that fell over
                 her face. He smiled as he found her eyes closed in sleep. He lifted her up
                 carefully in his arms and headed to his bedroom. She moved toward the
                 comfort he offered and even in sleep was able to wrap her arms around him.
                 He laid her down softly, making sure not to wake her. Instead of pulling
                 away from her, her settled on the bed with her, holding her close to him. In
                 a matter of minutes, Willow began to snore faintly, which made Angel hold
                 her closer to him. He caressed her hair as he wondered why such a precious
                 person could love him.
                         He knew how she felt, or what perhaps she thought she felt for him, she had
                 told him numerous times without ever asking for anything in return. The
                 kindness and love she gave him willingly amazed him. And as much as he
                 wanted to return it his mind was made up, he would not taint her angel like
                 soul. He did not deserve her friendship, let alone her love.
                         His mind drifted to Buffy. Buffy, his one true love. Buffy, the person that
                 had captured, to be frank, his groin. Yes, that Buffy. The girl that his
                 mind was slowly forgetting, the memories slowly fading. That Buffy.
                 Uncounsiously, his fingers happily entwined themselves into her hair feeling
                 its smooth texture. The one and only Buffy that was able to whisper sweet
                 words to him, then run him in with a sword and send him to Hell for a
                 century, yes that Buffy. He only noticed he was growling when Willow moved
                 in his arms, her palm resting against his chest and caressing him, a tactic,
                 even in sleep she had perfected to soothe him.
                         His mind traveled back to the day he had first felt her soothing hands. It
                 was the first day he had returned from Hell. Willow had risked her life to
                 get him out, asking Amy for help as well as a known wicca in Sunnydale. In a
                 matter of three hours, he was back to this world. Willow had remained with
                 him the first two weeks, never leaving his side, or her side of the bed.
                 Every time he felt her hand caress his chest he felt a warmth wash over him,
                 quieting the demon inside. Even now, in her sleep, she seemed to take care
                 of him as well.
                         He had left Sunnydale for many reasons, but it was more because of Buffy
                 then Willow. For Willow it was his nobility to her, as for Buffy it was more
                 for sanity sake. He had never disclosed that information to the petite
                 redhead in his arms because he had not wanted to cause her any pain. She and
                 Buffy were still friends and it was not fair to her.
                         But to his complete surprise and happiness, she had moved to LA for school,
                 for him.
                         And now, here she was in his arms.
                         Before he drifted off to sleep with her he thanked anyone out there that
                 still listened to a cursed demon for her presence in his life and for her
                 love.
                         *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                         “You know, this should be a fun thing, not a “mess-up my dress with goo”
                 night,” Cordelia said as she adjusted her dress for the fifteenth time.
                         “The only reason we’re going to this is for that demon with “goo”,”’ Willow
                 reminded her as she yelled from the other side of the closed bathroom door.
                         “You do know you’re going to floor Angel with what you’re wearing right?”
                         “You think he’ll like it?” Willow asked shyly as she took a look at herself
                 in the mirror.
                         “You bet. You’re going to have to beat the men off with a stick, or Angel
                 can just bite them,” she said amused.
                         “Yeah, well, you’re going to make Doyle stutter with what you’re wearing,
                 that is if he control his emotions and not switch to demon mood.”
                         Cordelia couldn’t help but smile.
                         “You think so?”
                         “Cordy, the man is head over heels over you. Don’t tell me you haven’t seen
                 it?”
                         Cordelia blushed a bit, the thought crossing her mind more these past few
                 days then anything else.
                         “I’m hoping.”
                         “You have. You have nothing to worry about. Now Angel, that’s another
                 thing.”
                         “He wants you, he just won’t admit it.”
                         “I’m hoping so too. But till then, I’ll have to keep wooing him.”
                         Cordelia chuckled as a thought crossed her mind.
                         “You’d think we’d be able to go after normal guys. Two demons, a wolf, and
                 an alien.”
                         “Alien?” Willow asked a bit confused.
                         “You know Xander had to be one. He’s not normal at all.”
                         “And he’s going out with a demon too,” she said with a giggle. “Well,
                 ex-demon.”
                         “Well then, we can start a club. Demon Love Us.”
                         Both woman laughed as they finished getting ready.
                         *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                         Doyle struggled with his bow tie, his nerves getting the better of him.
                         “Told you to get the clip on,” Angel said as he emerged from his bedroom.
                         “I don’t remember it being this hard to put on,” he said as he looked at
                 his handy work in the mirror.
                         Lop sided on one end, he gave up, knowing that would be as good it would
                 be. Frustrated, he turned to look at his friend who was looking over, again,
                 the blue prints to the building.
                         “That is disturbing,” he commented as he walked over to the table.
                         “What?”
                         “That,” he said pointing to his tie.
                         “Why?” Angel asked as he adjusted it once more.
                         “You don’t even have a reflection and it came out perfect for you,” he said
                 a bit irritated.
                         “That’s because I’m not hoping to impress Cordelia tonight.”
                         “You better not be. But then again you were thinking about Willow.”
                         “What does Willow have to do with this?” he asked as he began to roll up
                 the prints, avoiding having to look  at him.
                         “Oh, I don’t know, maybe ‘cause you’ve just spent like two hours in that
                 bathroom, trying to get yourself prettied up.”
                         “It was not for Willow…”
                         “Of course, I believe you. I bet you even shaved for her,” he said with a
                 smile.
                         Angel continued fussing over the prints, trying to ignore his comment.
                         “We should get going,” Angel finally said, knowing Doyle was not going to
                 let the topic go.
                         “Good. Can’t wait to see how they look either.”
                         Angel grinned, the same thought crossing his mind.
                         *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                         Doyle took a deep breath as Angel shifted from side to side as they waited
                 outside of Cordelia’s apartment. They had already knocked and received a
                 response to remain where they were, since they were yet not ready.
                         “Should we have brought them something?” Doyle asked a bit worried.
                         “This is a case… I’m not sure.”
                         Before they could debate and conjour up an excuse, Doyle’s mouth fell upon
                 as Cordelia opened the door and stood before them with a stunning smile.
                         “Come on in,” she said seductively as she turned, offering Doyle a
                 tantalizing view of her bare back and shoulders.
                         “You look beautiful, Cordelia,” Angel said with a smile, amused to see
                 Doyle still drolling.
                         “Thank you, Angel,” she replied with a large smile as she turned to look at
                 Doyle, her cheeks turning a dark red because of Doyle’s reaction.
                         “You look..... wow.... wow...” the half demon kept repeating  over.
                         “Hope I didn’t keep you waiting long,” the soft said as three heads turned
                 to look at her.
                         Cordelia grineed, Doyle smiled, as Angel took a step back, his expression
                 priceless as his mouth fell open as his eyes raked over her. Willow couldn’t
                 help but turn a deep rich red, the same color of her dress.
                         It was Cordelia who reminded the group of their appointment and quickly
                 reached for her shaw, happily taking the hand offered to her by Doyle.
                 Willow followed in the same fashion with Angel by her side.
                         *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                         “You do realize we have to keep our eyes open for demons and not at
                 beautiful women right?” Doyle told Angel teasingly.
                         Angel looked away from Willow who was busy trying to avoid one of the many
                 male invitions she was receiving to dance. He smiled as he became one of the
                 many men turned them down.
                         “Beautiful aren’t they?” Doyle said proudly with a twinkle in his eye.
                         “Close to perfection,” Angel replied as his eyes once more turned there
                 attention back to the stunning redhead.
                         Her dress hugged her body, reveling curves hidden by her daily where. The
                 dark rich blood red dress with golden trim made her hair look firly and her
                 eyes sparkle. The deep smooth velvet reached down to her feet where it
                 flared open. The back and the front were v-shaped giving him a tantaling
                 view of her rounded breasts and her smooth backside. Her hair was swept up
                 in a frech twist, her make-up light, small starnds escaping to shape around
                 her porcelin face. The long sleeves falred at the end, hanging low and open
                 making herself a vision as bewitching as a timeless sorceross.
                         Doyle on the other hand kept his eyes shining upon Cordelia whose strapless
                 deep blue dress offered softened her soft chocolotely eyes a brighter shade,
                 one that had him hypmitized. It also clung to her shaperly curves, the beads
                 adorming the top as well as the heim. Unlike Willow’s, her hair was
                 completely up in a tight oriental bum with only a single curl strand on the
                 side of her face. He admired her perfect bare shoulders and toned arms and
                 grinned as she once again snobed off another potentioal dance partner. This
                 would truly be a night to remember for him.
                         On the other side of the room, both ladies scanned the room as they sneeked
                 glimpes to the two men across that large hall.
                         “They’re staring,” Cordelia said happily as she took another sip of her
                 GingerAle.
                         “Good. Staring is good. Did you see how handsome Angel looks?” Willow asked
                 with a large smile on her face.
 

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