"Yeah, but did you see Doyle. I can eat him up."
    Both women giggled at the comment, once more taking a peek over at the
two men. Willow couldn't take her eyes off Angel with his slick backed hair
and black on black suit. He was the pinickle of tall, dark and handsome. The
Armani three-piece suit suited his long lean stature. The black dress shirt
and tie made him look more mysterious then ever, an aura of danger around
him. He was more breathtaking to Willow then ever before. Doyle on the other
hand looked suave and laid back, the traditional tuxedo making him look
scrumptious in many ladies eyes. He carried himself with presence, conversing
on any subject or matter discussed around. He was a hit, as he had also cared
to add that he was in the stocks game, making him even more alluring.
    The night seemed to be passing without any distractions or incidents. It
was on that luck that Doyle played on his own and asked Cordelia to dance.
She accepted gladly, even muttering an 'about time'. Willow looked on
happily, seeing the evident joy on both their faces. She wrapped her arms
around her a bit, trying to fight off a fear that tried to creep in. She
nearly jumped out of her skin as she felt his hand touch her waist softly;
his lips close to her ear.
    "Dance with me?"
    He walked in front of her quickly, taking her hand in his, letting him
lead her to the dance floor. It was a waltz, a bit slow to her liking. Angel
kept her gaze as they moved across the semi-full dance floor, inching her
body closer to him with each stride. Willow couldn't stop smiling, her joy
evident on her face. His face seemed to inch closer to hers as she moved her
own closer.
    The moment seemed perfect and right, even magical. But the moment was
broken as Angel caught a glimpse of light coming from the upstairs. He
stopped, pulling a confused Willow away from the dancing to the stairs.
    "What happened?"
    "The vortex."
    Doyle caught sight of the couple heading upstairs and abruptly ended the
dance with Cordelia, pulling her to follow him. By the time the couple made
it upstairs, guards laid on the floor unconscious, with cameras torn out.
They rushed down the hallway cautiously, finding Angel fighting four demons
with Willow trying to fight off one as well as close the vortex. Doyle jumped
on one of the horned demons back, trying to help Angel as Cordelia tried to
help Willow. Cordelia pulled out pepper spray from her purse and quickly
began to spray the contents on the demon, distracting it long enough for
Willow to push him inside the small vortex. She pulled out the ingredients
from her purse and quickly made a circle in order to stop the glow from
glowing and allowing anything else out.
    Cordelia turned to help Doyle, spraying the remains of the bottle on the
demon and proceeded in beating the green demon with her Gucci purse. The air
around them began to intensify as Willow began to chant louder, the vortex
trying to open up to its fullest against her. As each demon fell, the vortex
grew weaker and smaller and with the last demon destroyed the vortex closed
completely, Willow able to close and seal it.
    Cordy hugged Doyle and Angel held Willow, grateful for another successful
night, knowing that each night was a risk.
    *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

    "Do you think anything will take out this stain?" Cordelia asked as they
stood in the bathroom trying to clean up.
    "I'm sure I can find a spell… that is if dry cleaning doesn't work."
    "It was a good night," Cordy commented.
    Willow turned around to look at her friend and hugged her.
    "We made it… It was a good night."
    Cordy hugged her back, and then broke away.
    "No more sappy things. Let's celebrate. We still have two great looking
men with money."
    Willow giggled and agreed.
    They left, meting their men just outside the restroom door. They left the
ball together, the guests still unaware of the events that transpired. They
waited just outside of the building, waiting for Angel's BMW. They drove off;
unaware of the pair of red eyes snickering from the terrace.
    *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

    Dressed up, with money at hand, Angel took his friends to one of the
exclusive dining spots in the city. They were lead to one of the best tables
on the second floor terrace where they could over look the dance floor below.
They settled into a easy conversation, not needing to mention the troubles
from earlier of the night. After a small feast, the music below began, the
lights dimming to it's lowest, setting a soft, romantic mood around them.
    Doyle stood up, and with the largest grin Cordelia had ever seen,
extended his hand to her.
    "I do believe we were never permitted to finish our dance milady."
    The enthused brunette quickly took his invitation and both were off,
Willow smiling.
    "I do believe ours was interrupted as well."
    She turned around to see Angel standing.
    "Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?"
    Willow took his arm and stood, tears in her eyes. How she loved him. They
walked down the stairs, a new song beginning. The soft strands of the melody
began as Angel took her into his arms. Willow placed her head on his chest as
they moved to rhythm, side to side.

Every endless night
Has a dawning day
Every darkest sky
Has a shining ray
And it shines on you baby
Can't you see
You're the only one who can
Shine for me

    Willow held him tighter as he laid his chin on her soft hair. He smiled,
as he smelled the intoxicating scent of jasmine in her hair. She fit in his
arms so perfectly as though they had been shaped for her, and as he listened
at the words, he began to imagine that perhaps they had been for this night.

It's a private emotion
That fills you tonight
And the silence falls between us
As the shadows steal the light
And wherever you may find it
Wherever it may lead
Let your private emotion came to me
Come to me

    They moved in silence, words not needed. They let the moment be, enjoying
the feel of each other in their arms, the song guiding them.

When your soul is tired
and your heart is weak
Do you think of love as
A one way street
Well it runs both ways
Open up your eyes
Can't you see me here
how can you deny

    Iron gates that had been closed to emotion slowly began to creak open,
his own feelings much more then he had ever recognized before.

Every endless night
Has a dawning day
Every darkest sky
Has a shining ray
It takes a lot to laugh
As your tears go by
But you can find me here
Till your tears run dry

    But soon the song ended with a deeper understanding  in depths in
emotions for both couples. They left shortly after, dawn soon approaching.
Doyle and Cordy elected to walk, her apartment not far away as Willow and
Angel took the car to her own home.
    They walked hand in hand, busy talking of everything and nothing at the
same time, taking the scenic route to her apartment twice. He made her laugh,
he made her feel loved  and he hadn't even kissed her yet.
    He walked her up the stairs of her house, not really wanting to leave
her, but knowing he had to. He kissed her hand as a gentleman would and
watched as she opened the door. But he halted his retreat as her delicate
hand never left his. He tried to mask his surprise, but the joy in his eyes
was unmistakable.
    "Stay."
    He simply nodded and followed her inside, closing off the world behind
them. The couple welcomed the morning together in each other's arms.
    Across town Angel walked Willow to her home, both unsure of what to say
or do. They had tried to talk, but conversation was lost between them. At her
door, Willow unlocked her door and offered an invitation inside.
    "I'd love to, but it's late right now…"
    "Yeah, I know… the sun and all…"
    "Yeah…"
    They looked at each other not sure what to do.
    "Well…I guess I should go…."
    Before she could finish she was in Angel's arms being hugged fiercely.
    "Thank you for everything tonight."
    She hugged him back.
    "No need, Angel. You know I'll always be there for you… no matter what."
    He pulled back slightly… his lips inches from hers… his eyes boring into
hers…
    He didn't want to leave….not now.. not ever…
    His lips tasted hers and marveled at how sweet she tasted. Pulling on
what ever sense remained, he pulled back, his eyes filled with something
Willow had never seen before. Before he could speak, Willow placed her
fingers on his lips, silencing him, knowing him much too well.
    "No, Angel. No requests…. Just let it be," she pleaded.
    He nodded his head in agreement letting it be. She smiled  and opened the
door behind her.
    "Goodnight , Angel."
    She kissed him once more, her lips lingering a bit, feeling him press
more firmly against hers.
    She pulled away and stepped inside, not pushing. She waved and smiled
then closed the door once he saw him retreat.
    As Angel walked back out into the fading night, he took a breath,
emotions running high. He walked to his car and looked out the window and
stared at the house until the final light was off. He drove off with a smile
on his face.

It's a private emotion
That fills you tonight
And the silence falls between us
As the shadows steal the light
And wherever you may find it
Wherever it may lead
Let your private emotion came to me
Come to me

    *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *
 
 

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