Angel walked silently in the park. He hadn’t completely healed from his injuries, but the
apartment served as a constant reminder of what had happened. He could still smell her
there, her scent still tantalizing the air.
He walked aimlessly, his mind drowned in thoughts and sorrow.
The last time he had seen Willow was a week ago. He had gone back to Sunnydale
to check up on everyone. It had become a need for him to go and visit Willow. The
thought paralyzed him as he realized that may have been the last time he would ever see
her smile, hear her laugh, talk to her or......
He was brought out of his thoughts by a figure sitting on a near by bench. What
had caught his attention was her hair. The coppery hair that swayed in the wind. He
moved closer, noticing how small in frame she was. <It wouldn’t be. There was no way in
hell> he thought. He shook his head, <Am I losing my mind?> His hope got the best of
him and called out her name.
“Willow?”
The young woman turned, then suddenly stood, surprised to see the person in
front of her.
“Angel?” she asked, not sure if she was dreaming or if it was the actual man in
front of her.
Angel looked at her in complete confusion. This couldn’t be her, she was in
Sunnydale - dying, but as he moved closer her scent became familiar. His eyes turned
watery, shock still apparent on his face.
Willow wasn’t sure what to do as he came closer to her. The first thoughts she had
was to run, but each step he took made her believe he could help her, that he cared for
her, that he could save her. She remained still, tears falling down her face.
“Willow?” he asked once more, still not able to believe it was her. He noticed her
healing cuts and bruises on her face and knew it had to be her. There was no mistaking
who she was.
“You know me?” the red head asked a bit frightened.
Angel’s look soon turned to confusion. He looked at her closely, seeing the
bewilderment, hope and fright in her eyes. He nodded his head, letting her know he did.
She gave him a weak smile as more tears fell. Angel hugged her, squeezing her
tightly, as he caressed her hair, trying to soothe the sobs that came from her body.
“I know you, Willow. I know you.”
He held her until the sun threatened to rise. They walked back to his apartment in
silence, waiting for what the morning would bring.
* * * * * * * * * * *
“Did you find, Angel?” the frantic voice asked over the line.
“I called, looked, and paged. I haven’t found him yet.”
“Is there anything else you can think of that might help?”
“I’m sorry, Xander, but Angel was the only person who knew what Spike was
planning with that chest. He hasn’t talked to me about it, he has been passed out for the
past days too, you know.”
“You have to find him, Cordelia. He might know who took, Willow.”
“I’m heading over to his apartment once the sun rises.”
“Fine, but once you find him tell him to call us.”
“I will...Xander...I’m sorry. If I had known...”
“This isn’t the time for that, Cordelia. I’ll call you soon.”
“Bye.”
“Bye.”
Cordelia hung up the phone, feeling the guilt of responsibility for what had
happened. She picked up her purse and checked for her keys. Once the first ray of light
hit, she’d go see Angel. She just prayed he could help find the hacker.
* * * * * * * * * *
“How long have you been here?” he asked.
“A couple of hours.” she replied as she snuggled a bit lower into the covers.
His hand instinctively began to caress her hair, trying to comfort her as much as he
could.
“Do you remember anything?” he asked.
“Bits and pieces.”
“How did you get here?”
Willow wasn’t sure how to reply.
“I went to my apartment and found my notebook. It had an address. I thought I
had moved, so I came here.”
“Your apartment or dorm?” he asked her confused.
“My apartment....”
Angel thought for a moment then realized what she meant.
“The apartment you were in was mine. You live in a dorm at Sunnydale University.
You roommate with Buffy.”
“Buffy?”
“She’s one of your close friends,” he replied with unease.
“Oh...I can’t seem to remember her.”
“Do you remember me?”
“I....I’ve....”
She wasn’t sure what to tell them. What if he thought she was crazy. Angel could
see the emotional struggle she was in. Something was wrong, he had some thoughts, but
keep them silent. There was no way he would push her in anyway.
“Do you know who I am?”
Willow nodded, still afraid to talk to him.
“Do you know what I am?”
Willow looked at him for a moment confused, then remembered. Then she nodded
once more. Angel looked at her a bit surprised.
“What am I?”
“You’re.....you’re....”
“You can tell me....I will believe you....trust me.”
And trust him she did. She looked at him, close to tears, taking a risk on her own
sanity.
“You’re....you’re a vampire.”
“How did you know I was....”
“I dreamed about you. When I was asleep you were there. I....saw what.... I...
we...we were in some kind of fight....so much blood....I know there was someone
else...something happened. I just can’t remember...,” she said as she broke down in tears
once more.
Angel went to her side and began to stroke her hair. She looked up at him, tears
smeared on her face.
“Why can’t I remember? What’s wrong with me?” she asked him. He tried to say
words of comfort but knew they were of no good. What Willow needed was her memory,
or was that what she really needed?, he thought.