Part 8

Sunnydale 1999

"Ummm, Angel, I was wondering if maybe...uh...I mean...well I thought, maybe you'd like to go to the prom with me?" Willow stammered. (Damn it. It shouldn't be this hard.) Willow was standing alone in her room in front of her mirror. It was only a week until her senior prom and Willow didn't have a date. (That's because the only person who you want to go with, you haven't had the nerve to ask yet.) Willow was waiting for Angel to come for their usual Thursday night dinner and movie and she was trying to get up the nerve to finally ask him if he wanted to be her escort. (Okay Willow, deep breathes. You can do it. It's only Angel.) Willow's thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell. She ran downstairs to find Angel waiting for her in the hallway.

 "Hey."

"Hey yourself. Ready to go."

 "Yuppers," she replied as she grabbed her purse and keys, shutting the door behind her. They often went out during the week, sometimes going to the Bronze with Xander, other times patrolling together with Faith. But Thursdays was always their time alone. They would always go out to dinner, then a movie finally ending up at Angel's until the wee hours of the morning talking to each other. To some people, this might have seemed boring, but to Willow and Angel, their Thursday nights together were what made the rest of the week bearable. No matter what was happening with prophecies and vampires, they always made an effort to spend time alone together.

 Willow didn't think anyone knew as much about herself as Angel. She told him all about growing up on the Hell-mouth. Her friendships with Xander and Jesse. Willow even told him about the time that Xander and Jesse decided to put a frog in her lunch box back in the fourth grade as a practical joke. Angel, for his part, found himself telling Willow about things that he never was able to discuss before, including his years as Angelus. At first, he was afraid to tell her about he things he had done before he had regained his soul. He was convinced that the friendship that he cherished with her would be ruined by tales of the torture and pain that he had inflicted upon his victim. But, once again, Willow surprised him.

 Willow loved hearing about his life, both good and bad. She was even fascinated by his stories of his relationship with Spike and Dru. (He really loved those two. They're all the family that he has left.) She found her heart going out to Angel.

 On this particular evening, Angel took Willow to their favorite Italian restaurant and then they went to the local drive-in to see "Star Wars." Throughout dinner Angel had noticed that Willow was unusually quiet and he was beginning to wonder if something was wrong. (Willow is never this quiet, she has barely said a word all night. And every time I catch her eye, she blushes. Although, that particular shade of red is extremely attractive on her.) Angel grinned as he thought of the red head next to him. He loved being with her and he knew that there was nothing that he wouldn't do to make her happy. (Gods, she makes me feel so loved. I just want to spend the rest of my life doing the same to her.)

 Willow looked over at Angel again, for what seemed like the hundredth time. (Go on, just ask him. What's the worst he can do?) Finally she decided that there would be no better time to ask the question that had been in her head for the past month. She took a deep breath and found her courage. "Umm, Angel?" she started.

"Yes little one."

 "Well, I was wondering. The senior prom is next week and I, well, would you be interested in being my date?" Willow looked down at her lap, already forming her response if he said no. ( Just remember. I will not cry. I will not cry.)

 Angel was stunned. He knew about the prom, of course, but he was overjoyed by the fact that Willow wanted him to take her. His heart started beating faster just at the thought of being allowed to escort her to the dance. "I would love to be your date," he said as he placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. It took a minute for Willow to realize that his answer was yes. When it finally sank in that Angel would go with her she looked up at him. He gazed into her eyes where he could see her emotions and knew that they were reflected in his own eyes. (It's definite. I am in love with you, my little one. And I don't plan on ever letting you go.) Willow snuggled closer into Angel's arms as they finished watching the movie, both making plans for the following week's dance.

One Week later

The prom was in high gear when the three couples entered the room. Angel had rented a limo for his date with Willow and invited Xander, Anya, Oz and Faith to ride along with them. He brought her a dozen red roses instead of a corsage and she was proudly carrying them in her arms. As soon as the friends entered the saw Giles and Wesley standing by the food tables, trying to look comfortable in their tuxedos. The group quickly separated with Xander leading Anya over to the food while Faith and Oz went over to say hi to the other Dingos there, leaving Willow and Angel alone.

"You know, you look absolutely beautiful don't you?" Angel whispered to the hacker at his side and he meant it. In all his 250 years, he had never seen a vision such as Willow. She had chosen a rich emerald green colored dress that made her hair shine. It was form-fitting with a long slit on the side that reached to her thigh. The top went off the shoulder, pushing up her breasts. (She should wear this type of clothing more often. Definitely suits her well. She is truly my goddess.)

"You don't look so bad yourself, old man," she teased back. And she meant it. He was in a fitted tuxedo with a green cummerbund that match her dress. She loved the looks that some of the other girls at the prom were given him and knowing that he had chosen to come with her. (He's all mine and I'm gonna make sure that they all know it.) Once Angel had accepted her invitation, Willow's self-confidence went right up. There was something in the knowledge that Angel wanted to be with her on such an important occasion that made her feel great. (Oh yeah. I'm gonna enjoy tonight.) Angel offered her his arm.

 "Shall we join the party?"

 "But of course," she laughed as she put her hand on his arm and allowed him to lead her out to the dance floor. They were quickly joined by Xander and Anya, laughing at Xander's idea of dancing. Angel wasn't as uncomfortable as he used to be with the group, having gotten used to their joking and teasing. He even laughed when the joking was turned back on him. And he knew exactly who to thank for that gift. It was one of the many reasons he fell in love with her. (Tonight. I am definitely telling her tonight how I feel.)

 When the deejay played Madonna's Beautiful Stranger, Willow pulled Anya aside and whispered something in her ear. Both girls gave their dates, what could only be deemed as seductive smiles. Willow slowly danced her way over to Angel moving in a provocative dance that she didn't even know if she could pull off. (Okay, hopefully I don't look like an idiot.) That thought quickly left her mind as she got into the music and the dance. She ran her hands up and down his body, and then hers, not even noticing the effect that it was having on him.

So wrapped up in her dance, she missed the low growl that escaped his throat. He pulled her to him, grabbing her waist, joining her in the seduction. The rest of the room disappeared and, for those brief moments, there was only the two of them. When the song ended, Angel leaned down and brushed his lips lightly against Willow's before pulling back to look at the little witch that had him under her spell.

"That was terrific." Willow looked up at him with love in her eyes.

"That was only the beginning," Angel promised. Willow turned to see Xander still in a daze over his dance with Anya. The two couples decided to go and join Faith and Oz who were sitting at a table by themselves. Both Angel and Xander found that they needed to get something cold to drink so the guys went to get punch for the table, leaving the girls by themselves.

 "Okay, Willow, dish. What is up with you and Angel?" Faith was the first to ask. The little dance that the two of them had just performed had not been missed by her.

"What do you mean?" Willow asked innocently.

 "I mean, what was that dance? I've never seen anything quite so intense." Willow couldn't help but blush. "I mean, it looked like the two of you were ready to do it on the dance floor." Willow's whole body became red at that statement.

 "Well, I mean, was it really that intense? I...well...we are friends after all. And besides Anya was doing the same thing to Xander," Willow said, trying to draw attention from her and Angel.

"Yeah right, you're just friends and I'm the Easter Bunny," quipped the slayer. "And Anya and Xander's dance wasn't anywhere near as erotic as your's and Angel's. Come on, you can tell us, you've got major feelings for that man don't you?"

"Well, I mean, yeah there are feelings there. I mean he's Angel." (Oh Goddess, why can't I just admit how I feel for him.)(Because you don't want to get hurt if he doesn't feel the same way. He had Buffy, why would he want you?) Willow's self-doubts began to resurface and she decided to get rid of those doubts right now. (Yeah, well, Buffy's gone and I'm here. With Angel. And he likes spending time with me. He told me so.) Her internal debate was stopped when Faith continued to ask her questions.

"And all you want, is to be his friend?" Faith asked doubtfully. Willow could tell that no matter what she said, Faith wouldn't believe her, so she decided that she might as well tell the truth.

 "Yes, I want to be his friend," Willow continued, "but, okay, I'd like for it to be more."

Faith smiled victoriously, "Well if what I saw on his face was any indication, I would say that he's got the same thought going through his head." Willow looked up at that. (Really? Okay, gotta remember to breathe now. Gotta find out what Faith meant by that.) Before she could say anything though, Harmony and her sheep came over to the table.

"Well, well, well. Look at what we have here. This must be the dweeb table," Harmony sniped. Her followers giggled behind her.

 "No that would be the one over there I believe," Faith said innocently, pointing over to where Harmony and her friends' dates were all sitting. Harmony missed the humor, while Anya and Willow couldn't stifle their laughs.

"So, loser," Harmony looked at Willow, "you actually showed up. But I don't see a date with you. What couldn't find anyone that you could pay to bring you?"

Willow refused to let Harmony bother her, not tonight. She was on too much of a high. "I have a date Harmony," Willow replied sweetly. "Best looking guy here too. And I didn't have to pay him anything. He wants to be here with me."

"Why do I find that so hard to believe," Harmony replied and then Willow saw her eyes practically pop out of her head at the same time that Willow felt two strong hands on her shoulders. She looked up to see Angel over her.

"Hey there. Miss me?" he asked, his eyes never leaving hers. She grabbed his hands in hers.

 "Oh course, my love," she replied for the benefit of Harmony, hoping that Angel would play along. Angel understood exactly what Willow was doing. He hadn't missed the exchange between the two girls and decided that he wanted to have a little fun with the people who dared to make fun of his Willow. (Besides, it'll give me a great excuse for getting closer to Willow.) With that thought, he smiled before bending down and giving her a kiss. He hadn't meant for it to be much more than a light kiss, but as soon as their lips touched for a second time that night, it grew into something much more passionate. Both participants felt as if an electric shock went through them. All the emotions that both had been feeling, but not expressing, came out in that one moment. Willow found herself turning into him, wrapping her arms around his neck, allowing her fingers to run through his hair. (Goddess, help me. This is what I've been waiting for. Please let this mean something to him.)

(Oh man, this is amazing. I can't believe I'm finally kissing her. Please tell me that this is what she really wants.)

They reluctantly had to part in order to catch their breathes, not bothering to notice the glances that were being exchanged between the other two couples at the table. Harmony just looked on in disbelief at Willow and the man that just kissed her.

 "You're the loser's date?" Harmony couldn't believe it. She had seen this guy at the Bronze and had tried hitting on him many times over the past two years to no success. And he was here with the nerd.

 "No, I'm Willow's date," Angel said proudly. "Now if you'll excuse me, I believe they are playing our song." Harmony's nasty retort was lost on the pair as Angel grabbed Willow's hand and brought her to the dance floor, wrapping his arms around her as they danced to Shania Twain's Still The One. Neither said anything to the other. They just looked deep into each other's eyes, both still reeling from the effects of the kiss that they just shared. Willow leaned into Angel's chest, enjoying the feeling of his heartbeat next to her ear. He rested his chin on the top of her head, realizing again how perfectly they fit together. (I'm not sure how or why, but I love this girl.)

 (Goddess help me, but I'm in love with him.)

 As the song ended, they reluctantly drew apart, but both refused to give up their hold on the other. Angel bent down again to give Willow another kiss, and like before, it deepened into something neither person could believe possible. They felt complete. When they finally broke apart, Willow leaned back into Angel, holding him. He realized that the time had come to finally tell her how he felt.

 "I love you Willow," he whispered into her hair. She looked up at him, her head still on his chest. She saw his love in his eyes and knew that he meant it. The only thing left was for her to return the favor.

"I love you too Angel," she said. He gave her another soft kiss, before taking her hand and leading Willow back to the table where their friends were sitting, both people knowing that no matter what happened, they would see it though together.
 
 

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