Rating: NC-17
Distribution: who ever wants it
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Joss owns everything. Joss is god. I just like to borrow the characters and make them do my bidding. Tee Hee hee.
Summery: Willow learn to fight(finally)with a little help from a friend, then fate steps in(again).
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The thick fog distorted her vision making the mansion appear ghostly in the distance. Willow fingered the strap of her backpack nervously. Even though the vampires rarely enter Angel’s territory, she ways highly aware of the bottle of holy water and the cross in her coat pockets. She hoped Angel was a t home she didn’t want to have to search Sunnydale for him and there was always that annoying little habit of his to make him self disappear.
She shook her head in disgust. Stupid, vanishing, undead dork. This was important and his vampire-like tendencies wouldn’t stop her. It had been nearly 3 months since he had returned to hell. Faith had betrayed them and Graduation day was fast approaching. Buffy had told her that Angel was back at full strength and back to normal, or at least as normal as Angel could be. She had gone to see him as much as she could but he had always seemed distant and had looked at her with guilt-ridden eyes that made her want to cry.
She knew that he blamed him self for Angelus’ actions, and assumed that she hated him. But she didn’t hate him she knew it wasn’t Angel who had threatened her life and the lives of her friends.
“Kind of like a wolf in Angel clothing.” She thought, and giggled at the very idea.
Willow paused at the entrance gathering her bravery. Angel had never failed to make her nervous. Steeling herself she knocked on the door. Harder than she had intended, she winced as the hollow booming sound resounded throughout the mansion.
“Real smooth Wills.” she muttered.
She waited a few moments then sighed. He isn’t home I guess I’ll leave him a note or something. Willow walked around the building to the back entrance, which Angel had obviously not fixed yet. Since Buffy had thrown Faith through it.
“Skanky hoe,” Willow thought. “The stupid bitch deserved it. But still you’d think that he would’ve fixed it by now. Oh well. Who am I to question the actions of the always enigmatic, mysterious Angel? Maybe it’s a vampire thing. Like refusing to shave your legs or something.”
She walked through the broken entrance. The fire in Angel’s fireplace was still going.
“I must’ve have just missed him. Maybe he’s out patrolling. I’m not going to wait around till dawn for him!…… arrrgghhh!!!!! How come when I need him about something he’s never around! But if Angel happens to need my help he just waltz’s by my house at some ungodly hour! Men! Even undead one’s are a pain. Oz has his band and his little wolf problem and Xander? Well Xander is just Xander, and that in it self is enough to drive a girl to drink. And Angel with that annoying appearing and disappearing thing he oh loves to do… I swear if he sneaks up on me like that one more time I’ll snap. And he will pay. And pay, and pay, and pay. There will be no end to the payments. He’ll pay for the rest of my life if he has to.”
Muttering about the inconsistencies of the male gender (both living and undead), She sat by the burning embers and took a piece of paper and a pen.
Angel,
Hi! It’s Willow! How are you? I’m fine. I’m sorry about bothering you but I need to talk to you. It’s nothing of world threatening hellmouth like importance. It’s just that I need to ask you something, it’s important to me. Thanks.
Willow
P.S. Don’t tell Buffy about this please. I’d die if she found out like this.
Willow folded the paper and carefully set it on the rough hearth stone. Dusting off her hands she stood up and gathered her belongings. She started to back out of the room looking around to see if she had disturbed any of Angels’ belongings. She turned to leave and walked right into large male chest.
“Hey Willow.” A deep voice rasped.
“Aaaahhhh!!!! Angel!? Why the hell do you always do that!” She shoved him, and of course he had to be an ass and not even sway an inch. All he did was stare down at he, amusement flickering in his dark eyes and a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. This only served to fuel the angry flames that were brewing in Willow. She could just tell he did it purposely to give her a scare. Lurking little sneak. She gave him the best-disgusted look she could muster. But secretly she was ecstatic over the fact that he still had the capacity to smile even a little bit. Angel’s amused look faded and was replaced by the broody seriousness that had been his trademark for as long as she had known him.
“Is something wrong Willow? Is everything all right? Where’s Buffy?” He asked intensely.
“Oh nothing. Nothing’s wrong. Buffy fine, fine. Couldn’t be better….”
Willow began to remember why she was there in the first place. And in classic Willow fashion her nervous dread was causing a flood of trivial babble to come spewing out of her mouth. Angel patiently listened to the tirade. Only staring at her with those deep chocolate eyes. Captivated by them Willow kept digging herself a bottomless pit from which there was no escape. And when her oxygen supply finally gave out she just kind of stared at him in innocent vacant stupidity. The flicker of amusement danced in Angels’ eyes and for the first time in a very long time he started to laugh. A deep smooth chuckle erupted from his lips. Willow immediately felt like an idiot but at the same time the chuckle was turning her insides to a kind of warm goo.
“Good Goddess and everything sacred! Why is he so damn sexy! There should be some law against it. Or better yet a law that says he has to go around shirtless all the time, even better……..”
Willow continued exploring the possibilities, the endless, boundless expanse of potential stemming from Angel, the absence of certain articles of clothing, and oddly handcuffs came into the equation…. The possibilities indeed! While all of this was running Willow’s head, Angel, who had long since stopped chuckling, was staring at Willow, who was staring off onto space with an interesting smirk spreading across her face. With an eyebrow raised questioningly he quietly cleared his throat, in the hopes of bringing her attention back to the situation at hand. Willow head jerked back to his face.
“My isn’t it suddenly very warm in here….. Oh god! Was I just thinking about Angel?! Buffy’s’ Angel?! My best friends reason for living!? Augh! I see lots of therapy bills in my future. Why is he looking at my like that?! Why do I suddenly feel naked?”
* * *
I watched her in amused silence, while Willow turned several interesting shades red and purple. Then shrugged and figured if I hadn’t been able to discern the female mind in 250 years I never would.
* * *
Willow didn’t reply. Steeling herself she whirled away from him and stalked silently back into the living room, went to the fireplace and threw the note she had written into the flames. She sat on the large black leather couch, in front of the fire and stared into the flames collecting her self. Angel sat next to her and gazed at her curiously. She took a deep breath and looked him straight in the eye.
“I have something I want to ask you,” she said seriously. “ It’s all right if you say no. I’ll just go home and we can forget I was ever here.”
He nodded slowly. All previous mirth forgotten. “What a pity,” Willow thought. “He’s so cute when he’s happy.”
“I want to learn how to fight Angel,” she said simply. “I’ve been thinking about this since that whole thing the vampire me. I’m sick of hiding behind everyone else when things get messy. My Wicca skills aren’t that strong so they aren’t much defense and well…. it’s just something that I think I would’ve had to learn eventually. Right? ”
Willow held her breath waiting for his answer.
“ Wow, Willow. I’m not saying no mind, I’ve always thought you should learn. But why not ask Giles? He seems like the obvious choice here.” He ran his fingers through his sable hair in thought.
“He’s a wreck as it is. He has Buffy to train, and the whole Hellmouth to worry about. Faith’s betrayal. The loose of his job. And not to mention Wesley, the anti-Watcher, for an added headache He doesn’t have time to worry about training me too. I’m surprised he hasn’t snapped already.” Willow explained.
Angel gazed at her for a moment then stood and walked to the fire. Staring intensely into the blaze lost in thought.
The thick fog distorted her vision making the mansion appear ghostly in the distance. Willow fingered the strap of her backpack nervously. Even though the vampires rarely enter Angel’s territory, she ways highly aware of the bottle of holy water and the cross in her coat pockets. She hoped Angel was a t home she didn’t want to have to search Sunnydale for him and there was always that annoying little habit of his to make him self disappear. She shook her head in disgust. Stupid, vanishing, undead dork. This was important and his vampire-like tendencies wouldn’t stop her. It had been nearly 3 months since he had returned to hell. Faith had betrayed them and Graduation day was fast approaching. Buffy had told her that Angel was back at full strength and back to normal, or at least as normal as Angel could be. She had gone to see him as much as she could but he had always seemed distant and had looked at her with guilt-ridden eyes that made her want to cry. She knew that he blamed him self for Angelus’ actions, and assumed that she hated him. But she didn’t hate him she knew it wasn’t Angel who had threatened her life and the lives of her friends.
“Kind of like a wolf in Angel clothing.” She thought, and giggled at the very idea.
Willow paused at the entrance gathering her bravery. Angel had never failed to make her nervous. Steeling herself she knocked on the door. Harder than she had intended, she winced as the hollow booming sound resounded throughout the mansion.
“Real smooth Wills.” she muttered.
She waited a few moments then sighed. He isn’t home I guess I’ll leave him a note or something. Willow walked around the building to the back entrance, which Angel had obviously not fixed yet. Since Buffy had thrown Faith through it.
“Skanky hoe,” Willow thought. “The stupid bitch deserved it. But still you’d think that he would’ve fixed it by now. Oh well. Who am I to question the actions of the always enigmatic, mysterious Angel? Maybe it’s a vampire thing. Like refusing to shave your legs or something.”
She walked through the broken entrance. The fire in Angel’s fireplace was still going.
“I must’ve have just missed him. Maybe he’s out patrolling. I’m not going to wait around till dawn for him!…… arrrgghhh!!!!! How come when I need him about something he’s never around! But if Angel happens to need my help he just waltz’s by my house at some ungodly hour! Men! Even undead one’s are a pain. Oz has his band and his little wolf problem and Xander? Well Xander is just Xander, and that in it self is enough to drive a girl to drink. And Angel with that annoying appearing and disappearing thing he oh loves to do… I swear if he sneaks up on me like that one more time I’ll snap. And he will pay. And pay, and pay, and pay. There will be no end to the payments. He’ll pay for the rest of my life if he has to.”
Muttering about the inconsistencies of the male gender (both living and undead), She sat by the burning embers and took a piece of paper and a pen.
Angel,
Hi! It’s Willow! How are you? I’m fine. I’m sorry about bothering you but I need to talk to you. It’s nothing of world threatening hellmouth like importance. It’s just that I need to ask you something, it’s important to me. Thanks.
Willow
P.S. Don’t tell Buffy about this please. I’d die if she found out like this.
Willow folded the paper and carefully set it on the rough hearth stone. Dusting off her hands she stood up and gathered her belongings. She started to back out of the room looking around to see if she had disturbed any of Angels’ belongings. She turned to leave and walked right into large male chest.
“Hey Willow.” A deep voice rasped.
“Aaaahhhh!!!! Angel!? Why the hell do you always do that!” She shoved him, and of course he had to be an ass and not even sway an inch. All he did was stare down at he, amusement flickering in his dark eyes and a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. This only served to fuel the angry flames that were brewing in Willow. She could just tell he did it purposely to give her a scare. Lurking little sneak. She gave him the best-disgusted look she could muster. But secretly she was ecstatic over the fact that he still had the capacity to smile even a little bit. Angel’s amused look faded and was replaced by the broody seriousness that had been his trademark for as long as she had known him.
“Is something wrong Willow? Is everything all right? Where’s Buffy?” He asked intensely.
“Oh nothing. Nothing’s wrong. Buffy fine, fine. Couldn’t be better….”
Willow began to remember why she was there in the first place. And in classic Willow fashion her nervous dread was causing a flood of trivial babble to come spewing out of her mouth. Angel patiently listened to the tirade. Only staring at her with those deep chocolate eyes. Captivated by them Willow kept digging herself a bottomless pit from which there was no escape. And when her oxygen supply finally gave out she just kind of stared at him in innocent vacant stupidity. The flicker of amusement danced in Angels’ eyes and for the first time in a very long time he started to laugh. A deep smooth chuckle erupted from his lips. Willow immediately felt like an idiot but at the same time the chuckle was turning her insides to a kind of warm goo.
“Good Goddess and everything sacred! Why is he so damn sexy! There should be some law against it. Or better yet a law that says he has to go around shirtless all the time, even better……..”
Willow continued exploring the possibilities, the endless, boundless expanse of potential stemming from Angel, the absence of certain articles of clothing, and oddly handcuffs came into the equation…. The possibilities indeed! While all of this was running Willow’s head, Angel, who had long since stopped chuckling, was staring at Willow, who was staring off onto space with an interesting smirk spreading across her face. With an eyebrow raised questioningly he quietly cleared his throat, in the hopes of bringing her attention back to the situation at hand. Willow head jerked back to his face.
“My isn’t it suddenly very warm in here….. Oh god! Was I just thinking about Angel?! Buffys’ Angel?! My best friends reason for living!? Augh! I see lots of therapy bills in my future. Why is he looking at my like that?! Why do I suddenly feel naked?”
* * *
I watched her in amused silence, while Willow turned several interesting shades red and purple. Then shrugged and figured if I hadn’t been able to discern the female mind in 250 years I never would.
* * *
Willow didn’t reply. Steeling herself she whirled away from him and stalked silently back into the living room, went to the fireplace and threw the note she had written into the flames. She sat on the large black leather couch, in front of the fire and stared into the flames collecting her self. Angel sat next to her and gazed at her curiously. She took a deep breath and looked him straight in the eye.
“I have something I want to ask you,” she said seriously. “ It’s all right if you say no. I’ll just go home and we can forget I was ever here.”
He nodded slowly. All previous mirth forgotten. “What a pity,” Willow thought. “He’s so cute when he’s happy.”
“I want to learn how to fight Angel,” she said simply. “I’ve been thinking about this since that whole thing the vampire me. I’m sick of hiding behind everyone else when things get messy. My Wicca skills aren’t that strong so they aren’t much defense and well…. it’s just something that I think I would’ve had to learn eventually. Right? ”
Willow held her breath waiting for his answer.
“ Wow, Willow. I’m not saying no mind, I’ve always thought you should learn. But why not ask Giles? He seems like the obvious choice here.” He ran his fingers through his sable hair in thought.
“He’s a wreck as it is. He has Buffy to train, and the whole Hellmouth to worry about. Faith’s betrayal. The loose of his job. And not to mention Wesley, the anti-Watcher, for an added headache He doesn’t have time to worry about training me too. I’m surprised he hasn’t snapped already.” Willow explained.
Angel gazed at her for a moment then stood and walked to the fire. Staring intensely into the blaze lost in thought.
End Part 1
From the journal of Angeleus Kerian O’Connel
I left my vigil at the fire and soundlessly sat next to Willow again. With my hands pressed together as if in prayer I continued to gaze into the blaze. This was not a decision of which I took lightly. If Willow learned to fight, she would be exposed to an even greater amount danger than she was already. She was so small the thought of her ever throwing a punch seemed almost comical. In a heavy fight neither Buffy nor I would be able to protect her at all times should she failed to hold her own. On the other hand Buffy and I couldn’t always be there to protect her. Holy water and crucifixes only worked on vampires and there were creatures worse than they hunting the streets of Sunnydale. And on those instances when she when she walks alone I make it a habit to see she get there safely. I shudder to think of those nights on which I have been unable to do that and the fear I felt. Those nights I went to her house, no matter how soon the sun was to rise, to make sure she was securely in h er bed. Willow had been lucky so far and that luck could run out at anytime. The thought of finding her broken bloodied body lying in the street tore at my soul. She would have to learn and take on all of the dangers and risks we all did, even that idiot Xander and perhaps Cordelia. Though Xander was the one who usually got hurt while Cordelia is smart enough to get out of the way. The moron is always looking for trouble and I would love to give it him. The boy makes my fangs itch. I fantasize daily about beating him into insensibility. I can only take some much of that nitwit. One day he’ll push me too far and I don’t think that even Buffy will be able to stop me from rearranging his vital organs into a very intricate knot. But I digress. I felt I owed her something. I didn’t know what. This was the girl who had always trusted me and never gave up on me. I didn’t even have that kind of friendship and loyalty from Buffy a.k.a. “The Love of my Afterlife”. Although that has been nothing but trouble from the b eginning. A sordid and painful love that has hurt everyone I care for. I shall always love Buffy but it is evident we shall never be happy together. But again I digress.
Slowly I turned to the diminutive girl sitting next to me. She sat rigidly upright on the couch; her emerald eyes were wide in expectant dread. And she was gnawing on her lower lip in anxiousness. If the moment weren’t so consequential I would have laughed again. I realized that Willow was one of the few people I knew who could make me laugh. Those couple of times I went to her house for help was so humorous they brighten my mood on my broodiest days. “Angel, I’m not supposed to have boys in my room.”
Willow gave me a bewildered look. I realized I’d been scrutinizing at her in thought.
“All right I’ll train you. This isn’t going to be easy Willow; I want you to know that before we begin. You’re not the slayer. It won’t come as easily to you as it has to Buffy.”
Willows face erupted into a smile that was like the sun coming up. I was beginning to believe that the sun rose and set in those eyes. She nodded excitedly.
“Speaking of Buffy,” I said.” Do you want to tell her about this? And Oz for that matter too. I don’t think they’d be too pleased with you wanting to put your self in danger like this.”
Her enthusiasm abated slightly and her eyebrows furrowed adorably in
thought and an obscure pain arose. I really wonder what she ever saw in that waste of humanity know as Xander. Why fall for someone with a room temperature I.Q.? Oz was a very lucky man.
“No…… not yet at least. That would be just one more headache to deal with. Let’s wait until I’m proficient enough so that they won’t be able to argue about it. Then I’ll take whatever heat they want to throw at us. Buffy is probably going to be seriously pissed with the two of us but I’ll tell her I made you do it. And Oz?…….” Her voice quavered slightly.
I could hear a deep pain there. She turned to the fire and stared for a moment then closed her eyes, holding back tears.
“What about Oz?”
“He… Oz…. Dumped me for a groupie he met while the band was playing in LA last week.” She sniffed and dashed her tears away with an angry hand. “Its stupid really, I shouldn’t care.
I had a sudden urge to got out find the boy and break his legs or at least leave him with a severe limp and some head trauma. How dare he hurt Willow like that! I reached out and laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. I expected her wave of grief to pass like it usually did. She almost never showed her real feelings out front. But held them in. When she’s older she’ll learn that letting out anger can make you feel immeasurably good, she’ll be a force to reckon with. What I didn’t expect was for her to throw her self into my arms and explode into a fit of sobbing. Touched is a definitely understatement for what that gesture meant to me. Willow trusted me enough to comfort her at such a vulnerable moment. The only thing that prevented me from finding the little bastard who had dared hurt this wonderful girl and then doing some fairly permanent things to him was the need this small girl in my arms had for me. She needed me, as Buffy never needed me. She would never show a moment of weakn ess to me and let me take care of her even for a moment. I would stay there for Willow till the end of time if she so needed.
* * *
Willow couldn’t help it. The moment that Angel’s hand touched her, her composure broke. She felt he understood. Love had betrayed him too. Perhaps Oz hadn’t sent her to hell literally but that’s what it felt like. Angel had always been a solid fixture in her life. Her parents were gone for most of the time, Buffy’s slayer duties kept her away and her leave of absence that summer had change the relationship, and Xander was his usual self absorbed self. Angel and perhaps Giles were the only ones she could continually count on. The time when Angel was gone was among the most painful. When she walked alone at night she always sensed that he was near watching over her, and with his departure she felt utterly exposed. Angel would never tell her “No Will, sorry I’m too busy.” Oz had broken her heart, most likely it was in revenge for her infidelity with Xander. “ Yuck, what was I thinking?!”
Slowly her torrents of weeping passed. And as hard as it was to do she reluctantly left the safe security of Angel’s arms. There was a lovely wet spot on his shoulder and a growing sense of humiliation rising out of Willow. She had never broken down in front of someone like that. No one.
“Oh Angel,” She sniffed. “Your shirt. It’s all wet. I’m sorry I shouldn’t have…”
“Forget it. The sacrifice of one shirt for your sake is a worthy one…. Besides I have drawers infested with ones identical to this one. So no harm has been done.”
He kept his arm around her small shoulders. Enjoying the feel of being needed so. She laughed weakly and began to wipe her eyes. Angel removed a handkerchief from his pocket and wordlessly handed it to her.
She looked at it in confusion. Why soil such a nice piece of cloth with something so…yuck? She began to giggle.
“I think I’ll get a tissue out of the bathroom. I don’t want to get your pretty napkin all dirty.”
She rose and started to leave the room. Then realizing she had no idea where it was turned rather sheepishly to Angel.
“Down the main hall way, last door on your left. You can’t miss it.” He said with a chuckle.
She laughed again and went down the hall leaving Angel on the couch.
“Oh boy,” he said covering his face with his hands. ”This is going to be interesting. I just start to get over Buffy and almost immediately I get put into this situation.”
End Part Two
I know it hasn’t gotten juicy yet. Sue me, I’m a hopeless romantic. Give me a little time to work up to it.
End Part 2
The next morning Willow walked toward Angels’ place from school. Buffy and Xander Had both offer to walk her but she had refused say she was a big girl now and could walk herself home thank you very much.
The night before after her little outburst in front of Angel she had tried to get out of there as fast as she humanly could. After she made a failed attempt to cover the traces of he weeping, she had even considered climbing out of the bathroom window but upon closer inspection she found that the window had been sealed with bricks. Stupid sun allergic vampires. Their little eccentricities were always preventing her from avoiding embarrassing situations. She shook her head in disgust, scraped up a few shreds of her composure, and squared her shoulders and walked out back into the main room. Angel seemed to not have moved from the couch. She told him that she simply had to get home immediately, that her parents would worry (yeah right), that she had homework to do, she had to feed her new fish etc. etc. She came up with almost any excuse she could. Anything to get her out of there as fast as possible. All Angel did was sit there and patiently gaze at her with those deep fathomless chocolate eyes of his. This of course didn’t help her concentration at all and once again she went into that breathless stare, lost in his face. Laughing again he said he would walk her home. Willow lacked the neither strength nor desire to refuse his offer. They planned to meet everyday after school unless an event of hellmouth-like proportions arose. Willow promised to call if events prevented her from coming.
“Oh, one more thing Willow,” He had said as she was about to enter her home.” I don’t care what time it is or where you are. If you ever have to walk home alone I want you to call me and I’ll be there for you. No problem. Okay?”
Willow smiled at the memory of the previous night. No one had ever been that concerned for her welfare like that. The very fact that it was Angel left a tingly feeling in her. It was still daylight her walk to Angels’ wouldn’t be likely to have any immediate danger, Unless of course Buffy was to go on one of her impromptu visits to Angels’. That would be a very bad thing… cataclysmic even. Willow would have to fathom a lie at warp speed and pray that Buffy bought it and is she didn’t….. Well Willow could just hear the mansion walls crashing down around her ears. She and Angel would have to work out a system of lies just in case.
The sun had set by the time she reached her destination. She walked into the mansion through the back entrance again. Still broken. It was silent inside and there was no fire in the hearth. The furniture had been moved aside and there was an exercise mat placed on the floor.
“Angel?” she called into the house. The echo of her voice seemed to reverberate throughout the house.
She waited a moment waiting for Angel to make an entrance. He knew she was coming tonight. So where was he? Cautiously she dropped her bags down by the door and entered. Something wasn’t right here. Suddenly Willow heard a loud growl behind her. Two strong hands grabbed her waist from behind and wrenched he backward. A cool breath chilled her neck.
“Lesson number one,” A male voice rumbled. ”Always be ready for an attack from behind. Number two a vampire is a master at blending in with the shadows. You’ll have to use your ears more than your eyes from now on.”
However it wasn’t discernible as to if Willow heard any of this. A sort of catatonic stupor had taken over her and all she all she could manage were small whimpers and an occasional body twitch going through her rigid body.
* * *
“Whoops. Perhaps this wasn’t the best way to introduce her to the world of battling the minions of darkness.” I thought as I led her still inflexible body to the mat and forced her into a sitting position. I crouched down in front of her. Her eyes were as big as saucers. Finally her eyes which had been staring off into space settled on me. I could just see that later when I was alone I’d laugh till it killed me, again. But now wasn’t the time.
“You… You…” She stammered.
“Willow I am soooo sorry,” I apologized. “I didn’t think I’d scare you so bad. Honestly.”
After several minutes of inarticulate babble Willow snapped out of it. Her fear induced shock turned into a fiery rage. She shoved Angels’ knee’s making him fall onto his back. Then straddling his chest she let him have it.
“What the hell was that!? You really have no idea how sick I am of you doing that to me!”
Angel was feeling just a little bit uncomfortable in this position. Willow really had no idea what she was doing to him. “Uh. Willow?”
“No! Shut up! I don’t want to hear it. You think Buffy’s a tough bitch you have yet to see me in action! I’m going to make you pay for the rest of my life and you’re going to like it too!”
“Willow!”
“What.”
Angel gave her a plaintiff look and then look down to where her hips met his chest. Slow realization dawned on Willow and her face became an unnatural shade of purple. Gingerly, as if not to break anything, she crept backward off of his chest, down his legs and crouched at his feet. Angel raised himself up on his elbows and gave her a peculiar.
“Oh god. Angel….. I am so sorry.”
Still giving her “the look” he continued to look at her. “It’s alright Willow. It was my fault.” He said vaguely. “I’ll be right back.”
Willow watched from her spot on the mat as Angel left the room.
“Oh god what am I getting my self into.” She groaned and buried her face into her hands.
Part 4
From the Journal of Angelus Kerian O’Connel
I simply had to leave the room. If I had stayed in that room with her after that I would of probably done things that were maybe unwanted, most likely perverted and definitely ungentlemanly to this small girl. I entered my room and collapsed on the bed trying to clear the images of Willow from my head. Having her in that position with me had evoked some feelings that I had never experienced, even with Buffy. Most likely because, with her, I was forced to suppress my true nature. Not that I wanted something kinky or anything it was just that I couldn’t relax around her. She could never accept this part of me as much as I too detest it, it is still me. Willow at least was curious about those small things which make me what I am. Even if her questions were silly and nieve("Angel, how do you shave?") I value them. Buffy was always watchful for any signs of my suddenly turning on her. Ever ready for battle and that and that could make any vampire (souled or otherwise) a little neurotic. Having a girl friend with the capacity to kill you at a given moment, not so much fun.
I’m beginning to realize that training Willow is going to be more of a challenge than I had thought.
* * *
After quite some time Angel returned to the room . Willow was still sitting in the same position on the exercise mat. Staring into space, deep n thought. Being sure to make enough noise to make his presence know to her he approached.
"Sorry Willow I realized that I hadn’t yet feed today and…"
Her head snapped up, "Sure, Angel. I understand." She said a little too quickly, but Angel dismissed it.
"Shall we?"
"What?!" She panicked.
"Start your training. What did you think I meant?"
"Oh nothing. Nothing at all." Willow really did not want to get into what was running through her mind. He face was betraying her however, turning that tattle-tail shade of red.
"Well then lets get started then. At first I thin we should work on your endurance and muscle strength. If you want to stand a chance out there it’s going to take a lot of work. >From now on I want you to start running. Try running with Buffy. Tell her you want to get in shape or something like that. She won’t be too suspicious of that." Willow nodded her head.
And so began Willow’s sojourn into the martial arts. During day light hours she continued to excel in her studies and participated with Buffy in small parts of her training(as to not arouse suspicion) and at night she learned from Angel. And for brief periods of time he dropped his "I’m a guilt ridden creature of the night" act. He began to open up. Many times after training they would just sit in the "garden" and talk. At first about little things but soon Angel was talking about his childhood in Ireland. His time as Angelus however remained a taboo topic and was never broached. Willow ran, she lifted weights, she drilled techniques, and became at least mildly familiar with many of the weapons that Buffy was, her best weapon however was the quarter staff. With a sharpened end it could used as a stake and was long enough to keep a vampire at bay. Angel became genuinely impressed with Willow’s dedication and persistence, proud even. Her progress was almost super natural in Angels’ mind if he didn’t know bett er he would’ve mistaken her for a slayer. Within two months he felt comfortable taking her out for some field experience that and he was tired of her kicking his ass around the mansion. Not that he would ever admit that cause you know that wouldn’t be manly. Willow promised to save his pride and never tell anybody, living or dead. The outing was risky for two reasons; 1) of course vampires were dangerous and Willow might come against one she wasn’t able to handle and 2) if Buffy were to stumble upon them the proverbial "shit" would hit the fan. It was 3 weeks before the mayors ascension. Vampire activity was down and in classic Buffy fashion she was at the Bronze but had promised to do a sweep later on that night.
"Angel? Are you sure about this?" Willow asked in a scared whisper as they made their way toward the cemetery. " I don’t think I’m ready for this yet. Couldn’t I just beat up the punching bag for a while?"
"No Willow you can’t. You beat the stuffing’s out of the bag last night and then moved on to beating me. You’ve been tip toeing around this for over a week. You’re more than ready. And my ribs can’t take much more. I’ll be right here if you get into in over your head. Don’t worry. Just think about the moves and you’ll be fine." He said. He laid an encouraging hand on her shoulder and gave her a quick hug.
She nodded and looked toward the grave stones with a new found courage. She fingered her stake and stared forward. Angel followed feeling almost sorry for any vampires that crossed their path tonight. He heard a low growl behind them. Turning quickly he found himself being tackled to the ground by a very large male vamp. He felt white hot pain in his abdomen. The vampire had had a knife hidden in his sleeve. Willow gasped seeing the dark handle of the blade protruding from Angel’s stomach. Be for Angel could get his bearings Willow’s hand snaked its way around the vampires’ neck and threw him off easily. The vampire went flying and hit a grave stone. Angel stared in shock. This was not natural! That was a trick that even the slayer had trouble with. No mortal had that kind of strength! Even Willow stared in amazement at what she had just done. "Did I just do that?!"
The vampire, crouched on the ground, looked at the girl in anger. He snarled again and launched himself at the small girl.
"Willow!" Angel cried struggling to stand.
Willow head jerked up and just in time she delivered a roundhouse kick to her opponents head sending him spinning to the earth. Quickly she took the stake and finished him off. Almost before the ashes settled to the ground she was at Angels side.
"Oh my god Angel are you all right?!" she cried. Angels shirt was now soaked in blood.
"I’ll be fine. I should have been more careful. Stupid mistake…. Willow how did you do that?" He asked, his teeth clenched in pain.
" I have no idea. But we can talk about this later! You have a knife in you!"
He nodded. "Help me take it out."
Willow grimaced. She gingerly wrapped her hand over the knife and Angel put his hand over hers. Together they slowly took the knife out of his side. Angel hissed in pain and Willow threw the blade away in the bushes.
"Come on. We’ve gotta get you inside now." Willow said helping Angel to his feet.
Angel grunted in agony. Leaning on Willow they made their way out of the cemetery and back to the mansion without incident. Despite the pain Angel enjoyed the feeling of holding Willow so. But foremost on his mind was the fact that Willow was showing skill for which, though he wished he could, could not take credit for. Willow’s strength was uncanny and he didn’t know how to explain it. There was no way around it, they would have to see Giles and find out. But not tonight. Angel had other plans.
It had begun to rain heavily as the pair made it back to the mansion. The fire was still burning in the fireplace. Angels’ bleeding had not stopped , and he was leaning heavily on Willow he staggered into the living room and collapsed to the smooth leather couch with a groan of pain. Willow kneeled next to him wiping the rain from her eye’s.
“Angel? Where’s the first aid kit? You probably need blood too don’t you, you lost so much.” She asked frantically.
Angel attempted to speak but promptly past out.
“Shit.” Willow darted towards the bathroom in search of the kit. Opening the cabinets she found a multitude gauze, tourniquets, medical tape and other materials. Scooping up all that she could she into the kitchen, in the fridge she found the tupperware container filled with blood. Supplies in hand she sped back to Angels’ side. Opening his leather jacket she found that the white shirt he wore beneath was soaked in blood. If the situation were different she would’ve enjoyed ripping Angel’s shirt off immensely but alas it was not the time or place. Willow took a deep breath and grasped the bottom of the shirt and proceeded to rip it upwards. Angel stirred slightly but didn’t wake. The wound was awful, Angels’ perfect abdomen was a mess of blood and gore.
“Oh god, Angel….” She whimpered for him. Quickly she dressed the wound in the gauze. “Oh right you need the blood don’t you.”
She maneuvered Angel gently and sat behind in on the couch so his shoulders and head rested on her lap. Willow carefully took the lid of the container and took Angels’ head into her arms. She brought the blood up to his lips so he could catch the sent of the blood. He growled in hunger and Willow could faintly see his game face ridges rising from his face. But still he remained in unconscious throughout the entire feeding. By the time Willow lifted the container from Angel’s lips it appeared that his bleeding had stopped. He was breathing easier and was now comfortably snuggled against her stomach. Unfortunately however he remained asleep and Willow found herself effectively but not unpleasantly pinned.
“Slick Willow, now what are you going to do?” She muttered to herself. She didn’t want to disturb him or further aggravate the wound by forcing Angel to move, but this kind of closeness to him was disconcerting. Ever since that night she when she had attacked him for scaring her this kind of closeness to him evoked feelings in her that she wasn’t prepared to deal with. Oz had never left her feeling like this with his mere presence.
Oz. His leaving still stung her but not so much anymore. Angel was the only one who knew what had really occurred between them Buffy and Xander didn’t even know about the break-up. As far as they knew Oz was on tour and everything was fine. Not that they had ask if everything was fine. So wrapped up in their own lives they had just assumed. Angel had been so good to her through the entire ordeal. He was a good listener and given he was some two hundred odd years of experience on her he knew the working of the male mind well. He had said that men at any age, in any time were morons and they never really grow up. Even two hundred year old vampires? Will had asked. He gave her a look and said that he was just better at hiding his own male idiocy. Angel had said that if she ever wanted, all she would have to do was ask and he’d find Oz, known between the two of them as “the little S.O.B.” and break his legs for her. He’d let her watch the whole thing and she could even kick him if she wanted too. Willow ch uckle softly at the memory, and stroked Angels’ dark hair. He had a dark, understated sense of humor she loved.
Her thought turned to the events of that night. How the hell had she managed to throw that vamp? Adrenaline or no, Buffy couldn’t even have done that. When he had finally come down, the vamp had hit a tombstone that was a good 20 feet away. And she had supported Angel the entire way home in record time, with no trouble.
“What’s happening to me?” She thought, “What else am I capable of?”
Her eye’s fell on a small stone statue standing on the end table, next to the couch. It was about five inches tall. Untangling her fingers from Angels hair, she picked it up and hefted it a few times. Heavy, really heavy. It must’ve been granite or something like that. The statue was of some male warrior type figure. In a war-like pose brandishing a curved sword. Willow glanced at Angels sleeping form.
“Well, if this doesn’t work then I won’t have to apologize for breaking his statue.”
Willow turned her attention back to the object in her hand. She closed hr fingers around it and slowly squeezed. To her amazement it cracked and then burst into rubble and dust in her hands. The smaller pieces escaped her grasp and fell loudly on the surface of the end table. In a daze she shook her hands clean of the of the rest of the ruined statue. She stared into the dying flames of the fireplace and absorbed what had just happened.
“What is happening to me?” she asked aloud. Her voice shook with fear, and unshed tears.
Angel stirred and woke with a loud growl. He threw himself away from her and off the couch ready for action. Ready to kick what ever demon or human butt that was hurting Willow and making her cry. Finding none to slay he turned back to her. She was staring at the dying fire in a daze. Tears ran down her cheeks and glittered in the dim light. Her hand was resting off the side of the couch out of his sight. He kneeled in front of her and took her small face in her hands, trying to bring her back from whatever world she was in.
“Willow? Come on…. Come back to me. What’s wrong? Willow!”
“Angel, what’s happening to me?” she said in a small voice.
Angel was about to question her but the events of that night washed over him. Her took her hands in his.
“Don’t cry Willow. We’ll figure this out. I promise….” He was about to say more but as he squeezed her hands he noticed a gritty feeling. Looking down he saw that her left hand was covered with dust and small pieces of rock. Then he saw the trail of dibrie leading from Willow, over the side of the couch and toward the end table. He leaned over and saw what remained of his statue on the end table.
“What happened to my statue?”
“Oh god, the statue!” Willow cried, “I broke it, I’m so sorry Angel. I didn’t think I’d be able to do it.”
“Wait a minute. You did that?” Angel said cutting through her babbling.
She nodded. “Angel what’s going on? First with that vamp and not this. I can’t be the slayer. Both Buffy and Faith are still alive, so there is no reason for another to be called.”
“I don’t know Willow. But we’re going to see Giles right now. Come on.” He took her hand and rose to his feet, groaning in pain from his wound.
“Angel you are in no condition to be going anywhere. You’ve got to rest. I’ll go alone or we’ll go tomorrow night.” Willow protested.
No, this is too important to put off and I’m not letting you walk around Sunnydale at this hour alone no matter what super powers you suddenly have. Let’s go.” He said tugging her to the door.
The trip to Giles’ apartment was uneventful. When they came to the door, Angel, unaware of the time or just not caring, banged on the door so hard that for a moment Willow thought it would break off its’ hinges. Giles arrived in record time with an amazing case of bed-head and in a superior state of undress. Both Willow and Angel raised an eyebrow. When Giles had finally got his eyes working enough to realize he was sporting only boxers and an open rope. With all of the British dignity and pride he could muster, he prudently closed it. Willow hid a small smile behind her hand.
“Are you at all quite aware of the time?” Giles asked. “The damned hell mouth had better have opened and begun bringing about Armageddon or I’m afraid I shall be very put out.”
Willow was about to profusely apologize and leave at a dead run dragging Angel with her but he spoke first.
“Sorry Giles. It could be helped something strange is happening to Willow and we need your help.” Angel said
“Strange you say? How so?” His interest perked somewhat.
“Can we some in?”
“Oh, ah yes. Sorry.” He stepped back and let them in.
They entered and Giles sat at his desk, rubbing the last of the sleep from his eyes. Wanting his full attention Angel turned on the light on the desk. Willow sat quietly on one of the stools.
“Alright then what happened to make the two of you come over here at this ungodly hour of the morning?”
Angel recounted the events of the night. At the end of the tale he most definitely had Giles’ undivided and very awake attention.
“You through him !?” Giles stared at Willow while she squirmed uncomfortably in her seat.
“Yeah, kinda. Angel might be exaggerating a little bit.” She said in a small voice.
“No I’m not,” Angel said moving toward her. He placed his hand on her shoulders and forced her to look at him. “Buffy can’t even do that and you know it.”
Giles was not listening but rather looked as if he was trying to remember something. A look of shock and wonder came across his face.
“Oh my.” He murmured
“Oh my What?! Oh my What?” Willow exclaimed.
Giles raced to the bookcase and removed a very large text. Willow caught a glimpse of the tittle on the cover.
“The Auguries of Cerridwen? What does that have to do with me?”
Giles and Angel both looked at Willow as if she had changed shape now looked like a chaos demon.
“You read that?” Giles asked in a hushed voice.
“Yes… And?”
“Willow this entire text is written in a very ancient form of Keltic. I believe that only high priestesses were aloud to know it. Have you been studying?”
“No.”
Still somewhat bewildered he went back to the book.
“Willow, do you any sort of birthmark? Perhaps in the shape of a crescent moon.”
Willow was starting to get pretty tired of the twenty questions game.
“Yes Giles I do! Right over my heart if that’s the answer to your next question. It’s been a long night and I have zero tolerance. What is happening to me?!”
“Oh my… oh my oh my oh my.” Giles babbled in awe.
Willow stared contemplating his murder when Angel stepped in.
“Giles! What did you find?” he growled.
“Why this is extraordinary, Angel. Willow, she’s or is going to be a sort of ultimate form of the slayer. Cerridwen is a Keltic goddess, thousands of years ago prophesized that she would choose among mortal souls a being the ultimate weapon against evil. I’ll have to do some research to see what the exact tittle is, but that birthmark makes it official. Willow you are Cerridwen’s chosen. The Watchers Council has been looking for this being for hundreds of years. They had almost given up.” Giles was almost giddy with excitement.
“So she’s a slayer?” Angel asked.
“Yes, but far more powerful. You see the Chosen is said to, after time, posses far greater strength than the slayer not to mention superior physic powers and great magical abilities.”
“You keep saying “after time”, why?” Angel asked.
“That kind of power cannot be just dumped on a person. That kind of power in the hands of someone who has no idea what they are doing can be dangerous. Cerridwen said that they powers would develop over time.” Giles said pouring intently over the book. “ It also mentions something here about a protector. Yes, of course, that makes sense the forces of darkness would try to destroy the chosen during this time of development. hmmm… “An angel of both darkness and light.”
Giles looked at Angel who was gazing at Willow. Giles turned to the young girl and found her in a terrible state. Tears were streaming down her face, and she was trembling visibly.
“No.” She murmured in a tight voice. “ This isn’t fair! It wasn’t fair for Buffy and it isn’t for me! WHY!!” She roared. She glared balefully at the text on Giles’ desk. The book slammed shut and flew across the room and into the wall. The air seemed suddenly charged with power and Willow’s eye’s glowed with a silvery light, in fact her whole body seemed to glow with the same light. The lights began to flicker and spark and a sudden violent breeze went through the room. Then suddenly Willow shuddered in exhaustion and fell to into Angel’s arms. The breeze stopped and the as did the flickering of the lamps.
“Wow.” Angel said in awe.
“I quite agree with you,” Giles replied. “Perhaps you should take her home. I shall try to find out more and shall contact you in the morning. Stay with her Angel, from what I understand that protector is you and there is a great deal more to that position than you would think. A ritual must performed that will connect both you minds and souls, or Willow will never come into her full powers. And neither will you for that matter because you will also take on some of her powers as well.”
Angel nodded silently, lost in his own thoughts. He looked at the small girl in his arms in astonishment, then held her closer and started toward the door. Giles opened it for him and bade him goodnight.
“ Goodnight Giles.” Angel murmured. And walked into the night.
End Part 3
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