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                Part 11

                 Willow had finished her homework about ten minutes ago, but she remained seated at her desk, an
                 amused grin on her face as she watched Angel attempt to master the basics of the internet.  After a
                 particularly violent stream of cursing, she moved to his side and corrected his mistake before closing
                 the browser and shutting down the laptop.

                 "I wouldn't have thought it possible - but your worse than Giles."  Willow laughed as she moved her
                 laptop to the desk.

                 "My talents lie in other directions."  Angel smirked and began to demonstrate his considerable skills as
                 his lips moved over her skin.

                 "I'd have to agree, but you really should move into the computer...ah...age."  Willow began to fumble
                 with the buttons on his shirt as his lips teased her neck.

                 "Thought I'd find you here."  Buffy's icy tone cut through the passion in the room.

                 "Not again!"  Angel's anguished sigh jerked Willow out of her stupor.

                 "Buffy."  Willow spoke her name in an effort to convince herself that this wasn't a nightmare.

                 "No kidding.  I know my name Willow."  Buffy's words dripped with sarcasm.

                 "When did 'bitch' become a part of it?"  Angel asked, putting an arm around Willow's shoulder.

                 "What?"  Buffy's eyes blazed and she took a step towards the bed.  "She starts fucking around with
                 what's mine, and I'm the bitch?"

                 "You and I were wrong Buffy.  Accept that.  We've been finished since you sent me to hell!"  Angel
                 jumped to his feet and placed his body between the Slayer and his lover.

                 "Have we?  I wonder why I had to send you to hell?  Oh yeah, our relationship made you so happy,
                 Angelus came out to play!"  Buffy regretted the words as soon as they left her lips.

                 "I was happy because I thought I loved you - what I feel for Willow shows me that my feelings for you
                 were a pale imitation of the real thing."  Angel's words cut through Buffy's anger.

                 "I want you to go now."  Willow finally spoke, her voice calm despite the emotions churning around
                 inside her.

                 "But I love you!"  Buffy's tone was petulant as she addressed Angel, and he almost expected her to
                 stamp her foot like a child.

                 "Your too self-absorbed to love anyone but yourself.  I believe Willow asked you to go."  Angel held the
                 door for her, and Buffy stomped out without a backward glance.

                 Willow walked over to her closet and pulled out a bag.  She began stuffing it with clothes.

                 "What are you doing?"  Angel asked as he came up behind her.

                 "We're going to your place.  I think we need locks on the door."  Willow answered as she grabbed her
                 laptop.  "You coming?"

                 Angel thought about her question for a split second before he bounded out of her room and down the
                 stairs.
 

               Part 12

                 Willow walked to school in a bit of a daze.  Life with a vampire was exhausting.  Not only the whole
                 nocturnal thing, but the stamina!  Willow blushed as she remembered their night, and she walked right
                 into Xander.

                 "Hey Will!  What you thinking about?"  Xander bounded up the steps towards the school.

                 "Just...er...Angel...and..."

                 "It's okay.  I really don't want to know."  Xander held the door for her in an exaggerated act of chivalry.

                 "Thank you, kind sir."

                 "So, we braving the Library?  Or straight to class?"  Xander asked.

                 "Buffy came to my house last night."  Willow confided, lowering her voice as students began filing past
                 them.

                 "What happened?"

                 "Let's just say it wasn't pretty.  I think I'm gonna attempt to avoid direct confrontation - you know, her
                 being the Slayer and all."  Willow stopped at her locker and sorted through her books.

                 "Good idea.  I find hiding useful in these sorts of situations."  Xander moved towards his own locker.

                 "She's just being..."  Willow stopped as she searched for the correct word.

                 "A bitch?"  Xander supplied, helpfully.

                 "I was gonna say unreasonable - but that'll work too."  Willow suppressed a grin.

                 "So, changing the subject - you looking forward to graduation - and freedom, and no school, and
                 freedom."

                 "I'm sensing a theme - as in 'freedom, yay'?"

                 "That'd be the one, Will.  Closely followed by 'no more Snyder' in second place.  I'm gonna take to the
                 open road while Cordelia tours Europe, pining for me."  Xander stopped outside the classroom.

                 "Like that would ever happen."  Cordelia came up behind him and swatted him on the shoulder.  "Well, if
                 it isn't Sunnydale's own scarlet woman."  Cordelia turned to Willow.

                 "I...erm...I'm..."  Willow struggled for an acceptable rebuke or even just a defence of her character.

                 "Relax, Willow.  Just a joke - you know, I tell, you laugh?"  Cordelia moved into the classroom.
                 "Besides, anything that makes Buffy unhappy, makes me happy."

                 Willow followed Cordelia into the classroom, smiling.  Xander stood outside the door and watched his
                 girlfriend.

                 "That's my girl!"  He called after her.  The sudden entrance of the teacher prevented Cordelia's
                 answering remark reaching his ears, but Willow heard her mutter

                 "In your dreams!"

                 With a smile on her lips Willow gave a silent toast to true love.
 

               Part 13

                 Willow walked back to Angel's apartment slowly, enjoying the afternoon sunshine.  A smile tugged at
                 her lips as she thought about the last few days.  She stopped, surprised, as she realised she had
                 reached the apartment.  Taking out her key she opened the door and climbed the stairs.

                 "Hello."  Angel was waiting behind the door and greeted her with a kiss.  "I was worried about you - I
                 thought you were coming straight home."

                 "I did.  I just walked slowly."  Willow threw her bag onto the couch.

                 "Your a tease, Willow Rosenberg!"  Angel exclaimed, tickling her.

                 "I...am...not!"  Willow punctuated each word with a punch to Angel's shoulder.

                 "Whatever you say."  Angel removed his weight from her small frame.

                 "I say we're going out tonight.  On a proper date."  Willow moved towards the bedroom.

                 "What about between now and sunset?"  Angel asked in a hopeful tone when he saw the direction she
                 was walking in.

                 "I'm gonna have a shower.  What are you gonna do?"  Willow's smile betrayed her innocent tone.

                 "I need a shower, too."  Angel suddenly decided, following her into the bedroom.

                 "When I've finished - ladies first."  Willow grabbed her overnight bag and sidestepped Angel as he
                 reached for her.

                 "Can't we share?  Water conservation - you know?"  Angel's voice contained a hint of pleading.

                 "We've done this the wrong way round as it is.  I'm not sleeping with you before our date."

                 "I wasn't suggesting sleeping!"  Angel's anguished cry followed her into the bathroom.

                 "Why don't you do some reading?"  Willow suggested sweetly, her head popping out of the bathroom
                 door.

                 "Damn books!"  Angel muttered under his breath.  Then he caught sight of her laptop on the couch.  An
                 idea flashed through his mind, and a smile teased his lips.
 

                Part 14

                  As the bathroom door opened, Angel hastily pushed the laptop back into its case.

                 "You took your time.  The sun set ten minutes ago and..."  Angel's voice trailed off as he took in the
                 sight of Willow.  She was wearing a black skirt that came to just above her knees and green shirt that
                 complimented the colour of her hair.

                 "Go take that shower you were desperate for, and we can go."  Willow began pinning her hair up.

                 "I had one before you got home."  Angel confessed, hovering nervously over the laptop.

                 "Your incorrigible!"  Willow exclaimed, examining her hair in the mirror she had retrieved from her bag.
                 "We can go then?"  She asked, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

                 "Your wish is my command."  Angel told her, reaching for his jacket.

                 "We could have fun with that."  Willow responded.  "But not right now."  She added quickly when she
                 saw the glint in his eye.

                 "Spoilsport!  So where are we going?"  Angel ushered Willow out of the door and locked it behind them.

                 "I'm thinking movies.  It doesn't involve eating, well only junk food, or Buffy."

                 "Can we sit in the back row?"  Angel asked, smiling.

                 "I give up!"  Willow rolled her eyes and pulled on his hand.

                 "What are we gonna see?"  Angel asked, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

                 "Wait and see."  Willow teased as they stopped outside the cinema.

                 "I need to know so I can pay for the tickets!"  Angel was pleased with his logic.

                 "It's my treat - you go and buy popcorn, oh and a large diet soda!"  Willow bounced off towards the
                 ticket queue as Angel made his way to the snack counter.

                 After a half hour wait in line, Angel found himself loaded down with popcorn and soda as he threaded
                 through the crowd to meet Willow.  He saw the sign above the door and raised his eyebrows.  Willow
                 just smiled and pushed open the door.

                 "You read too much!"  Angel whispered as the opening credits of 'Anna Karenin' began to play.

                 Willow smiled and pushed a piece of popcorn into his mouth.
 

               Part 15

                 Willow stumbled out of the cinema as tears blinded her eyes.  Angel placed a comforting arm around
                 her shoulder and guided her out into the night air.

                 "I knew how it ended, but it was still so sad."  Willow dabbed at her eyes with a tissue.

                 "Your just an incurable romantic."  Angel took the tissue from her hand and gently wiped away the tears.

                 "You know me too well."  Willow shook the plastic container in her hand.  "When I said a large soda, I
                 didn't mean gigantic."

                 "Nothing but the best for..."

                 "Your slut?"  Buffy interrupted, emerging from the shadows.

                 "This is getting old, Slayer."  Angel's eyes flashed with anger.

                 "You tired of her already?"  Buffy asked, choosing to misunderstand.  "Well, that's understandable.  She
                 hasn't got much to offer."

                 "No, Buffy, Willow has everything I'll ever need or want.  It's you who has nothing I'm interested in."
                 Angel took Willow's hand and they began to walk away.

                 "Your wrong, Angel.  I've got this!"  Buffy removed a stake from her pocket and held it up under the
                 street light.

                 "Don't even think about it, Buffy."  Willow's voice possessed a steely determination that surprised even
                 her.

                 "I don't need to think about it.  It's my job to rid the world of vampires.  Think how pleased the council
                 will be once I've dusted the 'Scourge of Europe'.  Buffy moved towards them with slow, deliberate steps.

                 "Another step, Slayer, and you'll regret it."  Angel pushed Willow behind him.

                 "I don't think so.  Once your gone, I'll deal with your whore!"  Buffy's voice became high-pitched as she
                 let her emotions overtake her.  Angel moved like lightening and twisted the wrist that held the stake until
                 it dropped to the ground.

                 "I'm going to kill you!"  Buffy charged for Willow and Angel backhanded her just in time.

                 "No your not Buffy.  I could understand that you were a bit upset at first, but now I think your just...your
                 just...crazy, that's what you are!"  Willow struggled to find the words and was pleased when she did.
                 "You need to cool down a bit.  So here!"  Willow tipped her half-full soda over Buffy's head, took Angel's
                 hand and moved off down the street.

                 Buffy just stood there, dripping.
 
 

               Part 16

                  Willow plucked at her gown as she sat waiting for Graduation to begin.  In the days since she had 'helped' Buffy to cool
                  down, avoidance had been the name of the game, but now she was sitting only a few chairs away.

                  "Hey Will!"  Xander called, bounding up to her.  "You nervous?"

                  "No...yes...I just don't want to...you know...trip up and make a fool of myself."

                  "Don't worry Will.  You won't make a fool of yourself."  Xander patted her on the back.

                  "You should listen to him, Willow.  Xander's an expert on being a fool."  Cordelia came up behind him, checking her
                  make-up in a mirror.

                  "Should I be insulted?"  Xander consulted Willow, who thought about it for a minute.

                  "She did say you're an expert.  For Cordelia, that's pretty much a compliment."  Xander seemed satisfied with this, and
                  went to give Cordelia a kiss.

                  "Watch the make-up.  I am not going on stage all smudged."  Cordelia wriggled free from his grasp.  "Willow, these
                  gowns do nothing for you.  The colour, with that hair...it's just so not right."

                  "Thanks.  I feel better now."  Willow looked over towards Buffy and found her staring back.

                  "You know, Buffy's hair is even worse than usual this week."  Cordelia observed.

                  "Really?"  Willow squeeked.  She still had trouble believing that she had poured her drink over Buffy's head.

                  "You know, I'm really enjoying this conversation, but I think Snyder's about to start."  Xander nodded towards thte
                  Principal.

                  "Oh!"  Willow went back into nervous mode.

                  "See you at the Bronze tonight?"  Xander asked over his shoulder as he made his way to his seat.

                  "I...um...I don't know."  Willow called after him.

                  "Good!"  Xander shouted across the room, drawing glares from several teachers.  Cordelia slapped him on the back of
                  the head before departing to her seat.

                  Willow continued to pick at the hem of her gown.
 

                Part 17

                  Willow sat down by the bed and stroked Angel's face.  He leaned into her touch but didn't open his eyes.  She bent
                  down and removed her shoes before sliding into bed next to him.

                  "How was Graduation?"  He asked, opening his eyes and pulling her closer.

                  "Fine, I think.  I was too nervous to pay much attention.  Although Xander did lighten the mood when he tripped up and
                  knocked Snyder over."  Willow's eyes brightened as she remembered Snyder's face as he struggled to his feet.

                  "So Xander does have a purpose after all."  Angel sat up and began to get out of bed.

                  "Where are you going?  I thought we could have our own private celebration."  Willow stretched out on the bed.

                  "We're going to the Bronze.  You're not missing the Graduation party."  Angel pulled her up out of bed.

                  "Please Angel.  I don't think I can stand another scene with Buffy.  Besides, I was going to fix my laptop tonight."  Willow
                  stared at the computer worriedly.  "That is if I ever find out what's wrong with it."

                  "It's broken?"  Angel's voice was an octave higher than normal, but Willow didn't notice, her mind on computers.

                  "Yeah.  I think Giles tried to murder it."  Willow missed Angel's nervous glances at the laptop.  "See, I have to stay in!"
                  Willow reached for the computer.

                  "No!"  Angel almost screamed.  "I mean, you can do that tomorrow."  He hastily clarified.  "I'm going to shower - are you
                  getting changed?"

                  "I could shower with you - water conservation?"  She reminded him.

                  "That would be nice."  Willow smiled.  "But we're still going to the Bronze."  Willow's smile changed to a scowl.

                  "I'll wait for you to finish then."  She picked up a book and began to read.

                  "Women!"  Angel called out as he vanished into the bathroom.

                  "Vampires!"  Willow responded from the bedroom.
 
 

                  The Bronze was full of ex-Sunnydale High Students celebrating their freedom.  Angel took Willow's hand and
                   pulled her through the crowd.
                   She was a little reluctant, but allowed him to lead her over to the table where Cordelia was half-heartedly attempting
                   to defend herself from Xander's amorous advances.

                   "No closets available?"  Angel asked, remembering what Willow had told him about Xander and Cordelia.

                   "No chairs?"  Cordelia replied as she watched him pull Willow onto his lap.

                   "So, who you looking for Will?"  Xander asked as Willow craned her neck.  "A replacement for Deadboy?"
                   Willow had to laugh at Xander's almost hopeful tone.

                   "Just trying to see if...oh..she is."  Willow looked towards the bar.

                   "Buffy?"  Angel asked, following her gaze.

                   "I'm going to talk to her."  Willow removed herself from Angel's lap before he could stop her.

                   "Hi.  You okay?"  Willow stood next to Buffy.

                   "Just peachy.  I love having my boyfriend stolen by my best friend."

                   "That's not how it happened, and you know it.  I thought our friendship meant something to you, but I was wrong."
                   Willow moved away.

                   "It did.  It's not my fault you're a slut.  You only did this because you were jealous."  Buffy shouted the words after
                   Willow, who stopped for a moment before turning to face Buffy.

                   "I don't care what you think, Buffy.  I was sorry that I hurt you but I think you enjoy it.  You wallow in your pain so that
                   you can be the centre of attention."  Willow turned away and moved back to the table.

                   "That went well then."  Angel pulled Willow back onto his lap.

                   "Oh yeah.  I really enjoy banging my head against a  brick wall."  Willow turned her attention to the drink that Angel
                   had got her.  "Where did Xander and Cordelia go?"

                   "Umm...I...closet I think."  Angel hoped that Willow didn't notice his hesitation.

                   "That figures.  Dance?"  Willow grabbed Angel's hand and dragged him onto the dance floor.

                   Angel heaved a sigh of relief.
 

Part 19

Willow led Angel back to the table and flopped down into a chair.

"Well, tonight has been..."

"Fun?  Exciting?"  Angel supplied helpfully.

"I was thinking more along the lines of horrific."  Willow took his hand.  "Not that the company wasn't good, but..."

"Buffy staring at us all night kind of ruined the romantic atmosphere."  Angel stroked the back of her hand with his thumb.

"Yeah.  Not that Xander and Cordelia noticed.  How long can one couple stay in one closet?"  Willow asked, pulling on
her jacket.

"Closet?"  Angel sounded puzzled.  "Oh!  Yeah, closet."

"I'm not waiting, lets go home."  Willow moved towards the doors and Angel lunged after her.

"No!"

Willow raised an eyebrow.

"I mean, we better make sure that they're okay."  He clarified, quickly.

"Okay, but just another five minutes.  I'm tired."  Willow sat down again.

"Xander!"  Angel sounded as if he'd never been so happy to see anyone before.  "Just glad that they're okay."  He
added hastily, before Willow could question his sudden pleasure at seeing Xander.

"Is that a record?  I mean, how long were you guys in that closet?"  Willow teased.

"Closet?  What closet?  Ow..."  Xander stopped abruptly as Angel kicked him.  "Oh yeah!  In the spirit of the occasion,
you know."  Xander gave Angel what passed for a menacing glare, and turned back to Cordelia.  "We ready to go?"

"Yeah."  She turned to Willow and Angel.  "Come on, I'll give you a lift."  With that she cut through the remaining crowd
and headed for the exit.

Willow followed behind, thinking that she had quite possibly seen everything now.
 
 

Part 20

Willow clung to the back of Cordelia's seat as she slammed on the brakes at a stop sign.

"Remind me again, why didn't we say we'd walk?"  She asked Angel, who was similarly clinging to the back of Xander's seat.

"You're too polite?"  He offered.

"Yeah.  It's a life threatening trait."  She joked.  "Isn't your apartment the other way?"  Willow peered out of the window.

"Maybe she wants to drop Xander off first."

"Not likely."  Willow leaned forward.  "Cordy, where are you going?"

"Well...er...um...Xander?"  Cordelia was, for once, at a loss for words.

"Will you just tell her, Deadboy?"

"Tell me what?"  Willow swung back round to face Angel, tempted to laugh at the murderous look he was giving the back of Xander's head.

"We're not going back to the apartment."

"Why not?"  Willow asked, intrigued.

"It was a surprise."  Angel glared at Xander again.

"What was?"  Willow was getting frustrated.

"This was."  Angel gestured over her shoulder with his hand, and she turned to see they were stopping outside the airport.

"What, are we meeting someone?"

"No.  We're going on a vacation."  Angel got out of the car and held the door for her.

"But...how...why...you can't fly."  Willow began to babble.

"She's a poet and she doesn't know it."  Xander offered helpfully as he got their bags from the trunk.

"I think we need a break.  As to the flying part, I chartered a plane - on the internet, actually."  Angel began shifting nervously from foot to foot.

"It was you!  You broke my laptop!"  Rage flashed in Willow's eyes, and Angel hoped she didn't have a stake handy.

"We'll get it fixed when we get there."  Angel took the bags from Xander and waved goodbye as he half pulled Willow into the airport.

"Where exactly is there?"  Willow asked, stopping suddenly.

"It's a long story.  You made me read something from the twentieth century, right?"  Angel asked as he once again began to pull her through
the airport.

"Yeah."  Willow was unsure of where the conversation was going.

"I thought you might want to see where the book was set."

"What did you read?"  Willow had to run to keep up as he hurried her along.

"Ulysses."

"You mean by James Joyce?  But that's set in...we're going to Ireland?"  Realisation dawned on Willow.

"Dublin, actually.  That is, if you want to?"  Angel suddenly became worried that she didn't want to go.

"I'd love to go."  Willow stopped and kissed him.

"Come on then, or the plane won't be able to take off.  It's got tinted windows and everything."  Angel sounded like a child with a new toy as
he took her hand and started walking again.

"Just one thing."  Willow remained still.  "Stick to books in the future.  If you ever touch my laptop again..."  Willow left the threat hanging.

"I promise."  Angel replied, kissing her hand.  "I love books."
 
 

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