As it so happened, Cordelia's portent about the sales was accurate.  At a happening mall near Beverly Hills, Willow was dismayed to find that many of the shops were filled to overflowing with not only the latest in fashions, put pushy patrons who circled on-the-rack and haute couture like sharks anticipating a feeding frenzy.

        Fortunately, Cordy was an expert on navigating the swarms of people ready to spend their money on myriad styles to fit every taste and budget.  Cordelia mused to herself <I'm thinking we didn't get here early enough.>  It also helped matters that Cordy, who'd long ago commandeered Angel's credit card, adding it to her four, wielded them like loaded pistols, much to the delight of commissioned boutique clerks.

        Before the duo broke for lunch, they'd managed to get the basics of Willow's new wardrobe together:  coordinating tops and shoes, comfortable jeans, slacks and skirts were the first items on Cordelia's list.   Although Willow hesitated at some of the low-cut, flesh revealing outfits, she was quickly singing a different tune as she tried them on under Cordelia's watchful eye.  Cordelia's taste was exquisite:  she only chose the best fabric and colors which flattered Willow's physique and coloring.  At times, Cordelia actually accompanied Willow into various dressing rooms to aid her in trying on the more risqué outfits.  She couldn't help but notice some of the fading bite marks on her flesh, including one high up on
her inner thigh.  Cordelia cringed inwardly, not wanting to mention it, which only would have ended up causing Willow even more embarrassment then she was already being subjected to.

        Several hours later whilst consuming a brief lunch, Willow mentioned that she wanted to stop at a local magic shop in order to browse.  Cordy agreed since Willow had managed to put up with her militant shopping tactics.  Willow found an opening in Cordelia's fashion monologue, and excused herself to make a brief phone call, under the guise of checking her home messages leaving Cordelia to people-watch for a few minutes.

      It was the post-lunch shopping that found Willow's patience with the brunette wearing thin.  <I can't believe she expects me to try on these skimpy underthings and lingerie!  It's not like anybody's going to see all this silk and satin anyway!  Goddess, help me…> Cordelia eschewed Willow's leanings toward sensible cotton and headed straight for the luxurious stuff.

        Willow sighed, placating Cordy by trying on the garments. As she put on her first pair of silken underwear and matching demi-cup bra, she was converted.  "Gee, Delia.  It's really nice.  I think I'm switching tribes," the redhead said within the hushed confines of an elegant changing room.

      "Eh?"  Cordelia asked.  "Oh, you mean from the cotton tribe to the silk and satin brigade.  Well, it's about time.  Cotton does *nothing* for your skin anyways," Cordy heartily agreed.

        Cordelia rose gracefully from a settee, handing her an armload of underthings.  "Here.  Finish trying out the underwear and I'll go hunt you up some appropriate sleeping attire," she said.  "Be right back," she promised.

      For the next half-hour, Willow enthusiastically tried on everything Cordelia had given her.  Even the red satin bra and underwear flattered her more than she thought they would.  Realizing that she couldn't keep all that Cordy handed her, she began piling together those she would purchase.  As she made to get dressed in what she came in, Cordy knocked at the door.

      "WILLOW!"  She said in a desperately awed tone.  "You have *got* to try these on.  And don't you dare say `no' or I'll buy them anyway and leave you here to find your own way home," she threatened, pushing yet another armload of flimsy confections at her.

      Willow sighed, "But I don't *need* all this, Cordelia.  No one's gonna see me in it; even if they were, I wouldn't wear stuff like this…" Willow's voice trailed off as she lovingly fingered the whisper-soft fabrics.  "Well, I'll try them on but I'm not taking them," she said in an unconvincing voice, as she began to once again get undressed.

      Cordy leaned against the outer door, a smug smile decorating her face.  <Uh-huh, whatever, Willow.  You wouldn't believe the scheme I'm hatching to get you and Sir Broodiness together.  Now, where was that beautiful teal outfit I was buying for myself?…> She moved away from her self-appointed post in search of said garment.

      A few hours, and several arm loads later, Cordy and Willow were thoroughly worn out.  :  Willow from Cordelia's drill-sergeant shopping; and Cordelia from successfully putting together an appropriate L.A. wardrobe for Willow.

        They stopped at a magic shop not far from the mall.  While Willow managed to pick up a few ingredients for simple spells and healing herbs, she had no luck researching within stacks for Angel's soul-binding spell.  As she was about to engage in a spirited conversation with the shop's owner on the merits of using mandrake in love potions, Cordelia stepped in to remind Willow that she'd promised to only spend an hour in the shop, not to mention that the ever-burning smell of sage was making her nauseous.  Collecting her purchases at the register, Willow promised to return soon.  Cordy packed Willow and her latest purchases into the already overstuffed car and headed for her apartment.

      Upon arriving at Cordelia's place, the pair found themselves exceedingly exhausted.  After introducing Willow to an excited Dennis, Cordy suggested a quick cat-nap before taking Willow back to the hotel.  Willow flopped appreciatively on the comfy couch, while Cordy retired to her bedroom.  Both girls quickly fell asleep.

      A couple of hours later, early evening sunlight filtered through Cordelia's drapery.  Cordy, in the middle of a dream about attacking mutant popcorn, found herself being pelted awake by her unseen roommate.  "Dennis!  Cut it out!" she protested sleepily. Cordy opened her eyes in time to see an errant kernel fly towards her vanity mirror.  Scrawled across the surface in red lipstick was, `Willow'.  She could hear a slight moaning coming from outside her door.  Cordy gasped, mentally berating herself and dashed to the door heading in the direction of her living room.

      "Oh, no," she whispered.  Upon reaching Willow, the brunette sank to her knees, shaking her awake.  Remembering to maintain a façade of ignorance, Cordelia brightly said, "Wakey-wakey, Wills."

      Willow's eyes, still glazed from the throes of a relatively mild encounter with Angelus, recovered quickly.  "Oh.  Hey Cordy. We oversleep?" she asked in a worried voice, sitting abruptly.

      "I'll say.  Come on, it's after six.  We should be getting you back to Angel's.  Plus, I need to get ready to go out with the guys tonight," Cordelia said, giving her friend room to stand up.

      Both girls, eager to avoid any reference to Willow's unconscious escapades, beat a hasty retreat from the apartment.
 

Part Seventeen

      As the girls entered the hotel, they were greeted by a pacing Angel, a perching Spike and a sweating Gunn.

      Gunn was the first to speak.  "See.  I told you they'd be alright.  Hey, Willow.  How was the trip?"  Willow separated from Cordelia as she and Gunn began rehashing their respective days with one another, ignoring the others.

Spike jumped off of the converted check-in desk, eyeing Cordelia as if she were the last meal on earth and he a starving man.  His attention quickly shifted as the seemingly oblivious object of his scrutiny dumped an armload of bags from various stores into his arms.

      "Here," she said.  "There's more out in the car.  Make yourself useful," she dismissed him and continued past the surprised vampire towards Angel.  "Well?" she asked, piercing the dark-haired vamp with a look.

      "What?  And by the way, couldn't you have called?  We were getting worried," he shot back.

      Her eyes narrowed.  "Humph," she said.  "I've been out all- day shopping before and it's never bothered you before.  I've *told* you to get me a cell phone."  She turned to pick up the bags Spike discarded to retrieve the rest of what was in the car.  Hefting a bag to test its weight, she nodded to herself.  Swinging the bag into the middle of Angel's chest, he grunted at its impact.  Smiling with grim satisfaction she hissed, "You'd better get to work on that *special* project soon, Angel as I'm not really in the mood to wake up to a new boss one day."

      As she moved to walk past him, Angel grabbed her arm.  In a frantic whisper, he inquired, "What's wrong with you?  Did something happen?"

      Knowing that they had an audience in Willow, Cordelia struggled to contain the vehemence in her voice.  Smiling sweetly she said, "Oh, no, Angel.  Willow and I had a great time.  We shopped, gossiped, ate, she met Dennis and we took a *nap*. All in a day's work.  I'm going to take this stuff up to your room, Willow." The leggy brunette turned on her heel and headed upstairs.

      Once in Willow's suite, Cordelia moved to quickly implement her plan.  Spying the bottle of decorative ink beside Willow's computer, she picked it up and began her work.  Hefting one of the girl's suitcases, she noted that Willow had yet to unpack.  In a few minutes, Cordelia had put away the bulk of Willow's wardrobe, placing them in neatly folded piles into the spacious dresser drawers.

      Cordelia, however, left all of Willow's tame underwear and cutesy pajamas in a pile on the floor.  Scooping the offending garments up, she reached for the nearby ink and headed towards the bathroom.  Unceremoniously dumping them into the sink, she uncorked the bottle and liberally sprinkled the black liquid all over Willow's clothing.  As the dark goo soaked through, rendering them all but ruined, Cordy muttered, "I'd rather set *fire* to these things, but I guess this'll just have to do."  Cordy then began humming satisfyingly to herself and fished her own purchases out of
their bags to dress for the evening.  Half an hour later, Cordy ran hot water over Willow's ruined clothes in the sink, essentially setting the stains.  Turning off the tap, she exited the suite to join the group downstairs.

      She found her friends in the middle of a heated debate as to whether or not literature translated into movies was a viably sound enterprise or the sign of an impending apocalypse.  Having debated this same topic with Angel on numerous other occasions, she sought to bring the topic to a close.  "Hey!" she said, trying to gain their attention.  When that didn't work, she put her fingers in her mouth and whistled sharply.  The whistle was affective enough that everyone stopped arguing.  Gunn and Willow looked at her with sheepish expressions on their faces.  Angel and Spike mockingly held their hands to their sensitive ears.

Spike did a double-take.  At first glance, he looked at Cordelia with an expression akin to mild annoyance, then appraised her outfit with salacious approval.  His mouth watered, his eyes changing from their normal cobalt blue to a color reminiscent of stormy seas.  At a loss for words, he just leered, vaguely remembering to close his mouth.

Willow was the first to speak, smiling at Cordelia, "Don't you look nice.  I'm glad you decided to buy that outfit.  It's really flattering."  Cordelia warmed to the girl's praise, murmuring her thanks.

Gunn let out a low wolf whistle, which set Spike to glaring at him. Gunn leaned over to him patting him reassuringly on his shoulder.  "Hey," he said in a conspirital tone, "She looks great, but she and I don't roll like that.  She's like a kid sister, so chill, man.  Besides, she's a little too high-maintenance for me."

Angel having seen the show before, flicked his gaze briefly in Cordelia's direction, then settled on Willow, who remained totally oblivious to his intense scrutiny.

Willow looked over at Spike at Gunn.  "Is Wesley going out with you all, too?"

Gunn filled her in.  "I called him after you and Cordy left this morning.  He has dinner plans, but he'll catch up with us at the club later."

Willow nodded.  "Oh, well then, I'll leave you guys to get ready then."

Moving over towards the remaining spoils of their shopping, Willow picked up a cream-colored garment bag and handed it to Spike. Eyeing the bag as well as Willow with equal suspicion, he asked, "What's this, Red?"

Willow demurred, smiling then said, "I saw this while we were shopping and picked it up for you.  I couldn't resist.  Besides, I've been wanting get you out of that Billy Idol get-up for sometime now."

Spike genuinely touched, gruffly said, "Thanks," and pulled her into a quick hug.  Noting the scowl that flickered across his sire's face he couldn't help making another dig.  Pawing his friend with mock suggestiveness, he drawled, "If I'd known you wanted to see me naked, I would've happily obliged you, Red.  Friends do stuff for their friends, right?"

Willow playfully punched him on his shoulder.  "Cut it out before I'm forced to tickle you to death," she said grinning.

Angel, still warily eyeing their exchange, felt a surge of jealousy rip through him.  Addressing Willow, he inquired, "So, how much did your gift to Spike set me back?"

Willow turned to frown at him, surprised at the uncharacteristic heat in his voice.  Not understanding its source, she defended herself.  "*I* paid for it, Angel.  It cost you nothing.  As a matter of fact, none of the damage Cordy and I did today came out of your pocket."

Cordy and Angel looked at one another in confusion.  Cordelia said, "But we used his card, Willow.  How the hell did Angel *not* spend money on all this stuff?"

Willow shrugged.  "That phone call I made at lunch wasn't me checking the answering machine at home.  I wired enough money back into Angel's credit card to more than cover what we spent."

Angel stalked slowly around her.  Growling silkily, he asked, "Why did you do that, Willow?  I told you to use the card."

Murmuring in a tone she thought would be undetectable by him; she said in a smart-assed tone, "I thought I'd stopped listening to grown-ups a long time ago."

      Angel's eyes widened considerably in response to her answer.  "What did you say, Willow?"

      Willow sighed, rolling her eyes.  "I couldn't have you pay for all this," she waved an arm towards the bags sitting forlornly at the foot of the staircase.  "My grandmother left me a sizable trust, which I haven't touched until now.  The money's just been sitting there earning interest.  As it so happens, Cordy and I didn't even make a dent."

      Angel exasperated turned his back to the group.

      Not wanting to remain in Angel's presence while he stewed in brood mode, she suggested to the group, "Maybe I should go out with you guys tonight since Angel's so obviously bent on being sulky."

      There was complete silence for a space of seconds as the gathering turned en masse towards the redhead chorusing, "No!"

      Willow was astounded by their collective refusal.  Cordelia moved to cover their gaffe.  "Willow," she said cajolingly, "I was only able to snag reservations for three for dinner at Bellini's. How `bout I make it up to you and take you for brunch next week," she offered, a bright smile decorating her face.

      Angel moved again toward the slight girl.  Willow looked down, unable to meet his gaze.  Sensing that she was avoiding him without rousing their suspicions, he reached out to take one of her hands. "I'm really sorry, Willow.  I don't know what came over me. I just really wanted your stay here to be special.  Forgive me, Niña?" he asked, gently massaging intricate patterns into her sensitive palm.

      If the tingles racing up through her hand at Angel's voice and gentle caress were any indication, she'd skip out on him, dinner at the chic eatery and the whole of L.A., just to get away from and the things her traitorous hormones did whenever he was nearby. <It's the weirdest thing.  Why the hell am I lusting after Buffy's cuddle-monkey?!  Get it together, Rosenberg!  He asked you a question!  Ugh…what was the question?  Oh!  Yes…> "Um, that's okay, Angel.  I'll stay here," she answered, snatching her hand away, attempting to rub out his touch.

      A collective sigh of relief went through the remainder of the group.  Noting their sudden calm, Willow looked at each one's expression curiously and filed it away to be analyzed some other time.

      Spike, who'd had him arm about Willow's waist throughout their exchange, released her.  "I'm gonna go get dressed."

      Gunn looked at himself and said, "Yeah, I think I'll go up and grab a shower and get macked out, too."

      Angel, trying to maintain a casual attitude told Willow, "I'll go grab some menus out of the kitchen so you can decide what we're having for dinner," he said, then moved to do just that.

      Cordelia gestured grabbing Willow's attention.  "Uh, Willow?  There's something I need to talk to you about.  But, let's get the rest of these upstairs," she said picking up half of the bags.

      The foursome trudged up the grand staircase, bantering along the way.  As Spike and Gunn separated, going into different rooms to ready themselves, Cordelia called to them, "I'll meet you two in half an hour," she said, ushering Willow into her suite.

      Willow turned, noting that Cordy had straightened her room and unpacked her belongings.  "Thanks, Cordy.  For unpacking me, that is."

      Cordy grimaced as if in pain.  "Don't thank me yet.  While I was unpacking, I accidentally spilled some ink on your underwear, *and* some of what looks like are your pajamas.  I'm really sorry, Willow.  I'll be happy to pay for the dry cleaning bill," she said melodramatically.

      Willow, true to form, was gracious in her mercy.  Touching Cordy's arm in a comforting gesture, she said, "That's okay, Cordy. I guess it's good you made me buy all of those other clothes.  So, now worries, it's all to the good.  Before you haul them to the cleaners, I'd rather try and clean them myself.  Where are they?" she inquired, looking about the room.

      Cordelia pointed in the direction of the bathroom.  "In there.  I put them in the sink to soak."

      Willow, not all too enthused to catalogue the extent of the damage, sank onto the foot of the bed, waving the subject of her garments away.  "So," she said lightening the subject, "What club are you guys going to tonight?"

      The brunette wrinkled her nose.  "Well, we may go to Engine, since it's *the* place for dancing, as well as to see and be seen." Then she amended.  "Maybe we'll save that for tomorrow night, so you can get a taste of the nightlife here; if you're lucky you'll spot a couple of celebrities."  The leggy girl turned to survey her reflection in a free-standing full-length mirror in a corner of the suite.

      While Cordelia primped, Willow wondered aloud about what she and Angel would have to talk about for the balance of the evening. She wasn't as comfortable about the prospect as she had been that morning.  Especially not since his unusual display of temper, not to mention the fact that she feared that she might jump him:  temper and the fact that he was her best friend's ex-honey be damned.

      Cordelia, having listened to the balance of the girl's musings, clucked sympathetically.  "I think you'll be alright, Willow.  You're about the only person who's been able to provoke an emotional response out of Angel.  I mean, you *like* listening to his talks of olde and woe.  I don't have the patience to sit through his cautionary tales unless it involves a lot of action.  Just treat him like he's an old grandpa.  With fangs, that is."  Willow took a few minutes to silently digest Cordy's words while Cordelia resumed grooming herself.

      Gunn poked his head into the open doorway of Willow's room inquiring, "Hey, Kitty Kat, you `bout ready to roll out?"

      Willow was mildly surprised to see that Gunn not only cleaned up well but fast.  "Hey Handsome," she greeted enthusiastically.  "You lookin' to get married tonight?" she teased.

      Gunn, pleased by the redhead's praise, cockily answered, "Nuh-uh, Why?  You offering?" he said, flashing her a devastating grin, while crossing his arms and leaning into the doorframe.

      Willow didn't answer except to grin inspecting his ensemble closely.  Gunn was wearing a long-sleeved black linen shirt, trimmed in silver at the cuffs.  The shadowy black brought out the rich polished mocha of his skin.  The same black material was coupled by trousers.  His feet were shod in black leather evening shoes, held together by winking silver buckles.

      Cordy spared him a quick glance before resuming the inspection of her reflection, allowing, "She's right.  You look great.  I just can't get over the fact that you males can achieve effortless beauty in so little time," she bemoaned.

      Gunn answered, "It's because *I* don't have all that hair to fuss with.  My razor's my best friend when it comes to grooming techniques," he said flashing a cheeky smile in her direction, stepping fully into the spacious room.

      Willow glanced into the open doorway, expecting Spike to materialize.  "What's holding up Spike?"  She idly wondered aloud.

      Gunn shrugged.  "Hair issues?" he supplied.

      Cordy joked, "Yeah.  He's probably having fits right about now, since it's the first time he's had to change his clothes since the early `80's."

      Spike having heard their earlier exchange, chose that moment to make his entrance.  Spearing Cordelia with a look, he asked, "What, pet?  You were missing me?" he lazily drawled, standing in the doorway.

      Gunn glanced his was, emitting a low wolf whistle, while Cordy and Willow wore twin dumbstruck expressions.

      The blond vampire was a study in ethereal beauty.  His customarily slicked-back locks were left in their natural state to form riotous curls about his head.  Spike wore a silky long-sleeved cream-colored top, which was crew-collared at the neck.  The elegant shirt flowed into silken pants of the same color; a smooth black leather belt circled his narrow waist.  The trousers, holding discreet pleats at the front, disappeared into starched pleats and traveled ending in cuffed bottoms.  The material moved, shifting to conform itself to every nuance of his movements, making it seem
alive.  Covering his feet, he wore butter-soft suede black shoes with chunky soles.  Spike smiled, looking for all intent and purposes, like a fallen angel come to corrupt the righteous.

      Willow was the first to recover.  "Wow!  Had I known you cleaned up this good, we'd have taken you shopping eons ago."  She stood and walked over to him attempting to hug him.

      "Watch it, Red.  You'll wrinkle me."

      Gunn, sizing up Cordy's state of stasis, walked to her, snapping his fingers in front of her face, "Hey!  Earth to Prom Queen.  You still with us?" he chuckled, vastly amused to find someone who rendered her speechless.

      Reigning in her lascivious thoughts about the blond master vamp, she mustered enough lucidity to slap Gunn's hand out of her line of sight.  "Whoa," was all she managed to strangle out. Perspiration broke out in a number of places on her overheated body.

      Spike's vampiric sensitivity picked up on the girl's physical changes and smiled a slow, knowing Cheshire grin.

      Cordelia, holding his satisfied gaze, murmured, "Stop it."

      Arching a darkened brow, he commanded, "Make me."  As Cordy struggled to re-learn to breathe, he decided to have pity on the girl.  He affixed the most ridiculously comic look on his face, stuck out his tongue, and blew her a sloppy raspberry.

      The spell effectively broken, Cordy quickly assumed control of her mental faculties.  Looking at her watch, she exclaimed, "Ohmigod!  We're gonna be late for dinner if we don't hurry."  She gathered up her belongings, brushed past Spike and led the way downstairs to the lobby, leaving three highly amused people in her wake.

      They encountered Angel seated downstairs, perusing the numerous take-out menus and restaurants in the area.

      "Okay, Angel.  We're leaving." Cordelia said.  "We'll be at Bellini's for at least an hour, then we're headed for the clubs. Gunn's got his pager if anything comes up, and Wesley has his phone, too.  You two have a good time tonight," she said, heading for the door.

      Angel stood up to admire his recently spruced up childe.  "You look good," he said grudgingly.

      "Thanks," Spike said meeting his sire's unfathomable gaze. Turning his attention to Willow, he chucked her under the chin.  "Don't let him bore you to death.  If you get sick of him, give Gunn here a page and we'll swing by and come get you," he said, lying through his teeth.

      "I'll be fine, Spike," Then, addressing both Gunn and Spike, she cautioned, "Don't break too many hearts, tonight."

      "C'mon," Cordy said testily, tapping an impatient foot at the top of the stairs at the hotel entrance.

      "G'night," Angel called as he and Willow turned, watching the trio hustle out the double doors.

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