Fate

Author: Lady Myst

E-Mail: Phantom14@aol.com

Rating: PG-13/R

Class: Willow/Angel

Disclaimer: Joss owns all

Summary: A love that was fated starts when Angelus is human.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
 

    1750
 
 

    Willow was out in the yard rough housing with her older brother Patrick, when she was supposed to be inside helping her mother.

    "Willow?!" Her mother called distracting her long enough to give Patrick to chance to pin her.

    "Pined ya!" Patrick cried triumphantly.

    "Only cause mother distracted me!"

    " I pined ya because your only five and I’m seven, which means I’m bigger and stronger."

    "Yeah well…….. so! I still would have won!" Willow said in her defense. She had learned, having five older brothers to show no weakness.

    Just when Patrick was about to respond their mother came out into the yard.

    "Patrick, get off your sister this instant! Willow get in the house and clean up we’re going to see the family that moved into the house closest to us. Patrick you and the others will stay and help your father."

    "Mother I don’t wanna go! Can’t I stay and-"

    "Willow go get ready!"

    "Yes mother." Defeated Willow went in to clean up.

    Meanwhile a ten year old Angelus was helping his father and brothers bring the furniture in.

    "Father, are we here to stay?" Angelus asked. This was the only time they had moved.

    "Yes son we are here to stay."

    Just then Angelus saw a little girl running down the road and her mother calling after her.

    "Excuse me father?"

    "Of course son."

    Angelus walked toward the little girl that had caught his attention. She was a beautiful child, with glorious red hair and wild green eyes. She was quite the little spitfire. He walked across the field and she came running up to meet him.

    "Hello, I’m Willow."

    "Pleasure to meet you Willow. I’m Angelus." He took her hand and kissed it gently, as he had been taught to with all the ladies, the response he got made him smile, she giggled then shook his hand like men do.

    "You wanna go explore? Maybe even have an adventure?"

    Angelus was baffled by this little girl. In all his ten years he had never meet a girl, young or old, that was like Willow. She was actually fun, full of life, and completely opposite to the standards of a lady.

    "I would be honored to escort you on your adventure."

    "Okay, hurry let’s go before my mother gets here."

    Willow grabbed Angelus by the hand and took off running. From that day on Willow and Angelus were inseparable.
 

Twelve years later
 

    Willow was now seventeen and Angelus was twenty two. They were closer to each other than to anyone else they knew. They had a special connection that no one could ever break. The bond between them was about to be tested, with a chain of events that would change the course of their lives.

    Willow was getting ready for her daily ride with Angelus. She had just finished binding her hair when he knocked on her window, as he had for years. She smiled as she opened the window and started to climb out. Angelus offered her his hand but she refused it and jumped down.

    "Where we off to today M’lady?"

    "Well my lord, are you up for an adventure?"

    " With you my lady I am ready for anything."

    Angelus smiled and took her hand. He helped her up on her horse, even though she didn’t need it, then mounted his own horse. Willow took off while yelling " I hope you can keep up with me!" Angelus chuckled and followed his redheaded companion.

    They had stopped to rest at their cliff, they had played there as children, and now just went there to be alone together. Willow was looking out at the ocean just enjoying the afternoon breeze. Angelus on the other hand was just looking at Willow. (God she’s beautiful, her hair, her eyes, her soul, it’s all so beautiful. What would I do without her? She’s the best friend I’ll ever have, without her my life would be desperately empty. She made me the man I am today, I was taught that women were possessions, every man is taught that, but Willow showed me that women are people, and interesting people at that. She’s everything to me. I-I love her. Oh god I do, I love her.)

    Willow had caught Angelus staring at her and started to stare back, her thoughts matching his, they both came back to earth at the same time.

    "It’s getting late, I best get you home before your father has my head."

    "Can’t we go back to your house? I don’t want to hear how I have to start acting like a lady, or how ugly I look with leaves in my hair and dirt on my dress. I just-"

    "Willow, first of all you look beautiful with leaves in your hair and dirt on your dress. Second, of course we can go back to my house if you don’t want to go home."

    "You think I’m beautiful?" Willow asked with disbelief  in her voice.

    Angelus stepped towards her and took her hand in his. "I think you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. When you walk into a room you take my breath away. I was captured by your beauty the first time I saw you running towards me and away from your mother. You have the most extraordinary hair and eyes I’ve ever seen. Your so full of life, most women, if not all, are so very dull. You on the other hand live life to the fullest and in the processes showed me there was more to life than what I had been shown. Yes Willow, I think you are beautiful…."

    Willow was speechless, she looked into his eyes and dared to hope the emotion she saw reflected there was love.

    Angelus pulled Willow closer to him, there were mere centimeters separating their bodies. He was about to take the biggest risk of his life.

    "…. How could I not be in love with you."

    Willow felt tears running down her cheeks. She loved him so much, and he loved her too.

    "I love you Willow"

    "I love you too. I love you so much it hurts."

    As soon as those words left her mouth Angelus closed the gap between them and captured her lips in a whisper of a kiss. Willow pulled him closer, deepening the kiss. They both pulled apart breathless.

    Angelus was not ready to let her go, he held her and stroked her hair. They eventually turned to leave, and get on their horses. Willow was about to mount hers when Angleus picked her up and lifted her on his horse.

    "What are you doing?" Willow asked.

    "Well my darling, I want to hold you, and I can’t do that while your on another horse, so you’re riding with me." Angelus tied Willow’s horse to his and climbed behind her sliding her against him "That’s not a problem is it?"

    "No my Angel, no problem at all." Willow leaned into him and sighed in contentment.

    When Willow had arrived home later that evening her parents had been angry, but let it go as they always had. Angelus had stayed to make sure everything went smoothly and then promised to return the next day. She was now awaiting his arrival.

    Willow heard a light tapping at her window and smiled brightly knowing who it was. She went to her window and opened it to let her Angel in.

    "Hello darling," Angelus greeted her as he climbed in her room.

    Willow blushed at his greeting, but didn’t have time to respond, Angelus grabbed her and kissed her hard on the lips.

    "I’ve been dying to do that since I brought you home."

    "Well I’m glad you did," Willow said slightly breathless.

    Angelus looked at her suddenly very serious. "Willow I need to ask you something?"

    "You can ask me anything, you know that."  Willow replied slightly nervous by his serious attitude.

    Angelus sat Willow down, then kneeled down in front of her. "I know it’s custom to ask your father first, but I wanted to make sure that you would want this." He pulled out his families claddah ring. " Willow, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

    Willow stared at him in shock, then threw herself in his arms, "Yes! Yes I’ll marry you!"

    Angelus pulled Willow closer and kissed the top of her head, silently thanking god for the woman in his arms.

End Part 1
 

    Willow was bubbling with joy, she could hardly contain herself. (I'm going to marry Angelus! I never thought I would marry for love, not many do, but I get too!) Angelus was going to ask her father for her hand in marriage that night. (He'll say yes he can't wait to get rid of me.)

    Angelus was walking up to Willow's house suddenly very nervous. It was no secret that Willow's father hated him, but he also couldn't wait to marry off his only daughter. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

    "What are you doing here?" Willow's father asked harshly.

    "Mr. MacAlester, I would like to ask you something. May I come in?"

    "I suppose so," they walked into the sitting room, "What is it you want?"

    "Sir, I've come to ask for your daughters hand in marriage.'

    "Your to late Angelus, she's already betrothed to another. Lord Boyle in fact, I haven't even told her yet."

    Angelus wasn't listening he didn't care what her father said Willow would marry no one but him, let alone Lord Boyle. Angelus had, had many encounters with Lord Boyle not only was he 28 years older than Willow he was also a drunken, whoring, good for nothing son of a bitch. He would die before he let her marry him. Angelus held back his anger and stood to leave.

    "Thank you for your time Mr. MacAlester. Tell Willow that I'll see her tomorrow."

    "Goodbye Angelus." The last bit of the sentence was cut off by the door slamming in his face. He was about to mount his horse and head home when he changed direction.

    Willow was sitting in to read, actually trying to get her mind off the man she loves. Just as she was about to give up and go to bed there was knock on her window. Smiling brightly she went to let Angelus in, when she saw his face she knew something was wrong.

    "What is it Angelus? What's wrong?" His answer was to pull her in her arms as if he'd never let go. "What's wrong my Angel? What's got you so upset?"

    "Do you know a man by the name of Kiern Boyle?" Angelus asked pulling back to look in her eyes.

    "You mean the drunken Lord? I know him, he's been coming around lately, doing business with my father. Why do you ask?"

    "Darling, this morning your father betrothed you to him."

    "What!!" Willow screamed while pulling herself away from  Angelus and storming around her room. "He's 45! I'm 17! Why would my father do this? Wait I know why he can't wait to get rid of me! Am I really that horrible to have around?"

    Angelus walked over and pulled her into his arms. "Never think that again, you are the most wonderful person I've ever known."

    "What are we going to do?" Willow whispered in his shoulder.

    Angelus closed his eyes just letting himself enjoy holding her. "Whatever you want to do sweetheart, that's what we'll do."

                "I want to leave, marry you, I want to become your wife."

    "Are you sure that's what you want?"

    "I love you, I would die to be with you. I am more than sure, I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

    Angelus looked into her eyes and saw her love shining there and knew she wanted this as much as he did. "I'll come and get you in four hours, be ready."

    "I'll be ready, I love you."

    "I love you." Angelus gave Willow a quick kiss full of promise then turned to leave.
 
 

    Angelus had returned home, packed his clothes, got some money, and was about ready to leave when he was struck with guilt. He sat down and wrote a letter to his family telling them what he and Willow planned to do and why. Once he was finished he walked out  and headed towards Willow's.

    Willow had just finished packing the last of her things when her father, her very drunk father, came bursting into her room.

    "Come here daughter. Your leaving tonight, you're to be married tomorrow, and he's come for you." He looked around and saw all of her things packed and ready to go, of course in his drunken state he didn't find this out of the ordinary. "Oh good you're ready, come then."

    "Willow was nearly panicked. She knew she had to stall, Angelus would be there any minute.  "Give me a minute father, I want to look my best when I meet my future husband."

    "Yes, we don't want you scaring him away now do we. We'll be waiting in the sitting room." He slurred and stumbled out of her room.

    "Come on Angelus, hurry." Willow whispered desperately to her empty room. As soon as those words left her lips there was a knock on her window. She ran over and threw it open to let Angelus in. ‘Thank the lord you're here. My father and Kiern are in the sitting room, I'm supposed to leave with him tonight and be married by tomorrow!"

            "I know he's here, I saw his carriage out front. We need to hurry get your things." Angelus helped Willow with her bags and they both climbed out the window. Just as they were about to mount their horses they heard her father, "Get the hell away from daughter! She belongs to Lord Boyle!"

    "I don't belong to anyone! I never will!" Willow screamed in anger. Angelus moved in front of her to protect her if need be.

    The figure that had been watching the exchange steeped forward. "Where do you think your going with my future wife Angelus?"

     Angelus looked away from Willow's father too see Kiern slowly walking towards them.

    "She doesn't want to be your wife Lord Boyle, do the honorable thing and let her out of this betrothal."

            "Angelus when was the last time I did something honorable? I do what I want, I get what I want, and I want Willow."

    Willow was getting scared, Lord Boyle never traveled alone, he had bodyguards.
 

    "Well this is one time you won't get what you want." Angelus growled, as much as a human could.

    Willow saw three men walk out of her house, three very large men. "Angelus you need to get out of here." Willow said with fear laced in her voice.

    Angelus turned to look at Willow. "I won't leave you, I can't." The despair in his voice tore at her heart.

    "Please Angelus, please you have to get out here. I'm begging you, I don't want you to get hurt."

    "Listen to her Angelus, she's a smart girl." Kiern added smugly.

    "Willow stop acting like a child! I am your father and I order you to come over here!"

    Willow looked into Angelus eyes, and hers filled with tears at the raw emotion she saw there. "No matter what happens, I love you. Always remember that." She kissed him gently on the lips, pulled away, and started walking towards Kiern and her father.

    "Willow no! Don't do this!"

    "There's no other way, we don't have a choice."

    "Leave with me now, walk to me and we'll leave together."

    "We can't Angelus," Willow gestured to the three bodyguards.

    During their conversation Kiern had snuck behind Willow, he saw his chance and grabbed her. Willow let out a squeal of surprise, "Put me down!"

    "Let her go! Put her down now!"

    "Come and get her Angelus, if you can."

    He didn't need anymore urging, he ran straight towards Kiern, intent on getting Willow away from him. Before he could he could get within five feet of them, the three bodyguards grabbed him. One held him while the other two delivered punch's to his face and stomach. He went down doubled over in pain.

    Willow broke free and ran to Angelus, she knelt beside him. "Oh god Angelus are you alright?"

    "I'm fine sweetheart, I'll be fine." He reached up and lightly cupped her face in his hand, only to have her ripped away from him by Kiern. "Let her go!" Angelus yelled while trying to stand.

    "Poor Angelus trying to fight for Willow's honor, well this is one fight you won't win." He picked Willow up and threw her in the carriage, then exchanged a look with his bodyguards, and they jumped Angelus beating him. The last thing Angelus heard before he fell unconscience was the sound of the carriage moving away and Willow hysterically yelling after him.

End Part 2

    Light. All he could see was blinding light. He was about to welcome the comfort of darkness

again when one thought stopped him... “Willow.”

    “She’s been taken, too get married.”

    “Patrick, is that you?” Angelus asked opening his eyes further and trying to focus.

    “Yes Angelus, it’s me. You need to rest.”

    “No. I need to find Willow.” Angelus started to get up, only to have Patrick gently push himback down.

    “No one but my father knows where she is and he won’t tell any of us, I’m so tempted to beat it out of him. I don’t want my baby sister marrying that horrible monster! Everyone is furious about it, everyone expect my father that is. There is nothing we can do.”

    “I have to try. Do you have any idea how I feel about her? She is everything to me, my whole world........ I love her, I love her so much........ I couldn’t imagine a life with out her.” Angelus’ voice held such pain and despair, it tore at Patrick’s heart.

    “Get dressed. I think we should go pay my father a visit.”

    Angelus didn’t need to be told twice. He got up, with some help from Patrick, and got dressed. The only thing keeping him going was the thought of having Willow safely in his arms.

    Patrick and Angelus sat in a pub thinking of ways to get Willow back, they had gotten nothing but snide comments from her father.

    “I don’t know what to do. I’m out of ideas.” Patrick slurred.

    “ I plan to get so drunk that I can’t see straight. Then I’m going to pass out and start new tomorrow.” They exchanged glances, agreeing with his statement and headed towards the door.

    Patrick staggered a little and Angelus had to hold him up. Once they reached the street Patrick had passed out and fallen to the ground. “All right you just rest here.” Angelus looked up from Patrick and saw a beautiful woman alone in the alley. Granted she paled in comparison to Willow, but he knew that he would never get Willow back, that added to the alcohol made his thoughts all fuzzy. Before he knew what he was doing he approached the woman.

    “What’s a lady of your station doing alone in an alley with the reputation this one has?”

    The woman turned to look at him. “Maybe she’s lonely?”

    “Well in that case allow me to offer myself as escort, to protect ya from harm and while away the dull hours.”

    “You’re very gracious.”

    “It’s often been said.’

    “Are you sure you’re up to the challenge?”

    “My lady you’ll find that with the exception of an honest days work, there’s no challenge I’m not prepared to face..... Oh but you’re a pretty thing. Where you from?”

    “Around...everywhere.”

    “I’ve never been anywhere myself. I’ve always wanted to see the world but–“

    ”I could show you.”

    “Could ya then?’

    “Things you’ve never seen, never even heard of.”

    “Sounds exciting.”

    “It is.... and freighting”

    “I’m not afraid, show me...show me you’re world.”

    “Close your eyes.”

Angelus did so with out hesitation. What happened next would change his life forever, she bit him, slid her fangs in his neck and began to feed. The world came into sharp focus only to have it blur and spin around him once again.

Before his world faded to darkness he felt something warm enter his mouth and he began to drink it, his last thoughts were of Willow.  He saw her looking at him with a gaze full of love and sadness, then nothing.

    Darla pulled the young man away from her breast and smiled. She couldn’t wait for this one to rise, they would have such fun. She turned ad walked away, visions of her new childe and death in her head.

    Willow was sitting in the parlor of her new home. She had fought so hard to get away from Kiern, but when he threatened Angelus’ life she relented. She wasn’t sure if he was alive after the beating he had recived, she just couldn’t take that chance. She would gladly give her life for him."

    “What are you thinking about my love?” Kiern had walked in undected and it surprised Willow.

    “I’m not you’re love, I never will be!”

    “A temper to match your hair, very arousing. Would you like to take this upstairs love?”

    “ All I want if for you to leave me alone! I will be at your services later, I have no choice in the matter.”

    “ That’s right you don’t. I’ll wait, but I won’t wait long.” He turned as if leaving then turnred back and took a step towards Willow. “ By the sweet, was it by chance your lost love Angelus that was filling your thoughts?”

    “ Does it matter if it was. You’ve made it quite clear I’ll never see him again. Why can’t you just leave it at that?”

    “ Well darling you won’t have to worry you’re pretty little head about me killing Angelus.”

    “ What? Why?”

    “ Some one already beat me to it. So sorry to give you the horrible news love, but you’ll soon forget him, I’ll make you.”

    Kiern walked out leaving a very stuned Willow behind. He paused on the stairs and waited for what he knew would follow. Then he heard it and it brought a small smile to his face, the sound was Willow’s cry of horror and anguish, music to his ears.

    She waited until Kiern left for a night of drinking, then gave the servents the night off, sending them to their quarters. She sat in the parlor and stared out the window. She was numb inside, having  cried all the tears she had, now she just felt dead inside. She was just about to go upstairs when there was a knock on the door. As she neared the enteryway the knocks became frantic pounding.

    “Alright! Who on God’s green earth could that be?!” She threw the door open and stopped dead in her tracks, Angelus was standing on her porch very much alive.

End Part 3

“Angelus?” Willow’s voice was very weak and shaky. ( It can’t be! He’s dead! I saw the letter myself.)

    “Willow, thank god you’re ok! I was so worried about you. I hadn’t a momentspeace thinking of what he was doing to you.”

    Willow’s shock slowly wore off (He’s alive!) she threw herself in his arms tears of
joy and disbelief running down her cheeks. “ Thank god you’re alive! You’re family sent word that you had died, I only got the letter a few days ago... when I thought you had died I died with you...I-” Willow’s tears turned to sobs as the reality of everything sank in.

    Angelus pulled her closer whispering words of comfort in her ear. “I’m here sweeting. I’ll never leave you, I swear it on my life.”
 

    Willow pulled back slightly “What of your family? Do they know you’re alive?”

    “I came to you first, I had to be sure you were all right. Come with me Willow, let’s tell them together.”

    Willow looked into his eyes then kissed him tenderly on the lips, savoring the feel of him in her arms again. “I will meet you there tomorrow night.”

    “Leave with me now Willow. I can’t bare the thought of you with him, even if only for a day.”

    Willow looked into the eyes of the man she loved, she could deny him nothing, unless it meant he would be safe. “I will meet you there tomorrow night, it’s safer that way. If I leave now and people see us together and Kiern finds out he will surly have us both killed.”

    Angelus reluctantly agreed, “Till tomorrow then.” He bent and kissed her, a kiss so full of love and promise it brought tears to Willow’s eyes and left her breathless.....then he was gone.

    Willow was growing impatient, Kiern hadn’t left yet. He was usually long gone by now. “Goodnight my love, I shall return later. I expect to see you in my bed when I return.”

    “I’m sure you do my lord, have I ever disappointed?”

    “Not as of late, lets keep it that way shall we?”

    Willow gave a curt nod in his direction, she waited until she saw his carriage pull away before sighing in relief. She grabbed her cloak, headed for the stables, and left for Angelus’.

    Willow had finally arrived at Angelus’ house, the lights were on so she knocked on the door, when she got no answer she opened the door a little “Hello? Is anyone home?” She walked into the parlor and stopped dead in her tracks. There was blood and carnage everywhere. The people she had known and loved her entire life now lay in their own blood, throats torn out and looks of horror on their lifeless faces. Bile rose in her throat she turned and run from the horrific scene... she wanted to leave it behind her...far behind her. She rode to the only place she felt safe... the cliff. The one place that would always belong to her and Angelus.

    The man that had been watching her stepped from the shadows with a self satisfied smile on his face. He then went after the woman who had fled in horror mere seconds before.
 

    Willow stood alone on the cliff blankly staring at the moonlight shimmering upon the ocean. She was in such shock she never heard the horse approach, or the man come up behind her. She didn’t notice anyone was there until he reached for her, she turned and he pulled her into his arms.

    “ Oh god.....Angelus you’re......they’re-” Sobs once again racked Willow and she could no longer speak. Angelus stroked her hair and made soothing sounds in her ear.

    “It’s all right sweetheart I’m here , nothing is going to hurt you. I swear it.”

    Willow pulled back slightly, so she could look into Angelus’ eyes. She calmed herself a bit and again tried to tell him what had happened. “You’re family....they’re-”

    “Shhh.... I know.”

    “Know what? You couldn’t know.”

    “I know because I killed them.”

    “Wh-what?!” Willow couldn’t believe what she was hearing. He couldn’t be talking about the same thing.

    “ Oh my sweet little innocent Willow, I said I killed them. I think my mother tasted the best out of all of them. She was the most heartbroken...well next to my baby sister Caitlin.”

    Willow was horror stricken. It couldn’t be! It just couldn’t! Angelus started walking towards her, she started backing away shaking her head in denial.

“No-no....it can’t be! You wouldn’t!”

    “No my darling I would.” Angelus’ true face emerged as he said those words and Willow nearly screamed.

    “Wh-what happened to you!?”

    “Not much just died and came back a new man.” Angelus was getting closer and closer and closer to Willow.

    “I don’t understand-how-what are you?”

    “Come on Willow I know you’re smarter than that,” He so close to Willow if she so much as breathed she would be up against his chest. “you told me told me stories when we were children. Stories about the undead.....about vampires.”

    “No...no..” Willow kept shaking her head as she backed away from him. He surged forward and pulled her roughly against him. “You better start looking over your shoulder little girl, chances are I’ll be there.” He threw her to the ground and disappeared.

    Willow sat there slowly absorbing everything that had happened in the last thirty

minutes. Slowly she began to realize the enormity of everything that had happened. Instead if breaking down a wall of ice seemed to grow around her heart, there would be time for tears later but right now she had to get home and deal with the repercussions of the last thirty minutes.
 

    Angelus had watched with admiration as Willow pulled herself together and headed home with a look of determination. (She would make one hell of a vampire, and she would be mine. The fun we would have, the blood, the death, the days spent alone in my bed. She will be mine.) Angelus smirked to himself as he rode up to her house. She was on the porch looking for her key. (Yes she will be mine) Angelus slowly approached her.

End Part 4

Willow was frantically looking for her key. “Please God let me get inside safely.” As soon as that prayer was uttered she was grabbed from behind and whirled around too come face to face with her very angry, very drunk husband. “Where the hell have you been woman!?”

“I-I went out for a ride. I’m sorry I’m so late I just lost track of time.”

Kiern smacked Willow hard across the face, “Don’t lie to me woman! Where the hell where you!?” Kiern said all this while violently shaking her. Angelus had stood idly by, content just watching, that was until Kiern started hitting Willow. No one touched Willow, that is no one but him.

“Who were you with? I’ll not ask again.”

“She was with me!” As soon as Willow heard those words her blood ran cold. She knew that voice, the voice that used to belong to the man she loved.Only when she opened her eyes did she realize Angelus was standing in front of hewr and Kiern had been thrown off the porch. “Are you ok sweetheart?” Angelus asked in the most caring voice he could muster.

“Why do you care?” She wanted more than anything to believe he really cared about her, but deep down she knew he didn’t

“I care because I love you,” he took her into his arms, nuzzling her neck. “If he had hurt you I would have killed him with my baer hands.” Willow closed her eyes, basking in the feeling of Angelus tenderly holding her. She despertally wanted to believe that some part of her Angel was in there somewhere.

Angelus slowly pulled away and looked into her eyes, “Come away with me. Leave him, I’ll keep you safe I swear it”

Willow answered without even thinking. “Of course I’ll leave with you, I love you.”

“Get the hell away from my wife!” Kiern came running up the steps straight towardsAngelus with murder in his eyes. Angelus smiled coldly, this is exactly what he’d been counting on.

Everything seemed to go in slow motion. Angelus turned away from Willow as Kiern came running towards them and before Willow could even register what was happening Kiern lay dead at Angelus’ feet.

“I so love the sound of necks breaking.” He slowly wlaked towards a horror stricked Willow with a small satisfied smirk.  As he got closer she shrunk back in fear. “Darling what’s wrong? I did it for you....for us. Now we can be together....” Angelus paused and slipped his true face on.... “forever.”

Willow’s shock wore off the minute she saw Angelus vamp out. She had been so foolish believing he still cared for her. She had known the man she loved was dead yet she still hoped.... for what she wasn’t sure. “Get the hell away from me! You’re nothing but a monster. You didn’t do this for us you did this for the thrill of it!” She started slowly backing up towards her door then turned and ran inside.

Angelus watched Willow disappear into her house. Everything was working out perfectly. He had just proven that he was in charge and there was no where she could hide, no one to turn to, no one but him. “Soon my little spitfire, very soon.” With those last words Angelus disappeared into the night.

Willow collapsed in on the hard marble floor of her entryway. Thought was impossible. The pain of her breaking heart ruling her body instead. She curled into a fetal position and wept until she drifted into a restless sleep.

                    ******

Angelus was heading toWillow’s house, it was just after sunset. He was going to end the game tonight. He had toyed with her enough now it ws time for the cat to catch the mouse. He would claim her tonight, make her his for all enternity.

As he approached  her house he noticed something was wrong. The undertaker was there for Kierns body, that he expected, but all the servants were leaving with their bags. Most importantly there was no sign of Willow. He stopped on of the servants,” do you know where the lady of the house is?”

“No sir, she just vanished. I myself find it odd that she would disappear the same day her husband is found dead. Though I suppose it’s none of my business. I best be going now sir.”

(What the hell is she thinking?! She will pay dearly for this!) Angelus was furious and he was about to relieve some of that anger. He turned and headed towards Willow’s old home....and her family.

There is a belief that if two peoples love each other deeply enough that love can survive anything. It triumph over all barriers. Whether that barrier is separation, death, or even time.

Angelus walked up to the front door, easily slipping into his devastatingly charming act that lured so many to their deaths. He lightly knocked on the door and waited for someone to answer....he just never guessed that someone would be Willow.

“Hi honey, from the look on your face I’d guess you weren’t expecting to see me.”

“Your servants said you had left.”

“I did. I got half way out of town before I realized you would kill my family if I left, so here I am.”

“Smart move little girl. Dosn’t mean I still won’t kill you’re family. You need to be taught a lesson, from now on you do as I say!”

“Good luck killing what you can’t find.” Willow was very proud of herself ad getting a little careless, she kept drifting closer and closer to the threshold.

“What do you mean!?” Angelus was getting angrier by the second, in fact he was furious.

“I sent my family away, someplace that even you can’t get to them.”

“Invite me in Willow!”

“Do I look stupid? You said it youeself I’m a smart girl. So why on god’s green earth would I  invite you in!”

“Because I told you too! Invite me in Willow! Now!” Angelus growled while vamping out.

“I make it a rule not to listen to killers. Inviting you in would be signing my own deathwarrant. Face it Angelus you lost!” Willow had gotten so riled up she wasn’t payingattention to where she was standing. Her arm had passed through the barrier for a brief moment...it was long enough. One second Willow was safely inside, the next she was nose to chest with a very pissed off vampire.

“You should by now, little girl, I always win.” Angelus sunk his into the soft flesh of Willow’s throat. He was in heaven, her blood was the sweetest he had ever tasted. He was so lost inn the incredible feeling that he missed the telltale signs of Willow’s heart slowing, slowing to the point of death.

As Angelus feed from Willow she saw flashes of the future. There was a blonde...a slayer...her...Angelus....then blackness.

Angelus pulled back hoping he hadn’t killed her in his blinding rage, but he had. “Damn I really wanted to change her. She would have made an incredable vampire.” He dropped Willow at his feet. Agelus felt a moment of saddness over Willow being dead, but that saddness turned to irratation. He had wasted his time playing games with her... “Oh well there will be other conquests.”

Angelus walked away never knowing that in his future lay a soul, damnation, and his rehead.

The End
 

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