Parts: 6-10
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~Part: 6~
They couldn't get close enough. Even though they felt the spirits' presence in their body guiding their actions it was also Willow and Angel that couldn't get close enough to each other. Their souls seemed to be aching for the other.
As Angel reached for the hem of Willow's shirt and began to raise it over her head, he marveled at how much the woman in his arms had changed from the girl that had once worn fuzzy sweaters.
Willow's trembling fingers finally finished unbuttoning Angel's shirt. Her hands spread his shirt open and pushed it from his shoulders. Angel shrugged out of it as Willow's fingers began to caress his chest. Angel closed his eyes and shuddered at Willow's touch. Knowing that even though spirits possessed them it didn't seem to matter because it was still the actions that they themselves wanted.
Angel's hands reached for the clasp of her bra and unfastened it. He stared lovingly down at Willow, "Beautiful." He lowered his head and began to kiss his way down from her neck.
Willow entangled her fingers in his hair and arched into him. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a flash of white. A ghostly apparition stood just behind Angel's shoulder. He was looking at the scene in front of him with disgust.
"Robert!" Willow gasped.
With dread Willow watched in horror as the ghost raised a gun and pointed it at Angel. "NO!" she shouted as he fired.
Angel's body jerked as the ghostly bullet entered his body and he looked into Willow's shocked eyes, "Alicia, I'll always love you." Angel collapsed on top of her.
Struggling under his body, Willow lifted Angel off of her. Leaning down to stroke his hair she turned her head towards the ghost. "I'll never be yours, Robert."
"Then you can join your lover, Alicia." The ghost raised his arm and aimed at Willow.
Before he could complete his action Angel rose up from the couch, "I don't think so." He pushed Willow out of the way. The room was no longer cold and Willow felt the spirit leave her.
The ghostly Robert turned to Angel, "I killed you."
"Kinda hard to do when I'm already dead."
Willow walked up behind Angel, she put her arms around him and cuddled, "It's over. You must have broken the cycle when you got up. I think when you confronted Robert and tried to protect Alicia you broke the cycle. Alicia and Steven can rest in peace now. Look." Willow pointed to other side of the room.
The ghostly apparition of a beautiful woman with long red hair was smiling in the arms of a handsome dark haired man. No wonder it felt so real, Willow thought. They look like us. They looked at Willow and Angel and smiled their thanks before slowly fading away.
"Noooooo!" Robert screamed.
"It's over and you lost. Get over it Robert, you need to move on." Willow shook her head in disgust.
Robert slowly faded from the room. Willow doubted he would take her advice because he seemed the type that wouldn't move on. She would tell the manager to hire an exorcist or a psychic to get rid of him if the strange happenings returned.
Angel turned in Willow's embrace and lowered his head for a heated kiss. "Where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?"
Willow laughed against his lips. Drawing her head back to look him in the eyes, "As much as I want to continue this and I REALLY want to continue this I think we should get back to the hotel."
Angel nipped at the lower lip, "Right, bigger bed."
Willow laughed and went to put on her shirt but with a sly grin she shoved her bra in the back pocket of her jeans. Angel groaned and wasn't sure if he could make it back to the hotel before he had the urge to rip her shirt off and continue where they had left off.
~~~~~
Doc and Astrote left the offices of W&H and returned to the hotel where they were staying.
"Do you think the witch has joined the vampire yet?"
"Yes, she has my lord. I feel her presence strongly. She's very powerful. Just what you needed."
Doc smiled, "Wolfram and Hart may not want the witch to join Angel but they are important in our coming battle. Make sure the law firm doesn't interfere with it. You might want to step up the demonic activity in Sunnydale, too. Can't have the Slayers and their friends interfering with us here."
"Should I call in Glorificus to distract them?"
"No, she's too unpredictable. Let's send Pahuus. She's subtler in her dealings with humans. They'll never see her coming."
"As you wish."
~~~~
Angel made the drive back to the Hyperion in record time. He hastily parked the car and went around to open Willow's door. As soon as he shut the door he pulled her into a heated embrace. Angel gently lifted her onto the hood without breaking contact, Willow whimpered and opened her legs so Angel could stand between them.
Angel shuddered at the contact and moved his hands down to her hips to bring her closer. Willow rocked her hips into his and let her head fall back when Angel began kissing along her jawline and neck.
"Mmmm, I think we should go inside. Make sure everyone's okay."
"Mmmm Hmmm."
Willow pulled Angel's head up for a kiss and then pulled away.
"Sooner we're inside the sooner we can go upstairs."
Angel grabbed Willow's hand and pulled her off the car. They entered the hotel lobby and saw that everyone had made it back from their respective cases. The phones were still ringing but not as much as before.
Cordy smiled when she noticed that Angel and Willow were holding hands as they entered the lobby. Looking pointedly at their joined hands Cordy smirked, "Anything interesting happen at the theater?"
Willow blushed at the question and Angel smiled, which made Cordelia very nervous. She wasn't used to Angel smiling so much. Moving closer to look in his eyes, "You didn't get a happy did you? I mean you seem like you're still Angel."
"Workin on it." Angel mumbled and Willow hit him on the arm.
"No, he didn't get a happy and yes he's still Angel. Soul bonded remember?"
"Yeah, but you haven't tried it out so how can you be sure?"
Angel ignored her and turned to Wesley, "You think you guys can handle the rest of the calls."
"Sure."
Tugging Willow behind him Angel called over his shoulder, "Unless the apocalypse is happening we'll see you tomorrow."
With laughter in her voice Cordy asked, "Willow! Is that your bra poking out of your back pocket?"
The laughter of the others followed Angel and Willow up the stairs.
~Part: 7~
Willow awoke to a cool body pressed against her back. With her eyes still closed she smiled when she felt a gossamer like touch on her arm. Angel gently caressed Willow from her shoulder all the way down to her fingers and back up again. She rolled over to look up at Angel.
"Hey, you."
Angel leaned down to place a soft kiss on Willow's lips, "Hey, yourself."
With her eyes twinkling but lowered so Angel wouldn't see she schooled her features into a serious mask and said, "I don't know if I should be happy or insulted that you're still Angel."
Angel's eyes widened, "Willow, You have to know that I care deeply for you. I care as much for you as I did for Buffy. It's a different feeling but it's just as intense and deep. If my soul were going to go it would have last night. I'm sure it's because we're bonded that Angelus didn't make a return."
Willow couldn't help it she broke into giggles. "I'm sorry. I couldn't resist. I mean how often do I get a chance to mess with the mind of a vampire?" Reaching up she brought his head down for a lingering kiss. "Am I forgiven?"
With a mock growl Angel rolled Willow under him, "Well, not quite yet. I think you need to work on it a little more."
Gunn and Fred were standing outside Angel's room when they heard Willow giggle followed by a moan. "I am not knocking on that door I don't care what Cordy's vision was. Angel said not to disturb them unless it was an apocalypse and I value my life and yours too much to risk a knock."
Fred took Gunn's hand and led him away, "Yep, I'm pretty sure we can deal with whatever it was that Cordelia saw."
~~~~
Astrote approached Doc, "Pahuus has arrived in Sunnydale. With the increase of activity at the Hellmouth no one noticed her arrival."
"Excellent. She should keep them busy for quite some time. How are our plans for Angel and the witch getting along?"
"The second part of the plan should be set in motion tonight. I am planning on meeting with Lilah later this afternoon. She is very easy to manipulate for one that supposedly has such experience."
"Will you have difficulty in using her? I don't think she recognizes me as a threat. I could work on her." Just the thought of the torture that he could inflict was enough to bring a smile to his face. It had been awhile since he tortured and he was looking forward to it.
"No, she thinks I'm the brains behind us. That I just let you think you're in charge. It is what she would do and I'll just play on that. If that doesn't work I can always invade her dreams and put suggestions in her mind. I might do that anyway later."
"Why is it that humans think that it's the one that exudes the power that's the most powerful? Look at Angel and Willow. If you were to meet them you would think that Angel was the bigger threat when in reality it is the witch. Wolfram and Hart are too concerned with the souled vampire that has a role in their apocalypse that they've missed the role the witch will play in ours."
"I am looking forward to going up against her. She is powerful for one so young. It is said that she is the favored child of Gaia."
"Just make sure she uses the strength of Angelus in her fight with you. She'll be easier to bring into the darkness that way. With the darkness that is untapped in her already combined with the demon's darkness she should be easy enough for you to tempt."
~~~~~
Willow and Angel finally made their way downstairs. Mostly due to the rumblings of Willow's stomach than by any desire to leave their bed. Willow grabbed some fruit, cheese and crackers to snack on while Angel heated his mug of blood in the microwave.
Taking their food with them they joined the others in the lobby. "Any problems after we left?"
"Nope, Cordy had a vision earlier but we handled it. No need to disturb you guys with it. Turned out to be a Draconian demon, easy kill."
"Have there been signs of Docunde or Astrote?"
"None that I know of. My contacts at the Council have been strangely quiet. I don't know if they don't know anything or if they aren't willing to tell me. Have you been having any strange dreams or anything, Willow?"
"Nope, pretty dreamless lately. Why do you ask?"
"I did some research on Astrote and one of the ways he works is that he can invade your dreams and plant ideas."
"Yes he can but he won't show himself to me until necessary. He will attack those that I'm close to first. Trying to break our bond. It is all of you that need to look for strange dreams and odd thoughts."
Cordy held up her hand to Gunn, "Don't even think or say it."
"I wasn't going to say anything about how we wouldn't be able to tell the difference between any odd thoughts and your normal thoughts."
Cordelia raised an eyebrow, "You know, Gunn. I haven't tried out all my demony powers yet. You might want to keep that in mind next time you get the urge to make a smartass comment."
Gunn just smiled back.
Willow leaned over to Angel and whispered, "Are they always like that?"
"Yep, just like brother and sister always yapping at each other."
Turning to Wesley and the others Angel said, "I thought I would make a trip to Lilah's this evening. See what information I can get about them."
"You know she'll not willingly give you information."
A slow smiled spread across his face, "I know."
"Who's Lilah?"
"One of the easiest people to manipulate at Wolfram and Hart though she likes to think she's one of the toughest. Of course I've had over two centuries of manipulating and she's only had a few years."
Willow patted his leg, "As long as you have fun, honey."
That surprised a laugh out of Angel and the others.
"What?!?"
Cordelia answered, "We're just marveling over the change in you since Sunnydale and I for one have to say how much I like the new you. Not that there was anything wrong with the old you."
"Thanks, I think."
~Part: 8~
Lilah entered her office and hid her surprise when she saw Angel sitting there.
"Oh it's you, what do you want?"
"Now, Lilah. Is that any way to greet a guest that has come to visit?"
Lilah just rolled her eyes. "Just get on with it, Angel. You know I'm not going to tell you whatever it is you want me to."
Angel stood up and walked closer to Lilah. Lifting a hand to caress her cheek Angel said, "I'm counting on it." Angel smiled inwardly when he felt her heart begin to race. Sometimes he missed this.
Angel sat on the corner of Lilah's desk. "I've heard that Wolfram and Hart made a deal with the devil so to speak."
Lilah just raised an eyebrow at him and continued looking through a file on her desk.
Angel leaned in closer to Lilah and put his hand on top of the file, "I know you're working with Doc and Astrote in conjunction with the prophecy in the Urok scrolls. I also know that you didn't want the psychic's vision to come true about a powerful witch joining forces with me. Too late, Lilah. She's already with me and if anything happens to her, anything at all from a paper cut to something more I'll hunt you down and you'll beg for your death. You think what I did when I locked everyone in the room with Darla and Dru was the worst I could do?" Angel leaned even closer and looked in to Lilah's eyes, "it will be nothing compared to what I will do if anything happens to her."
Lilah tried to remain unaffected but it was hard when visions of the massacre were floating in front of her eyes. God, she was damned if she did and damned if she didn't. W&H would kill her if she told Angel what he wanted or Angel would kill her if anything happened to the witch.
She thought back over her meeting with Astrote that afternoon and what he wanted. They were going to use Angel as the bait to get the witch to come and battle Astrote. Might as well tell Angel where they were staying maybe she would get points for delivering Angel.
Pulling another folder out of a pile she laid it next to Angel, "I have a meeting I have to go to. I trust you can find your way out." She got up from behind her desk and walked out without looking back. Dumb vampire probably won't know to look through the file she thought.
Angel looked down at the file that Lilah obviously wanted him to see. That was way too easy he thought. Probably setting me up to be a sacrificial lamb. Wesley had told him about his role in the prophecy and that he would be the one to bring Willow and the dark lord together. He had argued about bringing her to LA. He hadn't wanted to be the one to cause her pain and maybe her death.
Wesley had told him that Willow played a pivotal role in the prophecy and that she wouldn't die but she would have to make a choice between fighting for the Powers or giving in to the temptation of the dark. According to the Urok prophecy Willow had a major role to play in an apocalypse they just didn't know if she was to stop it or begin it.
Angel flipped through the file and saw the address of where Doc and Astrote were staying. With a quirk of his lips he thought it was fitting that they were staying in Holland's house. Not that he was going to use this information just yet. He had just wanted to even the playing field since he had no doubt that Doc and Astrote knew where he and Willow were.
Angel had a feeling that the final battle wouldn't be for a while yet. The demonic activity in LA wasn't as bad as it could be and he had no doubt it would get worse. He had heard from Giles earlier and the action around Sunnydale had intensified. Angel thought that was probably Doc's doing as well. Trying to keep Willow's friends from coming to help her. It was something Angelus would do. It was an old ploy but very effective . . . divide and conquer. Doc would probably try to weaken her support here as well.
~~~~
Earlier that day Willow had decided to spend some time with Fred. Willow had only been in LA a few days but most of that time was spent either with Angel or with the entire gang. Willow had wanted to get to know Fred, Gunn and the new Wesley better. If they were to fight this evil together it would be better if they were a cohesive group and since she was the outsider of an already cohesive group it was up to her to make the first move with the others.
Talking with Fred, Willow realized how much they had in common. It was kind of nice to have another nerd around. She didn't feel as much as a square peg in a round hole. Of course Oxford helped her with that feeling as well. It was nice to be surrounded by others that had the thirst for knowledge that she had.
Willow and Fred were deep in discussions about different dimensions, black holes and Quantum Physics when Cordelia came outside to join them. Standing just outside the door Cordelia watched Willow and Fred talking animatedly about some new theory of Steven Hawking's. Cordelia smiled at how much Fred was opening up to Willow. Even though she wasn't the timid girl they had found in Pylea anymore she still wasn't too comfortable around strangers. It seems Willow hasn't lost her touch on how to make people comfortable in her presence Cordelia thought.
Cordelia made her way over to her two friends, "Okay enough bonding over science. Let's go do something fun."
"What did you have in mind, Delia?"
"Well, I just had a vision that a woman was going to get attacked outside of Casey's bar by a demon. I say we go, kick some demon ass and then party in the bar."
"So . . . mix a little business in with the pleasure. Sounds like a plan to me. You coming, Fred?"
"Sure."
They went back inside so Cordelia and Fred could grab a few weapons. Wesley turned when he saw them go to the weapons cabinet.
"A vision, Cordelia?"
"Yep, but this calls for girl power sorry boys."
Gunn asked, "What do you mean sorry boys?"
Willow and Fred smiled with Willow answering, "She means we're going to kick some demon ass and then bond."
~~~~
Angel returned to the Hyperion where he learned that Willow had gone demon hunting with Cordelia and Fred.
Gunn scowled, "Yeah, said they were going demon hunting then bonding. You know they are probably partying at a bar someplace. Leaving me and Wes to take up the slack while they're out having a good time. Probably picking up guys."
Angel narrowed his eyes at that. He really didn't like the idea of guys hanging all over Willow. His relationship with Willow was too new for him to feel confident in Willow's feelings for him.
Angel could hear the giggling before the doors opened. On the one hand he was happy that Cordelia and Fred were bonding with Willow but on the other he wasn't sure how much time he would have with Willow and he wanted to spend as much of it as possible with her.
As they entered Willow saw Angel, "Hi Angel."
Angel frowned. Willow's voice sounded odd and high.
Fred went over to Gunn to give him a hug, "Next time you guys can come too and we can all bond."
Gunn and Angel just looked at Fred and Willow. Fred's voice had the same odd quality.
"What happened? Did the demon do something to your voices?"
This caused the girls to giggle harder. It was Cordelia that finally got herself under control to answer, "Nope. Can you believe it? Fred had never sucked helium before. It's sort of a right of passage when you're younger. Grab a balloon and suck the helium out so your voice is really weird. So . . . we got a balloon and sucked the helium. Can't have Fred missing out on something like that."
Angel and Gunn just rolled their eyes, "Are you drunk?"
With a smile Willow jumped into Angel's arms, "Nope just tipsy. What did you find out from Lilah?"
Angel smiled and leaned down for a kiss. "Nothing that can't wait 'til later."
Angel drew Willow closer and their welcoming kiss turned more passionate. Cordelia cleared her throat and mumbled, "Get a room."
Angel's vampirc hearing heard her mumblings and with a smile he broke off his kiss with Willow. Grabbing her hand and walking towards the stairs he whispered to Cordelia, "Good idea."
~Part: 9~
Watching Angel sleep Willow thought back over her life and how much it had changed since she first met Buffy, Angel and Giles. The shy and timid teenager would scarcely recognize the woman that she had become. She would never have dreamed that she and Angel would have ever become lovers. Partly due to the epic saga of the star crossed love of Buffy and Angel and partly due to never thinking Angel would be attracted to her. She was afraid that she was falling hopelessly in love with Angel. She knew that Angel cared for her deeply but she wasn't sure if it was love. Growing up on the Hellmouth had taught her to grab happiness while you could. She was determined that if what Angel and she had was only for a short time then she would walk away with a smile and wonderful memories of her time with Angel.
Angel opened his eyes and saw Willow watching him. She seemed to be deep in thought and not really seeing him. He marveled at how lucky he had been since Whistler had showed him the path he could take. First to come into his life and show him that he could love and maybe that he might deserve love was Buffy. Though their relationship was doomed from the beginning he was glad for the chance to experience her love. Then when Buffy and he had finally moved on, his life's path had led him to Willow. At first he had been concerned that what he was feeling for Willow was partly due to the bond they shared but last night he had realized that he was falling in love with Willow the woman. He had constantly fought his demon while he was with Buffy but with Willow they were both at peace. It was like he had finally found the other half of himself. Liam and Angelus were both content with the red haired witch that had enchanted them.
Angel reached over to caress Willow's cheek. She blinked as she was brought out of her thoughts.
"Penny for your thoughts."
Willow smiled, "Just thinking how lucky I am."
Angel rolled to his side so they were facing each other. "What a coincidence, I was thinking the same thing."
Angel leaned in for a kiss. It was a gentle and tender meeting of lips as they both tried to convey without words their love for the other. Both were afraid it was too soon to declare their love to each other so this was their unspoken declaration.
Pulling back they said simultaneously, "Wow".
There was a soft knock on the door. With a small growl Angel rose out of bed and began to stalk toward the door. Only Willow's giggles stopped him from opening the door. Turning back he asked, "What?"
With one raised eyebrow and his jeans in her hand she said, "You might want to put this on before opening the door. Not that I mind seeing you walking around naked but I really would rather you didn't show whoever is on the other side of the door all your assets."
Stalking back toward Willow Angel smirked, "My assets, huh?"
Meeting him half way and drawing him into a hug she reached around to squeeze his butt, "definitely, assets."
The knock this time was a little louder and Fred's timid voice, "I'm really sorry but there is someone that insists on speaking to you, Angel."
Fred shifted her weight from foot to foot. She was under no illusion as to why Cordy and Gunn had sent her up to get Angel. She knew that they thought Angel wouldn't bite her head off if she were the one to knock on the door. She just hoped they were right.
Angel yelled, "I'll be right down, Fred."
Cupping Willow and bringing her closer Angel leaned down to nip at her ear and whisper, "You really shouldn't have started something that you can't finish now."
Willow smiled, "Anticipation just makes it sweeter."
Stepping back and slipping into the jeans and pulling on a tee shirt he smirked, "That statement is going to come back and bite you on the butt."
"Promises, promises."
~~~~
When Angel came down the stairs he saw a woman pacing back and forth and biting her lip. It reminded him of Willow when she was deep in thought. With a smile Angel realized he would constantly see aspects of Willow in others.
Cordelia wore a bright smile as she introduced Angel to the woman pacing. "Angel, this is Caroline Quinten." Cordy had been smiling since she had recognized that this woman was from money, which meant she would pay the invoice. This wouldn't be a charity case like most of their other cases were.
"How may I help you?"
"I found this yesterday." Caroline reached into her purse and pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Angel.
While Angel was reading what she had handed him Willow came down the stairs to join the others. "Mrs. Quinten?"
"Willow! Jake didn't tell me that you were here. Why didn't you let me know you were in town?"
Willow went over to give her a welcoming hug. "He didn't know. He just knew that I was taking a leave from school to help friends in the US. I thought you were in Europe."
Everyone was looking at her with curiosity. Willow went to stand by Angel. "I met her son Jake at Oxford."
With a smile Caroline said, "Willow spent a couple of summers with us while she was dating Jake."
Feeling Angel stiffen next to her Willow reached for his hand to give it a squeeze. Before she could explain Caroline continued, "Steve and I were saddened when Jake and Willow decided they made better friends. We are very fond of her."
With a fond smile Willow turned to Caroline, "The feeling is definitely mutual. What brings you to Angel?"
Caroline's smile faltered and indicated the envelope that Angel was holding. "I found that yesterday. My brother Charles left it when he was visiting."
Angel handed the envelope to Willow. It was an invitation to a party in Beverly Hills. With a confused look on her face she turned to Caroline. "Am I missing something? This is just an invitation to a party by someone named Isis."
It was Angel that answered her. "Isis invokes the name of Osiris and promises that if you make a donation you will receive your fondest wish."
"Why is Charles involved in something like that? If I remember correctly he scoffed at all things mystical."
"His views on everything have changed since his wife Helen died. I think he wants Isis to bring her back."
Willow shivered. That was some of the darkest and most powerful magic and shouldn't be performed lightly. "Is this Isis that powerful of a witch?"
"No and that's what has me worried. Charles would have investigated that before trying to get an invitation. There have been rumors in the Wicca community that with the increase of demon activity and signs of the apocalypse that have been happening all over something big is going to be happening soon. It wasn't until I overheard Charles on the phone asking if everything was set up for the sacrifice to Balein that I decided to come here."
"Oh my!" Wesley said before he could stop himself.
Angel turned to Wesley and gave him a look to remain silent. Watching the exchange between Angel and Wesley Willow narrowed her eyes. "Okay guys, what are you keeping from us?"
Wesley looked for a sign from Angel who subtly nodded his head to go ahead.
"Balein was mentioned in the Urok scrolls as a minor player in the apocalypse. When the sacrifices are made to him he'll be able to come forth and begin to bring about the end."
"That's why I came here. With your reputation I thought you would be able to stop this from happening."
"We'll do everything that we can."
Willow walked her to the door and with a hug promised to stay in touch. After closing the door she turned back around, "Okay, now tell me what Balein really does. If he is such a minor player Wesley wouldn't have Oh my'd and you wouldn't have tried to shut him up with a look. What aren't you saying?"
With a slump of his shoulders Angel realized he couldn't keep this from Willow any longer. Wesley put his hand on Angel's shoulder and whispered his apology. Angel told him that it wasn't his fault.
Willow's heart began to inch its way up her throat. It must be something bad concerning her by the reaction between Wesley and Angel. She closed her eyes trying to get her emotions under control. She could handle whatever it was they said.
"Balein does play a minor role in the apocalypse but he plays a major role in your part in the apocalypse."
"I thought all I had to do was fight Astrote. That was my role, right?"
Willow's question was met with silence.
"That's your role yes but one of Angel's roles is that he leads you to the dark lord's fight. The beginning of that path is Balein. When Mrs. Quinten mentioned his name I realized our roles were beginning."
Willow took Angel's hand and tried to get him to look into her eyes. He had been avoiding looking at her while Wesley was speaking. When Angel finally looked at her Willow said, "You wouldn't do anything that would cause me pain, I know that, but we have to play our roles out no matter where it leads us." She raised their clasped hands and kissed his fingers. "I trust you with my life and I have faith that Gaia wouldn't have guided me towards this battle if I was destined to lose."
~Part: 10~
Turning to Wesley, Willow asked, "So are we supposed to stop Balein from being brought forth or wait until he's in this realm before we stop him?"
"The scrolls say that he is brought forth but that the warrior will defeat him. This sets off a chain of events that need to be followed if we are to defeat Docunde."
Gunn asked, "What are the events? What exactly are in the scrolls, Wes?"
"The scrolls don't really go into a lot of detail. After Balein there is an evil witch to fight. It just says that she brings myth into reality. After the witch it just talks about heartless demons."
Gunn rolled his eyes. "Well that just narrows it down doesn't it? I mean how many heartless demons can there be out there? I'm thinking millions. If I didn't know any better I would say they multiply like jackrabbits."
"So do we get invitations or do we crash their little party?"
Angel looked at the invitation that Caroline had left. "Well, the invitation doesn't mention that anything specific is needed to gain entrance so I think it would be safe enough to crash."
"Do we need to do any preparation for tomorrow night or just grab weapons and kick some demon ass?"
"No, there isn't any preparation needed. There isn't really a particular way you must kill Balein."
Cordelia closed her eyes concentrating on the pictures that were flitting through her mind. Opening her eyes she noticed the others looking at her.
"Vampires crashing a ceremony. Like a wedding but the couple had their right hands bound and they were both wearing skirts."
"Lesbian wedding?"
"No, it was male and female."
Angel rolled his eyes. "He was wearing a kilt, Cordelia."
At Cordelia's confused look Willow added, "Mel Gibson, Braveheart."
At the mention of Braveheart Fred, Cordelia and Willow got lust filled dreamy looks on their faces.
Gunn, Angel and Wesley got disgruntled looks on their faces.
"What is it about that movie anyway?" Gunn asked.
Willow answered, "You mean besides a longhaired Mel, kilts, and Scottish accents?"
Angel's look turned predatory as he walked over to Willow. His Irish brogue slipping out, "Ya know, little one. Back in the auld country I was known ta wear a kilt."
Visions of a longhaired Angel wearing no shirt and a kilt were dancing in Willow's mind as Angel stalked closer. She hoped she wasn't drooling. When he pulled her into an embrace she whispered, "Is it true that you don't wear anything under a kilt?"
Leaning down to nip at her neck he said, "Maybe I'll let ya find out fer yerself some time."
"Guys . . . vampires."
"Mmm, vampires."
Cordy laughed, "Not what I meant, Willow."
Angel and Willow smirked and then turned to follow the others out.
~~~~
Angel and the others arrived at the ceremony just as the guests were arriving. Angel sensed about ten vampires that were approaching the large group of people from behind. Motioning to the others to follow him, he silently approached the vampires.
Before the vampires could turn around Cordy, Gunn and Fred fired crossbows disintegrating three vampires. Before they could reload the other vampires noticed their counterparts dissolving and they turned to see where the attack was coming from.
Angel had walked into the middle of the remaining seven and pointed to Willow standing nearby, "I think they came from her." He watched with a smirk as three vampires made their way towards Willow. The smirk turned into a broad smile when Willow called the element of fire and set the three on fire. "That's my girl."
Wesley pulled a stake out and hid it up his sleeve. As he approached a nearby vampire he appeared to stumble and he mumbled an apology. Before the vampire knew what was happening Wesley drove the stake into its chest.
Angel quickly dispatched the remaining three vampires. They had quietly dispatched the ten vampires before the crowd could tell what was happening. They just heard a disturbance but not what it was.
Angel said to the crowd, "I'm sorry for the interruption folks. They won't disturb you anymore."
The couple that Cordelia saw in her vision approached Angel. "Thank you. Please stay for our handfasting ceremony and enjoy the festivities afterward."
Willow looked around but didn't see a priest or priestess. "Handfasting? Are you Wiccan?"
The woman smiled and shook her head, "A lot of people asked us that. No, this isn't the Wiccan ceremony but the ancient Scottish rite. Our great grandparents were Scots and we wanted to honor our heritage by doing a traditional handfasting ceremony for our engagement party."
Angel got a far away look in his eyes when they mentioned their ceremony.
Willow looked over at Angel. He wasn't exactly brooding but he had an odd expression on his face. She smiled at the woman, "thank you. We would be honored to watch your ceremony."
Willow's words brought Angel out of his thoughts. He was reminiscing of his time in Ireland when his relatives did the same type ceremony. The family would gather from all over to witness the couple pledging their vows. He looked at Willow and came to a decision. The handfasting was for a year and a day. At the end of that time the couple decided to either continue in the relationship or part as friends. It was too soon to claim her like his demon was screaming at him to do but it wasn't too soon to handfast. If she agreed she would be bound to Liam tonight and after the year and a day he would claim her. She would be bound to all of him.
Angel turned to the man standing nearby. "May I speak with you for a minute?"
"Sure."
Willow was curious about what Angel wanted to speak with him about. Maybe warn him about having night ceremonies where anyone could approach. He had been a little off since the ceremony was mentioned. She wondered if it brought up painful memories of his past in Ireland.
Angel and the man walked back to the others both wearing broad smiles. Angel approached Willow and slid his arms around her. Whispering in her ear, "I need to talk to you for a minute."
"Okay."
They walked off away from the prying ears of Cordelia and the curious glances of the others.
Angel reached for Willow's hands, "Do you know about the Celtic handfasting ceremony?"
"I know the Wiccan ceremony and I'm guessing it is similar. It is a marriage rite that usually lasts for a year and a day or longer and is renewable as long as the love lasts. Though there are many variations to that."
"In Scotland and sometimes in Ireland it was used as sort of like an engagement. The couple bound themselves together for a year and a day and after that time they either agreed to continue the relationship and become married in the eyes of the church or part as friends."
Willow was looking at Angel oddly. She couldn't figure out why he was giving her a history lesson in handfasting. Lifting a hand to cup Willow's cheek he said, "I love you, Willow. I would be honored if you became handfasted with me tonight with our friends as witnesses."
Willow was shocked. She knew Angel cared for her but she had thought it was too soon for love. With a trembling smile and a shaking hand she reached up to caress his cheek. "Angel, I love you. I would be honored to handfast with you tonight."
"I wanted to blend my life as Liam and Angelus with you." Leaning his forehead down to hers he continued, "just to let you know, after the year and a day is up I plan on claiming you. I want everyone from the demons to the humans to know that you're mine. Do you know what a claiming ceremony means?"
She rolled her eyes at him, "Pfft, you're talking to research girl remember. 'Sides Buffy and I snuck a peak at the 'forbidden' Watcher's Diaries in high school. We probably know a lot of what we're not supposed to know."
"Then you know that it is a very binding and serious ritual. It's for eternity. When you become bound to me you will live for as long as I do and vice versa. It's a very big step. I'll let you have a year to get used to it."
Willow smiled inwardly she wouldn't need a year but if it made Angel feel better than she'd wait.
Holding hands they returned to the others. Angel said, "Sean has graciously agreed to share his handfasting ceremony with Willow and I."
Wesley drew in his breath but the others didn't respond. They had no idea what it meant. Wesley turned to Willow, "Are you sure?"
"Yep."
"Sure about what, Red?"
Angel explained to Gunn, Cordy and Fred exactly what it meant. Those nearest the strangers turned to look when they heard two high-pitched squeals of delight. With smiles they saw the two brunettes envelop the red head in a hug. Sean and Mary had informed the gathering of friends and relatives that Angel and Willow would be participating also.
Willow and Angel took their place next to Sean and Mary. Sean took out his dirk and made a small cut in the palm of his right hand and handed the knife to Mary. She made the same cut before handing the knife to Angel and Willow. Willow placed a small cut on the palm of her hand before handing it to Angel. Angel did the same and returned the knife to Sean.
They bound their right wrists together with a cord and stated their vows to cherish, honor and protect each other for a year and a day.
When they finished, Angel placed a gentle kiss on her lips.