Parts: 11 - 22
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~Part: 11~
Gwen shook off the kick that Wesley just hit her with. Damn, he's better than she thought he was. Time to up it a notch.
Gwen brought her hand up and blocked Wesley's last move. Without taking her eyes off of his she turned her wrist to grab his and shifted her weight allowing her to pull his wrist back at an unnatural angle.
Wesley's eyes widened when Gwen shifted her weight and he was able to see past her shoulder. Gwen cocked her head to the side as she saw Wesley's eyes widen. It wasn't that unusual of a move and she doubted she was causing him much pain. Sure some but not enough for his eyes to widen like that.
"What?"
Wesley began to smile.
Okay that was just weird. What the hell was he smiling at?
"Behind you."
Gwen rolled her eyes. "Do you really think I'm that stupid, Wes?"
Wesley was having conflicting emotions. He was in pain from Gwen's pressure on his wrist but he was having a hard time not laughing at Angel and Willow's behavior in the middle of their fight.
Gwen finally noticed the quiet. There should be sounds of fighting coming from Willow and Angel but it was suspiciously quiet. She knew that Willow wouldn't hurt Angel to unconsciousness no matter the temptation and she really didn't think Angel would either. He was usually very aware of his vampiric strength.
Gwen didn't release Wes' wrist but took a quick look over her shoulder. She blinked a few times not sure she was really seeing what she was seeing.
She quickly released Wes' wrist and stomped over to Angel and Willow. Not wanting to hurt Willow, even a little, she left her inhibitor on . . . for now. She angrily grabs Angel by the shoulder and roughly pulls him away from Willow.
"What the HELL do you think you're doing?"
Angel glanced over to Willow's dazed expression and then back to Gwen.
"Well I thought even someone with your limited intelligence would know what I was doing."
Gwen narrowed her eyes and took off her inhibitor. "You son of a bitch."
Wesley couldn't understand why Gwen was this upset. She must know that Willow had feelings for Angel and that Angel cared for Willow. He didn't think she was jealous but he never did understand the feminine mind.
Before Willow or Wesley could interfere Gwen sent an arc of electricity at Angel who stumbled back.
"GWEN!"
Gwen turned angry eyes to Willow. "He used the same technique when he was after the axis of Pythea. While we were fighting I used an electrical charge on him and then he reaches up and kisses me." She turns sad eyes to Willow, "I don't want him screwin' around with your emotions like that."
Turning her angry eyes back at Angel. "You KNOW how sensitive she is."
Willow had had enough, "HELLO Right here."
She looked over at Gwen, "I appreciate you trying to protect me but I can fight my own battles and I'm well aware that Angel doesn't feel that way about me."
"But he DOES, Willow." Wesley piped in. He was not going to have this opportunity go to waste. They had been circling each other since Willow came to LA.
Angel looked over at Willow trying to gauge how she felt about Wesley's declaration but it seemed she was better at hiding her emotions than she had been in Sunnydale. "While this wasn't how I pictured us having this conversation I think it's time we talked. Really talked, Willow."
Willow's heart shattered into a million pieces. Angel was going to give her the 'I like you as a friend' speech that she had received so many times before from so many others. Wesley didn't know what he was talking about. Sure Angel had kissed her and sure her toes curled but she was sure to him it was just another tactic to win the battle. She was under no illusions to her appeal to the opposite sex or the same sex for that matter. There had only been two lovers in her life that really got her. Oz and Tara.
Gwen looked at her friend and wanted to fry Angel . . . to dust this time. Damn! Does he not see the pain she's in? If he makes her close off her emotions anymore she was going to keep him on the brink of eternal death for as long as she could. He didn't deserve to die quickly. No, his was going to be a very slow and painful eternal death.
Angel held out his hand to Willow avoiding Gwen's death glares and Wesley's sympathetic ones. He sighed when she ignored it and turned on her heel.
Gwen watched the two leave to go upstairs and talk privately. She whirled on Wesley. "You are going to tell me everything starting now. I want to know what the hell you and Angel were thinking the other night and what you know on Bradstreet or so help me god even Willow won't be able to save you."
Wesley inwardly winced as he indicated Gwen follow him into the office. Angel was SO going to owe him for this.
~~~~
Angel swiped his hand through his hair nervously as he saw Willow sit stiffly in a chair. God he hoped he hadn't ruined the best thing that was in his life.
"Willow." She glanced up at him and waited. Shit this was going to be harder than he thought. Why couldn't he have ignored his instinct and just fought her? NO, he had to give in to the temptation of her temper lighting her eyes and making her skin flush. He had to let the demon take control and subdue his potential mate. Not that Willow saw it that way. SHIT.
He cleared his throat and started again. "Willow, Wesley was right. I hadn't planned on ever ruining our friendship by letting you know how I feel about you but . . ." He trailed off as he saw her expression. Just fucking great. She didn't believe him.
"Please, just stay here a minute. I need to get something. I'll be right back."
Angel's shoulders slumped as he left the room. He hoped this worked. If she didn't believe him after reading his journal he would beg her to at least still let him be in her life, even peripherally.
Willow closed her eyes and finally let her emotions come to the surface. God she hoped she could hold it together until she and Gwen left. When this job was over she was going to see if Gwen wanted to leave LA. She didn't have ties so Gwen was pretty open to going anywhere. Maybe they'd open an office in Vegas and stay with Lorne for a while.
Willow heard Angel approach and she masked her feelings again.
Angel looked pleadingly into her eyes. "Just read it." He handed her his journal.
With trembling hands that she couldn't quite control she took the book from Angel.
Angel debated about leaving her alone while she read but he thought to himself, 'screw it'. He wanted to see her emotions as she read it.
Willow flipped open the journal to a few days before Angel called and asked her to come to visit him, Wes, Gunn, and Fred in LA.
She couldn't believe the depth of his feelings for her as time went on. He wrote everything that he was feeling and thinking. She came to the visit of Henri Diemer and realized that Angel Investigations had been tricked. But by who and why?
A tear trickled down her cheek as she read about him wanting to kiss her in the rose garden the night of Bradstreet's party. He hadn't been lying when he said he cared about her. A soft smile lit her face, here was someone else that got her.
Angel closed his eyes in resignation, her face was a blank mask. He didn't see the tear and he didn't notice when she set the journal down. He was mentally berating himself that he didn't notice anything until a soft weight sat on his lap and soft hands cradled his face.
His eyes popped open to see Willow tearfully smiling into his surprised brown eyes. He reached his hands out and placed them gently on the curve of her hip. Yep, this wasn't a pain induced hallucination but Willow really sitting on his lap.
Taking a chance that she saw how deep his feelings ran he gently leaned down slowly giving her time to pull away if she wanted. Willow didn't wait for Angel to finish his downward descent but pulled him closer.
Angel poured all his emotions into the kiss. He softly growled and shifted his hands lower and pulled her fully onto his lap. When Willow didn't protest he moved one hand to under her knees and lifted her up as he moved to the bed.
Willow didn't notice anything except the feeling of Angel's lips on hers and her hands in his hair. It wasn't until she felt the mattress under her that she pulled away.
"I just want to hold you, Willow." He didn't want to scare her with what else he wanted to do. Time enough for that. If she were still unsure he would take a cold shower for hours. He was not about to ruin this chance with her. Besides before Willow merged man and demon he had plenty of practice ignoring his body's urges.
Willow softly smiled, "If that's all you want to do than I seriously misread your journal."
Hope flared in Angel's soul. His eyes turned seductive and his voice grew husky, "That's not all I want to do, little one but it's a start."
~Part: 12~
Wesley watched nervously as Gwen processed everything he told her. She had started pacing and mumbling half way through his explanation. At least she hadn't turned on him. It was mostly threats against the intelligence of Angel and his lineage.
Ever since the split with Angel a few years ago Wesley had learned a lot about the darkness in him but even he was shocked at some of the mumblings coming from Gwen.
She was absolutely beautiful to watch. Not just her looks, though those were spectacular, but also the grace that she moved. Also her intelligence as plans began to form behind her eyes. He could see her famous thinking on the fly kicking in.
Wesley was glad Gunn wasn't here to see him glazing over as he watched Gwen. He'd never live it down.
"What was Angel thinking? Okay I get he thought Willow and I were Bradstreet's next victim. But did any of you morons think to maybe warn us and not go all Rambo on us?"
Wesley cleared his throat, "Well, actually Angel DID try to warn Willow but she wouldn't listen. He left a message for her to return."
Gwen narrowed her eyes. "Shit. Are you telling me all this could have been avoided if any of you had used a drop of intelligence and checked your Henri Buckley's story? Christ, Wesley. You should know better than to take the word of a client at face value. Angel's 'message' came just after we had met with the REAL Henri Buckley. Do you really blame Willow for not wanting to hear any more bullshit?"
Before Wesley could answer the shrill ringing of the phone interrupted them. Deciding he should take the interruption and let Gwen hopefully calm down he picked it up. "Wesley-Wyndham Price."
"Hey Wes. Good to hear you're still alive and Gwen and Willow didn't fry you or turn you into something. They are awake right?"
"Yes, Gunn they're awake."
Gunn interrupted him, "Good cause Fred and I have some not so good news."
Wesley straightened. "What is it, Gunn?"
"Is Angel, Gwen, and Willow with you?"
Wesley wasn't sure he liked where this might be going. "Gwen is here."
Gwen moved closer to hear what was going on. They were no longer going to be out of the loop if she could help it.
Gunn smiled slyly on his end of the phone. So Angel and Willow weren't with the other two. He hoped they were finally doing the nasty so everyone could move on but knowing his broody boss they probably weren't.
"Wes put me on speaker phone. I'm guessin' you already told them about Bradstreet."
Wes hit the speaker button, "Go ahead Gunn."
"Hey Gwen. Just want you to know that Fred and I were against the whole idea."
Gwen smirked over at Wesley who was fidgeting uncomfortably. "Willow and I both know you and Fred are the brains of this operation."
"What did you call to tell us, Gunn?" Wesley bit out between clenched teeth. Angel definitely owed him BIG for this.
"Right." Gunn hit the speaker button on his end. "Lorne has something to tell you guys."
"Listen something big went down in a different dimension. The demons are all agog about it. It seems there's this monthly auction." Wes wondered why Gwen sat up straight and began to listen intently when Lorne mentioned a monthly auction.
"This wouldn't have happened the first of every month would it, Lorne?"
Well, well. It seemed that Gwen was keeping some secrets of her own.
"Right you are sunshine and the latest was a few days ago. Coincidently the same day as your little escapade, Wesley."
Wes could see Gwen's mind working a mile a minute.
Gwen jumped up and began to pace. "Bradstreet was out of town that day. Said he had an appointment he was probably at the auction."
Gunn added his two cents, "Yeah that's what Fred and I figured especially since there was another murder. This one open and public. He didn't bother making the bodies disappear since it all happened in another demon dimension and not here with the police to follow up."
"My contacts tell me that your George Bradstreet tortured and killed the two men that were holding the auction. It seems that the object up for sale was a priceless statue stolen from Mr. Bradstreet. He doesn't like double crosses kids. Their mutilated bodies were strung up with a sign to that effect."
"That's all very interesting, Lorne but we already knew that he was unstable and a killer."
"Yes, but here's the interesting part." Gunn answered for Lorne. "When Lorne told us what the two gentlemen looked like Fred and I recognized one of them."
"Buckley?"
"Ding, ding, ding, ding. Correct answer, Wes. Tell him what he's won, Lorne."
"An extremely pissed off madman. Sorry, cupcake but word on the street is that Bradstreet was notified about your and Angel's little Rambo escapade. Oh, not to worry, Gwen. You and Willow are out of danger in that regard. He doesn't think you double-crossed him at all. All his anger is at Angel and Wesley. Though you and Willow are his latest obsession. And getting the amulet back of course."
"Damn it! I told Angel this was a bad idea and not to pull the tale of the tiger but did he listen to me. NO! Now look where we are. We have a manipulative, evil, self-absorbed mad man on the hunt for not only his latest collectible but us as well."
Fred smiled faintly on the other end. "Sounds like a job for Angelus."
Gunn laughed, "FRED!"
"What? I'm just saying that it takes a manipulative, evil, self-absorbed mad man to defeat another one."
Gwen laughed, "I knew I liked you, Fred."
"How soon can the two of you return?"
"Fred and I'll be there within a few hours. Be careful, Wes. This guy means business."
Wesley hit the off button.
"Flip you for who goes upstairs and tells Angel and Willow."
"Only if I can flip you, Wes."
"Fine, I'll go." Wesley just hoped Angel wouldn't knock his head off when he answered the door.
As Wesley reached the top of the stairs he turned to go to Angel's room. Just outside Angel's door he heard muffled laughter and then a moan.
NO WAY was he going to interrupt now. It could wait until Gunn and Fred got back from Vegas.
Wesley turned on his heels and went back downstairs.
Gwen looked up from the lobby and wrinkled her brow, "Couldn't find them? If Angel hurt Willow in any way and she took off I'll string him up and not by his neck!"
Wesley winced at that mental picture.
He blushed as he tried to reassure her, "I-I believe they've overcome their differences."
Taking in Wesley's faint blush and the fact that if Willow had been upset she wouldn't have left without at least telling Gwen.
Gwen wasn't sure how she felt about that latest development. Not that she begrudged her friend this time with Angel. God knows she deserved it but Angel had the ability to hurt Willow deeply and a tiny part of her was jealous that Willow found someone.
It wasn't until recently that with the help of the inhibitor Gwen had been able to physically touch someone without fear of hurting them. The wall around her emotions was thick and vine covered. Too many years of closing off her emotions and wearing a mask made it very difficult for anyone to get close to her.
Willow has often joked that it would take someone like a gallant warrior from a fairy tale to breech her defenses. She deeply sighed wondering if she would ever find someone brave enough to fight her dragons to find the Gwen inside.
Wesley wondered at Gwen's deep sigh. She often reminded him of the fairy tale princesses that his mother used to tell him as a child. Of course she would be a modern day fairy tale princess that could kick the evil queen's ass.
~Part: 13~
Gwen anxiously waited as Willow came down the stairs alone. God, if Angel hurt her in any way she would make his life a living hell. Willow still had her insecurities of her high school years she was just better at hiding them now. It was only very close friends that she let get close enough to see the vulnerabilities. That's why Gwen was so worried about Angel. Angel could hurt Willow deeply without even realizing it.
Willow tried to smile reassuringly at Gwen. She knew how much Gwen worried about her. She was still mad at Wes and Angel for what they did. It was stupid and could have been avoided if they had talked. If they had ALL talked. So Willow had informed Angel that from this point forward it would be open communication . . .from everyone.
"Hey."
"Hey. You all right?"
Willow put her arm through Gwen's and led her back to Angel's office, "Yeah. Angel and I had a nice long discussion."
Gwen smirked over at her friend, "Oh, is that what you call it."
Willow rolled her eyes and smiled. It was good to see the sarcastic wit of Gwen instead of the worried frown. "Well, we did talk. As soon as Gunn and Fred get here we're going to be one team on this. I know you have a problem with Angel and Wes but we need to be a team on this one. I think Bradstreet is very dangerous. More dangerous than Angel thinks he is. That room in the back of his private collection . . ." Willow took a deep breath before telling Gwen her suspicions. "I think that's where he keeps his human trophies."
Gwen slowly nodded. She had suspected that as well after Wesley told her of the missing women. Added to the heebies that Willow had gotten from that room and that it was protected magickally, Gwen had no doubt that room was George's 'very special' collection.
"Do you think the women are alive in there or do you think it's a sociopath's dead trophy room?"
Willow shivered at the thought of the women staring sightlessly out of their dead eyes and being kept in a trophy case. Shaking the picture out of her head, "I honestly don't know. I think he would keep them alive because it's their power that is so special and without life there is no power."
Gwen wasn't sure which was creepier the thought of the women dead in a trophy case or women screaming for their lives and no one able to hear their pleas.
The sound of the front door opening brought them out of the office.
Willow smiled at Fred and Gunn. "Wes give you the all clear?"
"Something like that. I figured if Wes could still talk and not make little mouse noises it was safe to come back."
Willow laughed. Angel smiled from the stairs. He loved to hear her laugh.
"Welcome back."
'Well, well' Gunn thought. 'It looked like Angel finally did something about it.' He slyly looked over at Wes, 'now to get Wes to do something about Gwen.'
Fred smiled up at Angel. It had been a very long time since she'd seen him genuinely smile. When Willow had merged man to demon that had been the last time she thought.
Angel went over to Willow and gently lay a hand on her waist and placed a soft kiss on the top of her head. He saw Gwen's scowl but ignored it and turned to see Gunn smirking at him.
"Wes told us about Buckley or whoever and his partner. Did Lorne get anymore details?"
"Yeah, it seems that our Henri Buckley was a Charles Meyer and his partner was Jeffrey Diemer . . ." Gunn trailed off when Gwen and Willow both reacted to that name.
"I knew it! I knew it. He just didn't feel right. Damn, I should have known that he was the one that was part of it. I just thought he received the money." Willow mumbled as she paced.
"Who?"
"Our first client Jeffrey Diemer." Gwen answered for Willow.
Wes' lips twitched, "I thought any moron should check their client's story."
Gwen's eyes narrowed at Wesley and if looks could kill he'd have died on the spot.
Willow smiled at Wes but it didn't reach her eyes, "Actually that's correct which is why we DID check his story. Once I found the bank account with the mysterious deposits we quit and worked on our own for the amulet. What's your excuse for Buckley?"
Wes winced and Gwen just smiled at him. She loved when Willow shot back.
"So, Jeffery and Charles were in it from the beginning. Why come to us? Gunn wondered why a curator would come to Angel Investigations."
"Well while Lorne and Gunn were looking into the two deaths I looked into the statue. They had gone through three teams of burglars before they successfully stole the statue from Bradstreet. I think they were going to pit Gwen and Willow against us. That's why they chose us. We knew about supernatural so we wouldn't scoff at the powers of the amulet and F&G Enterprises are the best at what they do."
Gwen and Willow both smiled at Fred who returned it.
"Their last incident was to have a team go in, when they failed send the next and so one. This time I think they were thinking to send two of the best at once with the knowledge that at least one of them would succeed."
"Makes sense. So what are we going to do now? We have the amulet to destroy. It goes without saying that Bradstreet is coming for it and we have to destroy him along with the amulet."
The Fang Gang turned shocked eyes at Willow and Gwen just marveled at how little they actually knew her.
"What? If we don't destroy him he'll just do it again somewhere else. I'm not saying kill him but a bit of his own medicine wouldn't hurt."
Angelus loved the way his mate was thinking. "Do you think you'll be able to figure out the room in the back?"
Gunn and Fred were confused. "What room?"
"The room that has a magickal field around it and the room we suspect he keeps his 'very special' trophies."
"Eeew, do you mean where he keeps his victims?"
Willow looked over at Gwen, Wes, Gunn, Fred and then back at Angel. "The gloves are off. He won't play by the rules and neither should we. I think with Fred's help I can get through the lock but the rest of you will have to take care of Bradstreet and the amulet."
"I can bring the fake amulet to Bradstreet. What better way to get inside than with that? He doesn't suspect us in fact he thinks we're the victims."
"You're not going in alone."
"I won't be alone. Fred and Willow will be there."
"No, they'll be busy with the room in the back. Gunn will be there to watch their backs and Wes will be there to watch yours."
"And just how are we going to get everyone inside the mansion?"
"Angelus is going after the man that wants to collect his mate."
Fred stared at Angel, "You know I was kidding about who better than Angelus. Right?"
Angel let Angelus come to the surface. Actually he hadn't been far from the surface ever since the fight with Willow.
"Bradstreet sealed his fate when he decided to include Willow and Gwen in his collection. I was just going to go in, get the amulet and destroy it. It's personal now."
Fred shivered, this was Darla all over again. She just hoped that Angel wasn't walking a path he couldn't come back from.
Willow saw the change in Angel but she also saw the soul firmly in place. They had all walked the fine line between their light and dark and they'd all slipped into the dark. Some more than others. They would do what it took to get the job done.
Fred watched as Willow gently pulled Angel into her embrace and place a soft kiss on his lips. Maybe Willow could pull Angel back before he got to far down the dark path. She certainly hoped so cause now was not the time to be thinking about Willow all dark haired, veiney and standing next to her mate Angelus.
~Part: 14~
Gwen turned off her cell phone and looked over at Wesley. "It's set. I'm bringing Bradstreet the amulet tomorrow night. I told him I would get it tonight from Angel Investigations and then bring it to him tomorrow night. That should give Willow and Fred enough time to get the supplies that they need."
"He wasn't suspicious that you were waiting until tomorrow night to bring him the amulet? I mean why not during the day tomorrow?"
Gwen just smiled but it didn't reach her eyes. "Gives him more time to get the trophy room ready for Willow and me. He's going after two this time. Needs more room, so he didn't really think about it. Now if he was just after the amulet he would have insisted on tomorrow during the day."
"So you were testing to see if he'd baulk? I don't like it."
"Didn't ask you to like it, Wesley. You just have to be there as my backup."
"Look, Gwen. I know you're still mad at Angel and me. Not that I blame you but we have to work together."
Gwen sighed. She knew Wes was right and she really wasn't mad at him or Angel any longer. Not that she would ever be buddy buddy with Angel but for Willow's sake she'd try to get along.
Wes on the other hand was a different story. She liked Wes, maybe more than she was willing to admit to herself.
If they had to work as a team she had to see how far she could push him. A slow smile crept across her face.
"Come on, Wes." Gwen grabbed his arm.
"Where are we going?"
"Well if you're gonna be my backup I'll have to see what you're made of. You and I are gonna have a practice session."
Wes wasn't sure he wanted to know but he couldn't help asking, "Practice session?"
"Yep, gotta see if you can think on your feet and how well you can run a scam. Willow and I were to meet a client today but it's gonna be you and me pal. Let's go."
"Right. I need to make a quick stop I'll meet you out front."
Gwen shrugged, grabbed her toolkit and backpack and went in search of Willow to tell her the plan.
Wesley waited until Gwen left and then went to his office where he kept his private collection. He put his portable grappling hook in the sheath us his sleeve. He took various aluminum knives that weren't detected in a metal detector and hid them in his clothes. Gwen wanted to see how well he would do? Well, he'd show her the Wesley that turned dark after getting his throat slit.
Gwen paced by the front door of the hotel waiting for Wesley. The sound of a motorcycle turned her head. The driver stopped and indicated for Gwen to get on. She raised an eyebrow at him and just stood there.
Wes smiled behind his darkened helmet. He took the extra helmet tossed it to Gwen and then raised his visor. "You getting on or what?"
"Wicked." Gwen reached down for her backpack, slung it over her shoulders, put on the helmet and got behind Wes. "Let's go, partner."
Showing off a little, Wesley let the front tire rise a little before taking off. He smiled when he heard Gwen's laugh.
~~~~
Angel leaned on the doorframe and watched Willow as she sat on their bed and read through the spell book. Mine, he thought and marveled that he had been able to come this far to let himself be happy, truly happy. He silently thanked Buffy for showing him that he could love and that he deserved it. He thanked Cordelia for showing him that it was possible to be a best friend and still have love.
Willow looked up at him and softly smiled.
Angel pushed off the doorframe and silently thanked Tara and Oz for showing Willow that she was special and worth loving. All the others brought the two of them to where they were now and Angel wouldn't have traded this for the world.
Willow self-consciously rubbed her nose, "What? Have I got ink on my nose or something?"
Angel just shook his head no and kept walking toward her. Without saying a word he took the book from her, marked her spot before closing and set it aside.
He reached and softly caressed her cheek. "It still feels like a dream."
"What does?"
"This. So many times I would fantasize that you would see me more than just Buffy's Angel or your friend Angel." Angel took an unneeded breath and sat beside Willow on the bed. He leaned back against the headboard and pulled her into his embrace. "I don't want to mess up our friendship. I couldn't stand not having you in my life, Willow. I don't have the best track record when it comes to relationships and I have too few friends to mess that up . . ."
Willow put her fingers over his lips stopping him. "I'll always be your friend, Angel. If this, whatever it is, doesn't last I'll always be there for you. No matter what." She silently added, it might be at a distance but I'd be there.
Angel smiled when he felt Willow's butterfly kiss where his heart would have been beating.
Angel raised Willow's chin until her eyes met his and he slowly lowered his lips to hers. It was a soft kiss filled with promise and the hope of love.
He pulled Willow closer and turned them so she was cocooned beneath him. She arched her neck up to give him better access when he began to softly kiss and nip at her neck.
Her fingers were busy lifting his shirt so that she could feel his cool flesh beneath her fingertips. Angel shuddered when he felt her touch against him.
Willow whimpered when Angel stopped kissing her neck and sat back. He quickly shoved his shirt off and didn't even look to see where it landed. Willow slowly opened her eyes and stared. Mine, she thought as she lifted her hands to caress Angel. She marveled at how her life had twisted and turned since she had first met Angel. Tara and Oz would always have a piece of her heart just like Buffy and Cordelia would always have a place in Angel's heart.
Angel reached down and pulled Willow up. When she was sitting in front of him he slowly raised her shirt and drank in the sight before him. As his eyes rose to Willow's face he saw that she wore the secret smile that Mona Lisa made famous and men have been trying to decipher ever since.
Willow thought that after Tara died she would never see such a look of love in other person's face as they looked at her. Willow drew in a shaky breath and opened her heart to Angel. She felt a soft caress across her mind and knew that Tara was giving her blessings to Willow's new love.
Angel reluctantly released Willow and stood next to the bed. He began to lower his sweatpants when Willow's hands stopped him.
"Let me."
Angel's head fell back and he closed his eyes as he felt Willow's hands slip inside the waistband of his pants and slowly, tortuously lower them. He couldn't help the groan that escaped between his lips as she kissed and nipped her way back up his body.
Not waiting for her to complete the journey he gently stepped back and softly tossed her on the bed.
Willow gave a surprised eep when she felt the mattress beneath her and she bounced.
"Hey, mister I wasn't finished."
Angel moved his knee between hers and whispered, "Neither was I."
Willow softly moaned as Angel began to show her how happy he was that she was in his life.
~Part: 15~
Gwen was impressed. It took a lot to impress her but she was definitely impressed. There was more to Wesley than she knew and that he showed. He had thought quickly on his feet, he had blended into the shadows where it was difficult for even her to pick him out.
He handled himself very well and as an added bonus he had lots of cool gadgets.
"If you ever think about leaving Angel I think I could probably find a place for you at F&G." Gwen said with a smile as they entered the lobby of the Hyperion.
Willow looked up from sorting her supplies when she heard Gwen, "So I take it Wesley passed the test? And I have to agree with Gwen you ever think about leaving Angel Investigations you'll have a place with F&G."
Angel mock growled, "No head hunting for employees while we're working together."
Gwen smirked over at Angel, "Just letting them know that if you piss them off and they want to leave your broody ass they have a place to come to."
Angel leaned back in his chair and looked at Gwen, "Now why would they want to leave one broody ass for another?"
Willow caught the laugh just in time and but not before Gwen narrowed her eyes at Willow.
Willow threw up her hands in defense, "I keep telling you that sometimes you brood like Angel."
Gwen and Angel both growled, "HEY!" at Willow.
Willow and Wesley just smiled at each other in understanding.
"How are you and Fred coming on the spell?" Gwen asked hoping to change the subject.
Willow just smiled and let Gwen change it. "Fred's gotten better at it since last time we did a spell together." Willow turned to Angel, "Has she been practicing?"
Angel nodded. "Ever since the first spell you did together she's been very fascinated with it. She sees it as another extension of chemistry and physics."
Willow smiled in remembering her first forays into magick. As soon as she noticed the similarities she began much more proficient in the craft.
Willow looked up as Fred came down the stairs with Gunn. "Well, I think you have a fine witch on your payroll, Angel." Willow winked at Fred, "And like Wes, if she ever thinks about branching away from Angel Investigations she always has a home with F&G."
"What? Fred and Wes get invites to join but not me?" Gunn frowned with a twinkle in his eye.
"Gunn, you know you always have an open invitation to join. I told you that a few years ago."
Wesley, Fred and Angel turned surprised eyes to Gwen and then back to Gunn who was grinning sheepishly. He'd never told anyone about that night he spent with Gwen.
Gwen smiled as she watched Gunn twist on the knife and try to get himself out of the situation. She finally took pity on him.
"Remember? The night Gunn helped me on a case before Willow came to LA? He was very good", Gwen winked at Gunn before continuing, "and I offered him a job then and when he refused I told him he always had an open invitation."
Gunn mouthed thanks before sitting down next to Angel, "So what's the plan to get to Bradstreet? I mean Angelus isn't going to just call up Bradstreet and say, 'since you're going after Willow I'm coming for you, meet at midnight on the docks'."
Fred started laughing. She couldn't help it. She was visualizing Angel in a trench coat calling from a payphone hissing instructions to Bradstreet.
They all looked over at Fred and wondered what was so funny.
"S-sorry. Just picturing Angel as some bad B-movie spy."
Angel rolled his eyes, "No, Gunn. I'm not calling Bradstreet. I'm keeping him occupied in the mansion while the rest of you do your jobs. We're going to strike simultaneously. I'll go in first while Gwen and Wesley are pulling into the front drive. You, Fred and Willow will make your way to his private collection when I go in search of Bradstreet. Gwen and Wesley are just decoys so Bradstreet doesn't suspect a trap."
Willow thought about Angel's plan, "I think Bradstreet might already be preparing for a trap so everyone be very careful. He's not stupid and I'm sure he might already suspect that we're working together now. He knows about my past with Angel and he might have people watching us so he might know more than we think he knows. Just go in with the assumption that he knows we're coming as a team."
~~~~
Bradstreet set down his report and glared. Well this just upped the ante a bit. He was looking forward to going against Angel. No longer interested in having him join the others in his collection he'd just kill him. Of course only after hours of torture.
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in."
Bradstreet's aide tentatively came in his boss' office. He finally had good news for him but he really didn't want to be the one to deliver it. He was afraid that Bradstreet would take his bad mood out on him before he could tell him of the success.
Bradstreet watched as his aide came in and just looked at him.
"Well? What do you want?"
The aide swallowed, "There's been a breakthrough in the science lab."
A slow smile crossed Bradstreet's face, "Has it been tested?"
"W-well since we don't have a human with Gwen's unique talent we could only test it on a Moray Eel and it did work."
"Excellent. I'll be down to see the test."
The aide sighed in relief and turned to go.
"Oh and Mark?"
Mark closed his eyes and hoped he wasn't about to be killed. He turned back to face Bradstreet, "Yes?"
"Tell the boys, Congratulations."
A smile broke out over Mark's face, "I will, Mr. Bradstreet."
George waited until Mark left his office before turning his chair and looking out his picture window. He steepled his fingers under his chin, "Well, well. If the test is a true success the inhibitor would go into Gwen's blood stream and effectively stop her at a distance."
He wanted the inhibitor to eventually wear off like drugs in the body's system. After all what good is a trophy if the reason for collecting it disappears. He had high hopes with this latest test.
He'd be prepared for their trap tomorrow night. He had no doubt that Angel, Gwen and Willow were working together. At first he didn't suspect Gwen and Willow but after the latest report that showed Gwen and Angel's man Wesley pulling a job added to what he knew about the history of Willow and Angel his suspicions grew. If it turned out he was wrong then it would be easier to get Gwen and Willow but it was always best to prepare for the worst.
~Part: 16~
Gwen stopped the car to let Angel, Fred, Gunn and Willow out. "You got everything?"
Willow nodded as she grabbed her backpack. "See ya inside." She reached over and squeezed Gwen's gloved hand, "Be careful."
Gwen smiled and returned the squeeze. "Right back at ya." She then turned to Wes, "Okay you're turn."
"Did I mention how much I hate this plan?" Wes mumbled as he followed Angel out of the car.
"Yes, I think you may have once or twice. Now get in the trunk."
Angel held the trunk open for Wes and then handed him the equipment bag. "You comfortable?"
"Quite." Wes said sarcastically.
"Okay then." Angel smirked and closed the lid but not shut.
Willow waved as Gwen turned the corner toward the mansion.
Angel reached for Willow's hand and indicated for Gunn and Fred to follow as they silently made their way to Bradstreet's mansion.
~~~~
Gwen spoke into the headset that she had rigged for her and Wes to use. She didn't want him leaving the trunk blind and there was no way she could wear a wire.
"You okay back there? I'm just now pulling into the drive."
"Just peachy." Wes muttered. But he was able to hear Gwen speak into the intercom and he felt the car move forward through the gates. At least they were inside.
Gwen noticed a couple of no-neck rent-a-cops coming toward her. "Well, it seems that George has beefed up his security since last time I was here. Let's hope their IQ matches their looks."
"Hi, I'm Gwen I have a meeting with Mr. Bradstreet."
One of the guards checked his sheet, "I thought a Willow Rosenberg was going to accompany you."
Gwen smiled and got out of the car. Turning her back on them she leaned over so they got a nice view of her tight leather clad butt as she reached in for the amulet. Turning back around she grinned as she saw their eyes snap back up to her face. "She's meeting me later."
Gwen never saw the hint of silver as the moon caught the gun pointed at her from the shadows. The only indication that anything was off was when she felt twin pinpricks just before her world went black.
Wes glanced at his watch. He knew Gwen had taken off the headset as soon as they stopped. She hadn't wanted anyone to notice it in her ear. They had prearranged for Wes to leave the trunk ten minutes after he heard her shut the car door and that was five minutes ago. He hoped all was going according to plan.
~~~~
Angel pulled Willow into a kiss just before he left to go after Bradstreet. Willow leaned back so she could look into Angel's eyes, "Be safe. He probably knows you're coming and I doubt he'll fight fair."
Angel smiled down at Willow, "Even better." Angel raised his hand to cup her cheek, "Just be careful. He's had his eye on you and Gwen from the beginning and I wouldn't put it passed him to booby trap the back room. Either physically or mystically. If it looks too dangerous get out and we'll fight another day."
There was no WAY she was leaving those women in there longer than she had to.
Angel saw her determination, "Willow, they've been in there for months one more day won't make a difference and I WON'T lose you."
Willow sighed and compromised, "If I can't get passed the trap we'll retreat."
Angel leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips, "See you inside."
Willow turned back to Gunn and Fred, "Ready?"
"Let's do it."
Angel had told them how he and Wes had gotten in the last time but Willow doubted that the dogs would eat drugged meat again. So she would use a sleeping spell. Willow tossed a grappling hook over the edge of the fence and climbed up.
She nervously looked down as the dogs rapidly approached. "God they look huge." She was sure her fear was multiplying their size but still they were big angry dogs and they were even more menacing because they weren't barking just growling deep in their throats.
She mumbled her incantation and prayed it worked on animals like it did on humans. Willow sighed in relief when she saw the dogs shake their heads and then slowly drop to the ground. She turned back to Fred and Gunn and signaled for them to follow her.
Fred picked up Willow's backpack and followed her up the rope. Gunn looked down either side of the fence and didn't see security coming. Seeing that Fred had made it over he climbed to the top.
Gunn nimbly jumped down and took the hook and rope with him. He slowly rolled it back up and put it in his equipment bag. He looked down at the sleeping dogs, "So how long are they going to be out?"
"Until I release them or six hours whichever comes first."
"Man it's a good thing you're on the side of good, Red."
Fred elbowed Gunn when she saw Willow's brief look of pain, "NO! I meant that bank robbers and other thieves would just love that little spell."
"Actually they'd probably also like the memory wiping spell. That way if anyone did see them they'd just erase their memory and they'd get away with no one the wiser."
"Like I said, Red. It's a good thing you're one of the good guys."
Willow melted into the shadows with Fred on her heels. Gunn checked the area behind them as he followed the two into the trees.
Willow carefully opened the window that Angel and Wesley used the last time and dropped her backpack through it. She quietly followed and waited until Fred, Gunn and the equipment bag hit the floor.
They stood in the shadows and waited to hear any running footsteps on shouts. Hearing nothing they made their way up the stairs where Gunn creaked the door open just enough to see out.
He pulled one of Wes' guns out and jumped through the door. Looking up and down the corridor he deemed it safe for Willow and Fred to follow.
~~~~
Wesley looked at his watch one last time before carefully inching the trunk lid open. Not seeing anything he inched it higher, just space enough for him to crawl through.
Sighing with relief that Gwen had parked near bushes he quickly went into the shadows and waited for any alarms that might have been raised. After a minute he scouted the sides and noticed a small window. Bloody hell, not another small space. He was going to have nightmares for a month. First the trunk and now this.
Wes looked for a rock to use to break the window if he found it was locked. Luckily the window slid open and Wesley crawled through. He waited to hear the sounds of shouts or running feet. When none came he inched his way around the room. Cursing as he bumped into things every once in a while. He felt along the side of the wall hoping to find a door.
There was a noise to his left and he whirled. Wesley blinked against the sudden brightness as the darkened room was bathed with light.
"The pictures don't do you justice, Mr. Wyndham-Price."
"What pictures would those be?"
"The ones in the report I gave Mr. Bradstreet when you accompanied Gwen on your earlier adventure."
Wesley's mind was whirling. If they had been waiting for him here where was Gwen? He didn't want to say anything until he knew what the situation was. Were the others captured as well? Did this guy know there were others? Did Gwen turn them over for the amulet? He dismissed that thought as soon as he had it. There was no way Gwen would sacrifice Willow and the women that were trapped. She might sacrifice him and Angel but not the others.
The guard waved the gun and indicated Wesley should go through the opened door, "Go on, Mr. Bradstreet has made some nice accommodations for you."
Well he'll find out soon enough what is happening. He was probably being taken to where the others are being held or will be held.
~~~~
Bradstreet turned from the monitors in front of him when he heard the sound of the door opening. "Angel. I've been waiting for you."
Angel saw on the monitors Wesley being led away, Gwen asleep in a cell and Willow quietly making her way through the halls.
"Interesting viewing don't you think?"
At Angel's silence George continued, "What will happen to the redhead? Will anything happen to the redhead? Can the dark ensouled vampire save the day? Is Willow strong enough magickally to break the enchanted to lock to the bad man's viewing room? Stay tuned to see. Yes it's very interesting viewing."
Angel growled deep in his throat and lunged toward George. George pushed a button and sprinklers started dousing the room with holy water. Angel screamed in pain and jumped back out of the room.
"Water. So much power in water. Harmless to some yet very painful to others." George reached down and turned the water off. "Just one of many little precautions I set up around the mansion. Care to see some more?"
~Part: 17~
Angel stared at Bradstreet. If he ever left that room Angel was going to rip his head off. George just smiled, "Now, now, Angelus. If you kill me your precious Willow dies. Not to mention your friends."
Angel just smiled but it didn't reach his eyes, "Oh I have ways of keeping you alive . . .barely."
Bradstreet turned back to the monitor where Willow, Fred and Gunn were just entering the back room. "Ahh, but then would you have time to rescue fair Willow if you were busy torturing me?"
Angel's eyes slid to the monitor. "Oh I think Willow is quite capable of taking care of herself. Especially, against anything you might have planned for her."
"Such confidence. You know Peggy had such confidence too. A powerful Wiccan, a leader of a large coven." Bradstreet turned mock sad eyes at Angel, "Poor Peggy, she underestimated how far I was willing to go to get her into my collection."
Angel tensed. He knew Willow was one of the most powerful witches in the Western Hemisphere but Bradstreet had already proven he would go to other dimensions to get what he wanted.
~~~
Wesley was escorted back into a holding cell. He tensed and began struggling when he saw Gwen laying in a corner unconscious.
"What have you done to her?"
"Nothing permanent." The man opened the cell and threw Wesley in with Gwen. "Don't get too comfortable. Bradstreet will be along shortly to collect his prize and decide what to do with you."
Wesley just grunted. Why not have Gwen in the back room already and why not just kill him? What was Bradstreet up to? God, he hoped Angel and the others weren't in trouble.
Gwen slowly began to wake up. Damn she was getting tired of being tranqed. She'd have to ask Willow about coming up with some shield or something. This was getting ridiculous. Gwen barely opened her eyes and listened for movement.
She heard rustling to her left. Friend or enemy? Gwen decided to attack first and ask questions later. Lashing out with her left foot she heard a grunt and smiled.
Leaping up and getting into a battle stance she saw it was Wesley.
"Oh shit! Sorry Wes. Are you okay?"
Wesley rubbed his side. "Nothing a trip to the emergency room won't cure."
Gwen suddenly frowned. "Just bruising?"
Wesley's eyes widened, "Isn't that enough?"
Gwen looked down at her bare feet and back at Wes. Wesley followed her eyes when it finally hit him. She had kicked him with her bare foot. He should have had an electric shock.
"Okay, why didn't I get shocked? Not that I'm complaining mind you."
Gwen had left her inhibitor off. She wanted every advantage over Bradstreet that she could get. So why didn't she shock Wesley? She walked over to the bars, took her glove off and put her hand on it. Nothing. What was going on? Then she remembered twin pinpricks. She just assumed it was a double dose of tranqs. What if the other shot had been something else?
"When they shot me I felt two pinpricks. I just figured it was a double dose of tranqs but I think they did something to me. I can't manipulate electricity anymore." Gwen was both elated and frightened. This was what she had wanted her whole life since discovering she was a freak but it was such a part of her it was like losing a limb.
A look of grim determination came over her face. "If Bradstreet thinks that's gonna stop me from escaping or helping Willow he's sadly mistaken."
She turned her back to Wesley for just a moment and when she turned back around she held a wire. A slow smile spread across her face, "They took my shoes so I couldn't use anything from those but just like the boy scouts a good thief is always prepared."
Wesley smiled as he watched Gwen pick the lock with one hand and flip off the monitor with the other.
~~~~
Gunn watched as Willow and Fred set up the ingredients for the spell. While they were setting up he was moving furniture in front of the doors. Doors he could see and some he couldn't. Wes had told him about the walls that slid like doors so Gunn had tapped his way around the walls listening for echoes.
Fred turned nervous eyes to Willow. She wasn't used to doing this powerful a spell. She would just be helping Willow but still this was a big step for her.
Willow looked up and smiled at Fred. She reached over and squeezed her hand, "You'll do fine. I remember how excited I was when I tried the whole Angelus/Angel spell. Would I do it in time to save Angel and stop an apocalypse? OK bad example 'cause it worked but not before Buffy had to send him to hell to stop Acathala from wrecking havoc. Shutting up now."
Gunn smiled as he listened to Willow. When she and Fred got together it was guaranteed to become a babble fest or it could turn into a geek fest if they started talking physics.
Fred drew a circle with salt around her and Willow. Gunn was their defense against weapons and this would be their defense against the dark arts. Willow muttered her protection spell and a flash of white lit the room and then disappeared.
"Get ready, Gunn. We're starting."
"Ready whenever you are, Glenda."
Willow smiled, ever since she met Gunn he called her either Red or Glenda. At least he didn't call her Sabrina like Gwen did. Willow looked at Fred and nodded.
Fred picked up the book and began reading the spell while Willow sprinkled the ingredients. Fred was disarming the first magickal spell but Willow would disarm the more complicated one. The one that Bradstreet put in.
There was a flash of blue light and then a barrier began to dissolve. Fred beamed over at Willow and Gunn.
"You did good, baby." Gunn smiled at Fred but looked over his shoulder. He didn't like that there hadn't been any attempt to get into this room. He had no doubts that security and especially Bradstreet knew exactly who was here and what they were doing by now. Which meant that Bradstreet probably didn't think they were a threat in here. Which meant there was more here than they thought.
"Red, I don't like that Bradstreet hasn't tried to stop up yet."
Willow smiled at Gunn, "I know. He probably has the equivalent of a magick booby trap set up when I try to take this last barrier down."
"As long as it's not a portal to another dimension." Fred smiled over at Willow.
"Ummm Fred. You do know that if we were in Sunnydale you would have jinxed us right?"
~Part: 18~
Angel's face gave nothing away as he watched Gwen shoot the monitor a bird while picking the lock to her cell. He knew that she and Wes would make their way to where Willow was. He could concentrate on Bradstreet.
Angel leaned against the doorjamb and waited for his opportunity for George to be distracted. The flash of white drew both of their attentions to the monitors.
"Ah, I see Winifred has succeeded in disabling the first barrier." George said as he watched Willow get ready to disable the protection spell he had a very powerful mage put in place.
Angel took advantage of Bradstreet's inattention. With a blink of an eye he was across the room and holding Bradstreet by the back of the neck and off the floor. More importantly he was away from the switch that activated the holy water sprinklers.
"Well, this is a conundrum. What to do? What to do? Should I waste time torturing you before I kill you and then go see how Willow's doing? Hmm, or maybe I can tie you up and put you in a room for later. You know savor the time and build up your fear." In a bored tone he continues, "I can't just rip your head off, as much pleasure as I'd get from that, too quick and doesn't really send the message I want."
Angel turned and threw Bradstreet out of the room where he hit the opposite wall and slid down. Angel's lips quirked as he made his way over to the Bradstreet's slumped body.
George surreptitiously reached into his pocket and hit a button. It was a silent alarm for the guards. Without taking his eyes off Angel he shakily got to his feet and stalled for time.
"Message?"
Angel reached for Bradstreet's throat, "Yes, the don't FUCK with Angelus message."
Bradstreet looked too calm to be in the position he was in. He probably had security on its way. Not that a few security guards would deter Angel from his mission.
"Do you really think they're gonna stop me?" Angel raised George up by his throat. Willow's voice filtered through his mind as he remembered what she said about dealing with Bradstreet. 'If we don't destroy him he'll just do it again somewhere else. I'm not saying kill him but a bit of his own medicine wouldn't hurt.'
A bit of his own medicine. Angelus began to smile.
For the first time Bradstreet was nervous. He did NOT like the smile that was now gracing Angel's features. His eyes nervously looked up and down the hallway for the guards he was sure were on their way.
"I just got an idea of what to do with you." Angel raised his fist and hit Bradstreet square on the jaw.
George slumped into unconsciousness and Angel put him over his shoulders to carry with him. "Oh I think you'll make an excellent beginning to a new collection. But first . . ." Angel returned to the room with all the monitors and started smashing. "Can't have anyone seeing what we do with you."
~~~~
Wes followed Gwen silently down the hallway. "Do you know where you're going?"
Gwen smiled back over her shoulder, "A good thief always knows the layout of a place before they enter it."
"But this was your client."
"Every place is a potential target, Wesley."
Wesley narrowed his eyes, "Even the Hyperion?"
Gwen giggled, "Especially the Hyperion." Gwen stopped suddenly and Wes nearly ran into her back. The sound of footsteps running down the hallway caused them to ease back into the shadows.
They watched as security guards ran past.
"Wonder what got their panties in a twist all of a sudden."
A voice to their left said, "Probably me."
Gwen whipped her head around and saw Angel carrying Bradstreet.
"Is he dead?"
Angel rolled his eyes, "Do you think I'd be carrying a dead body around with me?"
"What? Is he a snack for later?"
"I thought he'd make a nice present for Willow. You know start a collection."
Gwen smiled. "I kinda like this aspect of you, Angel."
Angel started toward the back room where Willow and the others were. "I saw your escape on his monitors, how come you didn't blow them like you did at the hotel? I kept expecting an electrical arc to come out and fry his ass like you did to me."
"I can't."
Angel whipped his head around, "What do you mean you can't?"
"They did something to me. I can't manipulate energy anymore."
Angel wrinkled his brow in confusion, "Why would Bradstreet take away the one thing that made you different for his collection? That doesn't make sense."
"Don't know. Maybe he decided he wanted Willow only. Maybe that's why I was in the cell and not the back room."
"I don't think so." Wesley placed a hand on the small of her back as they made their way down the corridor. "I think you were isolated to see if whatever they did to you worked."
"Wes is probably right. Bradstreet was making no moves to get to Willow either. I think he was waiting to defeat us and then put you two in the back room. Probably taunt us with it later."
Gwen felt her body relax, "Which means this is probably temporary."
Wes was confused with the relief that was in Gwen's voice and the tenseness earlier. He had thought she wanted to be rid of her 'freakness'. She had even stolen something a few years earlier to help her get rid of it.
"You think they may have injected some kind of inhibitor in your blood?" Wesley asked.
"Would explain the other pinprick and why I don't have my talents. It's probably like any drug and it'll wear out of my system in hours."
"You okay with that?"
Gwen smiled, "Yeah, surprisingly. It's a little 'be careful what you wish for'. All my life I've wanted to be 'normal' and fit in with everyone else. But the minute I thought it was taken away from me I felt a part of my body was missing. I didn't feel complete."
Angel made his way over to the panel that allowed them to enter the collection room and pounded.
~~~~
Willow, Gunn and Fred almost jumped out of their skin when they heard a pounding on the wall. Willow had just finished grinding the herbs needed for the spell when they heard it.
"Okay, I don't think the guards are gonna announce themselves like that." Gunn made his way over to the panel.
"Who goes there?" Gunn grinned back at Fred. "I've always wanted to say that."
Fred giggled and Willow rolled her eyes as she returned to what she was doing while telling her heart to calm down and to get out of her throat. She was going to have a serious talk with Gwen when she came through that door for scaring the bejebus out of her. She had no doubts that Gwen had made her way here. There was no way she was going to stay out of getting the victims out.
Gunn slid the display case back out of the way and slid the panel open. He had expected to see Wes and Gwen but Angel standing there with Bradstreet over his shoulder was a surprise.
Willow's eyes widened as she saw Angel with the others. "Bradstreet? You brought Bradstreet?"
"Well, it was your idea."
"Mine? How do figure?"
"I distinctly remember you saying that he should get a taste of his own medicine. You like the first addition to our collection?"
Willow smiled. "I think it's a perfect addition."
Willow said a small thanks to the god and goddess for their help and then removed the protection spell. It was for her and Fred but now that everyone was in the room she didn't want to not be able to get to them if she needed to.
Fred looked on in confusion as Willow started sweeping up the salt. "I thought . . ."
Willow interrupted her, "Nope, don't need it anymore now that everyone's here."
Fred knew what Willow wasn't saying. It would be too taxing on her to include them all in the protection spell and deal with what Bradstreet had set up. She knew Willow well enough to know that there was no way she wouldn't include the others if she could and she wouldn't protect just herself and Fred. Fred wished she was accomplished enough to do a spell that would protect them all against Bradstreet's trap but she knew she wasn't.
Angel dropped Bradstreet onto the ground not caring if he injured him or not. He slipped his arms around Willow's waist and nuzzled her neck, "You okay?"
Willow moved her head to the side to give Angel better access, "Mmm, fine now. I needed to relax and center myself before the next step and you're just what the Wicca ordered."
Angel chuckled, "Glad I could be of service."
Gwen's head turned to Bradstreet when she heard him moan. "Think he's coming around."
Bradstreet shook his head to clear the cobwebs. The last thing he remembered was Angel's fist coming toward his face. He worked his jaw a bit to ease the soreness and looked around. Six pairs of eyes were looking at him.
SHIT! He was in his back room. Terror chilled his blood as he realized he was going to be hit with the backlash of the trap.
~Part: 19~
Angel smiled as he heard Bradstreet's heart begin to race. He reluctantly raised his head from Willow's neck and turned to look at him.
It was the fact that he was looking at the sealed door in terror that made Angel uncomfortable. It wasn't that he was trapped with Angelus and Willow it was that he was trapped here in the back room that had him terrified.
Angel made his way to Bradstreet, "Any last words before Willow springs the trap?"
George closed his eyes and hoped he survived. There was nothing he could do to prevent the trap from opening it had been designed that way. He knew he was probably going to die but at least he'd take them all with him.
"Just that if you don't close the trap those that are inside that room will perish. Wouldn't want to have their deaths on your conscious would you? All this hard work to save them and poof they're dead 'cause you couldn't get to them in time."
"They die, you die." Angel growled.
George just shrugged, "Maybe but you all will go with me."
"MAKE him open it, Angel." Gunn said. "I'm sure he knows the way around the trap otherwise how could he have gotten in and out?"
Fred had been watching Bradstreet's reaction to the room . . . Angel, Willow, all of them. There was something he wasn't telling. He liked to travel to other dimensions and use dimensions in other ways. Why not have a trap that had to do with dimensions? God, why hadn't she thought of that before?
She began to shake and she turned wide, frightened eyes to Willow. "Oh my god, it has something to do with dimensions."
A smirk crossed Bradstreet's face, "I knew she was one of the smart ones. Yes my dear it DOES have to do with dimensions. But what and how?"
Willow looked at Angel, "Angel, can you feel other heartbeats besides those in this room?"
He understood what she was asking and concentrated on feeling anything from the other side of the panel. He thought the magick would have interfered with hearing heartbeats but it wouldn't interfere with a vampire feeling a meal so close by.
"Nothing. I feel nothing."
"Damn. This is a portal to another dimension. They're here but not." Willow began to pace. "Even if I get around the trap who knows what's waiting on the other side."
Suddenly Gwen fell to her knees as she yelled out in pain. Wes ran to her side but she held up her hands. "NO! Get back. I think the drug is wearing off. I don't have control of it yet."
A white arc of electricity shot out of her fingertips and Gunn dove to the side as it narrowly missed him.
"S-sorry." Gwen panted out.
"No problem, just aim it toward him if you can." Gunn grinned and pointed to Bradstreet.
Gwen closed her eyes on the pain as white-hot heat coursed through her body and electricity flew out in haphazard directions. SHIT! She was never going to go through this again if she could help it. Her back arched as one last bolt erupted from her hand and she tried to aim it toward Bradstreet.
Bradstreet's eyes widened in panic as a bolt of electricity streamed near his left cheek and scorched the wall next to his head.
Gwen turned to smile at Gunn as she stood up, "Damn . . . missed but I was close though."
Wesley put his hand on Gwen's covered shoulder and squeezed, "Are you alright?"
Gwen smiled back over her shoulder, "Yeah, thanks." She turned angry eyes back to Bradstreet, "What the hell did you do to me?"
Before Bradstreet could answer there was a roaring noise. They all turned and stared open-mouthed at the panel that held George's collection.
Next to a scorched mark the wall began to bend and shift as a portal opened.
Willow tensed and ignored the ingredients she had earlier ground. It was too late to use that or the spell. She'd had to rely on her magic alone. She felt her connection to the Earth grow stronger as she concentrated. She placed a silent plea to the god and goddess and faced the ever-widening circle.
The others watched as Willow's hair billowed around her face as she raised her arms with palms cupped. Her eyes turned white and Fred shivered as the power Willow wielded filled the room.
They could see the other room begin to appear through the circle. Bradstreet struggled to his feet and prepared to meet "The Other" and hoped he would be recognized, if not he'd perish along with Angel's group.
Even though he felt Willow's immense power, even more powerful than he had realized, he didn't think she could win in this battle.
Angel watched in horror as a being began to take shape in the doorway of the portal. Even with his vampiric speed and ability he wouldn't be able to get to his love in time. He should have known that his happiness wouldn't last. He had done too much in his lifetime before and after his turning to deserve happiness. His ill fated turn as Angelus with Buffy should have been proof enough of that.
A smile crossed Willow's features as she felt the comforting presence of the goddess. Knowledge filled her with what she would have to do. Telepathically she connected with her friends.
<I can't fight this creature alone but WE can. I ask your permissions to take from each of you what is needed in the battle.>
Willow smiled as she felt the love and acceptance from all of them. Only leaving her connection with Angel intact she continued, <I'll need not only your strength but also Angelus' cunning. Do you trust me with your demon?>
<Always and Forever, Ionúin.>
Willow turned back toward the opening. Her voice had the voice of the ancients.
"Spiritus, Animus, Sophus, Manus. I enjoin that they may inhibit this vessel."
Gwen, Wesley, Gunn, Fred and Angel's heads all jerked back as they stared sightlessly at the ceiling. The room is flooded with a bright white light as their essences fly up to the ceiling and then toward Willow.
The creature howled as it felt the power of the witch. Who had dared to enter his domain without permission? He watched fascinated as a white light hit the witch and she doubled over.
A sly smile graced Willow's face as she felt Wes, Gwen, Gunn, Fred and especially Angel as the power needed entered her body.
"No one enters my world without permission." The creature clicked as he sent a bolt toward Willow.
~Part: 20~
Willow smiled a feral smile as the bolt of energy from the creature came straight at her. She waited until the last possible moment before she tapped into Angel's vampiric agility. Willow jumped and tucked in a roll that would have made Buffy proud as the energy missed her. Using Gwen's ability to manipulate electricity she sent a bolt to the creature and one to George who was inching his way toward a door.
George didn't hesitate to stay where he was. He thought with the others sightlessly staring at the ceiling and Willow fighting the creature they would be too preoccupied to pay him any notice. The bolt of electricity that barely missed his hand told a different story.
"Only the Other can give permission to enter our world." The creature clicked.
Willow cocked her head to the side listening. She hadn't understood what the creature had said before but with Wesley's knowledge of demon languages she was getting a closer idea of what it said. It wasn't exact but she felt she could communicate with it.
"We ask permission of the Other to enter and retrieve what belongs in our world." Willow's voice held the voices of all those that came before her and those that would come after.
"If the challenge is met permission will be given." The creature backed away from the portal's opening.
Willow wasn't sure if she was supposed to follow it or if the challenge would come to her.
George smiled at Willow's predicament. He had never heard of anyone entering this dimension by defeating the challenge. He had always used sacrifices to get around the challenge. Throw in a demon or human for the creatures to have and he was given permission to keep his collection there and to visit. He got rid of his enemies and there were no bodies for the police to discover. It was a win-win situation for him. A slow smile began to spread across his features, he would use Angel and the others as a sacrifice when the Other came into this world at Willow's defeat. For the first time since waking up in this back room he saw a light at the end of the tunnel.
Willow began to take a hesitant step toward the opening when another creature stepped into her path.
"A challenge has been issued and the trial by combat will begin."
The creature swiped its arm and Willow flew across the room with the force of the blow. Getting shakily to her feet she moved her hands in a clockwise circular motion. A barrier erected itself around her as she stalked closer to her opponent.
The creature swiped again but this time met resistance. The air around Willow shimmered and rippled as if she were in a bubble that wouldn't break.
An unearthly howl erupted from its lips as the creature tried to rip through the barrier. Willow glanced around the room for a weapon to use against the being. Spotting a double-headed axe Willow held out her hand and it flew into her grasp.
She tested the weight of her weapon as Gunn's knowledge flooded her mind. She experimentally swung it as the demon changed the octave of his howl to a higher-pitch. The barrier around Willow began to crack and then shatter as the pitch rose higher.
George desperately tried to cover his ears as the creature's high pitch began to affect his hearing. A small trickle of blood seeped out as his hearing slowly disintegrated and the pitch got higher. He watched as the barrier shattered around the witch.
Willow swung the axe and the creature's high-pitch howl was abruptly cut off as she hit her target. It looked down at the space that had once been one of its many legs.
It lashed out with its clawed hands and another of its legs. Willow ducked and rolled as she tried to avoid contact. She winced as the creature made contact with her arm. She hoped its claws weren't poisonous as her arm began to throb and then grow numb.
She erected a barrier again but this time it surrounded the others in the room as well as herself. Willow grimaced as she cupped her hands palm up and began to chant. Another portal began to open just to the left and rear of the creature. An unnatural wind blew and energy crackled around the edges of the portal, as it grew ever wider.
Willow waved her hand and the creature flew backwards through the portal opening.
George gaped as he watched the witch call a portal and send the creature through it. He had never heard of a witch being able to do that and wondered what power Willow wielded.
As soon as the creature disappeared through the opening the portal closed in on itself. A clicking sound emitted from the original opening and Willow lowered the barrier.
As the barrier lowered Wesley, Gunn, Fred, Gwen and Angel's essence returned to them. The humans gasped and fell to their knees while Angel quickly made his way over to Willow who was cradling her injured arm.
Wesley recovered quickly and came over to the opening to interpret the creature's clicking.
"The challenge has been met and the Other grants permission to enter."
"Where do you think she sent it?" Gunn asked as he held his hand out to Fred.
"Pylea. I felt her pull on my memories of what I said to open the portal."
Angel softly caressed Willow as she connected with the Earth's energies and Angel's vampiric healing to quickly heal her arm. Normally she would accelerate her natural healing just a little because of the pain that rapid healing caused. But they needed to get to the women and bring them home. She bit her lip as white-hot pain radiated from her arm as the poison was drawn out and the skin knitted together.
Angel kept murmuring and caressing her as he felt her heartbeat accelerate and her breathing grow fast. He would give anything to take her pain. Though he had been joined with her through his demon he had felt helpless as he watched her battle the creature.
Willow gasped as the pain finally left her arm. She leaned into Angel and softly kissed his lips. "Thank you."
Angel smiled, "Anytime." He glanced back over at Bradstreet and saw Gwen huddled over him.
Gwen looked up as she hauled George to his feet. "Seems Mr. Bradstreet didn't come out of the battle unscathed." At the other's confused looks Gwen continued, "When the creature emitted its high-pitched howl to get rid of Willow's barrier it seemed to have pierced his eardrums or something."
"Great, how are we going to get him to tell us where he kept the women?" Fred asked.
Wesley turned to the creature in the portal, "We seek the collection this human kept in your home world."
The air around the portal shimmered and swirled, as a curtain seemed to rise.
Wesley watched in horror as the women came into view. He had pictured the women either in a glass case or something similar to what you keep anything precious. Never did he think the women would be constantly fighting for their lives.
Willow's anger grew as she watched the women. They were kept like the Initiative had kept their demons. They were each in separate glass rooms but that wasn't what caused Willow to burn with anger. It was that the women were made to use their 'special abilities' to survive. They were using their magick to survive demon attacks.
As soon as the portal opened the demons attacked. George paid them well to keep him entertained. What was the point of having a special collection if you couldn't watch their use of their abilities?
Willow's hair began to billow around her and her arms stretched high. She called on the god and goddess to grant her strength and power. Peggy, Martha, Sophia and Caroline dropped to their knees as Willow's power flooded the rooms.
The demons were thrown through the glass walls shattering them allowing the women to leave.
Wesley, Gunn and Angel quickly made their way to the women while Gwen shot bolts of electricity at the retreating demons. Fred kept watch over Bradstreet making sure he didn't try to leave now that they were in the Other's dimension.
Willow gave her thanks for the power that was wielded before turning to Bradstreet. Willow had left the two rooms that were for her and Gwen intact planning on it being Bradstreet's new home. She smiled as she gently put both hands on George's ears. Without turning around she said, "I need to borrow a little more of your healing, Angel."
Gwen joined the others as they watched Willow heal George's hearing. "Why she bothering doing that?"
Angel smiled with pride as he watched. "She's not just returning his hearing she's also giving him the sounds of the women's terrified screams. She's giving him empathy for his victims. Why bother locking him up when it wouldn't really mean anything to him? But . . . if you give him the women's fears and memories she's literally putting him in their place."
Gunn whistled, "Damn remind me to never piss off Red."
~Part: 21~
Willow leaned back into Angel's arms that had encircled her from behind. Gwen and Wesley were putting Bradstreet into the glass cage that would be his home. He was trembling and whimpering.
"Will Bradstreet go insane?" Fred asked quietly remembering her fears and how she coped during the Pylean years.
"Probably but not for a while." Willow quietly answered.
"Good." Fred said before she turned away and made her way over to where the women were huddled.
Angel softly kissed the top of Willow's head, "You doing all right?"
Willow was silent while she thought how to answer Angel, "A part of me is dieing inside knowing that I'm causing another human's pain."
"But?"
Willow's lips quirked, "But . . . a part of me is happy. Happy to know that I'm avenging those women and making the man that did this to them suffer. Part of me is scared. Scared to think that I haven't changed all that much since I killed Warren. Scared that I like the power of being judge, jury and executioner."
"Just the fact that you're worried should tell you that you've changed. The Willow that went after Warren wouldn't have thought twice about being judge and jury. And she certainly wouldn't be dieing inside at the thought of causing pain."
"You been taking lessons from Xander?"
"W-what?" Angel asked on a laugh.
"Xander always knows the right thing to say to me."
Angel's lips quirked before placing a soft kiss on her lips, "Comes from loving you and wanting you to be happy."
Willow smiled as she returned his kiss, "See, you did it again."
Gwen took her glove off and held her hand to the metal lock on the glass door. There was a glow around her hand as the heat melted the lock to the door. "There that ought to keep him."
Bradstreet paced around the small room. When he came to where Gwen and Wesley stood his eyes widened, "I know you."
Wesley looked over to Gwen who was wearing an identical confused look and then turned back to Bradstreet. "Y-yes you do."
Bradstreet's face contorted in pain and then anger. He beat against the glass wall, "Get me out. You have no idea who I am. I have connections. When they see I'm missing they'll come looking for me."
Just as suddenly as his outburst occurred it stopped. A look of confusion passed over his features before it was replaced by panic. "Y-you have to help me. Bradstreet kidnapped me and then brought me here. God, I've been fighting demons for so long. I don't know how much longer I can do this." Bradstreet's voice took on a scared feminine quality.
Gwen's mouth twisted into an ironic smile, "Well that was unexpected. I knew he would have their feelings but it seems Willow gave him their memories as well." She was silent for a moment, "Good."
Gwen turned her back on the quietly mumbling Bradstreet as she made her way over to Willow and Angel.
"Ready?"
Angel's fingers entwined with Willow's as he led her over to where the women were huddled with Fred and Gunn.
The women looked up at Angel, Willow, Gwen and Wesley with hopeful expressions.
Willow smiled as she indicated the portal's opening, "Ready to go home?"
Peggy rose and turned to look at Bradstreet before leaving. She wanted to see him one last time before leaving. A small smile quirked her lips as she watched him become angry and frightened in turns. "Karma. Ain't it a bitch?"
Fred and Gunn led the women through the portal and back into Bradstreet's mansion. They wanted to take point in case Bradstreet 'security' made it into the back room.
Wesley turned to the gatekeeper and clicked, "We have what we came for and we thank you."
The creature bowed its head, "Our dealings with your world is over. The opening will be sealed."
Wesley nodded and turned to follow the others.
"Everything all right, Wes?" Willow asked.
"Yes, I was just thanking them for allowing us passage." He gave silent thanks that Willow no longer had the ability to understand the creature. He wasn't going to let Willow know that there wasn't any chance of anyone from this world rescuing Bradstreet. He wasn't sure she'd leave him if she knew the creature was intending to seal the opening.
Willow watched as the opening closed and Bradstreet's room had four walls once again. Angel listened for heartbeats outside the room trying to determine if they were going to walk into an ambush.
"There are at least ten people outside the door."
"Well we each take one?" Peggy asked as she counted how many people were inside the room with her.
Gunn looked at her in surprise. Caroline returned Gunn's look, "What? We've been fighting demons for months you don't think we can take on Security wanna be cops?"
Gunn held up his hand, "No! Just thought you might be too exhausted to fight."
"Knowing that this isn't a dream but we've really left that hell hole kind of gives you a boost of energy." Sophia said as she tried to calm herself and connect with the Earth again after so many months.
Gwen smiled at the women just before blowing the door off its hinges with her electricity.
"Hey. How'd you do that and can you teach me?" Martha grinned over at Gwen.
"Sorry. Inborn ability . . .can't be taught." Gwen answered as she rolled out of the way of one of the guards firing inside the room.
Willow, along with her fellow witches, used their magick to take the guns away from the guards. The guards looked up in shock as their guns flew out of their hands and were suspended above their heads on the ceiling.
"There now it's more fair."
Wesley hit the guard closest to him and smiled as his head snapped to the side.
Angel knocked two guards heads together and watched as they slumped to the floor. "Gotta love the three stooges."
Fred jumped as one of the guards tried to knock her feet out from under her. She stumbled next to a table and watched as the vase teetered on the edge. She quickly grabbed it and turned to see the guard standing inches away with his fist drawn back. With a shriek she tossed the vase and watched in surprise as it hit the guard and shattered. The guard shook his head trying to clear it when Caroline kicked him behind the knee causing his legs to crumble underneath him.
"Thanks." Fred said as she reached for an electrical cord to tie the guard up with.
Wesley's ducked as the guard he was fighting threw another punch. He wiped the edge of his lip where it was bleeding from a previous punch. Putting his weight on his leg Wesley raised his other leg in a high sidekick catching the guard in the side. Before the guard could react Wesley swept his leg higher catching the guard in the face. Training with Angel and Gunn was paying off. He had never been able to effectively use that move with Angel but the guard didn't have Angel's vampiric speed.
The sound of a table crashing brought all heads to where Gunn was fighting with the last guard.
"Need help?" Angel asked as he saw Gunn's opponent crash through the table.
"Naw, I got it." Gunn replied as launched himself at the guard.
Willow smiled as she watched Gunn fight the guard, "You teach him to play with his opponent?" She asked Angel.
Angel smiled with pride, "Nope, he's done that since I've known him."
The room got eerily quiet when Gunn finished off the last guard. Angel made his way over to the vase that triggered the opening to the failsafe door, "Ready to take a hot shower and sleep in a bed?" Angel asked the women who were breathing heavily from their fight.
Caroline beamed as she walked through the door, "I'd give a million dollars for a hot shower."
~Part: 22~
Title: Freaks and Geeks Author: Leslie Email: leslieketchum@hotmail.com Website: www.geocities.com/leslie32935 Group: groups.yahoo.com/group/willowenchantment Rating: R Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters. I am just borrowing them for a bit of fun. Joss owns everything BtVS and AtS. Classification: Crossover with AtS. Pairing: Willow/Angel, Gwen/Wesley Summary: Willow and Gwen go head to head with the Fang Gang in the protection of an ancient artifact Distribution: List archives and if you already have my fiction you can have this one if you want it, anyone else just ask and it's yours. Feedback: Always welcome. Spoilers: For Buffy and Angel - current season, though this is set in the future with both big bads defeated.
Part 22
Willow wrapped her arms around Angel's waist as he stood by the back railing while Wesley drove the boat out into the Pacific.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, it just still brings up memories."
Willow tightened her hold on him hoping to give him some comfort until they reached their destination.
They had decided to leave the fake amulet at Bradstreet's house. With the competitiveness of private collecting there wasn't any doubt that others would come looking for the amulet. As soon as word got out that Bradstreet was missing there would be a free for all for the amulet.
A smile spread across Gwen's features thinking about the jobs she could probably get stealing the fake.
Wes turned to face Gwen when he noticed her smiling, "I would have thought you'd be out there trying to talk Willow out of the plan not sitting there smiling."
Gwen grinned at Wesley, "At first I did try to talk her out of it but then I thought of all the jobs F&G would probably get hired to do to steal and re-steal the fake amulet. I might even circulate rumors about some extra power that the amulet possesses. You know drive up the price a little."
A knowing look came into Wesley's eyes, "And who better to steal from Bradstreet than the company that set up his security."
Gwen nodded, "Yep I've even already put the word out on the street that Bradstreet planned to double cross us and we're thinking of a way to get back at him. It would explain why we would steal from a client for someone else; otherwise our reputation wouldn't be worth anything. No one would trust us again to set up a job 'cause if we'd steal from one client what would stop us from stealing again."
"I'm quite impressed you've thought of all the angles."
"Makes a good thief." Gwen replied with a wink. "I was quite impressed myself with how you handled yourself at Bradstreet's place. You wouldn't be interested in freelancing for those times Will or I need a male partner would you?"
Wes thought about it. He kind of missed being on his own. Not that he would give up working with Angel or the others but it would be nice to now and then do a separate job. He had to admit he liked working with Gwen and Willow, not to mention the added bonus of being closer to Gwen.
"I think Angel might have something to say about me being partnered with Willow but I admit that sometimes I miss the rush of doing a job on your own."
"So is that a yes?"
"It's a yes as long as it doesn't interfere with my work with Angel."
Angel and Willow entered the cabin just as Wesley answered Gwen. "So, Gwen still trying to head hunt from my employees?"
"Nope, I've decided to outsource. If I hired more employees they'd get a share of the profit. This way I just pay a flat fee and cull the talents from all over."
Willow grinned at Gwen, "Wow Gwen, you really did pay attention to that last seminar we went to."
"Don't get too excited. I just don't like to share my cut of the take. Besides I just wanted to show that you weren't the only brains to this organization."
Before Willow could answer there was a beep from the console behind Wes. "Looks like we've reached our destination." Wes cut the motor while Gwen pulled out the amulet.
Gwen stepped outside with the others following her. She made sure she was far enough away from the boat's electronics that she didn't screw them up when she took her inhibitor off.
"You sure you want to do it this way?" Gwen asked Willow.
"Yep. Don't worry this won't mess with the ancient power of the amulet. It'll just disguise it from those that seek it."
Cupping the amulet in both of her hands Gwen melted the surrounding metal so that it completely hid the stone residing in the middle. She carefully set it down on the floor of the boat to cool before picking up her inhibitor.
Willow waited until the mass was warm to the touch before she began to chant.
Angel, Wes and Gwen watched what once had been a beautiful amulet and now was a mass of melted metal morph into a plain seashell.
When Willow finished her glamour spell she reached over to pick up the shell/amulet. "This way if it ever does wash ashore anywhere someone will just think it's a shell."
"But wouldn't anyone sensitive to magick be able to feel the ancient power of it?" Wes asked.
Willow placed the shell in Wes' hands, "What do you feel?"
A slow smile spread across his features, "Nothing. I don't feel any magick at all, not even a trace. How long will your glamour last?"
"It should last an eternity. I worded the spell so that only the goddess Hebe could revoke the spell and restore the amulet. I can't even do it."
Wes handed the shell to Angel who used all his vampiric strength and tossed it far into the Pacific. They all watched as it hit the water and slowly began to sink below the surface.
~~~~
Wes watched Gwen through the French doors that led out into the courtyard. She was just sitting on the bench looking up at the stars.
He quietly opened the doors and stepped outside, "Any regrets?"
"Too many to count." Gwen turned with a smile, "But if your asking if I regret what we did with the amulet the answer's no."
"Then why the Angel brooding in the dark?"
Gwen sat up straight and turned to look at Wes, "I do not BROOD like Angel."
Wes just smiled and didn't respond.
"I don't!"
"Said the girl as she sat outside by herself quietly contemplating the cosmos."
"Okay so sometimes I have a SLIGHT tendency to brood."
"I'm told I'm a good listener if you want to talk."
Gwen decided to take a chance and open up a little with Wesley, "It's not that I'm not happy for Willow. I am it's just that it's been just the two of us for a couple of years now. I guess I kind of feel left out."
Wesley thought back to his relationship, if you can call it that, with Lilah. "I know what you mean, about being left out. Angel and Cordelia were dancing around each other. Fred and Gunn were sickening sweet with each other in the beginning. I was the odd man out. Sure we worked together but the dynamics changed when it became two couples and me."
"Exactly, that's what I'm afraid will happen. I know I'll always be friends with Willow and I can count on her for anything but I think our duo is now a trio."
"We could make it a quartet..." Wesley trailed off as Gwen turned her head to look at him.
"Why Wesley Wyndham-Price are you flirting with me?" Gwen smiled at Wes.
"Umm..." Wesley hedged but Gwen interrupted.
Gwen leaned in, "'Cause if you are I just might have to take you up on it."
"Wesley you dog!" Gunn smirked as he glanced out the window into the courtyard.
"What?" Willow stood on tiptoe to see what Gunn was looking at.
Gunn stepped aside so Willow could see.
"Oh, oh my." Willow smiled as she watched Wesley and Gwen kiss underneath the stars. She turned in Angel's embrace when she felt his arms encircle her waist. "If someone had told me when we first took this job that I'd be standing here in your arms and Gwen would be kissing Wesley under the stars I'd have thought they were nuts. Especially when you kidnapped us."
Angel rolled his eyes and was glad that Willow couldn't see him. "I'm gonna be paying for that for a long time aren't I?"
"I'd have to go with yes on that one."
Angel leaned down and nipped at Willow's earlobe before whispering in her ear, "Gonna spank me?"
Gunn wondered what Angel whispered in Willow's ear when she turned a bright red. He didn't think he wanted to know. Sometimes ignorance was definitely bliss. He quietly left the two couples alone and went in search of Fred.
End