Rating: G
Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters; I am just borrowing them for a bit of fun. Joss owns all things Sunnydale.
Pairing: Willow/Angel
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
Dedication: For Susi who wanted another Angel fic. Hope you like.
A/N : This is in response to Quickie challenge #2 at Jinni's Quickie challenge website. http://quickie.moonlitpaths.com/
Theme for March (from 16th to 31st): St. Patrick's Day, green, luck, leprechauns, Ireland, Irish, ale, "Out Like a Lamb", wishes, rainbows.
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Willow glanced around the hall and turned to her helper Vinny, "I think it looks pretty good. What do you think being from Ireland and all?"
Vinny looked at the decorations and bit the inside of his lip to keep from laughing. The hall was decorated festively in green in honor of St. Patrick's Day but that wasn't what was causing Vinny's amusement. He was looking at the cheerful leprechaun. Being one of the wee folk himself, though no one knew this, it always amused him when the mortals still believed in that stereotype of the little people.
"It's very well done."
Willow heard the laughter that Vinny was trying to suppress. "Okay. What's so bad about it that you're trying not to laugh? You won't insult my feelings since this wasn't my idea as you know."
Vinny did laugh then. Willow had been volunteered to work on this Habitat for Humanity fundraiser and Vinny had volunteered to help her.
Laughing he said, "It's nothing. Just that leprechauns aren't like that."
"And how would you know that?" Willow teased her friend.
"I know like you know what a witch looks like." Vinny said gauging her reaction since she hadn't told him she was a witch.
The teasing light went out of Willow's eyes and she just looked at him in surprise. "Are you saying you know that I'm a witch?"
Vinny smiled, "We felt you're power all the way over in Ireland."
Willow sighed. Would she ever be able to get passed her time as Dark Willow?
Vinny noticed her sadness and went to put his hand on her arm, "No, Willow. Not just your time that you used Dark Magick, we felt you before. When you gave Angel his soul."
Willow blinked, "Who are you? I've never told you any of this."
Vinny smiled and let the glamour fade. His ears elongated and his eyes twinkled. "Don't you know, Willow? Didn't you feel my magick? I'm of the Wee Folk, the Good People, the Dark Fairies. A Leprechaun."
Now Willow felt Vinny's magick. It was strong and powerful and ancient.
"I wasn't to reveal myself until the night of the party but I'm sure he will forgive me. Our good King sent me to meet you and it was with delight that we became friends. You came to his attention when you restored Angel's soul and he has been watching you ever since. You impressed him when you worked with Rupert Giles to control your magick after last spring and again when you defeated the First Evil. King Bryan has decided to grant you a wish."
Willow bit her lip remembering Anya's granting of Cordelia's wish. Vinny seemed to read her mind and winked. "Not a vengeance wish, which comes from darkness. This is a gift. No harm will come to others because of your wish."
"Can I think about it?" Willow didn't want to make a huge mistake.
"Of course. I'll see you tomorrow night."
Willow watched Vinny leave and waited until she couldn't see him anymore. She wandered the campus with her thoughts going over her life and how she would have changed things or if she would have changed things.
~~~~
The night of the party dawned and Willow still had no idea what she would wish for. She had seen Vinny in class and he hadn't mentioned anything about the wish or anything mystical. It had been like it never happened. The only thing that convinced Willow that she hadn't imagined it was when they parted Vinny winked and said, "See ya tonight and I'll bring that special present."
Willow entered the hall with the party already started. She looked over at the drawn on thermometer and saw with relief that they were already half way to their goal and the party had only started a couple of hours ago. She tensed when she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Vinny.
"Hi, ready for your present?"
Willow smiled sadly as she walked with him back out into the night. She still hadn't decided yet. "I know it's an honor that you're bestowing on me but I really don't know what I want to wish for."
Vinny nodded seriously, "That's why the honor was bestowed on you, Willow. You didn't automatically wish for your deeds to be undone or that you wanted to be rich. King Bryan gave me this to give to you." He held a small glass ball in his hand.
Willow took it from him and held it gently in the palm of her hand.
"That will be able to tell your fondest desire and grant it. No thinking or emotions involved. It will read your TRUE desire."
Willow nodded and held the ball. It began to glow and hover above her hand. Vinny grasped it and smiled. "You wish for your soulmate."
Willow sadly smiled thinking of Tara.
"You will have no memories of this time it will be as if this new time always was. It was an honor to be your friend, Willow and I hope to meet you in the next timeline."
Willow held up her hand before he could grant the wish. "Will I recognize you if we do meet?"
"You know when you meet someone for the first time and it's like you always knew them? It will be like that."
"If I don't see you again thanks and please thank your King for me."
Willow closed her eyes and waited with a hopeful heart to see Tara again.
Vinny blinked the sphere out of existence and nodded to Willow. "Your wish is granted."
A bright light exploded and in an instant everything changed.
~~~~
Willow blinked against the bright light and sighed. "Xander, please use the red eye flash when you're taking my picture. With my red hair and the flash I get red eye every time and I look like the devil. Red hair and red eyes, it's not pretty."
Xander smiled sheepishly at his friend, "Sorry, Wills. Do over?"
Willow smiled and rolled her eyes. "I really hate this part of charity work."
Arms wrapped around her waist and held her tight. "Yeah but it's for a good cause."
Willow leaned back into Angel's embrace and smiled at the camera for Xander. When the flashes went off she turned in his arms and brought his head down for a kiss.
"Thanks."
"Your welcome. For what?"
"For helping me with this St. Patrick's Day fundraiser."
"Now how could I resist a return to the auld country when a pretty lass asked for my help." Angel teased letting his accent come out.
Willow laughed and took his hand. "Dance with me?"
"Any excuse to hold you, Ionúin."
Willow led Angel onto the dance floor. "Remember when we first met?"
Angel held Willow tight. "Mmmm. Your sophomore year at Sunnydale High."
Willow smiled as she looked over his shoulder at her friends. Xander and Buffy dancing near Cordelia and Jesse. Giles standing off to the side with one hand rubbing Jenny's back and Jenny rubbing her pregnant stomach with a gentle look in her eyes.
Willow's eyes returned to Angel's. "I remember when you and Jenny walked into the library looking for the Watcher who reportedly had the book to anchor your soul. I could barely think, let alone direct you to where Giles was."
Angel leaned down to kiss her tenderly. "I just remember a beautiful young girl smiled at me and the whole world seemed to fade away."
"Ha! You thought I was a nerd. Trying to get me to go Bronzing with you and Buffy so I could, in your words, get a life."
Angel winced at that memory. He had been trying to get Willow to join in on outside activities when he noticed she spent a lot of time by herself in the library or the computer lab. He pulled her closer, "Worked, too. You've got a life now."
Angel's hand softly caressed his claiming mark on her neck. It was a thin scar now, so many years later but still visible.
Willow rubbed her cheek against his arm, "Mmm, an eternal life now."
"Forever, Ionúin."
When the song ended they left the dance floor and headed over toward Giles and Jenny. Giles was talking to a young auburn haired man.
"Willow, Angel I'd like you to meet Vinny."
Willow smiled and held her hand out, "It's nice to meet you." When their hands met there was an electric pulse that shot through Willow. She felt ancient magick and an odd sort of recognition. "Have we met before? You look awfully familiar."
Vinny shook Willow's hand, glad to see the happiness radiating off of her. He would report to Bryan the success of the wish. "I don't believe so. I probably have one of those faces that seem familiar."
Angel felt the magick of the Wee Folk in this one and tightened his hold on Willow. The stories of his childhood came back to haunt him of the Leprechauns taking people and leaving changelings in their place.
A voice in Angel's mind said, "Don't worry, warrior. She is favored among our kind."
Angel relaxed his hold slightly but before he could respond Jenny gave a grimace and squeezed Rupert's hand.
Giles blinked both from the pressure of Jenny's hand and at her words.
"I think it's time, Rupert."
"Oh . . .Good . . .Lord."
Willow giggled and signaled for Buffy and Cordelia to join them. "I think we're gonna have a St. Pat baby."
"Woo hoo I win the pool."
"Ha, only if you guess the correct sex and weight, buddy."
"Will you two shut up!" Cordelia yelled at Xander and Jesse. "Besides, I'm gonna win."
Vinny watched as they all followed Giles into the night, laughing and arguing as only family can.
The End