Disclaimer: I don’t own any of it. They belong to someone else. I’m only borrowing them.
Rating: PG-13, for now.
Distribution: whoever wants it.
Pairings: A/W, C/G
Spoilers: Doyle is dead, no Wesley yet, Gunn is helping, AI is still in the first building. Don’t have a clue where in Highlander.
Feedback: Please. Please read and review. PLEASE!!
Notes: Willow goes to visit LA the summer after Oz leaves. She’s staying with Angel. She and Cordy are getting along better than they ever did in high school. Willow had been taking self-defense/martial arts classes since before she graduated high school, and since she came to stay with him Angel has been continuing her training, and teaching her to fight with weapons.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~Part: 1~
~~About Six Weeks After Willow Arrived In LA~~
"Are you ready to go yet?" Willow yelled from the top of the stairs down to Angel’s apartment below.
"I’m coming, I’m coming!" Angel replied as he bounded up the stairs two at a time. "If I didn’t know any better I’d say you were looking for a fight." He teased the read head.
"Yeah, well, kinda. Now that I know how to fight and can hold my own, it’s kind of a rush." Willow admitted as Angel just raised an eyebrow. "Okay, I like it, so sue me." They both laughed.
"Well then, come on Wills. Let’s go kick some demon ass." With that, Angel and Willow walked out of Angel Investigations and into the dark Los Angels night.
About an hour or so in to the patrol Angel and Willow found themselves on a dark, deserted street. Deserted except for the dozen or so vampires that seemed to suddenly surround them. Angel did his best to fight them off, even managing to dust about four or five. But he was quickly losing ground.
Angel then found himself face down on the pavement about yard behind Willow. Of all the people in the street that could’ve knocked him down he wasn’t expecting it to be Willow. And especially not magically. But she had. Before he could regain his footing and ask why, the remaining vamps suddenly burst into clouds of ash.
"What the . . .? How? I . . . Willow!" Angel was next to speechless. That’s when he saw it. The mischievous gleam in her bright green eyes. "Willow, what just happened?"
"Nothing." Knowing Angel wasn’t going to buy her innocent act she continued, "okay, I conjured up a whole bunch of wooden splinters, and I didn’t want to accidently hit you with one. Sorry." Willow truly felt bad that she had thrown Angel back behind her.
Curious, Angel had to know, "Willow, if you could do that all along, why didn’t you do it at the start?" Once again Angel noticed the spark return to her eyes.
"I know how almost therapeutic it is for you, and your demon, to fight. So I let you. Until it was time not too." She announced.
He regained his footing, amazed at the budding power of the witch before him. He couldn’t help but smile as the two wandered off toward the apartment.
Richie Ryan was frozen in disbelief at what he had just witnessed. He had been walking home from the track after a few practice runs before the race the next afternoon when he turned a corner on to a nearly deserted street and he had felt a slight buzz in his head. Only this time it wasn’t as strong as it normally is, so he quickly deduced that he was sensing a pre-immortal.
As he watched the scene in front of him unfold, he thought that the man was the one, until the female waived her hand and tossed her ally behind her, and suddenly those that she fought against disappeared. Richie watched as the two winners laughed and she helped her comrade to his feet. As the two fighters walked near him, Ritchie realized that SHE was the pre-immortal. Knowing that they hadn’t seen him, Richie decided to follow them to find out more about this woman that was soon to enter the game.
As the two warriors made their way back to Angel’s apartment they could both feel someone watching and following them. Whoever it was didn’t mean them any harm, they could tell the person was just more curious than anything. They had felt the presence since they left the fight where Willow had dusted the vampires using her magic.
When Angel and Willow finally reached the apartment, the two friends stayed up through the night talking. About Willow’s magic, Angel’s past, and anything else they could think to talk of. They talked until the sun came up, and by the time they adjourned for bed they had begun to realize that what had started out as tentative friendship was quickly exploding in to something more - much more.
Angel couldn’t understand it, but he knew that Willow would be his, for eternity. He just didn’t know how, because he didn’t even want to think of her as a vampire. ‘There’s got to be another way’ he thought to himself as he drifted off to sleep.
~Part: 2~
~~Late The Next Morning~~
When Willow finally made her way up to the office it was getting close to lunch time and she had yet to have breakfast. But it didn’t matter. Last night had been wonderful, she’d learned so much about the en-souled vampire she was sharing an apartment with, including the fact that his soul was made permanent as a gift from the Powers That Be to enable Angel to not worry about turning evil again.
"Wills!" Willow was startled out of her thoughts by an overly excited Cordelia. "Good, you’re up. Let’s go to lunch."
"Uh, Okay." Willow wasn’t in the mood to argue with Cordy. Since there was obviously a reason the brunette wanted her out of the office, Willow figured she might as well go with the flow and find out why.
"Hey guy, Wills and I are going to lunch. We’ll be back later. Bye!" Cordelia hollered towards Angel’s office where Angel and Gunn were reviewing a case, as she nearly drug Willow out of the office.
Once the two girls got settled in a booth at a nearby café the interrogation began, "Spill Willow."
"What are you talking about?" Willow had no idea what her fiend was referring to.
"You and Angel. He was happier this morning than I think I’ve ever seen him. What happened out on patrol last night?"
"Nothing much. We were attacked by like a dozen vamps, he dusted four or five, and I dusted the rest."
"You dusted seven vamps? Will, I knew you were good, but I had no idea that you could out fight Angel."
Willow laughed at her friend’s enthusiasm. "I used magic to dust them, that’s all. But thanks for the vote of confidence." Willow couldn’t help but smile.
"If that was all that happened, Angel would be kind of bummed that he couldn’t do it all by himself. So, what happened after that? Details girl." Cordelia teased Willow.
"Nothing. After the vamps, we went back to his apartment, we stayed up talking until the sun come up. It was amazing. We told each other things that no one else knows. Things that no one would even think to ask, we asked. It was . . . amazing."
Cordelia smiled at the far away look in her friend’s eyes. "You like him, don’t you?" She asked bluntly.
"What? I . . Well, I mean . . " Willow stammered over her answer.
"It’s okay Wills, I think it’s great. I’ve seen the way the two of you look at each other. I say go for it." Cordelia urged the witch.
"I . . . ah. . . okay, yeah, I like him. I just didn’t realize how much until last night. Do you think that there’s a chance that he could be interested in me too?"
"Are you kidding me? There’s every chance. That guy is head over heels for you. I have a great idea." If possible, Cordelia got even more excited.
"Do I want to ask?" Willow raised an eyebrow at her friend.
"Let’s go shopping. We’ve got to get you something that will make Angel stand up and take notice. All of Angel."
With a small nod of agreement, and more excitement than Willow cared to admit even to herself, the two girls set out to work over the mall.
~~Meanwhile, Back At The Office~~
"So, Dawg, what’s up with you today?" Gunn asked his unnaturally un-broody boss.
"Nothing. Why? Did Willow mention something?" Replied a nervous Angel.
"Wow, slow down. I never mentioned anything about Willow. But since you brought it up . . ."
"What? There’s nothing going on between me and Willow."
"Yeah, I can see that. And why isn’t there? You like her, admit it." Prodded Gunn.
"What? No, I don’t. Even if I did, she’d never see me as anything more than a friend. Not that I’m not her friend, because I am. It’s just that I wouldn’t mind being more than just friends, and"
"Woah!" Gunn cut off a rambling Angel. "I thought that nervous babbling was Willow’s trademark. When did you pick it up?" Teased the younger man.
"I’m not nervous. And I’m certainly not babbling. I may tend to be a little long winded, even think out loud, but I don’t, oh damn, I am babbling, aren’t I?"
Gunn was trying so hard not to burst out laughing, that his only response was a nod. After the giggling fit passed Gunn was able to give Angel some much needed advise. "In our lives and line of work, you never know when we might die. Don’t waste life. Tell her how you feel. Soon."
"I don’t know." Stammered Angel.
"Don’t argue with fate, man. Your soul is permanent, so what are you waiting for? An engraved invitation?"
"You know what Gunn? You’re right. I’m going to tell her how I feel. And soon. I just want everything to be perfect when I do." Angel had made up his mind, and Gunn couldn’t help but smile.
~Part: 3~
That night, Cordelia and Gunn (having already reported to each other on the day’s revelations) decided that Angel and Willow would go on patrol, do a quick sweep, and then meet up with Gunn and Cordelia at a local club. "We deserve a night out" had been their reasoning. Angel agreed that a night out might do them all some good.
"Angel! Aren’t you ready to go yet!? Cordy will kill us if we take too long!" Willow bellowed down the stairs to Angel’s apartment.
About that time, up came Angel - who stopped dead in his tracks upon seeing Willow. She was wearing dark green leather pants, black boots with a slight heel, a black halter, and a dark green mid-thigh length leather jacket.
"Wow. Willow. . you . . ah. . I mean . . Uh . ." was all Angel was able to get out.
Not that Willow was doing much better once she saw Angel. He was wearing black leather pants, black Docs, a midnight blue silk shirt, and a black mid-thigh length leather jacket.
"Angel . . I . . uh. . we should . . I mean. . ." Willow stammered.
Angel was the first of the two to regain use of his vocal chords. "Willow, you look amazing."
"Thank you" Willow blushed, "You look amazing yourself."
"Thank you. We, ah, we should really get going." He managed.
"Yup, let’s go kick some bad guy butt."
Willow smiled, and if Angel’s heart were beating, it would’ve skipped a beat at that exact moment. Angel held out his arm to Willow and she took it, allowing him to escort her out of the building and into the dark night.
The only fight they had on their sweep was a group of three vamps. Angel dusted two while Willow quickly dispatched the last one. Angel and Willow once again had the feeling that they were being watch, with the same curiosity as the night before.
~~Later, At The Club~~
The A.I. team met up and sat at a small table back away from the dance floor. Cordelia leaned over and whispered to Willow, "Wills, that hot guy at the bar has done nothing but stare at you since he walked in."
Willow turned her head to see who her friend was referring too. ‘Wow. Not bad.’ Willow thought to herself. She smiled at the stranger, who began to saunter over to her.
Ritchie approached the table and stopped directly in front of Willow.
"Would you care to dance?" Richie asked holding out his hand.
Angel, not so subtly growled; Willow just smiled graciously.
"I’d like that, thank you." Willow placed her hand in his and allow Richie to her out on to the crowded dance floor. They danced slow and close.
"My name is Richie." He supplied.
"Hi, I’m Willow." She offered.
"So where are you from Willow?"
"Sunnydale, California. You?"
"Seacouver, Washington. What brings you to L.A.?"
"I’m helped out some friends of mine with their detective agency. I’m sort of Net Girl. I’m updating their computer systems and data bases. What about you? What are you doing in L.A.?"
"I race motorcycles. And there was a race this afternoon."
"Really? How’d you do? That sounds dangerous. Are you afraid you’re going to get hurt?" Willow asked with sincerity.
"I did okay, I placed third. It’s a little dangerous, but I’m usually more afraid of walking alone at night then I am of the race track."
"You should be scared to walk alone at night, especially here. There are all sorts of strange . . . people out there." Willow wanted to kick herself for that near slip. Richie could barely contain the laugh that was forming, thinking that this mere slip of a girl went out looking for those strange ‘people’ that she was warning him to stay away from.
Back at the table, Cordelia and Gunn urged Angel to cut in. The song soon ended and a new slow song begins. Angel watched as Richie not only didn’t let go of Willow, but in fact, he pulled her a little close. Angel couldn’t take it any more. He jumped out of his seat, and more short work of making his way through the crowd, and stopped abruptly in front of Willow and Richie.
"May I cut in?" Angel asked in the most suave voice he could muster, considering he wanted nothing more than to drain the idiot boy standing in front of him.
"Ah, sure, I guess. If the lady doesn’t mind." Richie had left it up to Willow.
Willow thanked Richie for the dance and for the talk and then turned to Angel who pulled his little red-head tightly to him and they begin to sway to the slow, erotic music. Richie backs away slowly, never completely losing sight of the red-head. The tall vampire looked down at the petite witch in his arms and got lost in her green eyes. Willow was glad that Angel was holding her as tight as he was, seeing as when she looked up into his deep brown eyes, her knees instantly became weak.
Unable to resist any longer, Angel leaned down and softly kissed Willow. Willow returned his kiss with all the same emotions that he was feeling. The vampire and the witch were lost in the kiss. Once they ended the kiss to allow Willow some much needed air, the two quickly took their leave of the club and their friends to go back to Angel’s apartment and made slow, sweet love until the sun’s first light.
~Part: 4~
Richie made a phone call from his cell phone as soon as he left the noise of the club.
"Hello?"
"Joe!"
"Richie, it’s after midnight. You better have a damn good reason for calling me at this ungodly hour." Joe Dawson grumbled, still half asleep.
"Oh, I do Joe. I just found a pre-immortal."
"You couldn’t have told me this in the morning?"
"SHE is a WITCH!"
"WHAT!? It’s a she? AND she’s a witch?"
"Now do you see why I called as soon as I found out?"
"Yeah. How powerful is she, do you know?" Joe was now wide awake, his curiosity peaked.
"She seems pretty powerful from what I’ve seen. Not to mention she’s an absolute knock-out." Richie couldn’t help but recall the way the leather sculpted to her every curve.
"Where are you? Duncan and I will be there as soon as we can."
"I’m in Los Angeles, California."
"We’ll be there first thing in the morning. Thanks Richie."
"That’s what I’m here for. See you in the morning."
Joe and Duncan arrived in Los Angeles about 8 hours later. Richie immediately took them to the building where he had followed Willow too the first night he saw her. The three of them began to follow Willow. They got to watch Angel train Willow to use a sword, which the three of them would have found funny, except for the fact that she was picking it up quickly and Duncan couldn’t help but notice how the guy was teaching her to protect her neck.
"Any one else noticed that he’s teaching her like you would teach any other immortal - to protect your head and neck. Who is this guy? Does he know what she’s going to be?" Duncan asked to his two companions.
"Hey, you’re right. I hadn’t even noticed before. He’s good too. She’s not any too shabby for just learning, either." Richie said.
"He is good. She’s lucky to have him teaching her before she needs it." Duncan added.
"Who said anything about her not needing it now?" Richie muttered. Joe and Duncan just stared at Richie like he had grown a second head. Knowing that his two friends wouldn’t let it drop he recounted to them what he had seen the first night he found her. Joe and Duncan turned back to watch the small red head, growing more and more amazed with her as the time passed.
~~That Evening, Just After Sunset~~
"AAHHH!!"
Angel rushed out of his office as Gunn caught Cordelia before she could hit her head on the floor. Gunn carried her to the couch and laid her down.
"What is it Cordy? What did you see?" Willow quietly asked her friend.
Cordelia managed to mumble, "Bug ugly demon; dark alleyway. We have a little while, which is good, ‘cuz my head needs to recover so I can go fight."
"Fight? What are you talking about? You’re staying here, with Willow." Angel announced.
Before Willow could blow her top, like Cordelia just knew was about to happen, Cordelia spoke up. "We were all there in my vision. We all have to go. End of discussion." And that was that.
About an hour later, the A.I. crew left to go fight this ‘big ugly demon’, being watched the whole time, of course, by Richie, Duncan, and Joe. When they got to the alleyway, it only took a few minutes to find the demon and start the attack.
Arms flailing, weapons flying. The demon got in a good hit, and Cordelia went flying. She hit the side of the building so hard she lost consciousness. Angry, Willow steps forward to seek her revenge for her friend, but the demon had other plans. It quickly and efficiently, snapped Willow’s neck, killing her instantly. Angel lost control and Angelus slid forward, and ripped the still beating heart out of the ugly demon. Gunn finished the demon off by beheading it in one smooth, angry motion.
Joe, Duncan, and Richie were suddenly terrified of Angel, seeing him transform right before their eyes. Not knowing how he had done that, or what had happened to his face.
Angel ran to Willow and gathered her in his arms while he all he could do was cry. Gunn went to Cordelia and cradled her until she woke up. Angel, Gunn, and Cordelia held and comforted each other and cried for their fallen friend for what seems like hours.
Willow suddenly woke up, gasping for breath.
"Willow, you’re alive." Angel said.
"I noticed. Why? I could’ve sworn I died." Willow replied.
"You did die Wills." Cordelia interjected.
"I don’t care why, I’m just glad you came back to me. To us." Angel admitted. Willow ran her hands along Angel’s ridged brow, amazed as he put his human face back on. No one had even noticed that he was still in ‘game face’ after Willow’s death.
"Let’s go home now." Was all that Willow said, and the all agreed. Cordelia and Gunn embraced Willow and promised to meet up with her first thing in the morning to get the scoop on what had happened, and then Gunn took Cordelia home. Angel swept Willow up in his arms and carried her back to his apartment.
"Angel, I can walk, you know." Willow fussed.
"I know, but I don’t want to let go of you. Not tonight, not ever." Angel silenced any other arguments with a kiss.
Joe, Duncan, and Richie watched the entire thing, panicked, not knowing how to deal with Willow now that her friends had seen her die and then come back to life. They decided it would be best if they went to talk to them all in the morning.
Angel took Willow back to his apartment, back to his bed.
"I was so afraid that I’d lost you." Angel admitted. "I’ve never been so scared. I don’t ever want to lose you again."
Willow hugged Angel tightly. "I don’t want to lose you either."
"Willow, I have something to ask you. It’s probably going to sound really weird, but I’m serious about it."
"Okay, what is it?"
"I was wondering if I had your permission to claim you as my mate. It’s a vampiric thing. It’s sort of the vampire’s equivalent of marriage."
"Are you asking me to marry you, so to speak?" Willow aked hopefully.
"If you put it that way, then yes, that’s exactly what I’m asking. So, Willow Rosenburg, will you be my mate?"
Willow threw her arms around Angel’s neck, "Yes, of course I will."
Angel kissed Willow deeply and passionately. By the time the sun rose on Angel Investigations, Willow would be mated to one of the most renowned master vampires in history.
~Part: 5~
~next morning~
The Angel Investigation four were in the office bright and early, not wanting to miss any time to talk to Willow about what had happened to her the night before.
Willow suddenly grabs her head as it feels like it’s going to explode. Just as it’s starting to get bearable, three men walk in the front door, including the man Willow had danced with at the club.
"You!" Willow accused "You know what happened to me! Tell me!" Angel began to growl at the three men who had upset his mate without even having said a word.
"Yes, Willow, we do know. That’s why we’re here. To talk to you about it." Richie confessed.
"Talk fast." Gunn stated. He and Cordelia had retrieved weapons from the cabinet, and we now standing in poses that said they were not to be messed with. Gunn with his ax and Cordelia with her crossbow.
"Willow" Richie began "Normally we’d talk alone, but seeing as all of your friends already know . . ."
"Richie, get to the point" Willow threatened, her headache having subsided.
"You’re Immortal" Joe stated matter-of-factly.
"Who the hell are you? And what the hell is an immortal?" Barked Angel.
"I’m Joe Dawson, this is Duncan MacCloud, and you’ve already met Richie Ryan."
"What the hell am I?" Willow was getting close to the edge of hysteria now.
This time it was Duncan that answered. "You are an Immortal. You will not grow old, you won’t get sick, and the only way that you will be killed is by beheading. You can die, but you won’t stay dead. That’s the general overview."
Everyone stood silent and motionless absorbing all of what Duncan had revealed.
"Beheading? Eew. Morbid much?" Cordelia finally broke the silence. "So, what’s the catch?"
Joe, Duncan, and Richie stood dumbfounded, not understanding how these four young people could take this all in stride like they were.
"Doesn’t any of this bother you?" Richie asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
Willow took a deep breath, "Is there anything I can do to change it?" Willow asked calmly.
"No" Richie said.
"Then the only thing to do is to accept it, learn to deal with it, and move on." Willow answered.
"Oh." Richie, and his tow friends, were floored. "Why does this not surprise you?" Richie continued.
Angel wrapped his arms around Willow’s waist. "Because Immortals are not the only species that get to live forever." Angel replied. Willow leaned back into her mate, her now forever mate. Angel kissed the top of her head.
"What do you mean?" Joe asked suspiciously.
"Vampires" Gunn answered.
"There’s no such thing as vampires." Duncan retorted.
"Oh, how quickly you dismiss the unexplainable, Highlander." Angel countered.
"How did you know?" Duncan began to worry. As did Joe and Richie.
"Let’s just say, I always thought that you were the myth."
"Me? What do you mean always?"
"You mean you haven’t figured it out yet?" Angel smirked.
"You’re a vampire" Joe answered almost inaudibly. "What’s your name?"
"Angel."
"No, it can’t be" Joe shook his head in denial. "You’re the myth. You’re supposed to be evil. Are you?"
"Ah, so I see me reputation proceeds me. But no, I’m not evil anymore. About 80 years ago, a nice clan of gypsies thought they’d be nice an give me a soul. Only they forgot to mention the little happiness clause. So, I lost it, became evil again, and Willow here restored my soul - again. And now, it’s permanent. Any questions?"
"Joe said that he thought you were the myth. I’m assuming that if you were evil that you didn’t go by the name Angel. So what did you go by?" Duncan asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.
"Angelus." Angel answered quietly.
"As in the Scourge of Europe, Angelus?" Duncan freaked.
"Unfortunately, yes. That was me. But you Highlander, you’re reputation is almost as wide-spread as mine. You’re a legend."
"I’m a what? I’m no legend. Legends have to be dead. And as you can see, I’m very much alive." Duncan sounded affronted.
"Apparently. Now what do the three of you want with Willow?" Angel still wasn’t sure why the three were there.
"We came to teach her." Richie answered, trying to draw the attention away from his mentor.
"Teach her?" Gunn asked. "I think we’ve got that part covered." The AI four stifled a giggle at that.
"Yes, well. There’s more to surviving the Game than just swordplay." Duncan replied.
"Game? What Game?" Cordelia chimed in, still pointing her crossbow at the three.
"‘In the end there can be only one.’" Richie supplied.
"Could you vague that up a little for me please?" Cordy retorted.
"In a nutshell, we run around chopping each other’s heads off, until there is only one immortal left. That Immortal wins the Prize. And before you ask, no one knows what the prize is. There are those of us that don’t go out looking for challenges, but we will defend ourselves if challenged.
"But, there are those that go out looking for heads - headhunters we call them. They tend to target new, inexperienced Immortals. Like you Willow. That’s why we’re here. To help you learn the rules." Richie told them all.
"So, this is real? I’m really Immortal." Willow thought out loud.
Angel wrapped his arms more tightly around Willow’s waist. "Sort of gives a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘till death do you part’."
All seven found the humor in Angel’s remark and laughed. They all sat down and began to talk as friends rather than enemies. And soon, the seven found a mutual respect for each other, and for each others’ fighting styles.
Willow agreed to allow Duncan, along with Richie and Angel to train her. Duncan, Richie, and Joe are absolutely amazed at Willow’s skill both in fighting and in magic.
~Part: 6~
~~About A Month Later~~
Since it seemed that Willow wouldn’t be moving back to Sunnydale, Willow needed to go back and pack up all of her belongings and move them to Los Angeles. All seven decided to go with her, but all for different reasons. Willow, for her stuff and to say good-bye. Angel, like he’d let his mate go anywhere without him. Cordelia, she above all knew what the Scoobies were like and didn’t want Willow (and Angel) to have to face them alone. Gunn, why not, everyone else is going, especially Cordelia. Joe, Watcher instincts kicking into overdrive, wanted to go to an actual Hellmouth and see what all the fuss was about. Duncan and Richie wanted to see where Willow(and Cordelia) had grown up. They’d heard all the stories, and they wanted to see how much truth there was too them.
*Knock. Knock. Knock*
As the door opened, Willow bounced up and down on the balls of her feet excitedly. "Hi Giles" She beamed.
"Willow. Hello. What brings you here? Angel. Cordelia. Er, ah, please come in." Giles stepped back to allow the group to enter his apartment. "Joe?" Giles asked in surprise.
"Rupert. How are you old man?" Joe teased his old friend.
"Joe Dawson. What are you doing here? It’s good to see you." Giles usher the group toward the couch. "Let me introduce you to everyone. These are my charges - Buffy, Xander, Anya, and the newest member Riley. Children, you remember Willow, Angel, and Cordelia. This is Joe Dawson, an old watcher friend of mine. And I’m sorry. I don’t know your other friend." Giles introduced.
"Gunn. Charles Gunn." Gunn waved. "It’s nice to meet you all."
Buffy stood up, "I would love to stay and chat, but I have work to do."
"Oh, can we come?" Willow implored enthusiastically.
"Ah, sure Wills. We can make it a group date." Buffy teased. "Alright guys, let’s go."
The gang headed out into the warm Southern California evening. All except for Giles and Joe, that is. They wanted to catch up on old times, and Joe wanted to talk to Giles about Willow.
"Giles, tell me about Willow." Joe requested calmly.
"Willow? Why? Is she alright? Do you know something that I don’t know?" Giles began to panic.
"Actually, Rupert, there is something I ought to tell you about her." Joe settled in to the couch, waiting for Giles to realize how serious it was.
"Yes, of course. If it concerns Willow, I want to know."
"Good. That little witch of yours is an Immortal." Joe sat silent as Giles wrapped his mind around what he was just told.
"Yes, well, that does explain a lot." Was Giles only response. The two sat talking and catching up on old, and new, times until the ‘children’ returned.
~~Meanwhile, In A Local Cemetery~~
"So, what brings you guys here?" Xander asked. "Not that we’re not all thrill to see you all - well, maybe not thrilled to see all of you," Xander glared at Angel, "but what brings you here none the less?"
"We just came to get all of my stuff." Willow answered. "I’m moving to LA to help at Angel Investigations." The only answer she received was silence.
Cordelia to the rescue. "Okay you guys, say something."
"LA?" "You’re moving?" "Wills, why?" Buffy and Xander both shuddered at the same time. Anya and Riley remained silent, so very un-Anya like. Anya sensed something was different about Willow, but she just couldn’t put her finger on it.
"Look guys, it just that" Willow was stopped short by the buzzing in her head. She quickly pulled her sword from its sheath inside her jacket. Angel, Cordelia, and Gunn all also brandished their weapons, knowing the only reason Willow would draw her sword. Buffy, Riley, Xander, and Anya all looked around and at each other completely confused. Anya was starting to put the pieces together, and thought she knew what the change was.
The AI crew looked ready for a serious rumble, but visibly relaxed when they saw Duncan and Richie come sauntering out of the bushes. Willow introduced Duncan and Richie to her four friends. The introductions were barely finished when the three Immortals all raised their swords, looking around. Angel quickly stepped to stand behind Willow to protect her back, also looking for an intruders.
From the opposite direction the Duncan and Richie had come stepped a truly evil looking man. Duncan, Richie, and Angel all stepped in front of Willow to try to hide her from the new Immortal’s view. With his drawn sword, the man pointed at Willow, "I want you."
Buffy tried to intercede, only to be held back by Angel. When Buffy would’ve asked why she was silenced by the look of pain and fear in Angel’s eyes. Xander, and Riley, tried to step in only to be met with the same reaction from Cordelia, Gunn, Duncan, Richie, and Anya.
"She has to do this alone" were the only words spoken by Cordelia.
Buffy reluctantly agreed to stay out of it as Angel turns and growls and the man, with eyes glowing, barely containing the demon inside.
"You do know that if you fight her and on the off chance win, the rest of us will kill you. Right? Especially him." Duncan stated, then pointed to a now vamped-out Angel.
The Immortal at least had the decency to look slightly afraid before turning back to Willow, saying, "Let’s go. You’re mine."
The sword fight was amazing. The mas was good, but Willow was most definitely holding her own. The four from Sunndydale stood motionless, in awe, at Willow’s fighting abilities. Willow, thanks to the training of Angel and Duncan, was doing good, but not good enough. She was quickly losing ground. Willow soon found herself on the defensive, and was quickly growing tired. Out of sheer self-preservation Willow created a small explosion behind her, distracting her opponent. Willow used his weakened defenses to her advantage and managed to take his head.
Duncan and Richie tried to shield the mortals from the Quickening that was about to take place, but to no avail. The only thing that those present could do is stand and watch as Willow was the center of massive power surge that looked like a lightning storm. As soon as it was over, Angel was at Willow’s side cradling her tightly to him.
"Nice special effects Wills" Xander quipped.
"Is that legal?" Gunn leaned over to ask Duncan.
"Well, we’re not on holy ground and no one interfered. It should be legal." Duncan surmised.
Buffy, Riley, and Xander were all stunned. Anya was just proud of her friend.
"What was that?" Buffy questioned.
"My new life" was all Willow could answer with.
"Let’s go back to Giles’ and everything will be explained." Cordelia offered. Buffy, Xander, and Riley simply nodded, and followed the rest back to the Watcher’s place.
Once there, Joe and Giles explained everything to the three confused young adults from Sunnydale. Anya, of course, was the only one of them that not only didn’t need an explanation, but didn’t see a problem with the whole Immortal thing and all that it entailed.
~~The Next Evening~~
Willow, Angel, Cordelia, Gunn, Joe, Duncan, and Richie left for Los Angeles. The Sunnydale five said good-bye to their old friends and their new ones and promised to keep in touch.
Once back in LA, Duncan agreed to stay on and help train Willow for another few months. After Duncan taught Willow enough to help keep her alive, Joe, Duncan, and Richie all left to head back to Seacouver.
The AI team soon resolved themselves to their new life with a powerful
immortal witch that occasionally had to take a head or two to stay alive.
To them, it soon became as normal as Angel needing to drink blood to stay
alive. Well, as normal as their lives ever got to be.