disclaimer: I hold no legal rights to any characters or concepts from the series Buffy the vampire Slayer
distribution: Bite Me, NHA, WLS/Will-Angel, WWW, Paula - anyone else ask. If you have permission for the earlier Guardian Angels, you may have this one.
note: Guardian Angels is set the summer after season 2, and has now gone firmly into AU territory.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~Part: 1~
Willow felt her muscles protesting the idea of moving. She got out of the bed anyhow, smiling slightly at the way Angel had been curled beside her. It made her feel oddly safe, far more so than she really should about a half starved and still weak vampire curled up with her, his head remarkably close to her neck. Very little of this really made sense to her.
But she had to get up, and she was craving a bath. And surely a soak in the hot water would help her feel better, less stiff and sore, more like a human being instead of... well, aching muscles. But it wasn't nearly as bad as it had been before, not as bad as right after she'd brought Angel back. She was recuperating, finally. Okay, the injuries from the bookshelves were taking a while, but her magical reserves were... well, she didn't feel like she'd gone into the negatives anymore. Maybe just about breaking even, but that was still progress.
There was a faint noise, and then a little bit of a draft. It seemed cold in the warm humidity of the bathroom, and she squeaked, ducking downwards into bubbles and hot water. There was an odd noise, like a rusty chuckle, and the door shut again. That... had Angel been checking on her? And... how much had he seen?
Willow was certain that she was entirely crimson, and that it wasn't just from her bathwater anymore. If Angel had just seen her naked… and if he had, why was he laughing? Maybe she didn't have quite as much as Buffy, but she didn't think there was anything worth laughing about. Or had he been laughing at the bubbles?
Maybe she should just focus on the part where he'd actually laughed, actually made a noise other than a growl or rumble. Wasn't laughter a step in the right direction, towards using actual words and coherent speech? Yes, and she should be worrying more about Angel's recovery than the fact that she would be embarrassed about him seeing her naked. Yes, she'd seen him naked when he'd first arrived, but it had hardly been his most flattering moments. And she was rambling in her own mind now…
Eventually, Willow climbed out of the bathtub, allowing the now tepid water and the remnant film of bubbles to drain away. She put on the few bits of clothing that she'd remembered to bring in, and left the bathroom, the floor feeling cold to her bare feet, and a towel wrapped around her hair. She felt more herself again, although hardly at top form. It was time to begin planning what to do next. Not just about Angel, but about her life, about how to deal with Xander knowing that he'd lied to Buffy.
Being nearly unconscious from the pain and exertion of a major spell-casting was definitely easier.
But this was her life, and she couldn't just avoid dealing with the tough things in it. If she just backed away from everything, she'd be… Well, she'd be wall-flower, door-mat person again. The girl that nobody liked and everybody used for homework and tutoring because she was such a pushover. She didn't want to be that girl anymore. The down side was that meant that she couldn't hide from things anymore, couldn't avoid dealing with her problems.
At least she didn't have to do this alone. Oz would support her, even if it was from a bit farther away than she'd expected. She had Angel, even if he wasn't quite back to himself yet. Although a part of her was certain that having Angel with her would cause a few more problems, mainly screaming fits from Xander, and maybe frosty disapproval from Giles… Giles would still be reacting to Angelus, and the murder of Jenny Calender. That still stung for her, and she hadn't been as close as Giles had been.
Would she have even considered trying to bring Angel back if it hadn't been for those dreams that Drusilla had projected? Would she have thought of Angel, or merely rejoiced in Angelus being gone? And where was Buffy in all of this mess? Where had the Slayer gone? If she'd been killed, her body would have been found, wouldn't it? Didn't that have to mean that Buffy was alive, and just… gone away?
She felt something hot in her eyes, and her vision went blurry. Willow sniffled, trying to slow the tears that she knew would fall yet again as she considered Buffy's disappearance. Buffy, strong, confident Buffy, the girl who had liked her even though the popular crowd didn't. Buffy was gone. Willow found herself leaning against something nice smelling and solid, and her arms slid around Angel, and she just cried. His arms held her as she shook and sobbed, crying over the end of her childhood.
~Part: 2~
Willow blinked a bit as she felt herself lifted up, cradled gently in strong arms. Sighing, she leaned her head against Angel's shoulder, allowing him to carry her, slightly curious where they would end up. Slowly, he made his way to the main hall, and placed her gently on the couch. He made a gesture, as if asking her to stay there, and ducked back out of the room, his bare feet nearly silent over the stone floor.
Looking around, Willow realized that the remains of her spell were still sitting there. Lines of salt and herbs lay on the floor, now somewhat in disarray. Melted wax from the four candles had spilled onto the floor. She hadn't even thought about that, hadn't even considered what to do about the clean up. Who had cleaned up after the Soul Ritual? Either of them, actually.
He came back, carrying a plate with cheese, and grapes, apples, and carrots. Angel handed it to her, disappearing for a few moments only to return with a glass of juice for her, a small smile on his face as he handed the drink to her.
Willow smiled back as she sipped the juice, picking up an apple with her other hand. Angel was right, she needed to eat. "Thank you, Angel."
He made this sort of happy noise, not quite a purr, not quite a hum, and touched the towel over her hair, his fingers poking until the towel fell away, dropping behind her on the couch, letting her hair spill in damp tendrils down onto her back and shoulders. Then, Angel smiled, a soft look, full of joy and wonder. Running his fingers over the damp locks, he sighed, sounding almost content as he settled beside her on the couch.
Willow giggled just a little, the amusement almost out of place in the situation. Glancing at her vampire, she smiled, her fingers touching his shoulder lightly, a trace of apple juice left behind to mark her touch. "I guess that means you like my hair, hmm? I suppose it's not that bad, sort of a strange color, doesn't really blend that well, but it's mine. I used to wish that it was darker, more like Cordelia's, or maybe lighter like Amy's… do you remember Amy? Did you even know who Amy was before, when you were helping us? I suppose you probably didn't, you didn't spend a lot of time around the rest of us, just Buffy. We don't know where she went, after, well…. After."
Willow smiled faintly at the way Angel was watching her. He looked content, and he might or might not have understood any of her words, but he seemed content to just listen to the sound of her voice. Maybe hearing her talk would help him remember how to use words for himself? Or maybe he just felt like the place was too quiet, the walls leaning over them, the shadows swirling with secrets and whispers that just about shattered the calm of the quiet. Maybe that was just her own feelings. Either way, he seemed to enjoy hearing her talk, so she did. About hair, and what could be done with I, about school, and stories about Amy, and Jesse and Xander from before things had changed. Stories about summer camp and trips to the beach. She talked for hours, finishing the food and juice, wiping her hands with a napkin, and combing though her hair as she explained the enjoyment of watching Indian satellite channels.
Angel was a great listener. He just watched her, his eyes focused on her lips, with a twinkle in his eyes and a faint smile. Maybe he was trying to remember words, or maybe he was just wondering how she could talk so much and take so few pauses for breath. It just felt good to know that there was someone that would listen to her talk about anything or nothing. And maybe talking about everything to Angel would help her sort a few things out. It certainly didn't seem to be hurting anything.
It only took another two days before she decided that they would need to get more blood for Angel. She was feeling better, enough that she could safely walk short distances without stronger aches, pains, or dizziness. Once again, she hunted down her shoes and the car keys, preparing for the trip to Willie's Alibi, local demon bar and information source.
Angel was frowning, and staring at the keys in her hand. Did he remember them? Remember the previous trip to the bar? He followed her to the car, hissing just a bit at it, as if in warning. Was he trying to assert dominance over the car? Was he worried that it would attack? Or did he just think that it smelled bad? Whatever was going through his mind, Angel settled gingerly in the passenger side, one hand braced against the door as he watched everything.
Willow smiled, patting his hand reassuringly. "It's okay, Angel. The car's safe, it's not a monster. I suppose this means that asking you to fasten your seat belt is out of the question, huh?"
Angel just looked at her, one eyebrow arched. Maybe he did understand her, because the expression was a perfect match for `You've got to be joking'. He shifted a little, setting further against the seat, raising his knee a bit.
"Right, no seatbelt for the big, scary vampire. Okay. Now, turn on the car, go to Willie's, hope that we don't run into any cops…" Willow glanced over, noting that Angel was still in what they'd always referred to as `game face', his eyes golden and almost glowing, his brows heavier, and his teeth sharp fangs. "Of course, I could always tell them that I'm trying to go order take out for my pet vampire so that he doesn't try to snack on anyone. I'm sure that would go over well…"
The trip to Willie's was unremarkable. Inside, the demons almost pointedly didn't look at them. Was it some sort of subtle sign of respect? A determined Switzerland neutrality? Some sort of unsubtle shunning insult? Willow just sighed, moving towards the bar, her eyes locked on the now nervous bartender. Angel followed behind her, his eyes scanning the room.
One young looking vampire tried to attack, hissing as he lunged towards her. Willow had barely had time to squeak and stumble backwards before Angel had grabbed the smaller vampire, twisting his head entirely off of the body. There was a small spray of blood and a scattering of ashes fell to the floor. In the resulting silence, Willow walked to the bar, and politely asked Willie for another cooler of blood.
She carefully drove them over to her own house, having come to the conclusion that not only did she need more food, but some additional clothing. She loved the huge bath, but there was only so long that a couple changes of clothing would be tolerable. They had walked into the house, and were halfway to her room before it dawned on Willow that Angel had stopped, and was growling softly as he looked at the living room.
"Angel? What's wrong?" Her whisper couldn't have carried past Angel, and she looked at the living room. Would there be some sort of burglar? Maybe some sort of slime covered demon? But no, it was actually something even more unsettling than that.
Her parents, staring in wide eyed, jaw dropped shock at Angel.
"umm… mom, dad. Hi." Willow felt faint. Maybe if she fainted, just collapsed here on the floor, then she wouldn't have to explain this? Probably not, and just falling down like that left bruises.
"Willow…. I know that we told you that you couldn't have boys in your room, but that's no reason to be bringing home… that's a vampire, isn't he?" Her father's voice was tight, with an odd sound that Willow finally placed as shock.
For a moment, Willow just stood there, wondering if she was really swaying, or if that was just the surprise. Suddenly, Angel was there, his hand at her back, steadying her. He nuzzled at her shoulder, the gesture oddly comforting. Willow leaned against him, feeling like things were off balance. "Yes, Angel's a vampire. I'm a bit curious when you figured out they were real, why you never told me."
"Just… step away from the vampire, and we can explain everything." Her father looked so worried, so afraid. As if he thought that Angel would hurt her.
Willow closed her eyes, uncertain if she wanted to laugh or cry from the revelation. Her parents knew about vampires. "How long have you known? Did you have any idea what sort of place this is? Where you've been making me go to school? How many people have died? It's a bit late for you to worry now, Dad. I'm not in any danger from Angel. He's helping keep me safe, just like he has for the past two years. Ever since Buffy came to Sunnydale."
"What does that Bunny girl have to do with anything?" Her mother's voice was worried and disapproving, although she wasn't quite certain if it was directed at the vampire in the house or the absent Buffy. "Why are you leaning against that vampire?"
Willow sighed, opening her eyes to look at her parents. "Because I'm still a bit wobbly at times. After effects of a bookcase falling on me while the library was attacked last month. You were in Miami at the time. Buffy's something called a Slayer, and I've been helping her."
Her mother just frowned, pulling out a small day- planner and flipping pages. "Why didn't someone… Why didn't someone call to tell us that you were in the hospital?"
Slowly, her father sank back into his chair. "That little blond is a Slayer? But she's so… tiny. Why would you… how could you endanger yourself like that? And that still doesn't explain why you're bringing home a vampire."
"Angel's helping me. How long have you known? How long have you known that this house is in the town that should have kept the old Spanish name? La Boca Del Infierno. Why did you ever move here?" Willow looked at her father, wanting answers, hoping that she wasn't about to uncover yet another lie, another deception.
"La Boca… dead God…" Her father paled, looking horrified. "The mouth of hell? Why would they… Willow, why would the Spanish have given such a terrible name to this place?"
"The Hellmouth. It's in Sunnydale. I take it you didn't know about that part, at least. But about the vampires… How did you know about the vampires?" Willow looked at her father, trying to read him, looking at him as if he were a complete stranger instead of the father that she'd always thought didn't know what went on.
"You know that I grew up in Los Angeles. And I know that you've heard all about my cousin Peter, the good boy tragically cut down too young? I was with him that night. A group of us were out, celebrating… something. I can't even remember why anymore. We were attacked by this group of people. My first thought was that they were some sort of gang, but their faces just… changed. Vampires. One of them killed Peter. We all would have died except for this girl… she attacked them, stabbed them with her wooden sword and they just… collapsed into dust. She said that she was Rowan, the Slayer." He shivered, rubbing his arms with his hands as if the memory left him cold. "Vampires are dangerous, Willow."
"Angel has his soul, dad, he won't hurt me." Willow wondered if this Rowan had anything to do with the fact that she had a tree name, and somehow unsurprised that Los Angeles had vampires. If that was the reason why her parents had moved to a smaller town. "I didn't know that you would even be home."
"Why is he still glaring at us with those yellow eyes?" Her mother looked at Angel, her face filed with worry and fear.
"I'm not sure. He hasn't had his human face on since I brought him back… I think he just needs time. Or he could be worried that you're a threat to me… He doesn't know who you are." Willow sighed, wondering how she could ever manage to explain this to her parents.
"Why would he not know who we are? You've called us mom and dad…." Her mother was pretty observant tonight.
"Because… he had an extended vacation in a horrible place. I think it was Hell. The explanation is long, terribly complicated, and probably wouldn't help. He hasn't had his human face on since he got back, and he hasn't spoken. But he did rip the head off that vampire that tried to attack me earlier." Willow sighed, certain that this would end up becoming a long and awkward conversation.
"How do you now what he did immediately after he got back?" Her mother's voice was worried and suspicious.
Willow closed her eyes again, taking a deep breath and hoping for courage. "Well… I sort of brought him back. That's how I know. He's been really protective of me ever since. Don't look like that, I couldn't just leave him there, he was in hell. How could I leave someone that I know, a friend just smoking and burning in hell and not even try to save him? I couldn't, it would be all sorts of wrong, so I had to try to save him, especially since there were those dreams, and they wouldn't stop until I got him back so I did, and he's been all silent and too thin, but he's getting better. Really."
"Willow, when I told you that it was good to help people, I was thinking of helping people study, or cross the street, or find missing hotels, not pulling vampires out of hell." Her mother looked pale, and abruptly stood up. "I think you look hungry. Let me fix you a decent meal."
"I was hoping that you'd find a nice Jewish boy, not a vampire. But it looks like he's rather protective, and you seem a bit attached… What is he going to do about dinner?" Her father was frowning at Angel. "You would have inherited your mother's stubborn streak."
"We got carry out. From… well, maybe I shouldn't go there right now. It's in the car.
"We can put some blankets up over the windows. I want to hear some of these explanations, young lady. I may not have a choice about you keeping company with this vampire, but I want to understand how, and why." Her father stepped closer, reaching towards her hand slowly. "You're my daughter, and I worry."
She felt herself smiling a little as she took his hand. "Okay. But… can they wait until after we've all had dinner?"
"Of course. If there are vampires and a Slayer, they probably aren't stories to talk about over food anyhow." Her father nodded.
~Part: 4~
Willow found herself seated at the table, with orders to just sit there and rest. Possibly the fact that Angel was still hovering near her, watching everything with his wary amber eyes was a factor in that request. She just waited, hearing her mother rattling a few things in the kitchen, the door opened and closed, and her father came back inside, carrying the cooler that she'd picked up at Willie's.
"I suppose this is a bit better than the alternative. Just… try to remember that your mother deals poorly with the sight of blood, alright?" He sighed, placing the cooler in the corner, and retreated to the kitchen.
Willow almost expected to wake up from this at any moment. To open her eyes to see the soft sheets of Angel's bed, to feel him half wrapped around her as she rested. Her parents were here, knew about vampires, and wanted to know what was going on with her life. The bizarreness of the whole thing seemed almost too much. She looked over at Angel, and gestured towards the cooler. "You'd best feed now, it might be awkward later."
He studied her face for a few moments, and nodded slightly, making his way over to the cooler. He crouched beside it, quietly feeding from the bags, still listening for any possible trouble. The way he jumped and looked around, a small growl escaping at the clatter of falling pans was almost funny. After a moment, he seemed to settle back down, and finished the bag. Holding a small stack of now emptied bags, he glanced at Willow, as if to ask what should be done with them.
Willow smiled, holding out her hand for the bags. "Let me throw those away?"
Angel moved closer, still holding the bags. Instead of letting her take them, he followed her, blinking a bit at the brighter light in the kitchen. Glancing around, he seemed to be inspecting the kitchen, which he'd seen before. Smiling almost triumphantly, he edged around Willow's mother, dropping the empty bags into the trashcan. Sheila Rosenberg was watching that with wide, nervous eyes, one hand upraised, fingers almost covering her open mouth.
Willow only giggled, amused by Angel's delighted expression. The simple fact that he'd remembered where the trashcan was, and that the empty bags went there was apparently a personal triumph. It was actually sort of cute.
"Most parents worry about their children bringing home stray cats or dogs. Maybe an injured bird or lizard. Not vampires." Her father sighed, leaning against the refrigerator. "Now, all of us to the table, let your mother work."
A short time later Willow found herself sitting at the table for a family dinner. It was an odd feeling. Her parents both had their cups of coffee, clutched to them as if they hoped to gain calm from the warm mugs. Dinner was wonderful, and everyone passed things, being politely calm, almost like something from one of those old television shows with the perfect families. Angel even joined in with the passing of the dishes around the table, and carefully tasted the vegetables, although it really didn't look as if he cared for the flavor.
Finally, everyone had finished their dinner, and the plates had been taken to the sink. Willow's parents fidgeted a little, and kept glancing at Angel and glancing away. "I think that it's time for an explanation of everything now, Willow."
Willow took a deep breath, exhaling slowly in an effort to calm herself. This was going to be a long night. Angel placed his hand on her back, his touch helping her settle her nerves. With a shaky smile, she began. "It all started when Buffy Summers moved to Sunnydale…"
~Part: 5~
Willow found herself yawning, and help up a blanket as her father secured it over the window of her room. He really wasn't happy about this, but it had been made abundantly clear that Willow wouldn't abandon Angel, and he didn't really seem willing to leave her. He'd been muttering things under his breath about how he should have just moved to New York, or maybe a little island somewhere, then he'd just have to worry about diseases instead of his daughter bringing home a vampire.
"I'll be just fine, dad. Angel won't hurt me, and nothing's… well, no more bad things will happen tonight. I refuse. I don't have the energy to deal with anything else." Willow sighed, her eyes feeling itchy and tired.
It was only as her dad left the room that Willow realized the cooler of blood had been brought into her room at some point. Was that so that if Angel got hungry, she wouldn't be the snack, to get it out of the dining room, or some other reason entirely? Willow sighed, thinking that she had too many thoughts.
Soon, she was on the bed, Angel curled up beside her. The closeness was comforting, and she smiled gently into the darkness of her room. Life certainly went in interesting directions. Her parents had known about vampires. Her dad had met another Slayer. And now, they knew how she helped Buffy, and agreed that it was important, even if they didn't like her being in danger. She'd never have expected any of that.
Angel's hand was stroking her hair, and there was a soft noise from him. After a few moments, Willow realized that he was humming something. Some sort of song, rather soothing, although she didn't recognize it at all. Willow smiled, letting the crooning wash over her, feeling herself relax as she slipped into sleep.
"How is my Angel-Daddy doing, Willow tree?"
Drusilla's lilting voice made Willow's eyes snap open. She carefully moved out from under Angel's arm, and looked around. Her bed sat along the wall, but instead of the doorway, there was just an expanse of brilliant stars in a cloudless night sky. There was no moon, no buildings or trees. Clearly, she was dreaming again.
"Hello again, Drusilla. Angel is getting stronger, and he's not nearly so thin now. He's not talking yet, but I think he's starting to understand more." She offered a slightly nervous smile. Drusilla was dangerous, and had been her enemy… No, that wasn't quite right. Drusilla had been Buffy's enemy, and Kendra's, but had never really worried about Willow at all. This dream wasn't to check on Willow, it was to check on Angel.
"He looks so peaceful curled up on your bed." Drusilla looked at him, sitting beside Willow. One hand brushed over the dream Angel's hair. "But he still has all of his clothing on."
Willow made the discovery that it was indeed possible to blush in a dream. "errrr…. Yes, he does have clothing on. And it's probably better, since my parents are here."
"You don't think they would agree that he looks handsome? Still a little thinner than he should, but he is a handsome angel." She was looking at him, her fingers running over his face slowly, as if seeking reassurance of his safety.
"well, umm… it's not that he isn't handsome." Willow was still blushing, wondering if she would be able to explain this to Drusilla, or anyone else, for that matter. "But I'm their little girl, and they don't think I should have boys in my room."
Drusilla giggled, fingers moving to rest in the hollow of her throat. "They would fear that my Angel-Daddy would endanger your virtue? He is so good at de-virtuing maidens… You should let him, it would be most delightful."
Willow felt herself turning entirely crimson from embarrassment, and from the flood of images that Drusilla's words caused. "errrr… umm… my. Now, we aren't… he's… I don't think he sees me like that."
"He will. Just as soon as he's all better. You're a pretty maid, Willow tree. Someone will see you, want to take away the maidenly virtue. Angel has always had an eye for pretty maids…" She was smiling again, looking almost wistfully at the image of Angel. "Help him to be strong again. There is danger in your home. Growing inside, waiting for the skin to be just a little too tight, the right last meal… Nasty big snake hiding in the walls, in the buildings. Don't let him charm you, Willow tree, he would see Daddy as a threat. I don't want the snake to eat up my Angel-Daddy."
Looking at Drusilla, Willow realized that the woman was truly worried. "Was this hidden snake here when you and Spike were in town?"
"Oh yes, and so many plans whispering about… big nasty plans, hungry plans. But we didn't alter them, nothing that my Spikey and I did would have altered his plans… Just send the little minions to hush all the screaming, and everyone will close their eyes." Dru closed her eyes, swaying a little on the edge of the bed. "Look at all the little lambs, just lining up for the slaughter… Nasty snake. He's going to kill all the little lambs, and then there shall be no more wool."
Willow blinked, feeling as if a cold wind had touched her, leeching the warmth from her body. Something had Drusilla frightened, and it sounded like it was some big evil menace, something hidden, and patient. That always made things worse, when the baddie had a plan. But the way that she'd put it… lambs to the slaughter, and no more wool… it sounded big, and important. Somehow, they would have to stop this snake and his plan. "I can't stop something like that alone."
"Who was the man with the answers? Daddy asked him how to wake up the stone, make him share his angry words, shouting song… ugly song. We didn't kill him… maybe he can give you answers." Dru looked at Willow, her eyes almost clear.
"Yes, I will have to talk to him. But… he's been looking for Buffy." Willow sighed, trying to figure out a way to explain this to Giles. He wouldn't be happy.
Dru hissed, her features shifting. "Nasty Slayer… made my Angel-Daddy go away, made my Daddy all mad. Too busy stalking her, leaving presents to spend time with us… leave her in the dirty shadows."
"Umm… sorry I brought her up." Willow blinked, feeling very small and fragile. Could she be injured in this dream place? It wasn't a question that she wanted to test.
"Just keep my Angel-Daddy safe. That's what's important, after all." Dru's voice was steady, even as her image faded away, becoming translucent, then vanishing.
Willow woke up, blinking. Drusilla had wanted to check on Angel again, and had given her a warning. Something big… a snake in the walls? Hiding in a skin until it was too tight? Could that mean some sort of shape-shifter, or a transformation? She'd said it would eat the people… well, kill them at least. Somehow, she would have to talk to Giles about it. Somehow, she'd have to explain the whole mess to him. At least there was a potential disaster that they would have to solve, so he couldn't just be so disgusted that he ignored her, could he?
It seemed like summer break was over, assuming that it had actually ever started. School might still be out, but the downtime from Slaying and saving the world was over. Not that she'd ever really done much with the Slaying part of things, but still, the idea held. Trouble was back.
The End