Distribution: If you want it, you can have it, just let me know.
Rating: PG-13 for language and violence in future chapters
Pairings: W/A, B/X
Summery: Angel is back from Hell, soul and all. Everyone accepts him back, even Xander!
Disclaimer: I own nothing (Joss is the man!)and gain nothing from this except the joy of writing! :o)
A/N: Takes place after Becoming Part2, w/minor changes that will be explained in the next chapter. Enjoy...and send feedback!
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~Part: 1~ Back in Sunnydale
Willow watched as Buffy talked with Angel. It had been several months now since he had come back from Hell. How he came back they were still researching. Giles and Xander were weary of the vampire but knew the Buffy needed him. Willow was glad that Angel was back and hoped that it would bring Buffy back to the living. After Buffy had plunged the sword in Angel, she had a minor breakdown...pushing all her friends away. Willow and Xander refused to let her destroy herself. They stayed by her side and soon were able to help her recover. Willow had been secretly working on trying to get Angel out of Hell. She even got in contact with the Kalderash...whom she convinced to aide her in making his soul permanent. It was Willow that pulled him out, however, no one knew. She intended to tell everyone if she successful, but once he was back, he was too busy with Buffy and Willow didn't want to intrude.
Angel, on the other hand, wanted very much to talk to Willow. Everytime he tried to talk to her, Buffy would interrupt or Xander would somehow beat him to Willow. He knew in his heart and soul that Willow was the one that had rescued him. He realized that she truly was remarkable and had he not been so blinded by Buffy...maybe. But he had a happiness clause, meaning even if he wanted to (and he did), he would never be able to be with Willow. He would surely find happiness in her arms, if she ever opened them to him, which she wouldn't. Hell, he was barely her friend. Even worse, he had done horrible things that he was sure she would never forgive.
Buffy was shocked to have Angel back; ok she was more than shocked. Just when she thought she had gotten over him, here he was. But the tingly feeling that Buffy felt standing next to Angel this time was the feeling that told her this is a vampire. Her heart just couldn't seem to agree with her mind that she was his soul mate. And she wasn't sure if they could ever get back to where they had been. Buffy felt even worse that she didn't have that all-consuming love for Angel anymore...she felt like she was betraying him. He seemed so sad, she wanted to see him smile. He deserved to smile a little, he had helped so much. Buffy knew that he was going to blame himself for all the things Angelus had done and hopefully, with the help of the others, she could make him see the truth...HE was not Angelus.
Xander watched Angel. He knew that Willow had brought him back. Willow was like that, always trying to help people. Xander had spied on her late one night; he had gone over to her house to ask her out when he heard her on the phone with someone. He thought at first about busting her, but knew that would not be right. And so now Deadboy was back. Xander felt like he should feel angrier that Angel was back, but he had lost some of his steam. He had realized during Angel's absence (with the help of Willow and Buffy of course) that Angel had no control of Angelus and should not be blamed. Now if he could just get Deadboy to quit looking at Willow like that...isn't it enough he has Buffy?
"Well, it seems we have figured out what to kill the demon tomorrow night, so I guess you all can go on home. Buffy, just one quick sweep on the way, ok?" Giles asked, walking to his office.
"Ok, Giles, have a good night," Buffy said. She gathered her bag and got ready to go. "Come on you two, lets get outta here. Anyone up for Bronzin'?" Buffy asked Willow and Xander.
"Heck yeah! I thought you'd never ask! Come on Willster, what do ya say?" Xander asked putting his arm around Willow and ushering her out with them.
"Ok, but just for a while...I have a paper to do for history," Willow replied. "Are you coming, Angel?" Willow and Buffy asked together.
"Um, I don't kn...I kinda have, uh..." Angel stammered out, turning away from them.
"Come on Angel, you have to come and...uh, keep us, uh, company...and safe!" Willow told him, grabbing his arm. If Angel had a heart, it would have skipped a beat! Willow had touched him!
"Uh, yeah, Deadboy, you can come and watch us get 'jiggy with it'," Xander said, trying his best to convince the vamp to come with them. Willow and Buffy both looked at each other and then Xander and finally Angel.
"See, we want you, ANGEL, to join us, all of us," Buffy told him.
"Well, alright, if you really want me to," Angel said, taking Buffy's outstretched hand.
~~~*~~~
The walk to the Bronze was uneventful and the group made it inside just as started to rain.
"Talk about timing," Buffy said as they took their seats. After they had gotten their drinks, some random song came on.
"Come on Buff, they're playin' our song," Xander said, pulling the blonde on to the floor. "Uh, ok, be right back guys," she laughed as Xander began to flop around in front of her.
"Well, leave it to Xander to provide great entertainment. He really can't dance," Willow said quietly with a small smile. Angel realized he was now sitting alone with Willow, perfect opportunity to talk to her, to thank her.
"Hey, at least he tries, that is the important thing," Angel stated.
"Angel, that is the nicest thing, that you...have ever said about Xander!" Willow exclaimed. Angel just smiled at her and couldn't stop what he said next.
"You look so beautiful when you smile," he said, his own smile widening a bit.
"Why thank you, Angel, and the same to you. Your smile lights up your whole face!" Willow said, blushing at his and her compliment.
"I think it is I who should be thanking you. Thank you for the soul and for bringing me back...I know that it was you, I could feel you," Angel said to her, tears coming to his eyes.
"Oh, Angel, I, it was, I just wanted, I am sorry I didn't get you out sooner, or better yet keep you from going...I just had to get you out, and I am sorry about not telling you right away, but yoursoulispermanentnow," Willow babbled, turning as red as her hair.
"What?!" Angel, Xander and Buffy all asked at once.
~Part: 2~ Dance tonite; Worry Tomorrow
"Uh, yeah, see the curse that Ms. Calendar had was the original but she had restructured it to eliminate the happiness clause. I realized that once I had performed the spell that the soul was permanent, I felt it. And also, that is what helped me get Angel out of hell, the bond. When casting the spell, I formed a connection to Angel's soul and was able, with the help of this coven that I met online, to use that bond to get him out," Willow said all in one breath.
"Wow...um, Will, does Giles know about this?" Buffy asked, breaking the silence that followed Willow's confession.
"Well, he didn't at first, but yeah, he knows now. He happened to see some of my notes on the whole thing and I had to tell him, he was actually not as mad as I had expected...he did however, lecture me on the dangers of magic, blah, blah, blah, and that he was proud of me, what I accomplished," Willow said with a small smile. She was hoping that Angel would not be mad at her for not telling him sooner.
"Yeah, Wills, I kinda knew too...I just wanted to you to tell me in your own time. I stopped by your house one nite and heard you talking to someone on the phone about it, so I for once, put two and two together and got four. You may all marvel at my intelligence," Xander joked, trying to lighten the mood.
"Willow, I...um, wow, I..." Angel stammered. He had been sitting and was now standing, well more like hopping. He had just be giving such an amazing gift from such an amazing person. He didn't care that he looked like an idiot hopping and smiling. He was so happy, and he wanted to celebrate!
"I say we all "get jiggy" and celebrate!" Angel said, smiling.
Willow was so relieved! He wasn't mad at her!
"I second that motion," Buffy said. She was unsure of how to feel, on the one hand, now Angel could be happy all he wanted without his evil self coming out. But on the other, she now was afraid that he might want to rekindle things with her. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Buffy went out on the floor with her friends to dance the night away. Dance tonite; worry tomorrow.
At about 12am, they decided to call it a night and head home...tomorrow was a big day, er, night and they needed to rest.
~Part: 3~
The next day...(which was Saturday)
The Scooby gang spent much of the day researching the latest evil in Sunnydale. Finally, they stopped for a much needed break. Xander went to get junk food and Giles went into his office leaving Willow and Buffy alone.
"So, Buffy, did you and Angel talk last nite when he walked you home?" Willow asked.
"Um, actually we did and we got a lot of things settled. Uh, we are kinda just friends now," Buffy said with a small smile.
"What? Why? You can be together now, and no Angelus...I thought you two were in love?" Willow inquired, confused.
"Well, we were in love, but so much has happened between us that we both have kinda fallen out of love...it's hard to explain, I mean we still care about each other, just not in a soul-matey kinda way. He and I thought about giving it another try but we really just don't feel that way anymore. We kissed and it just wasn't hot or passionate or anything," Buffy explained.
"Wow. Well, at least you both feel the same and are not trying to force it. Still, it's gonna be weird," Willow said.
"Yeah, but we're still friends and we'll get past this," Buffy said, really smiling now.
"Ok, the Xand-man is back with the snacks you desire," Xander said as he entered the library, his arms full of junk food.
"Thanks, Xander, what would we do without you?" Buffy said, taking a snickers from him.
"You'd wither away from starvation. While I am around, no one here shall go hungry!" Xander exclaimed.
"How noble of you," Willow said as she and Buffy burst out laughing.Giles came back out of his office with one of his trusty, dusty books. Looking up he noticed Angel by the stacks.
"Ah, Angel, thank goodness you are here. Do you mind sparring with Buffy? I have to make a call..." Giles said. Not waiting for Angel's response, he headed back into the office, closing the door.
"Ok, I know Giles is sorta different, but now he's being just plain weird," Xander said, stuffing a twinkie in his mouth.
"Oh, Xander, he's just British," Willow told him, getting back to researching.
"Ok, Angel, ready for me to kick your butt?" Buffy teased.
"Sure, if you think you can," Angel taunted back. And with that, the pair began to fight.
~Part: 4~ Slaying
Several hours later...
"So, Giles, are we ready? You know, go slay, then Bronze it..." Buffy asked.
"What? Ah, well I suppose that would be the, um, schedule...now that we know this is a fairly simple demon to slay," Giles said, still seeming a bit distracted. Angel noticed but decided to wait until the teens were not around to ask him about it.
"Well, let's get the slaying underway! There is a sandwich at the Bronze and it has my name on it!" Xander said, his stomach growling.
"Geez, Xand, your growl is louder than Angel's!" Willow said laughing.
"Hey!" Angel and Xander both yelled at the same time. They were glaring at each other and Buffy could *feel* the testosterone level increasing.
"Hey, guys, on with the slaying? Come on, the demons are not going to wait for us to show up before killin'! Time to go!" Buffy said, dragging Willow with her.
"Hey, Xander, they are leaving us..." Angel trailed off as he noticed out of the corner of his eye that indeed the girls had left the library.
"Are you two coming?" Giles asked.
"Right behind ya, G-man!" Xander replied as he and Angel began to leave the library.
Later, somewhere in Sunnydale...
"Ugh! Giles, I thought we agreed that a simple knife through the head would kill this thing!" Buffy yelled as she delivered another roundhouse kick to the knife in the demon's head.
"Well, that was what all the research pointed to...I am not sure why it hasn't died yet...very strange," Giles said, getting a little worried about his slayer...she was getting tired and he could tell.
Giles and the others were fighting off the demon's little army of vamps. Willow and Xander were fighting together and wining for the most part... Willow could see that Buffy was not killing the demon. At that moment, Willow could sense what she had to do...Willow closed her eyes and felt the power flow through her. Her hair turned white and her eyes, black.
Words she didn't know spilled from her lips, turning all the vamps into fireballs of dust...Angel had to jump back to avoid the flames. Then, Willow put all of her energy into the demon. She continued to chant, power not her own flowing through her. Buffy was still fighting hard and still not getting any closer to killing the demon...until it finally fell down...and began to howl in pain. Buffy continued her assault on the creature and finally was able to kill it. Once she did, she turned to see how her friends were. Angel and Xander was kneeling over Willow and Giles was looking in fascination at the girl.
"What happened to Willow?" Buffy asked, rushing to her friend's aid.
"I, don't really know...I mean, one minute me and Willow were fighting off the vamps, the next she was talking weird and the vampires burst into flames," Xander said, holding Willow's lifeless hand.
"She was the one that weakened that demon for you, Buffy. I can still hear her heart beating, not so strong, but it is there. I think we should get her to a hospital," Angel stated, wanting nothing more than to have the redhead open her beautiful eyes.
"Y..yes, I think that would be best at this time. Angel, do you mind..." Giles began asking when Angel picked up the girl and with his vampire speed, took off in the direction of the hospital.
"Let's go!" Buffy yelled, grabbing Xander's hand and dragging him behind her. The three of them ran after Angel, hoping that their friend would be okay.
~Part: 5~
The Morning After
Willow felt like she was floating. She opened her eyes and most beautiful woman and man.
"Welcome Willow. We have been waiting for you." The woman smiled in greeting.
"Uh, okay, hi. Where am I?" Willow asked quietly.
"You are with the Oracles. We have summoned you here. Don't be afraid. You are vital to the slayer's success against a new demon. Your concern for others and will to succeed are why you have been chosen. You have been given a power, a power that you must learn to control. There will be someone to help you," the man stated.
"But, I…I am not a slayer or anything!" Willow said.
"Things will be clearer once you have learned more about your powers and what you are to do," the woman replied to her.
"This is all we can tell you. You need to go back now." Willow wasn't sure which being had said that.
"Oh. Ok." Willow was very confused but felt that she would have some answers once she could talk to Giles.
"And Willow, if you should need us again, Angel knows how to reach us," the oracles said simultaneously.
And so Willow found herself sitting in a hospital bed. She looked around and saw balloons and candy on the small desk in the room. And she was about to try and get out of bed when Angel walked in the door. Willow watched him as he approached the bed, his head down.
"Um, hiya Angel…" Willow said, her voice sounding tired. "Willow! Thank goodness you're awake! We were so worried! Giles is researching right now to find out what happened and why. Are you okay? Are you thirsty or hungry? Is there anything I can get you?" Angel babbled. Willow tried not to giggle as the vampire babbled. Then Angel shocked Willow – and hugged her. The hug was a fierce one and caused a breathing issue for Willow.
"Uh, Angel, need oxygen here!" Willow said tapping on his shoulder. "Oh, right. Sorry, I just couldn't help it." Angel backed away slightly and turned to look out the window. "As for how I feel, well, I just feel really tired and a little confused. I really need to talk to Giles as soon as possible," Willow said with a yawn.
"Well, I think you should rest awhile and I will go call Giles and the others and let him know that you are awake. I'll be right back," Angel said, a small smile gracing his face.
Willow watched him walk out the door and let out the breath she hadn't known she was holding. She was tired and decided to try and sleep a bit more before Giles got there…she had a feeling she was going to need it!
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