E-Mail: yanira_vazquez@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: This is a work of love and done for fun, not profit. BtVS and AtS are properties of the god also known as Joss. I'm poor, don't sue me.
Distribution: If you already have my stuff, take it. Otherwise please ask.
Feedback: YES PLEASE!
Rating: R for now, not sure if it will be more.
Spoilers: None. I'm taking BtVS' past into a new direction. Although some things will fit with canon, a lot won't. Think AU people!!
Summary: Willow and Angel meet before Buffy comes to Sunnydale. How does that change things?
Note: The rest of this fic will only be posted on my group. I know this is a terrible tease, but I just wanted to support the Willow/Angel shippers out there. We're still here! If you want to join my list. Please check my signature at the bottom of this post. Thanks. ~*Mystra*~
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~Part: 1~
The creature carefully made his way beneath the tunnels of Sunnydale. He strode gracefully, instinctively avoiding the small sewer openings which appeared overhead every couple of feet. They let in deadly sunlight. He neared Sunnydale High School, and using another sewer grate, the figure looked out into the school's courtyard.
As he had done for a month, the dark haired vampire, peered through the metal grating searching for the Slayer. He had a mission, it was she, that he was supposed to help. It was she who was his redemption. But where was she? He knew what she looked like. Pretty in a way, he supposed. Although altogether, too flashy for his tastes. Perhaps in the past she would have caught his eye, but he had long since ceased to be that man. He just hoped she was more than she appeared or the world would be in big trouble. Sighing in disgust at the stupidity of his youth, the reasons he was even here, now, in this place... he pushed the thoughts aside and searched the number of students assembled on that beautiful fall day, for his salvation.
To his growing frustration, the vampire realized that the blond Slayer, who's name was Buffy, had still not appeared on the Hellmouth. 'Where the hell is that girl? Time grows short', his mind raged silently. Taking one last look at the assembled teenagers eating lunch, he moved to leave, only to stop short.
Something had caught his eye. Moving slightly closer to the grate, he peered through and noticed someone he hadn't before. A girl, a lovely girl, with the brightest ruby red hair he had possibly ever seen. She was seated right near the very tree that shielded his hiding spot from the sun's light. The redhead sat by herself, unwrapping a sandwhich from what looked to be wax paper. She grinned absently as she looked down at her lunch and took a small bite. She closed her eyes and turned her face towards the sun.
The vampire couldn't help but stare as the pretty girl was transformed before his very eyes into a flame haired fairy queen. She fairly glowed with innocence and purity. When her eyes opened, he gasped and almost stepped away from the grate. They were a vibrant green. His eyes traced her face almost greedily, trying to commit her features to memory so that he could sketch her later. Feeling guily for even having looked upon such innocence, he tore his dark brown gaze away, until a voice nearby caused him to turn back.
"Why look everyone its Willow. Look, doesn't she look precious today?", a tall brunette girl said mockingly. The teenager stood over the redhead and turned to her assembled flock behind her, a malicious smile on her face.
'So that's her name', the dark vampire registered, looking back at the small seated redhead. 'Willow....' He liked it, it suited her.
"H-h-hi Cordelia", Willow said haltingly, her sandwhich forgotten on her lap.
The brunette, whom he gathered was Cordelia, and her three friends seemed to find the shorter girl's words amusing and they broke out in cruel laughter.
"I see your mother is still giving you fashion tips", Cordelia said snidely.
Self-consciously, the little redhead glanced down at her short, corduroy skirt, tights and fuzzy, orange sweater. Her cheeks flamed a bright pink, and the vampire found himself wishing he could step out into the light and tear the self important brunette's throat out.
A blond girl behind Cordelia, snickered and stepped forward. "Come on Cordy, we can't be seen talking to this dweeb much longer. Our reputations may never recover."
"Good point Harmony, lets get out of here. I wouldn't want any of that Willowy fashion sense to rub off on me or anything. Ewww...", the brunette remarked, her nose scrunching up as if in reaction to a nasty odor.
The blond and the other two girls tittered like idiots. They followed the tall girl like lap dogs, as she walked away from the seated girl, and never looked back.
The dark haired vampire glared at the girls' backs, and then glanced back over at Willow. Her eyes were tightly closed, and she was murmuring something to herself. "Don't let them get to you Will, they're just nasty, unhappy people. Come on Will... I will not cry... I will no-o-ot c-cr-cry...", her voice broke off with a sudden choking sob. Coming to a shaky stand, he watched as the girl rewrapped her barely touched lunch. Harshly wiping a single, large tear from her eyes, Willow walked away.
The redhead threw her sandwich away, and shuffled slowly into the school building. Shaking his head sadly, the only ensouled vampire in history, turned back and walked through the dank tunnels.
~~~*~~~
Later that night, the same dark haired vampire walked into the town of Sunnydale's only teen dance club, The Bronze. He figured that since he hadn't seen the Slayer at the school, he'd probably have a better chance of running into her here. As was his habit, he took to the shadows, disappearing in the gloom to observe. He was comfortable in the darkness. It was where he felt he belonged.
He stood there unnoticed by the wandering teenagers. The smell of sweat and hormones was heavy in the air. Although no alcohol was supposed to be permitted, his keen senses could still pick up the scent of beer and what he thought was pot. He frowned and shook his head. It wasn't his problem.
The music, or at least what passed for music these days, changed tempo suddenly. The beat was heavy and loud to his sensitive ears. With the switch in music, the lights in the club changed. Bright whirling multi-colored strobes and beams suddenly flashed on and off, illuminating heretofore dark areas.
The vampire squinted, a bright flash of something that struck him as familiar, causing him to step forward. 'Red hair.... could it be?', he wondered. He realized quickly that it was. Again, she was alone. He couldn't figure out why, in his mind, someone like Willow should attract friends and especially men, like flies to honey.
He walked through a small crowd near the entrance and walked around to the other side of the room. There tall tables and high-legged chairs, more like stools, littered a small area of the club. Willow sat alone at one of these nursing a big glass or what was probably soda. Taking the opportunity to study her carefully, he stood nearby, almost beneath an metal staircase that led to the club's small second floor lounge.
Unaware that she was being watched, Willow swirled her straw in her drink, and bit her lip. 'Where were they?', she wondered. 'Xander and Jesse were supposed to meet me here fifteen minutes ago.' She glanced about the crowded dance floor and around at the other tables where couples and groups of friends sat and chatted. Her brow furrowed, she felt foolish hogging an entire table by herself when others could be using it and probably having fun too.
'I knew I shouldn't have let Xander talk me into this. I hate it here. I always do', the redhead thought to herself, noting sadly that the ice in her Coke had melted.
Abruptly, she saw the familiar dark heads of her two best friends. Standing up, she waved to the two youths and called out their names. "Xander, Jesse, over here."
The two teenagers didn't turn around. Flushing slightly, when she realized that the others around her were staring at her strangely, Willow started to walk over to them. 'They had to have heard her....' She grinned crookedly when she saw that the two were trying to talk to some girls. "Xander, Jesse...", she called out as she neared them.
Both youths turned and stared at the dimunitive redhead, before looking back at the two girls they had been trying to chat up. They were gone. "Nice going Wills", Xander said, rolling his eyes. "You distracted us, and they got away."
Jesse nodded in agreement. "Seriously Wills, you have the worst timing." Sighing, the tall teenager glanced at his shorter childhood pal. "Did you get a table?"
"Yup", Willow said, nodding eagerly. Gesturing, she pointed to where she had been sitting. "Its right over...." She gasped, her voice trailing off. Cordelia and her friends had commandeered the table. Jesse followed her hand and groaned.
"Just great Wills", Xander commented, spotting his nemesis.
"I'm sorry", she murmured, "but I even left my drink and my purse their thinking no one would take it."
Xander rolled his eyes, while Jesse stared at the table of girls, or more specifically at Cordelia Chase. He'd had a crush on the snotty brunette for years.
Trying to make things better, Willow started back towards the table and touched Cordelia's shoulder to get her attention.
"What?!", the girl shouted at the redhead.
"I was sitting there Cordelia."
"So."
Willow stared at the rich girl, unsure of what to say. "Ummm.... we need the table."
"Finders keepers, LOSERS weepers Willow." With that, Cordelia turned back to her friends and ignored the smaller girl. "God, can you believe that geek actually touched me? I mean, honestly...."
Ignoring the girls' laughter, Willow touched the brunette again. Cordelia whirled on the girl. "What the hell do you want now?"
"What happened to my purse and my drink?", the redhead asked, glancing around.
"Oh those were yours..... figures. They're over there", she said dismissively, gesturing behind her.
Willow turned around in the general direction the other girl had indicated, searching for her things. She ignored the mocking laughter behind her with the simulated ease born of lots of practice. After a five minute search, she finally found her purse and drink on the ground. Someone had knocked the soda over and it had spilled all over her bag, her small clutch of belongings were soaked. Squinting back the salty tang of tears, she turned back, only to look around in surprise. Xander and Jesse were gone.
Suddenly, she felt very alone. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. 'I'm just going to go home and forget this awful day happened', she thought desperately.
Opening her eyes, her breath caught in her throat. Standing in front of her, was the most gorgeous man she had ever seen in person, in her short life. Rapidly her brain catalogued her impressions. 'Tall, muscular, dark hair, chocolate brown eyes.... wow.' She was shocked when he spoke to her.
"Are you okay?", the man asked.
Incredulous, the redhead glanced behind her and then back up at the stranger. "Are you talking to me?"
"Yeah, I just saw you alone over here... are you okay?"
Willow blushed furiously, her tongue felt huge and unweildy in her mouth. She couldn't speak, so instead she nodded, unable to tear her gaze away from his face.
The ensouled vampire looked down at the girl. He didn't know what had made him want to talk to her, but he'd witnessed everything, and the need to make sure she was alright had been overwhelming. Her heartbeat sounded loudly in his ears.
Finally able to speak, Willow stuttered, "F-f-f-fine... I'm fine. Its just been one of those days you know. I'm going to go home and pretend it never happened. It was bad, just awful and-- and you don't care...sorry", she trailed off and turned to go.
He watched her go, and made a quick decision. He would follow and make sure she got home safe. It would make him feel better, and he was just plain tired of waiting for the new Slayer to make her appearance.
Back at the table, Harmony sighed dreamily. "Wow, did you see him?"
"Who?", Cordelia demanded.
"That guy who was talking to that freak girl, Willow. Oh man, he was seriously yummy. Wait, there he goes", the blond said, pointing near the exit.
Cordelia turned, her eyes widening. He looked like a college man, and he was gorgeous to boot. Smiling smugly, the rich girl turned back to her friends. "Well I know who I'm taking to the Sadie Hopkin's Day dance."
Harmony rolled her eyes and glanced over at one of the other girls at the table. Aura arched an eyebrow, "that dance isn't for another month. You don't even know that guy, don't you think you're jumping the gun a little bit.
Cordelia's face tightened. "Excuse me. Who asked you? I am Cordelia Chase and I always get what I want." She peered at the other brunette imperiously. "You'd better watch how you speak to me Aura, I still have those pictures of what you looked like before your parents sent you away to that fat farm."
Aura gasped in shock. "I'm sorry, really I am. I just thought--"
"Well don't. Don't think. You might hurt yourself", Cordelia interrupted haughtily. She frowned, the other girls could practically see the wheels turning in her head. 'Now what was a salty hunk of goodness like that doing talking to Willow Rosenburg?', she asked herself.
~~~*~~~
The vampire watched Willow walk home from a safe distance. He could feel others of his kind all around. It was dark, and the club was in an industrial, almost deserted part of Sunnydale. Frankly, he was amazed Willow had managed to survive this long on the Hellmouth.
Willow glanced around nervously. Her steps becoming more hurried. For some reason, the darkness was frightening today. It was probably because Xander and Jesse weren't with her. Usually, the two boys walked her home if they went to the Bronze. She felt foolish. Except for the occassional missing person, nothing ever happened in Sunnydale. The place was boring.
Still, she couldn't help but peer around. Something just felt... off somehow.
"Hey Pretty Pretty, where are you going?", a voice called out. Willow stopped, and swallowed. The voice echoed around her. Where was it coming from?
"Hi Pretty Pretty."
This time the voice sounded right by her ear. The redhead shrieked, amazed to find a tall blond guy only about a foot away from her. Her heart began to pound. 'Where had he come from?', her mind questioned.
In the blink of an eye, the man was suddenly right before her. He smiled at her, and Willow's blood ran cold. Her mind told her feet to move, but she was paralyzed, like a deer caught in headlights.
"What do you want?", she asked hesitatingly, clutching her small bag to her chest.
"Why Pretty Pretty, I thought you'd never ask", the blond man commented before charging the girl and pulling her body to his own.
The redhead tried to scream, but a hand was suddenly clapped over her mouth. "Uh uh uh", he chided. "No noise, or I can make this very very painful Pretty Pretty." Panic and fear poured through her body. She struggled in his arms, alarmed to find his grip about her waist almost vise-like in its strength.
Carrying her easily, the blond ducked into an alleyway and pressed Willow against a cold, brick wall, finally taking his hand from her mouth. Taking a quick breath, she screamed.
"Scream all you want Pretty Pretty, but you are mine." And with those words the man's face changed before her very eyes. 'A monster!', her mind shrieked. 'Not possible... He's a monster, look at him.' Green eyes widening in ever growing terror, the young woman noted the ridges that now protruded from the creature's forehead, the yellow eyes and finally the long, sharp fangs.
"Vampire?", she whispered.
"Smart girl, Pretty Pretty", the blond growled, grabbing her head and jerking it roughly to the side as his teeth came down towards her throat. Willow stopped struggling and closed her eyes, awaiting pain. But instead of pain, she found herself suddenly free of the vampire's lethal embrace. The sound of grunts and blows reached her ears and she slowly opened her eyes to find two barely discernible figures fighting in the gloom at the other end of the alley. She knew that it was a fight for her life.
Unable to help herself, the redhead watched. She had a feeling that if the wrong person won, she wouldn't get far even if she ran. They were so fast, she could barely follow what was happening. Punches and kicks fell in rapid succession. Then suddenly, one figure whipped out some kind of sharp implement and thrust it into the other, and he was gone. He was quite simply, just gone.
The other figure sagged against the wall. The movement, snapped the young woman from her trance. A voice echoed all around her. "Run Willow, run!!", a deep male voice shouted.
And Willow ran.
~Part: 2~
Willow stared at the ceiling. Her teeth chattered, her body stiff. Despite now being safe in her own home, she was still terrified. Over and over her mind replayed the horrible visage of her attacker. A whimper escaped her parted lips, and the redhead found herself fighting the urge to tug the covers over her head, and hide in the relative safety of her bed.
She closed her eyes and suddenly she was back in that alleyway watching as two dark figures fought. And over her no less. Someone saved her life. the hacker pondered the enigma of who and why, but found no answers forthcoming. The girl wondered how he had done it, weren't't vampires supposed to be powerful and deadly? She swallowed heavily in the darkness, finally admitting to herself, that that was in fact what she saw.. 'a vampire.' In the relative silence of her room, Willow found herself wishing her savior well.
"Thank you", she whispered quietly.
From his spot outside the redhead's bedroom balcony, the dark haired creature who had saved her life, leaned his forehead against the cool glass. He couldn't see inside, but he had followed Willow from a distance and NEEDED to know she was okay. Her whispered thanks met his ears, and he nodded silently, glad that she was unharmed. He turned to leave, a hand clutching the gaping claw mark at his side.
His steps faltered, and he fell to his knees. 'Damn it! Why didn't I just go home? What is it about this girl that has me risking my very existence and my mission?' He didn't have an answer to that question, and that bothered him more than he cared to admit to himself at that very moment. Raw aching pain, shot up from the wound, and he hissed quietly through clenched teeth, trying to make as little noise as possible. He knew he needed blood, and he needed it quickly.
Behind him, the French doors to the redhead's room opened silently. Willow had heard something. At first she'd thought her fear had gotten the best of her, but the feeling that someone was out there had persisted. She stood at the doorway and searched the gloom. She squinted, almost but not quite believing the dark form which cowered away from her.
"Hellooo..", she called quietly. "Are you okay?"
Knowing he'd been caught, the silent visitor drew himself up to his full and rather imposing height. He moved to leave, placing the hand which he'd been using to slow the bleeding on the balcony's ledge, so he could jump off.
A small, warm hand grabbed his wrist. "Don't go.. Please.."
Dark eyes stared the dainty, porcelain hand. It had been so long since anyone had touched him, the feeling was. so . strange and pleasant. His mind struggled with that concept. But then, the hunger came. A low, growl thrummed in his throat. Hastily, the hand was withdrawn.
Willow stepped back suddenly alarmed. She was almost positive that this was the man who had saved her. The height and the long, flowing trench seemed familiar. 'Still, what if she were wrong? What if he was another one of those monsters, and he'd only saved her from death so that he could have her himself?', the girl wondered, heart pounding against her ribs.
"I'm sorry", the man whispered softly. At first the hacker thought she had imagined hearing it, until he spoke again.
"I didn't want to scare you. I ..", the deep voice trailed off.
Emboldened, Willow stepped forward again and touched her to his own. "You saved me tonight, didn't you?" The stranger nodded. She frowned, wishing that he would turn around so she could see his face. "I want to see you", she whispered.
Stiffly, the dark haired vampire faced the slender girl. She gasped, her green eyes widening as recognition charged through her form. It was the guy who'd spoken to her at The Bronze, the one she'd been so strange to.
"Its you..", she whispered in surprise. Confused, she watched as he ducked his head in what looked like shame.
Willow's tender heart tore. Unable to help herself, the hacker gently touched the man's cheek.. Dark, chocolate eyes settled on her face. "Thank you", she said gently.
He nodded and turned, jumping from her balcony to the grass below in an amazingly graceful move that left the girl breathless.
"Wait", she called, "please.. I just. what's your name?"
"Angel", his voice answered, already sounding far away.
"Angel", Willow repeated, tasting the name.
'My guardian Angel', her mind murmured.
~~~*~~~
The next morning the redhead awoke to bright sunshine streaming through her windows. The memories of last night came back in a flurry of light and movement. She frowned. 'Did I imagine all of that? I had to.... vampires don't exist... they don't.' Willow shook her head in confusion, trying to force the strange thoughts away.
It was time to get ready for school. Easily disregarding how callously Xander and Jesse had treated her the night before, she found herself looking forward to seeing them. She couldn't wait to tell them about her weird dreams. 'Vampires in Sunnydale... right', her mind rationalized.
Heading towards the bathroom, Willow glanced at herself in the mirror and made a face. She always wished that one day she would look in the reflective surface and see someone else, someone beautiful and special. But, everyday, it was the same. Just plain old Willow.
Sighing, she reached up to push her long blood red tresses back, so she could wash her face. A harsh disbelieving gasp escaped her lips. She stared at her hand, it was a rusty color.
"Blood", she muttered. "It wasn't a dream."
Running back toward her room, Willow threw open the french doors to her balcony. Immediately her eyes went to where the dark haired man had gripped it and used it to vault over onto the grass. Another rust colored stain met her gaze. 'He had been there... vampires are real... he was hurt..... oh why didn't he say anything?', rapid fire thoughts tumbled through her fevered brain. She hoped he was okay. She had to find him. She had to find the enigma who called himself Angel. He had to be okay, he just had too.
~Part: 3~
Willow went to school in a daze. The whole world had taken a surreal bent in her eyes. Nothing seemed real or true anymore. She knew something amazing, something frightening... Monsters were real, vampires were real.
The smallish redhead clutched her books tightly to her chest as she walked in silence to her next class. No one paid her any attention, as per usual.
As she neared her American History classroom, the young woman looked up furtively. Amy's locker was near this class. Green eyes searched the hall for the blond girl. As children, the two girls had been close friends, but then Amy had moved away a few years ago, and they had lost touch. This year Willow's old friend had returned, but she was unsure of how to approach the other girl.
'Maybe she does't even remember me...', she thought.
Sighing when she realized that Amy was no where in sight, Willow walked into her class and took a seat. She didn't hear a single word of the teacher's lecture, all she could think about was her Angel.
~~~*~~~
During lunch, Willow bought a banana and a piece of cake. She'd forgotten to bring her lunch that morning and she wasn't in the mood for the mystery meat surprise that was featured on the menu.
The slender girl walked outside, hoping to see Xander and Jesse. The two boys were sitting at a table removed from the majority of the other Sunnydale High students.
"Hey Wills", Xander mumbled, as he chewed, a hamburger in his hands. Jesse was staring off into the distance, he didn't notice his friend. Knowing exactly what she would see if she turned around, Willow turned her head to follow the tall boy's gaze. 'Ugh!', she thought. 'He just had to be looking at Cordelia Chase, didn't he?'
"Hey Xander", she said quietly, sitting across from the two dark haired youths. "Hey Jesse." The boy turned and glanced away from the object of his youthful obsession. "Oh.. hey Wills", he said, turning away again to stare at the self-proclaimed Queen of Sunnydale High.
Xander groaned and rolled his eyes, shoving more of the hamburger into this mouth.
"Jeez... Xander, for pete's sake, do me a favor", Willow sighed.
"Huh."
"Chew. Please. For me. I keep having bizarre nightmares with you choking to death on some large piece of hamburger or hotdog, and falling over in the middle of the lunch period completely blue", the redhead said matter of factly, before placing a forkful of chocolate cake in her mouth.
"Mmmmm...chocolate yumminess", she sighed.
"So Wills, sorry about last night. We didn't mean to lose track of you", Xander began, his mouth full.
"Yeah", Jesse continued, finally having turned away from his perusal of Cordelia. "We just spotted those two girls we'd been talking to before, out on the dance floor, and we went over to show them our moves."
Xander grinned, "Yeah but we never meant to forget about you like that. Uhh... was the walk home okay?"
Willow stared at the two boys. Her gaze lingered sadly on Xander, however. Though he didn't know it, he was her first love. It hurt immensely that someone she felt so deeply for, both as a friend, and in her deepest dreams as more, found it so easy to forget about her existence. Why was it that no one ever SAW her? Was she so ugly? Such a bad friend? What the hell was it? Shoving down the hurt, she continued to shovel pieces of chocolate cake into her mouth, even though she could no longer taste it.
She had wanted to tell them about what happened to her the night before, but a sudden epiphany kept her silent. The redhead realized that they wouldn't believe her. It was a gut feeling, and she knew she was right. They'd just think she was nuts or trying to make them feel guilty for abandoning her the night before. Coming to a decision, she spoke, "The walk was fine. This is Sunnydale, nothing ever happens in Sunnydale." The words came out in a whispered rush, but Xander and Jesse nodded quickly, not really wanting to look too deeply into why their friend had said what she had, the way she had.
The petite girl fell silent, staring thoughtfully at her banana once she finished her treat. She looked up as her brain registered a flash of movement from the corner of her eye. Peeling her banana, she took a bite and watched as a short blond girl wandered among the tables. To Willow's surprise, Cordelia called the new girl over. "Hey Buffy, over here."
"Hmmm...", Willow said, gesturing to the new blond with her half eaten piece of fruit, "look, new girl."
Jesse and Xander turned. "Whoa! She's hot."
Xander grinned excitedly. "See Jess, that's the girl I was telling you about. I ran into her outside."
Jesse laughed. "Knowing you, you probably mean that literally."
"She said her name was Buffy", Xander told his buddy.
The redhead sighed, and finished her banana. She stood up to leave. "See you guys later."
"Yeah sure Wills", Xander murmured, his attention elsewhere.
She meandered through the tables toward the school entrance. 'Maybe she'd go to the library and start her homework', she thought. Glancing back over her shoulder she noticed that Jesse and Xander were still staring at Cordelia's table.
"Oh!", she cried, as she walked into someone, her books falling to the floor. "I'm so sorry, it was my fault, I wasn't watching where I was going."
"That's okay, I wasn't either", a female voice said. The voice seemed vaguely familiar, and Willow looked up.
"Amy", she gasped.
"Willow, is that really you?"
~~~*~~~
Angel twisted around, a look of concentration on his face as he tried to get a look at the wound on his side. It was healing up nicely, although he knew it was not healing nearly as fast as it would had he consumed human blood.
Pig and cow blood was not a vampire's natural food source, but it was those sources that allowed his survival. He didn't kill humans any longer. He hadn't in over ninety years.
He stared at his pale flesh balefully, as he set a new, clean gauze pad against the healing claw marks and began the uncomfortable process of taping himself up. It was at moments like these that the dark haired vampire wished he had a reflection. Being able to see himself in the mirror, would make what he was doing so much easier.
It was the third time since last night that he'd had to change the dressing on the wound. He'd bled out quite a lot. It was only now, hours later, that blood had stopped flowing freely. He knew he should have gone home directly after the fight, to take care of his injury, but of course, he hadn't. Instead he had checked up on Willow.
What was it about that small redhead with the large, luminous green eyes that was having this effect on him? She was lovely to be sure, but during his long life, Angel had seen women more beautiful. A memory of the first time he'd seen Willow arose in his mind. She had been under a tree, and turned her face to the sun. Her hair had become a nimbus of flame, her skin glowing with radiant light. In that instant she had ceased to be simply lovely, she was an angel. But it was the intelligence and sorrow in her eyes that drew him. Could it be she was a kindred spirit?
The thought, made him start in surprise. The ensouled vampire shook his head in self disgust. 'What could an innocent angel like that, have in common with a filthy killer like me?', Angel berated himself mentally. But it was his heart that answered the self-derisive question.
'Loneliness... pain... that is what we have in common', a small, internal voice said.
He rubbed his eyes wearily and moved to his bed to lie back down. He needed to get his full strength back quickly. So, despite his need to find the Slayer and the even stronger desire to see Willow in the sun again, Angel decided not to take the sewers to the high school. He would rest today, and begin again tomorrow. Besides, he was itching to sketch the little redhead, and this would be his chance. Dark eyes fluttered closed, and for once the ensouled vampire's slept dreamlessly.
~~~*~~~
Willow wandered around Amy's room in awe and confusion. To Willow's surprise the blond had remembered her, and been friendly. After bumping into each other in the courtyard, the two girls had made plans to get together and catch up.
Now she found herself in the other girl's room. It was bright and airy, on the second floor of the home Amy shared with her father. Candles of every hue decorated almost every available surface along with several incense burners. In one corner, the redhead saw what looked like an altar.
She walked up to the small round table. On it a pentacle was inscribed, there was a long almost completely straight twig with a pink crystal attached to one end, some candles in different colors and a knife. Curious, Willow picked up the knife, staring at the elaborate decorations which were set in the handle.
"What's this for?", the hacker asked, turning to face the blond.
Amy smiled, gazing at her old friend with fondness from where she sat Indian style on her bed. "Its a ceremonial dagger, an athame."
"Oh", Willow said, her brow furrowing.
"Sit down and I'll explain."
"Okay", the redhead said, taking a seat across from the blue eyed blond.
"Do you believe in magick, Willow?"
"No...yes... no", she said finally, shaking her head a little sadly.
"That's too bad, Willow, because it exists. Its everywhere... in the laughter of children, in the air we breathe, and even in ourselves. Certain people can tap into that. Some purely from talent, and others because of study and belief", Amy began.
Willow frowned, "Are you talking about witchcraft? I mean, do you believe in witches?"
Amy cocked her head. "Yes I do. Wiccans and witches try to live in harmony with the natural world, aligning themselves with the natural forces. Its possible to ask them to shape to our will sometimes...."
The small redhead listened with growing interest. She asked a question occasionally to clarify one point or another. Finally Amy finished her little monologue and declared, "I'm a witch Willow."
"Wow", Willow stuttered. "That's kind of cool, I mean, I'm Jewish and I mean I don't really 'feel it' you know. Its more like stories and a culture than a true belief system... its sort of empty somehow."
"I could try to show you some stuff if you want?", Amy volunteered, "My mom was the one that taught me...."
The hacker noticed that the other girl's voice drifted off sadly at the mention of her mom. She wondered what had happened to Mrs. Madison, as a kid she remembered that she thought Amy's mom had been so cool and pretty.
"Would you... teach me I mean?"
The blond girl smiled brightly. "It would be my pleasure."
Willow grinned back, but her smile quickly faded. "Amy... I don't want you to think I'm crazy or anything, but... ummm ...doyoubelieveinvampires?"
Blue eyes searched Willow's face anxiously. "What?"
Willow repeated her question, this time more slowly, "Do you believe in vampires?"
The wiccan nodded shortly, wondering where the shorter girl was going with this. "Why do you ask Willow?"
Slowly, and greatly relieved to have found someone she felt she could confide in, and who wouldn't deride her, the hacker related her story in great detail. Even including how she had first met her mysterious savior, and his visit to her bedroom balcony.
~Part: 4~
Amy glanced around the teen club and wrinkled her nose. It was too loud and just... well ... strange around here. She normally didn't go for this kind of thing, but she and Willow had made inroads into reconnecting and even strengthening their old friendship, and when the shy redhead had asked her to come, the witch just couldn't say no. Especially because the other girl had seemed to determined that all her friends get along.
The blond girl had known Xander and Jesse of course, but back when they had been young children, it had been Willow whom she was the closest too. Amy cocked her head and gazed at the two dark haired boys. They'd changed and yet they hadn't. Both had grown in the four years she'd been gone, of course... but somewhere along the way they'd lost... something. She frowned, she just didn't know exactly what. All she knew was that they weren't as considerate and caring of Willow as they once were. Xander seemed to have developed the rather annoying habit of jumping to conclusions, a short fuse and an explosive temper, while Jesse just seemed focused on two things; Cordelia Chase and losing his virginity, preferably but not limited to, doing so with said head cheerleader.
Amy took a sip of her mocha and glanced over at her redheaded friend. She was not surprised to see the shorter girl's eyes searching the club. Willow was looking for him. She was looking for 'her Angel', as she called him.
The witch didn't really know what to think of that. She was almost 100% sure that Willow's savior was a vampire. There was no other way, in her mind, that he could have defeated another vampire. Yet, the entire situation confused her. If he was a vampire, why then hadn't he fed from the redhead? She was doubly confused considering what Willow had said about him also having been injured. Was there something different about this vampire? Or was she just completely wrong? Could he simply be some older, nice guy who'd just been lucky and just coincidentally known that vampires had to be killed with a wooden stake through the heart?
'Yeah right', Amy thought derisively.
"So Ames", Xander began, smiling at the attractive blond. "How do you like our little hangout?"
The wiccan struggled to keep from laughing out loud, Xander had been flirting with her off and on since Willow had reintroduced them five days ago. He was cute, but not her type. Besides which, it bothered her immensely that he seemed completely oblivious to the lithe redhead's crush on him.
Amy sighed, "its... loud."
"You don't like it?", he queried, a little surprised.
"Truthfully, not really", she said, shaking her head. "I came here because Willow wanted us all to get to know each other. Loud and crowded is not really my cup of tea. She's the first person to be nice to me since I came back, and her friendship is one of my favorite memories from growing up in Sunnydale."
"Oh", Xander stated, nodding as if he understood, despite not having a clue.
Willow glanced at Amy. "I'm sorry Amy, I thought you'd have fun."
"Its okay Willow. I am having fun. This is just not something I'd do on a regular basis."
Jesse nudged his best friend. "Xander", he hissed. "Check her out", he said gesturing to the blond walking out on to the dance floor with Cordelia and her friends.
Xander whistled appreciatively. "Whoa! That's that new girl Buffy again. I have Biology with her. She's hot."
Willow sighed and looked over Xander's shoulder to where the petite blond gyrated on the dance floor. Her top was low cut and her skirt was short. Feeling dowdy, the hacker glanced down at her long sleeved tee-shirt and green jeans in sudden self-consciousness. She almost wished she could just hate the new girl for getting Xander's attention so easily when she hadn't ever been able to, but she couldn't. Buffy was actually alright. She'd even stood up to Cordelia for her, when the brunette had said some cruel things. It had been a minor incident, but to Willow it had meant a lot.
Amy sipped her mocha and looked about the room. Noticing where everyone's attention was focused, she looked over at the dance floor, and gasped. Her grip on the mug of chocolate infused coffee faltered and she spilled some of the warm liquid on the table, splashing her peasant style top and dark blue jeans. Grabbing a napkin, she wiped futilely at the stains while still staring at the dancing blond. The witch blinked, but it was still there. She couldn't believe it, the new girl's aura was ablaze with light. She shone like some kind of miniature sun.
"What's wrong?", Willow asked, noticing Amy's little accident.
"That new girl... Buffy, right?"
"Yeah...", the redhead said, glancing back at the petite young woman gyrating on the dance floor.
"Look at her Wills."
"I am."
"No", Amy whispered intently, leaning forward so that only Willow could hear her, "really LOOK at her."
"Oh...OH...Okay, I'll try", Willow said.
The blond witch nodded, knowing that in the five days they been hanging out, the hacker had picked up quite a lot. It was startling how much natural aptitude for magick, the other girl had actually. Especially considering she hadn't been born to it like Amy had. Intellectually, the witch knew Willow shouldn't already have had this ability, but she did.
Willow stared at the girl, a small frown of concentration on pretty face. It took a moment, but suddenly Buffy's aura was startlingly obvious. "Oh wow! She practically glows. What on earth is she? Is she another witch?"
Amy shook her head, "No, I don't think so..."
Curiously, Willow began looking around the room, mentally she compared all the auras she saw to Buffy's. No one's compared. She took a deep breath, and flickered her eyes over from one table to the next. She paused suddenly.
'What was that?', she wondered. Backtracking with her eyes, Willow searched the dark gloom beneath the staircase. A flash of bright light met her gaze, only to disappear and then reappear again.
Amy continued to stare quizzically at Buffy, glad Xander and Jesse were so entertained watching the girl, that they hadn't noticed hers and Willow's slightly eccentric behavior. It wasn't that she was ashamed of being a witch, she just worried that the two youths would have a hard time accepting Willow's decision to let Amy teach her about the craft.
The blond girl turned to say something to her friend, and started in surprise. "Willow?" Where in the world had she gone? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Angel stared at the small blond, as she gyrated on the dance floor. She seemed oblivious to his presence and that bothered him. She was the Slayer, she should have been able to feel him. He was a vampire.
The dark haired vampire frowned and turned towards the table that had for much of the night, held most of his attention. 'Where had she gone?'
"Angel?", a small voice said hesitatingly from behind him.
He turned quickly, even though he'd only really spoken to her once, there was no mistaking the voice. "Willow", he acknowledged, ducking his head slightly.
"Oh Goddess... I'm so glad you're okay", she whispered before impulsively wrapping her arms around the much taller male's waist.
Shock whispered through him at the contact, and he returned the hug awkwardly, unsure of how to react. It had been so long since anyone had touched him with any intention other than to stake him.
A hot flush bloomed on Willow's cheeks. She pulled away sheepishly, not quite believing she had been so thoughtless and bold. "Sorry..", she murmured, looking away. "The next day... after what happened, I saw the blood, it was everywhere. I was worried about you. You saved my life and I wanted to thank you and I didn't even know if you were okay", she babbled. "You are okay aren't you?"
The stream of words pouring from her mouth haphazardly, caused the corners of Angel's mouth to turn upwards slightly. He nodded, "I'm fine."
"I'm glad", Willow she replied, a huge smile gracing her features. "Thank you by the way."
"Your welcome."
The redhead turned, moving as if to walk away. Thinking better about it, she turned back to the handsome man. "Can I ask you a question?"
Angel nodded.
"How do you know my name?"
"Well...I sort of noticed you... you know.... before."
"Really?", Willow blinked in disbelief. No one ever noticed her. She paused, a small frown on her face. "Can I ask you another question?"
He nodded solemnly yet again.
"Has anyone ever told you you're cryptic?", the witch in training said, before shaking her head. "Wait that's not what I wanted to ask you.... So... umm, do you want to sit with us?", she asked pointing toward the table she had just come from.
Angel's chocolate brown eyes widened imperceptibly. He almost shook his head, before the pleading glance in the redhead's eyes stopped him. If he said no, he had the feeling it would destroy the small bit of courage that had propelled Willow to seek him out. He couldn't do that to her, even though he knew he should.
Instead he nodded mutely.
"Great!", Willow exclaimed happily, grabbing the dark vampire's arm.
The next thing Angel knew, he was sitting at a table with Willow and her friends. Two dark haired boys, the taller of the two named Jesse and the other Xander. There was also an attractive blond girl named Amy.
"So what kind of name is Angel anyways?", Xander asked abruptly, breaking the slightly uncomfortable silence that had settled around the table.
Angel pinned the young man with a glance. "Irish."
"Oh... wait, really?"
"Irish", the vampire repeated.
"Its nice to meet you Angel. Wills has told me a lot about you", Amy said quickly, diffusing the situation deftly.
"You didn't tell me anything", Xander said, glancing accusingly at his childhood friend. Willow swallowed heavily. The youth couldn't believe his friend even knew this guy. He was obviously much older. College age, even. Why, if he even tried anything on Willow, he'd kick his ass... his much more muscular ass. Xander looked away.
Amy sighed and glared at the dark haired boy. "A girl's gotta have her secrets Xander."
Jesse greeted the new addition. "Nice to meet you man." Then promptly returning his gaze to Cordelia's table. To his surprise, the cheerleader of his dreams was looking his way. He smiled at the brunette.
Cordelia scowled, ignoring Jesse as she always did. She snorted. When was that boy going to figure out he was beneath her anyways? Disinterestedly, she glanced over the table wondering why the losers always seemed to have to inflict themselves on everyone else. Why couldn't they just stay home and play Dungeons and Dragons, or whatever it was they did for loser fun? Her dark hazel eyes widened suddenly. That guy, the one she'd noticed before, he was there. She took in the scene quickly, Amy was talking animatedly to the dark haired man, while all he seemed to do was stare at Willow. The redhead just sat smiling shyly, her head bowed slightly, while a blush infused her cheeks. The head cheerleader sneered and stood.
"Oh wow", Jesse gulped. "Cordelia's heading this way."
Willow started, her mouth going dry. Angel frowned noticing the way the young woman's heart started to beat a little faster. He really didn't like this Cordelia person, he decided.
"Hi", the tall brunette said brightly.
"Hey there Cordy", Jesse grinned.
"Not talking to you loser boy, I'm talking to him."
The dark haired youth flinched and glanced over at Angel with something akin to hatred.
The vampire ignored the girl, his hand itching to close over Willow's when he saw her hide it in her lap.
"Hey you... I was talking to you. Do you want to dance? I mean you can't possibly be having fun with these geeks."
Angel's head came up. "I don't dance", the vampire's stated, his voice low and deep.
"Its okay Angel, I understand completely if you want to dance and have fun", Willow began hurriedly. "I mean, its not like you came with us or anything. I completely understand you know... if you want to go", she finished her voice a whisper.
"See", Cordelia smirked, "even they know they're boring. Come on." She touched the gorgeous guy's shoulder, and flexed her hand feeling the strength and hardness of corded muscle. 'Ooooh nice', she thought.
Dark eyes met the cheerleader's hazel gaze. "I don't think you understand, I'm here with a friend."
Cordelia's eyes narrowed. Was he turning her down? No one had ever turned her down. Didn't he know who she was, who her parents were?
Angel stared at the tall young woman, his gaze almost murderous. This was the same girl who seemed to enjoy torturing Willow. He looked away and glanced at the slight redhead. "Willow, its getting kind of crowded around here."
Willow nodded, her mouth trembling slightly. She knew it, he wanted to leave. She hadn't even gotten a chance to talk to him. "That okay Angel, if you want to leave I mean."
"I don't want to leave Willow. I just wondered if you wanted to dance?"
The hacker's mouth fell open. "Really.. uh... I guess... I don't really know ho--"
She never finished what she was about to say, Angel's hand had closed about her wrist and he was already pulling her from her chair. She frowned adorably. "But I thought you said you didn't dance?"
Cordelia stood stock still. She was mortified. She couldn't believe he'd humiliated her in public. The brunette looked around surreptitiously, and realized that Xander, Amy and even Jesse seemed to be grinning up at her. Turning on her heel, she started back to her table, her tale between her legs.
"Well that was interesting", Xander remarked.
Amy nodded, a huge smile splitting her face. She didn't care if he was a vampire. She decided right then and there, that she liked Angel.
~Part: 5~
Angel led the trembling girl over to the edge of the dancefloor. He felt extraordinarily awkward attempting to dance after so many decades of staying away from the activity. It certainly didn't help that Willow's body was stiff and unresponsive. He sighed softly and placed one of her hands on his shoulder, while clasping her other impossibly small hand in his.
He glanced down at the redhead.
"You okay?", he asked uncertainly.
"Mmm, yeah", she mumbled, her head lowered.
"Willow?"
"I've just never done this. I'm sorry, I'll probably just embarass you."
"Willow", Angel said, gently lifting the slight girl's face with one finger, "you could never embarass me. Dancing is supposed to be fun, just relax.... besides, I'll probably embarass you." He finished the sentence wryly, visions of attempting the dated minuet appeared in the dark haired vampire's mind. His eyes twinkled. Shaking his head ruefully to clear his mind of the ridiculous thought, he glanced back down and found the pretty young woman staring up at him in disbelief. She swayed gently against him, and his mouth quirked upwards. She was dancing and she didn't even know it.
Willow stared up him. 'Embarass her.... yeah right. Like any of the girls around were watching him dance. Puh-lease, they were all just checking out his shoulders, and his cute a-- uh, rear.' The thought came quickly and unbidden, and the redhead's cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink.
"I'm sorry Willow, we don't have to keep dancing if you don't want. I just thought, you'd want to escape that harpy."
"Really?", the hacker almost squealed. "Wow. Thanks. Cordelia is...", her voice trailed off.
"Difficult", Angel finished mildly.
The young woman in his arms grinned. "Well that wasn't what I was going to say, but considering you put that so, err, nicely, we'll just leave it at that."
They continued to sway slightly, keeping a respectful distance between each other.
Willow sighed, wishing fervently that she had the nerve to lean into him and rest her head on his shoulder. It looked like such a comfortable shoulder. She closed her eyes for a moment and concentrated. The bright fluctuating colors of his aura were once more visible from behind her closed eyelids. She smiled, pleased that the Sight was getting easier for her to access. It was almost like when she was on the computer and really into what she was doing. That feeling of certainty, of flow. When everything else faded, and she could go by instinct, the feeling of knowing. Something suddenly occurred to her.
Angel's aura.
He wasn't human. She didn't understand how she knew that with such certainty. She just did.
The redhead closed her eyes and then opened them once again, looking up. Jewel bright green met dark brown. She couldn't look away, and strangely, she was not afraid.
What the blue blazes was he doing? How was he supposed to help the Slayer when all he could think about was this girl? If Whistler saw him, he'd probably be dust right now. Guiltily, Angel tore his gaze away and glanced over his shoulder just in time to see the Slayer get up from the table. His arms fell away from the slender young woman.
She frowned at him. "Angel? Wha-"
"I have to go."
"Oh, okay", she whispered, her heart tearing. Had that connection she felt really just been in her head?
Turning, the dark vampire forced himself to leave and follow the petite blond who'd just exited The Bronze. Willow stared after his departing form. Tears welled, but taking a deep, cleansing breath she forced them away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Buffy walked slowly home. She had thought going to the club would be fun. Back in L.A. it had been her element. She and her friends had ruled. They'd been the prettiest, the most popular... but now it all felt so empty, so superficial.
She kicked a small pebble in her path and sighed. Why couldn't she just forget? Merrick was dead. She and her mom had moved. It was over. Sunnydale was a small hick town, nothing happened here, she wasn't the Slayer, not anymore. This was her second chance, her second chance to just be normal. That was what she wanted, wasn't it?
Something niggled at the back of her mind. The certainty that she was being followed, filled her. Immediately, the blond stopped and did a 360 degree turn on the sidewalk. Empty. Swallowing the lump of fear in her throat, the young woman continued on her way home, her steps much quicker than before.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Angel cautiously emerged from the shadows surrounding a tree. He nodded to himself, almost pleased. The Slayer had known he was there. Perhaps she wasn't as clueless as he'd begun to think. Good. Keeping a safe distance, he continued to follow the blond girl home. He needed to know where she lived. Once he did, it would be much easier to keep tabs on her and lend her the occassional helping hand.
He forced himself to keep his mind on the task at hand. It would never do to continue to allow himself to be distracted by a pair of beautiful green eyes.
The blonde ahead of him, turned down a side street, and then another. He shadowed her, never allowing her out of his sight. The area suddenly became residential, and the vampire looked around. All around him were the trappings of cozy suburbia. White picket fences, dogs, 2.5 children... its was all such a lie. Especially here. Angel never could figure out why humans insisted on building dwellings and civilizations on things like volcanoes, fault lines and Hellmouths.
He finally saw the Slayer take her keys from her jacket. She was home. Standing on the corner and watching her enter a home, he looked up and read the sign. Revello Drive. He realized that he wasn't very far from Willow's home, and then berated himself for not being to put the girl out of his mind for very long at all.
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