E-Mail: velvet_hologram@yahoo.com
Rating: NC-17 - violence and graphic scenes, character death, angst.
Disclaimer: Characters created and owned by Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, etc.
Spoilers: None. Set in my own universe. Angel's building is still intact, so somewhere within the first season of Angel.
Distribution: Inertia, anyone else ask and I'll ok it.
Feedback: Please! This is my next story after 'Kinda..', and is very different.
Note: ' ' denotes thoughts. Memory recollection occurrs throughout this story, so the time will be skipping back and forth. Something is haunting Willow, and it is slowly revealed through her nightmares and memories of the fateful day.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~Part: 1~
"I love you, remember that." He hugged the girl in his arms tighter, revelling in the warmth of her body.
She smiled warmly, a gentle tingle taking over her body, as it did every time he said that. Willow knew that Angel was urging her to sleep. She had achieved little in the past week, and much less in the months since it had all occurred. Angel was worried about her. Willow held onto him tighter, afraid that the eventual darkness would take him away from her.
**********
The beating of her heart was all that she could hear. Running as fast as she could, Willow felt as though her lungs would burst under the pressure. The darks street blurred past her and her feet hit the pavement one after the other. Her mind threatened to replay the scenes she had just escaped. She pushed the thoughts into the deep recesses of her mind. The redhead had somewhere to go to, she didn't have time to dwell. Not yet. She had to get to Buffy.
Walking into the blonde's house, Willow shivered at the mess inside. Tears threatened to fall, the witch hoping that she wouldn't find what she feared.
"Bu-Buffy?" Her voice cracked.
Willow crept into the house, fearful of attracting unwanted attention. Walking up the stairs, she grimaced when a stair creaked. Tears started to fall when the redhead saw the damage before her: there were holes in the walls, hand prints and streaks of blood, torn clothes and a hint of vomit in the air. Willow made her way to Buffy's room, and a startled cry escaped her. The torn and beaten body of her best friend lay strewn on the floor, blood covering her beautiful face. Willow felt bile rise in her throat at the sight, but pushed it back down. Two torn holes were evident on Buffy's neck. Willow stood in shock, unable and unwilling to contemplate the scene before her. Not hearing anyone come into the house, Willow didn't notice the hand reach out for her from behind...
**********
"Aaaahhh.....ah....hrm....noo...nNNOOOOO!"
Angel opened his eyes, grasping the squirming witch in his arms.
"Willow....Willow...sweet one, come back to me."
He saddened at the tears that streaked down her beautiful face. He smiled into her green eyes when she opened them.
"Hey there. It's ok, You're here with me."
Willow gave him a small smile. She didn't need to say a word, Angel knew exactly what she was dreaming about.
"They won't stop. They just won't stop." Willow said softly inbetween sobs.
She buried her face in Angel's chest, her hot tears rolling down him. He pulled her closer, and waited patiently for the redhead to stop. Once she had, Willow gazed up at the vampire. She was so grateful for him, so grateful for his love, despite her losses.
Angel moved his face closer to Willow's, and placed soft kisses where her tears had fallen. She smiled softly, losing herself in his tenderness.
Angel stopped to look down at the woman in his arms. She was so strong. He was so proud of her. He stroked her cheek lovingly, and gazed into her eyes.
"I love you." She said, causing the vampire to smile.
Willow snuggled into him, feeling better despite the nightmares. It was enough that he was there when she woke up.
~Part: 2~
Willow stood, silently crying at the bloody body that layed only a few meters infront of her. She couldn't believe how fast it was all falling. All falling apart. She didn't notice the figure behind her, or the hand that reached for her.
She screamed at the touch. Her heart seemed to stop, and fluttered back at top speed. Willow jumped around in fright, her eyes wide in fear. She didn't know who to expect, and with what she had just seen, she expected the worst.
Angel stood before her, his eyes glazed in grief.
"Willow...." He whispered, his hand reaching out to her still.
Willow stood completely still. It took her a moment to realise who was standing infront of her. He looked no better than she felt, his three-quater length coat torn in various places, evidence of a recent fight. His face was smeared with mud, dried blood. It finally hit her who he was, and Willow jumped toward him, throwing her arms around him.
"Oh Angel!" She exclaimed, her face nestled into the crook of his neck, muffling her voice slightly.
Angel held onto the wiccan for dear life, and sadly looked at the body so close by. Blood tears fell shamelessly from his face, and he dropped his head into Willow's red hair. Sobbed racked both bodies, each grasping onto the other for strength and hope that they both needed so much. Angel carefully picked Willow up, and slowly carried her out of the house.
He walked aimlessly towards the mansion, the only place his mind could find where some sort of destruction hadn't taken place that night.
The large stone building held a chill, it's own lonliness evident in the dark silence it contained. Angel carried Willow to his old bedroom. His body seemed to be working on its own accord, his mind unable to make sense of any thought, any movement. Willow had been silent the entire way, her mind racing with bloody images, and broken bodies, of halted lives. The vampire carefully placed Willow on the bed, joining her when she refused to let go of his body. Crawling into the comfort of each other, their limbs tangled about them, they lay there, silently crying, not yet realising the scale of destruction they had just witnessed.
- - -
Willow woke first, her shaking body succumbing to the cold of the dark house. She didn't know what time it was, and it took her mind a minute to realise who it was she curled into. Gently making her way out of the embrace, she stood effortlessly, and walked out of the room. Her legs continued to carry her out of the mansion, towards a destination that she was not yet sure of.
The sun's rays strained effortlessly through the gray clouds, not depleting the darkness of the late day and only making the town look desolate. The emptyness of the streets matched the way the redhead felt inside. She couldn't grasp a feeling, except the empty hollowness that ate at her stomach. Willow glanced around, not looking for anyone in particular, but just looking for someone. No one was about. The houses were all locked up, no cars past her as she walked down the street. That unsettled her somewhat, but she felt so numb from the past events that she was surprised that she felt anything. She continued her lost walk, drawing closer to a destination she was vaguely aware of.
- - -
The apartment building looked as alive as the rest of the town. The erriness within its parlour disturbed her somewhat, but Willow still made her way to the door that would lead her to something hopeful. She hoped. She tapped lightly on the large wooden door, and waited for a response. While waiting, she looked throught the small dark windows out the front, her impatience and fear growing by the second. There was no response. Willow knocked again, this time banging loudly, causing her knuckles to burn red and sore. With the silence, her desperation grew, and soon she was kicking, screaming for Giles to answer the door. The redhead's voice cried hoarse, and her body grew sore from the beating she was inflicting upon it. Realising the futileness of her actions, the fatigue and aching of her body overtook her, and Willow slumped to the ground, her face a mask of pain, grief and hopelessness.
- - -
Angel woke abruptly, suddenly aware of the missing warmth that was once against him. His vampiric bearings told him that it was still day. He sat up quickly, the light sheet that covered him falling into a heap into his lap. He looked frantically about him, searching for the broken girl he had brought with him the night before. No sign of anything. He couldn't hear a faint heartbeat nearby either. Throwing the sheet away from him, Angel walked into the large room of the mansion. Faint streams of light reached through curtain cracks, which he avoided without thought. Searching the remaining rooms, he came out empty handed. Fear and anxiety bubbled deep within him. He didn't know where Willow was, and right now had no way of getting to her.
**********
"God.....God help me....help me.....HELP ME!"
Her screams seemed to ring through the entire buidling. Cordelia gasped in shock, her eyes wide at the terrified scream that had gone through her. She dropped her pen on her desk, and looked towards her boss' office. A second later, the door was thrust open, and the dark-clad vampire swiftly made his way to the elevator. The brunette could hear him cursing to himself. In curiousness, she stood, and followed the vampire down to his apartment.
She followed the muffled screams and cries, staying back from Angel as he walked into his bedroom at a blurring speed. She heard his soft voice, his soothing mumbles. Cordelia crept slowly still towards the low-lit room.
She wasn't prepared for what she found. A shivered, sweat covered redhead, whose nightgown was torn, as if a struggle had taken place with an unknown assailant. Angel grasped onto the girl, her head resting on his shoulder. He rocked her gently, stroked her hair, whispered soothing words to her. The vampire barely gave the brunette a glance before laying the destressed girl back on the bed, and joining her once she was in place.
Cordelia backed away from the room, not completely understanding the whole situation. She knew that Willow had witnessed something terrible, something to do with Buffy and the others, but she knew not what it was. Angel hadn't told her much, only that Buffy had been killed in a vampire raid. Obviously a lot more had gone down. And she wanted to know what.
- - -
Willow gazed at the vampire before her. She slowly caressed his forehead, and watched as he closed his eyes at her actions, enjoying the feel of her skin on his. She had woken from her last nightmare in Angel's arms, his soft voice breaking through her disturbing memories, bringing her back to the building, back to his room, in his arms. They had been lying there for a few minutes now, simply watching each other.
"Still the same?" Angel asked quietly, breaking through the silence.
Willow nodded, and her eyes became glassy with unshed tears. Angel stroked her cheek lovingly, still staring at her. This seemed to comfort the girl some, and her tears dried away.
"We're going to have to do something about them."
Willow started to shake her head in refusal, but conceded. He was right. She was exhausted from the nightmares and the physical ambush these dreams where having on her. There was no way that she would be able to keep dealing with them on her own. Eventually they would eat her up, and she didn't want to put Angel through that. He deserved more, and he deserved more from her. The redhead gave him a small nod, and moved closer to him, sliding one arm around his waist. Angel held onto Willow in response, stroking and kissing her hair. He would make an appointment with a doctor tomorrow.
~Part: 3~
"Now Willow, I want you to lie back and relax."
Relax. It was a word Willow no longer felt any connection with. It seemed like a foreign command, one spoken in a language she didn't understand. Angel watched over her, concern crushed over his features. Willow closed her eyes at the doctor's command, and eventually felt like she was floating.
**********
She hiccupped, the exhaustion of her tears and outbursts taking its toll. With her remaining strength, Willow grabbed onto the door handle, and pushed herself up. The knob turned under the weight of her body, and the door creaked open. Willow fell back into her former position, and stared wide-eyed into the dark apartment. There was no sound coming from inside, only a dark gloominess cast by the shadow's from the natural light. Willow slowly made her way up, and cautiously stepped into the first room. The few objects in the room had obviously been disturbed. Countless books were piled on the floor, as if thrown in a mad search. An empty scotch bottle lay on the counter. Willow's eyes frantically searched the room and the kitchen for any moving form, but none was found. She crept further into the home, carefully stepping over fallen objects, not wanting to disturb them. Willow had no idea what to expect, her mind momentarily blocking out the images that it had so threateningly displayed only moments before. She had to keep whatever sanity she still had. Turning a corner, the witch walked slowly down the short hallway, doors standing open, beckoning her to walk through. Eyes roamed from one to the other, deciding which to enter first. Willow turned into the closest room. Her eyes gazed in, trying to make out shapes in the seething darkness. Finding nothing, no sign of the watcher she so desperatly needed, she continued ahead, finding nothing but empty darkness. Her path eventually led to the last room, his bedroom, and a sick feeling washed over her. The door was almost closed, except for a creak, enough for someone to spy through. Reaching for the wood, Willow pushed the door open, it creaking at the motion. The redhead stood stock still for a moment, not wanting to walk through, but her curiosity craving release. Slowly she stepped forward. Her movements were slow and deliberate. She felt as though she had weights apon her feet, slowing her movements down like a film whose footage was slow, to emphasize what was occuring.
A queen-size bed sat in the middle of the room, the sheets splayed across it, still in ruins from person who had slept in it before. A light breeze came through the open window, sweeping across Willow's fatigue drawn face. Her eyes skimmed over the furniture, the floor, searching for any sign of life. Something caught her eye, something at the bottom far corner of the bed. Glasses. A pair of glasses. A light from outside gently roamed over the lens, causing a harsh reflection. Willow walked carefully to the object, bending down to retrieve them. That's when she saw it. A hand. A hand which layed nearby, looking so relaxed, as if the owner of the limb were simply sleeping. the blood, however, promptly killed that wishful innocent scene. The red liquid surrounded the body, looking like a protective shield. If only it was that. Willow stood in horror, staring at the man, once living, now nothing but a dead corpse on the floor of his bedroom. She screamed. She screamed so hard her throat went coarse at the effort, at the strength. She screamed for all the blood she had seen, for all the bodies that had layed before her in way so familiar. She screamed for Buffy, for Giles, for Xander. But moreso, she screamed for herself. While those she loved had gone before her, she was the one who would recollect their last days until her time would come.
The redhead fell to the floor, unable to tear her eyes away from her friend. Her friend, her long lost father, the parent she'd never had. Now gone forever from the world. She raked her eyes all over his body. He was still wearing the clothes he had been wearing earlier at the library. The once white shirt now a harsh red, one unmistakeable. Willow looked at his face, once so wise, now looking at her in such fear. His last vision, last thing he saw. Last thing he felt. She stared at him strangely at that thought. Vision; seeing. His eyes. They were gone. A startled scream escaped her open mouth as she scrambled to her feet. Her stomach turned at the latest revelation, and she ran out of the apartment, leaving behind her a stream of tears.
**********
Willow jolted out of the sleep. No, that wasn't sleep. It was more real. Looking about the room at such a frantic rate, it took her a moment to remember where she was. Angel was crouched beside her, concern so evident in his eyes it made her heart ache. She threw her arms around him, and started to cry. Tears fell so quickly, her body ached with grief and the nightmares she had been exposed to. She felt as though she would never forget, never be relieved somewhat of the things she had seen. So vivid still, the redhead had no escape. She could not sleep, yet could not stay awake. Willow thought that without Angel, she would surely go insane.
The vampire waited for the fragile woman to calm down. Not wanting to let go of her, he picked her up, protecting her from outside harm in his strong embrace. Angel quietly thanked the doctor, and left the office, all the time watching the pained woman in his arms.
~Part: 4~
Angel laid the exhausted girl on the leather couch before him. She opened her eyes lazily, and stared up at him. Crouching beside her, he gently stroked the wisps of red hair from her face. Willow looked exhausted, and he was sure that she felt that way too. But within her eyes, he could see her struggle to stay conscious. She didn't want to return to those memories yet, not now. Angel took one of her small hands into his own as he continued to stroke her hair.
"You'll make it through, sweetie. I know you will. You'll always have me." Angel whispered to her, wanting to share some of his strength with her.
He had told her some of his past, his stories of his own internal struggles. Blood and death by his own two hands. The vampire's hands were so stained, he was surprised that this woman trusted him so. Even loved him. The nightmares he had caused his own victims were no different from Willow's. Vivid recollections of their haunted reality. Angel felt like one of his tortured victims now, watching someone he loved so much relive the pain over and over.
Willow watched the vampire intently, reading his features as he got lost in his thoughts. She hated this, what her pain was doing to him. Everytime she woke up crying or screaming, he would be there, to comfort her, bring her the peace she craved so much. Not a single scream went unheard, nor a tear not seen. He was the one to bring her the moment of peace between the horrifying dreams, the vivid recollections.
A single tear escaped from Angel's eye, which seemed to go unnoticed by the vampire. Willow watched with fascination the red trail it left behind. Red. Blood red. A colour too familiar too her, too haunting. But this didn't scare her, nor make her shudder as would be expected. She reached out her free hand, and slowly retreaved the tear with a single finger. Angel watched her face as she did this, looking for a sign of repulsion, fear. None was seen. Compassion devoured her features, and smile crept open as her eyes caught his. Willow forced herself into sitting position. Angel sat on the couch next to her, wrapping an arm around her.
The redhead leant back on the vampire, enjoying the feeling of being covered up in him. They sat in comfortable silence, one gently touching the other, innocent exploration of each other's body. Hands roamed about, gliding gently over arms, legs, chest. Sighs of acceptance and wonder would escape, seeping through the silence. Willow relaxed against Angel, letting his long fingers carefully caress and roam her body. She needed this. An escape into a world of love, of gentle caresses and heart-felt sighs. Of lust-filled moans. She looked into the eyes of her saviour, the one thing that had done so much for her. Angel caught her gaze, and the two stared at each other for what seemed like forever. Slowly they inched closer, until their lips so softly touched the other. Pink lips opened slightly at the feeling, welcoming the slick tongue that would eventually escape. Lust, need and passion controlled their kiss, which deepened quickly. Their bodies took control, overtaking their minds. Their need for each other so strong, no will could break it.
Heaving breathing replaced soft sighs. Desperation and animal lust took on a friskier side to their ministrations. Clothes torn from heated bodies, tongues and mouths explored fresh regions. Hands grasped at each other. Moans escaped from both Angel and Willow, as they each stroked, rubbed and licked various parts of the other.
Their naked skin slapped against the other, trickles of sweat beaded on the redhead's skin. Long cool fingers slipped into her warmth, causing hot liquid to pool between them. Green eyes softened, and closed at the feeling. Small hands grasped at the vampire's hardened manhood, releasing a groan from him. Each moved and played with the other, eliciting aroused moans and sighs.
Her skin rubbed against the carpet matt that lay beneath. Angel loomed over her as he entered, slowly, her legs wrapped about his torso. Willow lurched into him, taken over by the movement. They rocked in unison, meeting each other with their thrusts. More groans escaped as their ministrations took on speed. The vampire moved within the redhead further, deeper, quicker movements making time speed up. Hands roamed as their love was made tangible. Over and over, in and out. The tension increased, the movements quickened, until both exploded, overtaken by the elixir of the other. Slowly they stopped, only to lie in a heap. Soft kisses planted on rosy skin. Tongue sweeps collected pooled sweat. A murmur of love was whispered from each, promising moments like this forever.
~Part: 5~
The mug warmed Angel's hand as he carried it over to Willow. It was a lovely feeling. He didn't get it much, only from things such as heated liquids and Willow. His eyes watched her carefully as he sat beside her, handing her the mug. A few days had travelled so seemlessly, and yet no real progress was made. Her nightmares still occuring. Such vivid recollections he was used to, since his time in hell was spent reliving his victims last totured moments. So real, you could almost smell the blood, feel it ooze over lips, from wounds. That thought made him sick yet hungry at the same time, and Angel closed his eyes in shame. Opening them, he watched Willow consume her drink, her eyes glazed over from her haunted mind.
Willow was grateful for the drink. It was something that she needed right now. The dreams left her feeling hollow and empty. Her mind still played over the tortured events, not letting her forget why she was in her shaken state.
She felt Angel sit beside her, and his arm snake around her small frame. Willow made no movement to acknowledge his actions, but she appreciated it all the same. She needed him near her right now, and he knew it too.
Flashes of the dream penetrated her consciousness, and she bent over in fear and pain. Angel's ministrations to comfort the girl were in vain, as her wimpers broke through the silence in the room. Whimpers broke into cries for salvation, freedom, as her mind continued to show her no mercy.
**********
Deja vu hit Willow as she ran down the street. It was only a night before where she was streaking through the streets, running fast from her discovery. Running farther away from what she had found. Feet pounded on tarmac, causing sharp pin pains to shoot up each leg. Fatigue screamed out to her, but she would not let it win. The latest discovery caused her last wall of strength to crumble, and Willow knew not what to do, except to run. She had no destination, and she cared not for one. Her living nightmare would not end no matter where she went, so it all seemed fultile.
Finally, exhaustion won over, and she collasped to the grounds. Sobs shook her body, hands clawed at the ground, tangibility gone. Her mouth gaped open, silent screams escaping. The redhead felt as though she were slowly being eaten alive, her insides hollow, her soul numb.
- - -
Darkness overtook the sky. Crickets cried to the stars, praying to their gods for the rain they so longed. A female body lay hovered over on the ground, in front of the mansion's entrance. Child-like whimpers could be heard from the form, which only movement made from it was that of breathing.
Willow blinked, thinking of nothing in particular. Her mind was silent, detaching itself from her body. She lay in the grass, watching her hand that lay beside her, fingers still inbedded in the earth. She knew not of what stirred near her, and made no indication of caring. The witch thought nothing of the creatures of the night. And she didn't know how long she'd been lying there. The sounds of pounding dirt drawing nearer caused her to stir out of her abyss.
"Willow!" Angel cried, falling to his knees besides her.
The vampire covered her, aching for the feel of her body. Silent prayers went out to various Gods, thankful for the still beating heart of the red-headed witch. Angel bundled the girl up into his arms, and made his way back into the mansion.
- - -
Angel gently stroked Willow's cheek as they lay on the bed together. His fingers roamed over her soft skin, revelling in the feel. Fingertips lightly traced over contours, taking in small features of her face. They lay on the soft material, facing each other. The vampire watched the girl with a fierce intensity; the redhead stared at the vampire, her mind not registering the movements of his eyes, the features of his face. She was locked in her own world, her own hell. Glassy eyes stared out at Angel, but he knew that she didn't see him. Willow only saw what she had just found. Winces of pain would streak across her face, the only time she would share her grief. Willow was retreating into herself, and for that Angel was truely scared.
He knew no others had survived. Angel had found Xander after a broken shriek was heard. He knew who it was from, her voice registered so deeply into his psyche. Blood curdling cry, heard only by him, across the silent town. Lifeless bodies were new to neither; each had experienced so much death in just the past few days. Apocalyptic prophecies were this time unavoidable, and naivete was the price. So many lives lost, yet so many spared at the same time. They had won, but at a large price. Of those they had known and deeply cared, Angel and Willow were the only two known to live.
Angel could handle that revelation. He had caused so much loss within his own life, he had had 80 years to come to terms with it. Willow, however, did not have that long. Time moved too quickly for mere mortals, and as such were expected to move on from atrocities at an unknown speed. Souls were torn and left in despair otherwise; too many were too eager to move on. So people were left in limbo with their memories, and no one to save them. He, however, was not going to let this happen to the redhead who lay beside him now. No matter what.
- - -
The vampire felt the witch stir besides him. Opening an eye, he watched as the girl stood from the bed, and walked out of the room. With concern and curiosity, he followed.
Willow walked out into the night, no concern for the threats that she placed on herself. She knew that Angel was following her. She sighed at the thought; she was glad that he was there. The witch doubted that she had been easy to handle lately.
Reaching a cemetary, she stopped suddenly. Willow turned, and waited for Angel to catch up to her. The vampire hesitated, knowing that his stealth skills were not what they once were. Seeing the look on her face, he walked up besides her. A small fragile hand reached for him, and he took it gratefully. Willow looked into the vampire's eyes, and Angel couldn't help but smile at her offering. He was glad to see some calm in her own as he stared back. Hands grasped at each other as they made their way through the cemetary.
Their eyes searched, aware of the possible threat. Their hands still entwined, drawing strength from the feel of the other. Nothing could be heard but their footsteps in the grass, the occasional howl from a distant dog.
Willow concentrated on the feel of Angel's hand. It brought her a sense of peace, something that she thought she had been so violently torn from. Squeezing his hand harder, green eyes gazed over to the vampire, who was in stealth mode. Willow watched him, watched his gaze move around, like a laser looking for a target. Her heart warmed to the creature besides her, and she knew that they'd never be apart.
- - -
Their walk continued on for a while, Angel becoming wary as to where they were going. Willow had not said a word since they had woken, not since he had found her cold, shaken form outside the mansion. The area surrounding them became familiar. A slight smell of death grabbed his nostrils, and he knew now where they were heading.
Angel felt slightly nervous about visiting Giles' place. He always had. Early memories of a loved one dead came back to the vampire, assaulting his vision with his previous deeds. Shaking them away, he stopped in his tracks, and let go of Willow's hand. They stood before the door of the watcher's apartment, the large wooden slab still open wide, beckoning intruders. One glance into the girl's eyes, and he stepped forward, into the darkness.
~Part: 6~
Angel stopped his pacing, stilling himself. His head ran heavy of thoughts, pieces of a puzzle he was sure went together. Frustration overwhelmed him, and he threw himself on the couch in a huff. The vampire rested his head in his hands, and tried to make sense of it all. Thinking back, chronologically, had shown him these things:
Xander was dead.
Buffy was dead.
Giles was dead.
Such a waste. So much loss in so little time. The entire town destroyed. Armageddon had occured in Sunnydale, yet the rest of the world didn't know, nor seem to care. With such a reputation already, the small town was relatively ignored by the outside, those existing on the in leading their own 'normal' lives.
He stood and walked to his room quietly, wanting to see the redhead, needing to know that she was still alright. The door creaked as Angel pushed it open, revealing the dark room. A warm light illuminated the far corner, and revealed the silhoutted form of Willow. Sitting up on the large bed, she was scrawling tirelessly into a notebook, her eyes never leaving the page, her hand moving quickly. Angel walked slowly towards her, watching her form, breathing in her scent.
"What are you writing?" He queried, sitting next to her on the bed.
The redhead looked up from her book, surprised to see the vampire. She hadn't heard him enter, too enthralled by what she was writing.
"A journal of sorts. It doesn't make much sense. I'm just getting it all out on paper, getting all the confusion out of me."
Angel smiled at the girl beside him, amazed at the strength that she always seemed to posses. Crawling over next to her, the dark-haired vampire leant against the headboard, his arm leaning out along the dark wood, a protective sheild around the Wiccan. Willow resumed her writing, picking up the mad speed at which she was writing before. Angel watched her movements, watched the pen move in intricate circles as she wrote, studying her script but not reading the words. She would let him read it if she wanted him to, that much he knew.
His mind wandered back to where they had been earlier that night. Willow had lead him to the destination of Giles' remains. Angel wasn't sure why she had done that, but he was glad that she had. Angel could share the burden of seeing the dead body, but also it helped to determine who had done this. Theories came to mind, many executed in moments after recollection of their demise.
The 'war' brought upon Sunnydale was from the demon circle. Many came together to bring upon humanity's armageddon, but only succeeded in destroying most of the demon population of the town. The slayer and her help were the ones that caused the demise, and once again saved the fate of humanity. Obviously, there was a disgruntled member, maybe one of the leaders, who had caused the sudden and violent deaths of their friends. Angel had no idea, but would start scoping out the possibilities as soon as possible. But he had something more important to deal with right now, and it was the fragile redhead who was quietly snoring, her head rested against his chest. Angel smiled down at the small woman, a feeling of protectiveness rising within him as he gazed at her slumbered form.
**********
The shrill cold of the wind seemed to pierce through her body. Bent knees hit the ground as Willow kneeled before the marble headstone. The cold of the night was well placed with her surroundings, such that brought such vivid memories of many nights before, from a life that seemed to exist so long ago. A single tear slid down her cheek, a streetlight catching it for a moment while it continued on it's watery destination. Her hands trembled with the rose that was held within them, and slowly she placed it on the ground. Red hair fell out of place, but swift motion soon remedied that.
Willow's eyes followed the chiselled writing on the stone. "Elizabeth Ann Summers" stood rpoud in the dark, it's hollowed letters deep and sharp, holding the secrets of the body underneath. Willow studied the hedstone for a few more minutes, until she finally found her voice.
"It's been a year," she started, her voice wavering for a moment. She needed to be strong; for her, for him, for them and their memories. "And I never stop missing you. Life seems so empty without you here, and I hate that. For a while, I felt like I had failed you, not being able to stop....this. But, I realise now that there was nothing I could have done. But, still, there is something I can and will do, and I won't rest until it is. They say revenge is sweet, and it's that belief that gives me the strength and courage to do this. Also love. A-Angel.......Angel and I have found something sweet together, something so bold that it almost feels wrong from the tragedy that it came from. But I love him, and without him, I know I could not survive. I think that's the same for him, as well. We keep each other standing when we feel like we want to fall. There was a time when I denied myself his devotion, but I know you would have scolded me for doing that." A small smile crept over Willow's face as she imagined her friend's would-have-been reaction to such stubborness. She continued, and newfound strength rising within her. "Angel's here as well. He's standing behind me, a few metres over. He left me to do this myself. Says I needed the strength and courage to do this myself. I'm glad he did. I....I miss you so much Buffy...sometimes I don't know how I go on. But, I carry a memory of you with me at all times, and sometimes, that's all I need. I l-love you. Please say hi to Xand for me. I'll be there to see his grave soon."
Trembling hands removed the tears in a graceful sweep. Willow stood, and walked closer to the headstone. She placed a soft kiss on the cold stone, the wind of the night russling her hair as she did so. Piercing cold attacked her lips, and she walked away, the feeling of the stone carried with her.
~Part: 7~
Night and day brought on more reminsence, slaughtered thoughts of loves now lost. Angel decided to study the demonic war, Certain species had voted upon leaders. Then the stronger of the demons would lead. He continued his hunt, while Willow struggled with the flash backs.
Angel sat at his mahongany desk, head rested in his hands as he hunches over the latest of the hundreds-year old texts. He had been researching vigorously for weeks, trying to find the strongest of all demonic species, and one that would be located in Sunnydale. Most that he had found were either extinct or simple legends, made from the minds of the fearfull and opressors. Arrangance had Angel at first suspecting vampires, but knew that there were other demons far stronger. His mind boggled over the posibilities. Where was Wesley when you needed him? This all seemed to be getting nowhere - Willow was slowly getting better, her memories coming less frequently, but with the same imapct. Angel stopped his thoughts and concentrated on the sound of the redhead. Her faint heartbeat could be heard, by him anyway, from his office. His eyes softened at the sound, Angel lost within the deep rhythm of the girl's heart. A light sneeze from the redhead brought the vampire back to where he was. His concentration lost, his brown eyes glare menacingly at the book that is laid out before him. The temptation of ripping the damn thing to bits comes to mind, and stirs up something within the vampire, but the reactions are ignored. Deciding a break was required, Angel stood from his desk, and made his way down to Willow.
The vampire found the girl ruffled from her latest slumber. It was one of the few that didn't end with her screaming, her shrill voice almost chilling him. Willow sat on his bed, her eyes still adjusting to the soft light of the lamp beside the bed. She smiled at the vampire when she saw him, her tired face glowing up at him.
"Hey. Sleep well?"
"Yeah, actually, I did. I had a nice dream." Willow smiled at him after her revelation, her mind going through the dream once more.
Angel caught the lost look in her eyes, and curiousity grabbed at him. Sitting next to her on the soft mattress, he urged her to tell him.
"Well," she started, brushing away a strand of lost red hair, her eyes looking up, lost in the memory. "You were there, and it was just lovely. You and I were in some beautiful place....I've never been there before. I saw you in the sunlight! You looked so handsome....not that you don't anyway," Willow stumbled. "We were just so happy, that's what I mainly remember about the dream......it was wonderful...." Willow whispered as her mind lost itself in her fantasy.
The light caught the stray tear the crept up in her eye. Angel saw the glistening tear, and gently rubbed the witch's back. Willow's eyes closed at the feeling, and her body swayed slightly to the vampire's movements. They sat in silence, each enjoying the other's company.
"Angel?" Willow enquired softly after a few minutes. "Can we go out tonight? Do something.....fun?" An eye slowly opened and stared at the vampire, waiting his reply.
"Sure, we can do that." Angel said, a small grin on his face.
**********
They walked down the lightened street, watching the people who walked past. Their hands clasped together, each emersing the night's air. Their minds clear, thanks to the film that they had just seen, and each enjoyed the relative peace that the circumstance allowed them.
Willow's eyes found Angel, and a smile crept across her face. Despite her mental state, she was glad that she had the vampire. Angel's deep brown eyes caught a glimpse of the smile, and he drew the redhead towards him in a hug. Kissing the top of her head, he breathed in her scent; warm berries, sugar and spice. One arm drew lazy circles on her back, as she rested her head against his chest. Willow's smile still hadn't disappeared. Rather, just molded itself within Angel's jacket, his aftershave soothing Willow further.
They stood together for what seemed like hours. Seeking comfort from the other, but not only that; a sense of happiness and belonging in the other, love and a richness that comes with it. This was the most wonderful time each could remember having experienced for such a long time.
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