By Neva
Send Feedback To: neva.crandall@csus.edu
Rating: PG-13
Classification: Willow/Angel, X-over Highlander
Distribution: my site swordsandsecrets.tvheaven.com
Anyone can archive this story or my first two stories if they want to. Just send me the address to your site please.
Information about my version of the BtVS and Highlander universes can
be found with my first story "Dreams?" The first two stories should
definitely be read before this one.
Disclaimer: None of these characters (except the bad guys) belong to
me. They belong to other people; I'm just borrowing them for a little
while (maybe a long while -- I am a slow writer). All rights and properties
of Highlander are owned by Rysher entertainment, and all
rights and properties of Buffy the Vampire Slayer are owned by Joss
Whedon, Warner Bros. and Mutant Enemy, etc. (Okay the legal stuff is
out of the way.)
** Note to Readers: Thoughts are indicated with < and > markings. **
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Willow and Angel strolled through downtown Sunnydale barely noticing the people around them. They had nearly fifteen minutes until the planned meeting with Methos. Angel had suggested they leave a few minutes early so they could walk. They had talked a little while they walked, mostly murmuring about future plans and the love between them.
All in all it was a very satisfactory moonlit walk.
"I wish we didn't have to meet him. I like having you all to myself."
Angel smiled at the sentiment; after all, he felt the same way. "But we already told him we'd meet him. Plus, even if he is curious about you, it has to be important information for him to risk making Cass mad."
"Good point," Willow grumbled, "but I still would rather spend time with you. I could decrypt the disk myself."
"And you'd be kicking yourself for not thanking him for the help. I know you," Angel replied.
Willow stuck out her tongue, and Angel grinned at her. He let go of her hand and slid the now free arm around her waist, pulling her close to his side. "Anyway, talking to him can't take all night. I don't think anyone, except Anya, will say anything if we stay out late."
Willow brightened at the vampire's admittedly brilliant suggestion. "Good," she looked up at him through her lashes, her eyes warm. "We are keeping this meeting short."
"Angel tried to keep his knees steady under the assault of her intent and rather naughty eyes. "Yes . . . very, very short."
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Angel had suggested the mall as a public and neutral place to meet. Also, given Cassandra's dislike of the mall, she was unlikely to show up unexpectedly.
Willow felt Methos's presence as soon as they entered the crowded food court of the mall and nearly passed out. Mentally, she'd known how old Methos was -- how powerful. But knowing in her mind was not the same as running into what felt like a wall of living fire and power. And it was all in her head.
The minute Willow walked past the escalators Angel noticed one tall, rather lanky man slouched in a chair nursing a cola sit up and begin searching the area. Then she wobbled, gasping, and the vampire was distracted from the man by the need to keep Willow from falling. He also had to hide the fact she had nearly fainted from the shoppers walking by. Angel braced Willow against his side.
"Here. Look at me, Willow. Look at my eyes, and the buzz will let up." Angel had to fight to keep from going into game face as Methos took hold of Willow's other arm. Willow managed to lift her face to look at the older Immortal. She sighed in relief as the pressure pounding in her head eased away.
"Little one, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I was just dumb and let my shields slip." A rushing shopper dodged around the trio and knocked Willow into Methos. He tilted her back onto her feet, ignoring the slight growl coming from Angel.
"Unless we want to be trampled we better find somewhere to sit. I would offer my table, but it was just stolen by a pack of preteens," Methos grinned sarcastically, reaching out and shaking Willow's hand. "I assume you have already figured out who I am. You must be Angel." He flicked a quick, appraising look at the vampire, quickly abandoning the study in favor of looking at Willow. Angel put his arm around Willow without really thinking about how possessive he was being.
"It's busier here than I thought it would be," Angel said, slightly apologetic.
"Lets walk then, shall we?" Methos replied, and they left the mall and the noisy and chaotic crowd behind.
"What's on the disk?" Willow asked as they left the parking garage.
"Current info and history on an Immortal hunter moving into your area. Nasty piece of work, likes to use outside help and play with his prey. I didn't want you working without warning -- at least until you have more training," Methos paused, grinning. "Joe found out I'm here. He was a trifle upset with my pilfering Watcher records. Just because I used his computer." Methos grinned a little more when he was rewarded by a giggle. <Joe you left out how pretty she is. >
"Oh great, two Immortal hackers," Angel sighed exaggeratedly and rolled his eyes.
Willow whacked the vampire firmly in the ribs, dancing away and neatly dodging under his arm when he moved to tickle her in retribution.
Methos was surprised at the flash of jealousy he felt watching the couple's playful interaction. He'd only known the girl for a few minutes if you didn't count the email messages. It was hard to not fall under the slender woman's spell though. She nearly sparkled with intelligence and energy . . . her delicate, almost elfin beauty was undeniably eye-catching. He forced a sardonic smile onto his face. "Remind me to introduce you to Amanda, Willow. Can we talk seriously now, children?"
Willow quieted, blushing slightly. "Why did you bring the disk instead of just emailing it."
"I had feeling Cassandra wouldn't miss a message that big, and it wouldn't have fit on the website. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to download the files and send them out on Joe's email account. So I decided to present him with a fait accompli. Plus, Seacouver has been appallingly boring. Thought I could come here and hide and give unsolicited advice." That was rewarded by another, somewhat distracted giggle. Methos kept his eyes focused on Willow's face the entire time he spoke, trying to act slightly parental, and trying without much success to not be distracted by how big her gray-green eyes were.
Willow didn't notice the intent way Methos was looking at her. Her mind was busily working through various ways to explain to the rest of the group where she'd gotten the info. Angel did notice look in the hazel eyes and calmly moved so he had his arm around Willow's slender shoulders while they walked. The vampire also made sure he was in between the Immortals. Methos watched the maneuver and threw him a hard look. Then, he wisely backed off.
"Okay, I can't think of any way to explain where I got the information," Willow sounded rather disgruntled.
"Not a problem. Joe isn't happy about it, but he said you could say it was from him."
"But why wouldn't he send it to Cass?" Angel asked.
Methos promptly provided an explanation. "Her Watcher is keeping a closer eye on her right now. She has a tendency to disappear on them. You are newer, easier to track, and, therefore, not so closely watched. That and you are still in training; Cass would know if you were challenged so her Watcher would be able to tell yours. I would bet that your Watcher is in training. I think Joe gave them special instructions for evenings because where you live."
"Could that be any more convoluted?" Angel asked blandly.
"It will work perfectly well, Joe would be uncomfortable sending the info." Methos replied indignantly.
Willow looked back and forth as the two men glared at each other, confused. Not sure where the tension had come from she jumped back into the conversation. Their attempts had help helped the young witch clarify her own thoughts. "I don't think Cass will buy the disk's coming from Joe." Both men looked at her intently. "She knows how much trouble he has juggling his Oath and his friendships. He isn't going to raid Watcher files just because he met me once and seems to like me. Plus, he would go directly to Cass." As she spoke she became increasingly authoritative. Methos's jaw dropped slightly as she calmly pulled the planning role away from him. "Um, Angel and I will just have to say we found it in the mailbox when we got home.
Angel nodded slowly, his eyes thoughtful. "Yes, anonymous is definitely better in this situation. It is definitely safer than an elaborate lie." The vampire barely managed to contain his glee over Willow rejecting the older Immortal's plan. Methos's face showed his reluctant agreement. Being overruled by a teenager couldn't be good for his ego, especially since she was right. Angel was not displeased by the situation at all.
Methos, on the other hand, was distinctly annoyed. He could tell that the vampire was gloating behind the complete lack of expression. Methos realized that he had wanted to present Willow with the perfect solution. The only bright spot was that it hadn't been Angel's idea. He decided to surrender gracefully. "You're right Willow, Cassandra is nearly as cautious as I am. She just wouldn't buy it coming from Joe. Having a 'stranger', even a helpful one, interfering in her life will make her nervous though." He paused for a moment, giving Willow his best innocent grad student grin. Willow smiled back, and Angel nearly vamped out. "Oh yeah. I almost forgot; you'll still need the decryption code. Methos dug in his pocket for the disk and held it out. He managed to run one finger along the back of Willow's hand while she took the piece of the plastic from him. Willow didn't notice --- Angel did and began to growl.
"What's wrong, Angel?"
"Nothing, thought I felt another vamp. My mistake." His dark eyes flickered briefly to gold and Methos backed up a little.
"Do you want to patrol, or are we still going to the Bronze."
Angel smiled at Willow, realizing that the slender witch had no idea that Methos was interesting in her. Telling her wasn't really an option. "Bronze"
"Are you going cryptic guy on me again?" Willow smiled at him, her eyes glowing with a mixture of love and amusement.
"I leave you to your evening then." Methos couldn't quite keep the sarcasm out his voice as he walked away from the couple. Somehow the meeting hadn't been under his control, and he wasn't quite sure when he had made the decision to stay in Sunnydale for a few more days. After all, Seacouver was so boring right now.
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Like the Sunnydale Mall, the Bronze was packed to the rafters. For some reason everyone had decided to go out on this particular night. For awhile Angel and Willow ignored the crowd and danced, oblivious to the rest of the room. Angel watched Willow's relaxed face contentedly, simply happy to be spending non-training time with her. Gradually though it became clear that while ninety percent of the redhead was dancing enraptured in Angel's arms, the other ten percent were elsewhere. Every few minutes, whenever her cheek or her hand would brush against the computer disks stashed in Angel's coat pocket, a distant, 'thinking' look would waft across her face. Angel smiled in affectionate resignation and without warning leaned to kiss Willow, pulling her flush against his taller frame.
Breathless, Willow asked, "Not that I'm complaining, but where did that come from?"
"Your curiosity is getting the better of you. I can tell," Angel smiled at her indignant huff and flicked the end of her nose teasingly. "You, my darlin', want to know what precisely is on that disk. I have to admit it is an interesting question. So why don't we go home, tell everyone we found the disks, and see what nuggets of intelligence the old man has decided to dump on us?"
Willow smiled back. "Alright, you caught me . . . you don't like Methos, do you?"
"Not really. He won't hurt you . . . I don't think that of him. But he does things in his own interests -- Always." <And you're one of those interests, but I don't think I'll mention that. > Angel smiled reassuringly, "I'll behave, I promise." His smiled changed, "Now, what do you say to one more slow dance before we head home."
Willow kissed him rather than put anything into words.