Willow stood, helpless as Spike moved in for the kill. Xander's gun
would only do so much to Spike.  And Buffy wouldn't fight back because
she didn't remember who she was.  Then suddenly, a miracle happened.
Buffy's hair became a wig once more and she stood up.  "Hi, honey.
I'm home."  Spike retreated.

Everyone became themselves once more-everyone except Willow.  "Uhm,
guys.  I hate to break up this happy moment..." she was looking at
Buffy and Angel with regret in her eyes. "but what about me?"

They looked at her, confused until Angel said.  "You're still a
ghost."

"Oh, Will, I'm so sorry."  Buffy studied the ground, she could tell
that Willow was extremely unhappy in the outfit that appeared to be
hers for the rest of eternity.  But a part of her was truly grateful
that Willow had worn the ghost outfit, who knew what might have
happened if she'd gone in her babe garb.  "Maybe Giles can help you."

"Yeah, help me.  How?"  Willow was near tears but desperately trying
not to give into them.  She didn't want to cry in front of Cordelia
and give her more ammo to use against her.  Nor did she want to appear
weak before Xander, may be it was Buffy's strength he liked.  After
all, Cordelia was a beautiful woman and he was impervious to her
considerable charms.  But then again, she'd never use them on Xander.

"I hate to be a downer but where's your body?"  Xander asked.

"At Mrs. Perkins', on the front porch."  Willow sniffed a little, she
was now hiding behind Angel so as not to frighten the children who
were still standing in front of the warehouse.

"All right, so who's going to pick up the body?"  Xander asked, a
little distastefully.

"I think the best course is for you and Buffy to take the children
home and pick it up.  I'll take Cordelia home and stay with Willow.
We don't know what Spike may have planned, if anything."  Angel said
to forestall any arguments.  "Besides I know how Willow feels, being
dead and all."  This was whispered so that it wouldn't freak out the
kids.

"Okay."  Buffy drawled, unhappy that her rival (as she thought of
Cordelia) was going to be with Angel (even if Willow was with them)
while she had body retrieval, baby-sitting duty.  "See you at the
library."

"Mm, hm."  Angel murmured absently, moving away from them and missing
her good bye kiss.  "Come on, Willow.  You too, Cordelia."  He added
as an afterthought.  He walked with a firm, purposeful stride but
inside he was seething.  The girls followed him, Willow trying to move
as inconspicuously as possible.

Buffy sighed. There was something very odd about all of
this-especially Angel's behavior. "Come on, Xander."  She picked up
her wig, debated for a moment before tossing it away. Then she handed
Xander his toy gun.  "Let's go kids."

"Aww, but we losted our tricks 'n' treats."  A little demon whined.

"I'm sure that your parents will have some left over." Xander replied,
herding them out the door.

Buffy's slayer sense, being as undeveloped as it is, didn't pick up
the presence that had been outside the warehouse.  "Well, well.  So,
the little redhead's gotten herself into quite a predicament.   At
least this night's not been a total loss."

"I'm glad you approve, my Spike." A silken voice purred from the
shadows.  He turned and saw his dark goddess behind him, but not the
one he'd been with earlier that evening.  She was back to her glorious
self.  "Angel's blood is the key to my health, get him while the
slayer is away.  Take us far away, perform this ritual and use this
powder on Willow, it'll make her solid for a few moments.  Use that
chance wisely, then all will be made well."  She tossed him an old
leather book and a silver bag, then faded into mist.

Spike nodded.  "Whatever you say, luv."  He headed after his wayward
sire and the two girls, he waited until they'd left Cordelia's house
before jumping them.  He showered Willow with the stuff and grabbed
her.  Angel and Willow were both shocked that Spike could hold her.
His hand was near her throat and the other was wrapped around her
waist.  "Come with me now or she gets it.  Permanently this time."  He
gripped her throat and she gagged.

"Angel, don't."  Spike crushed her side, popping one of her ribs in
the process and she gasped in agony, keeping her eyes on him.
"Please, don't."  Her voice was weak and thin but her eyes pleaded
with him not to give in.

Angel stood and looked at the two, helplessly wondering what was right
in a situation like this.  Save himself and be with Buffy or help
Willow?

Spike growled and thought angrily, what's wrong with the bloody poof?
Does he need written instructions or something?  He twisted her head
up and exposed her throat to his itching teeth.  "In case you didn't
get it, if you don't come now, Red dies.  And I don't think your
girlfriend would be that pleased."

Angel decided.  "All right, just let her go and we'll be on our way."
He saw the despair in Willow's eyes and marveled at her generous
spirit, that she would let him continue his unlife by giving up her
own precious one.  He couldn't believe it, he'd never known anyone
like her and he'd lived a very long life.

"I don't think so.  Wouldn't want you to pull any tricks, nor do I
want her to warn your precious slayer about what's going on."  Spike
forced Angel to walk in front and followed, still holding Willow
captive.  He could feel her beginning to fade away and dropped more
powder on her, just in case she or Angel got any ideas.

Drusilla and the rest were packed and ready to leave by the time they
got home. Angel growled low in warning when he saw how the minions
were eyeing Willow.  They, of course, ignored him.  Spike was very
amused by his attitude but Dru saw something more in it all.  "Hello,
daddy."  *slap*  He grimaced in pain.  "You've been a very naughty
daddy but we'll soon fix that.  Won't we, my darling?"  She kissed
Spike and smiled down at Willow, running a hand down her cheek.  "Oh,
she's perfect, my love.  All fire and innocence.  Is she for me?"

"Leave her alone!"  Angel yelled and attacked, pushing them away and
freeing her from Spike's grasp.  He glared at his childre, letting the
demon emerge.  "I agreed to come, I agree to stay but you will let
Willow go home!"  He demanded, his tone made them pause and look at
him.

There was something in his voice, his eyes; that was almost Angelus
like.  He helped her up, holding her against his side.  The demon
within grinned in anticipation thinking deliciously wicked thoughts
about the redhead.  It's only a matter of time, he thought.

Spike smirked and glanced over at Dru.  "What do you think, pet?"

"She goes with us, of course.  Daddy may try to escape and I want a
little friend to have tea with and dress up."  Dru smiled and snapped
her fingers.  Angel and Willow were pushed towards the door.
"Besides, daddy likes having her around.  Both sides of him do."

Willow looked back at them apprehensively, she didn't like the sound
of that at all.  Not at all. "Angel, what did she mean?   Both sides
of you?"

"It doesn't matter."  Angel didn't answer, he didn't want to examine
anything that Dru said. All he knew was that he had to keep her safe.
"I'm sorry about this."

"Don't worry about it.  Either way I go, I'm dead."  Willow sat beside
him in the trailer with her head on her knees.

"Why do you say that?"  Angel was apprehensive.  He'd always known
that Willow had hidden magical abilities, could she be a seer as well?

"I would think that it's rather obvious.  I'm Dru's new play toy.  I
don't think she'll be very careful with me.  And that stuff Spike
threw on me is the only thing keeping me in a touchable state.  I
don't know how much of that stuff he's got, so I don't know how long
I'll be in this state.  And I really wish I could change clothes!
This just isn't me."  Angel took off his jacket and white T-shirt and
helped her put them on, over her protestations.

"Will, I can't get a cold or die from exposure, you can."  He pointed
out reasonably.  "So stop fighting, it's the least I could do after
all you've done for me."  She opened her mouth to protest and he
placed a finger over her transparent lips.  "Shh...and try to get some
sleep."  As she dozed off, she started to dematerialize and he sighed,
how was he going to help her if he didn't even know what was wrong.
And how was he going to get them out of this mess?

Spike and Dru watched them, smiling in satisfaction.  "You were right,
pet.  They do make an interesting pair."

"Don't they?  So, what have you planned for us to do now?"  Dru asked,
tracing patterns on his cheek and neck.  She breathed into his ear,
then nibbled on it.

Spike reluctantly dragged his mind back to the present.  He held one
of her hands and started biting her fingers lightly.  "You like that,
don't you, Dru?  Your cure. And Angel is the key."  He showed her the
book and she squealed happily, before perusing it.  He shook his head.
"Have fun while I see if we have anything more suitable for our
dearest 'daddy' to wear.  I wonder if I have a pink leotard anywhere."
He muttered as he began to look through the boxes of clothes they had
in the car.

Sunnydale:

Buffy and Xander walked up the steps to Mrs. Perkins' home and saw the
body on the ground, the costume was nowhere in sight.  Buffy
cautiously approached and knelt down, she gasped.  She shook her head,
wondering if her eyes were deceiving her.  This couldn't be happening,
not again.  Why did it have to happen to her?

"What is it?" Xander ran to her side.

"Look!"  Buffy was shaking so bad, her hand could barely point to what
it was she wanted him to see.  He saw it anyway.

"No."  He shook his head in denial, going over to his friend.  "This
isn't possible, not again.  Please, not again!"  Xander fell down and
shook Willow's body, trying to wake her up.  "Will, come on.  Wake up,
don't leave me.  You promised you'd never leave me after what happened
to Jesse.  Wills, you've never broken a promise before.  Wake up!
This isn't funny."

Xander was nearly hysterical,  Buffy was staring at them both.  Her
mind was numb, except for the panicked screaming echoing through her
mind.  Your fault.  This is all your fault, you obsessive, blonde,
moronic slayer!  You cared more for Angel and making goo-goo eyes at
him than finding out if your best friend in the whole world was okay!
Her eyes glazed over and she started crying about the unfairness of it
all.

And it was in this condition that Giles found them both.  "What's
happened here?"  He demanded, his tone was more firm and they
responded to that authoritative tone by pointing numbly to Willow's
body.  He walked over to them.  "Oh, no.  Willow!"  On her neck were
two little holes.  His legs just seemed to lose all strength and he
slid slowly to the floor.  After a few minutes, he got a hold of
himself.  "How…"  He swallowed, "how did this happen?"

Buffy slowly turned her head towards him and just stared at him.  Her
eyes were dead and she wondered how he could ask such a thing.  "How
should we know?"

Xander just kept rocking her body back and forth, crooning her name
softly.  This was just too much for him to handle on top of everything
else.

"I'm sorry but we have to figure out how this could have happened."
Giles pressed, ignoring the very real pain in his heart.  "Let's get
to the library and see what we can figure out."

"No!"  Xander yelled, his eyes wild as he looked between the two of
them.  "You've done enough damage to her.  I hold you completely
responsible for this, Buffy.  You and Angel."  He picked up Willow's
body and ran off into the darkness.

"Xander!  No, please, I can't lose you too!"  Buffy called after him.
She got up and blindly stumbled after him.

Giles followed after them slowly, muttering about all the things he
would do to Ethan if he ever came across him again.  They caught up
with him a block from his house.  Xander was wavering between hiding
from them and turning to them.

Willow gasped in pain, feeling as if her heart was being torn from her
chest.  Angel wanted to hold her but knew it was impossible.  "What is
it?'

She shook her head and tried to concentrate on where the pain had
originated from.  Suddenly, she saw Xander holding her lifeless body.
"Xander."  She breathed.

Angel felt a surge of jealousy tear through him and it surprised him.
He then ruthlessly suppressed it.  He knew that what he should be
feeling was guilt, not jealousy.  He turned to ask her what was wrong
and his eyes widened in surprise when he saw.  There was a soft, amber
glow enfolding her ghostly form.  She faded from his sight and he felt
the urge to scream in frustration and loss.  Willow was his, not that
idiot boy's.

Whoa, where did that come from?  Angel wondered.  Besides, she's safe
from Dru and Spike's plans, I should be happy.

"Xander!"  Her voice was louder this time and she found herself
looking up at him.

Xander jumped when he heard her voice.  "Wills, is that you or have I
finally gone crazy?"  He looked down at her, relieved to see her open
eyes.

"It's me."  Willow smiled at him, she was startled when she felt a
pull back to Angel.  She grimaced.  "I have to go back.  Take me to
the library, Giles can help.  Get Amy, I have to stay with Angel.  He
needs me."

"No, he doesn't.  I need you." Xander argued.  "You're my best friend.
I can't do this alone."

Willow shook her head, regretfully, feeling her spirit being pulled
away.  "No, you only think you do, help Buffy.  She needs you now more
than ever."  Her eyes closed softly, she whispered a very quiet, 'I
love you.  Don't forget me.'

Xander jumped when a hand came to rest on his shoulder.  He looked up
into Buffy's concerned and very frightened eyes, it occurred to him
that he had never seen her look like that, not in all the time he'd
known her.  Willow's right, he thought, I have to be strong.

She knelt down and embraced him.  "Don't you dare leave me alone, I
wouldn't last very long without your support."  Buffy cried, half
shaking him.

"I won't.  I'm sorry, Buffy."  He choked out.  "And I don't blame you
for this.  Or Angel."   He grudgingly added, knowing that Willow would
be pleased and Buffy needed to hear it.  They held each other for a
moment, their fallen friend between them, before looking around.
"Buff, where's Giles?"

"I don't know.  The library?"  She guessed.  "May be we should go
there to start."

He nodded, then remembered what Willow had said.  "We need to pick up
Amy."  Xander thought be safe, Willow.

Angel felt her come back to him and smirked.  She came back to me.
Take that, you dweeb.  "Everything okay?"

She shook her head.  "But it has to get better, doesn't it?"

Of course it can, little minx.  I can't wait to show you just how it
can.  Angelus thought wickedly, before addressing his soul in a sing
song manner.  Oh, great poofy!  My little redheaded darling asked you
a question, aren't you going to answer it?

Angel's voice was soft, he was trying to ignore his demon's mocking
voice.  "We can only hope it will."

Angelus snorted, that's supposed to make her feel better?  No wonder
you fell for the slayer and dress with such horrible taste.

Would you just shut up!  No one cares about your opinion.  Angel
retorted.

Being a wee bit sensitive about a harmless comment, aren't we?  The
demon taunted.  Can't stand the truth in it, can we?  There was no
response from the soul.  Angelus sighed.  You know, ignoring me won't
make me go away.  And, contrary to your high horse manner, you need me
to get the two of you out of this mess.

He would have responded to that comment but he noticed Willow watching
him with a mixture of curiosity and concern in her green eyes.  "What
is it, little one?"

"Funny, I was just about to ask you that.  Are you all right?  You
seem to be having some kind of inner debate.  Is it something I've
done?"  Her voice got quieter near the end.  "Are you mad at me for
causing this?"

Before Angel could answer, the demon did with a simple answer.  "Never
you, red.  If anything, this is the fault of the gypsies for cursing
me and my children for not asking for my help.  The blame also rests
on Ethan Rayne's shoulders.  But you?  No, I don't blame you.  You are
just an innocent pawn in all of this."

The soul chuckled.  Pretty deep, Angelus.

But true, his response was quiet.  Dru suspects something.

Angel cleared his throat, keeping an eye on the road.  "Willow, get
some rest.  I don't think we'll be stopping anytime soon and you will
need to have your wits about you."

"If I rest, so should you."  She pointed out, a faint blush coloring
her cheeks.  There had been something in his voice the first time,
something that wasn't Angel.  She just didn't know what it was.

"In a while."  Angel agreed, keeping his fears to himself.  He waited
until he was sure she was sleeping before resuming his conversation
with Angelus. I know, but what?

How about the fact that we both like Willow?

I know why I like her, why do you?  The soul asked.

How should I know?  Maybe because she actually gets you to listen to
me?  Don't shake your head at me, you know it's true.  And she's the
reason you didn't kill yourself after Darla sent you away.

Angel blinked, what?

Angelus sighed, wondering if the gypsies had given him the wrong soul.
"I guess you don't remember much from that time because you refuse to.
Little red here was the gal who offered us her blood so generously
when we were so hungry, I'd recognize her scent anywhere.  She's often
been there when we need her.  While you ignored most of what Whistler
told us, I listened.  It wasn't the Slayer we were sent to find, it
was our little guardian here."

Before the soul could answer, Dru wailed.  "NO!"

"What is it, pet?"  Spike asked, climbing into the seat beside her and
holding her near.

"The spell will kill daddy!"

Spike was silent for so long, Angel tensed, knowing how Spike felt
about him.  "Well, may be Red back there can find a way around that
detail.  From what I've head, she's rather good in the magic
department."

"But that's in the future, right now she's not even an apprentice."
Dru complained.

"But you, my sweet, can do something about that."  Spike murmured,
stroking her dark hair.  "You know you aren't half as insane as you
pretend to be.  And he's going to find out sooner or later, might as
well drop it now."

She sighed and pouted at him.  "What if I don't want to stop having
fun with his mind?"

Angel strained, trying to hear the rest of their conversation, but it
was useless, they were speaking lower than whispers.  He did pick up
one interesting fact though, he hadn't hurt Dru as much as he thought
he had.  Angel settled down, relaxing as much as he could against the
cold wall behind them.  The feel of it reminded him of the many nights
he'd spent in an alley in New York.  His eyes closed as the past
flooded his senses and he leaned into the memory.

Flashback:

His hands closed over empty air, missing the rat again.  He was
getting bad at this and his demon was roaring with hunger.  If he
didn't catch one of those rodents soon, he'd end up snatching a human
and drinking from them.  When it became obvious that no more rats were
going to come, he grabbed a piece of fire wood.  Not exactly what I
wanted, but I can't hurt the living.  So deep in thought was he that
he failed to hear footsteps, nor smell the warm blood that came closer
to him.

A hand gently touched his back, stroking it softly and soothing his
hunger.  The unknown person knelt by his side, moving the hand to his
face.  It seemed to be searching for something.  "Why are you hiding
in this place?"  The sweetest voice he'd ever heard in his life, asked
him after his fangs descended.  "You should be out hunting on a night
like tonight."

"I can't…don't want to hurt any one anymore."  His voice was weak, her
hand touched his and forced him to drop the stake.

She tipped his head up, pulling him up towards her as she sank
gracefully to the ground.  "Drink from me then, you won't hurt me."

"But..."  He tried to pull away, but her hold was stronger than his
resistance.

"It's all right.  Trust me."  She met his eyes.  He could barely see
through the hunger that clouded his mind.  "Just trust me."  Her neck
arched invitingly and he followed instinct, biting down hard.  She
didn't flinch away from the harsh bite, just relaxed to give him
better access.  The rich, innocent blood hit him unprepared and he
pulled her closer in response.

After a few moments of drinking hungrily, he felt surprisingly full.
"That's enough."  The voice commanded, still soft and strong.  He fell
back, reeling from the rush of blood into his system.  "Rest now."
His eyes closed, after a moment she stood up shakily.  I never felt
this drained before, she thought.  "The powers aren't ready to give up
on you, Angel.  Do yourself a favor and take better care of yourself."
Having spoken her mind, she turned and went back down the alley and
disappeared into the shadows.

The soul relaxed, guilt free.  The demon was full but curious about
his benefactor.  Angelus forced his eyes opened and watched her go,
vaguely remembering her from somewhere.  Her red hair shone in the
starlight and her delicate body encased in a flapper dress, swayed in
tune with the breeze, making it hard for him to discover where she was
going.  "Thank you."  He whispered and she turned at the sound, green
eyes twinkling brightly, she turned around.  He relaxed before closing
his eyes again.

End of Flashback.

Willow!  Angel jerked upright, Willow fell down behind him.  She
looked up at him and asked.  "Are we there?"  They had been traveling
for at least a week and Willow was getting rather tired of the
constant motion and the narrow confines of the truck.

Angel turned around and shifted to see her better.  "No, just had a
bad moment."  He answered in a shaky voice, his eyes studying her face
intently.  He extended a hand to pull her up, then grimaced at his
mistake.  She couldn't accept his hand, she was a ghost.  "I'm sorry,
it won't happen again."

"Forget it."  She shrugged.  "I forget about it myself.  Did you
remember something?"  Her gaze was searching as she studied his eyes.
Then her clear eyes clouded over as something else occurred to her.
"Or were you remembering Buffy?"

"Willow, what do you know?"  Angel demanded.

"Wake up, boys and girls, we're here."  Spike hollered, opening the
door and helping Dru out.  He came back and opened the door.  "Come
on, poofy, get out and help your little friend.  Or would you rather I
did."  He grinned lasciviously.

"I think I can handle that one on my own."  His voice was bitingly
sarcastic.  "Come on, Willow, and whatever you do, stay close to me."

"You don't have to tell me twice."  She murmured, following him.
Though she realized that they couldn't hurt her, she felt safer near
him.  As they walked into an old style Spanish villa, she gave one
last thought to her friends back at home and hoped they would be well.
Then she sighed, what was she going to tell Angel?

Angel let her walk in front of him, wondering what was going through
her mind.  It occurred to him that she had been acting a little
strange after he'd had that flashback.  Was it possible that she
really was that girl from the alleyway?  And if so, how far back was
she involved in his life?  If what Angelus said was true then she was
there for him after he'd lost Darla and his world.  But why and how?

So deep in thought was he that he didn't notice that everyone had
stopped until he bumped into Willow, she fell forward and he quickly
caught her.  Angel could feel her body beneath his hands and Willow
felt his cold hands on her arms.  They looked at each other in shock,
but no one else noticed.

Dru came towards them and indicated for Willow to follow her.  "We're
going to have a lovely tea party so that we can get to know each
other.  Don't worry, daddy and Spike are going to have a little talk
about how things are going to be around here."

Willow followed her, squeezing Angel's hand as she went.  He turned
towards Spike and folded his arms across his chest.

Spike rolled his eyes at this display of self importance.  "All I have
to say is this, you behave and little Red will be left alone.  You do
anything that we consider impudent, she gets your punishment."  The
blonde vampire turned around and walked away, pausing in the doorway,
"You and the girl will have your own room.  It's that way and to the
left, the first door there is your room."  He pointed up the stairs
before disappearing around the corner.

Angel sighed and debated for a moment, should I follow them?

No!  Angelus shouted.  That could get us into trouble and Willow into
extremely hot water.  You know they would punish her like they would
us.

I see you point.  Angel reluctantly agreed, wondering when Angelus had
become the voice of reason.  He made his way up the stairs and into
the first room on the left.  It was a large room in soft mauve.  There
were twin beds on opposite sides of the room.  On the left side of the
room was a large walk in closet and a door was on the right.  He
opened the door and looked in to see a medium sized bathroom.

He came back into the room and sat down on the bed, how was he going
to get them out of this mess?  Angel sighed and lay back, falling into
a deep sleep.  Spike checked on him a few minutes later, relieved to
see that he was there and asleep.  "That's something at least.  He
does value that little bit more than I thought."  He murmured and shut
the door quietly behind him.

When Willow came into the room two hours later, he was still asleep.
She sighed and went into the bathroom to look at herself.  She took
off Angel's jacket and t-shirt, dropping them on the floor.  Looking
at herself critically, she was surprised at how nice she did look.
"But I still think I look like a tramp."  She muttered angrily,
wrapping her arms around her waist.

Angel was standing in the doorway, watching her with a faint smile.
For the second time he was surprised by how lovely she was and
wondered why she hid it.  Her words hit him like a blow in the solar
plexus and made him speak out in objection.  "You don't."  He came up
behind her and tentatively put his hands on her shoulders.  It
surprised them both that he made contact, though he hid it better.  "I
will admit that this look is different for you but you are definitely
not a tramp."

"How are you able to touch me?"  She whispered, not listening to his
words.  Her eyes were starring at his hands as if they were the
ghostly projections and not her.

"I don't know, little Willow."  He answered honestly.  His hands
lightly caressed her shoulders and then played in her hair.  He
lowered his lips to her ear and asked quietly, watching her eyes in
the mirror.  "Why did you let me bite you on that night so long ago?"
He knew from her jump and the way she gnawed her lip that he was
right-it had been her.

Willow chewed her lip, not sure how much she could safely tell him.
One never knew how Angel would react to things, he could be quite
unpredictable.  Could she play ignorant of his query?  She knew from a
quick glance into his eyes that she couldn't lie but would he accept
the truth?  "Angelus told you, I am your guardian."

"I don't deserve a guardian.  The things I am responsible for doing
should show you that."  Angel responded.

"Oh, shut up."  Willow's voice was cross.  She turned around, knocking
his hands off her shoulders and pointing her finger at him.  "What
makes you think that the things you've done weren't for your
experience?  Are you so arrogant that you think you can't turn your
life around?  You were allowed to embrace the darkness for one reason,
so that you could find those who were headed down that path and pull
them out.  Stupid vampire."  She muttered the last line and turned
away, picking up his jacket and pulling it on as she went.

"I can't believe that I spent the two hours trying to find a way to
save your life and also help Dru.  And all you can think of is how
unworthy you are."  She stopped to glare at him over her shoulder.  "I
think if I ever get my body back, I'm going to hit you over the head
with something and then see the Oracles about getting another
'protector of the night.'  You obviously won't do.  It was easier to
steer you in your path when you were Angelus, at least he used his
brain.  You just use it to keep your head from caving in.  Good
night."  The door slammed behind her retreating body and she flung
herself onto the bed, forcing her body to relax so she could meditate.

****

It was hard to say who was more surprised by her outburst, Angel or
Angelus.  He stood there, starring at nothing in particular before he
moved.  "Well, that was rather unexpected."

Angelus chuckled rather maliciously.  Is it just me or does she prefer
me over the you, oh soulful one?

"It appears so, though why she would is beyond me."  He absently
responded,  sitting on the edge of the tub.  "What did she mean,
protector of the night?"

"The answer to the first should be obvious, but I'll answer it if that
gel prevents you from figuring it out for yourself."  His voice was
snide.  Before the soul could do more than shudder as he imagined the
response, Angelus proceeded to answer the second.  "Whistler told  us,
but you were so lost in the wonder that you think is Buffy that you
didn't hear.  The nights are a vampires haven and the slayer can't be
everywhere at once.  The powers realized this and chose another
fighter for good and all that rot.  That would be you-but in order to
be effective, you needed to have tasted of the darkness.  You needed
to know what it was like to reveal in evil and then forced to make a
choice when given that fork in the road.  The gypsies, by returning
the soul to this body placed that road before us."

Angel was silent as he digested this new information.  "But I never
would have chosen life, I would have staked myself."

"Defeating the very reason you were brought into the darkness."
Angelus agreed.  "That's were our guardian comes in.  She stopped you
and gave you a purpose, though you didn't see it at the time."

"Then why is she human?  And why do you care?"

"Her blood soothes and feeds me. it gives me a purpose other than
death.  As for her humanity, it's because we went back to Darla,
remember?'  He answered bitterly.  "You let her go when I wanted her
to stay."

"Since when do you care about humans?"  Angel asked, sarcasm flirting
lightly with his words.  "I mean, other than as a quick meal."

"Since never."  Was his blunt reply.

Angel was thoroughly confused.  "Then why?"

"Would I want to stay where Willow was?"  He interrupted angrily.  "I
really don't know.  Maybe it has something to do with destiny or maybe
it's because I don't feel wrong when she's near.  She makes it okay to
be a vampire with a soul, didn't you notice that?"

"I did."  He agreed quietly.

"I wonder if you did."  Angelus responded.  He got up and walked out
of the bathroom, being careful not to disturb the girl on the bed.
"Wonder if they are going to feed us?"  He mused.

Spike walked in followed by another minion, "Dinner is served."  He
said flatly, indicating that the short vampire behind him should put
the tray down on the side table and leave.  "I'm sure you'll enjoy
your pig's blood.  It looks and smells positively delightful."  He
drawled, waited for a moment before looking at Willow.  "Oh, red, Dru
wants to see you after you eat.  I'm sure a smart girl like you
remembers the way."

Angel tensed but Willow just walked over to her tray.  He smiled
slightly, gently sprinkling some powder on her.  "Of course, thank
you, Spike."  He turned and left them alone.  Willow picked up the
tray and went over to the sofa and sat down, she turned on the t.v.
and ignored Angel as she ate.

He watched  her while sipping his drink.  After the meal was done, she
turned it off and faded again, moving towards the door.  "Still mad at
me, not that I blame you.  I am rather pathetic."

"I have one thing to say to you, Angel."  Willow's voice echoed in the
quiet room.  "If you aren't going to help me, than do me a favor.  Use
this on yourself and put us out of our misery."  She knocked a stake
off the desk and it rolled on the ground towards him.

He moved  quickly and grabbed her arm before she went through the
door.  "I didn't resort to that in all my years living with this
curse, why should I use it now?"

"Oh, I don't know because you're a jerk who can't accept a gift when
its been handed to him?"  She'd gotten over the shock that he could
touch her and tried to pull free.  "Let go."

"No, I don't think so.  I already made that mistake, or so Angelus
informs me."  Angel chuckled softly as those words left his lips.  He
pulled her to him, feeling her ghostly form touch his.  "Never thought
I'd hear myself say anything nice about him."

"You should listen to him more often, he at least recognizes truth
when he hears it."  She snapped, trying to move away from him.

The laughter left his eyes as he glared at her.  "If I didn't know any
better, I'd say you like him."

"Of course I like him."  Willow answered, pausing in her struggle to
get loose.  "I would never have stayed around you for two hundred plus
years if I didn't."

"And I don't rate so high on your list?"  Angel asked, one arm holding
her captive while the other wound itself into her hair holding her
steady.

"All you ever did was brood and mope about how unlucky and unworthy
you were, you never wanted to know why you were chosen out of all the
vampires in the world."  Her voice was slightly breathless, only
Angelus had ever held her like this.  "I have to go meet Dru now.
Please, let me go."

He didn't answer just covered her lips with his and stole away her
breath.  Instantly fire shot through him, a intense white light that
drew soul and demon together.  Angel and Angelus merged as one,
becoming at last the warrior he was meant to be and denied himself the
chance of becoming.  A voice whispered in his mind, telling him to
chose and he did, instinctively reaching out for the redhead in his
arms.

Willow whimpered as the flame moved towards her, she couldn't resist
as it bound her to him.  She wept inside for this meant that there
would be no going back to what they were before.  But also realized
that he was complete and would not resist the ritual, he would live as
would Dru.

Dru squealed with delight downstairs.  "She's done it, she's found a
way to save Angelus."

"Well, how very nice."  Spike's voice was dry, he kept his face hidden
behind his paper.

"Don't be jealous."  Dru pushed the paper away and sat on his lap,
laying her head on his shoulder.  His arms  held her comfortingly.
"Remember, eyeballs to entrails is how we love each other."

"I just hope 'daddy' doesn't expect us to follow his wanker ways."
Was his only reply, though his eyes warmed as she reminded him of what
he'd once told her.

Dru enjoyed the quiet of the moment for a few minutes, then jumped up.
"Let's go get everything ready for the ceremony."  Spike smiled as he
followed her into the chapel at the back of the ranch.

Sunnydale:

Amy hovered over the body, focusing all her energy on an Orb of
Thessela floating above it.  Suddenly, it went wild and shattered,
startling everyone in the room.  Amy fell back into Xander's waiting
arms.

"Was that supposed to happen?"  Buffy asked.

"No.  It was a simple spell."  Giles answered when Amy remained
silent.  "Are you all right?"

"I saw something.  Willow's soul is not Willow's anymore.  She shares
it with another."  Her voice was shaking, the others shared glances
and Xander remembered what he'd been told by Willow on that night that
seemed so long ago.

Buffy felt a strange feeling inside her gut as her eyes met Xander's.
Something passed between them and she understood.  "Angel and Willow,
I'm glad it's her."  She whispered.

"And it's about time.  We only had to separate her from her body to
get him to wake up.  Sometimes I wish we could kill him and get
another."  And with that flattering statement, Whistler announced his
presence.

Instantly there was confusion and Buffy made to attack him, only to be
stopped by Giles' hand on her shoulder.  He knew that this was no evil
demon and wanted to find out what he was doing here.  His hands as the
noise went up and the cacophony died down.

Whistler answered his unspoken question.  "Long story made short.
Willow's Angel's guardian and has been since the moment he became a
souled vampire.  Although she had watched him before.  She lost her
position when he turned away to try and resume a life with Darla, but
couldn't stay away.  She was reborn in Sunnydale when I was assigned
the job of finding and straightening him out.  I sent him here to find
her so she could bound soul and demon, it has happened.  End of
story."

"Except to tell us what you are doing here?"  Buffy's voice was
belligerent.

"To retrieve her body and give you a new helper, Angel won't be
returning.  He's got some serious issues to work out, namely what to
do about those children of his."  He gestured towards a figure
standing in the doorway.  The blonde man entered and smiled shyly.
"This is Riley Finn, he's a specially trained demon hunter."

"Hi."  He said and his blue eyes looked around, carefully taking their
measure-especially Buffy's.  "I'm sure they won't need much help, the
Slayer is stronger than she looks."

"And don't forget it, farm boy."  She responded tartly, angry at
herself for finding him attractive.  Come on, she thought, you haven't
even had time to morn your non-relationship relationship with Angel.
Don't go falling for someone else just yet.

Riley frowned and would have said something but Giles intervened,
before things got out of hand.  "What are you going to do with
Willow's body?"

"Give it back to her, of course."  Whistler replied, being as patient
as he could with them.  "I' sure you realize that you can't restore
her body to her."

"Where is she?"  Xander asked.  Amy held him, supporting his weight
like he had for her.

"She's safe.  The powers won't let anything happen to her."  Was his
answer.  "The body will die if she doesn't return to it.  May I?"  He
asked Xander, he seemed to sense that the boy would not let him take
her away without a fight.

Xander looked around, their faces were sad but resigned.  "On one
condition, that you allow me to go with you.  I won't interfere, I
just want to see her and make sure she's okay."

Whistler debated but Riley spoke up for him.  "He deserves to see her,
Whistler.  Let him."  With those words, it was decided and the two men
left the room with Willow's body.

Back at Spike's Place:

Willow pulled away from the embrace and starred at him, shocked.  Her
lips bruised from the force of his kiss.  Her voice was incredulous as
she asked him.  "Do you understand what you've done?"

"Other than kiss you, no."  Angel was reeling from the feelings
inside, something had changed inside himself.  "What did I do?"  Hew
asked, finally taking notice of her frightened features.

"You've just bound us for eternity, or until you die."  Her answer was
quiet.

"And that's a problem?"

"Of course it is!"  She was exasperated.  Why was he being so
complacent about this situation?  "Have you forgotten about Buffy?
The woman you claimed to love?"

"No.  I never claimed to love her, I lusted after her.  There's a
difference, you know."  He picked her up and sat her down on his lap.
"Besides, you've been there for me since the beginning, why should
this bounding change anything?"

Willow pondered his question, devoting her thoughts to it.  "It
changes a few things.  You've chosen me, this means we can't spend a
lot of time apart.  We can't be more than a four hour drive away from
each other.  You'll be able to read my thoughts, I'll read yours.  I
will be able use your demon for extra strength, my soul will be yours
to use as well.  Angel, you and your demon are one.  You can never be
with Buffy, it would tear you to pieces."

Angel listened to her words and let them sink into his mind.  "I see.
That would explain why there's silence and peace inside.  Besides I
can think of worse things than spending my life with you."  He
grinned, touching her forehead with his.  "Don't worry so much, we'll
figure it out as we go."

"But, Angel..."

"Don't borrow on tomorrow's worries, today, okay?"  Angel teased.
"Isn't that what you're always telling us?"

She reluctantly agreed.  "You know, I didn't mean for any of this to
happen when I challenged you earlier."

"But I did."  Angel was smug.  She pulled back and looked into his
eyes.  "Now let's talk about something a little less serious.  Or,
better yet, let's not talk at all."  He teased her lips while his
hands played across her skin, marveling at how alive she made him
feel.  Angelus was right, she is a darling.

Angelus made one last statement before resigning himself to being
joined forever with Angel, not a darling.  * My * darling.

The soul chuckled, how true.  Now be at peace and enjoy this.  He
groaned as her hands made themselves free with his hair and stroked
his body lightly.

"Now hear this, you better be descent because we've come to take you
away to perform a little ritual."  Spike shouted through the door
before barging in.  He was prepared for the sight that greeted him of
Willow on Angel's lap with the vampire's hands obviously having an
adventure somewhere on her body.  "Come along soul boy, she can come
to if it would make you feel better."

Angel back handed Spike across the room.  "I won't take any disrespect
from you, boy.  You really need to show some manners in the company of
your betters."  He extended his hand and Spike tentatively accepted
it.  "But I'll forgive you, just this once."  There was definite
warning in his voice now and the blonde vampire responded to it.

"So, you're back with us, Angelus."  His voice was certain but there
was a lingering question there.

"In a way. I've still got the soul but I'm not at war with myself
anymore."  He answered, leading the way downstairs.

As Willow passed by the door, she felt something familiar.
"Whistler's coming."

"We'll meet him after we do this for Dru."  He was as good as his word
and after she received her body, she said farewell to the life she
once knew.

Xander walked over to them.  "I still don't trust you, dead boy.  But
I know Willow does."

Angel answered the only way he knew would settle Xander's fears.  "I
promise you, if ever I hurt her, I'll let you stake me."

"Oh, I won't stake you.  I'll find something much worse to do to you."
Xander vowed.

Willow just shook her head and went back to talking to Whistler.
Though Willow protested that it wasn't necessary, Angel and Xander
insisted that Whistler join the two in the eternal bonds of matrimony.
Xander gave her away and then the pair left as quietly as they had
come.

Later, Willow lay in bed, her head resting on his shoulder.  "Where
are we going to go?"

His answer was simple.  "Anywhere the powers send us, my dove."  He
flipped her onto her back and looked into her eyes.  "Where's Whistler
sending us?"

She laughed, he smiled when he heard the sound.  It had been a long
time since she had laughed.  "He's giving us a choice.  New York to
help train the new slayer, Faith.  Or to Los Angeles, it seems there's
some kind of law firm giving aid to demons.  And it's close to
Sunnydale so I can keep tabs on my friends."

"Hmmm...LA then.  After all, it's named after me."  He smirked and she
hit him on the head with a pillow.  "Willow, I don't know if I love
you but I'm willing to try."

"Same with me, Angel.  Now, go to sleep."  And with that settled, she
rolled over in his arms and went to sleep leaving him staring at her
back with his mouth open.

The End.

back