~Part 1~

The "Scooby Gang" sat on the floor in the now empty Bronze.  The now
unconscious Vamp Willow was chained inside the cage Oz had brought
from his house.  Buffy kept one eye on the cage while the other was
watching for any signs of trouble. Oz sat beside her, tense as though
he expected something to happen at any moment.  Willow was on the
floor with Anya; both were oblivious to what was going on around them.
Anya was immersed in reworking the spell and Willow was laying out the
stuff they needed, she was still wearing her dopple's leather outfit
but Angel had loaned her his duster.

Giles paced on one side, listening to Wesley's extremely long winded
lecture and wondered how long he could keep Ripper from escaping and
beating the younger man senseless.  Just letting him out seemed so
appealing at that moment.  At times like this, he could easily
sympathize with Angel and his daily battle against his inner demon.
He let his eyes wander around the room and saw Angel's understanding
look.

Xander was standing as far away from her and the vampire Willow as
possible, he didn't feel comfortable around them at all.  She had come
onto him when she first arrived.  Cordelia had walked in on them and
had bashed the vampire over the head with a chair, then she had
lambasted him for being alone with her.  She had glared at the
awakening vampire and latched onto his arm proprietarily.
Fortunately, Buffy arrived and the vampire fled, remembering their
last encounter.

Angel was looking over at him in sympathy, as if he knew what was
going through the other man's mind.  He then turned his mind back to
Willow and the way she looked in that leather.  His demon had
definitely been appreciative but didn't like to think of his sweet
little Willow as a vampire.  Revulsion was not a strong enough word to
describe his reaction to her.  This surprised Angel because Vamp
Willow was more than a match for Angelus.

But then he remembered Angelus' feelings for her.  He hadn't been
kidding when he said she was cute and that it was a turn on.  He had
wanted her then, as he did now, but he wanted her alive and warm.
Unfortunately, the breaking of the curse had bound him to a thirst for
revenge.  He pushed aside his demon's reaction to examine later, Vamp
Willow was stirring and wouldn't be in a pleasant mood when she woke
up.  He could feel Xander's panic and fear when he saw her move.
Angel glanced over at his redhead and smiled, she caught his look and
looked away quickly.

Willow blushed at the sight of his smile, then turned away.  "Um, just
let me change clothes with the other me, I mean her, I mean, you know
what I mean, and then we're good to go."  She softly said, breaking
the tension in the room.  "Buffy, could you stay?  Just in case she,
you know, wakes up."

Buffy nodded and helped the two Willows change.  "You know what, Will?
I like you better like this."

"I like me better this way too.  I mean, that look was fun for a
moment but it just wasn't me.  All those guys looking at me like I'm
some kind of meal waiting to be devoured and Xander?  He wouldn't even
come near me, even after Angel gave me his jacket to cover up with."

"Well, after the way our dearest Cordelia took her out, would you have
wanted to risk her wrath?"  Buffy teased.

Willow shook her head, then called the others into the room.  "Are you
sure you should be allowing this child to perform the spell, Mr.
Giles?  After all with your past experiences with magic."  Wesley was
cut off when Giles decked him, hard.  "Hey!  That hurt."

"Funny.  I didn't feel a thing."  Giles replied and walked away,
leaving the watcher on the floor.  The others in the room silently
applauded Giles.  They then sat in a circle around Willow, Vamp
Willow, and Angel who were in the center.  "Are you sure you can do
this?"

"No but it has to be done.  And, hey, if I can do a spell after waking
up from a coma, this should be easy."  She smiled brightly, already
feeling the flow of magic within  stirring to life.  She and Anya
began the spell, the flow became a river, just as before.  There was a
sudden flash of white light and when it cleared, the ten occupants in
the room lay on the ground, unconscious.

Willow was the first to awaken.  She tried to move but felt a weight
pressing her down.  She opened her eyes and let out a weak scream.
Angel jerked up at the sound, looking over at her.  The sight that met
his eyes made him take in a breath of unneeded air.  He recognized
that form but could only stare at it in disbelief.

It was his mortal self, Liam.

"Willow?"  He called out to her, quietly.  She heard his voice but
looking at him, she saw that he was asleep-and breathing.  "Over here.
I think something went wrong."  He observed dryly after she focused on
him.

"Angel?  What?  How can you be over there when you're right here with
me and breathing?!?"  She asked, her voice rising a little with each
of her words.

"Calm down, Willow.  That's my mortal self, Liam."

"Oh.  Could you get him off of me, please?  Your, he's heavy and I'm
uncomfortable down here.  And that breath is atrocious!"  He chuckled
as she blushed when she realized how insulting that must've sounded.
"Sorry."

"That's okay.  He looks drunk."  Angel walked over and moved Liam off
of her, then helped her sit up.

"Thanks.  What do you suppose happened?"  Around them the others in
the room began to awaken.

"I don't know.  Did Anya alter the spell in anyway?"

She thought for a moment, then shook her head.  "No, I don't think so.
I guess we'll just have to wait for the others to wake up and ask
her."

Buffy sat up and pushed her hair away from her eyes, then she looked
around.  She was the first to notice the newcomer and blinked in
surprise before she recognized him.  "Angel?  What's with the hair and
when did you change your clothes?"

The others looked at him, a little startled by his appearance.  He
wore a long sleeved shirt over what appeared to be brown pants and
boots.  His hair was longer than they'd ever seen it, it altered the
way he looked making his face appear fuller and highlighting his eyes.

Willow and Angel looked at each other, sharing a smile.  "Uh, Buffy,
I'm over here.  That is Liam, my mortal self."

"We should move to the library."  Giles suggested.  They split up into
separate groups and headed out in the cars that they had driven to the
Bronze for safety.  Giles took Angel, Liam, and Willow.  Wesley went
with them under protest.  There was an uneasy silence in the room as
Angel kept a watch on Liam.

She smiled teasingly and tried to break the tension in the car.  "Are
you sure this bucket will get us where we're going before dawn?"

Wesley glared at her as the others laughed.  "I fail to see the humor
in this, Miss Rosenberg.  This is a very serious situation."

"Would you rather I burst into tears after fainting?"  She asked him,
mock seriously.  "I'm not sure how that would help but if * you *
think that I should, then I will."

Wesley looked at her, insulted by her levity.  "Obviously you fail to
recognize the severity of what has happened."

"And we're so thrilled that you are here to point it out to each of
us."  Giles remarked, under his breath as an uncomfortable silence
descended upon the group once more.

They walked into the library and noticed that Xander and Cordelia were
missing.  Angel and Giles placed Liam into the book cage.  "Why'd ya
do that, Angel?"

He looked at the gang and sighed, before explaining.  "In life I was
more Angelus than Angel.  I was a hard drinking, hard living,
womanizing, selfish creature.  Where is the happy couple?"

"Food run.  They want to hear about what happened with Vamp Willow,
they don't care about Liam."  Oz answered quietly.  He was beside
Willow, holding her hand.

She was reading over the spell and running it through her mind.  "I
don't understand.  The spell worked, I know it did.  I felt it.  Why
did it bring him here?"

Giles took the spell from her and studied it.  "She's right, it worked
the way it was supposed to.  I can't see why it brought him here.
Whatever it is, it has nothing to do with the spell."

"A prophecy of some kind?"  Wesley offered, heading over to the books.

"Or it might have something to do with the fact that we still don't
know how she got here in the first place and we used Angel as the
bridge between our world and hers.  His soul might have thrown
something off because, when she wasn't ranting at me or trying to
convince me to join her, she did say that Angel didn't have a soul in
her world.  Darla offered herself in his place, the gypsies accepted
because she was the one who brought the girl to him as a gift in the
first place.  Darla then begged him to stake her and he did, or so he
says.  She wasn't sure she believed him because, soul or no soul, she
was his sire and in his unlife for ever so long.  So the soul thing
could have caused a split and brought him forward to us because, after
all, we did open a portal between worlds and played with time, her
coming here after all did introduce us to the fact that there is more
than one reality out there and not all of them have something to do
with wishes."

Anya looked at her, with something akin to awe.  "Do you ever
breathe?"

Willow blushed as the others laughed, but it was friendly laughter not
malicious.  Giles' mind untangled what she had been trying to say.
"I'm partial to Willow's theory for the reasons she named.  He was the
bridge and his soul could have caused some confusion.  Also, she came
here somehow and that would have caused a rift in the time barrier."
Giles polished his glasses and looked at Wesley before continuing.
"Although, there could be a prophecy of some kind."

"So what are we supposed to do while you brains figure out what to do?
We can't just leave him in there."

"Buffy, trust me on this one.  That is the best place for Liam to
stay.  Unless you really miss Angelus."  He added sarcastically.  His
nerves were shot, he was tired and really wanted to forget this day
had ever happened.  There was a sharp gasp from the group.  "I'm
sorry, that was uncalled for."

"No but it got your point across."  Willow said quietly, she had
gotten up and placed her hand on his arm.  "This has to be so hard for
you, seeing yourself as a human and knowing what you know now."

He looked into her eyes and realized that she truly understood what it
was like for him, she had met up with her vampire self.  "It hurts."
Was all he said to her.  * I just want to warn myself about
Darla...Why shouldn't I?  If he never goes back, then I'll never get
changed.  Dru, Spike, Penn, and all those I hurt for my own amusement
will be spared.  Angel tried to shrug that thought away and was
partially successful.  But it found a tiny corner of his mind and
waited, bidding its time.

Buffy watched the two of them bonding.  She was grateful for Willow's
understanding but wished that she was the one who had comforted him
but knew that Willow was the only one in the room who could understand
what it was like to run into the bad version of yourself and know that
you couldn't change a thing.

Xander and Cordelia came in, carrying doughnuts.  They dumped the load
onto the nearest table and started handing out the food.  "Okay, talk.
What happened to skanky Vamp Willow?  No offense meant, Will."

She smiled at him understandingly.  "She's gone, Xand.  Don't worry
about it."

Giles cleared his throat.  "Yes, well.  If we could get back to the
matter at hand. Willow, Anya?  Research the spell, may be it was the
spell. Or may be one of the ingredients was off.  Buffy, Angel?  Go
patrol, see if Willie knows anything.  Wesley, bring the books into my
office. I'll meet you there in a minute.  The rest of you can go home,
get some rest.  There's really nothing else you can do right now.  And
thanks for the food, jelly?"

"Of course.  She's really gone?"  Xander asked, looking around as if
he expected her to pop out at any moment.  He was still feeling
paranoid, Vamp Willow was scary.

There was a gentle laughter in the library as Willow rolled her eyes.
"Yes, she's really gone, Xander."

"Good.  We are so out of here."  Cordelia grabbed his arm and they
left, followed by Angel, Buffy, and Oz.  They rest of the group worked
in silence, the sound of a deep snoring the only noise in the still
air.

"I give up!  There's nothing in here." After a few hours, Anya slammed
her book closed and left the room.  Wesley ran after her.

"Where's he going?"  Willow asked, not taking her head out of the book
she was searching through.

"To offer Anya a ride, it's still to dangerous to be out."  Giles
answered before going back into his office.  "I do hope he isn't
planning on coming back though."

She giggled and they shared a smile.  "I second that lovely idea.  But
I don't see why we can't just stuff him into a crate and send him on a
little trip far, far away from here."  Her lips curled up wickedly at
that delicious thought.

Giles pretended to be shocked.  "Willow!  Are you possessed?" Then his
Ripper side smiled, and spoke up.  "What a tempting thought.  Do you
think we could get away with it?"

"Only if you could write suitable groveling letters to the counsel and
pretend to be Wesley."

"Oh, shoot.  Well, the idea was fun while it lasted."  Giles mock
sighed then shut his office door.

Silence reigned in the library until close to dawn when Willow stood
up to stretch, her back was killing her.  She sighed in frustration,
there had been nothing in the books and she knew Giles was as
frustrated as she.  On the plus side, Wesley had not returned to them.
It was hard enough when he helped them out normally with all his talk
of 'regulation watcher procedure' and 'report to me always'.  Not to
mention the way he nagged Buffy or picked on Giles, like Giles had
never done this world any good.

There was a stirring from inside the cage but she was so used to
strange noises emanating from it that she ignored it.  This was a
whole new problem, and it didn't help that she felt her attraction for
Angelus stir to life.  Liam.  She still remembered how she'd felt when
she opened her eyes and saw him.  It was like one of her fantasies had
come to life, only better because he was alive and hadn't seen Buffy.

Willow had wondered what would have happened if Angel had set his
sights on her in the early days.  Who wouldn't?  Sometimes, she'd
catch him looking at her with the strangest expression on his face.
And then there was after he changed.  If Angelus had really intended
to kill her, she had no doubt that she'd be dead, so why didn't he?
Was it just to taunt them?  And is cute and helpless really a turn on?
 And why am I thinking about that right now?

"Are ye a Faery lass to torment me by keeping your lovely self beyond
this cage ye've locked me in?  For that is the only thing I can think
of ye to be with your unusual loveliness and strange clothes."  A deep
brogue drawled and wrapped itself through her thoughts, filling her
senses and breaking her concentration with its sensual promises.

Willow slowly turned around and met a pair of sleepy brown eyes.  The
light from the rising sun filled the room with a golden glow and
highlighted his distinctive features.  She nearly gasped aloud in
appreciation when she suddenly remembered who she was dealing with.
Drawing upon the inspiration of her vampire self, she answered him
"No."  She turned quickly away, + you stop that, girl.  Remember what
Angel said about him.  His good looks hide a selfish heart.  "Giles!"

"Yes?"  He opened his office door and looked at her through sleepy
eyes, running a hand through his hair.  "Did you find anything?"

She walked over and lowered her voice, they ignored Liam completely.
"Fraid not.  But he's awake.  I think I'm going home and catch a few
hours of sleep.  Why don't you do the same?"  She asked in concern, he
looked awful.

"I would but someone should stay here with him just in case Snyder
shows up."  He trailed off and she nodded.  "I will try to rest on the
couch though.  Thank you for staying, do you want a lift?"

"You're welcome.  I think the Mayor would prefer to work under the
cover of darkness."  She gestured out the window.  "See you in a few
hours then?"

"Yes."  Giles nodded then went back into his office, shutting the door
behind his quietly.

"Where are ye running off to, me beauty?"  Liam stood up and looked at
her from beyond the bars.  She looked at him in disgust.  It was a new
experience for him and he wasn't sure he liked it.  Women usually felt
flustered or flattered by him, he had considerable charm and knew how
to use it.

"The name is Willow.  I am not yours nor am I 'running off to'
anywhere.  I am going home."  And with that, she turned on her heel
and left the library.

"She's a beauty when she's angry."  He watched her go, enjoying the
way she walked.  Then he sighed and looked around at the room he was
in.  He'd never seen things like this.  There appeared to be lights on
the ceiling, yet he couldn't figure out how they were lit.  They were
covered with some kind of glass but they weren't clear.  Not to
mention there was a strange set of boxes along one of the walls.  And
the windows were larger and finer than any he'd ever see before.

Then there was this cage.  "What did I do to deserve this treatment?"
He wondered out loud, trying to think.  The last think he recalled was
walking towards that elegant female in the alley, it was like she had
been calling out to him.  But a flash of the whitest light shot
between them and he was pulled in.  There were colors flashing all
over everywhere and he'd finally passed out from exhaustion.  Then
he'd awoken to find himself in here and that lovely creature had been
just beyond his reach.

Willow.  There was just something about her, something different.  She
intrigued him.  But why was she so objectionable to a light
flirtation?  He had seen no ring on her finger, so she wasn't married.
Not that that would have stopped him from chasing her.  Maybe she was
involved in a relationship with that man, what had she called him?
Giles, though she seemed to be to innocent to be involved in that kind
of a relationship.  Innocent, but it wasn't that fake kind some women
acted, it was natural.  Maybe that was it, why he wanted her.  The
women in his village had either been to off putting with their airs or
to easy.

His growling stomach brought him out of his thoughts.  Luckily he
hadn't had that much to drink the night before because a fight had
broken out.  He'd gotten blamed for it of course and was thrown out
with his friend.  Liam sighed, it was going to be a long day.  He
tried to concentrate on something, anything, else.  And the smell of
food coming his way didn't help.

Willow arrived home, feeling terribly guilty for her treatment of
Liam.  Even if he was rude, egotistical, and thought that he was the
best thing to happen to females every where.  That didn't excuse her
behavior.  She took a quick shower and then walked into the kitchen
and set about making him some breakfast.  Soon the smell of hot
cinnamon rolls, sausages, and bacon and eggs was floating through the
air in the house, her stomach growled appreciatively.  She wrapped the
food up in an air tight container and looked at the clock before she
headed out the door, hoping the food would stay warm.  It was about
nine o'clock when she walked into the doughnut shop and bought some
jellies and tea for Giles.  + It's only fair to feed him since I'm
feeding Liam.

She walked into the room and saw Liam, eyeing her bundle hopefully.
They didn't say anything for a moment, just looked at each other.  "Is
that for me?"

"Yes.  Please, move away from the door."  She asked, softly.

He obeyed, not willing to press his luck.  Partly because he was
really hungry and partly because he wanted some answers.  Maybe he
could ask her.  She was eyeing him warily, so he sat down at the far
end of the cage and was rewarded by her sweet smile, small though it
was.  Giles had heard her enter and watched from his office window,
wondering what she was doing.  She walked to the door and opened it
slowly, he stayed where he was.

She walked in and took out the food, placing it beside him, and a
blanket.  She opened the container and poured some orange juice into a
large glass for him.  Not wanting to jinx his luck he didn't make a
move towards her, though he was tempted.  He waited until she had
closed the door before picking up a cinnamon roll and biting into it.
"Thank you."

She murmured a 'don't mention it,' and waited for a few minutes, just
watching him.  She walked over to Giles' office and left a box of
jelly doughnuts in front of it, she hadn't noticed him at the window.
Then she straightened up and walked to the door, pausing to turn back
to him.  "If you need anything else, ask Giles.  But be nice, he's
going through a hard time right now."

He nodded and watched her leave.  * What is wrong with me?  This isn't
like me at all.  I'm being so nice, so considerate.  How my father
would laugh if he could see me now and all over a tiny slip of a girl.
But there's something about her that makes me feel.He stopped that
line of thinking before it got him into trouble.

Giles got his doughnuts and tea quietly so as not to disturb Liam.  He
was troubled by Willow's behavior towards the other man, especially
after all the warnings Angel gave them.  But what troubled him more
was Liam's response to her actions.  He acted like he was afraid to
hurt her, he was gentle and Giles wasn't prepared for that.  Giles ran
through all sorts of scenarios in his mind before giving up and
reaching for the phone.  "Angel?  I need your advice."  He explained
what happened earlier.

"Willow did what?"  Giles winced at the anger that radiated over the
phone line, it felt like Angel was in the room with him.  "And Liam
did what?!?"

"Angel, calm down.  You of all people know how kind and loving Willow
is, and has been, even to Angelus."  They both winced at the demon's
name.  "The point is, he did what she told him to.  Liam was gentle,
almost as if he was afraid he might scare her.  What does that tell
you?"

"Nothing.  As a human, I was never very considerate of others.  I
wanted to please myself, no matter what.  The only way I'd know for
certain is to see them together."

"She may come by later to feed him lunch.  Although she did tell him
that he should ask me if he needed anything."

"You're not sure if she'll be coming back?"  Angel sat wearily on his
couch.  * What do you think, Angelus?  Will she?

The superior tone was present in his demon's voice.  < Of course,
nitwit.  This is Willow, the same girl who saved my unlife.  She'll be
back.

Angel sighed heavily, missing Giles' answer.  * Oh yeah, I'd forgotten
all about that.

"Angel, are you still there?"  Giles was worried because Angel hadn't
said anything for two minutes.

"Yeah, I'm just worried."  His phone beeped.  "I've got another call,
I'll stop by in a few hours and see what's going on. Good bye, Giles."
He pushed the flash, "Hello?"

"Hi, Angel.  It's me Willow, I suppose you figured that out 'cause
Buffy would just stop by and not call 'cause she never does and I'm
the only female that would be calling, unless you have some female
friends that we don't know about.  In which case, you could be waiting
for them to call 'cause you'd have no other reason to be up this early
so I'd better just come to the point of this call and let you get back
to whatever it is you were doing.  I hope you don't mind my calling."
She ended uncertainly.

He was chuckling, * something's never change.  "No, little one, I
don't mind you calling me."

"Okay, that's good.  I want to ask you something."  She fell silent.

"Willow, what is it?"  Angel asked after a moment.

"Huh?  Oh, right.  Uhm, it's about Liam.  Do you think I could borrow
some of your clothes for him to wear 'cause you wear the same size.
Unless you don't want to but I was thinking he'd be more comfortable
in different clothes 'cause the ones he's wearing are dirty and smell
really bad.  I think he should get to take a shower and since I'm
bringing lunch for him and Giles, I thought it would be a nice gesture
if we gave him a change of clothes. Unless you don't think we should
'cause."

"Willow?"  Angel interrupted.  "Come by around two and I'll have some
clothes for you to borrow.  But, if you don't mind my asking, why?"

"Oh, because we are going to move him later on.  We can't leave him in
the library because of school and we don't want to bring attention to
him.  Plus, if the vampires find out he's there, they'll have a field
day, er, night, with him as revenge on us.  You know what I mean."

"Unfortunately, I do."  He ran a hand through his hair.  "Tell you
what, I'll take the clothes and he can stay with me."

"That would be great except for a few details."

"And they would be?"

"One, you have the most remarkable resemblance to him.  Two you are a
vampire, how would you get him to listen to you?  And if he did,
what's to say he won't figure out that he's you or you're him?  And,
do you really think he'll listen to that part about the soul?  If you
could keep it hidden, how would you explain your allergy to the sun?
The way you don't need to eat any food?  And how would you go shopping
before he got there?"

"You're right.  I'm so used to my life that I've forgotten those
problems exist.  So, where's he going to stay?"

"With Oz, he's already had his time and won't need to date those
chains for a while.  Plus, he's not in school.  So I'll see you at two
or would you rather I send Buffy, so you two can spend some quality
time together?"

"No, that's all right.  Buffy might not be able to handle Liam and
you'll be with Oz so you should be safe."

"Right, I'll see you later then."  She waited for his good-bye,
wondering for the hundredth time if she knew what she was doing.  + Oh
well, I'm sure that someone else does.

"I'll be waiting."  * Was that anticipation in my voice?  Down,
Angelus.

< Aw, you never let me have any fun.  And I don't see why you should
object, you want her as much as I do, you bloody poof.

* Spike much?  Angel responded, Angelus laughed heartily.

< I miss that brat, even if he did betray me and let that Slayer send
us to Hell.

* So do I but I can't be upset about the second, they did stop you
from destroying the world.

Angel walked into his room, going to the closet and looking for
something suitable.  < Pick the leather and red satin, I'm sure
they'll love that.

* Oh, no.  I already reminded them of you, I'm not going to do it
again, this time deliberately.

< I'm hurt.

* Like I care.

< Oh, you'd miss me if I was gone.

* Dream on.

< You would, peaches, and you know it.

* Fat chance.

< Oh, my. Someone's feeling a little grumpy.  Come on, Angel, tell
your dear Angelus what's wrong.  Could it be that someone's feeling a
wee bit jealous of a certain mortal?

* I'm not jealous.

< Right.  You're not jealous and I'm the pope.  Come on, Angel, this
is me, I know you.

* I'm not.  I just feel worried about Willow and...

< Ah, now we get to the heart of it.  You fear that our little hacker
will fall for our mortal self.

* This conversation is over!  Angel shut out the demon's voice, and
the unnerving realization that the voice wasn't so wrong.  He set an
alarm for two and took a nap.

Willow looked at the phone and gently replaced it. There was something
in Angel's tone that reminded her of someone she really wanted to
forget. She dialed Oz's number, "Hi."

"Hey?  What's happening?"  Oz's gentle voice carried over the line.

"I talked to Angel, he'll have the clothes ready by two.  You're
really sure you want to do this?"

"It's cool."  Oz had his doubts but he didn't want to worry Willow.
She must have some pretty good reasons for doing this and he was going
to trust her to lead them safely through.  "I'll swing by at a quarter
'til then, okay?"

"That'll be good.  See you then."  They said good-bye and Willow
curled up in bed, falling fast asleep.  The worried voice at her
windows woke her up and her eyes were bleary as she looked at the
clock by her bed.  She bolted upright when she saw that it was ten
minutes after two.  "Sorry, Oz. I fell asleep."

"It's okay.  We'd better go."

"I have to make him some lunch."  She went to the door but his hand
stopped her, she turned to face him.  "What is it?"

"You go splash your face with some water and change, I'll start
something."  Oz told her, then shoved her gently towards the bathroom.
She nodded gratefully and came downstairs a few minutes later wearing
a pair of blue overalls with a picture of a Pooh Bear on the front,
looking better.  They worked together, packed the lunch, and then went
to Angel's.
 

~Part 2~

He threw the door open at her timid knock.  "Where have you been?
I've been worried about you."

"I'm sorry Angel, really I am.  But I was just so tired from the spell
and researching, running back and forth between home and school that I
just fell asleep.  I didn't mean to and I would have called if I had
thought that I would be late.  We came as soon as we could and do you
think that Liam would eat a ham sandwich with a few apple slices?"

Angel blinked at the flustered hacker, trying to follow her
conversation.  "Whoa, Willow.  Breath, good girl just keep breathing.
I'm sorry I jumped down your throat.  It's just that the last few days
have taken a toll on my soul.  I'm glad you were able to get some
rest, you deserve it and Liam will eat whatever is placed before him."

She smiled at him, pleased that he wasn't upset with her anymore.
"Oh, that's good.  I really am sorry.  Angel, haven't you gotten any
rest?  You really look terrible.  And I realize how awful that
sounded.  But you look like the walking dead, which you are actually
and I think I should be quiet now."

He laughed, "It's OK, I overreacted.  Willow?"  She looked at him,
curiously.  "Don't ever change."  He handed her the clothes.  "How are
you going to get him to wear those?"

"Oz and I talked and he said he'd give Liam a hand till we sent him
home.  Since Oz isn't in school anymore, he can do that.  Though I
have to wonder how Liam will react to the band.  I mean, I doubt he's
ever heard music quite like ours before.  And the band practices at
his house some nights.  Oh, I forgot about the groupies!  Will they
cause any problems for Liam?  What if by doing this, I'm really making
it harder for him to go home?  Oh, bad Willow!"  By this point, she
was wringing the clothes and Angel stopped her with one hand while the
other covered her mouth.

"Willow, relax.  I'm sure that everything will be fine.  Oz can handle
anything that comes up, he's rather good at dealing with strange
things."

"But the one who really suffers is you.  And you've already been
through so much.  What will this do?"

< Probably give us a taste for cute, easily flustered red heads with a
tendency to put people at ease.

* Quiet Angelus, I can't possibly tell her that.

< Why not?  Afraid that a little truth will scare her off?  "I don't
know.  He'll probably write this off as a drunken dream."

"Even if he's here for a few days?"  She asked skeptically.

"Sure.  I've been known to have some wild dreams after a night of
drinking, before I was turned that is.  Don't worry about it."
Angelus scoffed at Angel's words.

"Thanks, Angel."  She started to leave but his hand stopped her.
"What is it?"

"Be careful.  Liam flirted with every beautiful woman that was around
him, I don't want you to get hurt."

She laughed at his words, though it wasn't a hurtful laugh.  "Angel, I
appreciate your concern but look at me.  I'm just plain, boring, ol'
Willow.  The net girl, everyone's friend.  At most, I'm cute but
that's nothing that handsome guys like you would be attracted to.
I'll be careful, Oz will be there."  She left the room, not noticing
the confused expression on his face that her words had caused.

"Plain?  Boring?  Willow, don't you ever look in a mirror?"  His
question went unanswered because she had left without hearing him.  He
sighed.  * Angelus, why would a lovely young girl like her not see
what we do?

< Because no one, not even Oz, tells her how truly wonderful she is.
Angelus said.

* I suppose not.  He slowly agreed.

< And her parents?  If they even notice she exists for more than ten
minutes, I would be surprised.  There was a disgusted tone in his
voice.

* How did you get to be so observant?  Angel asked.

< Not much else to do when you're stuck in here.  As you should know.
 Angelus reminded him, tartly.

Angel reached for the phone.

< But you have to wonder, would it be so bad if Liam stayed around?
So many things that you delight in feeling guilty for would be undone.
Angelus taunted.

* I know.  No, I refuse to think like this.  "Giles, Willow and Oz are
on their way over."

"Really?  Thanks for the warning.  So, what's going on?"  Giles asked,
restoring order to his office.

"They're going to feed him, change him into some of my clothes, and
then take him over to Oz's.  Willow says that he'll be staying there."

"What will they do when he has to perform?  I don't think we can have
him over here while we're talking Hellmouth activities."

"I don't know.  I don't believe Willow has thought that far ahead,
she's just concerned about leaving him in school where Snyder can find
him or the vampires.  Keep an eye on them, she doesn't realize just
how attractive her kindness is."

"You mean how attractive she is."  Giles said dryly.  "Willow is a
rare one, her kind of humility and natural beauty will only increase
in time.  Jenny saw that."

"Giles, I..."

"Forget it, Angel.  It wasn't you.  Believe me, I know."  Giles
sighed, running a hand through his hair.  "Let it go."

"I'll try."  Angel responded automatically, not really paying any
attention to his words.  He may have been working on it but it was
just too hard sometimes to stop blaming himself.  After all, Angelus
would always be a part of him.  Once they got to know Liam better,
they'd see that.

"Back to the situation at hand, Willow.  Do you think Liam will try
something?"  Giles' worried voice cut into Angel's thoughts.

"I don't know.  The behaviors you've described, the ease Willow feels
in his company, they tell me nothing."

"I hate to ask this but."  He paused to take a breath to calm his
nerves, knowing he had to ask but hating it all the same.  "Did
Angelus have any particular feelings for Willow?  An obsession or did
he just ignore her?"

< Did I?  Ha!  He'd shake in his tweed if he knew just how I feel
about her.

* Angelus, do you want him to stake us?

< Not particularly, but I would never have ignored her.  She's just so
wonderfully Willow.

He hesitated, wondering how best to answer the question.  "Well, he
was fascinated by her because she was so smart and, though she was
scared by many of the things she saw happening, she never gave up.
She never lost that innocent way of looking at things-even after he
showed up.  In the hall, when he had her, he wasn't going to kill her.
He wanted to take her and hide her, keep her safe from the Judge."

Giles interrupted him, angry and wondering why he had asked. "Until he
could safely change her?"

< Yeah, like I'd have gotten away with that.  Knowing her, she'd
probably stake herself if I did that .  There was a strange sense of
pride and sorrow in his voice as he uttered the words.

"Until he could make her his.  For some reason, Angelus never wanted
to turn her into a vampire."

< Some reason?  Angel, don't you know me at all?  I loved to see her
reactions to things, her delight in the simplest of things.  If I had
vamped her, she would've lost that.  Angelus was somewhat exasperated
with Angel, < it is the same thing that fascinates you, except I would
have had the guts to take her.

* Then why didn't you?

< Hello?  Anyone home?  If I had shown any interest in her, they would
have put her so far under lock and key, I would never see her again.

"I think he was falling for her.  In a way, she was a modern day,
completely sane Dru.  And before you point out what happened to her,
Dru was a little crazy before he met her."

"So, what did you mean?  We all thought it was Buffy that he was
after."

Angelus snorted but was silent.  "Giles, he was only after Buffy
because she was the slayer.  She could never truly accept the vampire
side to me, I acted like a human for her.  Angelus hated that.  The
only reason he didn't kill her was because of Willow.  Willow accepted
me, she would ask questions that showed her interest in my life as a
vampire.  That was one of the reasons Angelus never bothered her."

"What about her fish?"  Giles asked, looking up when the door opened.
He waved at the Willow and Oz, they smiled and waved back.

"A warning for Buffy that she couldn't always be with her friends.  He
never expected to be uninvited."  Angel paused, hearing Giles' sudden
intake of breath.  "You OK?"

"Yes.  They've arrived and are talking to Liam.  I better go out and
keep an eye on things.  Why me?"  He asked , not really expecting an
answer.  What he didn't say was that Liam was out of the cage and
walking around.

"Because no one else can handle a crisis like you.  Keep an eye on
them, especially Liam.  No matter how Willow feels, I just don't trust
myself-er, him, I mean Liam."

"I know what you mean and thank you."  They said their good-byes.

Angel sighed heavily.  Liam was causing trouble without doing
anything.  "Must be a gift."  He muttered before finally allowing
himself to get some real rest.

When Willow and Oz had walked in they saw Giles on the phone, so they
waved and walked over to Liam.  "Hi, this is my boyfriend, Oz.  Oz,
Liam."  She introduced the two as she unlocked the door and gestured
for him to come out and sit down at one of the tables.

He was surprised by her actions, but decided not to press his luck.
Liam stretched his long legs before sitting down.  "Pleased to meet
you."

Oz eyed the other man warily. Liam could feel the other's discomfort,
it puzzled him.  And Oz still wasn't sure that he liked the idea of
helping Liam out, especially after he'd seen the way he was looking at
Willow.  "Hey.  Once you're done eating, we'll head to my place."

He swallowed one of the apple slices, noticing the slight taste of
cinnamon.  "Why can't I just go home?  My mother and sister must be so
worried about me."

Willow looked over at Oz, he shrugged that it was up to her what to
ell him. She turned to Liam, taking a deep breath for courage.  "You
can't go home."  She took his hand in a gentle hold and knelt down so
that she could look up into his face.  "I know that this will be hard
for you to accept but.you've come two hundred and forty six years into
the future."

He coughed, his eyes tearing up.  "Impossible!"

She tightened her grip, keeping his attention focused on her.  "Take a
good look around this place, Liam.  Have you ever seen anything in
your home to compare?  Do women get away with wearing pants there?"

"No, but how is it possible?  Why am I here?"  He unconsciously
tightened his grip on her hand, she winced but didn't say anything.

"We don't really know.  This is Sunnydale, strange things happen all
the time.  Things that can't be explained at this time because it
would take to long."  Giles answered Liam's question.  "Oz, would you
take Liam to the bathroom and help him change.  Willow, we need to
talk."

She recognized that tone in his voice and nodded meekly.  Willow gave
Liam's hand a reassuring squeeze before standing up so that he could
leave with Oz.  They watched as Liam numbly followed Oz out of the
library, looking rather ill.  Willow sat in Liam's chair and got ready
to be lectured, but he surprised her with his words.

"Do you know what you're doing?"

"Not really, no.  I feel like someone is guiding me, telling me that I
have to do this."   She looked down, studying her hands.  "I don't
understand what's happening.  All I know is that I'm doing what I'm
supposed to."

Giles thought about her words, then gently spoke up.  "But you do
realize that he will be deeply affected by all that he sees and is
exposed to.  Are you willing to accept that it might hurt him in the
end?"

"I don't know, Giles.  Angel said that Liam would write this off as a
drunken dream.  But may be we can do a spell that would block these
memories, make him forget?"

Her face was turned up to him, shining brightly.  He hated to crush
her hopes but."Willow, you of all people know how uncertain magic is.
There is no way to guarantee that such a spell would work, especially
considering the situation.  But I promise you that I will look in to
it."

She brightened when she heard the last part.  "Thanks Giles, it means
a lot to me.  Any leads?"

"No.  But I'm sure Angel will find something, he does have a certain
way of getting information."

"I wonder how Oz and Liam are doing."  Willow mused before she rested
her head on her arms, falling to sleep quickly.  Giles shook his head
but decided that she had a pretty good idea, he turned and went into
his office to rest.

Liam wasn't really aware of what was happening around him.  He felt
very small and lost, set adrift in a very strange world (which he was)
without his lifeline, as he was beginning to call his little redhead.
He followed Oz into the bathroom and looked around.  The room was a
stark white with mirrors along one wall and stalls along the other
with strange things inside them.  He decided he could figure out what
those were later.

He accepted the clothes Oz offered and looked at them curiously.  They
were worn but well cared for.  After undressing, he pulled on the blue
shirt and black slacks.  Then he pulled on the socks and shoes, they
were almost like his stockings and boots, just not.  Surprisingly,
everything he tried on fit and were comfortable, even thought they
felt strange to him.  He sat on the ground and looked over at Oz.
"You don't like me, do you?"

Oz looked at Liam and sighed, wondering how to best answer that loaded
question.  Finally, he decided to go with an altered form of the
truth, if he was pressed.  "It isn't you."

"Then what?  I can tell when someone doesn't like me.  And you,
Willow, and Giles don't really trust me.  Not to mention that waking
up in a cage is a kind of signal."

Oz sat down in front of him, hesitating before he spoke.  "You look a
lot like someone who hurt us badly last year."

"How?"  He ran a hand through his long hair, then over his chin
knowing that he'd need to shave soon.

"He.was under a lot of stress and just lost it."  Oz paused, feeling
for the words.  He wasn't used to explaining things and wondered how
to tell Willow the story he was telling Liam.  "He betrayed us, tried
to kill Willow, and tried to drive his ex-girlfriend insane.  But he
finally hit rock bottom and sought for a way out of the darkness,
turning to Willow for help.  We're still learning to trust him again."

"So, I look like him, that explains my presence in the cage."  Liam
thought for a moment, he felt that something wasn't right with Oz's
answer but he let it go for the moment.  "Why is Willow helping me?
Why are you for that matter?"

"Willow has always been willing to help others, even the one who hurt
her the most.  I'd do almost anything for her because she's shown on
more than one occasional that she feels the same way."

Liam nodded, then rose to his feet.  "This man, the one who betrayed
you, will I be meeting him?"

"I don't think so.  He really only allows Willow near him, except when
we have meetings.  As you were told, we have rather strange happenings
around here.  We try to keep a lid on them, prevent things from
getting out of hand.  Besides, you'll be staying at my place."

They walked towards the library, both immersed in their thoughts.
Oz's cell phone rang and he stopped to answer it.  "Hello?"  He
gestured for Liam to go on in since they were right in front of the
library doors.  Whoever he was talking to needed a decision and Oz
made the choice, silently leaving the school.  He'd need to talk to
Willow later, but right now he had to take care of a few things.

Liam walked on in, wondering what that thing Oz was talking into was
and how it worked.  He smiled when he saw Willow sleeping in his
chair.  * Oh, she's so beautiful.  Oz is one lucky guy.  I wonder if
he knows that.  He sighed and sat down as quietly as he could, not
wanting to disturb her.  After a few moments, he reached for the pad
of paper and pencil that was on the table.  He began to sketch her,
lingering on each individual strand of hair that framed her face.  So
immersed was he, that he failed to notice the passing time or that she
was beginning to wake up.

She studied him through veiled eyes.  With his hair pulled back, the
resemblance to Angel was more apparent, though the beginnings of his
beard altered that resemblance.  He was striking as a vampire but
there was something about him having a tan and stubble that made him
more, she wasn't exactly sure.  She could tell by the way his forehead
crinkled up and his eyes were focused on the page in front of him,
that he was deeply interested in whatever it was he was drawing.

Occasionally, he'd glance at her before going back to his work.
Willow wanted to ask him if she could see what he was drawing, but
Angel had never allowed her to look at his work.  It was almost as if
he was ashamed of his gift because of the way Angelus used it.  She
figured Liam would react the same way.  She glanced up at the clock,
shocked to see that it was after five and that it was rather cloudy
out.  "What are you drawing?"  She asked quietly, not wanting to
disturb him.

He stopped and looked at her, startled by her voice in the quiet room.
"You.  Want to see?"

She sat up, surprised by the offer, but before she could answer the
doors opened and Oz walked in.  "Willow, we need to talk."

"Uhm, okay."  She got up uncertainly and followed him, she turned
around when she reached the door to look back at Liam.  "Don't go
anywhere, okay, Liam?"  He smiled and waved her off after giving her a
'where would I go' look.  She blushed.  "Sorry, I forgot."

Oz waited for her and they walked silently out to his van.  He took a
deep breath and made a few startling statements.  "The Dingoes are
going on tour.  I think we should break up.  It wouldn't be fair to
keep you waiting."

Willow just and looked at him, shocked and deeply hurt.  "You thought
it all out before you came to see me?"

He closed his eyes, fighting the pain that was rapidly filling his
heart.  "It was all so sudden.  Devon called and I had to decide.  I
know sorry doesn't help but I am sorry to do this to you.  If I could
spare you this pain, I would but..."  He trailed off, hating himself
for being the cause of the tears running down her cheeks.

She took a deep breath, determined to be brave about this.  She gave
him a shaky smile, trying to reassure him.  "I know.  At least, you
know, you aren't trying to string me along like another guy would.
And I know you feel the same way.  I want you to have this
opportunity.  If anyone deserves a chance to make their dreams come
true, it's you."  She pulled him into a hug, both their hearts
breaking.  They knew that they would always hold a spot in each others
hearts, that first love is special but they knew that this was right.

Unknown to them, someone was watching them hidden in the shadows.
Angel watched and felt her pain, he wished he could take it away
because he knew how she felt having been there himself.  But a part of
him was glad, now maybe he'd have a chance with Willow.  Angelus was
angry that Oz would do something like this to his sweet Willow but,
like Angel, he was happy. Now he wouldn't have to resist the urge to
rip the boy's head off his shoulders every time he saw him and thought
about Oz touching * his * Willow.

"No more tears?" Oz softly questioned, wiping them away.  She nodded
her head, giving him a brave smile.  And her resolve face.  "That's my
girl.  I've got to get going."  She nodded, unable to speak through
her clogged throat.  He got in the van and handed her the keys to his
place.

Something occurred to her, she asked.  "Will you be all right, when
you have to, you know...change?"

"Devon knows.  He's not as unobservant as we sometimes think he is."
Oz replied and gently kissed her.  Angel suppressed a growl at that.
Oz continued.  "Good luck, sweetheart."  He started the van and drove
off before she could respond.  When Oz couldn't see the school
anymore, he stopped and cried at the loss.  She was the first person
he'd ever truly loved.  He thought to himself that Liam better take
care of her or he'd pay.

Willow slowly turned around and entered the school, weariness in her
every move.  She sat down and Liam saw her face.  He was surprised by
the rage that he felt when he recognized the shattered look on it.  It
was the same look he saw on the faces of all the women he ever loved
and left.  He wondered why it hurt now when before he'd never cared.
"Are you all right?"  He carefully folded and put the drawing in his
pocket.

She looked up at him slowly, as though she had forgotten that he was
even there.  Her eyes were bright with unshed tears, yet full of
determination.  "Yeah.  I'll be fine.  Come on, my house isn't that
far away.  You'll stay with me for a while, until you feel more
settled here.  I'm really tired."

He nodded and followed her, wondering why Oz had changed his mind
about her in such a short a time.  "What about Giles?"  She stopped
suddenly and he bumped into her, they both tumbled down.  "Are you
okay?"  He looked down into her green eyes and resisted the urge to
kiss her till the tears fled.  He groaned silently and helped her up,
wondering once more what it was about her that made him behave out of
character.

"Uh, huh.  Sorry about that."  She smiled apologetically, her cheeks
flushed, she went around him to leave Giles a note.  "I can't believe
that I forgot all about him.  Does that make me a bad person?"  She
mumbled as she wrote the note and left it on his door.

He was amused.  "No. It means that you've had a rough day and just
need to rest."  Liam smiled at her, she absently agreed with him.
They walked out together and his senses exploded by all that he saw
around him.  He was bursting with questions but restrained himself
once more, he didn't want to press Willow right now.  She really
needed to get home and have some serious me time.  He reached out and
took her hand, squeezing it gently, offering her the same comfort she
gave him earlier.  He was rewarded when she rested her head on his
shoulder, though it changed the way they walked.

Angel saw them walk out of the school together and followed behind
them, keeping in the shadows.  He especially watched Liam, and what he
saw surprised him. Liam was being careful, even compassionate with
her.  It was seeing him comfort her that made Angel realize that Liam
meant Willow no harm.  But, oh how he wanted to rip his throat out
when he saw Liam take her hand in his and her rest her head on his
shoulder.

< Hey, that's * my * Willow's hand he's holding!  Angelus was
outraged, < if anyone's going to touch her, it should be us.

And though Angel felt the same way, he shushed Angelus up.  * Shut up!
 He's not hurting her, he's just comforting her.  She needs this,
after all, Oz just broke up with her.

< Fine, poofy, but what's she doing with him?  I thought you warned
her about him.

* I did.  Angelus, is it me or is he genuinely concerned about her?
Angel asked, he wanted to make sure it wasn't just wishful thinking.

< It isn't you, doofus.  Why are you so surprised?

* Because this is Liam.  He's like you, heartless, thinking only of
himself.

< I'm disappointed in you, Angel.  I do care, very much and very
deeply, about others.  If I didn't, Willow would have died that
night-and so would all her little friends.  His tone was tired, he was
weary of explaining himself over and over to Angel.

* What about Acathla?

< I wanted Willow, I knew I'd never get her-therefore I would punish
the world. If I couldn't have the one thing I loved with every part of
me, I would make the world hurt as much as I did.

Angel fell silent, this was a side to his demon he'd never expected.
* You really do love her.  It isn't an obsession, what you feel is
real.

Angelus growled in exasperation, wondering if that blasted soul would
ever get it, < very real.  That's what I keep telling you.  To
himself, Angelus was wondering why it was that Angel found it hard to
believe that the demon could care about someone.  He had seen how
Spike and Dru are, how much they love each other.  Spike would even do
the unthinkable and kill his sire to save her.  While Angel had done
that, it was done because of the soul-not because his demon wanted to.

< As you told Giles, she reminds me of Dru but she also has pieces of
Darla within her.  I loved Darla and I loved Dru, but what I feel for
Willow exceeds that.  For her I would change my demonic ways, do good
and save the innocent.  I would, you know, I hate it when she cries.
Angelus was silent, wondering what Angel was thinking about.

* Do you think...he hesitated before continuing, that everyone would
be better off if he never leaves?

Angelus was totally shocked.  < Angel, do you realize what you're
suggesting?  This is more my way of being, not yours.  What is going
through that mind of yours?

* Just forget it.  Angel was ashamed of himself for that moment of
weakness and braced himself for some smart comment but his demon was
silent.  He uttered a thank you, then noticed that he'd lost sight of
the pair and hurried to catch up.  He saw them in her kitchen by the
refrigerator, thinking that she was so beautiful and he was jealous of
Liam.

He got to be near her and not be afraid that he'd do something to hurt
her.  Angel watched as they worked together, when he heard her laugh,
he turned around and went quietly away.  He walked by the cemetery and
proceeded to work out his frustrations on every demon that happened to
come his way.  Then he went home and did something he hadn't done
since he was human, he got out Spike's whiskey and proceeded to get
very drunk.

They arrived at her house without any further incident and Willow gave
him a quick tour, explaining how things worked the best that she
could.  Then Willow walked into the kitchen, Liam followed her.  She
smiled, wryly.  "You know, you don't have to follow me around.  Why
don't you go relax on the couch and read something?"

"Tired of me already, princess?"  Liam teased, watching as the
telltale blush filled her cheeks.  She stammered a little and twisted
her fingers nervously, not knowing what to say.  He placed a hand on
hers.  "Sorry, I couldn't resist.  If I'm going to be staying here, I
need to know where things are kept so I can help out.  You rest, I'll
make us something for dinner."

His words caused her eyes to open up wide.  "You can cook?"  She was
incredulous.

He laughed, she shivered at the sensual sound.  She'd never thought
that Angel could laugh.  "Me mum insisted that I learn.  She said one
never knew what might happen in this world and we should always be
prepared."

Willow was tempted to take up his offer, but remembered that he
wouldn't know how to use their things.  "Why don't we make it
together?  I'm pretty sure you don't know how to work this stuff."
She waved around the room, then opened the refrigerator door and began
pulling things out.  "I'm thinking lasagna, you game?"

He nodded and began to get out the stuff she asked him to, while
watching her from the corner of his eye.  She was a contradiction,
quiet yet forceful when she needed to be.  Independent, but not above
accepting help when it was offered.  He had never met anyone quite
like her.  It was then that he noticed her looking at him with a
peculiar expression on her face. * She must have been talking to me.
"What?"

"What's going on up there?"  She tapped his head.  "You went away."

"I was just thinking about a few things."

She nodded in understanding, her lips curving in a smile.   "Happens
to me all the time.  That and jumping to another subject mid-thought.
It drives my friends crazy, especially Xander.  Although, he has
trouble concentrating on just one thing.  He prefers things to be
short and to the point.  It constantly amazes everyone that we're best
friends and have been for years."

"Willow?"  Liam interrupted, her babbling was very cute and way too
appealing but she had wanted his help for something.  She looked up at
him curiously.  "What did you want?"

"Oh, could you help me with this pot?"  She was blushing.  + You
babbling * idiot *!  How could you go on like that?  What on earth
must he think of me?  Probably that I'm such a little child.  But
that's good because then nothing can happen, right?  She felt a little
disappointed by her conclusion and scolded herself.  "Thanks."

Liam chuckled at her changing expressions.  "So, Xander is another of
your friends?  What's he like?"

"From the cradle."  She hopped up onto the countertop and watched him
as he prepared a fruit salad, marveling at his ease in the kitchen.
He'd never struck her as the kind of guy who would be at home in a
kitchen.  "His mom and mine were friends and they shared a
baby-sitter.  To save money, they'd have her take care of us at the
same time.  When I was two, Jesse joined us.  He died a few years ago,
I still miss him."

That sad look was back in her eyes and Liam could've kicked himself
for causing it.  He tried to think of something that would banish the
shadows from them.  "So, who's this everybody?  And when do I meet
them all?  Will it be formal or come as you are?"

Willow stared at him for a stunned moment before she saw the illogic
in her words and laughed with him.  He smiled, relieved that he'd said
the right thing.  "I doubt it.  You'll probably only met Buffy,
Xander, and Cordelia since you've already met Oz and Giles."
 

~Part 3~

"What about Angel?"  He watched her expression through veiled lashes.

Though her face remained calm, there was a nervous twitch and she
tensed that gave her away.  "What do you know about Angel?"  Her voice
was serious, yet there was deep affection in it as well.

He couldn't understand the jealousy that shook him when he heard that.
"Only what Oz told me earlier when I asked.  He said that he was a
friend who lost himself due to extreme stress.  And that I resemble
him."  She relaxed and his suspicions about this Angel increased.  "Is
there something I should know about him?"

"Oh, no.  I was just surprised that you knew about him."  The oven
timer went off and she pulled out the lasagna, putting the final
touches on it.  "Are you done with that?"

He nodded and they moved to the dining room.  After dinner, Willow
showed Liam the guest room where he'd be staying.  "And this is the
shower.  If you need anything, my room is over there."  She pointed at
door on the other wall in the bathroom.  "I usually keep it locked but
if you want..."

"I want you to feel comfortable with me."  Liam said.  He
instinctively knew that she'd feel better with it locked, even though
she was comfortable with him, he was still a stranger to her.  If any
of his friends could see him now, it would have made them laugh in
delight.  He was acting like a besotted idiot.  She turned to go, but
he stopped her.  "One more thing, I'd like to shave tomorrow.  Do you
have a razor I could use?"

"Of course."  She left and grabbed one from her parents' bathroom and
handed it to him.  He looked at it in disbelief.  "Trust me."

Willow sat on her balcony, staring up at the night sky.  The twinkling
stars danced in her weary eyes.  + Oz, I hope you are okay.  I can't
believe you're gone.  I can't help but wonder if it was something I
did or didn't do.  Is it because of Liam?  Did you know about my
feelings for Angelus, for Angel before I did?  Is that why you left
me?

Her head fell to her knees and she closed her eyes, the image of the
man-er, vampire, she'd learned to love, was there like always.  + I
never meant to care, not like that, it just happened.  That sounds so
clichéd, but it's true.  I know I've been a bad girlfriend, but I
thought we were good friends.  Why aren't you here with me, Oz?

Willow sighed and looked up again.  Vaguely she felt the coldness of
the night air but ignored it, the pain inside ate away at her.  + I
never meant to hurt you, Oz.  But I guess I did that when I continued
to lead you on.  You always knew that it was Angel, didn't you?  I
thought that I could fight these feelings if you were with me.  I
would have told you, was going to in fact.  Oh, what am I going to do?
I feel so alone, so confused.  I could really use your advice and
company, even though I can never return your love.  I know that, it
was wrong of me.  But I needed to feel loved, desired as a woman not
as a scholar, and you did that.

In the shadows, a pair of eyes watched the fragile girl.  Liam sighed
and watched her until she walked into her room and turned off the
light.  He wanted to hold her and soothe away her troubles.  But he
knew he couldn't do that without upsetting the tenuous balance between
them.  The next morning dawned bright and clear.  Liam woke up around
ten and stretched, glancing around he saw the freesia scented note by
his bed.

Morning, Liam.  I had to go to store and then to visit a
friend, but I'll be back soon, make yourself at home.  When I get
back, I'll show you how to use the razor.  Although, I suppose could
have Xander do it.  What do you think?  After all, it is your face you
would be trusting us with.  :-)  Feel free to take a shower while I'm
gone.  The towels are in the linen closet, I did show you where that
was, didn't I?  I'm pretty sure I did but if I didn't, it's the big
closet with that funny thing hanging on the door knob at the end of
the hall.  Help yourself to dad's soap, I don't think you'd like the
perfumed stuff I use and his robe, it's on the back of the door.  See
you later, Wills.
PS:  There's some books in my dad's study if you'd like to
read.  I don't know what you'd like but there's plenty to choose from.
 His study is downstairs across from the dinning room.  Kinda dark,
you'd like it.  Oh, wait that's someone else.  Yikes!  I even babble
on paper.  W.

Liam put the note down and shook his head, in amazement.  Her
personality came out even in a simple letter and he missed her
already.  Willow was such a strange girl.  Strange, but he liked it.
He got up and grabbed a couple of towels from the hall closet.  After
a refreshing shower, he walked out, rubbing his hair dry with a fluffy
green towel, another around his waist.

"Hi, Liam.  Oh, my."  Willow stopped in her tracks and blushed redder
than her hair, then whipped around, staring at the door.  "Sorry, I
didn't mean to...I mean, I thought you heard me...I'm so sorry...I..."
+ Oh, I never realized just how gorgeous he was.  No, stop thinking
about it.  This is not good.  In fact, this is definitely of the bad.
This is Angel's human self, for heaven's sake!  And he's Buffy's man.
But I've never seen anything so...Bad Willow!  Stop that, right now!
we've established that he is an exceptionally good looking man, stop
thinking about it!  But he.Stop it!

Liam grabbed the black robe from behind the bathroom door and pulled
it on, chuckling.  "It's okay.  It was an accident.  It could've
happened to anyone."  He soothed, walking slowly towards her.

She was staring intently at the floor, wishing it would open up and
swallow her.  Willow saw his feet but refused to look up, inside she
was scolding herself.  "Still, I shouldn't have just walked into your
room like that.  I'll be more careful.  In fact, I probably will not
come in here again.  I should go."  She made to bolt out the door.

His hand stopped her.  "Willow, it was an accident.  And I won't let
you leave until you look up at me.  Believe me, I can be a very
patient man."  After a few minutes, Willow realized that he was
serious, he'd keep her here until she did what he said.  She quickly
glanced up, then back down.  He clicked his tongue, like he was
scolding her. "That wasn't a look, lassie.  That was more of a hiccup
glance.  Now, come on, we are going to be living in the same house.
It's going to be pretty uncomfortable around here if you can't even
meet my eyes."

Willow knew he was right, blast her luck.  She gathered her courage
and slowly looked up, her eyes traveling up the length of his robe
clad body before she bravely looked him in the eye.  He needed to
shave, she absently noted, though that beard made him look even more
rakish than usual.  Their eyes met and held, her blush slowly faded.

"There, that wasn't so hard, was it?"  He teased. * I'll treat her
like my little sister till I know exactly how I fit into her world.
It wouldn't do to alienate my only friend here.

"Oh!"  She playfully hit him in the chest.  And he retaliated easily,
relieved that their friendly camaraderie was restored.  "I've making
sloppy joes for lunch, that's what I came in here to tell you.  I also
brought you more clothes."

"I'll join you in a moment, just let me get changed."  Liam rubbed his
chin, wincing as the stubble scratched his hand.  He wanted to ask her
about using the razor, but figured that that might not be the best
move after what happened earlier.

"Yo, Wills.  Are you up there?"  Xander showed up with Cordelia at
that moment.  They walked into the room and

Willow introduced them. "Why don't you shave before you join  us."
Xander offered to help him.  The girls watched both young men went
into the bathroom.

The cheerleader watched Willow for a moment, coming to a decision.
"So, what's up with you two?  Made that gorgeous specimen of manhood
yours yet?"  Cordelia asked bluntly as they went into the kitchen.

"What?!?!?"  Willow shrieked, looking back at Cordelia in shock.

"Chill, girl.  We think, meaning Xander and I, that you two would be
great together.  So, what are you waiting for?"  The cheerleader
helped her set the table.

"Even if that were true, which I don't believe for a moment, don't you
think Liam would object?  Besides, I've just broken up with Oz, I
can't just jump into another relationship.  And what about Buffy?  You
know how she feels about Angel."

"But this isn't Angel, this is Liam."  Cordelia stressed his name.

"Same difference."  Willow blew it off.

Cordelia shook her head, but uncharacteristically didn't press her.
She smiled up at Xander as he came down the stairs with Liam behind
him.  He kissed her cheek and Willow looked at them enviously, unaware
that Liam was watching her thoughtfully.

The doorbell rang and Willow went to open the door.  "Hi, Buffy,
Giles.  Wesley."  The happiness in it died at his name.  "What's the
matter?"

"It isn't something that can be talked about out here."  Giles
politely hinted.

Willow blushed, and moved aside.  "Sorry.  Come on in."

"Thank you."  They moved to the dinning room and sat down.

Wesley's nose drew up distastefully when he saw the food on the table.
Xander said to him.  "You know, you don't have to stay."

He sniffed.  "This concerns the activity of the Hellmouth.  Therefore
it is of importance to me, Mr. Harris."

Liam dropped his fork in surprise.  It clattered in the silence as
everyone glanced at him then down at the table, none of them willing
to break the silence with an explanation.  "Excuse me, but did you say
Hellmouth, Mr. uhm?"

"Wesley Windham-Pierce."  The watcher answered, completely unaware of
the consequences of his words.  "But why are you asking me something
you already know, An.?"

Cordelia stomped on his foot, hard.  "That will be quite enough out of
you, Wesley."

"Yes."  Giles agreed, his look was venomous.  "You've done quite
enough damage already."

"Well, really, all I said was."

"Shut up, weasel, before I fling you out into the ocean and leave you
there."  Willow snapped, green eyes flashing dangerously.  "Liam
didn't know about the Hellmouth, but, thanks to you, he does now.  So,
why don't you take him into the next room and explain all about the
demon world and the slayer. Then you can call the council and explain
to them how you let in another outsider.  And not just any outsider,
but one from the past."

"Miss Rosenberg, there is no need for you to get so violent."  He
protested, which was a mistake.

"Are you telling me that I shouldn't be upset that, after all your
lectures to Giles about how * he * had violated the sacred watcher's
code by allowing us in, it is okay for * you * to do break it?"  She
stared at, her eyes never wavering.  Xander and Cordelia Liam's arms
and pulled him out of the line of fire.  "What makes you so great, so
above the council's laws, that makes you think that you can do wrong?
Is it the tweed that you hide behind, the council's laws you cower
behind?  That thing inside your skull that you dare to present to us
as a brain?"

Giles tried to calm her down while Buffy sat back, enjoying the show.
"Willow, maybe you should take a moment to think about what you're
going to say?  You don't want to regret this."

"On the contrary, Giles, nothing I say to * Wesley *," she sneered his
name as she stalked towards him, "will be regretted.  I've been
storing this up for far to long.  You come in here like some high and
mighty lord of the realm and expect everyone of us to cow tow to you.
You insult everyone of us like it is your right to judge us, never
mind the fact that you aren't fit to wipe Giles' shoes with your
tongue.  And you completely ignore the fact that this world wouldn't
be here if we weren't doing a good job.  Get out of my house, you
sniveling, groveling, pathetic imitation of a man."

"Here, I'll help you."  Buffy literally lifted him off the chair and
threw him out the door, brushing her hands on her clothes in
satisfaction.  "Bravo, Willow!"  She cheered.

Liam cleared his throat and they looked at each other before giving
him their attention.  "What was that about?"

They sat in silence, not knowing what to say before Cordelia spoke up.
"I'm sure you've been told that weird things happen here.  Well, the
Hellmouth is a literal portal into Hell and our job is to help the
Slayer-that's Buffy-keep it closed.  It's not a job that we get paid
for but we do it because we can."

"And because it irritates the council."  Buffy murmured with a smile.

Willow was still standing beside Wesley's chair, breathing heavily.
She looked over at Liam, her eyes were filled with sadness.  "I'm
sorry.  We weren't going to tell you, you didn't need that burden
added on."  She whispered before leaving the room.

"I'll go after her."  Xander offered, heading for the stairs. An
uncomfortable silence descended upon the room after he disappeared,
though they did eat some of the food on the table.

"Hey, Wills, are you okay?"  He asked, sitting down beside her on the
bed.

"No."  She cried, burying her head on his shoulder.  "I don't know
what happened to bring him here, Oz and I broke up, Angel didn't
answer his door when I knocked, I'm worried about him-he shouldn't be
alone at a time like this, and now Liam knows about the Hellmouth.
Having him know about the weird things that happen, I was okay with.
But this?  I don't know how we are going to send him back to his world
knowing what he now knows."

"It's okay.  We'll figure this out, we just need to take it one day at
a time.  I won't pretend to understand all that's happening but I do
know that I trust you.  You'll figure it out, sooner or later.  Who
knows, maybe he's here to sweep you off your nearly tweed clad feet
and rescue you from boring watcherdom."  He smiled, trying to get her
to laugh.  She didn't disappoint him, her laughter floated down the
stairs.

Those in the dining room relaxed and Liam began to eat hungrily.
"This is good, if messy."

"That's why we call them * sloppy * joes."  Buffy teased him,
wondering why she didn't find him as attractive as she did Angel.

Liam joined her on her balcony that night.  "I figured out that I was
Angel, Willow."  She groaned and hid her head in her lap.  "And, it's
okay.  I figure he's been going as crazy with jealousy as I have over
you."  He kissed the top of her head and left her looking at his back
in surprise.  They didn't speak of it again, though she wanted to.

Later that week, after Liam had gotten through to Willow that he was
okay with the wild nightlife and the other things that Wesley had let
out of the bag, they went out on the town and the ex-Cordettes got a
look at him as he walked into the Bronze with Willow on his arm.  No
matter how hard Harmony and the others tried to separate them, they
couldn't.  "You don't have to dance with me."  She murmured.

"What?"  His voice was shocked.

Willow looked up at his handsome face, still amazed that he was here
and wanted to be with her.  "Take a look around, Liam.  There are
plenty of girls here who would love to be your date.  Why not dance
with one of them?"

"Because I want to dance with the beauty in my arms right now."  He
replied, tightening his hold on her waist as if he was afraid that she
would disappear and leave him alone.  Liam could tell from the look on
her face that she didn't believe him and rushed on before she could
object.  "I will admit that Buffy is attractive and Cordelia is a
lovely lady but they lack the beauty that is you."  And then he kissed
her because he wanted to from the first moment he saw her and he
didn't want to argue with her.  And it wasn't just any kind kiss, it
was a kiss that rocked her to the core and left her aching for more.

Giles had gone to check on Angel at Willow's request and was appalled
by what he found-or didn't find.  He entered the Bronze and
interrupted their romancing.  "Willow, I must speak to you
immediately."  He stammered, feeling slightly guilty about
interrupting them but what he'd found out was more important than
this.  Buffy recognized the look on his face and joined them.

"Of course.  Would you excuse me?"  Willow asked, glancing up at him
shyly.

Liam nodded in resignation.  He watched her walk out of the building
with Giles and Buffy.  "Am I going to be second place in her life
forever?"

"Probably not, Willow's not the kind who lets anyone be left out.  She
just focuses on everyone in turn."  Xander said, standing behind him.
"Nice moves out there on the dance floor."

"It's not that hard.  All you have to do is move in time to the beat."
Liam shrugged off the compliment.  "I'm kind of tired, do you mind if
we went home?"

"Of course not."  Cordelia replied, knowing why he was suddenly no
interested in the evening's activities.  "My car's right outside."

They dropped him off then went to Angel's apartment.  "What's the
word?"

"Angel's disappeared."  Buffy answered Xander's question dully.  "And
not like he packed his things and left.  More like when Willow became
a ghost disappearing."

"It appears that while his other self is here, his body is superfluous
because they both have a soul.  One must go and since Angel's the
vampire, the fates have chosen him."  Giles explained further, moving
their attention towards him and away from Buffy who needed a moment
alone to come to terms with this turn of events.

"We've got to find a way to send him home before time starts
unraveling to deal with this change in the past.  Who knows what kind
of good he did while he was Angelus?"  Willow was certain that he must
have done something good or he'd never have been chosen by the powers
above.

"It is possible that the powers were using him for some greater good
even then, we should get to work."  The gang went to the library and
poured over the books.  Willow came home early in the morning and Liam
put her to bed, he wanted to help but didn't know how.

Later that night:

Willow tossed and turned, moaning in her sleep.  No matter which way
she turned in the dark hallway, she couldn't escape the figure
following her silently.  He moved in front of her, as he always did.
For the first time, he spoke to her in a low and soothing tone of
voice.  "You must send him back, Miss Rosenberg.  The world depends on
it."

She looked up at the robed figure.  "But how?  We've been working so
hard this past week.  We've searched all the books that Giles has, run
through the spell a couple of times, and I've talked to all my friends
on the Net-who have nothing to tell me.  The prophecies have told us
nothing.  So tell me, how are we send him home?"

"My wise, learned child, you are looking in all the wrong places for
the right answers.  What you seek, lies back farther than most
acknowledge the existence of the written word."  The man spoke softly
and she knew who he was.  "Listen and I will teach you all that you
need to send him home.  He must be prepared to fulfill his destiny."

"Destiny?"  Willow knelt at the prophet's feet and studied his wise,
wolf eyes.

He smiled gently.  "Yes, his destiny.  I must say, when he was sent to
you to help him find his humanity, we didn't expect you to do such a
good job.  His life is entwined with yours, my dear.  You must be
strong for him, strong enough to let him go."  Then the man sat and
taught her and her mind reached for the knowledge that it sought to
retrieve and now had regained.

Liam heard her restless tossing and turning, he stood outside her down
and knocked.  When there was no answer but a soft moan, he went into
the room and knelt by her bed.  He stroked her hair and wondered what
was going on inside her mind.  And why he suddenly found flannel so
sexy.  After a while, he crawled in beside her and held her near.  He
felt that his time with her was drawing to a quick close.

Willow rolled over as she started to wake up.  Well, she tried to but
a firm form behind her stopped any movement she made.  Her eyes slowly
opened and she looked up to see Liam on his elbow, looking down at
her.  "Morning, beautiful."  He murmured, nuzzling her ear.

For a moment, she let herself relax but then she sat up, shocked by
his presence.  "What are you doing in here?"

"I heard you last night, you sounded like you were having a bad
night."  He explained quietly, studying her sleepy appearance.  She
looked so warm and cuddly, and just aching to be held.  * Or is that
wishful thinking?  "What happened?"

Her eyes lit up as she remembered her dream.  "I know how to send you
home.  I've got to tell Giles."

"Mmm.thought you'd figure it out."  Liam was playing with her hair and
knew that it was distracting her, which is what he wanted.  He wanted
one day with her where she'd be focused completely on him and would
take it, by fair means or foul.  The hand in her hair held her steady
while his other hand pulled her face towards his, he teased her lips
with a kiss.  It was gentle at first, no more than a brush which he
repeated several times, growing bolder with each touch.  Her eyes
closed but his remained open so he could watch the emotions dance
across her face as she tried to control herself.

+ This isn't so bad, Willow thought dreamily.  + I can enjoy this for
a while, then get to school.  But as the touches grew in intensity,
she groaned, trying to fight her reaction to his touch.  + Oh, yes,
this is.  I've got to stop this before we do something we'll regret.
She opened her mouth to stop him and he stopped teasing her.  He
didn't so much kiss her as possess her body and soul.  Her hands
trailed up his arms, softly stroking him on the journey up to his neck
with feather like touches.  Her hands then traced his back, enjoying
the rough texture of his skin under her hands.  She smiled to herself
as she felt him react to her tentative explorations and grew bolder.

Liam shivered and rolled over so that his hands were free to explore
her body.  * Oh, I knew she'd be passionate and responsive.  But she's
innocent.  He held onto that thought, knowing he'd have to be gentle
or he'd hurt her in a way that he'd never be able to repair.  His hand
left her hair and moved down the line of her spine, enjoying the way
she reached for him.  The other hand began to unbutton her nightshirt
and stroke her exposed skin.

+ Madness, that's what this is.  His lips left hers and moved down her
neck, following the path that his hand was making.  She squirmed,
trying to bring her mind back into the present but he was making that
task impossible.  + I can't do this.  Have to let him go.  The world
needs him.  She turned her face when he tried to kiss her again so he
settled for nibbling on her ear.  * Concentrate on something else.
Anything else, remember what Angel said.  He likes women, but it
doesn't mean anything to him.

He chuckled at her sudden stillness.  "You're not concentrating."

"Yes I am.  Finally."  Her voice was firm.

"That doesn't sound good."  Liam pulled away and sighed.  "Time to
return to reality?"

Willow nodded, blushing under his admiring gaze.  She turned her
attention towards covering herself up again.  His hands stopped her
shaking ones and redid the buttons.  "Thank you."

He didn't say anything, just rolled off the bed.  "Since I don't think
I can change your mind, we should get dressed and move."

"I'm sorry."  She whispered, head bent in shame.

Her quiet voice stopped him at the door and he turned around.  The
forlorn, lost look on her expression had him across the room in a
moment.  He picked her up and held her close to his heart.  "I
shouldn't have said that.  You have nothing to be ashamed of.  I do."

"But I encouraged you."  The teen protested.

"Something that is utterly foreign to your nature.  You never would
have done it if I hadn't started anything."  He pointed out.  "It's
just that I've never needed anyone as much as I need you.  I know I'm
leaving and just wanted to take a part of you with me."

"I don't know what to say."  Her voice was faint.  How could someone
who looks as good as he does, care for a nobody like me?  She wondered
silently.

"You're acting like it's a bad thing."  He teased, then his expression
grew serious.  "You are not like anyone I've ever known, Willow.  And
you don't see it.  All you see is that you don't match the description
the world gives for beauty."  His words ended on a choked laugh.  "We
better get going, that bed is looking way to tempting."  He let her go
and left the room, changing.  Liam found the picture he drew and
ripped it out of the notepad.  He folded it and put it into his
pocket.  Then he walked down the stairs and met her by the door.  "Did
you call them?"

"Yeah.  They said they'd met us there."  She didn't say anything else,
just locked the door behind them.  She started down the walk and he
ran to catch up with her, taking her cold hand in his.

They were on their to the library a few moments later, Liam holding
her hand in a tight grip.  At the doors, he pulled her to a stop.
They looked at each other and she was startled to see him in his
original outfit, she hadn't noticed it earlier.  It made him look so
alien.  He finally broke the silence.  "Are you sure about this?"

Willow was quiet while she carefully phrased her answer.  "I'm not
sure about much but I do know that we have to do this.  It isn't fair
to either of us and you know it."

"I thought you'd say that."  He said.  "Let's get this over with."
They didn't move, she just stared up at him looking lost and alone.
Suddenly he pulled her into a crushing embrace and his lips met hers
in a desperate kiss.  She hit the wall by the door but didn't care as
she pulled him closer, she knew that this would never happen again.
The next time they met, he'd be someone else's.

"Is everything all right out there?"  Buffy called.  She saw the pair
and backed away slowly.  "Poor Willow."  Was all she said, the others
knew what she was talking about.

"Did I hurt you?"  Liam asked as he backed off, breathing heavily.
She shook her head.  "My lady."  He bowed and extended a hand, guiding
her through the door.

She knelt down in the midst of the circle of friends, closed her eyes,
and began to chant slowly.  Liam knelt on the floor in front of her,
their hands clasped lightly between.  The words came to her unbidden
and ?flowed from her naturally.  Liam saw the white light and dropped
her hands, startled.  He watched as it swirled around him until he
grew dizzy and knew no more.  He felt a hand slap his face and opened
his eyes.  "Where am I?"

"You gave me quite a scare, falling down like that.  Any other girl
wouldn't feel safe with you in this condition."  A very feminine voice
purred.

Liam opened his eyes, it was that blonde from the alleyway.  "I'm
sorry you feel that way."

She laughed.  "I said, any other girl.  If you let me, I could show
you the world."

"I've always wanted to see the world."  He replied.  He was not
expecting the feel of her teeth sink into his neck, nor the weakness
that assaulted him.  And Angelus was born again into the night.

1845:

The girl ran through the streets, blinded by her fear and headless of
any danger she might run into.  Angelus stepped out of the pub,
William stood beside him.  "Excellent vintage they serve.  Where to
now, mate?  Dru's?"

He would have answered but saw her.  Something about her bothered him.
"You go on ahead, I'll catch up."

"Okay."  The blonde hadn't missed the way his sire was looking at the
fleeing girl.  "See you there."

The dark haired vampire didn't answer, just followed her for a while
until he got bored and cut her off.  She crashed into him and he
seemed to recognize her.  "Where would a lovely lady like yourself be
off to in such a hurry?"

"Away from here."  Her voice was breathy and faintly accented, but her
eyes were alive with a fire.

"Would you allow me to help you out?"  He asked, smiling in a way that
made her toes curl.  He extended his arm.

She backed away, glancing behind her fearfully.  "Begging your pardon,
sir, but you shouldn't be seen with me.  I'm trouble."

He grinned wolfishly, wondering just what had gotten into him.  "I
like trouble.  In fact, some would say, I invented it."

She gnawed her lip but the sounds of the mob approaching helped her
make her decision.  "What do you want me to do?"

"Take off you hat and coat."  She did without questioning him and he
threw them through a window.  "Come here and trust me."

The young woman did what he asked, her sherry colored hair shone in
the moonlight.  Angelus smirked and used one arm to wrap her in a
tight embrace.  The other hand ran through her hair, knocking pins
aside.  "What are you doing?"  She was quiet, which he appreciated.

"Making it look like we're lovers, then I plan to take you to the
docks.  Do you have somewhere to go?"  He asked, pulling her body
flush with his.

"Yes, I have family in La Boca de Inferno."  She drawled out the
words, linking her hands behind his neck.  "They will welcome me, I am
sure."

He nodded, listening to the mob was nearly upon them.  "Now, make it
good."  He needn't have worried, she knew exactly what he wanted from
her and gave it to him-with interest.  The mob passed them by without
a second glance.  It was with reluctance that he let her sail away.
 

~Part 4~

1895:

Angelus was strolling down the street, in no hurry to be anywhere.
The night was still young and Darla was preparing a surprise for his
'birthday'.  He frowned as a strange feeling passed through him, it
was a feeling that he was missing something vital, important to him.
The sound of footsteps behind him made him.  Then came the
surprisingly angry voice of his sire.  "Angelus, who is this girl?"

< Make that, livid.  He took the picture from her and looked down at
it, jolted by a sense of recognition.  It was the redhead who'd been
haunting his dreams.  He was hard pressed to hide his shock, tossing
the picture aside nonchalantly.  "I have no idea, Darla.  Why?"

"Don't give me that.  I found it in your things."  She hissed, her
hand itching to slap his face.

He raised an eyebrow.  "And you were going through my things because?"

This time she didn't stop her hand from flying.  "Who is she?"

Angelus sighed, rubbing his face.  "Darla, she's a woman who has no
name because she doesn't exist.  I drew her when I was human.  She
doesn't mean a thing to me."  He turned on the charm.  "There have
only ever been two women who've occupied my mind and you know the
other one."

"Well,"  Darla knew there was something she was keeping from her but
it was so hard to think when he was smiling like that.  "I'll let it
go, this time."

< My face and I appreciate that, Darla.  He just smiled and asked.
"So, when do I get my present."

"I don't think you deserve to have your gift, but since you have been
a good boy, it's back at the house."  She smiled, pulling his head
down and blindfolding him.  "Trust me.  This is for your own good.  I
don't want you to ruin the surprise."

Angelus was very pleased with the gypsy girl, though there was
something about her he felt he should remember.

1995:

Angel sat in front of the Summers' house, holding a worn piece of
paper in his hands and waiting for the Slayer to emerge.  He followed
her for a time and delivered his message, then left to do what he
loved best-brood.  As he was walking through the cemetery, he heard
her voice.  Turning around he saw that a vampire was leading her
towards the crypt and staked him swiftly.  "Willow, are you all
right?"

"Thank you."  She whispered before finding herself in a tight embrace.
Her eyes searched his face, searching for some sign that she knew him.
"Do I know you?"

"You don't remember me?"  His voice was disbelieving.  How could she
not?  Their time together had never really left him, even if it had
taken him centuries to remember it once again.  Oh, well.  "I'll take
you home."

"I can't.  There was this blonde girl, she grabbed my friend Jesse.  I
can't leave him alone."  Willow protested, wondering what this
handsome man would do to her for objecting to his plan.

* Should have known she'd say something like that.  Always did put
others before herself, my beloved redheaded idiot.  He thought
affectionately, leading her towards the crypt.  They saw Buffy
fighting the girl and Jesse on the ground.  The teenager looked
terribly shaken.  "You get him, I'll help that girl."  He pointed
towards the Slayer, his senses were searching for other vampires and
he was relieved to find none in the area.

She nodded and followed him into the building, heading for Jesse.
"Come on, we've got to get out of here."  She helped him up, noting
the tiny holes in his neck.  They headed for the door, not looking
behind them.  She gasped as she was grabbed from behind.

"So, she doesn't exist."  Darla taunted him, squeezing Willow's neck
tighter and holding her like a shield between them.  He gritted his
teeth, cursing himself for his stupidity.  "Weren't those your exact
words, Angel?"

"Let her go, Darla."  Angel commanded her.  "This is between you and
me."

"I have a better idea, lover.  How about I give you a little sister?
You'd like that, wouldn't you?"  Her fangs grazed the side of Willow's
neck, slowly.  She was savoring Angel's inability to do anything.  The
girl also smelled delightful, it was easy to see what had caught
Angel's attention.  But how had he known her?  In the midst of this
face off, she made an error, she had forgotten Buffy's presence.

"I don't know what's going on between you and the broody one, but you
leave my friends out of this."  Buffy said, punching Darla in the
back.  Her grip on Willow slipped and the redhead had enough sense to
roll away from her grasp.

Angel was surprised, he hadn't expected Buffy to be this tough.  And
if Willow wasn't the one he wanted, he might have fallen for her.  He
picked up Willow as Buffy helped Jesse up and they fled.  "Whose house
is the closest?"

Giles drove up before anyone could answer the question, with Xander in
the seat beside him.  "Get in."  The librarian ordered, wondering why
Angel looked so familiar.  "Where are we going?"

"My house.  We can hid out there."  Jesse offered and gave quick
directions.  They drove up to the dark house and walked to the door.
He opened and bowed.  "My house is your house."

Angel took Giles aside.  "Before you ask, yes, you do know me from
somewhere.  Once upon a time, I was a wildly feared vampire until a
curse took the bite out of me by giving me a conscience.  Unlike their
other curses, this one doesn't have any kind of clause.  I'm stuck
being a broody vampire.  Now, I slay vampires and give information to
the Watcher's Council.  If you'll excuse me, I have to go slay Darla
before she informs the Master of the Slayers presence."  He left the
house and did exactly that, then he went to Willow's home.

He was out of the balcony when the light went on and she walked out of
the shower, drying her hair.  He knocked on the door and she opened
it.  "Do you always open the door without finding out whose there
first?"

"Do you always wait outside the bedroom doors of young ladies you've
just met?"  She asked back, a bit tartly.

"Only when I can't get in."  He answered, smirking at her shocked
expression.

"Are you one of those things we met in the cemetery?"  Willow asked
nervously.

"A vampire?  Yes.  But I wouldn't hurt you.  Aren't you going to
invite me to come in?"

"Oh, sure.  I invite you, to come in."  She gestured and watched him
walk past her.

"Just don't invite anyone else in here, okay?"  Angel asked before he
kissed her.  "I've been wanting to do that for over two hundred years.
Do me a favor, sweet, dream of me."  Then he was gone, her curtains
fluttering lightly in the breeze.

"Oh, my."  Her hand lifted and traced her lips, wondering what had
just happened.

"Be seeing you soon, love."  He turned around and saw her silhouette
in the window.  "Very soon."  He emphasized before disappearing into
the night.

The End.

back