Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don't own nothin'. Everything belongs to Joss and Mutant Enemy.
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Willow walked home briskly from the library. She heard a rustling in the bushes and her hand went instinctively to the cross in the jacket of her pocket.
She paused to listen and after a moment continued on her way. Her thoughts drifted to Angel and the kissrather kisses that they had shared. It had been a week since Angel had walked out of her house. She had needed time to think, but now, that time was up. She knew what she wanted. She now hurried home hoping that Angel would be waitng for her.
Lost in her thoughts she never heard the footsteps resume, nor suspected anything until clawed hands grabbed her from behind.
Willow screamed fighting to get free, but the vampire's claws dug deeper into her skin drawing blood. The undead fiend's hand grabbed her hair pulling her neck viciously to the side. Willow began to sob, knowing that she was going to die. The last thing she felt was fangs piercing the soft skin of her throat. Then all that was left was the darkness.
*******
The vampire snarled in protest when his fangs were torn from the unconcious girl's throat. The dumb brut turned to see who had dared to interfere with his hunt. He came face to face with an enraged snarling Angel, who began to beat him to a bloody pulp. Satisfied when the vampire could no longer stand, Angel disdainfully rammed the stake into the vampire's heart.
Before the vampire turned to dust Angel had moved to Willow's side, his fingers gently examining the bit marks on her neck. He checked for a pulse, finding on that was slow but steady. Her breath came deep and even and he was flooded with relief.
He pulled the unconcious hacker into his arms, allowing her head to come to rest on his shoulder. Angel turned, intent on taking her to the library, and came face to face with five angry vampires.
They were still fledglings and had Willow not been there, Angel would have taught them to respect their elders. As circumstances stood however, Angel had no choice but to retreat.
Ordinarily, Angel could have outrun them with ease, but not while carrying Willow. He changed directions heading towards the warehouse district, and to a nearby apartment.
Angel dove through the door slamming it behind him Knowing that the others could not enter, Angel carried Willow into a bedroom, laying her gently upon the black satin sheets.
Angel disappeared into an adjoining room and returned several moments later with a basin of water and a cloth. He gently wiped the blood from her neck, then reached into a night stand from which he pulled out a well stocked First Aide Kit.
After the wound had been disinfected and bandaged, Angel noticed the blood staining her shirt from the gashes in her upper arms and shoulders.
Angel unbuttoned her shirt, lifting her enough to pull it off and set about to tending to those wounds, trying not to stare at the curves of her breasts.
Angel pulled the comforter up and around her shoulders, gently kissed her lips, made himself comfortable in a nearby chair and settled into guard her sleep.
*******
Willow moaned beginning to stir on the bed. She tried to open her eyes, but the lids were to heavy. She whimpered, her body feeling as if it had been hit by a runaway truck and a tear slid free.
A gentle hand caught it and smoothed her hair from her face.
"Sshh, Little One. I'm here."
"Angel?" Willow's eyes fluttered open.
When Angel saw her eyes open he smiled once again with relief. "Hey Will. You had me worried."
Willow scanned the room she was in. "Where are we? What happened?"
"You were attacked by a vampire. " He watched Willow's hand go to her throat. Her eyes widen when she touched the bandage. "If I hadn't gotten there when I did Willow . . .". He let his voice trail off not wanting to voice the words.
Willow swallowed hard. "Thank you for saving me."
"No problem." Angel smiled, but then he sobered. "What were you thinking, walking home by yourself?" You know how dangerous it is."
"I know, I know. Xander was home studying, miracles never cease, and Buffy was out with Faith." Willow's voice was hoarse. "Can I have a glass of water?"
Angel nodded an returned a few moments later with the water.
When Willow attempted to sit up she discovered two things. First she discovered how weak she was from blood loss. When Angel's arm went around her should to support her she discovered something else; she wasn't wearing a top.
"Eeep!!!" Willow pulled the covers up to her chin and scooted back against the head board. She looked to Angel her eyes demanding an explanation.
Angel held up the hand that wasn't holding the glass in a placating gesture. "Whoa, Willow! Your shoulders and arms got clawed pretty badly, I had to clean the scratches. Some of them were pretty deep."
For the first time Willow noticed the bandages on her arms and shoulders.
"Oh." Willow relaxed somewhat, letting her body sink into the pillows. Her brief outburst had drained her physically drained.
Angel, noticing her worn appearance held the glass to her lips while she drank.
When Willow finished the glass, she gestured to the room. "Where are we? This isn't the mansion. But that's kinda obvious."
"I bought this place a week ago. The mansion just has too many bad memories for me. I needed to change." Angel looked away unable to meet her gaze. "Anyway, this building has three stories and more rooms than I know what to do with."
"It's nice, Angel. Or at least this room is. Not to change the subject or anything, but do yo have a shirt I could borrow?"
Angel smiled. "Sure, Willow." He went to a dresser and pulled out a white T-shirt. Handing it to her, he said, "I'll leave you alone while you change. Just yell when you're done."
When Angel closed the door Willow pulled away the covers and climbed slowly to her feet. Pulling on the T-shirt, she tucked it into her jeans. "Okay, Angel. You can come in."
Angel came back in and frowned to see her standing. "Willow! You shouldn't be on your feet."
Willow smiled. "It's okay! As long as I move slowly I'll be fine." she looked at her feet and back up at Angel. "We need to talk."
Angel took her by the elbow steering her out of the bedroom and down a hallway, and into what served as his living room.
"Yes, we need to talk, but first I want you to lie on this couch while I get you something to eat."
Willow, feeling a bit peckish, let Angel seat her on a black leather couch.
"Just relax and I'll be back in a minute."
Angel disappeared yet again and Willow settled back on tot he luxurious couch. She lifted her wrist to examine her watch. It was shortly after two in the morning.
Angel reentered the room. "I ordered some pizza. The delivery guy will bring it up."
Willow nodded. "We need to talk and we can talk while we're waiting."
Angel nodded. "I take it that you've made your decision then?" His already tortured soul interpreted her serious expression as a sign of rejection. "Look it's okay. We can still be friends. After everything that . . . ".
"DON'T SAY IT!" Willow was furious. He just assumed that because he couldn't forgive himself, then nobody else could. And how could he just assume that she was rejecting him? The nerve.
"Stop brooding for five minutes and listen to me. What Angelus did was not your fault. It will never happen again. Now, I don't want to be just friends. I want to be more, I think we have a chance , Angel. Please, don't waste it."
Angel stared for a moment, completely and utterly dumbfounded. Slowly comprehension set it. "You're saying . . . you wanna . . . go out?"
Willow smiled. "Yes I'd love to, Angel."
Faster than the eye could see Angel had crossed the space between them, sweeping Willow into a hug. "Thank you." His voice was so soft that his words were almost lost in her hair. "But what about my soul?"
Willow shushed him with a finger to his lips. "I've found a way to fix it."
"What?" His voice was a whisper, he hardly dared to hope.
"I'll need Giles' help but leave him to me. I'll handle all of them. I already have a plan.
But if they know about us they might not want to help."
"I've already thought of that. They won't know about us until after."
"How do we manage that?" Just then the delivery guy arrived and with a sigh, Angel went to answer the door.
After letting Willow take her share he shurgged and took a piece for himself. Willow looked at him curiously.
"You can eat real food?"
"All vampires can. Most don't though, they'd rather . . . well you know."
"Yeah." Willow looked at the carpet and then back up at Angel. "What do you miss the most? About being human I mean."
Angel reached out to touch her hair. "I miss the sun, Willow. What I wouldn't give to see the sun's light reflected in your hair. I miss watching the sun rise and set. I miss long afternoon walks. I miss not being a killer."
"Angel . . ." Willow began sternly.
Angel smiled. "Hush. It may have been beyond my control, but I live with the memories of everything he's done."
Willow nodded. She could think of nothing else to say so she returned resolutely to her pizza.
When she had finished Willow broke the silence. "I guess I should finish telling you the plan, huh?"
"Tomorrow. You need to rest some. No arguments, Little One."
When she opened her mouth to protest anyway Angel leaned over and silenced her with a kiss.
"Give yourself a day or two to get your strength back. Then we'll worry about the rest." His voice was hypnotic and as soft as velvet.
Willow nodded and accepted the hand that he offered. Pulling her to her feet, Angel led her back to the bedroom, tucking her in. After kissing her on the forehead he turned to go.
Willow watched him go, as panic seized at her heart. "Angel?" Her voice squeaked with fear and Angel was back at her side in an instant.
"What is it, Little One?" he asked taking her hand in his.
"It's silly, I know but . . ." Willow blushed.
"What is it?"
"I-I don't wanna be alone. I guess, th-that I'm a little jittery over the attack. Would you please stay?"
Angel squeezed her hand. "Sure. If you want me to. It's okay to be scared after something like that.
Angel slid into bed and pulled her into his arms. He smiled when she yawned sleepily.
"What about school?" Willow murmured
."Don't worry about it. Just rest. We'll think of an excuse later. You'll call Giles to reassure him and everything will be fine."
"Okie, Angel. G'night."
"Night, Little One."
Willow and Angel drifted off to sleep in each other's arms.