Author: A. Price
E-Mail: jared@hsnp.com
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel & Co. belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN and the WB Network. No copyright infringement intended.
Summary: If you have read my "Guardian Angel" story, you know this is the future, my version of it. Willow and Oz are happily married, two kids. Angel has come back to town.
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Angel was brooding, something he had truly mastered in his over 250 years on this earth. He was thinking about Buffy, his one true love. When he got this way, it helped to talk to Willow. She always had a good ear and good advice.
He walked up to Willow's door and knocked. It took her a little while to answer and when she did, she looked awful. "Hey, Angel" she said hoarsely "I've got the flu, don't get too close." She thought a minute about what she said "I guess for you that doesn't matter, come on in."
Angel had been planning on pouring his troubles out to Willow tonight, but she looked like she had troubles of her own. So he changed his mind instead he asked "Willow, do you need anything, you don't look so good?"
Willow half smiled at him, she was running a fever and it had taken almost all of her energy to get Angelia in the tub. At that moment Angelia came running downstairs in her jammies, her damp hair a mess.
Willow looked at Angel "Some help would be nice, Oz is out of town, and Jesse is spending the night at a friends."
"Well, sit down and tell me what to do!" He said glad he could help her.
Angelia spoke "Can you comb hair, my hair needs combed?"
Angel looked at his namesake and smiled "I can try."
Willow had to smile as she watched Angel combing out her daughters auburn hair. She thought sadly, "he is good with children, its too bad he can't have them."
"Willow, just lie down on the couch, Angelia and I will go get you some juice." said Angel as he finished Angelias hair.
Angelia and Angel tucked Willow in on the couch, Angel could feel Willows fever through the afghan he put across her. Angelia led him to the kitchen and showed him the juice. He poured a glass for Willow and a small one for Angelia.
Willow was trying to get up when he entered the living room.
"Don't get up, just rest" Angel said in a caring voice.
"It's Angelias bedtime, I need to tuck her" said Willow weakly.
"I'll do it" said Angel. Angelia kissed her Mom on the cheek and said goodnight. Angel took the little girl to her room, after he helped her tuck in a dozen dolls for the night. He tucked her in turning on the nightlight on his way out. He softly said "Goodnight."
She answered him "Goodnight, Uncle Angel."
Angel entered the living room to find Willow sound asleep. The phone rang he quickly answered it, so it would not wake Willow up.
"Hello" he said quietly.
"Hello?" It was Oz. "Is that you Angel, is everything okay?"
"Yes, it's me, Oz. I stopped by. Willow is sick, I stuck around to help out a little bit, everyone is sleeping now. So I was going to leave," said Angel.
"Angel, if you aren't busy, could you stick around a while and make sure that Willow is okay? I would feel better," asked Oz.
Angel was touched by the concern in Oz's voice, "Sure I'll stay for awhile," he answered.
"Thanks a lot," said Oz as he hung up the phone.
Angel wasn't exactly sure what to do with himself. Willow was still sleeping soundly on the couch. He took the dirty juice glasses into the kitchen, he then decided to wash the dishes. This way Willow wouldn't have to worry about them.
He ran the dishwater in the sink, and did the dishes humming to himself.
As he put them on the drainboard. He noticed the trashcan was full, so he took the trash out. Then he decided to sweep the floor.
He went to check on Willow, still asleep. "Good, she needs her rest," he thought to himself. He went back to the kitchen and noticed a basket of clean laundry on the washing machine. Soon he had nice little piles of clothes stacked in the basket.
He decided to try to put the dishes away, shyly peeking in the cupboards to find where things went. He was putting the last glass away, when Willow entered the kitchen. "What have you done Angel?" she asked.
"I'm sorry if I intruded, but I wanted to help you," he said quietly.
"Thank you, you did a great job, how much do you charge an hour?" she said and they both laughed.
"You look better, how do you feel?" he asked.
"I feel better. I think my fever broke," she said cheerfully.
"Oz called. He asked me to stay, that's why I'm here," he spoke with a smile. "He really loves you, you are both lucky you know?"
"Yes, I do know," said Willow sincerely.
Angel looked at his friend Willow, she looked more herself now. The Willow everyone knew and loved. He did love her, not like he loved Buffy, but Willow was now one of the closest friends he had ever had.
"How about another glass of juice?" he asked.
"That sounds good" she answered him and sat down at the table across from him. He got up and poured her some juice and poured a small amount in a glass for himself. "Let's make a toast" he said as he raised his glass.
"To what?" asked Willow.
"To friendship," he answered.
"To friendship," agreed Willow with a smile as they clinked their glasses.
The two friends sat at the table laughing and talking until almost dawn. Angel got up to leave, Willow surprised him with a kiss on the cheek. "What was that for?" he asked her surprised.
"That's for being my friend!" she answered sweetly.
They said goodbye and Angel left with a smile on his face.
The End