E-Mail: Salii@bestweb.net
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: Gifts are extensions of the heart.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Willow smiled and
closed the book, sending up a small cloud of dust. 'May 12' she thought
to herself, 'I have a week to -' *RIIIIIING* She grabbed her books and
headed to class, still smiling to herself. 'It'll be perfect.'
Three days later
Willow was 'getting to know' a new graphics generating program Giles had
had installed in the library computer. She heard someone approach and quickly
hid the program, pulling up the search engine look alike program. "Hey
Will, what'ca doin'?" Xander threw himself into the chair closest to her.
"Uhm....just running a general occult search for He of the Dusty Wisdom."
She hoped Xander couldn't tell she was lying and for once, wished he would
go away. Giles, God bless him, chose that moment to urgently need Xander's
help carrying some stacks of books. Alone again, Willow quickly recalled
up the graphics program. She was glad her drawing skills had carried over
to the computer, even improving a bit. Especially since she had to to the
entire portrait from memory. 'He'll love it' she murmured absently to herself.
The next day, Willow
decided to forgo studying (for a few hours at least) and head to the mall.
Alone. She didn't want anyone to figure out what she was up to. She'd walked
past the store twice before she saw it. When the large, ornately crafted
antique caught her eye, she knew it was what she was looking for. She immediately
bought it, even though it meant she'd have to wait a little longer to upgrade
her RAM. 'He's worth it.' She tucked the object into her purse and left
the mall, feeling rather pleased with herself. Later that evening, she
offered up a prayer to the printing gods as she printed out the full color
picture she'd drawn the day before. She was amazed, she'd never seen such
a high quality print from this old hunk of junk. It looked almost as good
on paper as it did on the screen. Her eyes misted slightly, 'It's too perfect.'
'I just hope he doesn't
kill me for this.' She thought, as she knocked on his door. For the first
time doubt entered her mind. She quickly pushed it down. 'It's too late
to turn back now, after all the work I've put in.' The door opened, "Willow?"
he said, somewhat surprised. She smiled shyly. "May I come in, for a minute?
Please?" He opened the door and let her in. She held a package behind her
back. "What's that?" He indicated the package. "It's for you." She handed
it to him, then looked for a place to sit down. He quickly cleared a spot
off his couch for her, and they sat. He turned the package over slowly
in his hands, wondering what it could be. "What is it?" "Open it and find
out. Only please -" She stopped. "Please what?" He prompted gently. "Please
don't be angry with me." He smiled, "Why could I possibly be angry at you?"
When she stared at her hands and didn't answer, he decided it was time
to open the package. Willow looked over when she heard him start work on
the paper. She watched in silence as he undid the paper with agonizing
slowness. She almost wanted to tell him to hurry up and rip the paper already,
but held back--this was for him. When he finished his meticulous unwrapping,
the picture frame was upside down. She held her breath as he turned it
over and saw the face in the picture. "Is - " his voice broke and Willow
saw a tear trickle down his cheek. "Is that me?" "Happy birthday Angel."
She said softly.
The End