Rating: PG
Distribution: Just ask!
Disclaimer: I don't own any of Joss Whedon's creations, the towns LA, Sunnydale,Detroit, or any other place. I also don't own Lucky Charms cereal, except the box I bought that is just so yummy, with the cute little marshmallows mixed in with the funny wheat bits, in the cute little box.
Summery: Willow visits Angel and Cordelia in LA
Spoilers: Season 3, and what I've heard about the new show "Angel"
Authors Notes: This is set in the future, a little over 3 years ahead. I accidently said 1 year ahead in the first part. Never seeing Doyle or anything about the Angel show except Angel and Cordelia, I am forming him as my imagination views him, a reddish-brown haired Irishman who likes to flirt. I hope I finish this story before the Angel season starts, because I think I am wrong!!
Second Story in the "Looking Forward, Holding Back" Series
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~Part: 1~
Willow stood outside the door, and self-consiously smoothed her dress again. Checking to make sure her hair was still behind her ears, she quietly opened the office door, to a sight she never could imagine unless she had seen it herself. Cordelia, behind a desk, working. Willow smothered a nervous giggle and startled Cordelia out of her work by saying a few words.
"Hey Cordy." Cordelia looked up, and took a moment to realize who it was. Surprise and delight showed on her face as she jumped up and around her desk to run to Willow. The two girls embraced.
"Willow, oh my gosh! I can't believe you're here! Why are you here? Never mind, it's so great to see you!" Cordy started talking excitedly while she led Willow into a room. "Want a drink? This is the break-room and the supply room. Here's a soda. I can't believe you're here!" Suddenly, Cordy stopped. She looked at Willow with big eyes and said,
"What happened? Is something wrong in Sunnydale? Did anyone die?" Willow let out a giggle, and said,
"Nope! As far as I know, everyone is alive and, well, not safe, because they are in Sunnydale, but alive. I'm here because,well, we can talk about that later. How about over some lunch? I just got in town, and am starving." Cordy hugged the redhead once more, and said,
"That sounds great! Angel's out for lunch, at a nearby cafe which I hate but he always insists on eating there." Willow's confused expression was classic, and Cordy smiled. "I forgot to tell you!! A while back, a weird lady came in the office, begging for us to help her. Long story, but some demon was stalking her. Anyway, she paid us, well, Angel back by giving him the gift to go out in the sun and his reflection. Doyle teased him during the couple of weeks where his office was filled with mirrors. It took quite a while for Angel to get used to it again. Doyle still calls him Pretty Boy now."
Looking at Willow's confused face again, it only took Cordy a second to figure out what was wrong now. "Oh, Doyle is this Irish mentor demon guy. He works here with us, and helps out a lot." While Cordy was talking, she ushered Willow out of the room and back into the waiting area. "Would you like to take a seat? We can leave as soon as Doyle or Angel come back to take care of the office after their lunch." Willow sat down in the chair that Cordy offered, and began to talk again.
"So, how is LA? Is it nice to live in?" Cordy smiled, and replied,
"It's OK. It's kinda lonely. Not like Sunnydale, where everyone knows your name, practically.The whole "Cheers" thing. Nope, LA is a lot harsher. You get used to it though, after a while..." Cordelia's voice trailed off as the office door opened, revealing a man, not as tall as Angel, with reddish hair. He quirked a smile at Willow and said to Cordy,
"Someone else having problems with the new demon in town, Barbie?" Cordelia rolled her eyes, implying to Willow that the nickname he used was old.
"No, she is actually a good friend of mine and Angel's. Willow, this is Doyle. Doyle, Willow." Willow stood up and shook Doyle's hand. Before she removed it from his grasp, he bent over and lightly kissed it. As he straightened his back again, his eyes caught Willow's and sparkled with mischief.
"Why, hello Willow. You must be the one Cordy and Angel always talk about, the one who helps fight demons. You're absolutely lovely." Despite what she wanted, Willow blushed, causing Doyle's grin to widen. Cordelia used her arms to flag Doyle's attention away from Willow, and said,
"Willow and I are going to lunch. I have transferred the calls to your office. Tell Angel. You didn't have any messages, and neither did Angel. The delivery of paper should be here soon." She grabbed her coat and ushered Willow out in the hall and down to the elevators. Willow smiled gratefully at Cordy and said,
"Thank you so much. Doyle seems a bit open. I hate blushing!!" The brunette smiled, and said,
"Doyle is a big flirt. He loves it when girls blush at his advances. If he does it again, slap him. I found that to be the most efficient way of stopping him." Willow laughed as the elevator opened on the first floor. The girls left the building, glad to be in each other's company, with their differences behind them.
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"Angel! You just missed it! A friend of yours came up to LA to see you and Cordy. Cute little thing. Her name is Willow. She and Cordy are out to lunch." Angel dropped his jacket in his chair, and said,
"Willow? She's in town? I wonder why she's here. I wonder if anything happened in Sunnydale. Last week, when I spoke to Giles, he said everything was all right." Doyle snorted, and replied,
"I'll tell you what's all right. Willow. She certainly is one of a kind. I like her. I hope she hangs around for a while." Angel growled and half-vamped out.
"Doyle, stay away from her. She is not one of your sluts and whores. She is a special, innocent, sweet and smart girl that doesn't need you to try and ruin that. Got it?" Doyle smiled, and said,
"Who said I was gonna use her? I merely wondered if she was going to be in LA for awhile. Geez, don't get your fangs tangled up in a hissy fit." Doyle left Angel's office, with Angel still glowering at him. Calming down, Angel sat down, after removing his jacket from the chair. Willow? In town? Why? Giles certainly hadn't mentioned a trip from her up here. And he knew Giles would have called him to make sure that she arrived safely, if Giles knew she was coming up here. <Hmm..> He leaned back in his chair, and put his hands behind his head. Slowly, he drifted off to sleep, somewhat lethargic after his lunch. <Shouldn't have had... yawn... a ham sandwich...didn't do me any good... should have just stuck with blood... but Doyle insisted I eat something normal... Doyle looked at Willow... note to self:... Kill Doyle... for making Willow a ham sandwich......>
~Part: 2~
"...So then Angel mentioned that he needed a secretary, and I have always been good at filing things and stuff like that, so I told him. He hired me, and I've been doing that since." As Cordelia concluded the events that had happened in her life, Willow's admiration of the girl grew and grew. Cordy had managed to make it in a city that most people lost hope in, and succeed, while accepting the fact that her dream of acting was just a fitful fantasy.
"So, Will, what have you been up to since Graduation? Since I left right afterwards, and haven't exactly kept up to tabs," Cordy looked ashamed at this statement, "I haven't really heard what's been going on in Sunnydale the past 3 years." Taking a sip at her espresso, Willow swallowed and started off by saying,
"Well, let me see ... has it really only been 3 years? Looking back at it, it seems like 10 years... Well, Oz's band started a tour a couple months after Graduation, and he and I broke up on good terms ... we are still friends, but not that close. Hmm, so after he left it was back to the original Slayerettes, me and Xander. Buffy, Xander, and I went to Sunnydale University for a while, but Buffy dropped out after the first year. She just couldn't handle the stress of college and slaying, and her grades showed it. Xander was determined to finish school, though he too was also having problems. He failed some classes, and took summer courses to bring them back up. He got really interested in school that summer, and after he brought his GPA back up he went ahead and took some more courses... He graduated a couple months ago, after getting his business degree in 3 years with honors. An article was written about him, something called, "Slacker to Supreme" or something like that. He went to Detroit to open," Willow giggled, making Cordy more curious, "A doughnut shop." Cordelia burst out in laughter with Willow giggling too. Images of Xander eating doughnuts and other sweets filled their heads until they finally calmed down, noticing the stares they were receiving from the other customers in the restaurant which they were dining in. Willow wiped her eyes, and continued, "His shop is doing remarkably well, and has already paid for itself in full. He is thinking about opening a chain of them across the North." Willow paused, thoughtfully stirring what was left of her espresso. Cordelia looked at her, and said,
"Willow? You OK?" Willow blinked a bit and sheepishly said,
"Sorry. Just thinking about all the times we would sit around the library, all of us, researching and not thinking about what we would end up doing in the next few years... Anyway, that pretty much concludes what's been happening with the others." Willow finished her espresso, while Cordy tried to be stern.
"Willow, you are not off the hook. Tell me about what you have been doing. Your sense of style obviously has changed for the better." Willow looked up, wide-eyed, at Cordy burst into laughter. "I couldn't help it. I wanted to see what you would do. I can't believe back then the only thing I was concerned about was fashion. I guess I have made a real turnaround." Nodding, the redhead began speaking again,
"You have made a big change. Now, about me, well, let me think. I also went to Sunnydale U, but during the first year I maintained great grades. The second year, with Xander ahead of me class-wise and Buffy not in, I realized that I didn't want to be there anymore, not in Sunnydale University. Though I stayed in for the rest of that year and the next, I became frantic to leave Sunnydale. I knew that Xander would eventually graduate and leave Sunnydale, because when we used to talk about high school he always sighed and said, 'I can't believe we made it in Sunnydale. But everyday I wake up, amazed, to find that I am still alive.'"
Sadly, Willow looked down as she continued, "He told me about how he loved the courses he was taking, and how one day he and I would leave California together and open up a business, with me as the boss and him as the manager, and how we would fly everyone out there every year for a big party." Willow start fidgeting, and chewing on her lower lip. "I began to believe him, and then ... he graduated. I was still a year behind him, so I went to his graduation, and watched him receive his diploma, with the dean congratulating him. I...I was so proud, and was looking forward to the next year when I would graduate and we would leave to become business partners ... but, that night, after the celebration Buffy, Giles, and I threw him, he told me that he was leaving the next week. He ... he invited me to go with him. He said that it didn't matter that I hadn't graduated yet, that I could even go to classes up in Detroit with him, but deep down he and I both knew that that fantasy was just what it was- a fantasy. I turned him down, and he nodded. He understood. He left town a few days afterwards, after stopping by my house to say good-bye." Willow took a shuttering breath.
Cordy reached across the table and took one of her hands in her own, and gave it a squeeze. Willow looked up, gratitude shining on her face, along with the tears of thinking about what had happened a few months earlier. "Well, between the months of him leaving and me coming here, I didn't sign up for the summer courses like I had planned to. Buffy began dating this guy named Mark, who knew about her being the Slayer. I helped them research, but stopped going to the Bronze. After a while they quit asking me. I made a decision a week ago to leave, and began packing and shearing the ties to Sunnydale that I had. I phoned Xander to tell him that I was leaving. He told me to call him, and wished me good luck. I packed, and last night I went to the library, to tell Buffy and Giles that the last Slayerette was leaving. I got there, and neither was there. A note was placed on the computer, telling me that Buffy and Mark were at the Bronze, and Giles was at Joyce's house. I left them a note, and left the library. I boarded the bus, and arrived early this morning. I didn't tell them I was coming to LA, in fact, I didn't know I was coming here until after I bought the ticket. I found a hotel, and cleaned up there. That's where my story ends." Willow looked up, to see Cordy's face covered in tears. She supposed that her own face resembled that too. The girls stood, and hugged each other. Cordelia managed to get out,
"Oh, Willow. I am so sorry. I shouldn't have left. What can I do?" Willow sniffled, and said,
"Please don't tell Giles and Buffy I am here. Or Xander. Please. All I want to do is have a good time while I am here." The girls hugged again, and left the correct amount of money on the table, along with a tip. They flagged a taxi to go back to the office, both wrapped up in their own thoughts.
~Part: 3~
Cordy swung open the door to the office, with Willow right behind her. After dropping her purse on her desk, Cordy stood between Angel and Doyle's office and shouted,
"Hey! Guys! I'm back! Willow's with me!" She turned back to her desk, and saw Willow sitting down, doing something on her computer. <And she still manages to love computers. At least I know she hasn't changed completely, thank goodness> Cordelia thought to herself. She went to her desk and grabbed her purse from the desk. "Willow, I am going to the bathroom. I'll be back in a few minutes. Everything should be fine, and remember what I said about Doyle." Willow didn't hear her, being too engrossed in the computer system, mumbled out an "OK." Cordy left, leaving Willow in her solitude for a few minutes. Then the inevitable happened.
The phone rang.
Willow looked at it, growing alarmed. What should she do? She didn't work here, she didn't know how to answer business phones. <But, if I don't answer it, then it might be a very important phone call> Sighing, she picked up the phone, and squeaked out, "Hello? How, um, may I direct your call?" She heard a chuckle, and became alarmed. "Hello?" Willow tried to get them to talk. She heard a final chuckle, and said,
"Don't worry, this isn't a business call. I just looked out my door and saw you at the desk, and thought I would have a talk with you. This is Doyle." Willow let out a breath, which she didn't know she was holding, and spoke again, much more easily.
"That was mean! I didn't know what to do! Cordy's out, and then the phone rang, and and then when I try to correctly answer it you make fun of me!" She looked over at the office door marked, "Doyle" and heard laughter coming from the phone and the office. Doyle calmed down, and replied,
"Sorry if I didn't know, Red, that you have never answered a business phone. Anyway, I was just wondering what was so fascinating on the main computer that it would take a phone to shake you out of your trance. I didn't know you liked computers." Willow smiled, glad to be able to talk about a subject which she loved.
"Oh, when I help fight bad vamps and stuff I was Research Girl, because I could get into anything on the Internet. Computers are one of the few things that I will never give up. I am on the Internet right now, looking at some websites that have some nifty spells..." Willow froze as she realized what she said. "Um, some Spellers, winners of Spelling Bees. Yes, that's it, Spelling Bee winners!" Willow hear more chuckling as Doyle said,
"You can't lie very well. Besides, Cordelia once told me that you were a witch. Pretty impressive, Red" Willow mumbled out a 'thanks' in response, and Doyle ended the conversation by saying, "Well, I better get back to work. Good talking with you Red. Hope we can have another one soon." He hung up the phone, as did Willow. She smiled to herself, thinking, <Doyle isn't that bad. I kinda like him> She went back to the computer, and Cordy returned a few minutes later.
"Hey, Willow, everything OK? The phone didn't ring, did it?" Willow thought about Doyle's phone call and smiled.
"Yeah, but I handled it pretty well." Cordy beamed, and replied,
"Great! Um, one more thing. I kinda forgot that I had some dry cleaning to pick up at lunch, so, if it's OK with you, I will run out real quickly and get it."
"That's fine. I'll wait for you to get back." The brunette nodded and left again, leaving Willow back to her peace and quiet. She went back to typing, and didn't notice anything different until a voice behind her said,
"Still up to computers, are you?" Willow wheeled around, to see Angel standing, smiling at her. She squeaked and jumped out of the chair, and ran into Angel's embrace. He hugged her tightly, and she start babbling.
"Angel! Oh my gosh! I can't believe it! Well, I can because you work here, but I am so glad to see you!!!" Angel chuckled in his throat, which Willow felt it more than heard it. Angel released her, resisting the urge to stroke her hair. <She doesn't love you, she's just glad to see an old friend> Angel reached around Willow to press a button on the phone. Willow looked at him, confused, as he explained,
"I just transferred all the calls to my office. Please, come in and keep me company." Willow smiled as Angel led her to his spacious office. She looked around, her smile getting bigger, as she saw the room was all done in black furniture and leather. Angel saw her looking, and said sheepishly, 'Some habits die hard." He offered her a comfortable seat and took one himself. They began to talk about what they had been up to, with Willow shortening what she had told Cordelia. After an hour, someone knocked at the door, causing Angel to growl. He opened the door, and found Cordy, smirking.
"Well, you managed to kidnap Willow. Mind if I have her back? I am done here, today." Angel nodded, and said,
"All right Willow, you are free to leave. Your friend has paid up the ransom." Willow hugged him again, and said,
"Bye Angel. I'll see you tomorrow, hopefully." Angel watched her leave the office, before he had an idea.
"Girls! Wait! Why not tonight we all go out to dinner?" Willow grinned as Cordy exclaimed,
"Of course! What a great idea!" Inspiration hit Cordelia as she slyly said,
"But of course then Willow and I will need to pick up some things." Angel mock-sighed as he handed over his credit card. Willow's mouth opened as she said,
"Oh, I don't need anything, honest. I don't want money spent on me." Angel looked at her, smiling as he thought how much she hadn't changed. She still didn't like buying herself anything. <My Willow. The sweetest person in the world.> Cordelia said,
"Angel, I am going to clean up my stuff. PLEASE explain to Willow that she's a guest and we treat our guests to everything, and that shopping in LA is mandatory." The brunette flounced out of the room, leaving a shocked Willow and a smirking Angel together. Turning slowly to Angel, Willow slowly said,
"Ohhhh K... Listen, I really don't need anything." Angel couldn't hold himself back anymore, and pulled Willow in a hug.
"Willow, you are my friend, and I haven't seen you in three years. Now, I am ordering you to go with Cordelia and buy as much as you can dream up, and forget about the money. Do you understand me?" Willow muffled out a response against his chest, and Angel let her out of his embrace, asking, "What was that?"
"I said OK, but don't expect me to buy a lot. I am kinda in this habit of keeping my spending down to a minimum." She smiled and left the office. Angel spoke quietly to the now empty room, saying,
"Well, maybe you should lose that habit. And you will, while you're here." Angel felt his emotions taking a plunge as he thought about how, finally, the girl of his dreams was here, with him, and she would only be here for a little bit. And he was determined to make the most of it, while he could.
~Part: 4~
"Cordy, this looked really cute on the rack and all, but it's just not me!!! It is tight in, um, certain places, and the price...!!! Geez, if I had this amount of money just for this dress, I could pay rent for a month!!!!!" Willow's voice called out behind the door to the dressing room, causing Cordelia to roll her eyes.
"Willow, for one thing, forget about the price. Remember, it was on the SALES rack! I can't even believe I let you drag me to that side of the store. Well, now I'm glad you did, or else we wouldn't have found that killer dress. Oh, and it's SUPPOSED to be tight in those places! Now come out and pretend to like it." Willow slowly emerged from the dressing room, face red, arms crossed over her stomach. Cordelia gave her an evil look as she said, "Arms. Down. Smile. Now." Complying, Willow felt naked as Cordy jumped up and began squealing."That's it! That's THE dress! It's perfect!!!! Oh gosh it's beautiful!!!!!!" The dress that Willow was trying on was strapless, with the top part of forest green silk, somewhat tight, with a silk green ribbon starting the skirt across her stomach, where it flared out slightly, made of matching green velvet, where it fell to the floor, tapering out at the very end. It accented Willow's red hair and pale skin.
"But isn't it kind of ... showy?" Cordelia giggled, and said
"That's the point! Come on, let's go find someone to tell you how good it looks." Dragging Willow behind her, Cordy spotted a group of young guys, looking at the leather jackets. Pasting on a smile, she walked behind one of them and tapped him on his shoulder. The group turned their attention on her appreciatively.
"Excuse me, but my friend isn't sure about this dress. Could you please tell her your opinion?" She reached behind her and pulled out Willow, trying to cover up. The guys' jaws dropped respectively at the beauty before them. Willow blushed all over under their gazing, leaving a pinkish color across her cheeks, causing the guys' stares to become more involved. Cordelia sensed something happening, and said,
"Well, I think she gets the point. Thanks." She walked away, with a scurrying Willow trailing after her. The guys then got to see the back of the dress, and how low cut it was, and all almost groaned out loud.
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"Awww come on, let me come! I promise I'll be a good little boy!" Doyle mock-begged Angel to let him come to lunch with them, as the girls were out shopping.
Angel was growing frustrated. Why wouldn't Doyle leave him alone? Growling, Angel relented, saying.
"Fine. But you better be nice, or I'll snap your neck." Smiling big, Doyle saluted Angel, and replied,
"Yes sir right sir!", then marched out of the office. Sighing, Angel could only hope that Doyle wasn't planning anything.
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"Hi Angel! Hi Doyle!" Willow bounced over to the table the two guys had gotten, swinging her numerous bags in her arms. Cordy struggled behind her with her own bags, plopping down in the chair next to Doyle. Willow took the seat next to Angel, across from Doyle, and discovered that the chairs and table was very high up. Confused, Willow looked under the table, seeing her legs dangling in the air, then around at all the other tables, trying to figure out why her feet wouldn't touch the ground. Angel and Doyle both saw her confused face, and chuckled. Angel explained to Willow that this place was designed to be higher up, as a 'Look." Willow nodded an understanding, and unconsciously began to swing her legs, while she looked around the cafe, liking the decor. Her swinging feet accidentally brushed against Doyle's feet, and he got an idea. Slowly, he moved his feet out and around, like a trap, waiting until Willow swung a foot in there.
She swung her foot a bit far, and Doyle trapped it with his own. Feeling her foot stuck, Willow let out an "Eep!" causing stares from Angel and Cordelia, and an amused glance from Doyle. Looking at Doyle, she knew what he had done, and began using her other foot to try and untangle her foot from his. To no prevail, he trapped that one, and she began to playfully struggle, trying not to move her upper body, so Angel and Cordy wouldn't notice. Doyle reclined back, still holding her feet prisoner. Willow had an inspiration and suddenly kicked one foot up, hitting the bottom of his chair. He sat up, startled, getting odd looks from Cordy and Angel, and a snort from Willow. Leaning over the table, he whispered to Willow.
"You will pay dearly for that." She raised an eyebrow at him. Though Cordelia went back to her discussion with Angel and didn't notice this exchange of words, Angel did, and almost began to growl. Doyle reluctantly released her feet, which caused a grin of triumph to appear on Willow's face. Wanting to change the subject, Doyle loudly asked Willow.
"And what did you happen to buy at the mall today, madam?" Willow grinned as she began to swing her feet a bit faster.
"Lots of stuff. I got some neat clothes and stuff. Oh, and this cute little butterfly bracelet with a flower clasp that's absolutely darling. Here, let me show you." She slid out of her chair, and sat down on the floor to dig through her bags. The entire table and ones nearby watched her in amusement, as she got a concentrated look on her face and she dug through the bags of clothes, not finding it.
"Hmm ... what bag did I put it in?" She sat, staring at the bags until her face lit up. "I know!!" She reached for one bag, but it was just out of her reach. She tried again, still sitting, but couldn't quite reach it. Angel walked over and picked it up for her, and handed it to her. She looked up and grinned brightly as she said,
"Thanks! Here, sit down here. This is the jewelry bag." Angel kneeled down beside her, looking into the bag. Doyle did the same on the other side of her, both men enjoying the smell of Willow's hair. Cordelia got out of her chair, and sat across from Willow, digging through another bag.
"Will, you HAVE to show them some of these outfits! They are so cute!"
When the waiter arrived, he was greeted by an odd sight, of four grown people sitting on the floor, digging through piles of bags, holding things up and talking about them. Angel looked up at him, smiling, as he said, "We'll have our food down here."
Willow looked up at the waiter, but lost her balance, though sitting down, and fell into Angel's lap. The waiter's eyes widened slightly as Angel held her drink for her to drink with her still in that position. Willow reached for the plate of grapes, still in Angel's lap, and fed some to Angel and Doyle. Cordy left to go to the bathroom, because she didn't want to eat her salad with dirt on her hands. They ate their lunch, sitting on the floor, enjoying themselves immensely, although Willow did get out of Angel's lap so she could eat more comfortably. They ordered desert and coffee, making the waiter bend over to get the dishes and give them what else they ordered. When they finally left, Angel left a 50% tip, much to Willow's surprise. Angel and Doyle carried Willow's bags, so Willow, feeling guilty, carried some of Cordelia's. They arrived back at the office, all smiling. They locked the office up, and headed out, until Willow froze in her tracks, horror written all over her face. Angel turned around, and asked,
"Willow? What's the matter??" Tears ran down her face as she began babbling. Angel dropped the bags he was carrying and took her in his arms.
"Shh... it's OK.. What happened?" Sniffling, Willow slowed down her speech so they could understand.
"My hotel. I was supposed to check in four hours ago, or else they would give up my room to someone else. It was the only place in town that had a room too!!!!!!" She began crying again, as Angel folder his arms around her, swaying slightly with her, trying to comfort her. Cordy rushed over, and patted Willow's back, saying,
"Willow, it's OK. You can stay with us! Yeah! That will work!!!" Sniffling, Willow looked up, confusion written on her face as she said, "Us?" Cordelia caught on, and said,
"Oh, we live in this warehouse type of thing. We all have our own floors, complete with our own bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms, dens, you get the picture. We also have an extra floor.. Hey!" Cordy got an idea. "You can have that floor! Oh, this all works out so perfectly!!" Willow looked up at Angel's smiling face, and asked,
"Are you sure? 'Cuz I can stay in my rental car." Doyle laughed as he said,
"Willow, it would be our honor to have you stay with us. Who would stay in a hotel when you can stay in a giant house with four people?" Smiling, Willow said,
"Sounds like 'Real World' on MTV." The other three grinned together, glad to have their friend staying with them. Cordy spoke up as they continued walking
"Great! Finally, another girl living there!" Willow's giggles echoed through the empty hallways as the girls put their arms around each other, their friendship shining brightly.
~Part: 5~
"Just drop your bags off on the couch, and I will give you a tour of your floor." Cordelia barked out an order to Willow, who complied willingly. After tossing the keys to the redhead, The former May Queen walked to the kitchen.
"Oh no! No food!" An evil glint entered her eye. "I guess we will have to go shopping, now, won't we?" Not waiting for a response from Willow, she headed over the wall, where a speaker and seven buttons were situated onto it. Holding one down, Cordelia began speaking into it. Willow moved closer to hear what Cordelia was saying.
"Angel, Willow has no food. We need to go shopping. While we are out, why
not all four of us go to the Square for a bite of dinner and window-shopping?"
She waited a moment before speaking again. "ANGEL! GET OFF YOUR LAZY BUTT
AND GET OVER TO THE INTERCOM NOW OR I WILL GO UP THERE AND DO IT MYSELF!!"
She waited a little
bit, tapping her foot impatiently.
"All right, all right, I'm up. Gosh, can't a guy get any sleep around here???"
Willow was surprised to hear Angel's voice pour out the speaker. Moving closer, she inspected the buttons and speaker. Cordelia snuck her hand out and touched one of the buttons before Willow could notice, and stepped away from the redhead.
Willow began mumbling to herself, "Oh coolness. I haven't seen an intercom system in a house up close before. Normally people just shout up the stairs that dinner's ready. Oh look! Some buttons have numbers on them! They are so tiny! I wonder if there's a factory that just makes these little buttons. Then they print the tiny numbers on them.
Maybe they print animals and stuff too. But not frogs. Frogs are evil. Numbers are nice.
Yup, nice and number-y. Oh, look at the 'Four.' Isn't that cute?"
Willow jumped out of her skin when she heard Angel chuckle through the speaker.
"I never thought them cute, usually helpful is the adjective that comes to mind." Galling, Willow began speaking, blushing.
"You heard me?"
"Yes, See that second button to the right? It's unmarked." Willow nodded before realizing that Angel couldn't see her.
"Yes." Meanwhile, Cordelia was watching from the other side of the room, slightly smiling at her friend.
"OK, well, that's the room intercom button. Once you press that you can walk around your apartment while still talking to it. You have intercoms in some other rooms exactly like this, hooked up to your system, so once you press that any intercom will pick you up."
"Ohh.."
"Yeah. Well, tell Cordelia that dinner would be fine at the Square, but she and I can't go to the grocery store right now. I need her to help me file some papers in the lobby." Willow's face dropped a bit, which the still-silent Cordelia did not miss.
"Oh. Well, what about Doyle? I don't know LA very well, so maybe he could help me find my way around." Willow didn't hear the slight growl that Angel let out.
"Uh.. Tell you what. I am about to head down to his apartment, I will just call you up from down there."
"OK."
"Oh, is Cordy up there?" Willow looked around, surprised that Cordy was still there.
"Hey Angel. I'm here. I got your message."
"Great. See you down there in ten minutes."
"Smart ass."
"Hey, don't make me take away your credit cards."
"Bastard!! You wouldn't dare!!!"
*Click* Willow heard the intercom call shut off, and pressed the flashing red button, ending her end of it.
¤¤-A few minutes later, in Doyle's apartment-¤¤
"Gee, Angel, next time knock!" Doyle stood with a towel wrapped around his hips, having just stepped out of the shower.
"In a few minutes Cordy and I are heading downstairs to file some stuff, and Willow needs food." Doyle immediately grinned, and began speaking,saying,
"Ooh, and I get to take her? This shall be fun." Doyle began thinking of the farthest away grocery store in LA when Angel interrupted his thoughts.
"Yes, you are going to the grocery store with her. The neighborhood grocery store down the street." Doyle's face fell as Angel continued. "Then, you are to not touch her in any way, talk to her in any way that might be considered offensive, or do anything to her that might upset her. Those are the rules, and if I find out that you broke any of them...." Angel left the threat hanging in the air, which seemed to be thickening around Doyle's head. Doyle shook the cloud off, and grinned mischievously.
"I'll follow the rules. Now leave so I can get dressed." Angel nodded and headed to the door. Right after he closed Doyle laughed and said to the now-empty room,
"But there are always loopholes in set rules, now aren't there?"
¤¤¤-One hour later-¤¤¤
Willow climbed into the passenger seat, fiddling with her purse, while staring out the windows, taking in the area. She giggled unknowingly at squirrels across the street. Doyle grinned to himself, and started up the car. They remained silent as they left the driveway. After a few minutes, Doyle reached over to the dashboard, and flipped on the radio. Willow listened at it faintly, until Doyle turned it up.
"There, get some music playing. This is the best station in Los Angeles. Now, let's see what they are playing this lovely afternoon." Doyle's face twisted up in concentration, until he suddenly realized what the song was. Taking a glance at Willow, who was still looking out the windows, he began to softly hum along.
He started a little louder, getting Willow's attention. Since, he began to sing along to the song.
"I am lost in the darkness
Between two worlds and here I'm struggling
You're the light I've been seeking
Cause my whole life there's been something missing.."
Doyle looked at Willow, who now had her widened eyes on him. The chorus began to shout, but he just contented himself with singing louder.
"Only you can make me whole
Just one touch, and you complete me
Only you can make me whole
Just one touch, and you complete me
Doyle slyly put him arm behind Willow's chair, keeping the other on the wheel. Willow began to tap her foot to the music, and humming along. Surprised that she knew the song, Doyle continued into the second verse, only to have Willow softly join him in singing.
"Rescue me, from this black hole
That's sucked me in and left me dying
You're the truth that I've been seeking
Cause my whole life I've been lying"
Willow suddenly giggled, and blushed as she received Doyle's amused gaze. They sang into the next chorus.
"Only
you can make me whole
Just one touch, and you complete me
Only you can make me whole
Just one touch, and you complete me"
"That's it, Red, just let it out. Sing your soul to the world." She hummed a little louder, and he shook his head. "I want you to pour your soul out to me and this car."
Determined, Willow
began with the next verse, shocking Doyle with the beauty
of her voice. He
was so shocked that he forgot to sing, leaving Willow to do a
solo, which she
did wonderfully.
"God,
I pray you find me worthy
Of the right to stand beside you
And of your truth and of your passion
And of the right to sleep beside you"
He joined her in the chorus, making up a harmony part. His slight Irish accent blossomed into the one he lost many years ago, after arriving in America, while Willow's turned slightly Irish too, due to being near Doyle, and her ancestry.
"Only you can make me whole
Just one touch, and you complete me
Only you can make me whole
Just one touch, and you complete me
Just one touch, and you complete me
Just one touch, and you complete me
Just one touch....."
The song ended, leaving the two people in the car to smile and settle back in their seats as they approached the grocery store. Doyle pulled up to a parking space, and flipped a grin to the redhead.
"Let's go get you some munchies."
~Part: 6~
"Look! How cute! Baby Pepsi!" Willow stopped in the middle of the drink aisle, clutching a 6-pack of little plastic bottles filled with Pepsi. "And other drinks too!!!!! I have to get some!" She began loading them up, much to Doyle's amusement.
"I do believe that if you don't stop you'll put those little drinks into
extinction." Doyle chuckled as Willow sadly took one more pack and turned
to leave the aisle.
"Well, I think I got enough food. Let's go home-wait!!!!! I need shampoo!!!" Willow took a quick turn and headed towards a new aisle, with a sighing Doyle behind her.
"Ooh, this one smells
good. So does this one. Aww, this one has such a cute bottle. This one
has sun block though. This one sends money to the rain forest! Oh no! What
should I do?!?!" Willow's wail caused many heads to turn in her direction
as Doyle stepped beside her.
"Willow, just choose one. Better yet, I'll choose one." Willow nodded,
and Doyle began the long battle of finding the perfect shampoo.
Twenty minutes later, Doyle's nose was about the fall off from all the sniffing he had done, his mind swarming with the different scents, and Willow had wandered off to make sure she had everything. Sighing loudly, something he had been a lot lately, Doyle unscrewed the top to one shampoo and took a long sniff. And another. And another.
The smell had a scent of flowers, but not too much of them. It had a twinge of cleanliness, but was honest. Looking down, Doyle saw it was the color of pearls.
"WILLOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I FOUND IT!!!!!" On the other side of the store, Willow heard his scream, and came running.
"Where is it?!?! Let me smell!" Grabbing the bottle from Doyle's shaking hands, Willow quickly undid the top and smelled. "This smells great!!!!! This is it! Doyle, you've done it!" Willow held the bottle above her head like a medal, until she noticed something on the wrapper.
"Um, Doyle? There's a problem."
"What is it?"
"This is only conditioner."
"Oh, shit."
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
Angel was pacing in the front lobby of the building, thinking up terrible things that might have happened to the two missing persons. About to take leave, scared that something happened to Doyle and Willow, he heard the car pull up in the drive. Feeling a wave of relief wash over him, he ran outside. Suddenly, that relief was replaced with anger. Anger towards Doyle. Willow jumped out of the passenger seat, humming something, and opening the door behind hers to the car, and pulled out some bags. Angel came up behind her, intent on checking for scratches, or some other indication of a fight, but found that his arms were incapable of moving as 4 bags were placed in them.
"Angel, can you carry these to my place? Thanks." Willow pulled some more bags out for her to carry, as Doyle walked around the car to stand beside Angel. Angel quietly said to him,
"Tell me later what happened, or I will hurt you."
"Why should I tell you? Aww, was Angel worried about me? Thanks."
"Dammit, you were gone for 2 hours with Willow. Why shouldn't I be worried?"
"Worrywart."
"Shut up."
Willow ended their conversation by heading towards the building, two guys in tow.
That is, until one of her bags ripped open, causing food to fly everywhere. Dropping to the ground on her knees, Willow let out a scream that made Angel think she was losing her soul.
"WILL THIS SHOPPING TRIP NEVER END?!?????????????!!!!!!!"
~Part: 7~
After a delightful dinner, the foursome took to the streets of upper-class LA. stopping in late-hour boutiques. Reaching the end of the block, Cordy brightly said,
"And so ends our quick tour. Come on, let's head back. Tonight there's a make-up special on 'E!" Nodding together, the group turned the other way. Willow saw something out of the corner of her eye. Taking another look to confirm what she thought she saw, she smiled.
"You guys go ahead. I wanna stop in that shop." The others turned around again to see where she was pointing, and also saw the occult shop. Angel quickly said,
"We'll go with you." Doyle nodded in agreement, while Cordy shook her head.
"Unh unh, I'm not. Nothing personal or anything, but I never get to watch TV anymore. I'll catch a taxi home." Willow smiled at the girl.
"Listen, why don't you guys just take the car home? I have the address in my purse, and I have money for a cab." Angel looked warily at Doyle, torn between going home and resting and going in this shop. Doyle asked,
"Red, do you not want us to come? it's no big deal." Blushing, Willow replied quickly,
"Oh, it's not that. It's just, well, sometimes people don't like the smells of shops like that, although I do, plus, it's, well, magic's kinda personal, not that I don't trust any of you, it's just I only want you to come if you really want to, and I don't think that you guys really want to, and I'll be OK," she patted her waist, "I got stakes in case some bad vamps try to get me."
Cordelia smiled and said, "Great! So, who's coming home with me?" Reluctantly Doyle put his hand up. Angel's arms remained crossed over his stomach. Willow looked at him briefly, and said softly,
"Are you sure?" At his nod, she began to head towards the shop, Angel following close behind. Sharing a glance with Cordy, Doyle took her arm and began to lead her towards the parked car.
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
"Welcome! My name is Catrina. Is there anything you need help with?" Smiling gently at the woman before her, Willow answered,
"Hi. My name is Willow, and this is Angel. We're just looking. By any chance, do you have any jasmine?"
"Sure! Right this way!" As Catrina led Willow away, Angel began looking around the shop. Brown packages marked according to the contents laid in piles, while spices hung around the store, and pyramids of candles took up a lot of space. He walked farther back, and encountered stones and other elements. He heard talking coming from around the corner, and followed the noise. He found Willow and Catrina talking, with Willow explaining.
"And now the wine won't come out of it. I have tried every stain-remover under the sun, but nothing will work. So I thought I might try a little spell." Catrina let out a giggle that made Angel smile.
"I have just the thing. Do you have the dress with you?"
"Yup! I have the whole outfit."
"Well, that's great, because for the spell you have to wear the dress. See, it requires body heat to activate the ingredients after it's started. And wearing the rest of the outfit, that helps the spell even more."
"Great!! Well, I bet Angel's wondering where I am, so I guess I'll just get this stuff for tonight."
Angel quietly snuck back to the front and took up the position of leaning against the front door, trying to look bored, as the two girls came back. Catrina rang up Willow's purchases, and the girls said their good-byes. Angel directed a nod at Catrina, and stepped outside the store with Willow.
"You disappeared. I wondered if you left me." Willow let out a giggle, saying,
"Oh yeah, I'd leave the person who's giving me a place to stay behind, in an unfamiliar city, and wander off? Yup, sounds like something I would do." Angel's laughter filled the almost-deserted street as the two friends walked to the corner to catch a taxi.
~Part: 8~
"... Say it ain't so, I will not go. Turn the lights off. Carry me home..." the TV was on as Willow, Doyle, Angel, and Cordelia sat down in Angel's apartment playing a game of poker.
"Damn, I fold." Doyle put his cards in the middle. Angel smirked as he quirked an eyebrow at the demon.
"And why would you do such a thing? Could it be that you have no talent for this game?" Playing along, Doyle pretended to get huffy as he countered,
"Me? Not talented at anything? Ha, I beg to differ. I am folding because I have been up since two this morning investigating the murders at the park, but obviously no one cares about poor ol' Doyle. *mock-sigh* I will just go up to my apartment and brood," pointing the last word in Angel's direction, "girls, I will see you all tomorrow. Good-bye, good-bye." Bowing, Doyle turned and left, leaving Willow giggling, Cordy rolling her eyes, and Angel smiling.
"You know, I better go to bed too. Traveling is quite tiring. 'Night all." Willow laid her cards carefully on Doyle's.
"K, night Will. You know where to find me. Tomorrow I am gonna take a vacation day and let's go find some stuff to do." Cordelia replied.
"OK, but just one quick question: Is there anything fun to do in Los Angeles than just spend money?" Willow ventured out, needing to ask. Cordelia shot her a horrified look which spoke of the word 'No!' Willow left, laughing her herself. Cordy began cleaning up the cards and the food and drinks they had used during the game while Angel sat, with a small smile on his face, lost in his own world. Cordy just smirked and sighed.
"Angel's got a crush."
"Huh?"
"Angel's got a crush" Cordy sang in an obnoxious singsong voice.
"I do not."
"Yes, you do."
"I would know better than you, and I don't!"
" Ooh, showing a little fang?"
"You sound so much like Xander." That received a whack to Angel's head from Cordy and a throw pillow. "Ow! And who, madam, would I have a 'crush'" using his fingers as quotation marks as he said 'crush,' "on?"
"Willow and Angel sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G. You get the whole picture." Angel quickly shot her a death look before getting himself under control.
"I do not! Me and Willow? That could never happen."
"And why not? I think she has a thing for you too."
"Really? I mean, we don't have that type of relationship. Purely friendship."
"Oh, so now she isn't good enough for you? Ha, I beg to differ."
"No, it's the other way around. Er, it wouldn't work anyway. Remember what happened last time I got involved with a mortal."
"Buffy wasn't just a mortal. She was a Slayer. That should constitute for some insanity on both your parts, but Willow isn't a Slayer."
"She's a witch."
"And a damn good one."
"That's true, but she shouldn't be put through the worrying of me."
"Sounding a bit snobbish, aren't we?"
"No, just I have a dangerous job."
"Oh, and you don't think Willow doesn't? She's been the one to stick by Buffy defeating evil, using her magic to restore balance in the world, to fight bad vamps, to hug Buffy when she's down, to say good-bye to the first love of her life when he leaves, to stay up all night researching, to give up her education to fight for the better good. You don't think she has just a dangerous job? I think she has an even more dangerous one, considering she IS just a mortal, witch or no witch. She deserves one who will be able to protect her, yet hold her while she cries, to give her enough space to spread her wings in the world, to carry her away when she cuts herself on a butter knife, Willow is the best woman I've ever met, you being the best man, and the balance in the world needs you two to be together." Cordelia left in a huff, with Angel's head spinning. He sat, trying to collect his thoughts, for a few minutes, until he heard a soft knocking at his door. He opened the door slowly, afraid of Cordy being behind the door with a stake.
"Angel? It's, um, Willow."
"Willow? Come on in." Angel held the door for her, closing it after entering. She was wearing penguin pajamas, blue background with little penguins all over the shirt and shorts. On her feet were Grinch slippers, completely encasing her feet. <She looks so adorable. Cordy was only half right. I have more of a crush. I'm sure that I'm in love. With Willow. Gods, if she ever knew she'd flee.> She was nervously wringing her hands, looking at the floor. She glanced up to see Angel smiling, staring at her slippers. Her face turned to beet-red and she noticed what she was wearing.
"The slippers were a present from Xander from middle school because I told him when we were younger the Grinch was the best evil person on the earth, and he said that Moriarity was. I think that's the only battle where Xander actually chosea smarter figure for his fight over me. So, I bought him the complete collection ofSherlock Holmes stories and he bought me these. And the pajamas, well, I thoughtthey were cute but now that I look at them I do believe they need to be burned and while I'm doing that I'll just jump in, so bye." Willow began walking towards the door, stopping when she heard Angel burst into laughter.
"Willow, everything you ever wear is cute and I think the slippers and pajamas are great, especially on you. <Gods did I just say that!?!?!? She must think I'm a nerd!!!!!> Now, is there anything I can help you with?" Angel tried to remain calm while insulting thoughts on his behalf ran through his head. Willow began to blush all over again as she dropped her head down, letting her red hair encase her face.
"No, um, just wanted to talk. And, and now we talked! So I guess I better leave you alone. It was fun." Angel caught her arm as she tried to walk by.
"Come here Willow." He pulled her into a bear hug, with her head automatically going to lean against his chest. He held her as tight as he could while still letting her get air. Willow grew quite comfortable, as did Angel. <It's like we fit.> the thought ran through both their minds at the same time. Not wanting to disturb the time, Angel picked her up, getting a squeal from her, <DID I JUST SQUEAL?!!!!!!!!> and carrying her to the couch. He gently put her down and sat down beside her.
"K, well, um, I wanted to know how everything was in Los Angeles. Tell me about everything. I love hearing other people talk. I guess that's because I babble. I used to think I stopped the habit, but oddly enough as soon as I came here it came back. OK I'm gonna shut up now."
"My life? Not much has been going on. I help fight evil, save maidens from distress, and fight fire-breathing dragons. Actually that's not quite a lie, since what I went through a few weeks ago..... Tell me about everyone in Sunnydale."
"Well, everything's good. I told you about most of it. Giles is-oh no!!!! I forgot!" Concerned, Angel said quickly,
"What??"
"I should send him an email! I brought my laptop, it's up in my room. You can come up too, ask him something."
"OK, I think I will." Angel stood, helping Willow to her feet. He walked over and opened the door, letting Willow pass through first, then following behind, shutting the door. Neither noticed the pressed-down button, where Cordy had turned on the room intercom, then went up to Doyle's room to listen.
~Part: 9~
"'Dear Giles,
how is everyone in Sunnydale? I arrived in Los Angeles and am having a good time. I am staying with Cordelia, Angel, and Doyle, and have my laptop if you need anything. How are the vampires? Still evil as usual? Just wanted to tell you that I am safe and am having a great time. Take care of everyone and yourself.
Love, Willow.'
How does that sound? Too cheesy?" Willow paused in the writing.
"Willow, it's fine." Angel smiled at the redhead. She smiled as she said, "Why don't you write something to him?" He tensed up slightly as he thought, and replied,
"But wouldn't he, um, not like that? I mean isn't he still angry at me?"
"For what?"
"You know, Jenny."
"That wasn't you, that was Angelus."
"That was too me, he IS me."
"Is not."
"Is too."
"Is not."
"IS TOO!"
"IS NOT TIMES A MILLION!!"
"IS TOO TIMES A TRILLION!" They heard pounding at the door, accompanied by Cordy and Doyle running in, shouting, "WHAT'S GOING ON?!"
Angel pouted, saying, "Willow's being mean."
She scoffed and replied, "Am not."
"Are too."
"Am not."
"Are too."
"AM NOT!!!"
"ARE TOO!!!!" Doyle sighed and quickly said,
"The both of you be quiet! Gosh I knew I shouldn't have let you guys have that much coffee in one night while playing poker!!" Exchanging a look, Willow and Angel silently agreed as Angel said,
"Now Doyle's mean."
"Yup, Doyle's mean." Willow echoed Angel's reply. Doyle said, "Am not."
Angel and Willow replied in unison, saying,
"Are too!"
"Am not!"
"ARE TOO!"
"ALL OF YOU BE QUIET!!" Cordy shouted. With the decency to looked ashamed, Willow, Doyle, and Angel all bowed their heads and said together, "Yes ma'am."
~~In Sunnydale~~
Giles checked his email before leaving his house. To his surprise and
delight, he had an email from Willow. Quickly opening it, thanking his memory
that he remembered how, he began to read the letter.
'Dear Giles:
This is actually the second letter I have written to you, the first wasn't very good. I am having a wonderful time in LA I wish you could be here, there's so much to do! Today, well, yesterday considering it's just past midnight now, we went to this neat cafe where the tables and chairs are really high up and we sat on the floor. And we went shopping at night and there's this neat magic shop with a nice lady who gave me the stuff to perform a spell to get a bad stain out of my dress. And Cordy and I went shopping too. Speaking of Cordy, she's doing great here too. She works for Angel. Speaking of Angel, he wanted to write you so here he is.
Giles, Angel here. Just wanted to drop a line and see how everything was doing there. Life is good in Los Angeles. Oh, Willow just told me to tell you about my new fortune. I can now go outside in the sunlight. I destroyed the ring but a few months back I helped a client who was a gypsy, and this was her form of payment. Oh, and Willow just told me again to tell you that tomorrow we are going sight-seeing. Now she is taking the laptop away from me. Good-bye Gil-
K Willow again. No! Angel's trying to take my laptop away from me!
ACKK!!!!!!!!!!!!
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OFFFFFF!!! FSSSSSSN!!!
Giles, Angel back. After a quick tickle fight, I reclaimed possession of the laptop to finish my letter. Now Willow is challenging me to another fight. Hold on.
MYYYY :LAPPTTOP! NOOO ANNNNGEEEEL!!!
ACCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NONO!
Angel back. She got to the laptop, but was no match for meeeeee aaaaaaah!!!!!
Take that bad-ass vampire. Willow again. Haha he may be stronger, but I am skilled in the art of pillow-throwing. Uh oh, he's coming back. He looks angry. G/G! Love, Willow AND ANGEL
PS: WILLOW LOST! NO ANGEL DID! LIAR! YOU THE LIAR!!!!!! NO YOU LIE!!!!'
Shaking his head, with a big grin on his face, Giles printed out the email and folded it up, sticking it in his wallet. <Whenever I feel bad, I'm just gonna pull this email out. I am sure it will cheer me up. I'm so glad she's having a good time. It sounds like Angel's lightened up quite a bit.> With a final pat of his wallet, Giles shut down the computer and left to go meet Buffy for a quick patrol.
~Part: 10~
A few days later...
Angel walked through the lobby from his apartment, stretching and yawning, mumbling,
"Gotta lay off the coffee at night when tracking demons..... feel like I was hit by a cab driver..... oh yeah, I was..... but he was a demon....... so I was hit by a demon car...... it wasn't possessed..... I wonder what would have happened if it was possessed.... K here's the corner...... ow stubbed my toe..... that hurt.... oww stubbed my toe again....... that hurt...... oww dammit I stubbed my toe again....... grrrrrr.... need the newspaper.... Gonna read the paper.... Hahaha corner didn't stub my toe on you....... dammit I forgot about my other foot..... owww..... OK...... gonna read the paper..... gotta get the paper first...... going to get the paper.... Gonna read the pap-"
Angel stopped short as he unlocked and opened the door, intent on getting the bulk of paper delivered each morning at five o'clock. Except this morning it wasn't there. Still in his sleepy state of mind, Angel wandered outside the building only wearing his boxers, looking around for it After a few minutes of searching, he finally gave up and went back inside. While he was standing in the elevator to go back to his apartment, Cordelia's voice came over the intercom in the elevator.
"Angel? Willow? Are you in there? You two aren't in your apartment."
Stifling a yawn, he pressed the "REPLY" button and answered,
"Yeah, Angel here. The paper's not here. Damn paperboy, I bet he forgot again."
Cordelia sighed impatiently. "Who cares about the paper? I just tried to talk to Willow but she's not answering her intercom. I thought she might be in the elevator but obviously she's not." Angel thought for a moment, wondering out loud, "Where could she be?"
"Go to her apartment and find out, k? Make sure she's okay." She ended their conversation by turning off the intercom. Angel quickly pressed a button, directing the elevator to Willow's floor.
The doors opened, and he stepped out quickly, still forgetting of his partly undressed state of being. Walking towards her front door, he quickly knocked, saying rather loudly, "Willow? Willow?" After a few minutes of knocking the redhead in question opened the door, hair disheveled and looking like a deer in front of headlights.
"WHAT?!" Only then did Willow realize who it was. "Angel! I am so sorry! Come in, come in!"
She quickly ushered him in the apartment, with only one light source in the building, a lamp in her room. She pulled him in there and flounced on the bed and pulled up her forgotten laptop while he stood by the doorway, unsure of what to do. Looking around, he soon found the newspaper that only minutes ago he was searching for.
"Willow, did you get the paper from outside?" She looked up and grinned shyly. "Oh, yeah. I'm terribly sorry, it's just that I heard in a chat that this morning there was an article in there that I HAD to read." She motioned for him to sit by her on the bed, while she quickly pulled out the newspaper clipping that was of so much importance.
"See, I was in a chat earlier, and heard about this nifty thing that British Intelligence."
Looking up from the article, Angel quirked an eyebrow up at her before sitting down by her to read the article she handed him. After skimming it quickly, Angel looked at Willow, who was typing furiously, her eyebrows scrunched up in concentration.
"Willow, what does this mean?" Grinning as she continued to type, the redhead hacker replied, "What the British Intelligence has done, in order to find people that might be of use to them, is create a puzzle, coded and split into 5 different pieces, which they have hidden throughout their site. You have to find them, decipher them and arrange them and then send what it says to them."
Angel's eyebrows raised. "Um, but Willow, the British Intelligence only hires, um, British people." Willow let out a laugh that slightly scared Angel.
"That's what everyone thinks. Due to my link with the Watcher's organization, I have been informed that if I can solve this, then I will be offered a job immediately. They have a spot ready for me actually, they just want to see how long this will take me. And.... I'm done."
Willow hit the 'ENTER' key and crossed her arms, with a proud grin on her face. "Four hours and twelve minutes, including the time it took me to answer the door. Not bad, if I do say so myself."
Angel just stared at her, confusion written across his face. "Willow, why do you want a job working with the British Intelligence?" A look of surprise and guilt quickly spread across Willow's face as she quickly tried to cover her blunder.
"Well, you see, I thought that maybe, you know, I could get a boost up, like, a way into the big playing field." Angel stood up. "You mean, a way out of California. I knew this would happen a long time ago. You want a normal life. I don't blame you, it's just surprising to find out this way. You win a contest to get the hell as far away as possible? hmm...."
Defiantly, Willow stood up, looking straight up into his face, anger written all over her face and in her tone.
"NO! It's not like that at all! It's-" Willow's angry face crumbled into one that spoke of sadness and she broke down crying, covering her face with her hands. Angel quickly felt guilty of losing his cool and pulled her into a bear hug, cradling her sobbing frame. He felt her tears hit his naked chest until after a few moments she quit crying, and just sniffled. Her voice was shaking as she continued what she had started to say earlier.
"It's, it's just that I want to help Buffy and leaving is the only way I know how."
She began to cry again as Angel murmured soothing words, rubbing her back in circles. They remained like that until Willow finally gasped and pulled away. Afraid that he hurt her, Angel said quickly, "Willow?!?! What's the matter?!!"
"You're naked! Well, half-naked! Oh my gosh! And I was crying! While you were naked! In boxers! And only boxers! Nononononono!" and quickly fled to the safety of her bathroom, leaving Angel locked in his confusion, staring at the closed bathroom door. Willow's voice drifted to him, snapping him out of his own little world. "Angel, um, you can leave now." Walking slowly to the door, Angel called out, "I'm not until you tell me why you want to go to Britain."
"Angel, please! Fine, asshole. Buffy has enough to take care of without worrying about me. Plus, if I go to England then I can work with the Watcher's Council and help her. But I don't need to be near her, she needs to take care of everyone else and with me in the way she can't."
"So you are leaving to work with the Council?"
"NO! That's just a side benefit, like worker's comp or something." "But why England?"
"Cuz it's not Sunnydale." "Well, neither is Los Angeles." Angel's last remark was met by silence. That is, until the bathroom door creaked open a bit, with Willow looking out at Angel, green eyes meeting brown ones. Angel came closer to the door, unsure of what was going on. Willow swallowed as she implored, "What did you say?"
"You don't have to go to England, Willow, to help Buffy. She needs you nearby, and Los Angeles is far enough away but still close."
The door opened a bit more and Angel caught a glimpse of red hair falling over her face before she hastily tucked it behind her ear. "But, in England I know people, well, sorta, through the Internet but I know people there."
"And what do you call Cordelia, Doyle, and me?" He smiled, as he realized where this conversation could lead to.
"But I would just get in the way here, too. And what good have I accomplished?"
Angel jokingly rolled his eyes. "And you think that Cordelia helps more than you would? Willow, you're just what we need. You're smart, talented, funny, and the most wonderful person that I have met in my entire existence." He slowly pushed on the bathroom door, showing Willow with tears streaking down her face. He led her to the tabletop, and helped her sit up there, enjoying being close to her again. She managed to say through her tears.
"Wh-wh-why? I'm not special." "Willow, these past few days with you have been the most precious days throughout my entire life. Being near you, working with you, playing poker with you, it makes me realize how much I missed you. You are the bravest, sweetest, most caring person in the entire world, and to even see you smile for one second makes me realize how lucky I am to have you as a friend. Willow, please, don't go to England. Please come live here with us. I know it's not what you are expecting, but you will never have to worry about anything ever again." He paused, unsure of what to say next. Willow took care of it for him.
"Angel, do you really want me here?"
"With all my heart." Smiling as she wiped her nose, she said jokingly, "But how am I gonna get all my stuff here?"
Laughing, Angel pulled the redhead in for a hug as she began to giggle. "Oh, we'll think of something. If anything, you can just leave everything there and let Cordy take you shopping."
Willow looked up, horror in her eyes, causing Angel to laugh again and clutch her to him. <Thank you, gods, for sending her here. I don't know what I did to deserve it, but thank you.>
~Part: 11~
Willow sat up quickly, startled at the sound a phone ringing. She scrambled over the pillows to reach it. She pulled out the antenna, and hit the PHONE button.
"Hello?"
"I was starting to get worried sweetie when you didn't answer the phone. Are you OK?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, accidentally fell asleep while reading the paper." Angel smirked on the other end of the phone line.
"You stole my paper again? Last time you did that you decided to live here. What's next? You'll move in my apartment? You're getting too much to handle." Willow smiled, thinking back to that occasion months ago, when Angel invited her to stay in the building with him and the others.
"Hey now, you invited me."
"I wasn't thinking right."
"HEY!"
"Have I told you how much I love you today?" Angel smiled. Calling Willow every morning to tell her that message became the happiest time in Angel's day.
"Well, I need to go get ready. I'll bring the paper to your place when I'm done, OK?"
"All right, I'll see you then. Love you."
"Love you too." Then she added "I MISS YOU!" right as they were hanging up. She fell back on her bed, smiling, as she thought back to the night that she finally confessed to him how much she loved him.
~~~~~~~~A few months ago~~~~~~
"Just because you moved in doesn't mean you're off the hook!"
"Cordy, please! My feet hurt, my back hurts, my head hurts, everything hurts! No more, please!" Cordelias stern look at Willow finally caused the red head to stand up and sigh.
"Fine, where to now?" Cordelia nodded at Willow's submission.
"The mall. All the sales just ended, so everything's back to normal price. I refuse to buy anything that's on sale." The two girls walked outside the building that they both called home, in time to see Angel just returning from a walk.
"Hello girls, where are you off to?" Willow thought quickly and replied, "Angel, you have to save me! Cordy's taking me shopping, again! The fourth time TODAY! PLEASE don't let her do this! Save me!" Angel grinned as Cordy clamped a hand over Willow's mouth and proceeded to start dragging the witch off. After a few seconds the vampire decided to help out his needy friend and called out,
"Wait! Never fear, Angel is here! Guardian of all weaker species, to protect and serve those in need! And anyone going shopping with Cordelia needs my protection. Cordy, release your captive! I need her to file a few things for me anyway." Cordelia growled as she let go of Willow, who sprinted off to the building doors, in case her shopping-obsessed friend decided to give chase.
"Well, Angel, since you took away my shopping buddy, you might as well tell her." Angel, confused at what she meant, replied,
"Tell her what?" Cordelia sighed, impatient with the conversation.
"That you love her, remember? You told me you were going to tell her sometime soon, now is a perfect chance! So march right up there and sweep her off her tired feet!" Cordelia nodded once to emphasize her point, then walked off, credit card ready, to buy a new wardrobe. After watching her go, Angel looked at the office doors with dread, knowing that it was time to tell Willow The News.
Upstairs in the office Willow began wringing her hands, growing more nervous with each passing second. For months she had kept quiet, never telling a soul about her feelings for the vampire who had befriended her and cared for her. For months she hadn't told anyone that she loved the person who took her in and protected her from the evils that seemed to always be around. But now, now she would. This was the first time in a while that they had time alone together, and she was determined to tell him. He deserved to know, after all. Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, Willow felt her heart beat quicken as she heard the office door open and Angel's voice call out,
"Willow? Are you here?" Gathering up her courage Willow turned around and faced him. Pasting a fake smile on her face she nodded, not trusting her voice yet. Angel looked at the ground, scuffing the carpet a bit with his shoes, unsure of what to do next. "Um, Willow, I need to tell you something."
"I love you." Angel's head shot straight up to stare at Willow, whose eyes were wide with terror and her hand clamped her mouth. Tears filled her eyes. "Um, what I meant to say is, um, I gotta go." Willow tried to walk past Angel but was detained when he grabbed her arm, holding her by his side.
Angel used his other hand to lift her chin, which was trembling.
"What did you say?" Willow's bottom lip began to quiver, thinking to herself that this was it, that she would never see him again.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that. But, but I don't take it back."
Angel gently smiled, and he pulled the redhead into an embrace.
"Oh, my darling darling Willow, I don't want you to take it back. I've been wanting to tell you for so long but I've been afraid that you would leave me. I love you too, you're made me the happiest man or vampire ever to walk on this earth." And that's how they stayed for a long time afterwards, just holding each other, neither moving, not wanting to move, but just wanting to hold the other close and never let go.
~~~~~~The Present~~~~~
Willow timidly knocked on Angel's door holding his treasured newspaper,
but when no one answered she became concerned. Finding the door unlocked,
she slowly opened his front door, not sure of what to do.
"Um, Angel, it's me, Willow, here, with your paper, and I knocked, but you didn't answer. Where are you? Angel? Ang-ACK!" Angel pounced on Willow, having been waiting for her. They fell to the ground and Willow tried to push his larger frame off of her, laughing, and squealing. "Angel, Angel, stop, stop, let me up, I just fixed my hair and you're messing it up! Get up!"
Angel slowly relented, and she sat up, smoothing her now-disheveled hair down with one hand while the other still clutched the paper. The vampire saw this and gently pried the newspaper away from his girlfriend, and then stood up.
Looking down at Willow, he bent over and picked her up, then carried her over to a nearby couch.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, I was just so happy to see you, and you were looking so cute and defenseless, and it was so funny, I couldn't stop. Forgive me?" Using his puppy-dog eyes look, Angel tried to gain sympathy from Willow, who was pretending to be angry at him.
"That wasn't very nice you know." Then she grinned and pulled him down beside her for a quick kiss. "But it was funny. Now, I'm going to your bathroom to see how bad I look, thanks to your entertaining ways of greeting me." With that, She skipped to Angel's bathroom, and walked over to the mirror.
Finally satisfied with her looks, Willow glanced around at the room, amused at how much of it now reflected her place in Angel's life. Picture frames scattered around the room filled with memories of their time together, some make-up and a toothbrush of hers were on the counter for her late-night stays, an old sweater of hers was hanging up beside Angel's bathrobe, and other odds and ends around the room made it seem cozier for her. Walking over to the door Willow put her hand on the light switch, and glanced back around the room. <Funny how a bathroom can reflect a person's life so much.>
Besides
her items, it was
plain to see who was the main attendant of the bathroom. The paint on the
walls was of a dark green, and the towels were blood red. Though the main
portion of the room, including the cabinet and sink area, was well lit
and colorful, the corners of the bathroom were dark and gloomy. <Just
like Angel, heehee.> Willow looked across the room at her reflection in
the mirror. She stared at her image for a few moments before smiling. <Yes,
I like the image of me in this room, in this person's life. I'm right where
I belong. Good-bye past, hello future!> With that Willow turned off the
switch and walked out of the room, and back to Angel's arms. Back to right
where she belonged.
The End