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Disclaimer: Joss owns them all, No copyright is intended.
Distribution: Ask and you shall receive…
Rating: PG -13
Pairings: Angel/Willow
Summary: Willow returns to Sunnydale after her carnage spree. The only thing Willow wants is for her friends to forgive her.
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What the hell was she doing back in Sunnydale? This was the one place that had contributed to all of her terrible memories of her past. Sunnydale was the very place that had killed all her high spirits that she once had. Willow wasn’t the same person any more because all of her kindness, the need to love and the need to be in love again were gone. Willow could remember when she was younger she was fine and dandy until she grew up some and found out that there were demons, vampires, and other things that goes bump in the night, living on this world besides humans. This is an evil place, it will always be, but the one thing Willow will always remember is this was where she had lost the love of her life. Willow couldn’t believe she was gone, they had just gotten back together and she was getting ready to go home just for a little while. That’s when she was taken away from her again by a piece of metal, which was the one thing that pushed Willow over the edge.
Willow believed that she couldn’t handle her old life again not without Tara. It had been hard before, but Tara had come back, there wasn’t any chance this time for Tara to return. She was gone forever and Willow didn’t know how to prepare for this change.
On the day Tara was taken away, Willow had begged the spirits to give her back but they wouldn’t. When she held her dead love in her hands Willow vowel to get the people that were involved in destroying her life. Willow’s day had gone from bad to worst when she found out that Buffy had almost gotten killed. With revenge on her mind at that time Willow had done something that she thought she would never do…….kill someone. Shit she even tried to kill Dawn and was about to destroy the world but thanks to her best friend she didn’t. Willow had basely classified herself alone with Angelus and the rest of the demons.
Willow sighed and sat back in her seat she wanted to forget everything that had happened and move on with her life. She wanted forgiveness for the Gods and wanted her family of friends back the way they used to be, but she knew the moment that her plane landed and she took that first step back on hellmouth soil she would be looked at differently.
Willow sat back and waited patiently for the plane to lane. Willow didn’t
know if she really wanted to come back to all the memories, but Giles had
insisted that it would help her with reentering the real world. He assured
her that everything was going to be okay even if she didn’t finish her
training.
After the plane came to a complete stop and the announcement made she
stood grabbing her take on bag from the panel above her head and heading
off. Willow didn’t expect anyone to be there in the first place so when
she walked through the gates and didn’t see any of her friends she wasn’t
surprised). Willow knew that her friends had known she was coming
home today. She hoped they were busy getting ready for their New Year’s
Eve party tonight, rather than accepting the terrifying thought that they
have forgotten her.
Willow collected her bags and left the airport and waved down a cab. As she sat inside the familiar scenery passing unnoticed, she thought about the party tonight. The party tonight. The party she didn’t want to attend, she didn’t want to face the world yet. Willow didn’t know if she was ready, or if her friends were ready to accept her.
{Geez…Willow you only went and killed a guy. Now why would they look at you any different?} She shook the thought as the cab pulled over to the curve. Willow took a deep breath then proceeded to put her things in the truck then she got into the cab. She told the cabby were she wanted to go. He only shook his head while setting the meter and drove off.
***
Xander and Buffy walked around the magic shop making sure that they had everything they needed. They had presents for Willow and the rest of the little odds and ends for the celebration tonight. It was a big party actually two different groups had reserved that ballroom with some agreement between Buffy and the other lady they said they would have it together. They had invited everyone they knew with some altercation with some people on the list from Xander. Xander protested about having Angel and his crew there but he agreed after an all out thumbs war with Buffy and her almost breaking his fingers. But when she told him Spike was coming too he went on about how he didn’t want deadboy jr. there trying to hit on everyone with his ‘ello loves and bloody hells. Buffy laughed at the bad impersonation of Spike but she knew he tried his best. It took some convincing from her but Xander finally agreed with some minor treats about not letting his tongue stay in his mouth.
Buffy still couldn’t understand why she had a thing for the blonde vampire. She thought about it some more and then it came to her, it was his icy blue eyes, his nice tight body and those incredible lips were enough to make her scream. Buffy was pulled out of her thoughts by Xander’s voice.
“Buffy…What time is Wil’s plane coming in?” Xander asked as he and Buffy walked out of the magic shop with the boxes of stuff. They were headed back to the Crowne Plaza Hotel on the other side of town to make some minor alterations before going home to get changed. Suddenly Xander realized they had forgotten something really important, Willow.
“I think she’s on the 5p.m. flight.” Buffy told him not really paying attention to the question as she set the rest of the party favors down into the back of her car.
“Then we’re very late in collecting her cause it’s five forty five,” he replied glancing at his watch. He wanted today to be perfect for Willow, Welcome her home. How could he forget the time of her flight? She’d think they didn’t want her back. He’d been right all those years before when he’d told Willow that he was the king of cretins; he obviously wasn’t going to relinquish that crown any time soon.
“Shit, she is going to think that we don’t want anything to do with her. How could you let us forget Xander?” Buffy chastised him getting angrier with herself by the moment. Just the thought of Willow walking off that plane and no one being there to greet her made her literally want to hit herself right in the mouth. Buffy was so sorry they had been so wrapped up in the party for her that they forgot about her.
“I guess I was so wrapped up in setting up for her I forgot too.” He said as Buffy slammed down the trunk of her car. She told him to get in and they sped off in the direction of airport.
***
Willow opened the door and walked inside. This house had once been her home, but now she felt like she was a visitor here, a visitor in her parent’s home. She walked into the front room to find a welcome home banner but no one there.
Willow looked over to the table on the other side of the room and saw a light flashing on a recorder on the table that was near some wrapped gifts. Willow set her bags down then shut the door. She walked over too the table and picked it up the recorder up waiting a couple of seconds then she pressed play.
There was a little song in the background playing before she heard her moms’ voice. “Hi Willow this is your mom and dad sorry we are not there to greet you but we had to leave go to Florida. We just wanted to let you know that we love you and miss you. We hope you had fun on your vacation I hope you brought back lots of souvenirs. We are so proud that you decided to move back in with us and can’t wait to get back to see you. We brought you some gifts, which I know you can see. Open them and again welcome back. We’ll call you as soon as we can. Love you…..Bye.”
With hearing a long pause in the tape Willow pressed stopped and looked at the gifts again. “What did I suspect? It’s just like my birthdays. They weren’t there on my special days and they weren’t there when I was in school what’s the difference now? At least they don’t know I killed somebody. ” She said to herself as she set the tape player back down and grabbed her bags before walking upstairs to her old room. Willow wasn’t in a mood for presents at the time when she really thought that she shouldn’t be getting anything special especially after the way she had acted.
Willow opened her door to find it looked exactly the same when she left.
*Fuzzy* was all should could do to describe the way her room looked. ‘Okay
it’s time for a major decorator or I really have to find my own place soon,’
She thought as she walked up to her bed and set her bags on top of it.
She opened the suitcase and pulled out a nice green dress that had sequins
on it. The dress was long and she knew that she needed heels to go with
it so she had bought the perfect pair before she’d left for England.
She laid it down on the bed and walked into the bathroom to take a nice
long bath. All Willow wanted to do was take a long relaxing bath to wash
away the unpleasantness that forever seemed to surround her.
Willow walked over to the bathtub and turned on the water, enjoying the familiarity of the smells and aromas as she poured in the bath crystals. She was just about to get ready to enjoy her bath when she was interrupted by the shrill sound of the phone invading her thoughts.
“It never fails.” She said to herself before she walked over and picked up the receiver. “Hello,” she answered.
“Willow, is that you?” Buffy asked.
“Yeah, Buffy it’s me,” Willow answered dryly.
“God…girl I’m sorry. Xander and I were busy with the party and we forgot then we came to the airport to look for you then you weren’t here. Then I decide to call to see if you were home and now that I found you I see you are ok but to make a long story short.
“Willow, I’m sorry. We lost track of time, with the party and everything. When we realized the time we headed for the airport, but we’d missed you. We wanted to welcome you back and we’ve mange to royally screw it up. Can you forgive us? ‘Cause we’re having a pretty hard time accepting that we forgot to pick up our best friend….” Buffy rambled.
Willow could hear Xander in the background asking is she ok. She could only smile that her best friend was still so concerned.
{Not like I haven’t been forgotten before} She thought. “It’s ok Buffy. I am getting ready to take a bath. Can I meet you guys at the plaza?” Willow replied.
“Do you want us to come and get you?” Buffy asked.
“Don’t worry Buffy. I’ll meet you guys there, I want to familiarize myself with Sunnydale.” {I want to see if it’s willing for forgive} she added to herself. “I’ll remember the safety measure, stake, holy water and good running shoes,” she tried to joke.
“Are you sure because it’s no problem at all?”
“I’ll be fine. You worry about getting yourself there on time,” Willow couldn’t resist teasing her friend. “I’ve got to go otherwise my bath will be an ocean.”
“Ok see you in a few,” Buffy said dryly. Willow heard Buffy sigh with disappointment on the other end of the phone before she heard her continuing. “I miss you, Willow.”
Willow smiled in relief that her friends missed her. She could still here Xander in the background saying, “Tell her I miss her too….Buffy tell her I miss her too….”
“I miss you guys too. Make sure you tell Xander.”
“I will.”
Willow replaced the receiver and returned to the bathroom. She sat on the side of the tub and watched the bubbles dance to the surface. Willow stood back up and began to strip. She didn’t really think Buffy had forgotten her on purpose but could never tell. Willow always came to the same conclusion when she evaluated her life, the Hellmouth always made it far too complicated and dangerous.
She stepped into the tub and sat back. She finally felt the warmth of the water relax her body. This was just what she needed to see her through the traumas that no doubt waited for her tonight at the party.
***
“What did she say Buffy…..what did she say? Is she mad or what?” Xander, demanded, anticipation and guilt coursing through him.
“*Xander* if you don’t cut out the child talk then that promise about the tongue thing goes into effect without a doubt.” Buffy threatened, her hands indicating a scissor movement.
Xander drew back as to act to be shock. “I am so hurt….I was just worrying about my best bud and all.” He bent down on one knee in the middle of the airport and went to sing out of tune on purpose, “Please forgive me….Ohhhhh Please forgive me. Buffy Summers.” Which attracted a lot of attention to them.
Buffy couldn’t do anything but turn and walk out of the airport door. {Xander is so dead for that.}
Xander couldn’t help himself but laugh when he saw the shade of red Buffy’s face change to as he sang. He walked out of the airport bowing and saying thank you to his fans that stopped with shock to look at his show. When he made it to the car he saw Buffy sitting in the driver seat her hand clutched to the wheel tightly waiting on him. Xander opened he door and got in he knew he was going to have to apologize but the look on Buffy’s face indicated that now was not the time or the place. Enclosed spaced with a very angry and embarrassed slayer were not healthy, especially for the person who’d caused embarrassment.
Buffy literally jumped on him before he had a change to Xander struggled to get free but it was no anvil from the slayer grip so he didn’t the next best thing he could think of he screamed. It was so loud and in a high pitched that the walkers in the streets was stopping and observing the two. The onlookers thought that there where fighting or something.
“Ouch Buffy I have to us that tonight.” He tried to explain as she was now sitting on top of him in the passenger seat she had pulled his tongue out of his mouth and was treating to cut it out with a pair of scissors in her hand that she got out of the box in the back seat.
“Xander I should cut the damn thing off for that stunt.” Buffy threaten. She wasn’t really mad but she had to show him about playing with her especially in public.
“I’m so,” he tired to apologize but was hard with the slayer hand gripped tighter around his tongue.
“Don’t you even think of apologizing for that immature display in there? Just remember I don’t have to save you next time a vampire decides you’re it’s perfect meal….Just you wait Alexander Lavelle Harris….Revenge will be mine!
Buffy did a couple of more snips close to his tongue with the scissors before she looked down at him and laugh. She released his tongue and moved off him and sat back in to driver seat just in time to see the onlookers. Buffy leaned back and put to scissors back in back before sitting back down. Both of them couldn’t help but bust into a fit of laughs as she started up the car and drove off.
Buffy had told Xander about what Willow had said after there laugher stopped and told him she will be back to pick him up in an hour. There where already late due to they stopped by the hotel and put the rest of the things up.
***
“Earth to Angel…..Angel are you still with us?” Cordelia asked as she looked to the back seat of the truck at her boss. He seems to be in a daze or something. Usually he would be fidget about riding down the road while it was still sunlight but he didn’t seem nervous.
They had put cardboard papers up to the windows in the back and side of the her SUV so that no sunlight could come through but Angel still was thinking hard about something and it wasn’t about the direct sunlight, so she wonders what it could be.
“Yeah I’m still here, I am just a little tired.” He lied.
“Ok it’s almost sunset and we should be at the hotel Buffy told us about in about 45 minutes.”
“Ok, ” Was all he managed to say before going back into his brooding mood.
Cordelia thought that maybe Angel was worried about meeting Buffy again but what she didn’t know it wasn’t Buffy that had her boss’s heart but a little red head witch. Willow was the only one that occupied most of his thoughts and dreams and when he heard about what happened to her and what she did he couldn’t blame her.
If they would have told him that Willow was dead he probably would have done the same thing dam the consequences. Angel could remember when Buffy had called him and told him what happened he had wanted to jump in his car and drive back to Sunnydale just to comfort Willow. But Buffy told him that after Xander stopped her from destroying the world Giles took Willow away somewhere and he didn’t tell them where. Angel knew Giles knew exactly what he was doing he just wanted to help.
Angel let out an unneeded breath and sat back in the seat he remember how happy he was when he got an call the day after Christmas asking for him and the rest of them to come to the New Years/Willow homecoming party. Angel was too overjoyed at the thought of seeing Willow again. She was his savior his light and his angel.
“Angel you are really wigging me. Do you actually know you are smiling…*again*?” Cordelia asked as she once again pulled Angel from his thoughts.
“I am, uh…I didn’t notice?” He almost snapped.
“Yes you are and you have been doing it for about a week now. Staring off into space and then you start smiling. Is there something you want to tell us?”
”Nope….naha…nothing,” he said with a straight face.
“Being all brooding on us, are you. I know you are happy to see the love of you life again.”
“Of course,” he answered too quickly. He hadn’t really heard the question or he did and he was thinking that she was talking about Willow.
“I knew it,” Cordelia said.
“Knew what?”
“That you couldn’t wait to see Buffy again.”
“Ohhh….ohhh no…ummm….yeah I guess I am glad to see Buffy again but it’s not that. Just drop it Cordy.” Angel answered not really wanting to go into details with her.
“Yeah you better Cordy,” Gunn said from the second row of seats while holding Fred in his arms.
“What I wasn’t doing anything,” Cordelia asked.
“Yeah and you weren’t trying to find out anything out,” Wesley said from the driver seat.
“Whatever,” Cordelia concluded the conversation.
The whole car laughed at the ex cheerleader.
***
Willow was now turning around in her full glass mirror. She smiled at how much she has changed. Willow liked the way the dress looked on her. It seems to hug her in all the right places. The shoes that she picked where a perfect match they where nice emerald shoes that glittered like her dress. The dress had two splits on each side the stopped just shy of he hips.
She went into the bathroom and made sure her makeup was still applied properly and her hair was still straight.
Willow heard the cab blowing outside and she did one more look in the mirror then grabbed her purse and walked out of her room. Once she made it to the bottom step she looked at the gifts again. “I’ll open them when I get back,” She said to herself as she walked out the door making sure it was locked. Willow got into the cab then gave him the address and they drove off.
***
Buffy, Dawn, Xander, and Anya were not the first at the party. The food was set up properly and the gifts where in place. The music was playing softly in the background while people where eating, dancing and some talking. They looked at their job and were satisfied with it.
Buffy’s eyes wandered around looking for Willow but she only spotted Oz, He was in the corner talking so some other guys. She waved happy to see that he had actually showed up. He looked up and waved back at Buffy when he seen her wave then returned back to the conversation.
“Buffy I am going to dance with my friend for a while,” Dawn told her sister.
“Friend what friend? What do you mean friend? What type of friend?” Buffy asked with a series of question that sounded a little like her mother used to use.
”I just spotted my date,” Dawn pointed over to the other side of the room where this handsome young man was standing. He was dressed in black, which made Buffy suspicious, but it was cut short by the door opening and Angel and his crew walked in.
“Ok be careful, Dawn,” Buffy told her as she walked towards angel and his crew.
“Hey Angel how are you?” Buffy asked, a nervous tingle to her voice, this was the first encounter they’d had since she’d visited L.A. two years before.
“I’m good and you?” Angel asked as he looked around the room for his red head. He thought when did she ever become *his* ?
Buffy looked at him he was just as handsome as that night he left.
“I’m okay. I see you are doing…” Buffy words where short when she heard Cordelia.
“Geez, how are you too, Buffy?” You two might as well kiss and make up because we couldn’t even get an greeting.”
“Hi to you too, Cordy.” Buffy said sarcastically. “Sorry, guys” She managed to say when she saw the others standing around. “How are you doing?”
“I’m great,” Wesley told her. Wesley was particular about getting drunk tonight because the women that he had wanted since the day they brought her back with them she had been in love with other men. First she was first so in love with Angel then she went to him……Gunn. {Oh Bloody hell I need a couple of stiff ones.} he thoughts as he listened to the other ones greet Buffy.
“Me too,” Gunn said.
“I am doing good what about you Buffy?” Fred asked.
“I’m fine. Why don’t you go and enjoy yourselves? Food is over there.” She pointed in one direction. “And the dance floor is there.” Buffy motioned to the other side of the room. “We are still waiting on Willow to show then we can get the celebrations started.” Buffy explained.
“Okay,” they all said as they walked off in different direction.
Angel stood in place and waited until the others left. “How is she?” He asked Buffy.
Buffy felt a sharp pain at what had happened earlier. “She is ok………..I hope.”
“I hope?” He asked. “You’re not certain?”
“I haven’t had a chance to see her yet, we spoke on the phone, but things have been a little hectic and we missed her at the airport.” Buffy explained but jumped a little when she heard him growl.
”YOU DID WHAT?” Angel asked a little pissed at the slayer.
“We didn’t mean to, Angel it just happened I called and talked to her but she was already home and then I offered to pick her up but she said she was on her way.” She hurried and explained.
“Ok,” Was all he said before he walked off leaving a stunned slayer behind. Buffy watched as the love of her life left and walked over to where the guys where. He looked back at Buffy as he started talking. He turned away and continued his conversation.
Buffy walked back over to Xander and Anya. They where now sitting at a random table. Buffy pulled out a chair to sit in front of them. The look in her eyes said it all.
“God, Buffy what’s up with dead boy? He walked by and didn’t even say hi or nothing and I could have swore I SAW yellow in his eyes.”
“True, Buffy. He seemed pissed.” Anya replied already knowing what was going on. She had sensed Angel feelings.
“I only told him about Willow and how we forgot to pick her up today,” Buffy explained.
“Oh…I see now. I think he has a thing for her,” Anya said not really knowing she had just spoken the truth.
“I know….,” Buffy said dryly.
“What do you mean you know?” Xander asked a little lost in the conversation.
“He told me he had feelings for Willow the night of the Accession right before graduation time. I was so hurt that. He tried to say how sorry he was and how much he loved me but she held the key to his heart. Guys to tell you the truth the real reason he left was because he was in love with her….her not me and he didn’t want to do anything that would destroy her life. Not because of us not because of Angelus but her.”
”Deadboy loves who?” Xander almost screamed. He couldn’t understand “Why in the hell would he love Willow?”
“I didn’t know then and I don’t know now, but I knew it had to be someone because he was always so preoccupied when we were together the last couple of months. He wasn’t the same when we first got together.” Buffy looked at the table you could here the hurt in her words. “The night we made love it was so perfect at first….I never though it could get any better until I heard him call out her name then my whole world crumbled. The name of my best friend escaped his lips as he …well…um…you know…..It had escaped before he could stop it then he looked at me but I just pretended that I didn’t hear him. I was too hurt. It was Willow that brought him his true happiness not me. He was with me but pretending I was her.”
“I would have staked him,” Anya told her honestly.
“I wanted to but I had to find out if Willow felt the same. When he lost his soul and Angelus came, he was infatuated with her too.”
“Angelus too?” Xander asked.
“Yep. I could tell because I caught one of his minors watching Willow’s house for him and when I almost broke even bone in his body he confessed that Angelus wanted the witch. Shit I was so pissed I staked him without a blink.” Buffy sighed and thought about not finishing the conversation but it was in the open now so she might as well.
“That’s the reason I sent him to hell…I knew he had a soul again and the only thing I had to do was throw the sword in with some of his blood to close it up but I wanted him to suffer for wanting my best friend.”
“That’s harsh Buffy,” Xander tried to defend Angel. “I can understand a couple of broken ribs for it but for a man to spend hundreds of years in the hell was not the proper punishment.
“I know I am sorry for it but then after he came back from hell I notice he acted more different then than before I thought his love for her was gone but I had to observed the two of them just to make sure Willow didn’t feel the same. But then it came all to clear that he was still in love with Willow even after all that time in Hell. I noticed the way he looked at her when she came around but most of all I noticed the way he would mostly move away from Willow when she came too close to him. Willow always had this concerning look of hurt in her eyes more like what was wrong with him or her even, I don’t think she ever asked him why. That when I figure it had to be a one sided love so I left it alone. If he wanted her to know he would tell her he told me not to say anything. Willow had asked me one day was it her and I lied and told her that he knew I was jealous and I didn’t like him too close to women. I don’t think she bought it but she nodded and said ok.”
“God why didn’t you tell us before, Buffy?” Xander asked as he heard the slayer story of pain of her lost love.
“Because he didn’t want anyone to know about it especially Willow and you two better not say anything to anyone else about it.” She threatens.
Xander thought about it for a second or two before her spoke. ”We won’t,” Xander assured. “She already has enough to think about.”
Anya really not caring at all she just wanted to get home and get it on with Xander.
***
Willow looked at the hotel, as it seems to be in full swing of things. She moved in the back seat of the cab wanting to tell her to take her back home.
As the car stopped the man told her the price and Willow paid as she got out. Willow looked at the door wanting to run away and hide in depths of her room.
“I can’t do this…not tonight not now.” Willow said as she turned to walk away only to run right into a hard unmovable body.
“Ello love. Going somewhere?” Spike spoke.
“Spike, you scared me has to death,” Willow warned him. Spike was a little taken back at how her eyes went from the lovely green to a dark black that also taken over her hold eye then back to the green. It was like she wasn’t really in control of the magic or something.
“Sorry ducks. Didn’t mean to scare ya. Care to walk inside together.” He offered as he held out his hand.
“Nope I am going home,” She told him.
“Why?”
“Because I can’t, Spike. They are going to look at me different because of what I did.” She could feel the tears forming in her eyes.
“No they are not trust me on this one. Your friends love you and they want to show you.” Spike tried to comfort her. “Love don’t spoil your make up. You can’t just leave and not let the men see what there are missing. Spike could see Willow blushing at his last comment.
“I don’t know but I think I need to meet them another time,.” She spoke as she was getting ready to turn and walk away when she felt his hand on her shoulder stopping her.
“Ah come on Willow, lets walk in together and if you want to leave after you have seen you friends then I would will walk you home myself.” He told her.
Willow waited a few second before looking into his eyes and agreeing.
“Okay let’s go.” She told him as she linked her arm with his and they walked inside.
***
Willow couldn’t believe what she saw when they walked in. There were so many people there. They were talking, drinking, and dancing. Spike ignored her attempt to escape and continued to drag her in.
Willow looked around to see so many familiar faces and some not so familiar. She looked around and spotted Buffy at the table with Xander and Anya. To Willow Buffy looked sad and she wonder was it because of her.
“See love they all love you and they did this all for you.” He told her as he seen Buffy and pulled her toward them.
Buffy caught a glimpse of two people out the side of her eye and she stood up noticing it was Willow and the vamp of her life and they were walking together. Buffy pushed down all emotion of hurt once again hoping that her blonde vampire had fallen for her too.
“Looky what I found outside.” Spike announced as he let go of Willow’s arm as she walked in front of him.
“Hi ya guys,” Willow said her voice a little shaky.
Willow didn’t see it coming when tons of hugs and kisses flew to her from Xander and Buffy. Once the rush died down a little she heard Anya speaking.
“Hiya Willow had a nice trip.” She didn’t mean any harm she was still trying to get the human life down pack.
“Yeah, if you can consider it a trip.” Willow replied.
Buffy interrupted by saying how great Willow looked she could even tell that Xander noticed the way he was looking.
“Damn! Willow you look hot.” Xander finally said.
“I must say that you look great girl,” Buffy agreed.
“Thank you.” Willow replied.
“Now the celebration can get started, ” Xander said standing as he looked at Anya. “Do you mind if I dance with Willow first baby.” He asked.
“Naaaa….go ahead.” Anya told him as she began to play with her fingernails.
“Come on Wil’s just for old times.” Xander expressed trying to make Willow a little less tends.
“I don’t think so Xander…..remember last time we danced you broke my toe.” Willow teased.
“You better come on Wil’s asked Buffy about the serenade I gave her at the airport. We had a pretty big crowd didn’t we Buffy?” He explained as he looked at Buffy.
Buffy shot him a playful if looks can kill look. “Yeah Willow he has a really bad voice and if you don’t want to be embarrassed I would go if I was you. A broke toe is not worst than his singing. You know I probably should have gone ahead a rip it out.” She said making a scissor motion.
Xander stuck his tongue out at her as he offered his hand to Willow.
“Ok come on then Xander.” Willow a little lost in the conversation at the two playful gestures.
Buffy looked at Spike that was still looking at Willow she could feel her heart breaking. {First Angel now him too} she thought.
Spike’s gaze finally broke as the two friends went to the dance floor. He looked at Buffy who was now paying attention to the friends. Buffy smile as she looked at Xander who looked like a one legged kangaroo as usual. Buffy notice that even from the time Willow walked though the doors a lot of tension has left. She was smiling and dancing with her best friend.
“Care to dance love?” Spike asked Buffy.
“Naaaa….I’ll sit this one out. Come on and let sit down.”
Spike only nodded and followed Buffy to the table. Buffy couldn’t help it she had to ask once they were seated, “Why were you and Willow together?”
“Well sweetie your best friend there.” He pointed at Willow, “She was about to go home and I stopped her. You don’t have to worry baby the only one I want screaming my name is you.” Spike smiled knowing the way the conversation was going. He took her hand and kissed it. Spike knew that his sire loved the witch and it hurt Buffy a lot when she told him about it.
Anya had witnessed the whole conversation but once again she didn’t care.
Buffy had become redder than the sweater she had on. Spike always knew what to say at the wrong times. Buffy felt a sigh of relief once he explained the situation. But what they didn’t know was someone else wanted to know the exact same thing. Buffy got up and sat in his lap giving him a kiss just as Dawn had walked up to the table pretending to be ill.
“Dawn what’s wrong?” Buffy asked looking into her sister eyes.
“Nothing I just don’t feel too well. I think I need to go home and sleep.” Dawn explain.
Buffy looked around Dawn to see the guy she had been so preoccupied with early.
“Why don’t you wait awhile and I’ll take you home.” Buffy offered.
“Because I don’t feel well and it’s not like I haven’t stayed home alone before.”
“Oh…ok I’ll drive you then.” Buffy told her.
“You don’t have too….I can drive myself you can stay and enjoy yourself I don’t want you to miss a thing.” Dawn suggested.
Buffy thought about it for a minute after the earlier event with Willow she didn’t want her to think she had abandoned her again.
Buffy sighed and looked at dawn again, “What about him?” Motioning to the guy.
“I’ll drop him off home promise.”
“I guess yo…..” Buffy words were cut off.
“Oh love just give the girl the keys.” Spike butted in.
Buffy reached in her pockets and gave Dawn the keys. “You go straight home after you drop him off.”
“Sure that the plan. I’ll fix me something to eat then I’m off.”
“I thought you weren’t feeling good.”
“I’m not but I can put it in the refrigerator until I fell better.”
Before Buffy could utter another word Dawn was off in the direction of her boyfriend.
Buffy looked down at Spike as he was playing with her thigh.
Spike winked at her before saying, “You have to trust them sometimes pet.”
“I know,” was all she said before looking back at Willow and Xander.
***
“What the hell is *He* doing with her? I am going to kill that boy.” Angel said when he saw them come in.
“What was that Angel,” Wesley asked as he just down his fifth, sixth, seventh or twentieth, drank her couldn’t remember all he knew was he was totally smashed already and that’s where he wanted to be to forget all his troubles.
“Spike and Willow just came in together and they were linked at the arm.” Angel snarled.
Angel watched as Willow was drowned with tons of hugs from her friends then Xander pulling her on the dance floor. Angel seemed to not take his eyes off of her he watched her move and loved everything about her. She was a true angel.
He was watching Willow so hard that he didn’t even notice that Wesley pasted out until he heard a bump on the floor. Angel looked down and smirked. {I guess he couldn’t handle his drank} He was about to help him up when Cordelia, Fred and Gunn had witness the whole thing and ran up to help Wesley. No one else seemed to realize him.
“I think he needs to go home now.” Cordelia told him.
“I see.” He looked back at his red head as the song ended and she walked back to where Buffy was at the table.
“Why don’t you guys go and I will be back tomorrow night.” Angel told them.
“Yeah I know why you want to stay.” Cordelia’s eyes followed his but from what she couldn’t understand was why. Because if Angel was staying for Buffy then why in the hell was she in Spike’s lap.
“Okay anybody wants to explain why Buffy is all over Spike.” Cordelia asked.
“Because they are going out.” Angel explained.
The whole group’s heads snapped up which to Angel didn’t shock him. The shock of the group made them forget that they where holding Wesley which only caused him to reunited with the floor.
“Since when?” Gunn asked.
“I don’t know she told me a while back.” Angel told them.
”Does it bother you?” Cordelia asked.
“Why should it? She has her own life I have mine.”
“Let’s get drunken man off the floor first.” Gunn suggested as Cordelia walked up to help picked up Wesley who had started to sing The Bottle of Beers on the wall song. It was very loud and very out of tune.
“How many did he have Angel?” Gunn asked.
”I don’t know after about the sixth one I told him to slow down but he said he could handle it.” Angel explained as they finally got him standing up.
“We need to go now.” She said as they pulled the drunken man to the door.
Buffy looked up and saw Angel them leaving she jumped off of Spike’s lap and walked over.
“Why are you all leaving it’s only ten and we haven’t even given Willow her gifts.” Buffy asked.
“Well Cordy and the rest are going home because Wesley here passed out.” Angel explained they all looked at Wesley when he went to singing.
“One hundred bottles of beer on the walllllllllll…….One hundred bottles of beer you take one down and past if around nine hundred ninety nine thousand nine hundred bottles of beer on the wall.” Wesley was still singing even if he was wrong.
“Somebody please shut him up.” Cordelia yelled.
“Cordy give me your keys.” Cordelia gave Angel the keys and he put them in his pocket then grabbed Wesley from there arms and put shoulder and carried him out side the door to Cordeila truck.
“Sorry Buffy but we have to get him home. God I hope he doesn’t barf in my truck.” Cordelia explained she looked at Willow who was sitting at the table talking to Xander she walked over to her and spoke, “Hey Willow sorry he WE have to go as you can see. Anyways welcome back and have a good year.” She walked up to Willow as she stood and gave her a big hug Cordelia let go and that’s when she noticed how Willow was dressed.
Willow returned the embrace even if she really didn’t want to the ex cheerleader was not on her favorite buddy list when they where in school.
“Willow you look nice.” She told her as she followed Angel out the door.
“Thanks,” Willow spoke. As she watched Cordelia walking out the same door Angel had just walked out. Both Gunn and Fred came up and hugged her too giving her complement also then walking out. Willow watched as Spike literally grabbed Buffy and pulled her towards the stairs. {After all this time they just want admit they love each other} Willow thought as she smiled to herself.
Willow looked back over at Xander and Anya seeing them still sitting she decided to go and have a seat.
Willow turned to make a move when her first lover came up. “Oh my God. Oz it’s you?” She shrieked as she jumped into his arms giving him a non-Willowy hug. Realizing what she was doing Willow let go of a very shocked Oz.
“Ummm…sorry.” She tried to explain.
”No need to be. How are you?” Oz asked trying not to stare at Willow. She was beautiful tonight.
“I’m great and you?”
”Just a little tired. You know how it is a couple of days before my transformation.”
“Yeah I know.”
“What about?” Oz started to say but feeling a little uncomfortable with the way the conversation was heading so he decided to end it before it’s too late. He really didn’t want to bring up Willow’s past because from what he had heard she was dangerous but he still didn’t want to bring it up.
“What about what?” Willow asked concerned.
“Nothing….Just wanted to say that I am happy to see you are alright Willow. I left your present over with the others I just hope you like it.” He lied to her.
“I’m sure I will.” Willow told him feeling a little hurt at what he was going to ask.
“Sorry Willow but I have to go and get some rest.” Oz explained.
“Oh, ok talk to you later.” He pulled her in for another hug before letting go and walking in out the doors.
Willow walked back over to the table and sat down in the same seat Buffy was in when she came in and looked at Anya very bored face and Xander looking around for something to do.
“Well guys only two more hours and it’s a new year.”
“Whoopee,” Xander tried to sound amused. “Where did Buffy and Spike go anyways?”
“They went toward the stair case.” Willow replied pointing in the direction of the staircase.
“Oh I should have known.” Xander said mostly to himself.
“Yep they are just like bunnies always done the horizontal dance the same dance I wouldn’t mind doing.” Anya blurted.
Only thing Xander and Willow could do is shake their heads.
***
“Are you going to kill Spike?” Cordelia asked as Angel put Wesley in the truck.
“Nope why should I?” he asked.
“Because he is with the love of your life. You know you can be with her now Angel. I am just surprise you haven’t been came back to Sunnydale.
“Yeah I know but….”
“You don’t thrust Wesley spell casting is that it?”
“Yes I don’t it’s just..….you wouldn’t understand if I tried to explain.” Angel really didn’t want to tell her the truth.
“Try me.” Cordelia blurted.
“Maybe some other time. Talk to you tomorrow ok Cordy.”
“Ok Mr. Meany.”
Angel shook his head as Gunn and Fred walked up.
“I’ll talk to you guys tomorrow take the next couple of days off.”
“No prob boss.” Gunn told them.
Cordelia must have vampire ears because she shrieked with joy when she heard about taking the next couple days off. It made Wesley jump a little. The rest of the gang got into the truck waiting on Cordelia. She was about to get in when she saw Dawn and some guy walking out of the doors. Dawn had a plate of food and they were talking so much that they didn’t even notice Angel and the rest of them.
“Where do you think you two are going?” Cordelia asked making Dawn look up from her boyfriend.
“I’m going home Cordy. Brian here is going to walk me. I told Buffy earlier that I was getting ready to leave.” Dawn explained.
“And she was going to just let you walk home.” Cordelia asked.
”Nope I have the car keys.” She held them up jiggling them. “You see.”
“Okay then but make sure that you drop Brian off at home before you go.” Cordelia saying the exact same word Buffy had which made her roll her eyes.
“I will. Bye Cordy and the rest of you overseers.” Dawn said sarcastically.
“Bye.” Brain spoke.
“Bye.” Cordelia said as she got into the truck. As Dawn and Brian got into Buffy’s car.
Angel listen to the whole conversation and didn’t intervene then he watched the as the two vehicles pulled off in two different directions. He just walked back into the hotel.
***
Willow didn’t know why but all of a sudden there was a tingling feeling going down her spine as Xander was talking to her. After a couple more seconds Willow felt like some one was watching her. When she finally turned around to look right into the eyes of Angel as he walked up to the table.
“Ummm…hiya Angel,” Willow spoke with even if she felt uncomfortable with his predator eyes.
“Yeah hi *deadboy*,” Xander spattered not too pleased with his earlier conversation about Angel.
“Yeah hi,” was all Angel managed to say never taking his eyes off of Willow which only aggravated Xander more.
Getting a little aggravated with him he spoke more clearly and slowly, “I…..said….hi….dead….boy.”
“And I said hi back,” Angel growled his eyes flicking yellow but he could help it Willow had his full attention. Angel knew he needs to get away from her before he did something they both will regret. On the other hand Xander and Willow was shocked but Angel growling action.
Anya finally broke the spell between the three by pulling Xander on the dance floor before he could say something that he would regret.
Willow was about to walk away once again. She just couldn’t understand Angel. Willow noticed the way he always looked at her but he usually just move away from her like she was some kind of pledge or something. Then she remembers when she asked Buffy a long time ago about his strange attitude. Then Buffy told her about how jealous she was and the only thing Willow did was say ok but she knew it was something else because now they weren’t together. Willow began to think about all the times she would come around then one day she was late getting to the library and he wasn’t like that when she watched him from the doors of the library one day for about 5 minutes and he was okay with hanging around Cordelia so what was wrong with her.
At this moment in time she thought that they meeting would be different but it wasn’t and when she had spoke to him he didn’t even greet her back. {Vampires…..make me sick} She thought as she turned to go back on the dance floor to find somebody to dance with.
“Hi….Willow,” He finally said when she turned to walk away she almost didn’t hear it.
Willow stopped and turned back looking in to vampire’s eyes and smiled. That was the first time he had actually spoken to her. He walked up to her taking into the way she tried not back away from him.
What Angel didn’t know was Willow wasn’t afraid of him he just had that Angelus look in his eyes and they where frighten. She had to do her best not to back away from him. Willow was hoping that he wasn’t Angelus.
“May I have this dance Willow?” He offered
“I…….gue…..ok,” Willow answered the question shocked Willow the most but noticing that he had stopped looking at her like that she felt a little better. Tonight was the first time he has spoken to her which was a surprise because she thought the he didn’t even know her name. Now he was asking her to dance Willow was beginning to think that somebody is play some really bad jokes on her.
Angel couldn’t believe that she had agreed because he know he hasn’t been the best of friend when he was in Sunnydale but he couldn’t help it he had to be distance. Angel had to do something because he didn’t want her to think that he was a jerk and when he took so long to speak he thought that if he asked her to dance she would think that he was alright.
Pulling himself out of his thoughts he held out his hand which Willow hesitated to received and guided Willow to the dance floor. Not really paying any attention to what she was doing once they was on the dance floor Willow put her hands around his neck and rested her head on his chest. Willow had a little height to her with the hills which made her the prefect height. The next song began to play which was another slow smoothing song they began to dance slowly swaying back and forth with the music.
The whole time they dance Angel kept noting little things about Willow her smell, how soft her skin was and how it glowed he also notice the way her heart beat and every time he placed his hand in the small her back it would sped up a bit. Which only heighten his excitement a little.
They swayed to the music and finally four slow songs later he reluctantly let go. Angel could have stayed that way for much longer. The redhead thanked Angel and walked back over to the table to where Anya and had finally made it back too. Angel smiled at Willow took her went across the room and out on the balcony to get his thoughts together.
“That was um….nice of him I guess.” Xander spat, not wanting to say too much.
“It was actually you two look nice together.” Anya spoke a little too much but she didn’t think Willow really was playing attention to her.
Willow not really hearing Anya only noticing Xander behavior and chuckled out, “Yeah kinda of strange though. Anyways, Xander it’s not Angel was going to bit.”
Xander couldn’t help it, “He will to bit.”
“Come on Xander you know how….,” Anya spoke again but this time Xander bent over to cut off her words before it was too late. After a couple of seconds he pulled back and sat back down.
“You know what Xander?” Willow asked a little suspicious about the way he was acting and what the hell Anya was going to say.
“Um you know how you love to dance. So I guess I was over reacting.” He lied.
“Ok…ok. Yeah I actually do.” Willow told them. Willow began to think about her dance with Angel. He was quite as they dance but he seemed to take joy out of making her nervous by bringing her too close to him or putting his hand on her back just to make her heart rate go up.
They sat for a couple more minutes before Spike and Buffy appeared from the private room upstairs.
“Hi guys what did I miss?” Buffy asked.
“Well Willow danced with Angel.”
“What?” Buffy almost yelled which cause Willow, and Anya head to jerk up and look at her.
“I’m sorry Buffy he asked.” Willow tried to explain. She didn’t mean any harm being that he was Buffy’s boyfriend she was only dancing.
“It’s ok…..So that all he did was dance. No taking involved.” Buffy tired to sound casual and failed miserably at it.
“Nope none what so ever.” Willow explained. “It was only a or one dance.”
“Ok.” Buffy looked up at Spike who had just witness the conversation.
“Love I’m going out for a bite.” Spike told her not really wanting to hear about his sire.
“You are coming back right?” She looked into his eyes. “You know I have to tell Willow about the special gift.”
“I’ll be back.” Spike smile mischievously. “Room 158 correct.” He gave Buffy a kissed and walked out.
“What special gift.” Willow asked excited.
“Well we rented rooms 155, 157, and 158 for tonight, tomorrow night, and the next night just for fun.” Buffy explained.
“Why.” Willow asked a little confused.
“Because this is where the party is going to be going on. That and we all needed a little time off from slaying and stuff.” Buffy explained.
“That’s cool.” Willow told her.
“I have room 158 and you have 157 they are connected sorry about the double bed but that was the only connected rooms left..” Buffy told her. “The two love birds have 155.” Pointing at Xander and Anya.
“Cool so we can slumber like usual.” Willow was happy with joy that she didn’t have to go home alone.
After Buffy told Willow about the rooms they all sat and talked a little more before dancing until it was a couple minutes before midnight. During the time Willow had filled them in on her journey and what she had to achieve. Then Xander, Buffy and Anya gave her the gifts they brought and who else had brought one. They were so wrapped up in the fun that they didn’t even notice the count down until they were at 5 second left.
They all stood up together and began to count. “Three……..two……..one…….” Happy New Year everyone in the hotel yelled. The gang was especially happy that they had lived another year.
Willow looked around as balloons fell and everyone drinking champagne but after about two hours after into the New Year something was nagging her. She didn’t know what it was until she looked at the balcony door where was Angel had disappeared around 11 p.m. now it’s 2:15 a.m. and he still hadn’t come back in yet. Willow was about to walked to the doors then she was stopped by Buffy telling her she was heading in and both Xander and Anya. Willow nodded and told her she was coming up in a second then Buffy handed Willow her key. Buffy told her she was taking her things to her room and since Spike wasn’t due back until 5 a.m. she could come and talk it she wanted. Buffy didn’t even ask the two lovebirds to join in because she knew what was on there minds.
Willow just agreed as Buffy walked over to the unwrapped gifts and took them upstairs followed closely behind by Anya and Xander. That’s when Willow turned her attention back to the balcony and proceeded towards the doors again.
When Willow had opened them she was surprised to find that Angel was gone. She sighed and thought about not questioning missing him leaving she walked back in and closed them back. Willow walked towards her room for some much needed sleep.
Angel couldn’t help it he had hide when he saw Willow walking toward the doors he couldn’t face her not now. He didn’t want to say something he would regret especially after the dance. He saw the look on her face when she didn’t see him or at least he hoped she was looking for him but then sighed when she closed it and walked back in. Angel had been watching her the whole night but couldn’t bring himself to go back in that dance alone almost brought out his inter most secret.
Angel watched as she walked up the stairs and around the corner. He stood outside for another hour or two then walked back into the party even if it was winding down. Angel had to get a room he just hoped that it was some left.
“I’m sorry sir but we don’t have anything.” The clerk said as he typed at his computer.
“Not anything?” Angel asked the sun is coming up and it wasn’t any way he could get to another hotel or even back to the mansion in time. He also knew that he couldn’t sit in the lobby all day.
“I can say but I might get in trouble for given that type of information. There is an extra bed in room 157 the young lady that threw that party got it. She wanted a connected room and I told her the only connecting room I had left had a double bed in it. She told me that only one person would be in it but be there but she’ll take it. I guessing you know her.”
“Yes I do.” As he thought about it was Buffy but he had to do something if it did meant shacking with his us to be lover and his child. “Thank you, sir.” Angel said as he walked up the stairs.
Angel counted the doors down until her stood in front of 157. He wanted to knock but his hands were like lead. He finally pulled his hand up and knocked on the door.
“Who is it?” Angel heard that voice called from the other side of the door. Angel couldn’t believe that Willow had the room not Buffy. {So where the hell is Buffy’s room} he thought then he heard her again asking. Angel had to make a spit decision one was ask Willow to stay or run like a coward into the sunlight.
“It’s me Angel.” He finally answered.
“Angel.” Willow asked from the other side of the door. {What the hell is he doing here} she thought. Willow tied her nightgown she was thankful that some of her gifts were clothing and she was more than happy that one was a gown so she didn’t have to sleep nude just the thought made Willow blushed. Angel heard the lock slide then the door opening and a very red faced Willow looking out the door. Her attire had shocked him the most, which really made him want to run away.
“Ummm…Angel you need something?” She asked
“Yeah Willow I don’t know how to ask but do you….have you an extra bed.”
“Yes.” She answered to quickly.
“Could I use it? I have gotten stuck here and the sun will be up soon. You know I wouldn’t ask but I don’t have any sun tan lotion,” he tried to joke.
“Sure, Angel no problem.” She smiled at him as she stepped aside and offered for him to come in.
Angel had stopped all of a student when the door shut, which made Willow think something was wrong.
“Is something wrong Angel?”
“Nope I just thought I heard Spike in the next room.” He looked over to the opened door that led to the next room. Willow walked over and closed it before returning to Angel.
“Well you can sleep on the right side of the bed since I have already warmed up the left.” She told him.
{I would like to feel that. Damn it Angel stop that} He argue with himself. He looked at a really tired redhead and spoke, “Thanks Willow. I know that this might be uncomfortable for you but I wouldn’t have if I had anywhere to go.”
“No problem Angel.” She told him as she walked back over to the bed and sat down. Willow watched as he went to the other side of the room and sat on the bed.
“Thanks again Willow?”
Willow laid down and turned towards the window seeing the light coming through . She jumped up so quickly to close it that the sound startled Angel.
“Sorry Angel didn’t want you going all dusty on me.” She told him as she looked at the vampire.
“Thanks.”
Willow turned off the light this time and laid back down as Angel did the same. Willow didn’t feel strange having Angel in the room because she had slept in the same bed with Oz and in the same room with Xander before. Willow just laid there and looked at the ceiling she really was sleepy but it didn’t come easy.
Angel on the other hand had this very nagging feeling that he shouldn’t be here. He actually was beginning to think that he planned this even thought it was no way of him to do that. Angel listens listened to her heartbeat and tried to go to sleep but he noticed that she wasn’t so he had to say something.
“Willow.” He spoke lightly.
“Yes.” She said.
“I am glad to see you are alright.” Angel told her.
Willow smiled. “Thank you Angel it was hard but I’m glad to be back.” She sighed and sat back up turning on the lamp. Willow looked at the vampire laying in the next bed from her as the light came all the way on.
“Angel you mind if I asked you something?”
“Sure Willow.” He told her as he sat up on the other side of the bed.
Willow looked down feeling like she shouldn’t but she had to know. “How could……how did you handle all the guilt of what Angelus did.”
Angel was a little shocked with the question he looked in her eyes see that she really wanted to know. He knows that she was going through things but he didn’t know if she was feeling the same as he did.
“Well Willow,” he started not really knowing how to start. “It’s hard to just forget but I have to take it one day at a time and it would eventually fade away. I seen a lot of the faces that Angelus tortured and tricked which I believe took longer for me to forget.”
“Oh I see. But that was Angelus not you. What I did was I not a demon.”
“You’re wrong Willow it wasn’t you it was magic and it would take over your body if you let it just like a demon. Willow I was there when Angelus did those things there I could have tried to do something bit I think I enjoyed it even more than he did.” He looked into her eyes as his words sunk in as he continued, “ I don’t want you to every think you are or would ever be like Angelus. Angelus took pride in making a person want him then taking advantage of them. Or he would just got right down to the torture to anyone that did anything he didn’t like.” He took an unneeded breath before continuing. “Willow I don’t know if anyone has told you but I don’t blame you for what you did. Right now if my true love was taken away from me then I would do the same thing probably worst than you did.”
Willow looked at the dark vampire feeling a little sad. “But Angel hasn’t Buf….” Willow couldn’t finish because she knew how hard it was for him and Buffy even if it wasn’t from death it still would feel the same. She remembered when Tara felt her the first time she thought about killing everyone and killing herself but she only hoped that Tara would understand she was sorry and come back to her.
“You can finish Willow,” He stated.
“What about Buffy she was taken away maybe not by death but by another lover.” She finally asked.
“Well to tell you the truth Willow, Buffy was not my true love and she knows that. On the day I left I left behind the one I loved and it wasn’t her. That’s probably why I didn’t kill anyone.”
“But who is your true love Angel?” Willow wishing she could take back the words once she seen him tense up, “Sorry Angel I didn’t mean to ask that. That is none of my business.” Willow couldn’t help it because she had never seen Angel with another women.
{It’s probably Cordy probably not she left when he did} she thought.
“It’s ok Willow but that information I wish to keep a secret. As long as I can see her from time to time my love will always be there for her.”
“What do you mean? Does that person know?” Willow asked.
”No Willow and I like it like that because I can only cause pain in that person life.” He explained.
”Angel don’t say that. Maybe if you tell that person she would understand and you will never know she might feel the same way.” She tried to comfort.
“I don’t think so Willow she doesn’t even know I insist.”
“That’s hard to believe because you are…,” She trailed off wishing to not say what she was about too.
“I’m what Willow?”
Willow fidgeted on the bed for a second or two before answering. “You are…handsome and I don’t think a women would turn you down.”
“Thank you Willow for that but I’ll keep my secret just a little longer.” He knew that he would be blushing if he could.
“As long as you don’t wait to long then it might be too late.” Willow told him.
“That’s true.”
They mostly spent most of the morning hours talking which was something she couldn’t imagine she would be doing with Angel of all people. Willow couldn’t help it but she loved every minute of it. Once Angel told her he was leaving the following night she beg him to stay one more night he only agree when she promised not to tell the others about it she wonder why he wanted to keep it a secret but she didn’t questioned it. The next day was spent talking and Willow mostly stayed in her room while the others roam and went out. She told them that she wasn’t feeling too good and just wanted to rest Willow hated lying to them already but Angel begged her not to tell them about his staying.
Willow thought that this was the best New Year she ever had. Willow dreaded the night they had to leave out the hotel. Angel had packed up after going out the night before and buying a couple of outfits then he was gone and Willow had to sleep alone that night. She didn’t have anyone to talk to but Buffy. In those past days Angel had told her about his past when he was living and the things he had did as Angelus. It seem the more he talked the more she wanted to hear. Then when the question came back up about his love he only told her that he loved Buffy but there was a women that held the key to his heart. He had even told her that Angelus loved her. Willow could only imagine that night when she sat in the room alone what type of women could hold that type of power on him let alone Angelus she had to be a special women. Willow went to sleep thankful for all the time she had spent with him it only help her to look forward to life again.