AUTHOR: Tisienne Blue

E-MAIL: tisatko@msn.com

DISCLAIMER: the Wizard of Joss owns everyone you know from TV... all others belong to ME!!!

RATING: I'm gonna say R-ish for the series, although this may change, as my mind does SO love the gutter...

PAIRING: A/W for now...

DISTRIBUTION: Charity's site (if she wants it...), anyone else who has any of my fic, feel free to just take it... if you want it, ask, and I'll say yes...

FEEDBACK: is kinda the point, yes???

DEDICATIONS: Ang, Jinni, Inell--- love ALL of your fics; you are the fic Goddesses!!!

NOTES: bold= emphasis; ( )= thoughts. This story begins about a year after the end of season 4 Buffy, season 1 Angel, but none of season 5 happened, except for the Hyperion hotel being the Angel Investigations home base... Tara took off after a few months, Oz came back again, and he and Willow are kind of together... at least at first... *teehee* Oh, and as usual, there will probably be a good bit of Buffy-bashing here... mostly 'cause she's just been such a bitch for the last year and a half... if she starts acting like her old self again, I promise I'll ease up on her... a little...*giggle*
 

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~1~ You Should Be Mine

"Hey, Angel," Cordelia said, stepping into his office doorway, "What's on the agenda-" She cut herself off, ducking as a large crystal vase came flying through the air, smashing into a thousand pieces against the wall right behing where she had been standing. "Geez! Tense much?" she cried, cautiously peering around the door jamb. Looking into the office, she saw a sight that she had hoped never to see again in her life. Angel, her boss, was stalking through the room, growling in anger, with full-on vamp-face... which ordinarily wouldn't have bothered her, as long as he was in the process of killing some major baddie, but this time, there was no big bad enemy in sight. "Oh, god!" she almost screamed, "What happened? Did someone slip you more doximal? You're evil again, aren't you?" She slowly approached him, whipping the large wooden cross from her back pocket. "Stay back, Angel, I'm warning you! I'm not afraid to use this!" She backed up a pace and looked on in confusion as he began banging his head repeatedly against the closet door. She could see the blood running down his forehead and leaving small wet red circles on the wood every time his head struck. "Angel?" she tried again, putting away the cross. She knew her boss, had seen him as Angelus, and as bizarre as his current behaviour was, this just wasn't his evil self. "Angel? Angel, what is it? What's happened?" She wasn't sure of whether to be relieved or concerned when he continued to bang his head and motioned towards the laptop on his desk, but at least she now knew that he was aware of her. She sighed and crossed to the desk, wondering what, exactly, she was supposed to be looking for. Glancing at the screen in front of her, she quickly scanned the e-mail displayed there before sitting down in his chair to read it again, more slowly this time. (Oh! Oooh!!!) She grimaced slightly, wincing when she heard the closet door make a cracking sound. "Uh, Angel... that's not gonna do any good, you know... you'll just end up having a headache and needing a new door." She sat there for a minute, listening to the continuing banging. "OK, Angel, I can see why you're upset, but breaking things isn't going to change the facts." She stood and turned, leaning against his desk. "So the question is: Are you going to just accept this, or are you going to do something about it? Because if you are gonna just let it happen, then I quit! It's bad enough that you're still the King of Brood, but at least you lightened up some when you got over Slutty. I don't even want to think about the misery and despair you're gonna be flinging around if this actually happens! And I refuse to be a part of it!... So, what's it gonna be, Angel? Yes or no?" Cordelia felt herself relax a little as the incessant banging finally stopped and her boss turned to look at her.

"I don't know, Cordy, it sounds pretty cut and dried... she wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't something she wanted... would she?" Angel said uncertainly, wiping the blood from his almost healed forehead. "I mean, how could anyone get her to do something she didn't want to do? It's not like she's stupid, or..."

"Buffy?" Cordelia said waspishly. "No, you're right, she's nothing like Buffy. She's smart, and she generally knows what she wants... besides!" she exclaimed triumphantly, "You're going by information from Xander, for Pete's sake! When has that boy ever gotten anything a hundred percent right? For all we know, he totally misunderstood everything! I mean, I know he's not stupid, but sometimes he just... doesn't pay enough attention..." She smiled at the look in her boss' eyes. "I bet that's it... he wasn't paying attention and he misunderstood." She pushed off the desk, and headed for the door to the outer office. "I'm gonna go call her, you know, just to say 'Hi', see how she's doing, find out what's... new!" She grinned hugely at the tall vampire. "Don't worry, big guy, I'm sure it's nothing..." she said over her shoulder as she left his office.

Angel sighed in relief. Whatever was going on, he knew that Cordelia would get to the bottom of it, and besides, she was probably right... the girl would never do that. Never! He sat down at his desk and scanned the e-mail from Xander yet again. No, the idiot boy just had to be wrong... it just wasn't possible... it just... wasn't! He was so lost in thought that it seemed only a minute later that Cordelia was back in his office. "So what's the good word, Cordy?" he asked, not really looking up from the e-mail he was writing back to the boy until he realized that she wasn't talking. "Cordelia..." he said, sounding almost dangerous as he stood, "What is it? It's not true... it can't be true... is it?" He felt himself falling apart inside, piece by piece, as she nodded sadly.

"It's true, alright... she told me so herself... Oh, Angel, I'm so... sorry..." she trailed off, not knowing what else to say. "I... I'll be outside if you need me," she murmured softly, knowing he would hear her.

Angel waited until he felt her leave the room, and heard the door to his private office close, before he slowly lowered himself back down into the leather chair. He'd waited too long, and now it was too late. He sighed, resting his head on the desk. It was too late, and now he'd lost her. She would never be his. He felt the tears start, and just let them come. He was in a world of pain, but then, when hadn't he been? He deserved to suffer. After all the pain and horror he'd inflicted on humanity, he shouldn't have been surprised, but... (No!) he thought angrily, (I won't give up that easily! Sometime's you have to fight for what's yours, and damned if I'm not going to come out swinging! He doesn't deserve her... not that I do, but... No, can't think like that... gotta have a plan of attack!) He reached out and pressed the intercom button on the phone. "Cordelia!" he said, suddenly excited, "How long do I have to stop this?" He smiled at her reply before disconnecting. He could cover a lot of ground in a month and a half, and he would! Starting right now. His grin became a bit softer, more sensual, as he picked up the phone and dialed a number that he had memorized long ago, but had only used once. That was about to change, however, for he had every intention of this call being only one of many. He almost purred when he heard her voice on the other end of the line. "Hello, my sweet," he said silkily, "I understand congratulations are in order..." He smirked a bit as she started to talk about her plans. "But that's not why I called, love... I just wanted to tell you something." His eyes darkened and he licked his lips almost nervously. "What I wanted to say... oh, sweetheart, you're throwing yourself away on him. He will never understand you, not completely... not like I do..." He grinned again, a bit wickedly this time, and cut off her endearing babble with one small phrase. "Willow... sweet Willow... you should be mine..." he purred into the phone before hanging up on the stunned silence on the other end.

~2~ Anyone's Excuse to Cry

Willow stared, mouth gaping wide, at the phone in her hand. It had sounded almost like... Angel? But it couldn't have been. Angel never would have called her and said those things... he was Angel, and more to the point, he was Buffy's Angel. Oh, sure, he'd left over a year earlier, and he'd only come back to town a couple of times, but still... when he had come back, it had been about Buffy, not her. No, she decided, closing her mouth before she caught flies, he had just been joking around. She knew that he'd been trying to rediscover his sense of humour lately; Cordelia had told her that much over the course of the last six months or so. She grinned, hanging up the phone. Who would have thought that she and the former May Queen would end up having so much in common? She certainly hadn't, but LA had mellowed the girl a lot, and they had discovered, over the many phone calls to Sunnydale for computer help, that underneath, they were really quite a bit alike. But none the less, Angel's attempt at funny just... wasn't. (Yeah, like he'd really want me... and besides, I have Oz!) She smiled slightly at the thought of her fiance. (Oz loves me, I know he does, and I... I love him, too... I do! I'd be marrying him even if Buffy and Giles didn't think it was a good idea... I would! Besides, Oz needs me... who else would understand about his 'wolfiness' and be able to lock him up every month the way I do? No,) she thought calmly, (I'm doing the right thing... and if I occassionally wish that Angel really meant those things he said, well, who's going to know? I'm certainly not going to tell anyone! And besides, if I don't marry Oz, then Buffy can't be my maid of honour, and then I can't be her matron of honour when she marries Riley next year!) She sighed, staring wistfully into space, picturing the tall dark vampire whose voice she'd just heard on the phone. (I still miss him, though... I miss his eyes, they were so... deep, and kind... and the smell of him, like... cinnamon and... cloves? I used to stand near him just to get his smell into my head. It always brought me the sweetest dreams... No! I love Oz! I'm marrying Oz in six weeks; this is not the time to be thinking about Angel.) She spun around, aggitated, and started for the front door. "Damn him, anyway!" she said aloud, knowing that she was alone in the house, "Why did he have to call me, put all these thoughts in my head? It's just so not fair! Even if he was joking, how dare he? Great big broody vampire jerk... moves away, doesn't call, doesn't write, then all of a sudden, out of the blue, 'Hey, Will, that guy of yours doesn't deserve you, you should be with me.'! It wasn't even funny! Ha! Cordy'd better tell him that he still needs to work on the funny-making, 'cause..." She continued to talk out loud to herself as she stalked off down the front walk and headed for Buffy's, never noticing the dark haired figure standing in the shadows of her front porch.

"Well, well," Xander said quietly to himself, watching the angry form of his best friend storm off down the street. "So Deadboy doesn't think Oz is good enough for her either... not that he's much better, but still, it's a step in the right direction..." He stepped out of the shadows, shielding his eyes from the bright California sunshine. "I think that I just may have to call Cordelia... find out exactly what's going on. Yeah," he mused, starting towards home, "Cordy'll know, and maybe... just maybe... I can help." He smiled delightedly, knowing that somehow, between them, they would find a way to stop Willow from making the biggest mistake of her life... that damned wolf just wasn't right for her. Now they just had to make her see it!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Willow rolled her eyes behind the blonde's head. She couldn't believe that she'd been at Buffy's for almost two hours, and they had done nothing but talk about the Slayer's wedding when it was still almost a year away! Here she was, getting married in a month and a half, and she hadn't even been able to try on her own wedding gown because her friend was too busy wearing it! She was almost tempted to tell Buffy about the call from Angel, leaving out the part about it being a joke, of course... She sighed deeply, knowing that she'd never do it, though... she couldn't hurt her friend like that, just like she couldn't hurt Oz by backing out of a situation that she didn't really want. (Oh, gods! Did I just think that? What's wrong with me? I do want to marry Oz... he's funny, and sweet, and he loves me! He'll never be mean or hurtful... and he'll be with me forever... day in, day out, every morning, every night... for the rest of my life...) She swallowed hard, wondering why she was suddenly feeling trapped, and glanced up to see Buffy staring at her, annoyance clear on her face.

"Well?" the blonde asked impatiently. "What do you say, Will? Can I? I mean, it's not like we can't find you another one, and you've got to admit," she said quickly, pirouetting in her borrowed wedding finery, "It does look better on me, anyway! So, can I have it?" She spun again, not noticing the look of outrage on the redhead's face. "We can find you another wedding dress... something more you... You know, maybe something a bit less... form-fitting... more fuzzy... Wouldn't you like that, Will? I mean, this one, with this low neckline... and the plunging back! You'd just be embarrassed if you had to walk down the aisle in it... in front of all your friends... and your parents! What would they say?"

Willow could feel herself becoming more and more angry as Buffy continued talking. (How dare she? After she talked me into getting that dress in the first place! And,) she thought, looking critically at the blonde, (It doesn't look better on her, either! It's way too tight... if she took a deep breath, she'd probably burst a seam! I mean, gods! It fits her like a sausage casing! And if she even slumps her shoulders, her tits are gonna pop right out!) Willow found herself smiling at the mental image of Buffy traipsing down the aisle to a waiting Riley, breasts hanging out, and a big rip right up the zipper... (It'd serve her right!) she thought wearily, standing and collecting her purse. "I'll think about it, Buffy," she said, in her best 'sarcastic' voice, "But I've got to go... I'm, uh, meeting Xander in a half an hour... you know, got to convince him that sneakers are not appropriate footwear for a formal event..." She held her breath, silently apologizing to her best friend for talking about him that way, but if she didn't get away from Buffy soon, she would probably try to stake the girl... and that would be bad. She sighed with relief as the oblivious Slayer nodded and mumbled something that might have been Good-bye, and then left, shaking her head slightly at the other girl's nerve.
 

'Hey, Will!' she heard, before she got even a block away from Buffy's house. She groaned and turned, smiling brightly when she saw who was calling her. "Hey, Xander!" she said happily, "What's up? If you're looking for Buffy..."

Xander laughed, "I'm betting she's in her room, trying on your wedding dress again, but no, I was actually looking for you! So, how you feeling? Got the pre-wedding jitters yet? That little voice inside telling you that you're doing the wrong thing? 'Cause if you do, I've heard that that's perfectly normal!" Xander pretended not to see his friends face turn a whiter shade of pale at his comments. "I mean, it's not like you don't love Oz... you wouldn't have said 'Yes' to him if you didn't love him, and I know how you feel about marriage being a forever and ever kind of thing, so... What?" he said, acting surprised, as if he'd just that moment noticed the look on her face. (Oh, boy... Willow's got it bad... and not for Oz! OK,) he thought swiftly, trying not to smile, (Let's just see how much she'll admit...) "What's wrong, Will? Whatever it is, you can tell me; I'm your best friend, you can always tell me anything!" He walked beside her silently for a moment before inspiration suddenly struck. "This isn't because of what happened before, is it? I mean, with that Veruca chick... 'cause, OK, he cheated on you, but I'm sure he'd never do it again... not when the first time almost made him lose you for good..." He sighed as she shook her head. "Well, what then? Is it... is there someone else? For you, I mean..." He almost laughed out loud at her surprised gasp. "That's it, isn't it? You've met someone else, and now you're not sure about getting married! It's not too late, Will, you're not married yet! There's still plenty of time to call the whole thing off... or postpone it," he quickly amended, seeing the odd look in her eye, "At least until you're sure..."

Willow allowed that thought to run rampant through her head for a moment, not noticing the hopeful look on Xander's face. Finally, she looked him in the eye. "No," she said softly, "I can't. Oz loves me... I just can't hurt him that way." She turned from him, not seeing his crest-fallen expression. "I'm sorry, Xan, but... I won't be anyone's excuse to cry..." she said sadly as she walked away from him, towards her house, the tears in her eyes making the sidewalk blur in front of her.

Xander watched his friend go, shaking his head sadly and sighing hard. (Well, I guess I'd better call Cordy... Damn it! We almost had her!)

~3~ As Much As I Do

"Well?" Angel asked desperately as his assistant hung up the phone, "What did he say? Did it work?" (It damned well better have worked!) he thought anxiously, (I still question the wisdom of trusting Xander Harris to act on my behalf... the moron still hates me...) He sighed at the look on Cordelia's face. "Fine. So I'm going to have to kill him," he said, throwing himself onto the couch, preparing to embark on yet another expedition into Broodville."I don't know how I ever let you convince me that Xander could help..." He glanced at the former cheerleader as she interrupted him.

"Well, he didn't exactly fail, Angel, he said that he almost had her convinced, but..."

"But what?" He sat up, giving her his undivided attention. "What happened, Cordy? What did he say?... What did she say?... Tell me!" he came dangerously close to growling at the girl before remembering what had happened the last time he'd done that... (She wouldn't even look at me for almost a week... kept passing information from her visions to me through Wesley...) He barely repressed a shudder at the memory, the former watcher's hearing being somewhat... erratic. "Sorry, I'm just..."

"Anxious?" Cordelia smirked, "Nervous? Feeling like the sky is gonna fall on you any second now, Chicken Little?"

"Impatient!" he groaned loudly. "Come on, Cordelia, tell me... please? He begged, hoping that she would just say it already.

Cordelia just stared at her boss for a moment before finally taking pity on him. "Oh, OK, Angel... god, you can be such a pain in the ass... I should just call you Paingel..." she giggled. "Here's the deal," she said quickly, seeing that he was about to lose his patience with her. "Xander says that she isn't in love with Oz. But!" she cried, at the elation sufussing his face, "She won't admit it... not yet, anyway... He also said that he overheard her talking to herself, that she thought that you were joking about whatever it was that you said to her on the phone, and that when he suggested calling off the wedding, or even just postponing it, that she looked like she was thinking about it, but decided that she couldn't hurt Oz that way..."

"Oh, great," he snarled, jumping up from his seat and pacing the office. "She can't hurt Oz like that! Well, what about me, Cordelia? How can she hurt me like this? Just... ignore me? And for the wolfling, at that? I mean, he cheated on her! He abandoned her! And now, all of a sudden, that's all right? How can she be OK with that? Seriously," he planted his handson the desk and leaned down to her, until his face was just inches away. "How can she stand it?" He pushed away, striding the room again. "There was a saying when I was a lad... 'Once a cheat, always a cheat!', and granted, we used it for people who cheated at cards, but it still applies... What?" he asked angrily, seeing her push herself out of her chair.

"What do you mean what?" Cordelia cried, suddenly annoyed that he was talking about her friend that way... as if Willow had all the sense of... Buffy... or a rutebega... "You pack up and leave Sunnydale, you don't even say goodbye, you never tell the girl that you want her, and then, when she's finally feeling stable and almost happy, you call her up, out of the blue, and tell her that she should just dump her fiance and be yours... and then you act surprised that she doesn't drop everything and run to your side?" She calmed herself, seeing the furious look of betrayal in the vampire's eyes. "Not that I'm saying that she shouldn't be by your side... she should! But, my God, Angel, poor Willow had no idea that you were even thinking about her that way... how could she? It's not like you ever told her, or even showed her! For all she knows, you're just playing with her... making a big joke, just like she said... Oh!! Oh, Angel! I've got it! I know how to fix things!" She smiled, so big it almost looked like her face would crack. "You have to let her see what she's missing..." Cordelia muttered, almost to herself, her eyes growing rounder as her mind raced. She would have to lie to her friend, and so would Angel, but... if that's what it took to make the girl happy in the end, then damn it, that's what they'd do! "All right, Angel," she said conspiratorially, "Here's how we work it..."

The dark haired vampire listened closely, feeling his anger disipate more with each word that the former cheerleader uttered. (This could actually work!) he thought gleefully, fighting the urge to rub his hands together in anticipation. (No,) he thought, as the Seer continued, (This will work! She'll never know what hit her!) He listened to Cordelia's plan, making the occassional suggestion, and realized something that he had never truly noticed about his brunette assistant... she wasn't just smart, she was devious! He found himself grinning broadly and agreeing with her every idea. (After all,) he rationalized, (Who knows how to woo a woman better than a woman who's been wooed... repeatedly?) When they had finally worked out a viable plan of attack, he left her to make her phone call and entered his own office. Locking the door, he sat at his desk, pulling a thick book from the always locked top drawer. He slowly began flipping through the pages of photographs of the whole Scooby gang, pausing a bit longer to peruse the photos of one particular redheaded cyber-witch. When he had first left Sunnydale, he hadn't realized just how much this photo album would end up meaning to him... first as a reminder of why he'd left (Buffy,) he thought, gazing affectionately at a particularly bad picture of her; then as a reminder of why he couldn't go back (Willow,) he sighed to himself, turning the page to his favourite shot of her. (But,) he told himself, (Things are different now... enough time has passed that it won't be awkward... well, not as awkward, anyway...) He frowned, running the tip of his finger over her photographed lips. (Oh, Will... sweet Will... why didn't I see you sooner? Was it just that your quiet beauty and pure heart were hidden behind the Slayer's brazen-ness? Why did I have to leave before I realized that it was you... always you?) He sighed deeply, staring into the two-dimensional eyes of her picture. "Oh, my love," he said softly, knowing that no one would hear him, "When you gonna love you as much as I do?" He smiled slightly, tracing the shape of her face, wishing that she were actually there... (Soon, my love... soon...) He pulled his eyes away and forced himself to close the book and put it away, smiling slightly as he reached for the phone. He had a call of his own to make...

~4~ Friends Are For

Willow smiled slightly, her green eyes shining with equal parts relief and regret as she listened once again to the message that had been left on her machine. She had played it back at least ten times in the last half hour, hoping against hope that she would find a way out of this predicament that she had suddenly found herself in, but of course, it was to no avail. She sighed, resigning herself to the necessity, and slowly climbed the stairs to pack. Spike would be there soon, and if she didn't want to listen to his bitching and moaning, she'd better be ready to go when he was.

Spike was, of course, already bitching and moaning. He'd gotten the call on his cell phone almost two hours earlier, and much as he hated the bloody poof, he was still Spike's Sire, so... Spike was going to LA, and taking a certain little redheaded witch with him. The blond wasn't entirely sure of exactly what was going on, but he liked the little redhead, so he was for damned sure going to find out. He wouldn't let anything happen to hurt her... not even if he had to stake his bloody Sire himself! The girl was the only one of the bloody-be-damned Scooby gang that was even worth a toss, and he almost considered her a friend. He didn't have so many friends that he could afford to just stand back and watch one of them get hurt...

Willow heard the car pull up in front of the house just fifteen minutes after sunset. She grimaced slightly, glancing at the clothes still spread out on the bed and quickly passed through the french doors onto her balcony. "Spike!" she called out softly, knowing he would hear her, "I'll be ready in a minute, why don't you wait for me downstairs?" She grinned to herself at his impatient stride up the front walk, and returned to her packing.

Spike paced through the living room of the girl's house, wondering just how long it was going to take her to throw a few things in a suitcase so that they could go! After all, he may have been a demon, but he did have an unlife to be getting back to... He glanced up as the phone began to ring, and when no one answered it, he called out to her. "Red... y'want me to get that?" He sighed a bit when she called back that he should let the machine get it, the sigh becoming one of relief when he heard the caller begin talking. No, he really didn't want to talk to some wanker about aluminum siding. "It's a salesman, pet." He called to her, amused when she told him to just erase the message, as if he were some kind of a servant. He crossed over to the machine, accidentally hitting 'play' instead of 'erase', and had his blood been flowing in his veins, it would have run cold at the message he heard.

~~ Uh, hi, Willow... I uh... just wanted to call and say uh... sorry about the last call... I really did want to say congratulations... uh... I know you'll be happy with Oz. But, I'm also kind of hurt. I mean, I know that we haven't really kept in touch or anything, but I thought we were... friends? And... and you didn't even tell me... I had to find out from Cordelia... but, anyway, uh... it's OK... just... I'd really like to see you sometime soon... so would Cordy... so, uh... if you want to, I mean, if you need to decompress or anything... Cordy tells me that you're doing all the planning yourself? uh... maybe you could take some time off... you know, come to LA, do some shopping, just... relax... We'd both love to see you... it'd be fun! So, look, the reason I'm bringing this up now, well... Spike's heading down here later tonight, so I figured maybe you could catch a ride... I, uh... no one'll be in the office for the rest of the day, so I'll just tell Spike to stop by your place on the way... if you do want to get out of Sunnydale for a little while, just be ready when he gets there... I... I don't suppose you really want to be away from Oz, and all your friends, right now, but... well, the offer's out there, so... and I really am happy for you... my little 'joke' earlier aside... uh... OK, bye, Willow... if uh... if I don't see you here, I'll uh, give you a call sometime, OK? Well, uh... bye... ~~

Spike glared at the answering machine. He'd heard that tone in his Sire's voice before. The damned nancyboy was up to something... he could just feel it. Peaches had called him from LA, and basically ordered him to drive the little witch there... and then called Willow and said that he was going there anyway... Something was definitely going on, and whatever it was, Spike he didn't like it.

Willow stood at the foot of the stairs, suitcase in hand. "Spike?" she said softly, "I'm ready when you are..." She let him take her bag and followed him out to the car. She waited while he unlocked the door and opened it for her, shutting it behind her once she was settled. She sat, listening as he placed her suitcase in the boot, finally speaking again when her was in place behind the wheel. "Thanks, Spike... for the ride, I mean... Well," she said to his look of surprise, "You didn't have to pick me up... you could have just gone on without me..."

Spike glanced at her, afraid of what she might see in his eyes if he looked right at her, "Not a problem, pet... let's just get there, alright?" He pulled away from the curb and began the two hour drive to see the poof in LA. (That bastard had better leave Red alone, too... I don't know what he's planning, but I know Angelus, and... it can't be good...)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Willow was still laughing, a wide smile on her face, as they pulled up to the Hyperion Hotel just under two hours later. What had started out as a quiet, and boring car trip had ended up being a lot of fun, as Spike had at some point decided that making her laugh was his job for the night... aside from driving, of course. She had had no idea that the blond had so many stories in his head. And they hadn't been all about blood and gore and feeding, either... there had been one about Angelus and a dancing bear that still made her laugh whenever she thought about it! No wonder Angel didn't dance! She was still thinking about that one as she opened the door. She got out of the car, only to find herself immediately enveloped in a very large and cool pair of arms. "Angel!" she cried, hugging him tightly, "It's so good to see you!" She pulled away from him and ran to Cordelia, hugging her tightly as well. "And Cordy! Gods, look at you! LA obviously agrees with you! You look great! So," she said excitedly, taking the brunette girl's arm and starting towards the front door of the hotel, "Tell me everything! How are you, and more importantly, how soon can we hit the shops?" She kept up her babble, trying to forget just how good it had felt to be wrapped in Angel's arms.

Angel watched, bemused, as the one girl he had been wanting to see more than anything traipsed off with his assistant, acting for all the world as if she couldn't get away from him fast enough. He wasn't sure yet whether or not that should worry him... oh, well, he had plenty of time to get close to the girl... after all, she was going to be here for a while... He turned, looking at his blond childe. "Well, Spike, you got her here, I suppose I've got to give you that much... and now, you're going to develop some car trouble... for about, oh... say a week... yeah, a week." He stared into the night for a moment before murmurring to himself, "That ought to give me enough time..."

Spike glared at the larger vampire, hating the smug look on his face. "Enough time for what, Mate? You'd better not be thinking about hurting Red in some way... 'Cause if you do, I'll stake you myself!" He hardened the glare, narrowing his eyes. "I like the little witch, and I know how you like to play games... I don't know exactly what it is that you're up to, but you hurt her, you die... in the permanent sense! Got it?"

Angel stared at his childe in shock. Spike liked Willow? The thought alone was almost enough to pull a growl from him, until he realized exactly what the blond meant. He liked her... nothing more, nothing less. "I'm not planning to hurt her, Spike..." he said, running his fingers through his short hair, "I just don't want her to marry the wolf..."

The blond looked consideringly at his Sire, searching his face until he was satisfied with what he saw there. "Yeah... you don't want her to marry him... because you want her for yourself... No," he said calmly, meeting the taller man's eyes, "Don't bother denying it, Angelus, I've known you for how long? You want her... hell, you probably even love her... and as much as I hate you, I still think you'd be better for her than that... dogboy." He looked away, pulling out a cigarette. "But I still mean what I said, mate... if you hurt her..."

"Yeah, Spike," Angel sighed, lighting his childe's cigarette, "I hurt her, you kill me... I get it."

Spike smirked, taking a deep lungfull of smoke. "Yeah, well, that's what friends are for..." he said softly before following Angel into the lobby of the Hyperion Hotel.

~5~ Guilt For Dreaming

Willow smiled and laughed as Cordelia led her to the room she would be using at the hotel. It was beautiful! Angel had obviously gone to a lot of trouble renovating the old place, because Willow was quite sure that she had never seen anything even approaching the loveliness before her. "Wow, Cordy," she breathed softly, taking in the burgundy velvet couch and hand-carved walnut end tables in the living room of the suite, "This is just..." She sighed, not knowing how to put the feeling into words. "But," she said, turning to her friend, "It's too much! I can't stay here... it's just too..."

Cordelia laughed at the expression on the redhead's face. "I know just what you mean, Will, but..." She leaned in closer, lowering her voice to a secretive murmur, "Aside from Angel's suite, this is the only one that's been restored. I'm not supposed to tell anyone this, but since it's you, I guess it's OK... He's like three weeks behind on the renovation plans the Historical Society approved. There should be like nine other rooms ready by now, but what with the demon hunting, and saving of innocents..."

Willow smiled slightly, feeling both relieved and disappointed. Relieved that she hadn't been put in this room for some kind of elaborate seduction by the cuddly dark haired vampire, and disappointed that, well, she hadn't been put in this room for some kind of elaborate seduction by that same vamp. "OK, Cord... but I swear, if you didn't already have a room mate, I'd be staying with you! Now," she said slowly, after putting her purse down on the sofa and removing her wallet, "I've got my gold card... let's shop!"

Cordelia nodded, taking careful mental note of everything she had seen in the girl's eyes... she'd have to figure it out later. "Yeah... let's!" she agreed, once again finding her arm being pulled by her friend. "Geez, Will!" she cried, trying to keep up, "It's not like the stores are gonna close in the next five minutes!"

"Yeah," Willow responded, slightly out of breath herself as they flew down the stairs to the lobby, and out the door into the street, "But Angel was coming... I mean, I didn't want us to be delayed... you know, if Angel wanted to talk or whatever..." She silently thanked whatever powers might be listening for the fact the the streetlight was burned out, thus hiding her blush from Cordelia.

(Hmmm...) Cordelia thought, not fooled for a minute by the redhead's babble, (She knew he was coming? She could feel him...) She sighed lightly under her breath. (Well, that could either be very good... or very bad!... I'll have to tell Angel...) She filed the thought away for later, and allowed herself to be pulled along in the wake of the petite witch until something occurred to her. "Uh, Willow?" she said loudly, pulling her friend to a stop, "Do you even know where you're going?"

The redhead blushed even redder. In her haste to escape the feeling of Angel getting closer, she had just dashed out the door, dragging her friend along for the ride. She glanced around quickly, realizing that she had no idea of where she was. "Umm..." she said, desperately pointing ahead of her, "That way?"

Cordelia just smiled and gently led the redhead away in the opposite direction. "OK, Will, if you're planning on buying your trousseau at a liquor store, then yeah, that is the way you want to go... but seeing as I don't shop in those sorts of places, what do you say we go this way? There's a mall up here somewhere... oh, who am I kidding, it's three blocks west and two blocks south, on the northeast corner of the intersection..." The former cheerleader smiled as her friend became less embarrassed and began responding to her running monologue. (She ran off because she felt him... she wouldn't have run if she didn't care anything for him...) She smiled a sly smile, knowing that if Willow already had feelings for Angel, it would make it that much easier to tear her away from Oz... besides, what kind of an idiot would let his fiance run off to LA to see another guy? She giggled to herself as they finally entered the air conditioned interior of the mall... Oz was just too stupid for Willow... she'd be much better off with Angel!

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

He stood silently in the doorway of the hotel lobby, watching his bleached blond childe take the witch's suitcase from the trunk. As always, he was stunned by the grace of the younger man. He had done a not so bad thing when he chose to bring that one over... to turn him. After all, how many generations would have missed out on the sight of such a magnificent creature if he hadn't? He sighed, knowing that these thoughts were foolish, that he'd descended into what Cordelia liked to call 'brood-mode'... besides, that was all so long ago... he and his childe had both grown and changed. No matter how much Spike wanted to deny it, Angel knew that neither of them had survived the years by remaining exactly the same. He could still admire his childe, and maybe even want him a little from time to time, but... He was pulled from his brooding by the sound of laughter, and knew that Cordelia had taken Willow to the suite tht was to be hers for the time she was in town. They had talked about it, and decided that letting Willow believe that Cordelia had a flesh and blood room mate, instead of a ghost, would be the best way to insure that the redhead stayed at the hotel... and she had to stay at the hotel... how else was Angel going to displace Oz? He smiled and prepared to take the first step in his plan. "Leave her bag in the lobby." he threw over his shoulder as he walked towards the stairs before deciding on the elevator. If his heart could beat, it would've been beating fast... he was going to see his witch, in the suite that he had renovated with her in mind, and so what if it had taken so long to do it right that the rest of the hotel had had to wait? He could just picture her there, in his mind, sitting on the velvet couch, one of the tasseled silk pillows behind her head, feet resting on the lush oriental rug... He couldn't wait to see the reality. He was sure that it would far surpass anything he'd come up with in his fantasies. He smirked a bit as he reached her door and pushed it open, looking around. Of course, his grin faded when he saw that he was alone.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Spike was fuming mad. He had gotten the call out of nowhere, hauled his ass over to the witch's, and then driven them both all the way to LA on the great poof's orders, only to be left in the lobby watching the luggage, all without so much as a thank you from his graceless bastard of a Sire. He might be stuck with the bloody sod, but that didn't mean that he was at Angel's beck and call... well, OK, it did, but... He stood there, leaning against the front desk, and lit up another smoke as he watched the panel on the elevator as the mighty poof got in, obviously going up to see Willow. He hated this... Angel was still all cursed and soul-having, and while Spike didn't think that his Sire would deliberately hurt the girl, he did know that he wanted her. Willow was a normal, if rather over-intelligent, red-blooded American girl, and having seen Angel at play as Angelus, Spike knew that he could probably talk Mother-sodding-Theresa into having a romp... Willow wouldn't even know what hit her... not until she woke up with Angelus, at any rate. He growled, feeling his eyes going gold. If his prick of a Sire did anything to harm her... He almost coughed up a lung in amusement as he watched the very girl that Angel had gone upstairs to find come running down the stairs, cheerleader in tow. He barely restrained himself as he watched them run out the door and into the night. (Well,) he thought, lighting a fresh cigarette from the butt of the old one, (I knew she was smart... I just didn't know that she was that smart!) Spike stopped trying to fight the laughter as Angel came barreling downthe stairs, looking frantically about, as if he'd lost track of himself. "Oh, relax, Peaches," Spike drawled around a lungful of smoke, "The girls just went out to do some shopping... I'm sure they'll be back soon..." He grinned at the stymied look on the darker vampire's face before hefting Willow's suitcase. "So, where do I park this thing?"

Angel growled slightly as he led his most annoying childe to the suite of rooms that he had given Willow. (The next time they go shopping,) he thought angrily to himself, (I'm going with them!) He never noticed the amused glances Spike was casting his way.

(Bloody poof is whipped,) the blond chuckled to himself, (and he doesn't even know it yet!)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Cordelia!" Willow squealed as the girl once again came flying into the dressing room without so much as a by your leave. "I could have been naked in here!"

Cordy sniffed loudly. "Oh, please, like I've never seen it before... I mean, we did have gym together back in high school! Now, try these on!" she demanded, holding out a handful of hangers, all holding various items of 'intimate' apparel in numerous shades of burgundy and green. "These colors are gonna look fantastic on you! Well, go ahead!" she cried, leaning back against the dressing room door, "I'm waiting!" She chuckled to herself as the girl began to remove the white cotton nightie she'd been trying on. "Honestly, Will, I don't know why you insist on hiding your light under a bushel! I mean, you're beautiful! All that red hair, and those big green eyes! Add in that pale skin, and who could blame a vam... werewolf for wanting you for his own? And that's just the physical! Factor in your sense of humour, the fantastic personality, and the smarts, and a guy would have to be a fucking idiot not to want you!" She smiled a bit more, "Of course, I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with brown and brown like yours truly has, but you really should try flaunting what you've got for a change. Oh, not like Buffy does!" she exclaimed at the look of horror the redhead had suddenly assumed, "Just... flaunting yourself in a Willow-way... you know..." She sighed in relief as Willow looked thoughtful, and hoped that her friend had missed her little almost-slip-of-the-tongue... (Why don't you just tell her the plan right now, Cordy?) she asked herself wryly, (Oh, well, no harm done... if she even noticed it, she's forgotten it by now.)

Willow smiled, looking in the mirror. She had thought that Cordelia had gone insane when she'd brought these items for her to try on, but she had to admit, the brunette had one hell of an eye for style... everything she'd selected looked as good on Willow as Willow's own choices had looked... not bad, but... wrong. She sighed happily and put her own clothes back on. "OK, Cordy," she said lightly, handing the girl half of the pile of items, "You were right... these are all great, so let's go spend some money!"

Cordelia snickered, seeing her friend almost buried under her half of the pile. They went to the front of the store, where Willow paid for her purchases. After waiting while the sales clerk carefully wrapped everything in tissue, and put it all in bags, they were finally able to go. "Well," Cordelia said slyly, watching Willow's face closely as they exited the store, "At least now you have something to wear for the wedding night... and the rest of your life... I mean, it's obvious that you've always had a lot to give, but now... you'll look like it, too! I'm sure Oz will be thrilled..." She felt badly about the way that her heart lifted as her friend's face fell.

Willow could feel the joy leaking out of her. She had been having so much fun shopping that she had actually forgotten what it was that she was supposed to be shopping for... every time she thought about wearing any of the items that she'd just bought, it wasn't Oz' face she pictured, it was Angel's... but he was just a friend... just... a friend... She looked down at the floor, her eyes sad as she muttered, barely loud enough for Cordy to hear, "But all I have to give is guilt for dreaming..." She sighed, knowing that she would dream of him again that night... as she did almost every night. But he wasn't hers... didn't even want to be... and there was a werewolf out there that loved her... whom she would marry in six weeks time.

~6~  I'd Hate You

Willow Rosenberg woke up tired... This was not an especially unusual occurrence for her, seeing as her life on the Hellmouth generally involved demons, and patrolling for same, not to mention college classes, studying, practicing witchcraft, hacking, and still trying to spend time with her friends, and more recently, with her fiance, Oz... who was a werewolf. No, she was used to being tired in the morning. The unusual thing about this morning was that she was in LA, she hadn't had to deal with any of the usual fatigue-causing elements of her normal life, and yet she was still tired... exhausted, even. She wasn't positive about the cause of her exhaustion, but she was pretty sure that it had something to do with the dreams... dreams about a particular dark haired and broody, but still eminently cuddly, tall, handsome vampire. But even that didn't make a whole lot of sense to her, seeing as she had dreamt of him many times before and had never woken up feeling this... drained. It was as if all of her energy had been sucked from her with a straw, and she really didn't like it. Besides, she was going to marry Oz in a month and a half... she shouldn't have been dreaming about anyone else, especially not Angel! He was her friend... there had never been anything more than that between them, and while there had been a time when she had thought that he was maybe beginning to see her differently, she had realized that it was just wishful thinking when he had left Sunnydale for LA without even saying goodbye. Not that she didn't understand his reasons... she did! It had just been too painful for him to stay there, seeing his ex-girlfriend Buffy every day... having to face all the memories every time he even wlked through the town... what little town there was, anyway... No, she decided, it couldn't be the dreams... maybe she was coming down with a cold or something... maybe that's why she was feeling so... wiped out. She burrowed back into the pillows, pulling the blankets closer around her as she decided to try for just a few more hours of sleep... she was on vacation, after all... no need to get up at the crack of... She squinted across the room, trying to see the clock. (OK,) she thought, (The crack of noon. Screw it! I'm tired, and I'm going back to sleep!) She squeezed her eyes shut, ignoring the little voice inside her head that was trying to tell her that sleeping this late in the day made her lazy, and swiftly drifted off.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Angel awoke with a start, reaching out for the warm body that he was so sure was right there beside him, growling when he found himself alone. He collapsed back against the mattress with a moan. So it had all been just a dream... again. He had always been strong inside, but this... this was wearing him down. Every night, he had the dreams, dreams of the redheaded witch who was currently, he hoped, somewhere in this big old hotel... he gazed over at the clock, knowing that she had probably gone out hours earlier, what with it being one PM and all. He rolled onto his side, bunching his pillow under his head as he thought about this last dream. It had felt so real! It had been wonderful... her hands in his, her eyes screaming love and desire at him... he had just known that she was going to kiss him... He hated waking up to find himself alone, to find that none of it had ever happened, that they were just... friends. He sighed frustratedly, punching the pillow into a more comfortable shape. He didn't want to be her friend. Or at least, not just her friend... he wanted... he wanted to be her heart, just as she was his. He flung himself onto his back once more, staring blindly at the ceiling. He hoped that this plan of Cordelia's worked, because if it didn't... He growled again, if it didn't, he'd have to kill the wolfling... there was just no way that he was going to let that... dogboy have the girl. Angel sighed, knowing that he wouldn't really do it. He would want to, but... she'd hate him for it. He closed his eyes, laying his forearm across them, and prayed for sleep... and dreams.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Cordelia sighed deeply and closed the magazine she had been reading. She had been here for hours, and still no sign of Willow... quite frankly, she was beginning to get a little concerned, not to mention bored. Wesley wasn't even around for her to torment, as he had gotten a line on some very rare texts in New York and had gone to beg and plead with their owner for the opportunity to study them... he claimed that he thought that they might contain some references to the prophecies of Auberjean, but Cordelia was pretty sure that he'd really just wanted an excuse to get away from LA for a while... either way, the prissy little wanna-be demon-hunter was out of her hair. She grimaced, knowing that she was being unfair... Wesley had actually become quite a good addition to their little team in the last year or so, but he was no Doyle, that was for certain. She smiled sadly, still missing the sly little half-demon. Oh, well, she figured that she might as well make some coffee... Willow would probably be up soon, and Angel would want some, too, whenever he finally decided to make an appearance. She got up, going to the coffee machine, and started to set about making up a pot.

Spike had been watching the former cheerleader for some time. He had been fascinated by the quickly changing expressions crossing her face, and wondered at the thoughts that had caused them. He would never admit it to anyone, least of all her, but he had had a bit of a thing for her ever since she'd threatened him with that crossbow when he'd been tossing Angel's old place looking for that damned ring... he hadn't been kidding when he'd told her, in the parking garage that day, that she looked 'Smashing'... He watched her shake off whatever memory was causing the sad smile on her face, and grinned as he watched her begin to... what in the hell was she doing with that machine?

"Here, pet," he said, stepping from the shadows of the doorway he'd been lounging in, "Who taught you to make coffee?" He reached out, taking the pot from her hand. "Why don't you let me do that, luv? I'm not sure of what you were making, but it couldn't be anything you'd want to drink." He smirked, not looking at her, as he listened to her heart rate begin returning to normal... at least he could still scare someone, even if it was just because she hadn't known that he was there.

Cordelia hadn't jumped when he'd surprised her, and that thought made her proud. Maybe all the work that she'd been doing with Angel, Wesley, and Gunn was finally making her less skittish... of course, it helped that she had known that Spike was there in the hotel, but so what? And besides, she thought to herself as she watch him mastering the coffee machine, anyone would have been surprised by someone just appearing like that. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye and sighed. Yes, he was just as attractive as he'd always been... of course, he was a vampire. The only way he would ever get less attractive would be if he were a big pile of dust... and even then, she'd bet that he'd be a damned fine looking pile of dust. (OK, Cordy,) she thought desperately, (Stop lusting after the bad-ass vampire. He'd kill you in a second if he didn't have that chip, and besides, he doesn't see you as anything other than 'the happy meal that got away'...) Her breath caught in her throat as he suddenly glanced up and caught her staring.

(And why,) she wondered, drowning in the deep blue of his eyes, (was I in such a hurry to get away? Wait... OK... vampire! Death would be... bad...) She stepped back, her heart racing, when he looked away. (OK, good... breathing now... oxygen good!) She made her way slowly back to her seat and picked up her discarded magazine, opening it at random, only to find herself on the page with the quiz 'Is Your Crush Crushing On You? Take This Quiz and Find Out' (Damn, gotta stop buying these teenage magazines,) she thought wildly as she closed it again. "Angel!" she cried relieved at his timely entrance. "Sleep well?"

Angel glared at his assistant, who was being just way too perky. "Not really... no. Too many dreams." He grabbed his mug and went to pour himself a cup of coffee. He took a sip, his eyebrows flying up. "What's happened, Cordelia? Did you scratch the paint on my car? Get in an accident? What?" He shook his head at the confused look she was giving him. "Whatever it is, you didn't have to go out and buy coffee to put in the machine... I'm sure that whatever the problem is, it can't be..." he broke off as Cordelia cut in.

"Nothing happened, Angel... Spike made the coffee, not me..." She gazed at her boss, brow furrowed. "What's wrong with you, Angel? You're not usually so... mental. Is it the dreams you were talking about? Are you having nightmares?"

Angel shook his head. "No, not nightmares... these dreams, well... I enjoyed them."

Cordelia shuddered, remembering the last time he'd said that. "Is it... I mean, is there another... Penn out there? 'Cause if there is, I've just gotta tell you, I am so going on holiday..." She relaxed a bit when he shook his head.

"Not those kinds of dreams, Cordy... these were... good." He crossed over to her, leaning against the front desk. "Only problem is, I kept waking up to find that they weren't real."

Spike couldn't help himself, looking at the expression on his Sire's face. "Ohhh... don't you get it, Cordelia? Peaches here was dreaming about..." he lowered his voice conspiratorially, "Willow..." he hissed into her ear, delighted by the goose-bumps that rose on her skin. He wasn't sure if they were being caused by fear of his proximity, or the feel of his cool breath against her skin, but he was for damned sure going to find out... eventually.

"Oh... oh, god... ewwww..." She stood, pushing the blond away from her. "That is so not a picture that I needed in my mind for the rest of my life, Spike... and you!" she exclaimed, turning to her boss, and poking him repeatedly in the chest for emphasis, "You think this is so funny! Well, it's not! You're just damned lucky that Willow already has a crush on you the size of Texas! "Cause if she didn't, I can't imagine why..." Cordelia suddenly stopped at the sound of a swiftly indrawn breath, followed by a whimper, coming from the staircase behind her. (Oh, shit...) she thought, turning around just in time to see the fleeing redhead running out through the lobby doors, (Willow...) She turned back to the two stunned vampires. "Bastards! Well, I hope you're happy now!" she cried angrily at them before turning again and following her friend out into the street.

Spike looked at his Sire in confusion. "Why did she yell at us? What did we do?"

Angel shook his head sadly, staring after the girls. "Who knows, Spike? We'd just better be ready to apologize when they come back... I know, Spike," he said, seeing the blond's uncomprehending look, "But we're the men... we're always wrong... didn't I teach you anything in all our years together?" He wandered off into the back office still muttering softly, "And if I didn't, I'd have thought that all that time with Dru would have clued you..."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Willow had finally woken up again at four o'clock that afternoon, and although she didn't feel much better than she had before, she could no longer ignore the little voice in her head that was telling her that she was wasting her life, burning daylight, being Miss slug-abed. She managed to pry her eyes open and fumble her way to the shower, finally feeling a bit better, or more awake at least... the dreams were getting worse, well, better... and she had actually hated waking up, but... somehow, having those dreams about Angel just felt like... betrayal. She was betraying Oz, and she knew it. Oh, sure, it was just in her dreams, and she couldn't really control where her mind went while she slept, but the fact that she enjoyed the dreams... replayed them in her waking mind... that wasn't right... or fair to her fiance. She sighed, getting dressed and running a comb through her hair. Maybe Xander was right... maybe she should postpone the wedding... at least until she figured out what it all meant. (Come on, Willow,) said the sneaky little voice of reason, (You know what it means... you're not in love with Oz... you love him, sure... but not in that 'I want to be with him forever' kind of way... Just let it go... sure, he'll be hurt, but...) Willow groaned, smacking herself in the head with her hairbrush. "No." she said out loud, looking at herself in the mirror, "I won't do it! Oz loves me, and I do love him... maybe he's not my grand passion, but passion fades..." She nodded decidedly at herself and put the brush down, leaving her suite to go find Cordelia. Approaching the stairs to the lobby, she heard her friend's voice, and decided to go down quietly and surprise her. Thus it was that she arrived at the foot of the staircase just in time to hear Cordelia announcing the news of Willow's crush to the very person the redhead had wanted to keep it a secret from. She bit back a sob, but was unable to stay completely silent. Her wounded eyes met those of the girl who was supposed to be her friend for just a moment before Willow realized that she couldn't handle the shame. She turned and ran out into the sunny street, wondering just what in the hell she was going to do now.

Fortunately for all concerned, the redhead really didn't know the area she was staying in, and so it was only a matter of minutes before Cordelia found her friend. She looked down at the small witch sitting hunched over on the curb and sighed. "Will..." she began , not knowing what to say, "I... I'm sorry..." She wanted so badly to say more, to tell the girl exactly what was going on, but she just couldn't take the chance... so she did what she could. "It's just... it's all my fault... I never could keep my big mouth shut... If it's any consolation," she continued, seeing the bright green eyes peering at her from beneath the tangled strands of hair, "He doesn't really believe it... I mean, how could he? You wouldn't exactly be marrying Oz if you wanted the King of Brood, now would you?"She smiled, relieved, as the girl finally pushed the hair back from her face and stood.

Willow sighed, looking at her friend consideringly. She smiled slightly at the woeful expression the cheerleader wore. "OK, Cordelia," she said wearily, pulling the other girl to her feet, "But just so you know... if I didn't love you, I'd hate you..." Willow smiled inside at the relieved look in Cordelia's eyes, hoping that the brunette girl knew how lucky she was... after all, if Willow had been at all the vengeful type, she could have told Spike all about the cheerleader's 'little' crush on him... She smiled a little wickedly then... maybe someone would have to tell Spike, after all!

~7~ Not So Civilized

Angel paced impatiently, striding back and forth through the lobby of the old hotel as his bleached-blond childe looked on, amused. "Where are they, Spike?" the dark haired vamp demanded, the frustration evident in his tone, "How long does it take to get lunch?" He growled at the barely stifled laughter he heard coming from his companion. "What? Why is this so damned funny? It's Willow... and Cordelia... they're out there--" he said angrily, gesturing towards the lobby doors, "And we're stuck in here while anything could be happening to them!" He flung himself down on one of the couches, still glaring daggers at his childe.

Spike sighed, trying rather unsuccessfully to hide his grin. He couldn't help it... seeing the great bloody poof all twitchy like this was just too much fun. "Well, Peaches," he drawled annoyingly, pulling a cigarette from his shirt pocket, "It's broad daylight, and they're most likely in a very public place... I doubt that any big evil is out there hunting them right now. Plus, it's Willow and Cordelia! The little chits grew up on the Hellmouth, so I think that they can manage to get lunch for themselves... without your oh-so-broody-Warrior-of-the-light self, I mean." He lit his cigarette, drawing in a deep lungful of smoke. "No, what's bothering you, Nancyboy, is that Red hasn't given any sign of being interested in you. She's been here for three days, and so far she's smiled at you and said hello and goodbye. She's thanked you for putting her up in this old pile of stone, told you how the whole Scooby gang is doing, and otherwise pretty much left you to your own devices, all the while running around with the cheerleader... shopping." He grinned, seeing the look of discomfort on his Sire's face. "And not just any shopping, mind you, Poofy, but shopping for a new wedding dress... and some filmy, frilly bits of nothing for the wedding night, I'm sure. That's gonna be one happy werewolf, I'll bet..."

Had Spike been looking at his Sire instead of staring into space and laughing at the pictures he'd created in his mind, he would have seen what was coming in time to avoid it. As it was, he was completely surprised by the large body that knocked him to the floor, and by the fist which impacted his face as his Sire straddled his now supine form. "Never," Angel hissed, after hitting the blond for the fourth time, "Never say that again. She is not going to marry him. Not in six weeks, not in six years, not ever! I won't allow it! She may not realize what a big mistake she's thinking of making, but I do... and I won't let it happen!" He pushed himself off of his childe's body and sat dejectedly on the floor beside the blond's recovering form. "So I suppose the real question is: What can I do to stop it?" He reached out and plucked the still burning cigarette from the floor where it had fallen. Taking a drag himself, he passed it back to his childe.

Spike lay there for a moment longer, staring at his Sire with fascination. He had known that the great bloody poof liked the girl, maybe even loved her. He had not known that the very thought of the girl with the dogboy could bring out Angel's demon... it was something to think about. "Well," he said slowly, sitting up himself, "Maybe you need to lie to her... Red, I mean..." He thought about it a moment longer, ignoring the look his Sire was sending his way. "Yeah..." He glanced at Angel, hoping he'd at least hear him out before hitting him again. "All right. The plan was to get Red here and show her what she was missing by not being with you, right? Well," Spike continued, seeing the dark head nodding in agreement, "It hasn't worked so far, has it? And I'm willing to bet that the reason it hasn't worked is that you can't show her what she's missing if you can't get her to sit still long enough to notice!" He stood and crossed the lobby, ignoring the large body following him as he turned the situation over again in his mind. "OK. So here's what we do." The blond began to speak, sharing what he thought was a very worthwhile adjustment to the plan. It was fairly simple, and if the girl had any feelings beyond frienship for his Nancyboy Sire, it should work... he hoped. He'd hate to see his little redheaded friend throw herself away on a wolfboy who could never possibly appreciate her!

Angel listened to his plan-happy blond-headed childe's idea, slowly finding that he was, surprisingly enough, on board with this one... unlike most of Spike's plans, this one might actually have a chance of working! In any case, he had to try it... He smiled slyly, already knowing who he could get to help him out... it had to be someone Willow had never met or else she might suspect... and she'd have to be beautiful. He listened a bit more closely, his smile becoming a smirk at the tone he thought he detected in his childe's voice whenever he mentioned... Cordelia. He'd have to see what he could do about that... they might be good for each other, as long as Spike had that chip in his head, anyway.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Cordelia Chase smiled in relief as her redheaded friend got up from the table and headed off towards the restroom. Willow had been talking non-stop about her plans for the wedding for almost an hour and a half straight, and it had been hard for the former cheerleader to keep an interested expression on her face, especially considering the fact that she was fairly certain that the wedding was just not gonna happen... at least, not if a certain tall, dark and broody vampire had anything to say about it. She smiled up at the tall redhaired woman who came to clear the plates from the table. "Hey, Kaelsey, that's for waiting on us... I know you were supposed to get off early today."

Kaelsey smiled, stacking the empty plates on top of her tray. "It's no big, Cord... I mean, it's not like I have a life or anything. Besides, I only have like an hour between shifts anyway; not like it's enough time to actually go and do anything, is it?" She sighed, sitting down next to the dark haired girl for a moment. "So that's Willow, huh? I like her. But then again," she said, rolling her very green eyes at Cordelia, "You know how I am about redheads... we're the chosen ones of the gods, so we have to stick together... Oh!" Kaelsey suddenly sat bolt upright and smacked herself in the forehead. "I almost forgot! There's a band playing at the club tonight, from your neck of the proverbial woods... Sunnydale," she clarified. "They're called... Dogs ate my kid?... Something like that... Anyway, do you want me to tell George to put you on the guest-list? You could bring your friend... and Angel, too, if you want... Could be fun?"

Cordelia stared at the girl, shocked. Oz' band was in LA... and he hadn't even bothered to call Willow and tell her? He was supposed to be marrying her in less than a month and a half, but he didn't want her to know that he was nearby? She felt an almost eerie chill running down her spine... something was wrong here... very wrong... and she was definitely going to find out what it was... or she and Angel were. "Yeah," she said suddenly, smiling at the red haired woman, "Yeah, that'd be good. But could you make it me plus three? Angel's got a friend in town, too..."

Kaelsey smiled, standing up as she saw Willow returning from the Ladies Room. "No problem, Cord." She picked up her now fully laden tray. "Willow," she said, balancing the edge of the tray on her hip, "Nice to meet you. Stop by again before you head home... I'll cook you up something special. Cordy," She turned back to the brunette. "I'll see you guys at the club tonight. Door's open at eight, band's on at nine thirty, OK?" She turned away without waiting for an answer, and sashayed back through the doors into the kitchen.

Cordelia looked at her friend, smiling at her perplexed expression. "OK, Will... what?"

"Well, I'm... confused," the little witch admitted slowly. "Your friend... Kaelsey. I though she was a waitress? So how's she gonna 'cook me something special'? And what's all this about a club? I thought we were gonna watch movies at the hotel? And if we are going out, what about the guys? I mean, I've hardly spent any time with Ang... um, Spi.. uh, with either of them since I got here... I don't want them to think I'm avoiding them..." Willow cut herself off, seeing Cordelia's amusement plain as day. "What?" she asked, then had to laugh at herself. "OK, so I babbled a little... sue me."

The brunette smiled again. "All right, Will. Since you asked, Kaelsey's not a waitress, she's the chef. The only waitress still on when we got here was Kim, and she sucks at waiting tables, plus she's a little... insane, so Kaelsey stepped in. She has a very, um... personal connection with one of my favourite clubs, which is actually how I know her, so she's gonna put us on the guest-list for tonight... well, us and the guys. And as for watching movies, we can do that tomorrow night, OK? Kaelsey said that there's a really good band playing tonight, and I really want to see them, plus, you're in LA... I can't let you stay here for a week without taking you out clubbing at least once... I'm pretty sure the tourism board would have me tarred and feathered if I did." She laughed along with her witchy friend as they got up and left, leaving their money on the table to pay their bill. They still had some shopping to do, especially if they were going to get something appropriate for Willow to wear to the club that night.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Spike smiled to himself at the speed with which his Sire jumped up from the couch. As if the girls would care whether they stayed sitting or not. He leaned back against the couch cushions as he listened to the sounds of the cheerleader and Red coming up the drive, lit himself another cigarette, and almost returned to the magazine he'd been looking at. He had been surprised to realize that Cordelia even read these teenaged magazines, but he had found that he was very interested in her answers to the 'Crush Quiz'. He glanced over at his Sire again, shaking his head slightly at the overt display of old-fashioned manners. Of course, he suddenly realized, seeing the thankful look Cordelia gave the ponce when he relieved her and Red of some of their bags, maybe there were benefits to acting like a gentleman. He sighed softly and stood, snubbing out his smoke before crossing to take the rest of the bags from Cordelia's hands."So, pet," he said lazily, one corner of his mouth twitching into what he could only hope was a sexy little smirk, "Good day?" He fought to keep his smile from widening as he caught the unmistakable sound of her heart beating a bit faster.

"What? Oh. Yeah." Cordelia almost stammered, unwilling to let him see how flustered he was making her feel. "Yeah, we got a lot accomplished." She stepped away from the blond, almost sighing in relief when she felt herself beginning to calm. Reaching out, she took two of the many bags from her boss' hands and passed them back to Willow. "There you go, Will. That's everything you need for tonight, and you should probably go on up... After all," she continued, looking at her watch, "We only have three hours before we have to leave. No," Cordelia looked sternly at her redheaded friend, "I know it doesn't take you that long to get ready, but you did say that you wanted to take a nap, and I think that's a really good idea. We'll probably be out late, and I don't want you fading out by, like, two AM. Go!" She grinned as Willow scrunched up her nose and started for the stairs, barely able to make out the girl's grumbles about 'bossy cheerleader... power junkie'. Finally, when the girl was no longer in sight, and hopefully well out of hearing, she turned back to the two vampires in the lobby with her. "OK," she said. Deliberately not looking too closely at the blond, she missed his look of outrage when she concentrated on Angel. "Here's the deal..." She proceeded to tell them exactly how the plans for that evening had changed, and was pleasantly surprised to hear from them about the changes to the plan she had formulated. Much as she hated to admit it, Spike was probably right... Willow would be more likely to admit her feeling for the dark haired vamp if she thought that he was seeing someone else. She was even more surprised, though, when Spike and Angel both agreed that there was something odd about Oz not telling Willow that he was going to be in town. Whatever it was, though, they'd figure it out. Cordelia sighed and said her goodbyes. She had to get home and shower before she could get ready for their night on the town, and she still had to call Kaelsey to let her know that there'd be one more... person... in her party.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Spike looked up from his hand, which he was currently in the process of freshening the nail polish on, to see the tall broad form of his Sire staring at him from the doorway to the back office. He sighed, recognizing the broody intensity of his gaze. "What is it now, Peaches? Having second thoughts?" He gestured towards the chair near him. "Sit down and tell Spikey all about it." He went back to his previous task as he listened to the telling sounds of the poof crossing the room and sitting down with barely a swoosh of clothing against furniture. "So?"

Angel sighed, resting his forearms on his thighs. "It's just... am I doing the right thing, Spike? Trying to trick her like this? I want her, don't get me wrong, I really do, but it just seems..." He stopped, not entirely sure of how to verbalize what he was feeling.

"What, Peaches? Wrong? You're a demon, for hell's sake!" Spike cried, amused, "Of course it's wrong!" He sighed, seeing the self-hatred descending in his Sire's eyes. "OK, not really. Look," he said, more softly this time, but just as amused, "You want the girl... hell, you love her. It's just the pissy, bitchy, moany souled part of you that's getting all tweaked about your methods. The fact of the matter is, if you don't do this, then wrong or not, she's going to marry the wolf... And since she's a 'forever' kind of girl, that'll be the end of it. She's not the kind to give up on someone, or leave them. Not ever. Of course," he said lightly, turning away, "It's always possible that dogboy might leave her in a decade or two... he's not nearly as steadfast as she is... If he does, you could always step in then, help her raise whatever litter of pups he's managed to get on her..." He smiled, hearing the almost silent growls emerging from his Sire's chest, "Yeah, you could be Uncle Angel... her best friend..." His smirk grew bigger at the sound of Angel flying up from his chair.

"No!" Angel growled angrily, "That is not going to happen!" He spun, glaring at his childe. "And you can stop now. I'm going to do it. She's mine... or she should be... will be!" He leaned against the front desk, folding his arms over his chest. "I don't know why I ever questioned it. It's the only way."

Spike laughed, sitting back down and turning his attention back to his nails. "Well, I know why, you great poof. It's because of your childhood... the way you were raised." He glanced slyly at Angel from the corner of his eye, continuing when he saw that he had his Sire's full attention. "In your day, that wasn't the way to go about persuing a woman... not one that you had any honourable intentions towards, at least... You couldn't try the old 'let's make her jealous enough to admit she cares' thing, it would have been in the worst possible taste. But, seeing as it wasn't your idea, and it's the only way... plus, what with me not being of the gentry in any way, shape or form..." He grinned, applying yet another flawless coat of black varnish to his index finger. "What can I say, Peaches? I guess that if I'd been raised in a good family, with lots of money and manners, I wouldn't have though of it either, but..." He smirked again, finally putting the cap back on his bottle of polish. "I guess I'm not so civilized." He grinned broadly as he crossed the lobby and ran up the stairs towards his room. Cordelia would be by to pick them up in less than an hour, and he wanted to change his shirt.

~8~ A Lot to Think Aboutv

Angel paced the lobby nervously, waiting for his 'date' to arrive. He had hoped to be able to get that girl Lina from Madame Dorian's, but of course, she was all booked up for the evening, so he'd had to go with his second choice... not that she wasn't pretty, but... Oh, well, at least he wouldn't have to pay for her time... in any way other than having to be near her. He looked up, hearing the door opening, and saw the very woman he'd just been thinking about. He sighed. Well, at least she looked... presentable tonight. "Kate." he greeted her flatley.

"Angel." the blonde detective replied. "Mind telling me why I'm doing this again?"

"Well, gee, Kate, I'd have to say it's because you still owe me for going to your father's retirement party with you. You needed my help then, and I need your help now."

The bottle blonde sighed, knowing he was right. "So... this'll make us even, right?" She stiffened suddenly as a thought occurred to her. "I'm not going to have to... kiss you, am I? Because if so, I am so out of here!" As much as the thought disgusted her, she was still mildly offended by the look of distaste on the vampire's face at the very thought.

"No!" Angel said intently, staring directly into her cold blue eyes. "There will be no kissing! Or," he ammended, a thought suddenly coming to him, "At least, not on the mouth. I may have to kiss your cheek or hand or something, but nothing more intimate than that!" He tried, and mostly succeeded, to suppress a shudder at the thought of meeting her pale tight lips with his... he was pretty sure that the thought alone would give him nightmares for weeks.

"Well... OK, then. So, when do we do this? I mean..." she completely lost track of what she was saying as she saw the gorgeous hunk of blond coming down the lobby stairs.

"Angel, when's the bloody cheerleader getting here? I'm bored. I want to go drink! And who's this?" Spike said, noticing the blonde woman  standing with his Sire. He almost shivered at the look of predatory glee she was casting his way. "Sire," he almost whined, trying to hide behind Angel's taller, broader form, "She's... looking at me! Make her stop!"

"Sire?" Kate latched on to the vaguely familiar word. "Is that your last name, Angel? Hah! I knew it! Remember what I said before... rock stars and Popes are the only one-named people! Sire, huh? Yeah, I can see that... it suits you."

Spike stepped out from Angel's shadow. If the bint was that stupid, she couldn't possibly be a threat. "Not very bright, is she, mate?" He grinned at the rolled eyes of his Sire. "Explain it to her, why don't you?" (Maybe that'll get her to stop... looking at me...) "I think I hear Cordelia's car pulling up now..." He walked towards the door, telling himself that the only reason he'd be happy to see the Seer was that he was almost scared of the woman with Angel. She was human, after all, so it wasn't like he could kill her... and he had a strange feeling that she was one looney bitch when crossed.

"Cordelia!" he cried loudly, pulling the girl into a tight hug as soon as she entered the lobby, "I thought you'd never get here, luv!" He felt her stiffen in surprise and leaned his mouth closer to whisper in her ear. "Just play along, pet... that blonde woman's been staring at me like a retiree at a blue-plate special... be my girlfriend for the night?"

Cordelia relaxed into his arms, ignoring the little voice in her head that was screaming 'Yes! Yes! Yes!'. "Fine, Spike," she murmurred, feeling her heart race just from being in his embrace, "But, you owe me!"

"Anything, pet... just don't let the psycho-blonde get me!" he whispered back.

"Oh, no." Cordy hissed, "There will be no getting of you by Super-Cop-lady, trust me on that!" She pulled away, taking his hand in hers. "So, Kate," she called out to the bitter woman, "I'm guessing you met my Spike?" She grinned as she led the blond vamp back to her brooding boss and the detective. "Did he behave himself, Angel?" She almost laughed out loud at the quickly concealed confusion on the dark haired vampire's face.

"Spike? His name is Spike?" The blonde woman didn't even notice that she had cut off Angel's reply. She was more concerned with the fact that this fine specimen of a man was apparently involved with Cordelia Chase, of all people, when he could obviously do so much better... like a certain blonde police detective she knew... "What kind of a name is Spike? Some kind of a biker thing?" she asked, staring into the blond man's eyes.

Cordelia almost growled at the bitch, but then decided to answer the question herself. "No," she said slyly, raking her eyes over the vampire. "His name is actually William, but I call him Spike for entirely... personal reasons..." she grinned naughtily up into Spike's eyes as she ran her free hand down his chest, past his tight stmach, and allowed hir fingers to rest on the very visible bulge in his jeans. She giggled softly to herself as she felt him jump slightly, his eyes widening just a bit. Oh, yeah, this whole idea of being Spike's girlfriend for the night had definite possibilities... and she had every intention of taking advantage of them... and him.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Willow grimaced, making a face at herself in the mirror. She didn't know what she had been thinking when she let Cordelia talk her into buying this outfit... she was so not the leather type! She made another face, wishing that she hadn't taken such a long nap, because if she had more time, she would change her clothes. Oh, well, she decided, it was just for the one night... she'd live through it, even if she did look silly. She sighed, plucking the new leather jacket from the couch, and left her suite to meet the others in the lobby. She started down the stairs, only to stop halfway, staring in shock as her friend Cordelia snaked a hand down Spike's body, ending in a very intimate caress... when had that happened? After a moment or two, she shook off her shock and continued down the stairs. If Cordelia had finally managed to tell Spike that she liked him, then she was happy for her... after all, he obviously felt the same way, or he wouldn't be letting her touch him like that. It
wasn't until she was almost to the group that she noticed the tall-ish blonde woman standing quite close to Angel... unnecessarily close, in Willow's opinion. "Hi, guys," she said, trying to sound perky. "Sorry you had to wait... and who are you?" she asked abruptly, wondering unhappily about the pretty blonde's presence. She felt her blood run cold as Angel answered her. "Oh." The blonde was his girlfriend? She hadn't even known that he'd started dating! "Umm, so... how did you two meet?" Willow asked, hoping that she didn't sound as jealous as she felt, because, OK, Angel wasn't hers, but... he'd always kind of been hers, in the back of her mind, if nowhere else... Plus, she just didn't like this blonde lady... she just didn't give off a 'good enough for Angel' kind of vibe. (Yeah, Will,) she told herself, (And it has nothing to do with the fact that Angel likes her! Then again, it's not as if they can actually do anything... he is still cursed...) She almost giggled at the thought of the frustration the woman must be feeling... to be dating such a fantastic guy, and not ever being able to take him to bed... (Bad Willow!) she thought angrily, (It's not nice to enjoy other people's misfortune! Besides which, it can't be any fun for Angel, either... loving her, and knowing that the minute he shows her how much, wham! The soul's gone, and his girlfriend is dinner!) She turned her attention back to the conversation, not noticing the way Angel was staring at her leather-clad body.

"OK, guys," Cordelia broke in, "While this is all really fascinating, if we don't get going, we're gonna have to wait in line at the club, so..." She grinned in relief as they all began to move towards the lobby door. Once outside, they split up, Willow and Spike going with Cordelia in her car, Angel and Kate in the 'Angel-mobile', as Spike called it. As Cordelia drove, she again wondered just exactly what Oz was doing in LA... and why Willow didn't know that he was there.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Angel couldn't help it. He had been staring at the little witch ever since they'd gotten to the club, and he didn't think that he could stop. He had never really thought that Willow was the leather type, but seeing her in the outfit Cordelia had helped her pick out, he realized that he had never been so wrong in his entire existense. The black leather suited her. The pants were just tight enough in all the right places, and the jacket framed the delicious looking candy-apple red halter top perfectly. Angel groaned softly, preparing himself for yet more dreams about the little redhead, and hoped that maybe, just maybe, the new batch of dreams wouldn't be quite as G-rated as the latsest ones... he was hoping for more of a hard R, if the truth be known. Looking up, he saw that they had finally reached the head of the line and he sighed, knowing that Cordelia would never let it rest that she'd been right about that. Of course, he thought, seeing the way his assistant's hand was roaming his
childe's back, she might just thank him... He glanced up... and up... as Cordelia motioned him forward.

"Angel, this is George, Kaelsey's fiance," she said, gesturing to the big man, "And George, this is Angel... my boss. The blond here is my Spike... I don't think you've ever met him, but then, we don't get out much, this is Willow, oh, and that's Angel's... girlfriend." She rolled her eyes on the last word, hating the fact that it was the bitch-cop out with them.

George laughed, seeing how much Cordelia disliked the blonde woman. He bent down and gave her a quick hug, laughing again at the growl he could just barely hear coming from Cordelia's date. "Spike, huh?" he said, looking at the blond man. "Find me inside later, I think we have some friends in common." He saw the two vampires stiffen in surprise. "What? You couldn't tell that I'm dead? I don't know whether to be flattered or insulted..." He stared into space for a moment, as if considering it. "Nah... think I'll go with flattered. He turned his attention back to the brunette girl as he pulled the velvet rope back. "Go on in, Kaelsey's waiting for you... oh, and Cordelia," he said softly, holding the girl back for a moment, "I don't care if she is your boss' girl, I don't want to see that woman in here again. She positively reeks of hatred and intolerance. She comes back here, I eat her. And Kaelsey'll let me, too."

Cordelia sighed, looking up at the six foot five tattooed and pierced vampire. "Oh, good... you promise? And she's not really Angel's girl... she's a means to an end, that's all!" She lowered her voice conspiratorially. "He's actually got a thing for..."

"The little redhead?" George broke in, going on as she opened and closed her mouth like a fish out of water. "I don't blame him. She smells absolutely delicious... a witch, isn't she? Definitely worth the effort!"

Cordelia sighed again. "It's a looong story, but... maybe I'll tell you later?" She grinned up at him. "The short version, however, is that she's supposed to marry someone else in a little over a month." She nodded as his eyes widened in shock. "And actually, her 'intended' is in the band that's here tonight, but for some reason, he didn't bother to let her know he was gonna be in town..."

George frowned slightly, glaring at the people in line who were complaining about the long wait while he talked to the brunette. "Who? That Devon guy? Please. He's a fucking slut... of course, he's not as bad as the guitarist. Do you know that hat little... dog had the nerve to try to bring a Slayer in here tonight?" George shuddered at the memory. "And what a Slayer she was, too... Skanky little blonde thing, acted like she owned the world. And she was all over him... according to Devon, he had to drive the whole way here because the two of them were in the back of the van fucking like rabbits the entire time... he said that they barely even came up for air!" The enormous vampire shook his head sadly. "If that's the state of Slayers these days, then I'm glad I'm not a Watcher anymore... bad enough that she's a stank ho, but to be fucking a werewolf? Gaah!" He turned away from her, catching a glimpse of bleached blond hair in the doorway. "Sorry, Cordy, I'm holding you up, and your boyfriend's waiting... Now, I know he's not really your boyfriend, but I think that he will be before the night is through... I can smell his desire from here... and yours. Now go! Tell Kaelsey I'll be in in a while, OK?" He grinned after the girl's retreatingback before returning his attention to the not-so-patiently-waiting line of people outside the rope. "All right, you bastards!" he shouted, sounding mean as all hell, "One more complaint, and none of you are getting in!" He smiled to himself at the sudden silence. "That's more like it," he muttered as he set about the task of deciding just who was, and wasn't, good enough to party in his club.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"So," Spike shouted in an effort to be heard over the music, "What was that all about, pet?" He leaned closer to her, trying to hear her answer as he lead her to the table where the poof, the witch, and the bitch detective were waiting. "Oh, and by the way, I like your friend Kaelsey... she's a regular peach of a girl."

"Yeah, she is, but don't go getting any ideas, Spike. In case you missed it, that huge vampire out front is her fiance!"

Spike laughed, pulling her to a stop halfway to the table. "Oh, I know that, luv... but I'm curious... what exactly did your friend George have to say that was so important?"

Cordelia sighed, shaking her head. "I'll tell you later, OK? I have to figure out what it all means first... and how to use the information to Angel's advantage, too." She sighed again, this time in relief, as Spike brushed a finger across her lips and began moving towards the table again. He pulled out a chair for her, but she shook her head. "No... I'll be right back, guys."

"And where are you going, luv?" the blond vampire asked, concerned.

"Well, I'm gonna have a drink, and walk around... I've got a lot to think about..." she said as she strolled of towards the bar. (Oh, yeah... like how do I tell Willow that her fiance is fucking her best friend?) She bellied up to the bar and proceeded to order what she somehow knew was going to be the first of many drinks.

~9~ Change Your Mind

Spike sat almost too quietly at the table. He was trying to keep an eye on Cordelia as she roamed aimlessly around the crowded room, but it was difficult, seeing as
the blonde bitch kept trying to talk to him. Finally, he had had enough, and leaned in across the empty chair he'd saved for Cordy. "Look, you nasty little twit, you're
supposed to be Angel's girl! And even if you weren't, I don't want anything to do with you!" He glared directly into her dull, cold eyes, gesturing wildly towards the last
place he'd seen Cordelia. "In case you hadn't noticed, I'm spoken for!" He growled at the bitch and stood. He was going to find his woman and remind her of her
promise to keep the cop-lady away from him.

Willow watched in amazement as the blond vampire stalked off into the crowd. "Angel?" she said softly, knowing that he'd hear her, "What the hell was that? I mean,
Spike just..."

The dark haired vamp smiled down at the little witch sitting beside him, his mind racing a mile a minute. "Well..." he said slowly, looking for an answer she'd believe,
"that's just Spike... you know how he is. Besides," he continued, finding a somewhat logical reason, "He doesn't like Kate... something about her being a cop, and
that barely being better than dating a Slayer..." He sighed, turning to the blonde woman sitting on his other side. "And Kate, you know better than to antagonize
Spike. I'd really appreciate it if you could please just give it a rest... for tonight, at least." He leaned closer to her, as if he was going to kiss her cheek, and hissed into
her ear, "Stop hitting on him! You're supposed to be here as my date! Besides, my childe is with Cordelia! Now behave."

Kate felt her eyes widen as she took in what he'd just said. Spike was his childe? And he'd called Angel 'Sire'... "Oh, god, no!" she moaned softly, "He's a...
vampire? I was trying to make time with a... an evil thing? I so have to go to church more! Confession... confession is good for the soul..." She continued mumbling
to herself as she tossed back her drink in one gulp, and then moved on to Angel's.

Willow smiled slightly. The detective woman must really love Angel a lot if a kiss on the cheek drove her to drink... of course, the redhead realized, if she was in that
situation, involved with the one guy in the world that she could never have, a kiss from him might drive her to drink, too... She lost herself in thought for a moment as
she considered whether there was anything she could do to make things work out for them. There had to be a spell of some kind somewhere, and she probably
would have found it by now if she hadn't let Buffy and Giles convince her to stop searching...Well, screw them, she decided. Angel was her friend, and if she could
do something to help make him happy... but not in the bad 'Angelus is coming out to play' kind of way, then she would! She nodded sharply to herself, completely
unaware of the tender stare she was receiving from the object of her thoughts.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Spike almost let the demon come out numerous times while just trying to make his way across the crowded floor. These bloody humans were just... clumsy... and
stupid, too. Couldn't they tell he was on a mission? He needed to find the bloody cheerleader, and he needed to find her now! Everyone else he knew at the damned
club was back at the table, and he'd be damned again before he went back there and voluntarily subjected himself to that evil blonde bitch! He growled, his eyes
glittering slightly yellow, as he slammed into yet another body in his way. "Damn it!" he cried, still scanning for his girl, "What's a guy got to do to get through this
damned crowd!" He turned to face the latest obstacle in his path, only to find himself eyes to shoulders with George, Cordelia's friend from the front door. "Sorry,
mate, this is just..." he gestured towards the loud humans.

George smiled an almost scary smile. "Yeah, I know what you mean, but Spike," he said as he started through the crowd, which miraculously parted for him, "You
can't go getting all fang-y in here." He led the smaller man to a private table in the back that was slightly separated from the main room, and sat, motioning for the
blond to join him. "This is not a vampire bar, you know... for the most part, I don't allow demons here. Angel is an exception to the rule, and you too, now... but only
because Cordelia vouched for you both. Oh, not in words, but by bringing you here. The same held true for the half-demon, Doyle... until he died, of course. So, no
vamping out in the club. That's the first rule. Number two? You don't come here to feed, or to look for your next meal... unless, of course, you're planning on eating
that nasty blonde who came in with your group? Because I'd be entirely willing to make an exception in her case..."

Spike laughed, wondering what it was about the detective that put the undead's backs up... must be some vibe she gave off, he guessed. "No worries, mate," he said,
smirking a bit, "I wouldn't feed here even if I could." He turned his eyes back to the throngs of humans in the club, sighing in relief when he finally spotted Cordelia at
the bar again, ordering yet another drink. "Bloody hell, cheerleader's gonna get pissed... what did you say to her anyway?" he asked, turning back to the huge
vampire. His eyes got rounder and rounder, the more he heard of what George had to say. He could feel himself smirking even more as he realized that he couldn't
wait to see the poof's face when he told him... but first, he thought wickedly, as he stood and took his leave of George... first, he had a cheerleader to punish for
abandoning him with the cop.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Cordelia took yet another slow sip of her drink and sighed. She was on her fourth whiskey sour in thirty minutes, she'd walked the circumference of the main room at
least twelve times, and she was no closer to figuring out how to tell Willow about Oz and Buffy. She sighed again, signaling the barkeep for another drink as she
drained the one in her hand. She almost jumped as she felt the cool hand come to rest on the exposed skin of her lower back, then said a mental 'to hell with it' and
relaxed back into the caress.

"So, pet," Spike murmurred into her ear as his hand slid around her waist, coming to rest on her flat stomach, "How'd you know it was me?"

Cordelia smiled slightly, leaning back against his firm body. "Well, it had to be either you or Angel, and I'm willing to bet that he's still at the table with little miss 'I've
got a gun, and I don't like you', so..." She could hear his chuckle, and feel it as it jumped within his chest. "Plus, you've been watching me all night..."

Spike slowly ran his other hand down her arm. "Yeah, well, you were supposed to protect me from psycho-cop, so I thought I'd better keep you close." He inhaled
deeply, loving that she smelled ever so slighty of magnolias. "So, luv, George told me about Slutty and Dogboy." He looked into her eyes as she turned to face him.
"So, what are you gonna do? Tell her? Or let her find out for herself?"

The brunette sighed again, resting her forehead against his strong chest as his hands traveled up and down her spine. "I don't know, Spike... that's what I've been
trying to figure out. I mean," she said, raising her eyes to his once again, "Either way, she's gonna be hurt... so I guess the question is..."

"What's gonna hurt her more. Hearing about it... or maybe walking in on it... I know. What?" Spike asked, seeing her look of surprise. "I may be a demon, but I still
have feelings, y'know... and I used to be human..."

Cordelia smiled, shaking her head. She knew he had feelings, but... "OK, enough with the thinking! C'mon, Spike," she said coyly, flipping her long brown hair back
over her shoulder, "Let's dance." Her smile grew a bit wicked as she led him onto the dance floor. (We'll see how long you can resist me, Mister 'be my girlfriend for
the night'... we'll see!)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Angel glared at the oblivious blonde who was almost laying across the table. He couldn't believe it. He'd asked her for her help, asked her to repay a favor, and
instead of being anything like an adult, she used the opportunity to get shit-faced drunk and almost abusive! He was just glad that Willow couldn't hear the woman's
mumbled insults. As if it was Angel's fault that she didn't know Spike was a vampire... or his fault that there were demons and witches and other things she would
have preferred to stay in the dark about... But none of that mattered to him, not really... what mattered was that now Willow would think that this was the kind of
woman he was attracted to! He grimaced, turning to face the redhead again. "I'm... sorry, Will, she's not usually so..." he stopped, not sure of which word to use to
describe the woman's behaviour.

"Drunk?" Willow supplied, wishing that it was just her and Angel sitting there. "Well," she said, consideringly, after seeing his slight nod, "I guess I can understand, I
mean, after all, she is desperately unhappy. And really, who can blame her?" She nodded to herself before continuing in a much softer voice, not thinking about the
fact that his enhanced hearing would still pick up her words. "After all, she's dating you, and she must love you, because really, who wouldn't? And to know that she
can never have you... be with you... that's got to be driving her crazy! Gods, if it were me, I'd probably be passed out drunk, too... it's bad enough to think about you
like that, even knowing that you... you like women like her and Buffy... but to have your heart and never have your body? No, that would definitely be... hell... hell on
earth..." The redhead sighed, draining her own glass. "I'm going to get another drink, Angel... be back in a minute, OK?" She stood and began to make her way
towards the bar, not looking back. If she had looked back, however, she would have seen one very stunned vampire who, in fact, looked like he'd just been hit in the
back of the head with a two by four.

"I don't believe it!" he murmurred to himself, eyes still wide. "She actually just said that she wants me for herself... or close enough to it, at any rate..." He smiled
hugely, barely restraining himself from rubbing his hands together in glee. He'd have the little witch for his own yet! Suddenly, though, his good mood came crashing
down around him... what Willow had said was true. It didn't matter how much he wanted her... needed her. It didn't even matter if she felt the same way. He was still
cursed... and he knew himself well enough to realize that if she was his, there would be no way in hell, or out of it, that he would be able to keep himself from
posessing her completely. And if that happened... he sighed. No, much as he hated it, he had to let her go... even if it was to go to the wolfling, he had to let her go.
He glared, seeing his childe wrapped around his Seer out on the dance floor. It just wasn't fair. Spike could be happy, but Angel? Nooo... never. He stood, catching
the blond vampire's eyes and motioning for him and Cordelia to come back to the table. Once they arrived, he grabbed one of Kate's limp arms and pulled it across his
shoulders. "Spike, you're helping me get Kate home. Now!" he said sternly. "Cordelia. You stay here with Willow. Make sure she gets back to the hotel safely..." he
paused for a moment in thought, "No, on second thought, take her back to your place. You can bring her by to get her things in the morning." He looked away from
their surprised stares, his unbeating heart breaking at what he had to say next. "It's time that she got back to Sunnydale... after all, she has a wedding to prepare for."

Spike glanced at Cordelia, seeing the same shock on her face that he was sure was showing on his own. He wanted to know what she thought about this odd turn of
events, but he could see that his Sire was serious about leaving, so... "I'll call you later, pet..." he aid softly, leaning down to brush a light kiss across her lips before
taking the blonde woman's other arm and helping his Sire carry her out of the club.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Willow made her way slowly to the bar, wevingand wending through the crowded club. She had almost reached the long dark wooden counter when she caught sight
of a familiar form from the corner of her eye. "Oz?" she asked herself, turning to where she had thought she had seen him. There! It looked like the back of Oz' head,
but... she couldn't be sure, so she headed in that direction, running one hand along the wall she was following. It was only then that she saw the flyer on the wall,
announcing tonight's band. Dingoes? Dingoes were playing here? Why hadn't Oz told her? She was puzzled for a moment before suddenly smiling brightly. He must
have called Cordelia and asked her to bring her here as a surprise! He was so sweet... she felt badly all of a sudden. She'd been in LA for three days now, and she'd
barely even thought about him... her mind had been too full of Angel... She sighed, well, that was all going to change! She spotted the guy she was following as he
ducked out of a steel door marked 'EXIT' and frowned. Why would Oz be leaving the club when his band was about to play? Maybe it wasn't him... but she was so
sure. Finally, she sighed and followed. (Oh,) she thought, as she found herself in an alley behind the club, (He must have needed something in the van!), because
sure enough, there it was. She giggled to herself as she crept towards the multi-coloured vehicle, planning on throwing the doors open and surprising him. (Well,) she
thought, stunned, as she did just that, (He's surprised all right!) Her face fell, and she felt the tears welling up as she took in the sight of her fiance, pants around his
ankles, buried between her best friend's legs. "Oh... oh, gods!" she stammered, anger swiftly replacing the anguish she'd felt a moment earlier. "You... you slut!" she
cried, not sure of which of them she meant. "I don't believe this!" She backed away, almost losing her footing on the uneven pavement as the two in the van hastily
pulled apart and began hurriedly reassembling their clothing. " NO!" she said loudly, cutting them both off, "I don't want to hear it! I trusted you... both of you! And the
first thing you do is sneak off behind my back to... fuck!" She could feel herself blushing at using the nasty word, but she really didn't care... it had felt good. "Well,
fine then!" she said coldly, pulling the ring from her finger and throwing it at the Slayer, "Maybe you'd better wear this! Oh, wait, I forgot! You've already got an
engagement ring!" She glared at the little blonde tramp. "You know, I never really liked Riley much, but even he doesn't deserve to be treated this way... And you!"
She turned her attention to her now-former fiance, "You begged and pleaded for me to take you back... followed me around like a little puppy for months, whining
about wanting a 'second chance'... And when I finally give you one, this is how you treat me? Well, screw you, buddy! We are so over, we might as well never have
begun! And when I get back to Sunnydale, you'd just better keep yourself and your bitch out of my way!" She stopped, panting from having told them off, and started
back towards the club's alley door, not stopping or even slowing as she heard his voice behind her.

"Willow," Oz said to her retreating back, "I would say I'm sorry... if I thought that it would change your mind..." He sighed as she opened the door and went through,
slamming it behind her. She would never speak to him again... and somehow, he didn't blame her.

~10~ Really Deep Thoughts

The redhead wiped away a few angry tears as she walked slowly down the hallway and back towards the main room of the club. She couldn't believe it... her fiance and her best friend! She sighed softly, ammending the phrase in her head. She'd better make it ex-fiance and former best friend. She was almost concerned that she wasn't more upset... it just didn't seem natural, but somehow, she felt more... relieved than anything else. She looked up from the floor as she neared the doorway to the club's main room and frowned. Angel was gone... she could feel it! He'd been there when she'd gone out to the alley and found Oz and Buffy's little 'surprise', but he was definitely not there now... Her frown deepened as she stood in the doorway and scanned the room. Finally, she saw what she'd been looking for and made her way across the crowded dance floor to her friend. "Cordelia!" she shouted, in an effort to be heard over the music, "What's going on? Where's Angel... and Spike, too, I mean..."

The brunette girl smiled at her friend, noticing the slight tear tracks on her pale cheeks. "They went to take Kate home!" she shouted back as she began to lead the girl towards a somewhat quieter corner. "Willow, what's wrong?" Cordelia asked, concerned, "What's happened?"

Willow smiled at her friend, finding comfort in the fact that the girl was concerned. "Nothing's wrong, Cordy... Really!" she said forcefully, seeing the disbelief in the other girl's eyes. "Or... something's right for a change!" She smiled again before glancing once more around the crowded club. "So, are the guys coming back?" she asked, laughing when Cordelia shook her head. "Good! Then they won't miss us if we leave! I'm really not in the mood for all of... this right now!" She sighed happily as the brunette nodded and started for the door.

"So, Will," Cordelia said softly as they left the club and headed towards her car, "What happened in there? Are you OK? 'Cause it looked like you were crying."

The redhead laughed as she got into the passenger seat of her friend's car. "Yeah, well, I was... for about a minute. I'll tell you all about it, I promise, but first... can we find a nice quiet little bar? I could really use a drink right about now!" She sighed, seeing the look in the former cheerleader's eyes. "Fine... I'll tell you on the way!" She sat back against the seat as Cordelia started the car and drove. She wasn't paying too much attention to where they were going, mostly because she was too busy wondering whether a certain dark haired vampire had gotten his drunken cop-lady girlfriend home alright.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Spike looked on as his bloody poof of a Sire guzzled the better part of a fifth of whiskey in about ten seconds flat. They had dropped the wretched blonde bitch off at her apartment just a few minutes earlier, and Spike had been shocked when Angel stopped the car after only two blocks and entered this seedy little bar. He'd been more than shocked whaen the poof threw a couple hundred dollar bills at the smarmy little man behind the counter and demanded two full bottle of booze. Not that there was anything wrong with what he was doing, it just didn't strike Spike as a Brood-boy thing to do... He felt his eyes widen as Angel finished off his bottle and reached out for the one in front of him. "Hold on, now, mate," he said, stopping his Sire's hand with his own, "What's the story?" He sighed as the dark haired vampire just glared at him. "Fine!" he said, almost to himself, "Be like that!" He watched Angel claim the full bottle and proceed to give it the same treatment as the first. Finally, as the older man got two more bottles from the barkeep, he realized that he just couldn't take it anymore. "Alright, Sire," he said impatiently, "I've had just about enough! I want to know what's going on! First, you order me to bring Red to you, and I do it... then you tell me to lie to her so that you can keep her here for a week, and I do it... then, before the week is even up, you tell me to take her home so that she can marry that horrid little troll of a dogboy... I want to know what's going on, and I want to know now!" His jaw dropped at the look of loss he saw in the brown eyes that were suddenly turned to him.

"Fine," Angel said quietly, downing almost half of his third bottle of whiskey, "You want to know, boy? I'm letting her go. That's what's going on..." He sighed and glared blearily at his blond headed childe. "I'm doing the right thing for once... I can't have her... even if she'd have me, I can't have her... not without hurting her, anyway, and I... I won't do that. Not ever." He gazed for a moment at the half-empty bottle in his hand and swallowed its contents as quickly as he could before moving on to the next one. "I should have realized it sooner," he said, almost musingly, "I mean, she's everything that's good and right... and I've still got that damned clause to worry about! If I had her for my own..." He turned his muzzy stare to his childe. "Spike... you know me... how long do you think I could be around her, wanting her, needing her, hell, even loving her... without having her?" He sighed, seeing the understanding in the blond's eyes. "I don't have that kind of willpower... and I probably never will... I spent so much time trying to act like a man, I almost forgot that I'm not one... I'm a demon, Spike... even having a soul, I'm still a demon, and the demon part of me wants her just as much as my soul-y part does. No," he said, finishing off the fourth bottle, "It's better if I let it go now... let her go... Nothing good can ever come of it... nothing..." He let his head fall forward on the bar as his eyes glazed over and the now empty bottle rolled from his suddenly lax grip.

Spike sighed, staring sadly at his passed-out Sire... only four bottles, and the bloody poof was out like a light... Oh, well, at least he could use the time to call the cheerleader and let her in on what had happened. He slipped his hand into the inner breast pocket of his Sire's coat and pulled out the phone book he'd just known was there... damned anal-retentive ponce of a Sire never changed... much... Flipping through the pages of the little black book, he grinned as he located Cordelia's cell number, looking forward to hearing her voice. (Oh, bloody hell,) he realized as he crossed to the pay phone and dug some change from his pocket, (I want to hear her voice? I'm becoming as much of a bloody poof as Angel!) He sighed again, ignoring the smile that split his face as he dialed.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Cordelia was bored. She had been driving herself and Willow towards her favourite little bar, which was thankfully not too far from her apartment, when her friend had suddenly yelled for her to stop. Of course, thinking that it was some kind of an emergency, she'd slammed on the brakes and turned to the redhead, only to find that the girl had jumped from the car as soon as it stopped moving, and was at that very moment running across the street into what looked like a... book shop? She had sighed and looked for a parking space, finally settling on a pay-lot nearby, before following her friend. As it had turned out, the store wasn't precisely a book shop, although they did sell books. It was, in fact, a magic shop... which, Cordelia supposed, would explain her little witch friend's excitement. Unfortunately, it wasn't one of the magic shops that Cordelia was familiar with, which meant that while her redheaded friend was having a blast rummaging through pretty much everything on the shelves, she was left to just stand around and... wait. She almost yelped out loud when she saw the green-skinned, red-horned demon walk in from the street, and only relaxed when her eyes flew to the glyphs painted above the door... no being of ill-intent could enter there... good! Cordelia looked again at Willow, who was still happily perusing the shelves, and giggled when she realized that her friend was so content that she was even singing something under her breath. (Well, good for Will,) she thought, a trifle impatiently as her cell phone started chirping at her. "Hello?" she said, flipping the phone open and putting it to her ear. She knew that a silly grin was splitting her face, but she didn't care as she listened to the sexy voice on the other end. "Oh, hi, Spike... What's up?" She could feel her eyes growing rounder and rounder as he filled her in on what had happened.

Willow was having a great time! She couldn't believe that she'd just seen this place in passing! At first, she'd been afraid that it would turn out to be one of thos 'New Age' frou-frou magic shops, but... She'd known as soon as she'd walked in that it was the real deal... she could tell from the protective spells on the entry alone! And now, here she was, in LA, in a real magic shop! She had looked over most of the items on the shelves, and now, she was in pure heaven, going through the rather remarkable assortment of books. She grinned as she realized that she was humming and glanced around herself quickly. Seeing no-one watching her or even nearby, she began to sing the chorus softly to herself. "It's just the night in my veins... Making me crawl in the dust again... It's just the night, under my skin... Slipping it in..." She almost jumped out of her skin when a green, almost scaly hand reached past her and pulled a small book from the shelf. She turned, startled, as the voice that went with the hand addressed her.

"I think this is what you're looking for, sweet girl... and might I say, those green eyes? Wow! Almost enough to make a demon wish he were human... well, not really, but a comliment's a compliment, right?" The demon stared deeply into the little redhead's eyes. The girl was obviously a witch, he'd have known that even if she hadn't been singing. "Get the book, sweets, really... it's got just what you need to help you with your little, hm-hmm, problem... Trust me, " he said, seeing the confusion in her eyes, "It'll all work out... and I know that for a fact!" He grinned at the girl before turning on his heel and walking away. "Mrachehk!" he called over his shoulder as he opened the door to the street, "I'll come back later for my order, I have a show to do! Oh," he continued, "Make sure the little redhead takes the book I gave her, all right?" He breezed through the door, not waiting for an answer, and was gone.

Willow stared after him in amazement, not knowing quite what she should do. On the one hand, he couldn't be an evil demon or he wouldn't have been able to come into the shop, but on the other... She shook her head slowly, there really was no 'other hand' in this one. Of course, she thought, as she began flipping through the pages of the book he'd handed her, maybe he was just trying to make a sale for his friend... Her eyes widened as much as they could as she turned back a page and read it more carefully. "Oh!... Oh!... Cordelia!" she cried, looking wildly about for her friend and finally spotting her off in a dark corner crooning into her cell phone, "Cordelia!" she said again as she ran to the girl, "This... it... he... it's... to attach!... and forever!... and simple? Pfff! So, so simple! And, OK, because of the gryphon, but... Look!" She thrust the book under the brunette's nose, pointing at the lines printed there.

Cordelia stared at her friend for a moment, wondering if there was something in the air of the shop that made magic-types go crazy, but finally looked down at the page the girl was pointing to so excitedly. She started to read, and found herself becoming almost as giddy as the redhead was. "What?" she exclaimed, almost breathless with surprise and hope, "But... will it work, Will? I mean, really?" She heard the demanding voice coming from her cell phone and put it back to her ear. "No, no, everything's fine, Spike... better than fine, actually... you won't believe what Willow found! Hold on a minute..." She looked back at her friend who had been tugging on her arm. "What?"

Willow grinned, knowing that Cordelia wanted to talk to Spike some more, but she needed to ask him some questions herself, the first of which was... "Where's Angel? He should know about this! I mean, think about it!"

Cordelia laughed, happy to see her friend so excited, especially after what had happened earlier that night. "Well, right now, Angel's passed out on a bar." She saw the shock in the witch's eyes and continued. "The guys took Kate home, and well..." She suddenly remembered that she couldn't tell Willow the truth... or at least not all of it... not without telling the girl that they'd all been lying to her all night. So she settled for a partial truth, hoping that she wasn't going to go to hell for it. "It's hard for him, Will... knowing that he can never be with the one woman he loves... that if he is, he'll get all... well, you know... you've seen it!"

Willow sighed and nodded sadly. He loved that Kate woman... she'd already known that. But he was still her friend, and she did want him to be happy, so.. She pasted a smile on her face and looked at Cordelia again. "Find out where they are, Cordy. If he's already passed out, maybe we can do this before he even wakes up! That way," she said, knowing her friend would understand after all the time she'd spent with the King of Brood, "That way he can't argue about it being too dangerous, or how he's unworthy, or whatever other kind of self-pitying crap he might come up with! I mean, I know he likes to dwell on things, think deeply about them, but... What's so amazing about really deep thoughts?" She grinned, for real this time, as her friend passed the information on to Spike, and watched as the former cheerleader wrote down the address they would find them at. She dashed quickly to the counter and paid for the book, telling the proprietor to be sure to thank his friend.

Mrachehk smiled to himself as the two girls ran happily from the store. All was going according to plan. The Powers That Be would be pleased, he thought as he stripped the tanned illusion from his skin, allowing the natural blue and gold to emerge... yes, the Powers would be very pleased!

~11~ This Way

Spike sat nursing his drink while he waited for the cheerleader and the witch to get there. He smirked a bit as the great poof shifted slightly.
Just a few more inches, and his Sire would fall right off the bar stool. He hoped it would happen... he needed a good laugh. He took another
sip of his drink, his eyes travelling to the door of the bar for what felt like the hundredth time in the last ten minutes. Waiting had never been
his favourite thing to do, and frankly he was getting bored. Finally he saw the girls he'd been waiting for. He got up and went to them as they
waited for their eyes to adjust to the dim lighting in the smoky room. "All right, Red... what's this all about?" His eyes grew wide as she began
to explain, and he didn't even notice it when his hand crept out to grasp the cheerleader's.

Cordelia smiled, feeling his cool hand wrapped around her smaller one. (His girlfriend for the night... right Spike...) She just watched him, not
paying too much attention to the redhead's words... after all, the girl had explained everything to her in the car on the way to this... she looked
around her more closely... this seedy, foul-smelling, disgusting bar! Oh, well, she thought distractedly, helping Angel would make up for the
new shoes she'd have to buy... hers were sticking to the floor. She shuddered slightly, and pulled her mind back to the conversation as Spike
laughed long and hard.

Spike wasn't sure that he'd ever be able to stop laughing... granted, the poof would be thrilled to have his soul for good, but... his pride would
be crushed! After all, he was incredibly vain... especially for someone without a reflection! It was amazing how the little witch had figured it out,
though... even he would never have thought of it... "All right," he finally managed to gasp, "I get it... and I get to help, right? I mean, I'll never
forgive you if you don't let me have a hand in... defacing his pride and joy!" He grinned, still chuckling slightly, at the redhead's next words.

"I was counting on it, Spike... The only question now, though... is where do we take him to do it? I mean, I don't do that kind of thing, and he's a
vampire, so..." Willow sighed. "In Sunnydale, I'd at least have some idea, but LA?" She shook her head slowly, "I'm clueless."

The three of them stood staring at each other for a minute before Cordelia finally spoke up. "Umm... wait a minute guys... I may know
someone who can help!" She walked away from them for a minute or two and pulled out her cell phone, dialing a number from memory. "Hi,
Kaelsey, it's Cordelia... No, no everything's fine... Uh huh... uh huh... no, tell him we'll never bring her back there... Yeah... yeah, I know... But,
look, I need to ask you a question. Umm... it's about George..." She grinned as the woman on the other end of the line started threatening her.
"Oh, yeah, that's exactly it... No, really, I have my own vampire, thanks... But what I wanted to know..."

Spike smirked when he heard Cordelia lay claim to him. Ordinarily, he'd have objected to anyone calling him theirs, but in this case... in this
case, he was willing to let it stand... after all, if he was hers, then didn't it follow that she was his? He smiled into her coffee-coloured eyes as
she flipped the phone closed and returned to his side. "So, luv... any luck?"

Cordelia smiled back at the sexy blond, taking his hand in hers. "Yep. Kaelsey knew just where to send us... Of couse," she said sardonically,
"With all the work George's had done, I figured she would!" She turned, looking at Willow. "OK, Will, now we just have to get him there." The
former cheerleader shook her head slightly, glancing at the still form of her boss. "The only question is how?"

Spike grinned, releasing her hand. "Leave that to me, luv..." He crossed to the passed out vampire and bent down, tossing the larger man
over his shoulder. "All right," he grunted, carrying his burden back to them, "Lead on, ladies... let's get this over with!" He gritted his teeth as he
followed them outside. His damned Sire was like a ton of bricks.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Willow smiled as she finished the incantation, and the last nail was drawn. Fortunately Angel was still out of it, because she didn't care what
anyone said, that had to have hurt! She smiled again at the man with the gun and thanked him, passing him the hundred dollar bill that Spike
had taken from Angel's wallet. (Thank the gods!) She thought wearily, (It's permanent now... that means that he can finally be with his
girlfriend...) She sighed sadly. She was happy for him, but... No, he hadn't been hers to begin with. He was just her friend... She looked up as
Spike began hoisting the passed out vampire up, and saw the knowing look in his eyes... Cordelia's too. Oh, well, she thought, at least they'd
keep it to themselves... She was pretty sure that they would never tell Angel that she'd gone and fallen in lo... like with him... She forced a
smile onto her face. "OK... that's done... Let's get him home..." She sat silently in the car as Cordelia drove them back to the ugly little bar
where Angel's car was, and waved half-heartedly at Spike as he wrestled Angel's still limp form from one vehicle to the other. She'd see them
back at the Hyperion.

Cordelia looked at her friend, concerned by her silence. "Will..." she said tentatively, "Maybe you should tell him..."

The redhead grimaced, brow furrowing. "Tell him what, Cordelia? I mean, what exactly would I say? 'Your soul is permanent, so why don't you
just dump the woman you love and be my little sex-puppy?'... Yeah, sure, Cordy, 'cause that'll work..." She shook her head slowly, lips pursed
as she thought. "No," she continued, "There's nothing for me to say. I don't want him to feel obligated to me, and let's face it, that's the only
reason he'd ever want to be with me..." She sighed, running her fingers through her hair. "I mean, look at me, Cordy... I'm so not his type! He
likes the strong, bitchy blonde types... not the quiet redheads... and really, who can blame him? I mean, think about it... Darla. Buffy. Kate. I'm
so not like them..." Her voice trailed off and she sat in silence as her friend drove on.

"You're right," Cordelia said after a few minutes, the quiet getting on her nerves. "But you think about it, Willow... Darla--- made him a demon...
Buffy---" she spat the name out, "Put him through hell, then sent him there... and Kate? Please! Kate spends so much time pretending that
he's not a vampire, I'm surprised she even remembers that he is!" She sighed, glancing at her friend. "Really, Will... I don't think that
relationship's gonna last much longer, she's too... intolerant, I guess. Besides," she continued, seeing that the girl wasn't buying it, "I think
that it's just a companionship kind of thing for the both of them... you know, so they won't feel alone so much..." (Oh... I am so going to Hell!
Why don't I just tell her the truth? Oh, yeah, because then she'd know that we've all been lying to her since before she even got here... We are
so screwed!) She sighed as she pulled into the front drive of the hotel. (Well, we've got to find a way to make this work out... without
Wiccan-girl getting all pissed off and putting the whammy on us, I mean...) She followed the redhead into the lobby and looked around for
Spike... she knew he was here, she'd seen Angel's car outside. "Spike!" she almost shrieked as she felt his cold hands slide around her
waist from behind, "Don't do that!" Of course, her admonishment would have carried more weight had she not immediately relaxed against
him.

Spike grinned, pulling her even more tightly against him, and realized again that he really liked the way she felt in his arms. "Now, pet..." he
murmurred against her ear, "I am a demon, after all... I like the way your heart races when I surprise you..."

Cordelia grinned a bit wickedly, turning her head to speak into his ear. "I don't think it's the 'surprising me' thing that's making my heart race
now, though..." She almost giggled at the groan that slipped past his lips before catching movement from the corner of her eye. "Will?" she
asked, looking for the redhead. She sighed, seeing the girl already half way up the stairs. "Oh, great!" she muttered, angry at herself.
"Willow's all angst-y over Broodboy, and I totally forget about her because I'm flirting with Spike... way to go, Cordelia!" She sighed, pulling
away from the blond... or trying to, at any rate.

Spike grinned, holding the cheerleader tightly to him... he'd been waiting to hold her again ever since they'd been so unceremoniously called
from the dance floor by the mighty poof, and he'd be damned yet again if he was going to let go of her now. "Now, pet..." he almost purred,
"The girl's got a lot of thinking to do... You can talk to her in the morning, can't you... after she's had some time to mull it all over..." He grinned
widely as she relaxed against him once more. "C'mon, luv... I'll show you my room..." he said suggestively.

Cordelia laughed, turning in his arms. "Fine, Spike, but don't go thinking that you're gonna get lucky tonight! I mean, we haven't even gone on
a date yet!" She giggled softly at the surprised look on his face. "And tonight doesn't count!" she said, anticipating his response. "That wasn't
a date... it was me keeping psycho-cop away from you... and trying to make Willow jealous about her and Angel, of course..."

Spike sighed, pulling her closer. "Fine, luv... we'll go out... dinner, dancing, a movie, whatever... Just so you know that I will be getting lucky
sometime in the very near future." He pressed himself fully against her, grinning as her eyes widened from the very obvious evidence of his
attraction to her... which was at that particular moment pressing against her navel.

"Oh..." she said softly, her smile falling into an almost seductive softness, "Yeah... you will... soon..." She threaded her fingers through the hair
at the back of his neck, and pulled his lips to hers. "Very soon." she murmurred against the coolness of his mouth.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Willow smiled softly to herself as she walked down the hallway to the door of her suite. She never would have imagined Spike with Cordelia,
but now that she'd seen it, she was willing to admit that they were good together... she'd known that her friend had a crush on the blond
vampire for quite a while, but it just hadn't been something that she'd ever thought would work... and maybe it wouldn't, but at least they had a
chance... Which was more than she could say for herself. If only, she thought as she undressed and climbed into the shower, if only she'd
never allowed her thoughts of Angel to become more than idle speculation... if she'd never allowed herself to hope... to dream... And if only Oz
hadn't turned out to be such an asshole... She sighed, rinsing the shampoo from her hair. But he had... she'd lost her fiance and her best
friend in less than a minute... or had she? The fiance, yes, but... had Buffy really been her best friend? She pondered that thought as she
rinsed the conditioner away and stepped out of the tub. No, she realized as she dried off, Buffy hadn't really been her friend for quite a while...
Not since the blonde girl had become such a bitch when Angel left Sunnydale. Apparently, she had thought that since she couldn't be happy,
no one else should be either... The redhead thought about that for a while as she pulled on her flannel pajama pants and the tight black tank
top she slept in. Even after the blonde girl had started dating Riley, she'd still been angry when anyone else found a little bit of joy... Willow
sighed. Well, Buffy wouldn't have to worry about her anymore... she was fairly certain that she'd never be happy again. She turned onto her
side, her pillow absorbing the tears that slowly seeped from her eyes. Angel would be happy now... he could be with his girlfriend as much as
he wanted! (That's all that matters,) she thought resignedly, (My 'friend' will be happy... and so what if I won't?) She sighed. "I love him," she
said aloud, into the darkness of her quiet room, "I love him, but I just can't watch this... I can't." She closed her eyes and fell into a fitful sleep,
her decision made.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Cordelia smiled across the lobby at the blond. They had spent most of the night in his room just talking and cuddling. Of course, he'd made
her promise never to tell anyone about the cuddling part, but... She turned towards the elevator as she heard the door ding. "Well, well...
Angel... so nice to see you up and about!" she called perkily, "And it's only... three PM! I'm impressed!"

Angel winced, the volume of his assistant's voice causing his head to begin pounding again. "Shhh..." he said softly, "Not so loud, Cordy..."
He glared at her, the look being less than effective since he could only open his eyes half way. "What happened?" he asked curiously, looking
at his childe. "The last thing I remember..."

Spike grinned and got up. "Last thing you remember," he said loudly, just to see his Sire wince again, "You were four sheets to the wind!" He
laughed as Angel began to recall just why he'd gotten that way. "You passed out on the bar, mate. Then Cordelia and the little witch came, we
took you to a tattoo parlor, got you some body art, made your soul permanent, and brought you home."

Angel felt his eyes open as wide as they could possibly get. "What?" he demanded, knowing that he couldn't possibly have heard what he
thought he had. "You did what?"

Spike smirked. "We got you tattooed, mate."

The dark haired vampire glared at his childe. "Not that part," he gritted out between clenched teeth, "The other part!"

Cordelia sighed and jumped in, knowing that Spike was perfectly willing to torment his Sire for hours if he tought he could get away with it.
"Now, Angel," she said carefully, "Don't be mad, OK?" She waited patiently until he nodded. "Willow found a spell in this old book... basically, it
was a Rom spell. It turns out that the reason you lost your soul with Buffy that time was because... well, it was because of your tattoo." She
saw the confusion in his eyes and hurried on. "I know, I know... it sounds silly. But the way it was explained in the book is... OK, you've got this
tattoo of a gryphon... it has wings. So the clause to the soul-ing curse was attached to that... you get happy, the soul flies." She saw him
slowly nod. "So, basically, there was an incantation that needed to be read, and some stinky herbs to burn, and... we had this tattoo-guy put
nails through the wings of the gryphon. It can't fly with nails through its wings, so you can't lose your soul again... it's nailed to you."

Angel slowly sank to the floor, his head in his hands. "And how do you know it worked?" he asked wearily, refusing to hope that it could be
true.

Spike laughed, seeing his Sire collapsed on the floor like a marionette whose strings had been cut. "Well, if you'd been awake, you wouldn't
have to ask that question, Peaches... there was a right bloody light-show, there was! Ran right through the little witch, out through her eyes,
into the air, and wham! Right into your bloody undead carcass... it worked, Sire, never doubt that!"

The dark haired vampire raised his eyes to his childe, seeing the truth in the blond's face. He turned to Cordelia. "And Willow?" he asked
tightly, "Is she OK?"

The girl nodded, smiling at his sigh of relief. "She's fine. I think it took a lot out of her, though. I mean, she's still not up!"

Angel looked at the girl, puzzled for a moment. "What do you mean she's not up? She's not here." He saw the surprise in Cordelia's face and
explained. "I can feel her when she's nearby, and she's not here, Cordelia."

The brunette frowned slightly. "Of course she's here, Angel... maybe the spell last night affected your senses. She must be here..." She stood,
heading towards the stairs, well aware of the fact that she was being trailed by two vampires. Climbing the stairs, she walked down the
hallway and knocked on her friend's door. "Willow?" she called before trying the door. It opened and she stepped inside. She walked through
the living room of the suite and looked in the open bedroom door. "Oh, no," she sighed, seeing the paper on the pillow of the bed, "Willow...
what have you done?" She crossed the room in three broad strides, snatching the envelope from the bed and opening it. "Oh... shit." she said
aloud, reading the message quickly to herself.

"What?" Angel growled before he could stop himself. "Sorry, Cordy," he said more gently, "What does it say?"

Cordelia cleared her throat, knowing her boss wasn't going to like this. "Ummm.. it says... 'Dear Cordelia,'" she read, " ' I'm sorry for not saying
good-bye, but I just can't do this... I can't stay here, watching him be happy. Not that he doesn't deserve to be happy, because he does... but I
can't take it! I know you understand what I mean. I've gone home, and I don't think that I'll be coming back to LA anytime soon. I mean, let's
face it, my life is in Sunnydale. I know, I know, you tried to convince me otherwise, but... Besides, I have to cancel all the wedding plans... and I
really miss Xander. And yes, it will be hard to avoid Oz and Buffy, but I think that I can manage it... after all, after what they did, I don't think
they're going to want to get in my way... I'm taking the bus, so Spike doesn't have to leave yet... or at all, if he doesn't want to. Just because I
can't be happy, well, that's no reason that you can't! Please tell Spike that I said good-bye, and that if he hurts you, I'll kill him myself... I came
to the conclusion last night that Buffy hasn't been my best friend in years... but you have! And tell Angel to be happy... that's all I want, you
know... for him to be happy. I'll miss you all, but... it's better this way.' " Cordelia wiped a tear from her eye and smiled sadly as Spike came to
her and pulled her against his chest. She rested her head against him, her heart aching for her redheaded friend. Her gaze went to Angel,
who was standing in the doorway, stunned.

(She wants me to be happy?) he thought, feeling like he'd just been hit in the head with a stick, (But how can I?) He shook his head slowly,
amazed at how capricious fate could be. (How can I... when she's not here?) He shifted his gaze up from the floor and met the eyes of his
childe, then those of his assistant, his own eyes hardening as he came to a decision.

Spike saw the look in Angel's eyes, and pulled the cheerleader even closer to him. He hadn't thought that it would come to this, but... (Looks
like my Sire's going back to Sunnydale!) He almost shivered. (Oh, Red's in trouble!)

~12~ All I Want To Be

The redhead slowly walked down the almost empty main street of Sunnydale, barely noticing as she passed the cinema. She had arrived
home on the bus early that morning, and while a small part of her was glad to be back in the familiar surroundings of her home town, a much
larger part was wishing that she'd stayed in LA for just a little while longer. She sighed, clenching her hands into fists within the confines of
her jacket pockets. No, she reminded herself, she couldn't have stayed. Leaving had been hard enough, but staying... staying and watching
him be happy with that blonde harpy... that would have been outside of too much... besides, if the very thought of them together was enough to
cause the ache in her heart, she didn't even want to imagine what actually seeing them together would feel like. She sighed again and pasted
a big smile on her face as she heard her friend's voice coming from the coffee shop across the street. "Hi, Xander!" she cried, trying to sound
perky as she approached him.

"Will," the brown haired young man said, pulling her into a tight hug, "I've missed you! You were gone for almost a whole week, and you didn't
even call!" He pulled back from her, his dark eyes sweeping her face, and almost frowned at what he saw. (OK, this is not 'happy Willow
face'... What in the hell did brood-boy do to her?) "So... when did you get back?" he asked, throwing an arm around her shoulders and pulling
her into the coffee shop. He led her to his table and signalled to the waitress for another cup for his friend. "And, more importantly, what did
you bring me?" He relaxed a little when his joking comment finally brought a real smile to her lips, and sat back in his chair, thinking furiously
as she began to tell him about her little trip. "Whoa!" he cried, almost spraying a mouthful of coffee across the room, "You met what? Angel's
who?" He shut up for a moment then, as the waitress delivered Willow's coffee to the table. "OK, Will," he said slowly as the woman walked
away, "Let me see if I've got this straight... you met Deadboy's girlfriend." He sighed to himself as she continued, wondering why Angel, of all
people, would pretend to have a girl when he knew that the vampire wanted Willow! Didn't that stupid vampire know that she'd never try to
break up a couple... no matter how much she might want to? He sighed again, knowing he'd have to call Cordelia soon... maybe she could
explain things so that they'd make some sense to him... but somehow, he doubted it!

Willow kept talking, even though she could tell that Xander was a trifle... distracted. She could tell that he was suddenly paying attention,
though, when she got to the part about Buffy... and Oz. "So," she finished quickly, avoiding his shocked and angry stare, "I just... walked away.
But then Cordelia and I found this magic shop, and this green demon guy who dressed like a bad disco-ball gave me this book, and we
made Angel's soul permanent, and... I came home!"

Xander knew that his mouth was hanging open, but for some reason, that was the least of his concerns right then. "Wait. Buffy... and Oz? And
you saw them?" He shook his head, slowly but emphatically. "You know something, Will? I don't care if he is a werewolf, the next time I see
him, I'm gonna kick his ass! I mean," he said angrily, "How could he do that to you? And with your best friend, too!" He was loosing his
temper, but he just didn't care, and his voice grew louder and louder, drawing stares from the tables surrounding them. "And Buffy! She's
supposed to be your best friend, but she sneaks around behind your back and fucks your fiance? What the hell is wrong with her? She's
engaged to Riley, for Christ's sake!" He didn't notice Willow's embarrassed flush, or the looks of sympathy she was getting from the people
sitting nearby. "God, Will, I'm so sorry! I mean, I knew that she was full of herself... Hell, she thinks that she can do no wrong, but... that...
that... Slutina Swamp-pussy!" He heard the laughter coming from the table next to them, and turned a bit red himself as he realized that he'd
been making a scene. He groaned aloud as he noticed one of the former Initiative soldiers get up from a table by the wall and quickly leave.
"I'm sorry, Will..." he said again, glancing sheepishly at her from under his lashes.

Willow had almost wanted to melt into the floor when the other patrons had started staring, but finally she gathered her dignity about her and
sat up straight. She hadn't done anything wrong! She was the injured party here, although if the truth be told... "It's all right, Xan... actually it's
kind of a relief!" She could see that he thought that she was putting a brave face on things, and hurried to reassure him. "Really! I mean, I
wasn't sure about marrying him in the first place, but it seemed so important to Bu... to Slutty... and Giles, too, that I just..." She sighed, raising
her voice a bit so that the people at the next few tables wouldn't have to strain so hard to hear her. "I think this is a good thing, Xander. You
know I was kind of hesitant about the whole thing to begin with... you said so yourself... that I should cancel the wedding, or even just
postpone it." She smiled slightly at him as he nodded, more for the benefit of the onlookers than for her. "And at least I found out now... before
it was too late!" She reached across the table and patted his hand. "It's OK. I'll survive... and I'll move on." She couldn't keep the tinge of
sadness from her voice as she thought about the dark haired vampire who she only wished she was moving on to.

Xander grinned at the little redhead, relieved that he'd been right about her feelings. He still wondered just what in the hell Angel had been
thinking, though... He snapped his head up and stared at her as he realized what else she had said, before he'd gotten so... distracted by the
news of Slutty and Oz. "Will," he said, sounding slightly strangled, "Did you just say that you... made Angel's soul... permanent?" He groaned
deeply as she nodded, dropping his head into his hands. (No wonder she left! She thinks he wants the pretend girlfriend!) He sighed, long
and hard. (Deadboy, deadboy, deadboy... you've sure screwed this one up... royally!) He definitely had to call Cordelia now!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Angel," Cordelia said, annoyed, "If you don't stop pacing, I may just have to stake you!" She rolled her eyes as the tall vampire flung himself
onto the couch, only to jump back up again a moment later.

"I can't help it, Cordelia!" Angel said testily, "She's been gone for hours and I can't go after her until the sun's down!" He growled, almost
wanting to dust his childe for having torn the top of the convertible the night before. Of course, when he remembered that the blond had
refused to let him take the DeSoto, he moved from almost into the planning stages.

"Well, calm down, Broody! Sunset is in like twenty minutes, you can leave then!" The brunette stood up suddenly, grabbing her purse from
under the desk. "And since I'm not of the sunlight-challenged, I can leave now... before you make me any crazier than you already have." She
walked quickly to the lobby door, pausing before passing through it. "It'll be alright, Angel," she said softly, putting all of her belief behind her
words. "She loves you. And," she said, sounding suddenly more like herself, "If I come back here and find a Spike-shaped pile of dust, so
help me, I'll... well, I don't know what I'll do, but I can promise you that you won't enjoy it!" She grinned and left after seeing his answering
smile... her job here was done... for now, anyway. She got in her car and drove to her apartment, somehow finding that she wasn't even
remotely surprised by the six messages on her machine from Xander Harris. She sighed and picked up the phone, calling him back.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Xander grinned across the somewhat crowded bar at his redheaded friend. Apparently, whatever else had happened while she was in LA,
she'd managed to get some shopping done! He paid for their drinks and began to make his way back to their table, laughing as yet another
guy approached the leather and silk clad girl. She looked amazing in those black leather pants, and the green silk tank top brought out her
eyes wonderfully. He was also amused by what he'd heard back at the bar. Obviously, Sunnydale was a much smaller town than he'd ever
thought, because the news of Willow's suddenly cancelled wedding had spread like wildfire... and suddenly, Buffy wasn't Buffy anymore... No,
now she was known far and wide as Slutty! He chuckled softly to himself as he resumed his seat next to his friend and handed her her drink.
"Hey, Will... now aren't you glad you came out tonight?"

Willow smiled back at him, the corners of her eyes crinkling in merriment. "Yes, I actually am!" She laughed infectiously, tossing her hair back.
"This is fun! And besides, if I hadn't come out, I'd probably just be sitting home alone... you know, doing the 'Angel' thing..." She felt her good
mood slipping at the thought of the vampire she loved, but she wouldn't let it get her down... not tonight. She could brood later. She jumped up
off her stool, holding her hand out to her friend. "C'mon, Xander, dance with me!" she demanded, pulling him from his seat when he didn't
move fast enough for her.

Xander had seen the swiftly buried sadness in her eyes, and chose not to comment on it. After all, he thought, looking at the clock behind the
bar, if Cordelia was right, Willow wouldn't be sad for too much longer. He let her pull him out onto the dance floor where he proceeded to
make her laugh by doing his best 'fish flopping around out of water' impression. He did so love to see her laugh! Of course, he realized after
three different guys tried to cut in, maybe she could use a bit more of an ego boost, and when the fourth guy tried, he let him. He returned to
the table and watched closely as the redhead was begged to dance by just about every guy in the place, smiling as she became more and
more giddy. She was going to be all right.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Angel heaved an enormous sigh of relief as he finally parked his car outside the Bronze. He hadn't been sure when Cordelia called him on
his cell phone, but he knew for certain now... his little witch was inside the club... he could feel her. He grinned slyly to himself as he walked
inside. She was his... she just didn't know it yet. He stopped at the bar, getting a drink as he scanned the tables for her, frowning when he
couldn't spot her. Well, maybe she was in the Ladies Room, he thought. He took a sip of his wine, almost choking as he overheard the
conversation going on beside him. They were talking about Willow! He let his eyes wander abstractly through the club, not really watching
anything while he listened. He wanted to know what they were saying about his girl. He almost choked again when the two couples talking
mentioned people who could only be Buffy and Oz, except... they were calling them Slutty... and Spaz. The dark haired vampire grinned, glad
that no one was blaming his Will. Finally, he spotted the familiar shape of Xander Harris. Maybe he'd know where Angel's woman was. He
made his way over to the younger man, greeting him, "Harris." He hid his grin at the boy's greeting. ('Deadboy', indeed.) "Where's Willow?" His
eyes followed the direction of Xander's nod and widened in shock as he saw the little redhead, clad all in silk and leather, swaying almost
seductively to the music with some strange guy. "Oh, no," he growled, draining his glass in one quick gulp, "This will not do." He stalked
towards the dance floor, abandoning the wine glass on the first table he passed. He moved quickly up behind her, placing his hands on her
hips and pulling her back against him. He ignored her surprised gasp and glared at the man she'd been dancing with. "Back off," he growled,
wrapping his arms around the tiny redhead's waist. He smirked as the man beat a hasty retreat, and looked down at the girl in his arms,
turning her to face him. He stared deep into her eyes, and leaned down, brushing a soft kiss against her lips. "I'm the one you want... that's all
I want to be..." He stopped whatever words she had been about to say by the simple expedient of pressing his lips to hers once again,
moaning softly as her hands crept up his hard chest and into the hair at the nape of his neck... he'd never been so happy in all of his
existence.

~13~ Always Forever

Willow wasn't quite sure of what was happening. One minute, she'd been dancing with one of the guys in the Bronze, and the next... she was kissing Angel! Or, to be more accurate, he was kissing her! She moaned softly against his cool soft lips, tangling her fingers in the hair at the back of his neck as her eyes closed in rapture only to spring open again a moment later. This was Angel! What in the hell was he doing? He should be back in LA having 'the sex' with that lady cop of his, not standing in the Bronze trying to pull her even closer to him!She began to struggle against him, suddenly seeing it clearly. Either Cordelia or Spike, or maybe even both of them, had told the vampire about Willow's feelings for him... He wasn't there because he wanted to be, he was there because he felt like he owed her! He wanted to repay her the only way he thought he could! She pushed against him with a furious strength, and was almost as surprised as he was when he actually let her go!

Angel stared, slack-jawed, at the small redhead who had just managed to somehow remove herself from his arms. "Willow," he murmurred, reaching for her again, his confusion visible for all to see.

She stepped back, shaking her head angrily. "No, Angel." She took another step back, anger making her eyes almost glow in the dimly lit club. "Don't touch me." She saw him close his eyes in relief and took the opportunity to turn on her heel and race out of the Bronze, slowing only slightly to snatch her leather jacket from the back of her stool. She had known she was right... he didn't want her!

Angel couldn't believe what he'd just heard. 'Don't touch me.'... she'd said it so... coldly! His eyes closed in shock and pain at hearing those words from the girl he'd loved for so long, and... when he finally managed to open them again a few seconds that felt like years later, she was gone. "What?" he asked himself out loud, perplexed and not caring that people were staring. He turned his head slightly as he saw Xander approach from the corner of his eye. "What just happened here?"

Xander Harris sighed. He could tell that the dark vampire was dazed, and somehow he didn't want to be the one to have to explain things to him, but... He sighed again. "She loves you, Deadboy." He shook his head slowly at the look of confusion on the taller man's face. "She's Willow... and God knows how she got such a fucked up view of herself, but she thinks that you came here because you're grateful for the whole 'permanent soul' thing. She probably thinks that you feel obligated to her... that you'd rather be back in LA... you know, with your girlfriend?" The young man almost smirked as he heard the other man's groan. "But she's not your girlfriend, is she?" Xander glanced away from the vampire. "You pretended that she was so that you could make Will jealous, but you never stopped to think about the kind of girl Willow is, did you? Did you really think that she'd look at you and your supposed woman and decide to make a play for you herself? My God, man! You know her better than that! I mean, it sounds like the kind of stupid scheme Spike would dream up!" He groaned himself as Angel turned suddenly angry eyes on him. "What? Don't look at me that way... I'm not the one who took advice from Spike! And besides," he continued, glaring at the vampire, "He's your childe! You know first-hand how well his plans usually turn out, but you listened to him anyway... Angel, you should have known better!"

The dark haired vampire pulled his now shamed eyes from the boy and stared at the floor. "You're right, Harris," he said softly, "I should have known better. But it was just too hard, being near her all the time, having her ignore me..." He sighed, raising his eyes to meet Xander's once again. "I didn't know what else to do! I need her... I want her... and God! I love her so much..." He swallowed hard, still staring into the young man's eyes. "So what do I do now? How do I convince her that I'm not here out of gratitude? That I'm here because she's... my heart..."

Xander thought about it for a moment. He was so glad that his little redheaded friend had finally cut the dogboy loose... did he really want to see her get all caught up with Angel? No, he finally decided, he really didn't. Of course, he realized, it wasn't his decision to make... and at least he knew Angel would be good to her... "Go after her," he said softly, hoping that he wouldn't come to regret it. "Go after her, and keep after her, until she finally admits to herself that someone like you could want someone like her." He glanced at the taller man for a moment, hearing the growl coming from him. "It's not that there's anything wrong with the kind of 'someone' she is, it's that she just... doesn't see what the rest of us do..." He sighed softly, repeating his earlier words. "Go after her, Angel... Make her happy." He stared at the much older man for a moment and found himself relieved. Angel wouldn't give up on her... not now, not ever... and Xander had a feeling that that was just what his friend needed. "And you'd better hurry... Sunnydale isn't the safest place after dark... remember?" He grinned hugely as he realized that he was talking to an empty space, and turned to catch a glimpse of the vampire's tall form exiting the club.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Angel ran from the club, pausing only to sniff the air outside, searching for any trace of his witch's scent. He wasn't sure of which way she would have gone, and almost screamed hopelessly when he couldn't smell her anywhere. That was when he felt it... almost like a tugging sensation in the pit of his stomach. He followed where it led as he felt it growing stronger and stronger the closer he got to... the old high school? He slowed his pace as he caught sight of the object of his search. She was just sitting there, on the curb across the street from the burned-out husk, staring at what remained of her teenage years. He stopped, drinking her sad form in with his eyes. "Willow..." he whispered, mostly to himself.

She had run from the Bronze, not entirely certain of where she was going, and had begun to wander aimlessly until she found that she was approaching what little was left of Sunnydale High. She had found herself sitting on the curb, just... staring at the building, as the memories re-played in her head. This was where they'd been happy... her, Xander, and Jesse... they'd been the best of friends until Buffy came to town... Jesse had died, but she and Xander had remained close... this building had seen almost all of the things that had made her into the girl, or woman, that she had become... It was where she had finally come to understand that the things that went bump in the night actually existed... where she'd begun to be 'research-girl'... 'old faithful'... and the quiet, uninteresting Willow that she knew most people wanted her to be... But it was also the place where some of the best things ever had happened. She'd won the admiration and respect of Cordelia Chase, the girl that she was now proud to call her best friend... she'd learned that she could hold her own against evil... she'd discovered a depth to herself that she'd never have known was there... And it was where she'd first come to know and love him... her Angel. She smiled slightly, still looking at the shell of the school, as she felt him behind her. "Angel," she said softly, in response to his barely heard whisper, "I need to tell you something. Will you let me?" She nodded slightly, acknowledging his silence as he sat down beside her. "This is the place that made me... the place that shaped me into who I am..." She could feel him nod and continued, glad that he hadn't interrupted yet. "But most importantly, this is the place where I first knew... I loved you," she said, still speaking lightly and staring at the school. "I was still a sophomore... Buffy had only been here a few months, but you were already hers... even if you didn't want to admit it. Do you remember? She wanted you to go for coffee with her..." She smiled as she saw him nodding from the corner of her eye. "And you told her no, so she snuck off to that frat party with Cordelia... When you found out, you had such a look of... pain... and loss, on your face... And I loved you... from that moment on. Oh, I knew that you'd never be mine, but I also knew that I would never feel that way again, for anyone... Because there would never be anyone who loved me enough to wear that expression just from the idea that I might be with someone else." She sighed slightly, shaking her head a bit. "And that's OK. I mean, I can deal with it. That kind of love is reserved for girls like Buffy... and Kate. No," she said sternly, as he tried to respond, "Let me finish!" Her gaze shifted from what was left of the school to the pavement between her feet. "When... when you were kissing me earlier, I felt... well, I liked how you made me feel, and..." She blushed, almost afraid to say what she was thinking. Finally, she forced the words out in a rush, catching him by surprise. "I know that you just feel like you owe me for that spell, and that's fine! If that's the only way I can have you, then I'll take it, Angel. I want you! Almost as much as I love you, and... I'll take what I can get..." Her words trailed off as she was suddenly confronted by his lovely and... wounded?... eyes. She gasped at the emotion she saw there, and was so shocked that she almost missed what he was saying. (He... for me?)

Angel had listened to the girl... his girl... and had wanted to laugh for joy when she said that she'd loved him for... years! The joy was slightly diminished, however, by her assumption that he would only want her because he thought he owed her... and then to hear her say that she'd even be willing to have him on those terms... he felt as if his heart were breaking, and so he did the only thing he could do, given the circumstances... he moved. Quickly, so very quickly that she didn't even see him, he went from sitting on the curb beside her to crouching on the pavement in front of her, his hands cupping her face as he stared deeply into her eyes. "No." he said, determinedly. "That's not going to happen, Will." His voice softened as he continued to speak. "I don't want you that way." He sighed as he saw the pain in her eyes and knew that she had misunderstood. "I do want you, Willow... my sweet Will... But not until you understand. This," he said, brushing his lips softly against hers, "Is not a one-time-only kind of thing, not for me... I want you... forever... I want to fall asleep every day with you in my arms..." he brushed his thumb lightly over her cheekbone, "Wake each evening beside you..." his fingers danced gently across her lips, "And know, every moment for the rest of my life," he smiled a little as her eyelids fluttered against her cheeks, "That you are mine!" Angel sighed, pulling her forward and resting his head on her shoulder. "That's what I want, Willow... not Slutty, not Kate... you! I want to spend forever with you... hearing your voice, feeling your skin, sinking deep into your warmth until I don't know where I end and you begin... I want it all," he said softly into her ear, "I want the fairytale..." He sighed sadly, pulling back from her. "But I won't let myself have you until I know you believe me... until you understand that if you're with me... you're with me... No going back, no regrets... Because I promise you that I won't have any... You're my heart, Willow..." He smiled hopefully at her, knowing that he'd wait as long as it took. "You're my heart," he said again, loving her more each moment. "Will you be mine?... Will you let me be yours?" He knew that he was begging, but...

Willow listened to his sweet words, not sure whether she should believe him. After all, she'd heard sweet words before... she felt her head starting to spin as he talked, and she realized that it wasn't the words... it was the emotions. Be his? Would she? Could she? She'd just been hurt by her ex-fiance... No, she realized, she had hurt Oz much more than he ever could have hurt her... she had never loved him... or at least not enough... how could she, when Angel had lived in her heart since long before she'd even met the guitarist, but... "But... Kate?"

Angel smiled, knowing now that she would eventually give in... let herself have what she really wanted. "You said something earlier, Will... about the kind of love reserved for people like Kate... well, that kind of love is shallow, it means less than the love you might have for a pet... Kate," he said, sighing. "Kate was a mistake... I just didn't realize it until I woke up this morning and found you gone... I didn't even think about Kate," he said truthfully, hoping that someday soon he'd be able to tell her the truth about that little mess... when she was feeling more confident... more sure of his love. "All I could think of was finding you... holding you close to me... kissing you... and never," he pulled her tightly to him, "Never letting you go again." He buried his face in her hair, breathing deeply of the scent that was pure Willow as he listened to the sound of her heart beating faster and faster. "You never answered me, Will," he said shakily, loving the feel of her warm little body pressed against him, "Can I be your heart?... the way you're mine?" If he hadn't already been dead, he knew that her next words would have killed him.

Willow pulled back from the vampire of her dreams, putting a good six inches between their bodies. "Take me back to the Bronze, Angel," she said softly, deliberately not meeting his eyes, "I forgot to say goodbye to Xander." She turned and began to walk in the proper direction, smiling slightly to herself as the dejected man followed. "After all," she threw over her shoulder, "He'd never forgive me if I moved to LA without saying good-ummph..."

Angel felt as though his world was shattering around him when his little redhead said that she wanted to go back to the club... she didn't want him... love him, after all... Then he heard the rest of what she was saying, and he could have sworn that he felt his heart... beat... for the first time in almost two and a half centuries. He felt the demon chuckling inside him as he pulled the girl into a deep, and earnest, kiss... yes, his sweet Willow surely did have a wicked streak... and he was looking forward to discovering all of its aspects! He pulled her more tightly to him, laughing into her open mouth as he felt her legs wrap around his waist. Saying goodbye to Harris would have to wait... for a few hours at least... He only hoped, as he turned his feet down the familiar street, that her parents were out of town again... he hadn't thought to get a hotel room, and they probably wouldn't approve of what he was planning to spend the rest of the night, and most of the day, doing with their only daughter. Still, he realized, as he carried her up the walk to her front door, she never had answered him. "Will..." he said desperately, knowing that he couldn't stop now, even if he wanted to, "Am I yours?... Are you mine?"

Willow smiled, softly and happily, as she slid her legs from around his waist. She stood before him, cupping his cheek in her warm palm and staring intently into his eyes, letting him see the truth of her words. "Always and forever, my Angel... always... forever..." She sighed contentedly as his lips again met hers and he carried her into her house. No matter what happened in the future, she knew that this would be a night that she'd never forget... and she was fairly certain that it would be followed by many, many others!!!

End story...

End Series.

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