Willow performed the ritual to give Angel back his soul and Buffy killed him. Willow, whom had secretly had a crush on Angel, was heart broken. She thought she would find comfort in grieving with her best friend but was appalled at Buffy’s actions. As soon as Angel was dead, the very day that she killed him, she was doing the bedroom mambo with Riley.

Xander was happy that Angel was gone, he never trusted the vampire. He wasn’t aware of how much Willow was grieving because he was too busy with the love of his life, Anya.

Cordilea, whom Willow had grown to like, had left for the summer before Angel was killed. She had no idea of what had happened.

Oz, Willow’s former love interest, had left her while she was in the hospital. He told her he’d found someone he loved more then her. Someone he was destined to be with. He was in love with another werewolf. Willow was surprised that she really wasn’t that up set to see Oz go. She loved him, she really did but he was not the one who held her heart.

Spike had taken Angel’s death as hard as Willow, maybe more so. Everyone thought he hated Angel but he didn’t. Angel was his Sire, his mentor. He was like a big brother to Spike. He’d taught him everything after he was made a vampire. When he was Angelus, Durcillia turned Angel against Spike. She felt the need to occupy all of Angel’s time with petty things and Spike felt abandoned. He left Angel and went out on his own earning himself the name of William the Bloody. A century later when he found his Sire again, he was certain that he would be proud of his childe. Much to his dismay he found that Angel had a soul and of all things was in love with a Slayer, helping her kill his own kind. They had many encounters after his return but Angel wouldn’t kill him, nor would he let the slayer. He finally accepted the fact that his Sire was not the man he’d once known but grew to respect him in different ways. Secretly he wanted to join Angel in his quest to rid the world of the evil that they were once a part of. After Angel’s death he was captured by the Intuitive and had a chip placed in his head making him unable to harm a human. He had to feed from pig’s blood or the local blood bank. Buffy, Faith and Riley took it upon themselves to torment and humiliate the grief strike vampire at every opportunity.

A month had passed since Angel’s death. Willow had fallen into a deep depression and her best friend was no help. Buffy and Riley were always taunting her about the way she looked and the fact that she was always the third wheel. She tried her best to avoid them now. Late one night, she couldn’t sleep. She was plagued with dreams and visions of the way Angel died. She wasn’t there when it happened but in her dreams Buffy new Angel was back to himself, that the curse was gone but she killed him anyway and took great pleasure in doing so. She could feel Angels pain as his love stabbed him through his undead heart and sent him to hell. Willow walked aimlessly into the night pondering the worthiness of her life when she was startled back to reality by a familiar voice.

"Leave me be!" Spike screamed. Buffy, Faith and Riley laughed at him. Willow peered through he bushes and saw what was happening. They were torturing Spike again. She wanted nothing more then to rush over and save him but she knew she was no match for the two slayers and Riley. She could only watch helplessly from a distance and hope they didn’t dust him.

"Hold him solider boy," Faith sneered as she ripped Spikes shirt off and poured Holy Water all over him. Willow could see the blisters forming on his pale skin and the stench of burning flesh filled the air. Buffy took her turn cutting deep wounds into him with a ritualistic knife that had been blessed. Finally Riley released the vampire and he fell to the ground in a heap. Not to be out done by the two women, Riley began prodding Spike with a high voltage stun stick.

When they finally had their fill of torture they left Spike lying in the open just an hour before dawn. Willow ran to him, "Spike?" He didn’t respond. She shook him; "Please you have to tell me where to take you before the sun comes up. I can’t do this alone."

"Leave me alone!" he sneered.

"If I leave you, you will die!"

"I know," he whispered before slipping into unconsciousness again.

She tired with all her strength to pull him to his feet. After several attempts she succeeded. "Now, where can I take you that is safe?" She thought for a minuet and decided Angel’s former home would be safe. It took more effort then Willow thought she had but she managed to drag Spike inside the house just as the sun peeked into the sky. After putting Spike to bed she cleaned his wounds the best she could and sat down beside of him and sobbed. "What am I going to do?" She never saw the figure in the shadows, watching her every move.

The tall, dark haired man watched as the sweet, red head broke down in tears. His mind flashed back to his torment in hell. Although in this dimension only a couple of months had passed, it was equivalent to a century in hell. He was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard the girl sigh.

"Angel, why did you have to die?"

He wasn’t sure if he heard her right. He continued to look on as his childe stirred.

"I miss him to Red," Spike choked out.

Angel smiled at the way he felt, knowing that the two truly missed him. He took a deep breath and stepped into the room.

Willow felt his presence, assuming it was because of the house. He laid his hand on her shoulder causing her to jump up and scream. "Willow, it’s ok. I’m not going to hurt you," he soothed, stepping closer to her.

Tears streamed down her face, "You can’t be real."

"I am real. For some reason I’ve been given another chance." He gently wiped away her tears. As he touched her, he felt a jolt of electricity rush through him. ‘What am I doing?’ he thought. ‘This is sweet, innocent Willow. She would never be interested in me. I would only bring her pain.’ Trying to get his mind off of her, "What happened to Spike?"

"Oh Angel, it’s been awful! They torture him!"

"Torture?" he asked, anger surfacing in his voice.

"They held him down and poured Holy Water on him, cut him and shocked him with a huge stun stick. Since the initiatives inserted the chip he hasn’t been able to feed. He finally accepted the fact he’d have to live off pig’s blood. Every time he gets some they take it away from him. Angel, he’s so weak, I don’t know if he can recover from all of this."

He sat on the bed beside his childe, "I know what will help him."

Willow looked on, seeing the love for Spike in his eyes. She never realized that Angel saw Spike as a younger brother, possibly even a son. She watched as Angel bit his wrist and held it to his childes mouth. Spike was to weak to even put his game face on. Angel let the blood slowly drip into his mouth. It was as if his blood were the most rejuvenating thing in the world. Spike’s fangs punctured into his sire’s wrist as he began feeding from the only thing that could heal him.

Willow saw the pained look on Angel’s face and realized how much it hurt him to be fed on. Realizing that Angel could very well die right before her eyes if Spike was too greedy. Angel knew his limits and tried to free himself from Spike but he wouldn’t let go. Willow ran to them and attempted to force them apart with no success. "You’re killing him!" she screamed. Spike forced himself to let go and passed out as Angel fell to the floor.

Willow dropped to the floor to check on him. He looked at her, his eyes yellow, fangs glistening; "Get away from me!" he growled at her.

She refused to move, she wouldn’t leave him, not again. "You need help Angel. Let me help you!"

He lunged toward her as if to attack. She ran from the house crying.

Two weeks had passed since Willow’s encounter with Angel. She was walking through town, her mind racing, when she walked into someone. "Oh, sorry!"

"Why don’t you watch were your going Willow," Riley snapped. "You are unbelievable!"

"Sorry, I.. I didn’t mean to," she stuttered as he wiped the soda off his shirt.

He leaned down into her face, "You never mean to do you? You know what I think?" She shook her head silently. "I think you DO mean to! I think it’s your only way to get attention!" Faith came from the shadows and dragged her into the alley. Riley stood in front of her, too close for comfort.

"I have to go," Willow insisted.

"I don’t think so," Faith taunted. Riley grabbed Willows breasts and ground into her.

She was terrified, knowing she couldn’t fight them off she begged, "Please, don’t hurt me."

"Oh, we’re not going to hurt you, to bad," Faith cackled.

"I’m just going to give you what you’ve needed for a long time," Riley declared while undoing his belt.

Willow closed her eyes and sobbed as her knees buckled. Suddenly she heard a low growl quickly followed by a loud crash. When she opened her eyes she saw Angel pounding Riley relentlessly. Faith let her go and jumped on his back. Angel flung her off like a rag doll, "Leave now or I will kill you both!"

For the first time Faith got a good look at her attacker, "Angel? It can’t be! Your dead!"

"Try undead," he hissed as he put his game face on. They scurried to their feet and beat a hasty retreat down the alley. Willow still lay in a trembling pile on the ground. He walked to her and picked her up into his arms, "It’s going to be ok Willow."

A few hours later Willow’s eyes fluttered open, "Where am I?"

"Your safe," a comforting voice came from nowhere. The owner of the voice suddenly appeared beside her.

"Angel," she gasped, afraid after their last encounter.

"It’s ok, you’re safe now."

Thoughts and memories were running ramped through her mind, "You, you saved me?" He silently nodded. "But the other day you wanted to kill me yourself! You didn’t want me near you."

"Willow, no." He paused to clear his mind of the anger still lingering from earlier, "I told you to leave because I was weak. I needed to feed in a bad way and I don’t think I could have controlled myself." She didn’t say anything, letting his reason sink in. "You saved me Willow. You gave me back my soul. I would never harm you."

She quickly sat up and lunged into his arms forcing him to hug her. "I was so scared Angel! So scared," she sobbed.

He consoled her, gently rubbing her back and placing soft kisses on her head. "I would never let anything happen to you little one, never." He sighed, "I think I need to get you home before your parents send out the National Guard."

She chuckled disgustedly, "That would never happen."

"Huh?"

"Never mind," she stood. "Walk me home?"

"No, I thought you could walk back by yourself," he said sarcastically. The walk home was silent but tense. Willow jumped at every little sound finally ending up latched on to Angel for dear life. It killed him to see her so frightened. As they reached her house, "Willow, would you like me to explain what happened to night to your parents. I know it will be hard for you to tell them but they need to know so they can protect you."

"Thanks but no. You don’t know my family, they would hate me for letting it happen."

He took her by the arms and pulled her up towards him. "Never say that Willow! What happened was not your fault in any way! No one who loves you would ever see any different!"

Tears stung her eyes, "Ok, but don’t be surprised if they act like nothing happened."

Willow and Angel walked into the large living room where her parents were watching T.V. They stood there for a few minuets unnoticed, "I told you," Willow sighed. She turned to walk away but Angel stopped her.

"Mr., Mrs. Rosenberg," Angel started.

Her dad tore his eyes reluctantly from the program, "Who are you?"

"My name is Angel, I’m a friend of Willows." He took an unneeded breath, "I need to tell you about something that happened to your daughter tonight."

Mrs. Rosenberg jumped to her feet. "What did you do now?" she shouted.

Willow’s mouth opened and closed like a fish in an attempt to defend her self but no words would come out. Angel tried to right the situation, "No, you misunderstood! Willow was attacked. Some one tried to rape her."

Her mother slapped her across the face, "You little slut!"

"What?" Angel and Willow yelped simultaneously.

Her father strode across the room towards them, "You prick tease!"

"Daddy, I didn’t do anything!" she cried.

He moved to slap her but Angel pulled her behind him protectively. "What is your problem?" he growled. "She could have been rapped tonight or even worse, killed!"

"I don’t know who the hell you are son but it’s time for you to leave!" Mr. Rosenberg grabbed Willow by the hair and shoved her toward the stairs.

Angel took her hand and pulled her to him, "Fine but she is coming with me!"

They rushed out the door and down the street. She couldn’t keep up with Angel’s long strides any longer, "Stop!"

He turned to her and saw her setting on the sidewalk panting. He sat beside of her and gently rubbed the red welts on her cheek, "Are you ok?" She glared at him. "Ok, stupid question."

"No, it’s not stupid. I’ll be fine, really. I knew they never really wanted me. I was always in the way or something they would forget and leave at home when they took trips. I just didn’t ….," tears streamed freely down her face.

"No offence or anything but, your parents are idiots!" Willow giggled causing him to look at her quizzically.

"I’ve never heard anyone say it was my parents fault before. It’s usually mine." She stood and wiped her face with the back of her hands, "Ok, no more weeping Willow! (Sorry couldn’t resist the pun here) He stood beside of her; It’s time to concentrate on something else, something worth while. Fighting some demons or slaying some monsters."

He put his arm around her as they started to walk, "You are really something, you know that?"

~~~*~~~

Willow stood at the window looking out into the darkness. It had been a few days since her fight with her parents. Angel had been very supportive, in fact surprisingly so. She had been helping nurse Spike back to health; it made her feel better to help someone. She was startled when Angel burst through the door with his arms full of bags. "Wow, let me help," she smiled taking some bags.

"Thanks."

"What is all of this stuff?"

"Food," he said sarcastically.

"Duh!" she mocked, in true Willow fashion. "I didn’t think Vampires ate food. Well human food anyway. Not as in humans are food but as in the same things humans eat."

He smiled at her babbling, "We can but this is for you. I’m tired of seeing you not eat and when you finally do its fast food."

"Oh," she twirled around as he walked past her. "That’s so sweet!"

He stopped dead in his tracks and closed his eyes for a moment. "Willow," he paused.

"Yeah?"

"Vampires don’t like to be called sweet."

She giggled as they went in to the kitchen to put the groceries away. Angel was holing a box of cookies just out of Willows reach taunting her when someone knocked on the door. He went to answer it, shocked at what he saw, "Buffy?"

"My God, it’s true," she whispered as she jumped into his arms. "How? When? Why are you here?"

He gently put her back on the ground, "The powers that be felt I had suffered enough between my vampire soul and my torment in hell so they sent me back."

She placed her hand on his stomach where she jabbed the sword that sent him to hell, "Angel, I had no choice. I had to… to.."

"To save the world?" he asked. She shook her head in response. "I understand Buffy. I don’t blame you for what you done. It wasn’t your fault it was mine."

She jumped back into his arms and tried to kiss him but he turned away and sat her down again. "I thought we were ok?" she asked, hurt.

"No, I said I understood why you sent me to hell. I didn’t say I understood you or what ever it is you’ve become. You have turned to the sort of monster that I thought you were suppose to be around to slay."

"What?" she asked agitated.

"You helped torture and almost kill Spike, you’ve tormented Willow, who use to be your best friend and you’ve completely blown off your watcher."

Trying her best to cover, "I went crazy with out you! I.."

"Bullshit! Buffy we both know "we" were over before Angelus came back."

"That’s not true!" she cried. "We made love!"

"No, we fucked. There is a difference."

"No!"

"Buffy, I did love you but you never loved me. You never accepted who I was or what I was. It was always my dirty little secret. I accepted that because I hadn’t had a friend in ages and I thought you were all I would ever have." He stepped closer to her and she backed away. "Buffy, I just want you to be happy but we both know that if we were to try again neither of us would be happy. We don’t belong together." She pulled out a stake and was prepared to dust him.

"I don’t think so!" Willow screamed, stomping out of the kitchen. "He’s right Buffy, you aren’t the same person we knew. Your some Faith reject! I think Riley had the Initiative implant a new brain! You use to kill to save people and now you torture them for fun! You can’t blame that on Angel or me or anyone!" Angel put his hands on her shoulders to restrain her. He’d never seen Willow this forceful before and it turned him on.

"What would you know!" Buffy yelled back. "Not even your parents want you! You don’t honestly think that Angel wants you do you?"

"No!" Willow said. "Angel is my friend, unlike you! I want him to be happy and even if that means he gets back together with Drucillia then so be it!"

"He can’t go back to her! She’s a loon! Not that you’re much better!"

"Enough!" Angel yelled. "I think I should be the one who chooses whom I want to be with don’t you?"

Willow shook her head yes, "Sorry."

"We know that’s not you Buffy. I think it’s time for you to go." He opened the door and she stormed out.

"Nervy little bint isn’t she?" a voice asked from behind them.

"Spike!" Willow smiled. "What are you don’t up?"

"I heard the ruckus and wanted to see for myself if Nancy boy here was really telling off the slayer."

Angel walked to his childe and placed a firm hand on the back of his neck. No words were spoken but the thoughts pervade. Angel was glad Spike was ok and Spike was happy that his Sire was back to help him. Willow ran up to them both, "Group hug!" she gleamed.

They both laughed, "How long is bloody bubbly here going to be staying?" Spike teased.

Angle had always been attracted to Willow but over the past few months they had been living together he had truly fallen in love with her. That was something that terrified him knowing that one true moment of happiness could mean the end for his soul again. They would set in the living room, by the fire and read every night. He loved it when she cuddled up to him and they read together. It caused an unusual warmth in his cold body as if he could almost feel his heart beating.

Willow had left for school already and Angle dreaded the time alone. He sat on the sofa unable to sleep, drinking his morning blood. Spike walked out from the bathroom drying his hair with a towel. "What’s wrong with you," he asked, sensing his Sire’s tension.

"Nothing," Angel snapped.

Spike sat in the chair to the right of the sofa, "Try someone who hasn’t known you for 200 years."

Angel stood and walked to the fireplace. Placing his hand on the mantel he took an unneeded breath, "If you say anything to anyone, I will send you to hell myself."

The growl in his voice told Spike he was serious. "Mate, we have been getting along fine. No more rivalry, no more anything and if you don’t tell me what’s bothering you I’m going to have to kick your ass!"

Angel laughed at his childe’s brazen comment. "It’s Willow," he almost whispered.

"Willow? Is something wrong with her?" He asked panicked.

"No," he sighed. "That’s the problem."

"What? You’re not making any sense."

"I’m," he tried but he just couldn’t bring himself to say the words knowing what kind of torment could happen. "I’m just worried about her safety."

"Bloody hell," Spike said in astonishment as he stood to face his Sire. "Your in love with her aren’t you?"

Before he could answer there were several loud bangs on the door. Standing out of the suns reach Angel opened the door. Giles came crashing through as Angel and Spike looked on. He shut the door and helped Giles to his feet. "What’s wrong?"

"Angel, I need your help. Buffy is off on another of her gallivanting trips with Faith and the Mayor is about to make a move."

Angel was glad the pressure was off about talking to Spike. "What is he planning?"

"To bring the Chaos demon back."

"The big blue shmuck that Dru put back together?" Spike asked. "I thought you dismembered him again and scattered him about."

"We did," Giles took off his glasses and cleaned them. "You see the mayor knows that Buffy is no longer acting like a slayer should and he wants to take full advantage of her time away. If he can convert an army of people to demons or vampires he will be unstoppable."

Angel ran his hands through his hair, "I’ll go out tonight and look for him. I’ll need Xander and his "Rambo" memories to help think of a way to dismember him."

"And I’ll do some research on how we can destroy his parts so they can’t be put back together," a chipper voice said from behind them." Angel smiled at her as she hugged him. Giles looked on, confused at the sight before him. "You should have told me you were coming Giles and I would have walked with you."

"I, I wasn’t aware that you were coming," he stuttered.

The three of them looked at him confused. Willow finally breaking the silence, "Oh, yeah I forgot to mention I live here now."

"What?" Giles snapped in true father fashion.

"My parents, they, we," she tired but couldn’t. "Angel and Spike helped me."

Angel pulled her to the sofa next to him and explained what had happened with Faith, Riley, Buffy and Willow’s parents. They agreed to meet and research at the library later that night.

~~~*~~~

"What?" Xander shouted. "Willow and dead boy?"

Cordillia laughed, "Way ta go Willow."

"Not funny!" Xander smirked. "What the hell is she thinking?"

"I’m thinking that my friends all turned their backs on me and thought I was just poor little Willow who had no feelings! My friends who left me alone when I needed help and needed hugs!" she screamed, tears of anger flowing freely. Angel tired to put his arms around her to comfort her and she pushed him away," No!" Stomping to Xander, "We were best friends before anyone else in this room came here and you still ignored me! Angel and Spike helped me and they are my friends so you are just going to have to get over yourself!"

Everyone looked on astonished at the small red head. Giles had to stifle a laugh after seeing Xander’s expression. "Will," Xander spoke softly. "I didn’t mean to. I never realized I was doing that."

"No you just realized you were getting major happies from demon girl over there!"

"Hey!" Anya yelled.

"Sorry," Willow turned bright red realizing she’d said that out loud. She turned and walked passed Giles to the computer. He patted her back supportively. "Lets get to work."

~~~*~~~

Xander, Angel and Spike went to steal another weapon to dismember the Chaos demon while Willow, Cordillia and Giles researched for ways to destroy them. Going through Ms. Calendar’s gypsy spells she found something that caught her eye. Yes, this was perfect, she thought to herself then continued to look for the spell.

The men came back with the demons parts in various bags. Willow noticed immediately that Spike and Xander were almost carrying Angel. "What happened," Giles asked running to them.

"The big smurf guy had pals," Xander explained. "Pals who liked to torture things, in this case, Angel."

Willow Jumped on the counter they had laid Angel on and cradled his head in her lap, "Angel," she cried. "How can we help?" He didn’t respond and Willlow cried harder.

Spike put a hand on her shoulder, unable to look at her or his sire, "There is nothing we can do Willow."

"Don’t say that!" she yelled, punching him in the chest. "We have to help him!"

"Willow," Angel beckoned, his voice raspy. "He’s right, my body will have to take care of it’s self. There is nothing anyone can do to help." She stroked his cheek with her hand and kissed his forehead. He found an unusual comfort that he’d not felt since he was human.

"We need to get him home before sunrise," Spike said, almost whispering.

Angel lay in his bed trembling, his own skin feeling uncomfortable to his body. Willow placed a cold cloth on his head as he slipped in and out of consciousness. "Cordy," she yelled.

"Yeah," the brunet spoke, walking into the room.

"I need you to set with Angel for a little bit. Don’t leave his side."

"Why?"

Willow turned to her; "I can’t tell you now but please, help me."

Cordillia heard the desperation in her voice and agreed.

Willow walked into the living room, every ones eyes on her, "He’s in and out of conciseness. It doesn’t look good." Stepping farther into the room, "I need your help and you can’t ask me any questions or try to stop me."

"What is it Will?" Xander asked.

"I need your help performing a spell. I can’t do it alone because it’s a powerful spell."

"Willow," Giles spoke, "You aren’t ready for such powerful magic yet. You could get hurt."

She pointed to her face, "Resolve face, see? I’m doing this with our with out your help." They reluctantly agreed and went to gather the ingredients she needed.

~~~*~~~

They all sat in a circle, Willow reading Latin as she burned herbs in various orders. The first spell was done and the Chaos demon was ashes. Her next spell was harder. Not only was she reading Latin but Yiddish as well. Giles, Xander and Spike were chanting while they burned herbs, frogeyes and cattails. After about fifteen minuets of chanting Willow began to levitate. Everyone looked on in shock as her eyes glowed and her body floated a foot above the floor. Suddenly with a burst of blinding light Willow crashed to the floor with a thud.

Willow never told them what the spell was for but Giles knew. They all went home and she sat on the bed beside of Angel, "You have to be ok. You can’t leave me Angel."

He heard her words and they brought his dead heart back to life but he knew it could never happen. He couldn’t expose her or the world to Angelus again.

The next morning Angel was feeling better but still very weak. Spike and Willow tried to get him to feed but he couldn’t stomach the bagged blood. After hours of attempting to eat Willow tossed the blood to the floor. Spike and Angel looked at her. "Help me set him up a bit." Spike done as requested, propping Angel up on Pillows. Willow put her hands around his face and smiled. She pulled her hair back and her shirt off of her shoulder, "feed."

Both vampires looked at her stunned. "Willow, I can’t. I’ll hurt you."

"You have to feed or you won’t get better. Now eat!"

"Willow," he protested.

"Resolve face!" she said sternly. He knew he’d lost the battle and reluctantly pulled him to her. He placed kisses down her neck coming to rest at its base. As gently as he could he punctured her skin and began to drink. The flood of emotions and feelings threw them both into sensory over load. She ran her hands through his hair, the feeling of him feeding from her left her spinning with desire. He knew he’d taken enough and released her. Exhausted he fell back and went to sleep.

~~~*~~~

School dragged on forever. Willow wanted to get home to Angel and see if he was better. She wondered if he felt the same thing she did when he fed last night. Her thoughts were broken by someone saying her name. "Ms. Rosenburg?"

"Oh, huh? What?" she asked, her face blushing.

"Back to reality Will," Xander teased.

"The answer to problem seven Ms. Rosenberg," the teacher said, annoyed.

"Uh, 2355.890>A/B."

"Right."

~~~*~~~

School was finally over and Willlow rushed out side. "Willow, wait!" Cordy yelled.

She reluctantly stopped, "Yeah?"

"How is Angel?"

"He’s getting better," she smiled.

"Glad to hear it. You want a ride home?"

"Sure," she smiled as they got into the car. The ride was casual although Willows heart about pounded out of her chest at the way Cordilla was driving. They talked about things that happened over the summer. Willow filled her in on how Angel was sent to hell by Buffy and stuff. Willow was surprised to find out that Cordilla liked Spike. "He’s hot in a dead vampire sort of way," she said. Suddenly Willow yelled, "Stop!"

Cordy slammed on the breaks as Willow jumped from the car. "What?!" Willow walked into a yard, said something to the lady and the small girl and returned carrying something. When she got in the car she realized what it was, "A cat? You almost gave me a heart attack over a cat?"

"It’s a kitten," Willow cooed. "An adorable kitten!"

Willow led Cordy into the dark house. Spike was setting in the kitchen with an upset look on his face. "What’s wrong?" Willow asked.

"Nothing," he couldn’t bring himself to tell her.

"Is Angel ok?"

"For now," Spike growled as he pushed past them into the living room, Cordillia hot on his heels.

Willow made her way to the bedroom to check on Angel. He had been up since she’d left for school. He was dressed in black leather pants and a silky blue button up which was unbuttoned revealing his hard chest. She gently crawled over to him and placed the kitten on his chest. He awoke with a start, looking down at the small bundle of fur on his chest. Willow laughed at his expression, "Feeling better?"

"Why is there a fury thing on me?" he asked, an eyebrow raised at her.

Willow laid her head on the kitten, "I couldn’t leave her all alone. She needed a home." He laughed and started to stand. Willow placed her hand on his chest, "What do you need? I’ll get it."

He raised up to a setting position and handed her a cell phone. "I want you to use this when ever you need me Willow and I’ll be right here."

"Your right here now," she smiled. His gaze shifted to the floor. Her eyes followed his and saw the bag packed by the bed. Tears stung her eyes as she waited for an explanation.

He sighed; this wasn’t going to be easy. "Please understand Willow, I want something that I can’t have and it’s killing me inside. I don’t think I can stop myself and I am not willing to let Angelus out again." She tried to speak but he silenced her with his finger against her lips. "Please understand this, I need you to understand this." He stood, picked up his bag and took a finial look at her.

She couldn’t be seeing what she thought she was seeing. Angel had tears in his eyes? She couldn’t let him leave this way, "Angel," she yelled running into the living room after him.

"Willow, please," he pleaded.

"No, I can’t let you leave with out telling you!"

"No," he protested. Knowing that if her heard her say she loved him he couldn’t leave.

"Yes!" she demanded surprising him. "You don’t have to leave! Angel you can be happy! I know you miss Buffy, you miss being with her but you don’t have to anymore!"

"Willow," this time she silenced him with her finger.

"I cursed you again, this time your soul is anchored permanently! You can be happy Angel, no Angelus."

"How?" he gasped in astonishment.

"When I was looking for the spell to destroy the Chaos demon I found this curse in some of Jenny’s old files. Everyone helped me do the spell but no one knows what it was for. Angel, your free!" Tears poured from his eyes as he embraced her, never wanting to let go. After a long while she pushed him up, "Now, go out there and get your girl!" she smiled.

"I don’t have to go out there to get her," he smiled. "She’s right here." He pulled her in for a mind-blowing kiss that made her knees weak.

Cordy and Spike cheered. When Willow recovered she pushed her self away from him, "Angel, I didn’t do that so you could waste your time on me!" she shouted, truly angry that he thought she was that big of a push over. He tried to speak but her tirade continued, "I gave you your soul so you could have happies with some pretty girl like Buffy not some plain Jane like me! How could you even think I wanted you to like me as payment for what I done!"

"Willow!"

"You are an asshole!" she continued to scream. "I thought you were different! That you were, were, I can’t think right now but I thought you were something!"

Angels game face appeared as he growled her name, "Willow!" She looked at him and cowered. His face back to normal, "I don’t want anyone else. Don’t you get it? I was leaving because I love you! I couldn’t stand to be near you and not be with you!"

Willows face drained of color, "Why would you want to be with me?"

He looked at her, she honestly didn’t know. Spike stood, "Bloody hell woman! You are beautiful! It’s beyond me how you can’t realize that! Nancy boy here is head over heels for you."

~~~*~~~

Angel finally got Willow to agree to go on their first date. It was a struggle but when Cordy and Spike said they could double she agreed. Angel told Cordlia what to get for Willow to ware and gave her money. He knew Cordy and shopping went hand in hand. Willow lay still fast asleep in her room, kitten, which she’d lovingly named precious laying at her side. He lowered himself down beside of her, "Willow," he whispered. Placing feather soft kisses down her face and neck, he smiled as she stirred. Enjoying the way she looked so peaceful he couldn’t resist, he captured her lips with his in a passionate kiss.

She thought she was dreaming when Angle kissed her and opened her mouth to his demanding tongue. She moaned into his mouth as she opened her eyes, "Am I dreaming?"

He smiled, "Nope, it’s really happening."

"What time is it?" He looked at her discerningly as the kitten crawled up on his chest and curled up. "Aww, precious loves you," she smiled.

"At least someone does," he pouted, his big brown eyes looking at her.

"Hey, I love you!" she said quickly. Her face blushed with embarrassment.

A broad smile crossed his face, "You promise?"

"Yep," she smiled back.

Angel paced the floor waiting for Willow to arrive. She refused to leave together claming that two people going on a date didn’t leave from the same house at the same time. He sat impatiently spinning a cup of coffee on the table, "She’s not coming," he sighed. He stood from the table ready to walk away when he saw her. "Wow," he smiled, gently kissing her hand.

Willow blushed a bit but was glad he said ‘wow’. "So mister, you gonna invite a lady to join you?"

He pulled a chair out for her, "I would be honored m’lady." He drew in a deep breath as he watched the tight leather dress slowly rise on Willows legs.

Much to his surprise she took his hand and placed it just above her knee, "You like?" she teased.

An evil, seductive grin slid across his face, "Oh yeah." Cordy and Spike joined them laughing loudly oblivious to the lustful scene playing out across the table.

"Damn red," Spike looked shocked. "You look hot!"

Angel growled lowly at his childe sending shivers up Willow’s spine. She loved to hear him growl. Hopping down off the stool she walked behind Angel lazily running her fingers over his back. She leaned in to him pressing her body firmly against his side, "Puppy want to dance?"

His eyes grew wide, "Puppy?"

She leaned in and whispered, "I love to hear you growl." He responded with a growl as he led her to the dance floor. She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder.

He engulfed her small body in his arms, enjoying the moment he never thought could happen. "You’re spell worked," he whispered to her.

Looking into his eyes, "How do you know yet?"

Angel too he face into his hands, "Because I’m the happiest I have ever been and I’m still here." He kissed her, gently at first but deepening the kiss at her request. He couldn’t believe that Willow was so open to making a public display but he loved it.

Suddenly a hand grabbed Willow and through her back from Angel, "What the hell do you think your doing?" Buffy demanded.

Angel growled at the slayer and her friends. "Willow, get behind me, now." She kicked Faith in the shin and ran to the safety of Angel. "Buffy, I don’t know what the hell you want but leave her alone."

"Now, now, Angel," Faith laughed, "We can’t do that because if you do it with Red here then Angelus will be running free." She pulled a stake out of her jacket, "So I say we either make you a girl vamp of I stake you here."

"You think you got what it takes to ‘fix’ me bitch then bring it on!" he growled. People began to flee the Bronze. Faith jumped towards Angel but was knocked on her ass. She returned with a kick to the stomach that staggered him allowing her to get in a few more punches.

"Buffy!" Willow pleaded, "Help him! Are you going to let her kill him?"

Angel punched Faith twice in the head and kicked her half way across the room then walked up to Buffy. "I don’t know if it’s Faith or Riley but you need to find your way back Buffy before you get yourself killed. Your friends are here for you, I’m here for you but you are going to have to face reality or die!" The slayer hung her head; tears sparkled in her eyes as she realized what he had just said. Angel stepped in closer to her, "And if you or any of your rejects touch Willow, if you harm on hair on her head I will personally show you the realities of the torture I endured in hell." He looked up and saw Spike running towards him screaming. It was like life was playing out in slow motion and he couldn’t speed it up. He found himself being shoved to the ground; Willow falling on top of him. That’s when he saw her. She was about to stake him with a pool que.

Before she could strike someone knocked her over the head, "Don’t think so Faith," Xander seethed. He reached down offering Angel and Willow help that they both accepted.

"Xander!" Willow cried, hugging him. "You saved us!"

"I let you down once Will, I won’t do it again. You’re my best friend, even if you are dating dead boy." He and Angel exchanged knowing glances full of both loathing and understanding. If they were going to be a part of Willow’s life then they would unavoidably become part of each other’s.

Angel turned Willow to him, "Are you ok kitten?"

"I’m fi…" she paused, "Kitten??" They both laughed.

"Lets get out of here, Xander you can join us for a beer if you’d like."

"He’d like," Willow answered for him. Angel took her hand and they started to leave, "Wait, I have to do something." They watched as she walked over to Riley.

Angel was nervous and Spike had to hold him back, "I have a feelin’ she knows what she’s doin’ mate."

"Riley, there is something I’ve wanted to say to you since that night in the alley." She crooked he finger in a come hither fashion so that he would bend slightly to her. "I really wanted to say…" She kicked him between the legs as hard as she could, "Have a nice day."

Everyone laughed hysterically as the big bad Army man rolled on the floor holding him self. Just before walking out the door she had one last thing to say, "Next time you get the urge to rape someone, think again cause next time I might just cut it off and hang it on my wall as a trophy!"

Angel, Willow, Cordy, Spike and Xander had just exited the Bronze and were headed to Angel’s. "Willow!"

She turned to face the person calling her, "Buffy?"

She walked toward her friend, "Willow please believe me. I didn’t know what Riley and Faith tried to do to you." Tears fell from her eyes, "You know if anyone ever tried to hurt you and I knew it I would kill them."

"But you hurt me Buffy, more then Faith or Riley could have ever done, even if they had raped me!"

"What? What raped?" Xander screamed! "I’ll kill the bastard!"

Spike put a firm hand on Xander and held him in place, "Easy mate, she’s fine now."

Attention turning back to Buffy and Willow, who was still clutching Angel’s hand as if it were a lifeline, "Don’t you get it Buffy? You wanted your boyfriend more then your friend and instead of trying to include me with Faith and Riley you pushed me away telling me how plane and un-pretty I was." She wasn’t attempting to stop the tears that were falling, "I needed you Buffy and I needed Xander but you didn’t want me around unless it was to work on a case or help with homework. I’m more then a gopher or homework girl! I’m human and I deserve to be treated like one!" she screamed. After hearing her voice echo she blushed, "Sorry I didn’t mean to,"

"No, Will your right. I’m a horrible friend and I don’t deserve your forgiveness but I’m sorry, so sorry that I hurt you. Please believe me Willow. You’re my best friend and I don’t know what I’d do with out you."

She let go of Angel’s hand and hugged her friend, "I do forgive you Buffy but I can’t trust you like it did yet. I’m sorry but my trust is something your going to have to earn again if you want it."

"Fair enough," she smiled. Looking at everyone, "I hope the rest of you can forgive me too. Spike, I,"

He growled, "I owe you slayer! Don’t think my forgiveness is going to come as easy as red’s cause it’s not!"

Cordy looked at Willow, "Hey, now that everyone is back together I think Buffy owes Giles and explanation!"

"I agree," Xander added. "Lets go!"

"You guys go ahead," Willow smiled. "Angel and I will catch up."

Once the group was out of site Willow began to walk quickly toward the mansion. "Willow, what’s going on?"

She turned and smiled playfully, "If you really want to know, you have to catch me!" She giggled as she ran towards the entrance of the mansion and locked the door.

Angel had no trouble catching up with her but she had locked the door, "Willow, what’s going on?"

"Come find out," she yelled through the door.

By the time he got inside she was nowhere to be found. "Where are you?" He heard her giggle and knew just where she was. Entering the bedroom he saw her. She was wearing one of his leather dusters. It draped over her small frame, tied tightly around the waist. "What are you doing?"

She pulled him in the room and pushed him against the dresser, "I have something for you." Her voice was so seductive he was at a loss for words. She cupped his face in her hands and kissed him. She then placed his hand on the belt of the duster, "Gonna unwrap your gift?"

He swallowed hard. Could he be dreaming? "Yeah that’s it, must be dreaming." He closed his eyes tight and opened them again.

"You dream about me?" she giggled.

"Always," he whispered placing kisses on her face. He took a deep unneeded breath and pulled the tie on the duster. If he had to rely on air to not faint, he’d be unconscious. She stood before him in heels, black silk stockings and a black lace teddy. "Willow, your beautiful."

She leaned into him and whispered, "Make love to me Angel."

"Willow, are you sure that you want that?"

She pulled back, a hurt look on her face, "If you don’t want to we don’t have to." She knelt to pick up the duster when his hands pulled her back up.

"I never said I didn’t want to. I asked if you were sure you wanted me to have this ‘gift’. Willow, I love you. I’ve wanted you for along time anyway but when I really got to know you I fell in love with you."

She smiled, "You wanted me?"

He laughed softly, "You really never knew did you?" He pulled her hand to him, making her gently cup him. "That’s how bad I want you Willow Rosenberg."

She began to rub him softly, lightly working his length through his leather pants. She smiled as his eyes closed and he moaned. She unbuttoned his blue silk shirt softly kissing his chest and lower stomach as she undone each button. As she pulled the shirt off of his chiseled upper body he pulled her in for a rough passionate kiss. She was rubbing her hands up and down his back and his hands were squeezing her ass. Abruptly he pushed her away, "We can’t do this."

"What?" she asked, shocked and hurt. "Did I do something wrong? If I did Angel tell me please and I won’t do it again."

He stopped at her words, the sorrow tearing him apart. "Willow, it’s not you. It’s me."

She sat on the bed, her knees up to her chest. "That’s a nice way of saying thanks for the fun but I’ve got better people to do."

He laughed out loud at her comment causing her to glare at him hatefully. He got his laughter under control and knelt in front of her, "Willow, you’re a virgin."

"How’d you know?" she screeched.

"Willow, trust me, I know. I also know that you’ve waited for just the right guy to come along to give that up to and I am not that guy."

She stood, rage flaming in her eyes, "Who the hell are you to tell me who the right guy is or is not? You don’t make that call I do!" He walked to her and was abruptly slapped in the face. His eyes tinged gold and he growled. "Go ahead bite me! Bet you don’t even want to do that!"

He grabbed her wrists and pinned her against the wall, his features still normal, "Listen to me!" She struggled to get away but he tightened his grip. "Willow, you don’t understand. I want to be with you! Nothing would make me happier but you could never be happy with me." She started to protest but he silenced her, "I could never take you out during the day. Go for walks and watch the sunset or even sunrise. I couldn’t give you the family you want so much Willow and that would only cause you heartache. I will not be the cause of that."

"Angel," she sighed. "All I want, all I need is you. You make me complete. I don’t care about sunsets or sunrises. As for walks on the beach, it’s a lot better at night. No hot sun burning your skin and no crowds. The family thing, I can deal with but I can’t deal with not having you!"

Tears escaped from Angel’s eyes, "You are something Willow. You’re willing to give up happiness to be with me."

"Angel, you are my happiness! Now are you going to brood or make love to me?" she teased.

"Oh," he kissed her neck, "I think," kissing her jaw line, "the making love thing," kissing her lips passionately, "Is definitely going to happen."

She unbuckled his belt and his pants quickly dropping them to the floor. He gently unfastened her teddy and slid it and her stockings to the floor. Soon they were both nude and exploring each other’s bodies. He gently slid his fingers in he moist opening causing her to moan into his mouth. As she adjusted to the feel of his finger in her she gently explored his shaft, stroking it up and down. He pulled her hand away and carried her to the bed. Laying her down he spread her legs with his knee; she was glistening, begging him to enter. He lowered his head and tasted the juices flowing from her. Her legs tried to snap shut but he held them apart, "Relax kitten, I’m not going to hurt you. If you want me to stop just tell me." He waited a moment, "Do you want me to stop?"

"No, please don’t stop." With that he went to work on her clit flicking it with his tongue as his finger played with her slick walls. When he felt her began to tense he slid two more fingers in her and sucked on her rose relentlessly. He was rewarded with and explosion from her first orgasm. He continued to lick and tease until she was no longer trembling. Making his way back up her body he kissed her lips. "Make love to me puppy," she pleaded.

He lowered himself so that his hard shaft grazed the out side of her moist slit. He rubbed his head against her sensitive area and moistened it. As he slid himself into her he whispered, "I love you little one." She cried out in pain at his size as it took her innocents. He stayed still allowing her to adjust to him. When she loosened her grip on him he began to rock slowly back and forth sending chills up and down her spine. She’d never felt the type of pleasure that flooded her body and mind. This was perfect. They were meant to be and she knew it. She wrapped he legs around him urging him to speed up the pace and he obliged. He kissed her pert breast as he rolled the other’s nipple in between his fingers. She arched her back at the pleasure almost sending him over the edge. He raised his head, concentrating on not coming nearly loosing his battle as she licked his neck and chest. He wasn’t going to last long. He pulled her head back exposing her neck. She gave him a knowing look as he began to kiss her neckline, the other hand playing with her clit. She had reached orgasm, her body milking his shaft. Pleading for it to empty inside her. He sank his fangs into her neck as he orgasmed. It was the most powerful orgasm he’d ever had. Something about them being together was just, right.

He rolled off of her, "Wow."

He laughed, "Wow doesn’t cover it kitten. That was amazing. Your amazing."

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