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(a)
Willow smiled up at Angel, "Angel I am so happy to see you, are you back for long or is this a flying visit" Angel couldn't help but smile back at her, her grin being infectious. "I'm moving back, Los Angelus doesn't need me anymore, so I've come back to dear old Sunnydale" He took an unneeded breath as if to emphisise the point. "Smell that fine hellmouthy air" he smiled again in amusement. Willow looked mildly shocked, "Angel, did you make a joke" He looked down at her "hmmm I think I may well have done."
They were standing in the Magic Box waiting for the rest of the scooby
gang (plus Spike) to turn up. Willow was happy for the first time in the
weeks since Tara had unceremoniously dumped her for a more normal witch.
She still had trouble understanding how a witch could ever be 'normal'
but apparently they could, and she was just not normal enough. Spike had
been there for her through it all. A true friend, which had surprised her
at first, but now she took it as second nature that he had become her best
friend, replacing Xander quite effectively. Not that the Xan-man had noticed..
He was too busy being in love. She didn't begrudge him the happiness he
had found in
Anya though, and had in fact became quite good friends with the ex-demon.
(b)
The door to the shop jingled signalling Buffy's arrival. She was busy trying to get dust out her hair so she didn't notice that Willow was not alone. "Stupid Vamps, have to go get all dusty and.. "
She gave up in disgust "Will, Share my pain, this is a new top, and look, all ruined by vamp dust" Then she noticed that beside her friend stood a piece of tall dark and brooding. After the initial shock of well Angel she grinned up at him before lightly punching him, "Hey Mister, We weren't expecting you until tomorrow, where are the others.." She peered round to see if Cordy or Wesley were hiding behind hos expansive back, but no, it appeared as if him and Willow had been alone. Alone, Buffy did a quick double take, taking in willow's sparkling eyes and almost adoring gaze in Angels direction. She almost groaned. Not that she didn't want the best for Willow, because she did, it was just she had been there before and where it was, wasn't friendly.
She wasn't jealous, at least not really, she was happily attached to Riley and was even contemplating settling down and raising little iowa girls and boys.. maybe moving to someplace quieter, like Cleveland. Then she'd remember that no, she was the slayer, life expectancy minus 5 years.
So it wasn't jealousy, she just
didn't want to see her friend go down the same road she had been on, She
didn't think Willow would survive the scarring process. And there was another
matter too, which she had promised to keep in the utmost secrecy. But looking
at the pair of them standing there, smiling at each other, she realised
that it may be too late.. the beginnings of love stirred in their eyes.
Well if it was going to happen, Willow would need a friend. Role
firmly in mind she sat down next to her ex and her best friend.