July 1998
"They can't die."
Giles glanced at the forlorn face in front of him. She was trying to be brave, but the look of despair in her eyes betrayed her thoughts. She was scared.
"Willow. We'll try. We'll save them."
"We have to" she said softly.
It had been thirteen hours since her friends had been taken. They had all gone to face a demon expecting an easy win. Buffy had been too confidant. Now, the demon had them all. Willow had been late that night. They had left without her. So, they were all facing death while she was feeling guilty that she wasn't with them. Buffy....Oz...Cordelia...Xander...all four of them had been taken. The summer had been rather demon free, causing them all to grow lax in their training. She should be with them. She had to save them.
"Do you know how to kill it?"
"Yes, though I doubt that will do us any good. He was able to capture all four of them. I'd say our small force of two would pale in comparison."
"We have to try. I'd rather die trying than leave them to be sacrificed on the full moon."
"I know" Giles said softly.
He had the same thoughts. Not only had they not destroyed the demon, they had given him his needed sacrifices. It had not been a good situation overall.
"We need Buffy. Spike's back. I heard some of the boys talking about his reappearance. He plans to paint the town red. We can't fight him alone."
"Good grief. Will we ever have any good news?"
"I doubt it." Willow said, her voice forlorn. "Good things rarely happen in Sunnydale."
"You're right."
"I'll go home and write a goodbye note, just in case I don't make it back. I wouldn't want my parents to worry next time they make it back into town."
"We can do this" Giles said, trying to reassure not only Willow but himself.
"I hope so." Willow said softly. "I'd do anything to save them. They are my only true family. I'd better go before it gets too late. I'll be back soon and we can think of a plan of attack. See you soon."
Giles smiled at the girl as she left. He had to save his slayer and the others. He should have been with them. If they were going to die, he would die trying to save them.
***
Three Days later
Buffy stumbled into the library, holding her arm. The others were behind her. Xander was bleeding from a wound above his eyes. Cordelia was limping slightly. Even Oz was bleeding from a bad cut on his leg. They sat down and sighed collectively.
"Giles!" Buffy said smiling as he watcher left his office. "We survived."
He looked at them, trying to smile. "I see that."
"I don't know what happened. There was this group of guys that broke into the warehouse. Before I could figure out what they were doing, that demon was dead and they were gone. We were able to get loose and came straight here." Buffy went over the events with her watcher.
"Well, that's rather unusual. You don't know who the gang was?"
"Didn't recognize them....but I got the strangest feeling that at least one of them was a vampire. I don't know. I haven't eaten in a few days so I'm probably going crazy."
"Food?" Xander said softly. "I could use food."
"I just need a shower." Cordelia said, glancing at her dirty clothes.
"Hey" Oz said quietly. "Where is Willow?"
Giles froze, his face closing up. "She left Sunnydale."
"What?" all four voices screamed.
He nodded. "She had to leave. She felt that it was time to move on. She left yesterday."
"No" Buffy said, shaking her head. "Wills wouldn't desert us like that. What happened?"
"I encouraged her to leave. You could have all died Buffy. That may be your destiny but it isn't theirs. She had to go. There wasn't a choice. If you will excuse me." he stood, his face still stoic. "I am very glad you made it out alive."
They sat there in stunned silence. Willow was gone. Giles walked into his office, shutting the door. He felt his face collapse. He moved to the laptop that Willow had insisted he buy. He typed in an address.
'They all made it out alive. They know you left but they don't know the truth. Please be safe. If you need anything, you know how to contact me. Giles'
He hit send before sitting in his chair and allowing the tears to fall.
**********
July 1998
Willow read the email and smiled. They had made it out alive. She was so glad. She was almost surprised that Buffy had made it. She'd had her doubts. She closed her lap top and set it on the floor. Getting out the bed, she stretched and yawned. She was tired. It had been a long three days. She had no idea where she was. She thought it was Texas but she wasn't sure. She had slept most of the day only waking up when it was time to stop.
She sat on the chair in front of the mirror and began brushing her hair. She had just had it cut and was still not used to its length. She would find herself brushing the air thinking it was still her hair. She had quite a bit to get used to it seemed. She had left Sunnydale. Written a brief note to her parents and taken off. She had not planned on that turn of events. Buffy and the others were safe though. She knew they would eventually forgive her for leaving.
She knew how hard it must be for Giles right then. He had almost cried when she had left. She already missed her mentor. She was glad that he knew the truth though. Without his help, she didn't know what she would have done. She hoped he didn't blame himself for what had happened. She owed him so much for what he had helped her do. She would have to send him a letter and make sure he knew that it had been her choice. She easily could have said no and risked letting the others die. She had said she would have done anything to save them. She had meant that.
She closed her eyes and continued brushing her hair. It was still wet from the shower. She normally would have blow dried it, but the threat of a cold didn't seem so dire right now. She heard the door to the motel room open. She looked up, watching him move. Hers. Suddenly, she smelled food and smiled. She was so hungry. She put the brush down and waited.
"Here you go luv. Best I could do."
A container was placed in front of her. She sniffed the air, feeling her hunger increase. "I'm sure it is fine." she said, opening the container. She quickly ate the contents, enjoying the taste. "Lovely."
She saw the brush picked up and felt it in her hair. His hands caressing her hair after he slid the brush through. She looked into the mirror out of habit. It was so odd to not see her reflection anymore.
***********
April 1999
"Good lord. We graduate in a month." Xander said, awe in his voice.
"I know. Have you seen those horrible gowns they're making us wear? That awful shade of red and yellow. Yuck. I may have to skip the whole ceremony. I look awful in that thing."
"Geez Cor. Let's think about the important things." Buffy said, rolling her eyes.
"Hey, someone has to think about it." Cordelia said.
"It seems weird to be graduating without Willow. I never imagined it without her." Xander said softly, looking at the chair that had remained empty since last summer.
"Me either. She'd be proud of you."
"You think?" Xander asked smiling. "I worked my ass off for those grades. Thought if she knew that I was graduating without her help, she might come home."
"She's not coming back" Cordelia said. She saw them look at her. "What? None of us have heard from her. Not a note. Not a phone call. Nothing. I'd say that meant she didn't want to be here."
"I know" Buffy agreed. "I just wish I knew what really happened. Giles gets all misty eyed whenever I even mention her name. There is something he didn't tell us."
"I agree" Oz said.
"Well, we won't find out unless it really important. I doubt that it is. She probably got a scholarship somewhere and decided to leave." Xander said softly. "I just wish she had called."
"I'm sure she's fine" Cordelia said, smiling at her boyfriend.
"Thanks" He said smiling in return.
Giles came in from his office. He had heard their conversation. He was glad they had decided to let the matter drop.
"Buffy"
"Yeah G?"
"Must you call me that?"
"Yes"
"Fine. Could you ask Angel to contact me."
Buffy looked at her watcher curiously. Angel had come back from hell at the end of last year. He'd been heart broken over what he had done. She had been his friend, but their love had died when he had lost his soul. After Christmas, he had moved to LA to fight evil and redeem himself, once again. Giles and Xander had both been relieved to see him go. Now, her watcher wanted him to call him. She wondered what it was about.
"Sure. I talk to him every week. He's loving the city."
"Yes, well, that's nice. I'll expect to hear from him soon then." Giles smiled and went back to his office.
"What's up with that?" Xander asked.
"I dunno. Probably needs a book or something." Buffy said, frowning. "Speaking of which, we have finals to start getting ready for."
They all groaned as they opened their books.
**********
Willow opened her eyes and looked at the man sleeping beside her. A tender smile touched her lips as she watched him sleep. He looked so innocent in his sleep. His hair was getting a bit longer. She couldn't understand why, if they were dead, their hair still grew. Hers was past her shoulders. She ran her fingers along his blond locks. One blue eye opened.
"Caught you pet." he said smiling lazily.
"Sorry. I just like to look at you."
"Don't be sorry. I like looking at you too." he caught her hand and kissed her palm.
"Giles said that they are all graduating."
"I should care why?"
"Be nice." she scolded him.
"I am. Too nice. If the boys could see what a sap I've become...." his voice trailed off as his eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Not a sap. Just morally responsible."
He groaned. "Why did I let you talk me into letting you keep your soul? If I hadn't, we could have painted every town red..."
"You love my soul" she reminded him.
"Forgot that. Guess I answered my own question." he said as he kissed her.
She moved in closer, running her hand over his chest.
**********
May 1999
Buffy rolled her eyes and looked at Xander. "Did not."
"He did too. I swear." Xander said smiling.
"I don't see Giles as being the type to read smutty letters" Cordelia pointed out.
"All I know is that he was reading something. When I came in, he started to blush and stutter. He put what ever it was in his book and went into his office. It had to be smut."
"You think?" Buffy asked, knowing that it had to be something that Giles didn't want Xander to see. She was curious.
"Uh oh...I see the wheels turning." Cordelia said dryly.
"You say he put it in his book? Wonder if it is still in his office...."
"Why don't we take a look?" Xander said smiling.
"The faculty meeting will last another hour" Oz said.
"Enough time. You keep a look out. I'll see if I can find anything."
Buffy went into Giles office, thankful that he didn't lock the door. She saw a book on his desk. Actually, she saw three books. She reached for the first one and shook it. Nothing fell out. She repeated the step with the second book. Nothing. Third ones the charm....She found it.
She walked back into the library.
"It's a birthday card." she said, laughing as she read the writing.
"I didn't know it was Giles birthday." Cordelia said.
"Guess that's why he was so nervous. Must be afraid of getting old" Xander said.
"Who's it from?" Oz asked.
"I don't know. Some people named Anne and William. Just a brief note inside that says, Doing well. Will call on the big day. Happy Birthday, dear friend. Anne misses you. That's it. Looks like a guy's handwriting. Must be someone from the council or maybe from his Oxford days."
"Well, we need to plan a party." Cordelia said, smiling at the idea of a party.
"Great. Damn, I have to buy a gift." Buffy went back into the office and slipped the card back into the book.
"I'll come with you" Cordelia said. "I have no idea what to buy him."
"Why don't we all go and get him something nice" Oz said.
"Sounds like a plan." Buffy said as they all left the library.
**********
October 1999
"Giles, come in." Angel said, moving away from the door.
Giles smiled politely as he walked inside. He glanced around the house.
"Lovely." he said truthfully. It was a nice two story house.
"Big" Angel said smiling as he shut the door. "Twelve bedrooms. I don't know where she found it."
"How far is it to LA?"
"Only about an hour. We go to town every weekend. I kept the place there for our visits. This is home though."
"Thank you for having me." Giles said honestly. He had had to lie to Buffy and the others but he had made it.
"No problem. She's been driving us mad since she found out."
"GILES!" The familiar voice called.
Giles looked up and smiled. Willow ran down the stairs, her arms going around him.
"It's been too long" she said softly.
"Yes it has." he agreed.
"'ello watcher"
Giles pulled away and looked at Spike. He hated his old enemy but he also was indebted to him. He frowned. "Hello Spike."
"Will's been looking forward to your visit. Glad you finally got away from the brats."
"Yes, well. I've been looking forward to it also."
Angel chuckled as Willow smiled at him.
"Dad. Quit laughing over there."
"Dad?" Giles asked confused.
Willow beamed. "Yes. See, Spike is my sire. Angel is his sire. Technically, Angel is my grandfather but because of my binding to Spike he is also sort of like my father in law. So, I call him Dad."
Angel rolled his eyes. "Hey, what can I say? She sometimes calls me Gramps when she is trying to prove a point."
"Well, I can see that you three have settled in rather nicely."
Spike sat on the couch pulling Willow into his lap. "What can I say? I must like sappy poofs. Have one for my sire. Now, I'm married to one."
Willow hit him. "I am not a poof."
"Yes dear" he said, smiling and kissing her.
"I think I need to sit down." Giles sat, staring at his former enemy and Willow. Angel smirked at him.
"Spike is more of a poof than I am. Whipped dog comes to mind."
"Hold your tongue Peaches. I'll rip it out of that gelled head."
"Boys" the words were said softly but with force. Both of the men looked at Willow.
"Sorry pet"
"Sorry Willow"
She smiled and turned to Giles. "See what I have to put up with everyday? So, how is everyone?"
"They are doing well. Going to UC Sunnydale. Xander and Cordelia are still dating. Oz has become involved with a former demon Anya. They are rather a strange couple but somehow fit. Buffy is happy. She's dating some TA in her Psychology class. They miss you."
"They don't know anything do they?" she asked.
"No. I've never said anything. I do have a suspicion that they have seen some of the envelopes from William and Anne. Very good idea to have Spike write those. They'd know your handwriting anywhere."
"You do understand why I can't tell them don't you?"
"Yes" Giles said nodding. "They'd blame themselves. It would be a lot for them to accept. You're happy?"
"Extremely"
"I'm glad."
"Are you hungry? We love junk food, but I bought some normal people food for you."
"That would be nice. Do you have tea?"
"Follow me"
**********
December 1999
"Yes I got it. I can't believe you found it. It has been lost for years."
Buffy looked at Xander. "Who's he talking to?"
Xander stuffed another Christmas cookie into his mouth and shrugged. "Don't know."
"He was on the phone when we got here" Cordelia said.
"He's been on there a lot since his trip to LA. Maybe he met a woman." Buffy said.
"Yuck." Xander said making a face.
"Actually, he is rather attractive for an older human" Anya pointed out. "I'd have sex with him."
"You'd have sex with anyone" Cordelia pointed out.
"Babe" Oz said softly before Anya could respond. She smiled at him, her eyes sending daggers through Cordelia.
"Yes Anne. That's right. They are. I will. Happy Holidays. Give William and your um Father my best. Take care" Giles hung up.
"Good afternoon." He smiled at them.
"That was the mysterious Anne huh?" Buffy asked.
"I spoke to William before you got here" Giles said smoothly. "Anne is his wife."
"Old friends?"
"Very good friends. Now, what did you see on patrol?"
Buffy sighed knowing he wouldn't say anything else about his friends. She was curious as to why he never spoke of them before if they were such good friends. She didn't know why, but she had a feeling he was hiding something from them.
**********
June 2000
"We have to go to Angel." Giles said, looking around at the group gathered at the table.
"What?" Buffy demanded.
"I so do not want to see Deadboy" Xander added.
Giles sighed. "We have to help him."
"What's wrong?" Oz asked.
"We don't know. William said that he is tiring out. Won't eat. Just wasting away. Anne thinks it might be a spell. They need us."
"Hold up. Your old friends know Angel?"
"They do." Giles said, rubbing his head. "I introduced them to him."
"So, we go to LA. research, save the walking dead and come home?"
"Very nicely put Cordelia."
"Who is Angel?" Anya asked.
"Buffy's old boyfriend" Oz said quietly.
"What? We have to go save your ex?" Riley asked Buffy.
"Looks that way." she said, grimacing.
"Good lord." Giles said.
Willow was worried. She wouldn't have called if she wasn't. She was going to have to face her past. He wondered if she would tell them truth. He needed to call her. Let her know they were coming.
"When do we leave?" Cordelia asked.
"As soon as possible. I'll call Anne and let her know to prepare the house"
Buffy watched Giles go. "Well, we finally get to meet Anne and William" she muttered.
"Yippee!" Xander said rolling his eyes.
"Well, we get to see LA" Cordelia remarked.
**********
June 2000
The group looked at the huge house.
"Angel lives here?" Buffy said.
The house was big. It was three story and spread out on top of a hill. There were dozens of trees covering the area around it. Buffy could see a swing hanging from one of the large tree branches.
"Twelve rooms. There is even a guest cottage in back and a swimming pool. Nearest neighbors are five miles in any direction. Beautiful isn't it?" Giles said, reaching for his key.
"Fantastic!" Cordelia said.
"You have a key to Deadboy's house?"
"Yes, Xander. It would appear that way."
"What is up with the tude dude?" Anya asked.
"Just unsure what to expect" Giles muttered. He opened the door allowing them to follow him inside.
"Wow. Cool." Could be heard as the teens took in the interior.
"Never knew brood boy had this damn good taste." Cordelia said.
"Angel?" Giles called out. He heard a noise behind him and turned.
"Spike. We got here as soon as we could."
"Spike!" Buffy yelped. "Where's my stake?"
"You could have left that chit at home" Spike said, glaring at the slayer. "Angel's sleeping. Won't eat. Been three days since we could get anything into him."
Giles saw the worry in the blue eyes. This must be serious. "Do you have any idea what happened?"
"No. He was fine one night. Next day, he threw up his breakfast."
"Let's sit" Giles said, escorting the shocked teens into the living room.
"Watcher, do you know what it could be?"
"Sounds like the flu" Cordelia remarked. "What? It does. I get all sick and can't eat at all...."
"Daft twit may have something. You think he could have a virus of some sort?" Spike asked.
"I don't know. Anything is possible. What does she think?"
"You know her. She thinks that he will be fine but is worried. She did call you after all." he glanced at the teens. "Even got them involved. She's very worried."
"I assumed that. If she had me bring them here, she must have some ideas that are scaring her."
Xander and Buffy looked at the others. "Who the hell is she?" Buffy demanded.
"Giles! Oh my god....he's dying" a soft voice said as red hair ran into the room. Giles stood and embraced Willow.
"It will be fine. We'll fix him."
"Willow?" Oz and Xander whispered.
"Anne" Buffy said, finally understanding. She looked at Spike who had moved a reassuring arm around the redhead. "William. What the fuck is going on here Giles?"
"Willow" Xander repeated, looking at her with hurt in his eyes.
Willow turned away from Giles, seeking comfort in Spike's arms.
"You've been gone for two years. The least you can do is talk to us" Buffy demanded.
"What are you all doing here?" a weak voice said from the doorway.
Giles looked at Angel and felt ill. The vampire was barely standing. His face paler than usual. His eyes were glassy.
Willow turned and ran to him, her arm going around his waist. "Dad, I told you to stay upstairs. You should be on them by yourself."
"I'm not an invalid" he said harshly.
She looked at him, "You will be if you fall down the fucking stairs. Don't take that attitude with me mister. Ask Spike, I can dish it right back out."
Spike smiled, his eyes worried. "Yes, she can. Trust me on that."
"You need to sit" Willow said, helping him walk to a chair. She felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned, her face morphing. She glared at Buffy, "Don't touch me. I'm busy."
"She's a vampire" Anya said amused at the turn of events.
"No." Buffy said shaking her head.
Willow knelt in front of Angel, "Dad. I got Giles and the others to come. They are going to make everything ok."
He smiled and ran his hand over her cheek. "You didn't have to do that for me, Will."
"What else could I do Dad? I'm not about to lose you. Who else would help me in the fights with Spike?"
"Ha, a lot of good Peaches does. I still win." Spike saw Willow look at him, her eyebrows raised. "Well, sometimes I do"
"Angel, I'll do everything I can to find out what the problem is. Do you have any ideas?"
Angel shook his head, his hand still on Willow. "None at all. Willow has been researching like mad and can't find anything."
"Giles" Buffy said softly.
He looked at them all watching the exchange and sighed. They had to know. He saw Willow's back straighten up and knew that it was time.
"Willow."
She stood and moved to sit beside Spike, her face normal again. She clasped his hand in hers as she began to talk.
"Do you remember that summer?" Willow asked.
Buffy, Oz, Cordelia, and Xander nodded. "We were taken by that demon. When we got out, you were gone."
"Giles and I were planning a rescue attempt. I went home to get my weapons and write a note to my parents. It was rather hopeless for us. We knew we wouldn't make it out alive."
"That's where I came in" Spike said. "I had been back in town a few days. Came back right when y'all were taken. I'd always had a bit of a thing for the redhead and well, I made her an offer."
"Spike promised to get you all out alive if I became his. He wanted an eternal companion, and I was the lucky girl. He said he'd let me keep my soul if I agreed. I spoke to Giles about the offer. He told me that it was my decision. I couldn't let you all die. I wouldn't have been able to live with myself, so I agreed to Spike's deal."
Giles began, "I found a curse that would restore her soul without any clauses. Spike killed her the next evening, turning her immediately. I performed the spell. You four were rescued. Anne and William were born."
"I knew that you would feel guilty for what I chose to do if I stayed. I never wanted that. So, we left."
"I took Red and we went to Texas for awhile. She missed the watcher though so we came back here."
"That's when I got involved" Angel said softly. "Giles asked me if I could help his two friends. I was rather surprised when I saw who it was, but Spike loves her. He hasn't killed anyone in years. We found this house and moved in."
"Dad found this house" Willow said smiling at Angel. "He knew that I'd love it. We've been here since. Giles has come up almost every weekend or so since last October."
"You gave your life to save us and didn't think we had the right to know?" Buffy said softly.
"You couldn't change things" Willow said, staring at her friend. "I'm happy. So happy. Spike is wonderful. I even like Dad though he can get grumpy in the mornings."
"Only when you steal the covers" Angel muttered.
Willow looked at him and smiled. "I honestly never wanted you to find out. If he hadn't gotten sick, I would have let you live peace."
"We missed you" Xander said. "Damn it, you had no right to assume we'd react badly. I missed my Willow."
"I'm not the same" she said, looking into his eyes. "I would like to still be friends, but I'm what you all fight now."
"No you aren't. You're like Angel, just less broody." Cordelia pointed out.
Spike chuckled against her neck. "She's right pet. Much less broody than Peaches."
"Will...I need time..." Buffy said, shaking her head slowly.
"Of course" Willow stood. "Come on Dad. Let's get you upstairs."
Spike glared at them. "I'll show you to your rooms. Hope you don't mind, but I put you on the opposite end of the house."
"Scared Spike?" Buffy taunted.
He smirked. "Didn't want to keep you all up all night. Ask the watcher."
Giles blushed. "Yes, he's right. The opposite end is great."
They slowly followed him up the stairs, trying to understand everything that had happened.
**********
Willow watched the car drive away. She turned to her mate and her lover.
"That was easy."
Spike chuckled. "It's never as bad you imagine pet. Though, the slayer did a bit green when she realized just deeply daddy was involved with us."
Angel glared at his childe. "Bad blood. I'm embarrassed to show my face."
"There there, Angel baby. At least you didn't waste away."
"True. I am thankful that Giles figured it all out."
"You ok Willow?" Spike asked.
"I feel better than I have in years" She remarked honestly.
After the initial hesitancy, the others had slowly begun to rebuild the friendship. She had met Anya, Oz's girlfriend and Riley, Buffy's man. Riley was very nice. She enjoyed Anya's outspokenness but knew that she would fast grow on her nerves. They had figured out Angel's problem after two days. They gang had stayed another week after, getting to know her and Spike.
"I'm glad luv. So, can we shag now?"
"You're worse than Anya." Willow said laughing.
"Am not. That girl thinks of nothing else."
"Your point?" Angel asked winking at Willow.
"Fine. Fine. I see how it is. Pick on the poor blond."
"Poor? Blond? Both of those points are open for debate."
"Red....don't make me take you." Spike said slowly smiling.
Willow yelped and headed up the stairs.
Angel laughed and shook his head as he heard her scream. Spike had found her. Kids, he thought rolling his eyes as he headed up the stairs.