Title: Protector
Author: Serendipity
Email: trekchic@usa.net
Distribution: Y'all know me. I say yes. Just ask beforehand so I know.
Disclaimer: the characters belong to Joss Whedon
Rating: PG-13 (language, violence and content)
Author's Notes: Oz doesn't exist...again (I'm SORRY!!!) and uhm..Oh, this is my take on what fourth season would be like for 'Buffy' and for the new series 'Angel'. (meaning, all of the previous seasons are fair game. I haven't seen Grad2 yet, though, so don't worry about that type of spoilage. Angel is in L.A.) Only difference: (big one) the Scooby Gang is still in high school. So, the events of season 3 took place their junior year. Oh, and lastly, for those who have read it and are wondering, this is totally unrelated to one of my other stories, When Stars Collide. :) Feedback is, as always, adored, highly appreciated, very motivational and always responded to.
Dedication: to everyone who's ever wanted to have something dedicated to them but never has, this story is wholeheartedly for you.

Part 7


Breathing heavily, Willow sprinted as fast as she possibly could. It wasn’t until she felt the sharp tug on her arm that she looked down and saw the black gloved fingers of her own hand intertwined with Angel’s. < Oh my…I don’t remember doing that. > Blushing furiously and beyond grateful for her black hood, she quickly pulled her hand out of his.

Startled, Angel looked at her, “No, I didn’t mean…” his voice trailed off. “I was just trying to tell you that we could stop running. I think we’ve lost Whistler.” He darted a glance behind himself as if to verify.

Biting her lip, Willow considered her options. < Now what? >

“Are you okay?” he asked gently.

Nodding, Willow smiled behind her mask.

He cocked his head at her and leaned in closer, trying to get a good look at the sparkling green eyes behind the thin black veil, “You sure? I saw you take a couple of hard hits back there…”

As her gaze locked with Angel’s, Willow felt for a brief instant almost as if she were falling. Shaking it off, she quickly ducked her head to break eye contact.

Stepping away as if afraid that he had offended her, Angel raked a hand through his dark hair, “Look, I just wanted to…..uhm…thank you. What you did back there…and what you’re doing now…there aren’t that many people who would. Especially after….well..after what’s happened in the past.”

Shyly, she looked back up at him and was surprised at the naked gratitude and admiration that shone in his eyes. < What happened to cryptic guy? >

Pacing uncomfortably, he tried vainly to express his feelings, something he was never good at to begin with. “I can’t say that I know why you’re here doing what you’re doing but I just want you to know that I’m indebted to you for it. I mean that. By my word.”

Swiftly he crossed over to her and took her hand again in his as if sealing an oath. She wondered at the sudden warmth that flowed through the leather separating them.

Shaking her head graciously, she backed away, trying to signal that he didn’t owe her anything.

Unfortunately, he took it as a sign of discomfort and quickly dropped her hand.

< Note to self. Miming doesn’t work. > Willow suppressed a forlorn sigh as she glanced at her empty hand. < What I wouldn’t give for a keyboard.... >

< Note to self. No touching. It makes her nervous. > Angel stored the information in his head for further examination at a later date.

“Anyway,” he continued after a brief pause, “I also want to apologize for the email I sent you. I mean, you must already know a lot about me....”

Carefully, she nodded her head in understanding.

“What I wrote was obviously...abrupt.” He sighed, “Trust isn’t something I give too freely. I’ve lived too long for that. It isn’t an excuse but more of an explanation. I…apologize.”

There was an odd quality to his voice when he spoke the words that almost made Willow’s heart ache for him.

“I want you to know, though,” He continued obliviously, “That I do trust you. Not just because of what you’re supposed to do but of what I’ve seen you do. I only wish there was some way I could repay…” he stopped suddenly, his well-honed powers of observation finally catching up with his emotionally muddled mind, “You haven’t said anything since we got here, have you?” he asked slowly.

Panicking slightly, Willow shook her head. < Uh oh. >

“So you want to keep your identity a secret, then?” Carefully, Angel struggled to keep the disappointment out of his voice. Deep down, he couldn’t help but feel a small sense of personal rejection over her decision. For some reason, it matter that she trusted him as well.

< Do I? > She had never really thought about it before, but then, she never really thought she’d find herself talking to Angel so soon. < What if revealing who I am messes up everything Whistler tried to put together? > At the thought of the demon, Willow couldn’t help but feel a minor degree of guilt over her actions…not to mention a fair amount of trepidation over how he would respond once she got home.

Patiently, Angel waited for a response.

“So then, like, I said, ‘no way’ and he was like, ‘way’ and I was like ‘NO WAY’, but he swore it was true!” grabbing another carrot stick, Cordelia inspected her toes while absent mindedly twirling the phone cord around her finger < time for another peticure… >

Silently, a shadow moved from the far end of her apartment.

Pausing, the brunette shook her head at the receiver, “No, I totally couldn’t say that to his face but yeah he could do SO much better. Maybe you should tell him. Like, tonight, after the show, we should go to-,” her voice choked off into a soft shriek as the shadow emerged into her field of vision.

Crossing his arms over his chest, Whistler stared at her coldly.

“Uh..no, I’m fine, Abby.” Cordelia returned her attention shakily to the phone, “I-it was just this way weird thing on TV. I think I have someone on call waiting. I’ll go get rid of them and call you back in a sec, okay?”

Placing the receiver into its cradle, she eyed the demon angrily. “What the HELL is it with you people not using doors? How many times have I told you that it scares the shit out of me when you do that? I’ll have you know that I carry pepper spray and if you keep sneaking up on me, I’m not responsible for any accidents that may-,”

“Where are they, Cordelia?” he spoke the phrase through gritted teeth.

Pausing for a second, she gazed back at him in sincere confusion, “What?”

“Willow. Angel. Where. Are. They?” He repeated slowly.

“They’re missing?” realization dawned on her, “Oh…”

Rolling his eyes, he tried hard not to start yelling, “No, Cordelia, they’re not missing. I just came over here to talk to YOU because Willow is really safe back at home and I just secretly love your company.” He deadpanned.

Raising an unimpressed eyebrow, she sniffed indignantly, “You know, Whistler, sarcasm SO doesn’t look good on you.”

Turning, she went into the kitchen, “Honestly, I don’t know where the hell they are. I can’t say I’m as devastated as you are that they’ve gone off together, but I really don’t have a clue.”

“You? Clueless? No….” the demon followed her.

“You know, if you want to use me as a scapegoat for your anger over the fact that they both screwed over your rules and dissed your ‘God complex’, then that’s fine. Make it fast, though, because it’s nearly 10:30 and I am going out.” Sticking her head into the fridge, she pulled out a diet coke, “Want a soda?”

Exasperated, he shook his head, “Listen, I-,”

They were interrupted by the sound of a doorbell.

“See?” Cordelia smiled triumphantly, “There’s someone at the door. Someone who obviously respects other people’s homes and doesn’t come in through the wall like OTHER people I know.” Haughtily, she stalked over to see who it was.

Unlocking the multitude of locks, she finally managed to pull it open.

“Oh, hello Cordelia! I-I’m sorry to bother you so late at night…”

It took every fiber of her being not to go with her instincts and slam the door shut again out of sheer panic. She felt like she was going to be sick.

“Giles…hi.” She smiled at him weakly. “Long time no…see.”

“Y-yes, quite.” Nervously, the librarian stared past her into the apartment, “Cordelia, I do hate to be an imposition, but you see, I’m here on official business and it appears that, through some odd stroke of bad luck, the Watcher’s Council is unable to…tap in to any of it’s…monetary assets.”

Trying very hard not to start laughing, Cordelia managed her best sympathetic nod. < So..someone’s credit cards got deactivated, huh? Score one for Whistler! >

“S-So,” Giles continued obliviously, “I-I was wondering, Cordelia, if it w-wouldn’t be too much of an imposition for us to stay here with you until tomorrow when we can straighten this whole mess out…” His cheeks burning, he looked at her hopefully.

< ‘Us’? > Cocking her head to one side, she stood up slightly on her toes to see past the Watcher, < Oh….*that* us…. > Behind him, about 20 other men stood out down out in the hallway, looking in various directions, leaning against the wall and trying to look casual.

“If it’s too much of a bother…,” Giles began again.

Spotting a particularly good looking young Watcher in the back, Cordelia quickly cut him off quickly, “No bother.” “Oh…” his face brightening slightly, he managed a small smile, “Well, that’s very generous of you, Cordelia. We’ll be happy to pay for food and lodging and such..”

“No.” She shook her head, “No need to pay, Giles, I’m more than happy to do my part helping the f-fight the forces of evil.” Remembering Whistler in the kitchen, she started slightly, “Uh…YES, YES *GILES * YOU CAN COME IN WITH…YOUR 20 FRIENDS DRESSED IN TWEED.” She came close to yelling. < *Please * make him be gone… >

Staring at her oddly, the librarian slid past her into the apartment, “Uhm…thank you, Cordelia.”

“Yeah, just throw your stuff in the living room. It’s the second door on the left.”

Smiling like the gracious hostess her mother had taught her to be, Cordelia greeted all of the Watchers warmly.

“Oh, wow, this place is just awesome.”

Slowly directing her gaze downwards, she stared into the eyes of a skinny 13 year old girl.

“Yeah, bitchin digs,” A second girl joined the first.

“Laura, what have I told you about using that type of language?” The harried young Watcher stared at her reproachfully while stumbling through the door carrying what had to be about 20 bags from Disney World.

“Bastard…” she muttered under her breath.

“Oh hey, who are you?” Cordelia asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

“I’m Laura, this is Robin, Hilary, Tracy, Jessica, Teri, Eliz, Carrie, JR, Emma and Heather.” She pointed at her companion and the other 9 girls who had appeared out of seemingly nowhere.

“We’re Vampire Slayers.” Eliz explained helpfully.

“In training…like, not for real yet.” Jessica supplied.

“Nice shoes!!” Heather piped up cheerfully.

“Got anything to eat?” Hilary asked.

Her mouth slightly agape, Cordelia nodded and pointed at the kitchen.

“Cool! I’m starved.” Carrie scampered off, “You guys coming?”

“Yeah.” A chorus of 9 voices responded.

“Oh baby, someone really owes me for this.” The brunette muttered under her breath while still staring vacantly ahead.

“Fuck food, you got any good shit on TV?” Laura smiled up at her.

The awkward silence grew as Willow tried to make a decision. On one hand, she wanted to just tear the mask off of her head that very second. Unfortunately, she was also deathly afraid of what would happen next. Would he be able to deal with the idea of being protected by the mousey teenager that he himself had had to save numerous times in the past? Would he be disappointed after she showed her true face? Would he feel cheated? Was she really even good enough to reveal who she was? Before she could begin to address all of the questions swimming in her head, Angel spoke.

“Don’t worry. I understand.” He said simply, pushing his own feelings aside. < She’s fighting to save my life. I have no right to question her decisions. >

It was as if a burden had been lifted off of her chest and Willow sighed in relief.

“I-I can take you home, if you want.” He continued helpfully before realizing his mistake, “Or, if you don’t want me to know where you live, I can just walk you to the end of the park.”

Pausing to ponder his offer for a moment, Willow nodded her head vigorously in acceptance.

“Well then, let’s go.” Forgetting himself, he offered her his hand.

Pausing shyly, she quickly grabbed it when he started to withdraw. The confused frown on his face gave her pause and, unable to resist, she reached forward, gently brushing her fingertips along his lips until she reached the corners. Applying light pressure, she forced them upwards until his mouth quirked into smile on its own.

“Thanks.” He said softly. Taking her hand more firmly, they walked out of the darkness together.

< There’s something nice about mystery. > Willow thought happily, trying hard to suppress the urge to start skipping alongside the vampire.

Although she wanted nothing more than to be able to talk to Angel without having to hide who she was behind a hood, there was still a part of her that was holding back. A part of her that still felt she wasn’t worthy enough to stand without it.

Not yet at least.




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