The next month passed uneventfully for Willow and before she knew it, people and other creatures around the office were beginning to talk about their holiday plans.  She was looking forward to a little time off herself.  It hadn�t taken long for the lawyers of the firm to realize that Willow was the one to go to when you wanted something done quickly and done right.  She cast protective spells for some who had meetings scheduled with unpredictable clients.  Others needed weapons enhanced or potions made. Occasionally, she had a hard time sleeping at night, wondering just what she�d helped Wolfram & Hart dispose of.  In her contract there was a clause that prevented anyone from asking her to harm a human being, but from plenty of personal experience, she understood that not all demons were evil. 

She knew that her colleagues from the former Angel Investigations dealt with the same kind of internal conflicts every day.  Still, she had her almost nightly battles with confirmed evil demons to ease her mind.  That part of her routine with Angel hadn�t changed.  He continued to keep her informed of each new threat and often asked her to come along on his demon hunts, which she was always happy to do.  They had saved each other�s lives at least a half dozen times just in the previous three weeks.  On a few occasions, when they weren�t too exhausted, or covered in offensive substances, they had gone out for a cup of coffee to celebrate a victory. 

In spite of everything, Willow liked spending time with Angel outside of work.  Once he had cut down on his attempts to win her back and accepted the fact that she would be the one to decide when the time was right for them to try a relationship again, things had been a lot less awkward between them. 

On one particularly slow night, Willow had even accepted his invitation to dinner at his apartment.  They�d had a pleasant, platonic, evening with Spike in attendance to chaperone.  She�d been impressed that Spike had been so well-behaved, hardly aggravating Angel at all.  In fact he�d been downright complimentary of the other vampire, and brought up topics of conversation in which he knew Angel was well versed.  It amused Willow that while Angel had ceased trying to woo her, Spike apparently had not. She figured he must have decided on a new purpose for his existence after all. 

 Angel had justified his invitation by saying that his pots and pans were getting rusty from disuse, as were his cooking skills.  Willow had feared an ulterior motive to the time alone with Angel, but that night she found herself back at her apartment, having passed the entire evening with no such motive making an appearance.  She was pleased to see Angel keeping all of his promises to her.  He had not once pressured her into moving back to the penthouse or spending any more time with him than what she was comfortable with.  Neither did he ignore her in any way. His subtle presence in her life was just right to convey his continued interest and devotion to her. 

She kept her eyes and ears open and found that he flatly refused any and all advances by other females, both at work and during his extracurricular life saving excursions.  Flowers continued to show up in her office about twice a week.  Willow now had quite a collection of little cards in her bedside table drawer.  Now and then when the insomnia struck her, and even Luna�s purrs from the foot of the bed couldn�t ease her mind enough to make her drop off, Willow took out these little cards and read through them.  Invariably, she would be filled with the warmth of Angel�s distant love and then, comforted, sleep would come to her.

In fact, Angel was doing nothing less than she expected from him.  He was her love, even if they weren�t together at the moment.  He said he would do anything for her and he proved it over and over, every day that they were apart.  During their battles against the demons of LA, she trusted him with her life without a second thought.  He�d proved himself worthy of that trust years ago when he�d first started saving her life, and the lives of her friends.  Now, though, she wondered, hadn�t he proved that he could be trusted with her heart?   She wanted to give it to him and he wanted it, that much was clear, so what was the problem?  The conclusion: there wasn�t one. 

It was Sunday night, mid-December.  Willow put the last of the little flower cards back in the drawer and lay down on her bed, clicking off the shaded lamp that sat on the table.  She smiled to herself in the dark and snuggled down in the blankets, warmed by the words on the cards as much as the fluffy comforter.  Angel was going to have a very nice Christmas this year.  That, she decided, would be when she told him she was ready to try again. 

~~   

�I�m just saying you should let someone tell him, is all,� Spike said, appealing to Willow�s sensible side. 

�I still don�t think it�s a good idea.   If he knows what she is, it could throw off the whole balance of power here, and I�m not ready to accept the potential consequences for that.�  Willow had been having the same conversation with Spike at regular intervals since she�d clued him in on Eve. 

�He�s already proved he�s not looking for a repeat performance of Halloween, so why won�t you help him out a little?  He could act like he doesn�t know.�

�Look, Spike, it�s like Fred says, why disturb the peace?  She�s not causing any trouble for us right now, so why would we want to stir it up?�

�Not causing any trouble?  Wasn�t that her in here not a half hour ago telling you this was your last chance to change your mind about that enhancement business?  Sounded troublesome enough to me!  I think you should at least tell Angel she�s been threatening you.�

�I can handle Eve myself.  What am I gonna do?  Run and tell the boss she�s not playing nice?  Right, cause that won�t look petty and jealous!�  Willow shook her head and turned away from Spike trying to imply that the conversation was over.  It always went the same way.  He tried to insinuate that the only reason Willow wouldn�t tell Angel about Eve is because she wanted to see if he was really attracted to her before she gave him a good reason not to be.  That wasn�t it at all though, at least not anymore.  Now that she had waited so long to say anything, she didn�t want to tell him because that would require admitting that she�d kept it from him all this time. 

Why Spike was so eager to let him in on the secret was anybody�s guess.  Perhaps he was just bored and wanted to stir things up a bit.  That was Willow�s speculation.  That or he hoped Angel would be really embarrassed for not figuring it out himself.  Either way, Willow was in no hurry to reveal what she�d done. 

It was true that Eve had made another visit to Willow�s office and presented her with an ultimatum.  Either she came willingly and had the enhancement performed, or else.  Willow�s response was to sit quietly at her desk and magically open her door, levitate Eve out through it at a rapid rate of speed, announce that her magic was perfectly adequate, and slam the door.  Though she hadn�t attempted to reenter the office, Willow was sure she hadn�t heard the end of that.

Now she had more pressing matters at hand, such as getting rid of Spike so she could get some work done.  There were only three more days of work before the offices closed for the holidays.  Willow found it deeply ironic that an ancient evil law firm closed for the birth of the Christian savior.  Of course, it was for no such thing; they only closed in order to maintain their thin image of normalcy.  Whatever the cause, it meant time off, and Willow wanted to make sure that she didn�t have any outstanding issues left at the office to distract her during her vacation.  She had big plans for herself and Angel.  It was practically killing her not to let Spike in on her intention of getting back together with Angel, but she was too afraid he would spoil the surprise.

She would invite him to her apartment for a quiet evening.  They would have dinner, she�d even preordered some blood from the meat market to make sure she had a fresh batch to pick up the day before, and then they would exchange gifts.  She found a hand-blown, red glass heart, about the size of the palm of her hand, and had her name written in gold paint across the front.  She would give it to him, all wrapped up in a pretty red box, and tell him she was trusting him with her heart.  That�s when she would reveal that they were sitting beneath some strategically placed mistletoe.  How the rest of the evening would play out was kind of a blur in her mind but always seemed to include a soundtrack with lots of exuberant violins. 

�Are you even listening?� 

Oh, right.  Spike was still in her office.  �Do you think we could talk about this later, I�m kinda busy.�

Spike stood up and threw his hands in the air.  �Oh, sure there might not even be a later for you, if a certain evil bitch has her way, but don�t let me keep you from your precious work!�  He did leave her alone, finally, and Willow tried very hard to keep her mind on the precious work and not let it wander too far into the future where she so desperately wanted to be.

After a couple more hours of writing up her report on the case of the body part harvesting demons, which had just been wrapped up that very week, Willow told herself that if she was going to be successful with plan, �Get Back with Angel�, she�d better issue the invitation before someone else asked him to join their festivities.

It was just about time for lunch anyway so she felt justified in taking a break.  Heading down the hall, she noticed the utter lack of holiday decoration, in sharp contrast to Halloween when there had been pumpkins and black cats, real ones, around for weeks in advance.  Being Jewish and pagan, Willow didn�t have much use for the religious implications of Christmas, but she never turned down an excuse to have a little fun and give gifts. 

As Willow put her hand on the doorknob to let herself in to Angel�s office, an indignant voice asked, �Can I help you?�

She turned, startled to see Harmony at her desk for a change, apparently determined to play the good secretary and screen her boss�s visitors.  �Harmony, it�s just me.  I want to see Angel.  He�s in, isn�t he?�

�I�ll check and let him know you�re here.�  She brushed past Willow and shut the door in her face as she entered the office beyond.  Waiting none too patiently, Willow wondered what had brought on this spurt of good behavior.  Her eye wandered over the secretary�s desk where she saw, spread out amid numerous unicorn figurines, a Bloomingdales catalogue and a sheet of paper with several lists of items, each apparently contingent on a speculated value for her Christmas bonus.

Willow placed one hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle as Harmony emerged and held the door for her.  �Angel will see you now,� she announced. 

Angel smiled warmly as she walked towards his desk.  He gestured her into a chair, which she gratefully accepted.  �How are you doing?� He asked.

�Pretty good, I was just thinking about the holidays.  Do you have any plans yet?�

�Sure, big plans.�  Willow�s face fell.  �I have several days of solitary brooding in the dark to catch up on.  I get breaks now and then to be annoyed by Spike.  What were you planning?�  Willow was smiling again by now, pleased that she was in time to make her offer.

�Actually, I was hoping we could do some joint brooding, say my place, 7 pm, Christmas day?  Or, I could make us some dinner and give you the special present I picked out.�  She could see she had his full attention now. 

He looked at her intently for a moment as though wanting to make sure she was serious before pouncing on the opportunity.  �I�d love to come,� he said at last. 

Willow let out the breath she didn�t know she was holding.  �Great!  See you then!  Or well, probably before then too, but definitely then also, even if not before.  You know.�  She got up and hurried out before he could change his mind.  She flashed a huge grin at Harmony, who was puzzling over the buttons of her calculator, before practically skipping back to her own office, lunch completely forgotten. 

She skipped right into Wesley who returned her contagious smile with one of his own.  �I take it you told him, then?� 

�What?  No, shhh.  Not yet!  I haven�t even told him the other thing yet!�  At his frown, she dragged him into her office and shut the door.  �I�m going to tell him I�m ready to try again on Christmas.  I thought I�d let that sink in for a while before I told him about the ritual.  I mean geez, don�t you think we should date a little before making that kind of commitment?�

�Well, yes, of course.  I trust that you know how important it is that we perform the ritual as soon as possible after you resume your relationship.  Should something befall Angel, your powers must be bound and this is the only way we know of.�

�I know, Wesley, really I do.  But come on, you�re a guy!  Don�t they get kind of scared off when you start talking about stuff like this?  It�s so old fashioned!�

�So is Angel!  He�s over 200 years old in case you forgot.  I�d think he�d be more comfortable doing things this way, if anything.� 

�Maybe you�re right.  Just give me a little time ok.  And don�t say anything to anyone else either!  I�ve waited a long time to have this, I don�t want it ruined.�

�I understand.  I leave it to you to tell him when the time is right.  I�ll be ready when you are for the actual event.�

�Thanks, Wesley.  I owe you a lot.  You�re the reason we have a chance for something real.  I promise I�ll be careful until it�s time.� 

�I know you will.�  They nodded to each other and went their separate ways. 

In her inbox, Willow found a small square envelope with just her name engraved on the front.  A smile lit her face, thinking it another card from Angel, and she sat back in her chair and took a silver letter opener from her desk.  She slit the envelope and pulled out the heavy white stationary inside.

Ms. Rosenberg,

Your presence is expected at a meeting Thursday, December 18^th at 9 am in conference room 217.  The participants in the case of Wolfram & Hart vs. The Butchers will be recognized at this time.  Refreshments will be served.

Sincerely,
W & H Staff Appreciation Committee

She frowned and turned the letter over, expecting further information.  There was none to be found.  She didn�t even know Wolfram & Hart had a staff appreciation committee.  Maybe that was something new that Angel had implemented.  The case of the Butchers, that band of demons carving up people and selling the parts for sky high prices, had been one of the tougher nuts to crack.  She liked to think she�d played a substantial role in the successful outcome of the case.  Surely getting a little recognition for once couldn�t hurt. 

The meeting was the very next day, so she�d soon find out who was responsible for this new and much welcomed policy.  In the meantime, she had other things to worry about.  Like what she was going to wear for Christmas. 

~~

With the blessing of their boss, Willow and Fred blew off the rest of the day to do some last minute shopping.  It was during this trip to the unbelievably crowded Beverly Center that Willow let Fred in on her plan.  Fred grinned and clapped her hands, excited at the prospect.  �We�ll find you the perfect dress. I don�t normally even like shopping at this time of year, but this is important.  Oh, and I want to get something nice for Wesley.  Things have been kind of weird between us lately and I want him to know that I care about him, even if it�s not in the way he�d like it to be,� she finished softly.

�Hey, that reminds me!  I�ve got to get something for Wesley too.  He did me a really huge favor so it has to be something that says thanks, I owe you big time.�

�Really?  What did he do?�

Willow, not ready to reveal that much about her future plans yet, tried to brush it off, �Oh, he helped me find a spell I�d been searching for.  I just couldn�t seem to find it so he offered to help and then sure enough, he found it.  He�s good like that.�

�Yeah he is,� Fred agreed. 

By the time they were ready to go, Willow had a gorgeous, floor-length, emerald green satin dress.  It had capped sleeves and an empire waist, both embroidered with a darker green lacy pattern.  For Wesley, Fred had decided on a long leather coat, not unlike the one he�d always admired on Angel.  Willow couldn�t seem to find anything she thought he would like at such conventional stores.  Finally, she realized she�d have to order something special and just hope it arrived in time.  She did, however, pick out gifts for Giles, Buffy, Dawn, and Xander.  She wanted to get something for Spike, he had saved her life after all, but nothing suggested itself as the ideal gift for someone without a solid body.  Anything she bought would only seem to taunt him for not being able to hold onto it.  She settled for a nice card.

Back home, she wrapped her selections in the colorful paper she�d purchased and boxed them up to ship overseas.  She knew her chances of them reaching their intended destinations in time were slim, but she�d been too busy to take care of it beforehand.  They�d understand though.  Actually, she hadn�t received anything from them either.  After moving to her apartment, she�d sent out address cards and eventually, each of her friends had written back asking how she liked LA.  Since then though, the communication had been sparse.

The next morning, Thursday, Willow stepped off the elevator with her arms full of the boxes to her friends.  They obscured her vision and she walked right into Angel who quickly relieved her of some of her burden.  �Oh, sorry Angel!  I couldn�t see where I was going.  I�m late for a meeting.�

�What�s all this?� He asked her. 

�Presents for the guys.  I�m taking them to the mailroom later.�

�I can do that for you.  I�m sort of going that way.�

�Great thanks!  See you later!�  She ran back to the elevator, and pushed the button for the second floor.  She�d never actually been to room 217, but that seemed like a logical place for it.  The elevator doors opened onto a brightly lit, if oddly quiet hall.  She stepped out and walked slowly along, pausing occasionally to look at the number above a door to see where she was.  The heels of her shoes clicked loudly on the tile floor and the sound echoed down the hall ahead of her. 

In a different time and place, Willow might have been more suspicious of this situation.  An unknown committee sending her to an unknown room was just the sort of thing that should have set off her radar.  Maybe it was just that she�d been away from the hellmouth for too long.  Or, maybe she�d survived on it long enough that she felt she could handle anything that happened and didn�t need to be particularly cautious.  Or maybe she was simply too caught up in planning her vacation and thinking about a certain tall, dark and handsome vampire.  Whatever the cause, she didn�t give a second thought to the idea that, like most things at Wolfram & Hart, this meeting was not what it seemed. 

Finally, she found the door labeled 217.  It was a gun metal gray door with no window, like all the others on this floor.  It had a lever style handle which she pressed down on and found it unlocked, as she expected.  She pushed the door open and stepped inside.  Looking up she stopped abruptly, her green eyes widening to take in the sight in front of her.  She was not in conference room at all, but in an operating room.  Standing around the steel table were not men in suits, but men in lab coats.  They held surgical instruments instead of pens and wore masks instead of ties.  Willow turned to flee just one second too late.  She felt a sting as one of the men, who�d been standing just inside the door, jabbed a needle in her arm. 

Her body went limp almost immediately, and she would have crumpled to the floor, had two more of the surgeons not come forward and grabbed her.  She was helpless to resist as they lifted her up and set her on the table.  She could not move or speak, though she was breathing normally and could open and close her eyes.  Keeping her eyes opened unfortunately meant staring directly into the powerful lamp positioned above her head.

She could not actually feel her body, but she could see her arms and legs being strapped down.  She wondered about that, since she couldn�t move them anyway, but maybe the effects of whatever they injected her with would wear off before they were done with her.  That wasn�t a particularly happy thought.  Now she heard the sound of heels clicking towards her on the tile floor.  She couldn�t turn her head to see who approached but she didn�t have to.  Eve�s face appeared in her line of sight and smiled down at her.  �Well, here we are at last.  Sorry it had to be like this, but I did give you plenty of opportunities to come willingly, wouldn�t you say?�  She laughed, a perfectly diabolical laugh.  �No, of course you wouldn�t.  Well, it doesn�t matter, you�ll have your enhancement soon enough.�

Willow�s brain raced with all the curses she wanted to place upon that head that mocked her.  She could only widen her eyes slightly, giving her a surprised look that was misinterpreted by Eve.  �What, you thought we weren�t really going to enhance your magic?  Of course we are.  But then, you�ll also be under the complete control of the senior partners.  You�ll kill who we want, when we want.  You�ll burn down entire cities if it suits our purpose.  Yes, Willow, like I�ve said from the beginning, you�re very important to us.  Even more important now than Angel ever was.  From the moment you came to us, my job has been all about you.  Bringing Angel over to our side would have been sweet, but he�s nothing compared to you.  You�re the real prize now.�

She stepped back into the shadows and Willow heard no more from her.  Now there was a loud buzzing sound near Willow�s head and all sorts of horrible images came to her of what it could be.  By rolling her eyes as far back as possible, Willow could just see one of the surgeons lifting what could only be described as a small circular saw.  Her heart was thudding painfully in her chest and her breath was coming in rapid shallow gasps, but there was nothing she could do to prevent her skull from being sawed open.

Suddenly, just as the man in the lab coat was lowering the instrument to Willow�s head, there was an enormous crash as the door to room 217 was kicked in by the angriest looking vampire any person in the room had ever had the horror to see.  He was holding a battle axe.  He rushed into the room and swung it at the man holding the saw.  The body slumped to the floor, the saw clattering as it fell from his hand, and the head rolled away into a corner.  Angel hadn�t stopped to see the outcome of his first swing.  He was too busy making his second and his third.  As he lifted the axe towards one of the two remaining men who hadn�t been able to run away yet, a voice yelled �Stop or she dies!� 

He turned slowly to see Eve holding a syringe pressed against Willow�s neck.  �This vial is full of��  She never got to finish her sentence as the blade of the axe penetrated her non-existent windpipe before coming out through her spine and crashing against the opposite wall.  Angel stood still in the spot where he�d thrown the axe and watched as her head separated from her body and then both disappeared without so much as a speck of dust to show where they�d been. 

He stalked over to the back corner of the room and lifted up the cowering surgeon hiding there by his hair.  He dragged the man over to where Willow lay on the table and demanded, �Fix her.�  When Angel let go of his hair, he hurried to find the proper tube of medicine and drew a needle full.  �If that stuff doesn�t work, not only will you die, I will kill everyone you�ve ever known,� Angel warned.  The man stared wildly at the vampire before looking into his yellow eyes and nodding his agreement. 

While he swiped Willow�s arm with an alcohol pad, Angel set about ripping the restraints from her body.  A few moments after the injection, she began to regain the feeling in her arms and legs and could wiggle her toes.  The doctor cleared his throat and once again had the unwelcome attention of the vampire.  �She might be sore for awhile, in her muscles.  And she won�t be able to walk right away.� 

Angel growled at the man.  �Go,� he ordered, and never had a human obeyed so quickly.  He turned back to Willow who was regaining more control every minute and had turned her head to look at him.

�You saved me,� she whispered. 

Looking at her, his demon retreated and he smiled.  �No, actually Spike saved you.  Again.  He was waiting for you this morning and when you didn�t come into your office, he saw the letter on your desk and came to find me.  He�s actually been in this room so he had a pretty good idea of what they were up to.�  He helped her sit up and stroked her hair, waiting for the dizziness to pass. 

�Eve?� she asked.

�She�s gone.  Spike gave me the short version of her story; maybe you�ll fill me in when you�re feeling better.  I wish you�d told me.�   She saw the hurt in his eyes.  He must think she didn�t trust him. 

�Sorry,� she managed.

�No, don�t worry about that now.  You�re safe and she�s gone.  They won�t be able to pull that trick again.  I guess since she was pretending to be human, she couldn�t really pretend to live without a head.  Let�s get you out of here.�

Angel picked up Willow and carried her in his arms like a groom might carry his bride over the threshold.  He held her tightly to him as they rode the elevator up to the penthouse.  Carefully, trying not to bang her head on anything, he maneuvered them through the apartment and into her old room where he laid her gently on the bed.  She managed to pull herself into a sitting position with some help from Angel who propped a few pillows behind her head and back.  He perched on the bed beside her.  �Can I get you anything?�

�No, just, can you stay for awhile?�

�Of course, I�ll stay as long as you want.  I�m glad you want me to stay, actually.  I feel like this is my fault.�

�How can you say that?  If I�d told you about Eve, you might have been able to get rid of her before.�

�Yeah, but if I�d trusted your intuition about her and been supportive when you wanted to investigate, then you would have felt like you could tell me what you found.  And what exactly was it that you found, and how?�

Willow told Angel the whole story, being completely honest, even about going into his office when he wasn�t there and finding the hair.  She found that she always wanted to be honest with Angel, and not just because keeping secrets had almost gotten her worse than killed.  She wanted him to know her completely.  When the truth was out, Angel could only sit there, shaking his head.  �What do you think the senior partners will do next?� She asked him.

�I don�t know what they can do.  They played the game and lost.  We�re on to them now.  As far as I�m concerned, we have the firm free and clear.  If they try anything else, we�ll be ready for them.�

Willow sat up a little more and managed to lift her arm from the bed enough to reach Angel�s hand and take it with hers.  �Angel.  I want to tell you something.  I was going to wait and do it at the right time with the nice music and the pretty dress and everything, but I almost didn�t get that chance and I�m tired of waiting.�

He leaned closer to her, a strange mixture of hope and concern playing across his features.  �What is it, Willow?�

�It�s just that I love you, and I don�t want to be away from you anymore.  It hurts and I don�t want to hurt.  I want to feel good like I do when I�m with you.  I want to feel that way all the time.�

A grin started to grow on his face, �So you�re saying��

�I�m saying,� she confirmed. 

The reached for each other and embraced in a gentle hug, Angel trying not to hurt Willow, and Willow not strong enough to give a tight hug.  When they pulled apart slightly, she tilted her face up to him and he leaned down to press his lips softly to hers.  He repeated the kiss several times and then released her.  She watched, still feeling frustratingly helpless, as he shifted her farther over on the bed so that he could lie next to her and hold her tight to his body.  Though her muscles were still not obeying her every command, Willow had regained full feeling and she relished the sense of him pressed against her. The total realization of just how badly she�d longed for that feeling and how she�d missed it hit her and she sighed contentedly.

Before she knew she�d fallen asleep, Willow was waking up, savoring the familiarity of the bed and the man she shared it with.  She turned to look at him, pleased to find that she could do so, and saw him looking down at her, watching her.  �What time is it?� She asked.

�It�s tomorrow,� he informed her. 

�It�s what!�  She sat up all the way now.  �I slept the whole day and night?  What the hell did they do to me?�

�Not as much as they wanted to.  It�s ok, you had quite an ordeal.  You needed to sleep.  See how much better you feel now?�

It was true, she felt almost totally normal after the extended rest.  Then she noticed Angel again.  He was still wearing the same clothes.  �You stayed here the whole time?�

He nodded.  �The whole time.  You asked me to stay, remember?  And I said I would, so I did.�

She reached out to put her arms around his neck and gave him a big kiss before drawing back, suddenly conscious of an unpleasant taste in her mouth, not unlike the morning breath of a hangover following a night of binge drinking.  �I, uh, think I�d like some water.  But I think I can get it,� she added quickly, seeing him move to get up.

�Well, if you can get up, I think I�d better get dressed and get downstairs.  I suppose I have a little explaining to do.� 

Willow winced at the vague memory of seeing various body parts scattered about the operating room as Angel carried her out.  They left her room and she went to the kitchen for a drink.  Carrying a glass, she moved towards Angel�s room where he was picking out a new outfit.  �I�m sorry you had to do that.  Kill people, I mean.  I know that�s��

Her words were cut off in surprise as she found herself enveloped by Angel, who she hadn�t even seen move, his arms around her waist and his lips on hers.  When he released her mouth he said, �Don�t ever be sorry.  I want you to be glad I killed them.  They were evil and tried to hurt you and I wouldn�t let them.  That�s my devotion to you.  I will NEVER let anyone hurt you.  Understand?�

She nodded, though she didn�t understand his sudden protectiveness.  �I am glad,� she told him.  Satisfied, he handed her back her glass, which she stared at, completely unable to figure out how he�d taken it from her in the first place.  Shrugging, she drained the contents and put it in the sink.

When Angel was dressed, he came out to find Willow lying on the couch looking perfectly exhausted.  Just walking around for a few minutes had sapped her energy.  �I�m going to go down there now.  You just stay here and rest.  I�ll tell everyone you�re out sick.  You might be like this for a couple of days.�  He looked away from her then and whispered.  �You could stay here until you feel better and I�ll take care of you.�

She smiled at him and forced her eyes to stay open a few minutes longer.  �That�d be nice,� she managed.

He looked at her again.  �I�ll go by your place and get you some clothes.  Do you want me to bring Luna here or just feed her?�

�Oh, bring her!  Kittens are excellent healers.  Purrs have magic in them,� she said and giggled incoherently.  Then she was asleep.

When Willow awoke, there was yet another vampire looking at her, watching her sleep. She groaned and rolled over, nearly falling off the narrow couch she�d mistaken for her bed.  �Spike, what are you doing up here?� 

�So, you told him then?�

�Who? What?�  Though the fog of sleep and drugs his words made no sense to her.

�Angel.  You told him you�d take him back.�

A little more awake now, Willow sat up.  �Yeah, how�d you know?�

�Oh, I don�t know.  Might have been the way he danced into the office.  Or maybe it was the little tune he hummed while he checked his email.  Mostly it was the great sappy grin on his face.  Hadn�t seen that look since the day after I saved your pretty neck from that Reaper bastard.�

Willow smiled at the memory of their first kiss and evening that followed.  �Yeah, I told him I�d take him back.  I was going to wait a little longer, but the time seemed right.  And you were right.  I should have told him about Eve.  I can�t believe I was so stupid.  Hey, thanks for saving me.  Again.�

�Sure thing.  Would have done it myself but I thought I�d let Angel play the hero this time.  That, and the trouble I seem to have holding an axe for more than a second or two.�  He held his fisted hands together and swung as though wielding an invisible weapon. 

Willow watched him and shook her head a tiny bit.  �I just wish there was something I could do for you, Spike.�

�That right?  Well, there is something.  Just keep Angel happy, would you?  Makes my life a good bit easier.�

�I think I can do that.  Just for you, of course, I�ll put up with the devastatingly handsome sexy vampire and devote my life to pleasuring him and keeping him happy.  My own happiness from being with him is totally secondary.�

�All right, I don�t need any details.  Just do it.  I see you�re feeling better?�

Willow stood up and stretched, testing out each limb tentatively before trusting it.  �Yeah, I think I�m good.  Still kinda tired though.�

�I�ll be going then.  Good to see you on your feet, Red.�  Spike showed himself out and left Willow to her recuperation.

Though Willow was back to normal by the end of the day, she stayed with Angel through the weekend, �just in case�.  By Monday it was clear that she was no longer in need of his attentions and they faced the uncomfortable moment where it seemed that Willow should return to her own apartment, even though neither of them wanted that to happen.  Still, it was her home and all her things were there, so she went back with the understanding that Angel was welcome there at any time, and she at the penthouse. 

The apartment seemed even lonelier than usual after the time spent in Angel�s constant company.  She puttered around, trying to enjoy her leisure time, trying out a few new recipes, reading a few books, but nothing fully took her mind off the tangible lack of Angel.  They still planned to have dinner on Christmas, though Willow felt her gift would be somewhat anticlimactic now.  Until then, they had no specific plans to see each other.  She doubted that either of them could go for three more days without spending any time together. 

So it was with little surprise that Willow answered the knock at her door around midnight that night.  There on her porch, looking a little self conscious was her longed-for lover.  �Can I come in?� He asked, more out of courtesy than a need for an invitation, which he already had.

�Of course.  What are you doing here?  Not that I�m not glad that you�re here, it�s just it�s late, which is ok too, but I�m just happy you�re here,� she finished at last.

�I couldn�t sleep,� he offered.

�Oh,� she looked down and blushed.

�I could sleep on the couch,� he said quickly, seeing her expression.  �I just thought it might be easier, with you nearby.�

She took his hand and pulled him towards her bedroom.  �Don�t be silly.  You�ll stay in here with me.  It�s not like we�ve haven�t been sleeping in the same bed for last 4 nights.�  What she left unsaid was that she was presumed to be unwell during that time and he had stayed in the bed with her to monitor her heart and breathing.  This would be sleeping together just for the sake of sleeping together.  And that sounded divine to her. 

She pulled back the covers to make room for him.  Angel was busy untying his shoes.  When he stood up, he kicked them off and started tugging at his shirt.  �Here, let me help you,� Willow offered.  If she was going to be with Angel again, she had every intention of taking advantage of all the perks that went along with that.  She lifted his shirt up, her eyes following the hem as it rose, slowly revealing the sight she craved.  When she slid it down and off of his lowered arms, he pulled her towards him, giving her gentle kisses on her lips and down her neck.  She trailed her fingers over his back, loving the feel of his skin beneath her nails. 

She stretched up and kissed his neck in return, fleetingly wondering if she would like the taste of his blood, if she were a vampire.  She could feel the muscles of his chest through the thin cotton tank top she wore, hard against her own soft body.  His hands slid down her sides and around to gently squeeze her bottom, clothed in matching cotton boy shorts to complete her pajama set.  She moved to unbutton his pants, but he quickly caught her hands in his, shifting them away.  �Get into bed,� he urged her. 

She complied and he removed his pants himself, leaving on his boxer shorts, black silk, Willow noticed.  When the pants were gone she could clearly see why he hadn�t wanted her hands in that area.  He climbed into bed next to her, pulling her back against his chest and holding her as he had done when she was sick.  He stroked her hair and whispered loving words in her ear.  Though they didn�t fool around anymore, it was a long time before either fell asleep.

They spent the next two days in each other�s constant company.  At night they stayed at Willow�s apartment and shortly before dawn they would head wherever they wanted to spend the day, since the apartment was not sun-proof.  On Christmas Eve, Angel did something that disappointed Willow for the first time since their reconciliation.  He told her he couldn�t stay with her that night, that he had �things� to take care of.  She asked if there was trouble and if she could help him but he insisted that wasn�t it. He simply had something to do and couldn�t stay.  However, he asked her to come to the penthouse in the morning, saying he would make her a nice breakfast. 

So shortly after sunset, Willow found herself alone in her apartment.  She made the most of it, seeing to all the final details for the following evening, going out to pick up the blood, ironing her dress, and cleaning up a little.  Finally, there was nothing left to do but try to get some rest.  She slept fitfully, tossing and turning in the bed that suddenly seemed to big. 

Relieved when sunrise came and she could stop pretending to sleep, she got up and dressed, eager to see Angel again.  A glance at the clock showed her it was still pretty early and she suddenly felt that she ought to call and see if it was ok to come over yet.  She wasn�t sure why she should feel like that.  Angel hadn�t told her to stay away, or mentioned a specific time to come.  Still, she gave into her instinct and dialed his number.  It seemed to take a long time for him to answer and his voice sounded strange to her.

�Yes, Willow.  Of course you can come over now.  So you�ll be here in about 10 minutes?  Sure, that would be great.  Ok, see you then.�

When she hung up, she stared at the phone trying to figure out what had seemed odd about their conversation.  Nothing that he�d said was unusual, but it was as if he was speaking for someone else�s benefit instead of hers.  Briefly, she felt a crushing pain in her heart, speculating that perhaps he had another lover in the apartment and was warning her that it was time to leave.  She shook her head to clear the poisonous thoughts and hurried out into the clear, cold sunshine. 

Arriving at Wolfram & Hart, Willow made her way through the silent building, looking over her shoulder periodically as if she expected to see a masked man with a needle hovering behind her.  She breathed a small sigh of relief when she reached the empty elevator and pushed the button for the penthouse. 

Angel greeted her full of boyish enthusiasm.  She still wondered what he was up to, but now it was clear that whatever it was, it was something more pleasant than she�d imagined.  He ushered her inside where she noticed that his apartment was unusually dark.  Suddenly, he flicked on the living room light and several people appeared from behind various furnishings and yelled, �Surprise!  Merry Christmas!� 

Thankfully, Angel was behind Willow to catch her as she stumbled backwards, clutching her chest in shock at seeing the four familiar faces.  Before she had fully recovered she was being smothered in a group hug from Buffy, Dawn and Xander.  Everyone was shrieking happily and trying to greet her at once.  When the hubbub had died down, she turned to the man standing to the side in the inevitable tweed suit and grabbed him around the neck.  �Giles!  I can�t believe you�re here!� 

He patted her back affectionately and then disentangled himself.  �Yes, well, it�s very good to see you too, Willow.  Where else would I want to spend the holiday?   Angel has been kind enough to gather all of my children in one place, so here I am.�

Dawn came forward again and threw her arms around Willow, squeezing the air out of her lungs.  �Willow!  I missed you so much!  You should have stayed with us longer, it was great!  We saw everything, like, the whole world!� 

Willow could only laugh and hug the girl that she loved as the sister she never had.  When she let go, Xander tossed an arm across her shoulders and said, �So, Wills, shacking up with Deadboy, huh?  How�s that working out for you?�

Willow gasped and looked around in sudden horror.  They knew!  All of them must know, otherwise how could they be here?  Obviously Angel had flown them in to surprise her and why would he do that unless�

She turned to Angel now, her eyes nearly popping from her head, and made a helpless gesture for him to explain what was going on.  He�d been standing back in the kitchen, quietly observing the exuberant reunion without saying a word.  Now he grinned at Willow�s desperate look.  �Yeah, they sort of figured it out.  Sorry.�  He didn�t look sorry at all.

Buffy was the first one to reassure her.  �Willow, it�s ok really.  I understand how charming he can be.  Besides, I�ve met someone else.  I mean, it was a little weird to think of you two at first, but I can see it now.  It�s the right thing.�  She hugged the redhead again and when she pulled back there were tears in Willow�s eyes.  This very moment was the last thing she feared about her relationship with Angel.  Now even that had come and gone, and everything was still all right.  Her friends would support her.

She turned to Giles.  He had only one thing to say, �Well, if I couldn�t talk Buffy out of it, I�m not even going to try with you.  You�re far too determined.  And you deserve to be happy.�  His eyes crinkled up with the big smile he bestowed on her.  She reached out towards him and he took her hand, giving it a quick squeeze of approval, before letting go. 

Xander too, had only one thing to say, �Hey, he�s better than Spike.�

Even Angel had a good laugh at this and then Willow looked towards Dawn, a little uncertain.  �What are you looking at me for?  He�s hot!  I say go for it!� 

Willow threw a glance at Angel who was studying his shoes, trying not to look pleased with himself.  It wasn�t working.  She ran up to him and hugged him fiercely.  �Thank you.  Thank you so much.�

�Merry Christmas,� he whispered in her ear before giving her a quick kiss and earning a few groans from the living room. 

Xander approached as the couple parted.  �So, come on Wills, show us the sights.  What�s there to do for fun around this joint?�

Willow looked from him back to Angel who waved his hand indicating that she should go ahead.  Buffy patted her on the back.  �Don�t worry, we�ll have you home in time for your big romantic evening.  We�re staying here tonight and throwing a party for half of LA.� 

Angel�s eyes narrowed and then he laughed, assuming the slayer was joking.  He stopped and narrowed his eyes again as she continued to keep a straight face about the party.  He shook his head, �Fine, do whatever you want.  Just don�t be out too late.�  The last part of his words were directed at Willow who he kissed again before she departed with her friends.

She felt a little bit guilty about leaving Angel alone on Christmas, even though she knew if there was anyone who should celebrate that particular holiday less than her, it would be a vampire.  Still, she had a great day touring the city with her friends.  Not much was actually open, but they managed to find a decent place for lunch and otherwise mostly walked around, talking and catching up on each other�s adventures.  Willow asked how long they were in town and Buffy told her at least a few days, maybe longer.  None of them would reveal just what it was that would determine if they stayed longer, saying only that she�d find out later.

As night fell, she walked them back to the penthouse.  She found that Angel had stocked her tiny fridge with all the fixings for them to prepare a nice Christmas dinner while he was otherwise occupied with Willow.  Then she remembered, �Oh no!  You�re all here and I sent your gifts out in the mail last week.  Now they�ll be really late.�

Angel cleared his throat, �Actually, you gave them to me to mail, and since I�d planned this all along��  He went to the closet and removed several packages.  He handed them to Willow, who was pleasantly shocked at the extent of his deviousness.  She passed each of her friends a gift and watched as they tore into them.  Soon Dawn was exclaiming over her new designer jeans, Buffy over a tiny, but very expensive, evening bag which Willow deliberately picked because it was NOT big enough to hide a stake, Giles over a special kit for cleaning and polishing eyeglasses, and Xander over his subscription to Builder magazine. 

The gang insisted that they had not come empty handed, but that they couldn�t give her any gifts just yet.  Wait until tomorrow, they implored her.  She argued that it was Christmas now, and that if they had presents, she wanted them, but they wouldn�t budge.  She could either wait, or not get them at all.  Deeply puzzled, Willow exchanged another round of hugs with her friends and left to prepare for dinner with Angel.

Exactly one hour later, Willow was lighting candles on the table and heard a knock at the door.  She smoothed down the front of her green dress and went to answer it.  Standing on the other side was her expected guest, all decked out in his usual black pants, black shirt, and black coat, but with one notable difference.  In honor of the occasion, a blood red tie hung at his neck.  In the crook of one arm, a huge bouquet of red roses was nestled.  His eyes traveled down her satin draped body and, for a few moments, the two of them only stood at the door, staring at each other. 

Willow unconsciously licked her lips and then stood aside so Angel could enter.  He did come in, but he didn�t take his eyes off of her.  She could feel her skin heating up inside her dress under his gaze.  Eventually he found his voice and stated simply, �You look stunning.�

He handed her the roses and as she turned from him to find a vase, she looked back over her shoulder and said, �Thanks.  You look delicious.�  She could feel his eyes still on her while she filled the vase at the sink and arranged the bouquet.  Struggling to find a new topic of conversation that didn�t involve all the ways she could imagine using his tie, Willow said, �Dinner is just about ready.  Why don�t you sit down?�

She heard a chair scrape on the wood floor as he did just that.  She didn�t dare look back over at him, keeping her eyes instead on the task at hand.  She removed the turkey breast from the oven, the smallest one she�d been able to find, dumped the stuffing from the pan into a nice bowl, and arranged the acorn squash on a plate.  Now there was nothing to do but sit and try to eat her food and not rip Angel�s clothes off with her teeth.

He took a few bites of everything, obviously just to be polite, and thanked her for going to the trouble to provide his real meal.  A decanter of warm blood sat before him, some already poured into the goblet by his plate.  Willow couldn�t explain what brought on these moments when she had such a hard time being around Angel and not being �with� him.  It seemed to happen to both of them at the same time.  They would be fine for days, spending hours together with only minor sexual tension, and then there would be moments like this.

She tried to watch him discreetly as he sipped his blood, hoping it would gross her out enough to calm her desire.  It didn�t work.  She only found herself wishing it was her blood passing his lips, straight from the vein in her neck that he was so fond of kissing and flicking with his tongue.  In a moment of blind lust she almost told him exactly that, but settled for biting her lip hard enough to hurt and snap her out of it.  Of course she didn�t want him to bite her, that wouldn�t be good for either one of them.  That didn�t mean she couldn�t fantasize a little.

�This is very good,� he told her.  She had no idea if he meant the food or the blood and she didn�t care.  Her dinner was gone and they sat quietly for a few minutes, each sipping similar looking beverages from their goblets.  Willow made sure to only have one glass of red wine, still remembering the last time she�d had too much to drink around Angel.  Even then her inhibitions had been dangerously low.  Now with the freedom that came with being his girlfriend, she knew exactly where her lowered inhibitions would lead.  Her eyes flicked towards the bedroom and back to him.  There would be time for that in the future.  For now, it was nice enough just to be around him.

He sat at a 90 degree angle to her, his left knee brushing against her right.  She reached under the table and put a hand on his thigh.  �I�m glad you came.  I wanted tonight to be perfect.  This was going to be when I told you I still love you.  But now you already know.�

�It is perfect,� he assured her.  �Do I still get my present?�  He wiggled his eyebrows at her. 

�Of course, why wouldn�t you?  Let�s go sit on the couch, I�ll get your gift.� 

When Willow emerged from her room with the small red box, Angel was lounging on her couch with one arm draped across the back and the other hand still holding the goblet, freshly filled.  He saw her coming and placed it on the coffee table, extending both hands, palm up to receive his gift.  She smiled at his eagerness and daintily placed the box in his hands, settling down next to him to watch.  �Like I said, this would�ve been a lot more meaningful last week,� she warned. 

He carefully pulled off the ribbon and flicked open the top of the box.  Cradled inside was the glass heart with �Willow� written in gold.  �It�s my heart.  It�s yours now, and it�s fragile, but I know you�ll take good care of it.�  He said nothing, but stroked it with his index finger, tracing the single word.  Then he set it next to his goblet and pulled Willow into his arms, holding her for untold moments until she thought he might not ever let go.

At last she said, �I like hugs too, but I think you better look up.�  He did and saw the small bunch of green leaves and red berries hanging above his head.  In touch with the world enough to know the meaning behind this little plant, he grinned wickedly at her and then covered her mouth in a kiss so hot she thought she might spontaneously combust.  His lips were soft but pushed firmly against hers, prying her mouth open when she gave a token resistance.  His tongue swept into her warmth, finding her own and tasting it, dancing with it, darting over the roof of her mouth and out, over her upper lip and back into his own mouth so that she went searching for it.  Her tongue ventured tentatively past his lips and was captured between them and taken in, carried off to experience his mouth and taste him. 

By the time they parted, each flushed and gasping for breath, needed or not, Willow had untucked Angel�s shirt and had her hands underneath it, and the back of her dress was partially unzipped.  They spent a moment righting themselves, then their arms returned to their preferred locations around each other and Willow leaned back against Angel, allowing him to continue kissing her along the side of her neck.  She tilted her head to give him better access and her gaze found the goblet of blood on the table, spurring her previous fantasy to the forefront of her mind. 

She felt her lover�s lips on her neck, she looked at the blood, and she couldn�t help it.  She asked, �Angel, what would happen if you bit me?�

He immediately stopped kissing her and shifted so that he was facing her.  �I would enjoy it very much and I would want to do it again.  And again.  I might not be able to control myself enough for you to live through it.  For you, it would sting at first and then it might feel good, depending on what we were doing at the time.�  He let the implication speak for itself. 

�So, that would be a bad thing?�  Somehow, it didn�t sound so bad to her.

�Yeah, I�d have to say so.  Just smelling your blood in the confines of your veins is all the temptation I can handle.  If I tasted you, I�d never want to stop.�  He leaned in and kissed her again, wrapping his hands around her waist and scooting her onto his lap.  He plunged both hands through her hair, and drew her head down, pressing her to his lips.  His kiss was deep, more intense even than the one a few moments ago, when he�d seen the mistletoe.  Releasing her for a moment, he said, �I already never want to stop tasting you.� 

When Willow felt his lap get a little smaller, due to the expansion in his pants, she moved herself off onto her own side of the couch, resisting the urge to rub against him as she went.  He let out a frustrated groan.  �I wish I could be with you, Willow.  I would do anything to be able to give you the kind of pleasure I know we could have together,� he whispered. 

She raised one eyebrow at him.  �Anything?�  He nodded.  �Well, actually, there is a way that I know of, but I don�t think you�d want to do it.� 

To her surprise, he was sliding off the couch, onto the floor, and then turned to face her, on one knee.  �I know there�s a way Willow.  And I do want to do it.  I know you want to because you gave me your heart to take care of.�  He reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a small black velvet box.  �I know it doesn�t beat anymore, but will you take care of mine?�  He opened the box and held it out to her, revealing the ring inside.

Willow was overcome.  She was shocked that Angel somehow knew of the bond that was required for the ritual to bind her powers.  She was beyond touched and thrilled that he was willing to participate.  And finally, she was impressed with the silver band of Celtic love knots that would grace her finger.  �Say something, Willow�, she berated herself.  �Yes, of course,� was all she could manage.  Then he lunged for her, covering her with his body as she lay back on the couch. She ground her hips up into him as he feverishly kissed and licked and sucked his way down from her lips, over her neck, and across the swell of her breasts, just visible at the top of her dress. 

When they could stand no more, he tore himself away from her, and she could have sworn his eyes flashed yellow as he stood up and offered her his hand.  He helped her to her feet and once again, they put their clothes and hair back in order.  Standing apart to cool off, Willow thought to ask, �How did you know?�

�Ah, don�t be mad at him, but Wesley never could keep a secret.  I could tell he was hiding something from me so I, um, got it out of him.  I had no idea it was about us.  He knew you�d be mad so he made me swear not to let on that I knew until you told me yourself.  So, since you were about to tell me anyway��

�You thought you�d turn it around on me.�  She laughed a little.  �Very clever.  I have to admit, I didn�t love the idea of being the one to propose the bond to you.  So, let me guess, you already have something planned?�

He nodded.  �We have a Wiccan priest and priestess to perform a handfasting on New Year�s Eve, one hour after sunset.  Your friends already know.  I told a few people at work that I was having a party, so they should save the date.  I�m not sure they actually believed that I would throw a party, but I thought you might enjoy breaking the news to them yourself.  I�ve left most of the details up to you.  I just have the time and place and the officiates.  We can even change that if you want�

�You�re sure you want to do this?�  She came closer to him and placed her hands on his shoulders so she could look in his eyes.

�I can�t think of a better way to show you how much I want you in my life.�

She smirked a little.  �So, you�re not just binding yourself to me for the sex?�

;He looked from side to side and smirked himself.  �Would that be so bad?�

She ran his tie through her fingers, and then met his eyes again.  �I guess we�ll have to wait and see.�

Willow picked up the box with her ring and studied it.  �This is beautiful.  I wish I could wear it right now.  What will you wear?  Anything?�

He nodded.  �I have one just like it, only bigger.  I want everyone to know I�m taken.  With you.�  He came over and scooped her up in his arms so that her feet dangled free in the air.  She giggled and blushed as he carried her into her room and set her down so she could stand on her own.  �I think it�s time for bed,� he told her, unzipping her dress all the way.  She shrugged it off and turned to face him, wearing only the matching green bra and panties she�d bought. 

He swallowed audibly and turned to leave the room.  �I think I just might sleep on the couch tonight.�

�Oh, no you don�t!�  Willow reached out and caught him by the tie.  �No man of mine sleeps on the couch.  You�ll just have to stay in here and suffer with me.� 

Seeing that she was not to be denied, Angel acquiesced and began to remove his clothes.  Willow took some pity on him and slipped a nightshirt over her head since she had no intention of sleeping in a bra and didn�t want to drive the vampire too insane.  Her gaze fell on the red tie laying on top of the pile of Angel�s clothes on the floor.  She shifted her eyes back and forth between the man in her bed and his tie, then told herself, �soon�, and slipped into bed beside him.

~~

In accordance with their new routine, they awoke before dawn with enough time to return to Angel�s penthouse, which brought a new question to Willow�s mind.  �Angel?  Do you, um, do you want to live together again now?� 

He looked perfectly appalled at the question and dropped the sock he�d been unrolling to move closer to Willow and rub her arm reassuringly.  �Yeah, I do.  I was hoping you�d move back to my apartment.  Not that this one isn�t nice, it�s just that mine is a little more convenient.  You know, close to work, sun-proof, that sort of thing.�

�Oh, well, ok that�d be nice.  I still have a month on my lease here.  I guess I can just pay it off.  It is a nice little place, but it�s not home.  Not without you.�

Before long, they were both home at the penthouse, creeping in quietly to avoid waking the sleeping travelers who were sprawled out around the living room.  Giles had scored the couch, probably playing the �I�m the oldest� card, Dawn had curled up in the easy chair, Buffy and Xander were on the floor at opposite ends of the room.  If they�d had a party, they had cleaned up pretty well.  As soon as Willow closed the door, Buffy awoke, though it had hardly made a sound.  She smiled at the two entering and pointed to her ear, �Slayer hearing,� she mouthed, also conscious of the other sleepers.

Still, after so many years on the hellmouth, Angel and Willow found it impossible to get through the room to either of their bedrooms without waking the rest of the gang.  As soon as everyone was awake, Giles looked at Angel and said, �Well, don�t you have something to tell us?�

Angel looked around the room, grinning at the expectant faces and announced, �She said �yes�.�

For the second time in as many days, Willow was surrounded and smothered by her friends� hugs.  One by one, as they let her go, they shook hands with Angel and offered their congratulations and threats of bodily harm, should he not take good care of her.   

Someone remembered presents and Willow soon understood why she wasn�t allowed to have her Christmas presents the previous day.  They were all things for her new life with Angel.  Opening the packages she found his and hers towels, an iron, a beautiful set of black silk sheets, scented candles, and several CDs of mood music.  �Songs to brood by,� as Xander explained. 

Everyone wanted to help with the plans for the ceremony, which was a good thing since it was in less than a week.  Buffy said, �You so need a new dress.  Me and Dawn will take you shopping and help you pick out the perfect one.�

 Willow couldn�t remember the last time she�d bought two dresses in such a short time, but agreed that, just this once, it seemed like a good idea. 

Giles offered, �Perhaps I could locate and purchase the special items needed for the ceremony.  I believe I�m familiar enough with the traditions.�

Xander raised his hand, �I know it�s last minute, but I could throw together a kick ass bachelor party, no problem.�  He was immediately beaten nearly senseless with pillows by the three women in the room.  Then, looking contrite, he offered, �Or I could check out the bakeries and find a cake?�

While the others were scurrying around to get ready to leave and fulfill their missions, Angel approached Willow.  �What do you want me to do?� He asked.

�Show up and look as good as you did last night,� she said firmly.  When he gave her a look saying that�s not what he meant she added, �Ok, well, if you know anyone besides Spike who�s good at taking pictures, call them.  Later you can help me pack up the apartment and bring Luna back here.� 

By the end of the day, the perfect dress had been found for Willow.  It was a gauzy, crimson ball gown style, with a layer of loosely woven white lace covering the entire dress.  It was long sleeved and cut low in the front.  Buffy and Dawn had bought new dresses for themselves too, claiming they didn�t have anything nice enough to wear. 

Xander returned, stuffed full of cake samples, but with a rush order placed at a popular bakery.  Giles� mission was technically a success, he did have a bag full of all the required items, but he looked like he�d been through hell and back.  His clothes were rumpled, his hair was a mess and his face was smudged.

 �Giles, what happened to you?�  Willow rushed over to him as he walked in the door and guided him into a chair.  All he would tell them is that only the clinically insane would venture into a store the day after Christmas and that he felt he was a good candidate to be committed. 

Willow had the distinct pleasure of calling each of her work friends and inviting them to the ceremony.  Fred, Gunn, and Lorne all promised to be there, saying they wouldn�t miss it for the world.  She called Wesley too, since he had no way of knowing that they�d already picked a date.  He was thrilled and relieved that everyone finally knew.  They decided to do the ritual for Willow immediately following the ceremony.  Now there was just one person missing, if �person� was the right word. She hadn�t seen Spike since he�d visited her when she was recuperating in the penthouse. 

Announcing that she was going to look for him earned her an uncomfortable look from Buffy, who she�d briefly filled in on Spike�s condition.  Ignoring her friend, Willow left to try searching the offices.  Spike had saved her life and been her ally.  She wasn�t going to leave him out of her happiness because of Buffy.  They would just have to deal with each other. 

She found him quickly enough, drifting around, upsetting small items on people�s desks where he could.  �What are you doing?� She asked.

�I�m haunting, what does it look like?�

�Why haven�t you come upstairs at all?  I�ve been looking for you?�

She had his attention.  �Have you now?  And why might that be?  Got your old gang together up there, don�t you?  Slayer�s here, I know that much.  I don�t fancy reopening that wound at the moment.�

Willow stood in front of him in the dark hall.  She wished she could put a comforting hand on his shoulder.  Instead, she just looked at him sadly.  �She still cares about you.  She just has to do her own thing now.�

Spike shook his head, dismissing the subject.  �So then, you were looking for me?�

�Oh!  I wanted to invite you to our handfasting.  You�ll come won�t you?  It wouldn�t feel right if you weren�t there.�

�My!  Taking that next step rather fast, aren�t we?  Well, well, never thought I�d live to see him settle down.  How�d you do it, Red?�

Honest as she always was with Spike, she said, �It�s the only way we can have sex and make sure I don�t destroy the world.�

Spike actually laughed at this.  �You two do have a bit in common, don�t you?  And how is it that being tied up with Angel helps you?�

�It�s not too complicated.  There�s no spell to bind my powers conditionally on the continued existence of another person, but if we had a bond, such as a handfasting, that makes us as one person.  Then the ritual can bind my magic to the bond, so that when it�s severed, and I�m just one person alone again, my power will be bound for as long as we specify in the ritual.�

Spike thought about this for a minute.  �And you�re willing to �bond� with Angel?�

�I�ve never wanted anything more in my life,� she said.

�In that case, count me in.  I�ll be there.�

Extremely pleased, Willow left Spike to his haunting and returned to her friends and her plans.

~~

In a white lattice gazebo in the small park down the street from Wolfram & Hart, an altar was set up with the items Giles purchased for the occasion: two white candles, incense, and a willow wand holding the two Celtic rings.  The small cake, delivered right on time by Xander, sat to one side.  Red and white rose petals were scattered amid the other things on the altar and also around the area where the couple would stand.  Large bunches of roses and a variety of red and white flowers were also arranged at intervals along the path Willow would walk down and around the area where the guests would stand. 

Willow herself stood in the gazebo, speaking with the Priest and Priestess, making sure that all was ready.  In the distance, she could see a few of her guests arriving and ran off to greet them.  Giles appeared a little nervous in his black, non-tweed suit and stammered his thanks when Willow told him how great he looked.  She showed him where to stand and urged Buffy, Dawn, and Xander up to the front, on the left side of the steps of the gazebo.  There were so few guests that everyone would essentially be in the front row.  

Fred arrived next, holding a box of tissues, explaining that this sort of thing made her teary.  When Gunn and Wesley arrived, the three of them stood to the right of the steps.  Willow was relieved to note the thin dark line around Gunn�s head from the surgery to remove his enhancement.  They were soon joined by Lorne who looked positively conservative in his deep maroon outfit.  Finally, Angel arrived with Spike and a man Willow didn�t know, who turned out to be the photographer. 

With a nod to Willow, Spike took his place on one side of Lorne.  He was the least dressed up, not really able to change clothes at will.  The photographer set himself up in a strategic location and began taking candids of the assembled guests while they waited.

Willow made Angel bend down and affixed a circlet of red roses to his head that matched the one she wore.  It was held on quite well by his excessively gelled hair.  He looked as gorgeous as ever in a black suit with a crimson shirt and a black tie.  He was ushered off to stand on the stairs and Willow signaled to the Priest that all was ready, before hurrying down the path to her place. 

A battery operated tape deck began to play a soft melody as Willow, escorted by Giles, made her way back up the path.  Friends standing on either side smiled and winked at her as she passed.  Fred was kind enough to share her tissues with Lorne, who was all but bawling his eyes out.  When they reached the steps of the gazebo, Giles placed Willow�s hand in Angel�s and moved back to stand next to Buffy.  Hand in hand the couple climbed the steps and stood before the altar.  The song ended and the Priest lit the candles and incense.  This done, both the Priest and Priestess came around and stood in front of the altar, facing the couple and the small congregation. 

The Priest began, �May the place of this rite be consecrated for the Gods.  For we gather here in a ritual of love with two who would be handfasted.  Angel and Willow please come forward and stand here before us, and before the gods of nature.� 

They took a step forward and Angel stood in front of the Priestess, Willow in front of the Priest.

The Priestess continued where the Priest left off, �Be with us here, O beings of the Air.  With your clever fingers tie closely the bonds between these two.  Be with us here, O beings of Fire.  Give their love and passion your own all-consuming ardor.  Be with us here, O beings of Water.  Give them the deepest of love and the richness of the body, of the soul and of the spirit.  Be with us here, O beings of Earth.  Let your strength and constancy be theirs for so long as they desire to remain together.�

�Blessed Goddess and Laughing God, give to these before you, we do ask your love and protection.   Blessed Be.�

Everyone responded, �Blessed Be.�

The Priestess and Priest held up the wand between them with the rings upon it.  Willow and Angel moved to place their hands over it.

The Priestess said, �Place your right hands over this wand and your rings his hand over hers.  Above you are the stars, below you are the stones.  As time does pass, remember:
Like a star should your love be constant.  Like a stone should your love be firm.  Be close, but not too close.  Posses one another, but be understanding.  Have patience each with the other, for storms will come, but they will go quickly.  Be free in the giving of affection and warmth.  Make love often, and be sensuous with one another.  Have no fear and let not the ways or words of the unenlightened give you unease.  For the Goddess and the God are with you, now and always.�

There was a pause to let the words sink in.  Then the Priestess continued, addressing Willow, �Is it your wish, Willow, to become one with this man?�

Willow looked at her love and responded, �Yes, it is.�

The Priestess faced Angel, �Is it your wish, Angel, to become one with this woman?�

In a forceful voice, he declared, �Yes, it is.�  The rings were removed from the willow wand and tenderly, Willow and Angel slid them onto each others fingers.

�Do any say nay?� Asked the Priestess.  A tense silence filled the air.

�Then, as the Goddess and the God and the Old Ones are witness to this rite, you have witnessed the promises made by Willow and Angel one to another, and the exchange of the symbols of their union. They are now connected to experience together whatever life may bring them.� 

She smiled and brought her hands together, giving the signal.  Angel swept his love into his arms and they shared the first kiss of their bond.  It was sweet and lingering, but not too sensual.  The pulled apart as the applause died down and turned to grin at their friends.  They came down the steps to shake hands and hug everyone.  After a few pictures, the Priest and Priestess excused themselves and Wesley brought Willow back before the altar. 

He lay down his dusty old book and lit the extra candles he brought.  Taking Willow�s hands he recited the ritual in Latin, which roughly translated said, �Behold, this witch binds herself to another.  As she is bound, so bind her power, should this bond fail.  Bind magic to grief and let not one return till the other has passed.�

He let her go and smiled. �Well, that ought to do it.  I trust you will stay and have some cake with us before, ahem, cementing the bond?�

Willow looked from the cake, back to Angel who was mingling.  She knew which she�d rather have, but also knew there would be time for both.  �I guess the cake looks good too.  Thanks for your help, Wesley.�

Cake and wine were served and Willow found that it was rather good.  Only Spike abstained, but he didn�t seem to mind.  She saw that he was in good spirits, teasing Dawn and catching up with her.  The other members of Team Angel were more interested in catching up with Buffy and Giles. 

All in all, it was a quiet little party, but Willow thought it was absolutely perfect.  Everyone she truly cared about was there and they were all happy for her.  At one point she did notice Buffy and Spike step away for a few words.  She couldn�t hear what they said, but it looked fairly intense.  Still, when they rejoined the group they seemed content, if a little less exuberant.

Finally, after casting one too many gazes of longing at each other over the heads of their guests, Willow and Angel decided it was time to go.  The former Sunnydale gang had hotel reservations for the night and an early flight out in the morning.  Everyone came forward for one last hug or word of congratulations.  Spike approached Willow and asked her to stand still.  She did, curious as to what he planned.   He stood very close to her, close enough to make Angel glare at him, and after a long moment, he was able to give her a kiss on the cheek.  Then he grinned at Angel and promised to stay out of the apartment.

~~

Handfasting ceremony from A Book of Pagan Rituals by Herman Slater, Editor, 1978, Samuel Weiser Inc. NY, NY.

They practically ran back to the penthouse.  It was only a block away but Willow thought they might not actually make it there without ripping each other�s clothes off.  At last they were stepping off the elevator.  Angel picked up Willow and carried her over the threshold, into their apartment.  She thought of it as �theirs� again.  Or she would once she got other things off her mind.

In Angel�s room, they had outfitted the bed in the new silk sheets and it looked very inviting.  He insisted that they take things slow and have a nice evening together.  He moved about the room, lighting some candles, and put one of their new CDs in the stereo.  Willow could never understand what he didn�t like about her suggestion that they strip naked and go at it like rabbits.  Still, she played along and tried to keep herself under control. 

He sat her on the bed and knelt before her, removing her red satin shoes.  Then he reached up under her dress and slid her stockings down her legs, one at a time.  Feeling his hand on the bare skin of her thigh, Willow shivered and had to stop herself from grabbing his hand and pulling it higher.  He stood and removed the circlet of roses from her head, taking off his own as well.  He laid them aside and surprised Willow by leaving the room. 

Her confusion soon ended when she heard the water running in the bath.  A little movie played in her head on a constant loop.  Angel, walking from the bathroom, into this room, water from his hair dripping down his back, wrapped in that darn towel.  She briefly considered throwing out all the towels in the place. 

A moment later, Angel returned and pulled Willow to her feet.  His arms circled around her back and he bent to kiss her lips.  His mouth was cool and soft on hers and she reacquainted herself with the taste of him, now accented with wine and cake.  It was dizzying to realize she could kiss him like this all she wanted and get him worked up into a frenzy, and this time, there would be relief for them both. 

He had a hold of her dress and was tugging on it without much result.  She reached back and untied the various laces holding it tightly to her body.  As she raised her arms, he brought it up over her head and tossed it away.  Now she stood before him wearing only a crimson bra and panties.  He reached around to unhook the bra, but she batted his hand away.  He still wore a full suit and that was not fair at all.

He stood patiently while she unbuttoned his jacket and pushed it off of his shoulders, letting it fall to the floor with a soft whoosh.  He helped her remove his tie, but she grabbed it from him when he moved to toss it aside and instead placed it on the bed.  He raised an eyebrow at her, but she would only grin and kiss him again.  She took her time, unbuttoning his shirt, one button at a time, and placing light kisses on the skin revealed by each.  Pulling the bottom of the shirt out of his pants, it soon joined the jacket on the floor.  Willow ran her fingernails gently down his chest and back up, tracing over his hardened nipples and tickling around his navel. 

This time when she went for the buckle of his pants, he didn�t stop her.  She crouched on the floor to pull them down around his ankles and sat back to let him kick them off into the growing pile of discarded clothes.  She kissed his knees and up the insides of his legs until she met the ends of his boxer shorts.  Still on her knees, she reached up and yanked them off so that he was revealed to her completely.  

Sure, she had seen him naked before, but never this close up.  Impressed, she reached out and took him in one hand, sliding it up and down his shaft.  Angel closed his eyes and groaned, putting his own hand over hers and guiding her motions.  She allowed this for a few minutes and then stopped, holding him at the base and moving in closer to flick her tongue over the tip of his cock.  His eyes flew open as she took his head in her mouth, swirling her tongue around it before pulling him in farther.

He was gasping now as he moved his hips in time to thrust in and out of her mouth as far as she could take him, guided by the hand still wrapped around his base.  When she began to rub his balls with her other hand, Angel ceased his motions and took both of her hands with his, pulling away from her gently, and urging her to stand.  Pouting slightly, she obeyed, one eye still on the straining erection.  He quickly relieved her of her bra and panties and, after a few moments where he stopped and did nothing but stare at her, during which Willow realized it was the first time he was seeing her completely naked, he guided her into the bathroom and the waiting tub. 

There were candles all around and the water was bubbly and warm.  Angel got in first and pulled Willow down onto his lap.  She twisted so that she was facing him, her legs on either side of his, her arms wrapped around his neck.  They kissed for a few minutes in this position, pressed naked against each other for the first time. 

Angel eased her back slightly and picked up a bar of scented soap and rubbed it between his hands.  When they were good and sudsy, he placed them on either side of her neck, then smoothed them down the tops of her arms, and back up the undersides, which made her squirm and giggle.  He glided his hands back up towards her shoulders and down over her breasts, pausing for a moment to circle her nipples with his fingers until they responded and hardened.  She arched her back and leaned into his hands, placing her own hands over them.

He promised her more attention there later and ran his hands over her stomach, around her sides and up her back.  She leaned forward so he could reach, rubbing her soapy chest over his, trying to make him forget what he was doing.  It almost worked, but Angel had more practice being patient than she did.  Soaping up his hands again, he returned to her back then slid down to her ass and back to the front to slide along her thighs.  He couldn�t get any lower since she was sitting on her legs.

Holding onto her hands, Angel dipped her back into the water to rinse and wet her hair.  He took a palm full of shampoo and worked his fingers into her hair, gently massaging her scalp until she moaned and closed her eyes.  When he was done, he dipped her back again for another rinse.  Then it was his turn.

Willow reached for the other bar of soap, this one unscented, and locked eyes with Angel while she rubbed it between her hands, generating a good lather, then began to rub his chest.  Her fingers moved over every contour of his pectoral muscles, down over his abs, and back up his powerful arms.  He sat forwards so she could slide her hands around on his back, kneading him with her fingers.  She scooted back so that she sat further down on his legs and could reach more of the front of his body. 

Her hand slippery with the soap, she stroked his cock a few more times, loving how smoothly it glided through her fingers.  She reached lower between his legs, on the pretense of a thorough washing, only to tease him further.  Before he could object, she had moved on, smoothing the suds over his thighs and stretching behind herself to find his lower legs and feet. 

Satisfied that he was as soapy as he could get, she slid back up his legs and splashed his chest playfully to rinse him.  He grinned wickedly and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her tight against him again and kissing her hard.  While she was distracted with his lips, one hand slid back down in between them and surprised her by suddenly rubbing between her spread legs, sending shocks of pleasure throughout her body.  She gasped against his mouth but he only renewed the kiss and rubbed faster until she was moving against his hand, moaning for him not to stop.  He did stop and she opened her mouth to complain until she felt him slide a finger inside of her and resume the rubbing movements with his thumb. 

Willow had switched from kissing him to sucking on his neck in between gasps of breath.  After a few minutes a second finger join the first inside of her and she groaned and winced, not sure if it felt really good or hurt a little.  Either way, she was sure that she liked it.  She knew Angel was trying to get her aroused enough that he wouldn�t hurt her when they finally moved back to the bed.  It had been years since she�d had a man inside of her and she was almost virginally tight. 

Now with his fingers working their magic she was sure she could handle it.  Her body would remember what to do.  �Just like riding a bike,� she thought wildly, pressing down on him, wanting him to fill her even more.  He finally seemed to catch on to her obvious desires and withdrew his hand from her.  The water was cooling off anyway, so they climbed out and dried each other off.  Angel wrapped his towel around his waist and started to tuck it in.  Willow seized it in one hand and ripped it off his body, tossing it to the ground, looking almost angry.

Angel held his hands up in surrender and walked naked back to the bedroom with her.  Willow lay on her back on the bed expecting that she would finally have what she�d waited so long for.  Angel, as it turned out, had other ideas.  He lay down on top of her, but only to kiss her lips and neck, then her shoulders and breasts.  His lips were cool on her burning skin and she could feel where they�d been for minutes after they had moved on and down her body.  Soon he was positioned with his head between her legs, her knees bent on either side of him.  He met her gaze briefly and gave her another of those wicked grins.  Then she could feel his tongue, cooling her where she was hot and making her hotter still. 

She didn�t think she could possibly want him any more, but when she whimpered and reached for him to draw him back towards her, he took her hands and held them away.  He lapped at her moisture, adding his own to it, making her wetter than ever.  He worked his fingers into her again, this time getting up to three.  By now, the redhead was thrashing against the bed, cursing him for not giving her what she wanted.  He continued the rhythmic movements of his hand and his tongue, using his free hand to cup one of her breasts and massage her nipple.       

This might not have been what she wanted, but it worked anyway.  Grabbing onto his head, Willow yelled as she climaxed, �Oh, yes!  Angel.  Ohhhhhh!�  And promptly collapsed.  Angel crawled back up so that he lay over her.  She could feel his cock brush the hair between her legs and knew that she could finally have him.  Only now she didn�t want him.  She wanted him to suffer a little the way she had.  She pushed him off of her and over onto his back. 

He looked at her, surprised, but stayed put when she waved a finger at him.  �You�re gonna pay for that,� she told him.  Locating the black tie he�d been wearing, Willow went into Angel�s closet and found the red one as well.  She approached the bed, grinning, and holding one tie in each hand.  Getting the idea, Angel began to smile as well.

He soon found each of his arms tied to the bedposts and Willow standing to one side, examining her handiwork.  She knew perfectly well that he could tear free at any time, but he wouldn�t if he knew what was good for him. 

Willow climbed back up on the bed and straddled Angel�s shoulders on her knees, facing his feet.  She leaned forward, her ass raised and poised above his face, giving him a fantastic view, and began to kiss his thighs and stomach.  Running her tongue along the creases between his legs and his groin, Willow enjoyed how Angel shivered and wiggled his hips, encouraging her to shift her attentions. 

She ignored him, instead swirling her tongue around his navel and kissing his sides, delighted to discover he was ticklish there.  �Willow, stop that,� he laughed, trying to squirm away.  After making him half-heartedly strain at his bonds for a few more minutes, she took pity on him and sucked his cock into her mouth.  She pumped it in and out with one hand until Angel�s moans told her he was getting close to exploding and then stopped and pulled him out.  Then she simply licked it up and down the sides, driving him crazy for as long as she dared. 

She considered turning around right then and having him, but she couldn�t resist the urge to test out for herself what she�d heard about vampiric recovery time.  So, instead, she began to suck him again, giving him the friction of her lips that he needed so desperately.  It was only a few minutes before he roared her name, finding his release. 

Willow moved off of him and removed the ties holding his arms.  He immediately grabbed her and pulled her to him kissing her deeply for a moment before his hands began to roam over her body.  He paused for a moment.  �Are you getting tired?� He asked, concern tinting his voice.

�Tired?  I�m just getting started!  Come on, after how long we�ve waited?  I could go all night,� she informed him.

�Me too.�

Willow pulled back a little and raised an eyebrow at him.  �Yeah?  Except you really mean that don�t you?�

Angel nodded, managing to look sheepish and smug at the same time.  Then he rolled her over and knelt between her legs.  Willow was gratified to see that he was already hard for her again.  She watched him gently push himself into her, a little at a time.  She groaned as he stretched her, tormenting her with his slow entry.  Unable to stand it a moment longer, she lifted her hips and thrust herself onto him.  Angel gave a small gasp of surprise and then pulled out of her a little and sank back in, causing them both to sigh in satisfaction. 

Willow tugged him down by the arms so that his body covered hers and they began to move together, easily finding a common rhythm as if they�d been doing this for years.  The tension mounted and they moved faster, Angel thrusting down harder on her, making her bite into his shoulder to keep from screaming her pleasure.  She clawed at his back, raking him with her fingernails.  She had a moment to realized she was living out a fantasy she�d had months ago in the fog of a hangover, and then the present returned.  Angel�s mouth was on hers and she was rubbing against him as he drove into her, pushing her over the edge and catching her screams with his lips while waves of ecstasy washed over her. 

Angel followed a few moments later, ending their lovemaking with a few long, deep strokes and then disengaging and rolling over to take his weight off of her.  They lay side by side, kissing each other lightly and murmuring soft words while they rested.  Willow was pretty sure that when she was ready for more, Angel would be too.  For now she was content to just be in his arms and know he would always be there for her.

Willow was disturbed from her comfortable position when Angel shifted to look at something over her head.  Following his gaze, she noticed the bedside clock which read, 12:00 am.  Looking back to her lover, she saw him grinning at her.

"Happy New Year!� He said.

Dragging her green eyes down his silk sheet covered naked body and back up, she returned the grin and said, �Mmm, yeah, it is.�

End