Part 1
Angelus watched as she left the school, every night the same thing. Wherever she was , he would watch and wait until she had to leave, and then he would follow, make sure she got home alright. Then he`d stand outside her window until she went to sleep.
She had a hold over him, her soul sang to his demon. The sweetness, innocence, purety. He wanted to wrap her in a ribbon and lock her in his room so no one else could taste that purety but him. He was disgusted with himself, but he couldnt deny the feelings she brought out in him. It scared him right down to his non soul.
<Satan help me, i`m protective of her>
Once again he left to take out his feelings of weekness over the redhead on some poor unsespecting sunnydale citizen. He hated himself for feeling this way, but not her. No, never her, unlike when he had returned and he had wanted revenge for the slayer makeing him feel <eeuukkkk> human, he just needed willow, he just wanted to touch her and taste her and make her his.
That night at the school just after he had come back, he had, had her in his arms and then the damn slayer had come and poked her nose in and he had to give her up. Ever since then he had been obsessed, but not with tortureing or turning her, but protecting her and loveing her. He knew what the watcher would have said "Demons are soulless killers, they cant love", but no that isnt true. Demons when changed, especially vampires retain some of there souls, otherwise they would be emotionless shells. And they weren`t, they hated, loved, loathed, despised, and gained enjoyment. Without at least a little soul that wouldn`t be possible. And the emotions going through him right now were most definatley blazeing. He wanted to protect, love, caress,hold, love and even possess and consume her very being. It was killing him.
Angelus had never felt such things for a human, they were mere food bags to him, but Willow brought the soul in him out and he didnt know how to deal with it, he had cut himself off from his favourite childre, dru and spike, he had started brooding like soul boy. Angelus-half the scourge of Europe had fallen, <And i mean head first> in love with the little readheaded hacker.
He finally gave himself a mental kick in the ass and decided to confront her, he was half way back to the factory when he turned on a dime and stalked back to the Rosenboug house.
<To hell with it,she may hate me, but I have to tell her, i need to see how she feels, if she feels it too.>
* * * * * * * * *
Willow had walked home alone, she had felt strangely safe though, as if someone was watching over her. She had known about the things that hide in the dark for nearly two years, yet she still loved the night, it was peaceful and calm.
She had gone staright to bed when she`d gotten in but she couldnt sleep.She was restless and in no way tired. She supossed it was from keeping Slayer/Vampire hours. That thought sent her brain spiralling into thinking about Angel,
<Oh goddess Angel>
Two weeks ago Buffy had given him her innocense in a moment of passion,and then he`d lost his soul, and reverted back to being Angelus. He had been teroriseing them ever since, visiting emtional, mental tortures on them all and some physical abuse too. And even though he had been so cruel to them, Willow still felt attracted to him, he oozed sensuality and sexuality and she just wanted to be wrapped in his arms. She thought she may be falling in love with him, he was different with her than with the others he`d never hurt her, apart from killing her fish, but she somehow couldnt bring herself to hate him
<Bad willow, he is your best friends ex, but he is so good looking and sexy, and has the face to fit the name, Angelus-Angelic, Oh yeah isnt that the truth, ARGH!>
She had given up trying to sleep and decided to do a little research on the net so she dragged herself out of bed and turned her laptop on. While waiting for it to boot up she stood and studied the cool night, She breefly wondered where he was and what he was doing.
<Probably maiming and killing> <Why doesnt that bother me like it should do, maybe cos he is sooo gorgouse! Bad willow, he didnt think of you like that when he was just Angel, Why would he want me now when he is Angelus king of mean, scourge of Europe?>
Once her pooter had booted up she sat down and started checking her mail accounts, she found one from Amy,
TO:- [email protected]
FROM:- [email protected]
SUBJECT:- Im bored!
Merry meet wills,
Godess its so boreing, after all that jazz with mum last year, i have realised just how boreing this town is without any hellmouthy occurences to keep us buisy. I dont spose i should complain or someone will prolly try stealing my body again...YAY. wont that be fun *sarcastic grin*. Well I hope your well, still got that little crush?
spk soon
Blessed be, Amy
Willow sat and typed a reply,
Merry meet Amy,
Well we arent exactly bored what with Angelus keeping us on our toes, plus theres Dru and Spike too. And yes! i cant get him out of my head. I know he is sposed to be a soulless killer but i cant help being attrcted to him, doesnt help he is so damn good looking!..I must be sick!
Well i`ll spk to you soon,
Blessed be, Wills.
She hit the send button and was checking some of her book mark sites when she heard something out on her balcony. she looked up and stareing in at her was the object of her thoughts,
"Angelus" she whispered.
He was sure he had left her asleep, but there she was sat at her computer, wearing her snoopy boxers and tank top. He didnt think he`d ever seen someone look so cute in such a silly pair of pajamas!
"Willow, i need to talk to you, pleasee let me in"
<Did he just say please, Angelus never says please>
She walked across her room and gingerly opened the doors. He just stood there, looking for all the world llike a lost puppy, she had performed the uninvite spell just two days ago. She wanted to invite him in but what if he killed her and left her drained body for her parents to find.
"What do you want?"
"I need to talk to you little one, let me in,"
"So talk, you dont have to be in here to do that!"
"Fine, okay then, umm,"
"Well?"
Angelus took an un-needed breath, he was about to risk being laughed at by his fire godess,
<Even if she doesnt want me i can just turn her>
but even as the last straines of that thought left his mind he knew he wanted her to come to him willingly, he couldnt force himself on her, he wanted her love, not fear.
* * * * * * *
She couldnt beleive it, he was just stood there fidgetting from one foot to the other. He looked like a child who`d been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. She had to bite her lip to stop herself from laughing out loud, cos a pissed Angelus is not a good thing ,
<Angelus, scourge of Europe,Shit scarey Master vampire guy is currently at my balcony doors looking like a puppy caught chewing his masters slippers, Teehee!>
Even with the hillarity of the situation she still wondered what he was doing there. Only yeaturday he had been trying to kill all of them.
"Well?" she asked again a little warely,
<This is it> he though nervously.
"Umm, I needed to tell you something little one, I know how you feel about me but i had to tell you..."
"Angelus, I dont know what your playing at, but i am in no mood for your games tonight, so get to it!"
With the barrier there she felt more confident than usual.
A hurt look crossed his face for a split second, then it was gone, covered over with his trade mark smirk.
<Did i just see, no it cant be, did he actually look hurt?>
"look Angelus, Im sorry im so snappish its just im tired and achey from the latest slayee, and for the last two weeks you have been trying to kill us in the most evil ways you could find, now forgive me for being rude, but come on, give me a break and get to it!"
He couldnt help it, he smiled, she was babbling, and blushing and trying to act indignant, and she looked adorable! He wanted to wrap her in his arms and never let go,
<Satan Im as bad as soul boy!>
"Argh, Willow, I cant stop thinking about you. Im in love with you little one.Please just let me in"
"No, im not letting you in, this is just some sick joke, or trick or something to get me to let you in and then you`ll leave me dead for my friends to find, or worse you`ll turn me... and oh godess im babbling..."
She took a few gulps of much needed air. Then turned away. Angelus felt like his insides had been ripped out, with that one small action she had almost broken his unbeating heart.He wanted to cry, it made him feel weak, but he didnt care he just needed to stop her walking away, but that damn barrier!
"No baby please, little one, its not a trick i cant get you out of my mind, i close my eyes your there, i open them again and your still there, please willow, listen to me"
"No you`re lieing, you couldnt, wouldnt love me, im just plain old willow, research girl,slayers little friend,ugly , boreing, shy. No one wants me, they all want her, not me."
She looked at him with tears glistening in her eyes, and a truely heart breaking look on her face.
<Why would he want me, just plain old me?>
She repeated her thoughts...
"why would you want me, Im just willow?"
Because your willow, sweet, smart, funny, careing, brave..."
She snorted..
"BRAVE, im not brave the only reason im not catatonic right now is this barrier is keeping you out"
"little one please listen to me, I LOVE YOU!, do you think i would be here now if i didnt, im risking rejection from a mortal, it goes against everything i am, but i cant help it i need you"
"Angelus, godess, i want you too, but i cant be hurt again, all the people i love leave me, they dont want me they want buffy, Xander, You, Oz, they all love her or leave me, i cant go through it."
With that she turned around and shut the doors in his face. All she wanted to do was let him in and never let him leave, but fear and pride wouldnt let her!
She turned back and looked at him still stood there, forehead pressed to the glass, hand palm up flat to the window as if to try and touch her, she put her hand on his from her side, and one solitary tear fell down her cheek, as she took her hand away and closed the blinds!
* * * * * * * * * * * *
A feral howl went up outside her balcony doors and then the sound of someone hitting the floor and running away at full speed. Willow collapsed in a boneless heep, sobbing and rocking back and forth. She just couldnt hold it in any longer.
<I cant beleive him, I want to but I just cant, He probably hasnt told the truth in over two centuries, why would he be telling me the truth now>
"Oh sob Angelus sob"
She suddenly pulled herself together and stood up, she`d had a moment of clarity and knew what had to be done. She started throwing things in a bag, clothes, nicknacks and finally some photos. Then her eyes fell on the charcoal drawing Angelus had done of her while she had been sleeping one night. He slipped in before the barrier had been returned and had just sketched her while she slept. He didnt wake her, hurt her, or leave any nasty presents like he had with the others, just the sketch. He had signed it with an ornate A so she knew who had done it. She should have realised he meant her no harm when he didnt harm her that night, just slipped in and slipped out again. But, she wasnt thinking about it, she pushed that knowledge to the back of her mind and just carried on packing, tucking the picture in the top of the suitcase.
She still had her laptop turned on so she decided to write notes to her family and friends and print them out and then leave:-
Dear mum and dad,
Im sorry, I just had to get away, I couldnt stay in sunndale any longer. There is too much pain and hurt here. I love you both very much, and even if your not here very often I still think you are good parents. I will miss you, I`m not sure if i will be back but we will see.
I have written letters for my best friends, please could you pass them on for me. There is one for someone that I want you to leave on my balcony and it will be collected. Dont tell the others about this one, just leave it outside my balcony doors. It will be gone by nightfall.
Love always
Willow
She placed the others in envolopes and tagged them to refrigderater.
She took the car keys from the hooks and put her suitcase in the trunk, and then she was gone, driveing down the highway away from sunnydale and away from the man she knew she shouldnt love. Never looking back.
* * * * * * *
Angelus was in pain. Willow hadn`t beleived him. She`d been scared of getting hurt again, didnt she understand that he could never hurt her, ever. She was the light to his dark, and usually that would have scared the shit out of him, but no, he loved her! It had taken long enough to admit to himself, and now he had admitted it to Willow she had shut herself off from him.
<Well I shall have to go back tomorrow, you wont get away from me that easyly kitten>
With his mind made up he he decided to feed before sunrise and then go home and tell his childre about the new addition to the family.
The next morning Sheila Rosenbourg went to get a glass of juice befor heading off for her board meeting. She put her hand on the fridge door but never got as far as actually opening it. She saw five envelopes with her daughters neat script on them. One was adressed to Xander her childhood friend, one to buffy her best friend , one to Mr Giles the school librarian, and one to Ira and herself. The fifth was adressed to someone called Angelus with a little note on saying "leave on the balcony".
She had a bad feeling about this but opened her letter anyway. Once finished reading a few silent tears dropped down her face. She didnt understand, was she really that bad of a mother that Willow couldnt or didnt feel like she could come to her if she was in pain, or hurting. She didnt have a clue what had caused Willow to run, but even if she wasnt there that often for her she thought she knew her daughter and she knew that Willow would be back sometime, once she`d worked through her problems. She was never one to give up on her friiends and family. She was tempted to read the other letters but she didnt feel like she could invade her privacy like that, or disregard Wills wishes like that. And so she picked up the phone and started ringing the people her daughter considered almost family.
Finally after the relevant calls had been made , she placed the final envelope on the balcony outside Willows room to wait for its owner, while being warmed by the days sun.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Giles was in the middle of re-shelving books when he got the call. He popped the books on the counter and picked up the reciever,
"Sunnydale high library"
"Mr Giles?"
"Yes thats me, how can I help?"
"Umm, this is Sheila Rosenbourg, Willows mother"
"Oh yes hello, Its nice to finally speak to you"
"Mr Giles I have some bad news"
"Is something wrong?Is Willow alright?"
"I woke this morning to find her gone, a few things packed and a letter for each of her friends and you"
"Oh Sheila Im sorry,Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Well Ive reported her gone, but i dont think i can handle comeing in to give the letters out"
"Oh of course, what time would you like me to come by?"
"As soon as possible please, if thats okay"
"Certainly, I`ll be there in ten or fifteen minutes"
"thankyou"
"Your welcome, and, Im sorry"
"So am i"
He hung up and took a moment to take it all in.The girl that he had considered a surragate daughter was now missing, run away, and she didnt feel she could come to him for help. He couldnt imagine what would make Willow run. He was surprised her mother was even there to find out. They were always away on business. They were hardly even there for holidays and such. Knowing sheila and Ira they would be off again befor the end of the week.
He pulled himself together, grabbed his keys and left. He was indeed there in quarter of an hour. He collected the letters and left again after giving Willows mother a tentative hug. He had been right. They were leaveing again tomorrow morning on business. He swallowed down the rage he felt at there lack of careing that there only daughter had disapeared and sat down to read his letter.
Dear Giles,
Godess I dont know what to say. I just had to get away. I got myself in a situation I couldnt handle and I didnt want to burden any of you with it. You have been my mentor, friend, father figure, and confident for nearly two years now and I dont think I could have wished for a better friend. I love you as I should love my own father. Please take care of my friends. You are all the family any of them actually have. Look after yourself. I dont know if I`ll be back but I hope to see you some day.
Take care.
Love Willow
X
By the end of the letter silent tears were courseing down his cheeks and he was praying to whatever Deity would hear him that Willow was alright and she came back to them. Willow was the glue of the Scoobys and she was gone, they would surely fall apart.
Part 2
Buffy came strideing into the library,
<Where is everyone?>
"Giles, you here?, where are all of you?"
"Oh, yes, hello buffy"
He came from his office looking grim
"Giles, whats wrong, you look like someone kicked your puppy?"
"Buffy I think you should sit down"
"What is it?, Oh god is it Angelus. did he kill again?"
"No,no but i still think you should sit down, Ive got some bad news"
"Yo, G-man, Whats up?"
Xander came in and noticed their lack of reaction. Especially to Xanders nickname for Giles.
He was immediately serious.
"Who died?, What happened?"
"Right, im glad your here Xander"
"Giles your scareing me, WHAT happened?"
"Yes, right, what happened is, umm, Willow, shes run away"
He waited a few moments to let that imfo sink in. Both Xander and Buffy looked like they wanted to be sick.
"when?"
"In the night"
"Why?"
"I dont know but she left you both letters, I have already read mine."
Through all of this Xand was quiet, deathly quiet. How was he suposed to go on now. He was hurting right down to his soul. She was his anchor in a stormy port. she looked after him , kept him safe from the world. She was the only constant in his so uncertain life, and now she was gone. She was who he turned to when his father hit him, or his mother was too drunk to walk. He just wanted to wake up from this nightmare.
"Xand?" buffy asked quietly.
"I cant breath Buffy, shes my world, my best frined, what am i supposed to do now?"
"I know Xand, but she wouldnt have skippd out for no reason there has to be a reason. I mean this is Willow, she is the one who convinced me not to run when Angelus came back"
"I know. Giles?"
"Yes Xander"
"Did you say there was a letter?"
"Yes"
"Can I have it please?"
"Of course"
He handed them the envelopes and sat back to give them some space to decide what to do. It was breaking his heart seeing them like this.
"Shall I read mine out Xand?"
"Yes please Buff"
"Okay"
Dear Buffy,
Godess, Im going to miss you. Until you came to us, I didnt know exactly who i was. You helped me realise that being net girl, nerd, geek, research girl, was alright. They arent bad things to be. I realise that now. I finally for a little while at least, liked being me. You made me feel needed.
You``re a wonderful person, you save people and ask for nothing in return. Oh sure its your sacred duty yada yada yada, (sorry giles) but You arent resentful. I would be. Im selfish. Id be a nasy bitch about it. But because you do it so selflessly, I follow. If your willing to risk your life so am I. You carry the weight of the world as if its nothing. And i respect you for it.
To you i spose Im a coward for running. But i got into something i shouldnt have, fell in love with the wrong person and would have only ended up hurting you if I had stayed. So i left. I hope you can forgive me.
I love you,
Willow
X
Buffys vioce had cracked by then and was sobbing, she was trying to keep some semblence of control. And failing miserably. Xander had lost it, sobbing , screaming. She could feel his pain. and she just wanted to hold him.
Xander still had his letter to read but he didnt think he could read it out or even read it in front of them. It was a goodbye from the closest person he had to a sister and he wasnt sure how to handle it.
"Giles, Buffy, I dont think I can read this in front of you both, I mean no offense but I cant..."
"Its okay Xand" Buffy cut him off.
"I meaan, I dont think shes going to have told you where shes going, and Its private ya know, you deserve some privacy"
"Yes Xander, go in my office and take some time."
"Thanks guys, I love you both ya know"
"We know"
So he took his letter and sat in Giles office. He finally got the courage up to open it.
Oh, Xander,
Im sorry. Im so sorry.While Im writing this Im thinking about our lives together. We`ve had some good times, some bad, and some down right weird, but we`ve been together through it all.I knew you were my best friend from the moment I met you. You look out for me, hold me when I cry and love me when I need you too. For a long time I thought you were my true love, now I realise though, your a brother, a father, a friend. And I love you more for that. Im just sad Im not gonna be there with you now. Im upset, dissapointed in myself I spose. I always tried to get you to face things and now Im running from something.
I hope Ive helped you, been there when your father and you had a fight, or just for homework, I hope Ive made a difference.
I will always believe in you to do what you want in life, It doesnt matter what others say, believe in you, cos I always will. No matter what.
Good luck, think of me from time to time and know I love you.
take care, stay well.
Love Willow
X
Xander silently wept, while he prayed his wills would be alright. Then he broke down completely, rocking back and forth, crying, screaming, grieving for a friend he wanted so desperatly wanted to be able to hold and protect, but couldnt.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Angelus was acting like a caged tiger. It was half an hour til sunset and he knew he was probably wearing a hole in the factory floor, but he didnt care. He couldnt shake the uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. It was scareing him, and that was not an emotion he was used to. Fear was foriegn to him, he was usually the one instilling it in his victims, and it was makeing him angry.
Spike had noticed the way his grandsire was acting, and it was worrieing him. He knew he was anxiouse to see Red, but Angelus was getting down right pissed at something....He didnt like to see him like this. Yeah sure, he could be a wanker, but he wa practicallly his sire. Dru had been too loopy to train him when she had turned him, and so Angelus had been the one to mold him and shape him, He nurtured him and taught him how to be William the Bloody! So he had a grudging respect for the poof. Plus he knew how much he cared for the redhead.
"Mate, whats wrong?"
"I dont know Spike, Ive just got this really bad feeling about something"
"About what?"
"I think, Willow. I just want to get and see my witch"
"Do you need me to come with you tonight when you see her, you know for immoral support?"
Angelus chuckled.
"Thanks William.Im not even sure if she`ll be there. She could be with the slayer and her merry band of misfits."
He had sat Spike and Drucilla down this morning and told them about Willow and his feelings for her. He`d apolagized for being such a prick and trying to come between Spike and Dru. While they were all being honest Spike had showed them he no longer needed the wheelchair the slayer had put him in. They all had a sense of renewed bonds. They were family, they should be standing as one not fighting amongst themselves.
Just then Drucilla came waltzing in...
"Daddy, the little tree is weeping, hurt. She doesnt beleive your words of love. Its not her fault the Slayer and the watcher fill her head with nonsense"
"Dru baby, whats wrong with Willow, what do you mean?"
"Spikey I can`t feel mommy anymore, I can usually feel her in my head, but she missing from me"
Angelus was half way out of the tunnel entrance when Spikes words stopped him...
"Angelus wait"
He ignored him and carried on as if to leave.
"Sire, please wait"
"William. I need to go to her"
"I know, but you know you cant get to Red`s through the tunnels and I dont fancy haveing to sweep you up in a dust pan and brush"
"ARGH! I know but I cant just sit here"
"Look wait ten minutes and Dru and I will come with you, Okay?"
"Okay but Im slowly going crazy here"
Once the sun had set they all got into Spikes Desoto. He and Angelus were in front while Drucilla was sat in the back chattering away to herself.Spike started the car and headed to the hackers place.
* * * * * * * * * * *
They pulled up to Willows about fifteen minutes later. There were no lights on but Angelus snuck up to the balcony anyway. He had just climbed over the railing when he spotted an envelope with his name on in. It was warm as though it had been in the sun all day. He slipped in his duster pocket and shineed down the trellis. He landed at the bottom and took the envelope back out of his pocket. He had that bad feeling again. It had come back with a vengeance, and he was hesitent to open it. Finally after stareing at it for ten minutes Spike asked...
"Whats that?"
"I dont know, a letter i spose. Its got her scent on it so I know she wrote it.Why would she be writing me letters William, I dont want to open it. ARGH !!! Im acting just like soul boy aren`t I?"
"No sire, youve got much better taste in woman and clothes"
Spike smirked at him to try and lighten his mood.
"Cheers boy! your such a brat!"
"Look peaches, you want me to open it?"
"No, I can do it, Right here goes!"
He ripped the top open and started to read:-
Dearest Angelus,
I love you! There i said it, I love you but I cant be with you! It would hurt too many people. Im not evil at heart. I may have a dark side, but Im not evil and I cant sit and watch the ones I care about die by the hand of the man Im in love with! So Ive gone. I dont know if I`ll be back. I left last night after you came by, I realised I loved you too and I could stay in Sunnydale and not be with you.
Please. I know your not Angel, but try to understand, Buffy doesnt see that, she just see`s the man that has her lovers face.. Godess do I know your not Angel, he never gave me the time of day, and I dont think that he could carry off those tight leather pants and silk shirts nearly aswell as you do. But all the Slayer would see is me dateing her boyfriends murderer and body. Plus i cant get hurt again, my heart cant take it. What if one day you turned round and decided that you didnt want a mortal hanger on anymore, instead getting with a demon or vamp. I couldnt take it. I love you always, remeber that.
Im sorry I love you but I couldnt stay.
Love your willow, always
X
Blood red tears were slipping down Angelus`s face. He fell to the floor and sobbed. Dru went to comfort him and Spike picked the letter up and scanned it. He realised then just how much his grand sire was in love with the little redheaded spitfire. He truelly felt for him. Thats just how he felt when Angelus had come back and starting acting like a wanker with Dru, and part of him, although only small, found some perverse pleasure in his pain...
He opened his arms and beckoned Angelus into them...
"Come on sire"
Angelus went to him and let him rock him until his sobbing subsided a little.
"She`s gone William, shes gone and I never had the chance to tell her how much I needed her. What am I going to do. And what if she gets hurt or killed. I couldnt handle it."
"We`ll find her sire, I promise. I can understand why she left though. The man she is in love with is trying to kill her best friend the slayer and the rest of her friends."
"I swear to Lucifer now that I will leave the damn slayer alone, If Willow would jsut listen and beleive me and come back to me"
"I know sire, I know, we`ll find her"
"Daddy dont fret pet, we`ll find the little tree for you. She loves you. She cant live without you"
"Thankyou Spike, Dru, I just want her back"
Spike really wanted to help his grandsire. With everything out in the open and the aair cleared he seemed to be acting more like the vamire that had trained him, not the sadistic psycho that had come back when the curse had been broken. He didnt have a clue where the redhead could have gone, he could call in a few favours, tap a few human pets he had, but she had a whole 24 hour head start. Spike had been thinking it over and had come up with a plan but it would probably get him dusted, he had to try. He couldnt tell the other two though. They`d never agree to it. It had to be done though.
"Baby, go home with Angelus, Ive got something I need to take care of."
"Okay Spikey"
"William where are you going?"
<oh yeah he was most definately back to his formewr self, he always called me william.>
"Ive just got some business. i wont be long, and I`ll bring back a takeaway, any requests?"
"Nothing to fatty my boy"
"Not too spicey spikey, mexicans get stuck in my teeth"
"Right oh ducks, well I`ll see you later"
They drove off as spike watched, he made sure they were out of sight and set off in the direction of his destination. he really didnt want to ended a pile of Spike shaped dust, but he needed to at least try. He owed it to his grandsire, for trying to be honest and men bridges.
* * * * * * * * * * *
He arrived at the slayers house a little after 11pm. She should be home from patrol soon, so he prepared himself for the fight to come. She obviosly wasnt gonna listen to him with out smacking him around a bit first. He waited below her bedroom window for her to come back. He`d just lit a ciggie when she turned up her drive, she narrowed her eyes at him and grabbed a stake form her back pocket.
"Alright pet"
"What are you doing here bleach head?"
"Im here to talk luv"
"Why dont I beleive you, What Angelus get bored and send his lackys to do hs dirty work now?"
Befor he could reply she came at him with a flying spin kick and caught him square in the jaw, he dropped and rolled and kicked her in the gutt from the floor. She doubled over and then came back at him with a rabbit punch to the face. They carried on this way for close to ten minutes until finally he managed to filp her and land on her at the same time. He had her hands in his and just looked down at her.
Buffy prepared to have her throat ripped out and closed her eyes while holding her breath.She was surprised when the attack didnt come. She peeked at him from hooded eyes and saw him just stareing at her. He was bleeding badly from a few gashes on his head and face and his lip was swollen and split and the beginnings of a black eye had formed.
"Whats going on, why arent you killing me?"
"I can if you want slayer. If you`ve really got your heart set on it, then i can."
He smirked at her and let her up, she brushed her self off and looked at him warally.
"So what do you want?"
"I told you luv, to talk to you"
"what about?"
"About your little redheaded friend"
"What about willow, what have you done"
"Oh for satans sake, I havent done anything. She`s gone walk about hasnt she?"
"Yes but how did you know that?"
"She left Angelus a letter"
"Wait a minute, Why would she...Oh god, it cant be"
"Im afraid so. She in love with the great poof and surprise surprise, he loves her too. God will he ever learn. Anyway, he wants her with a passion and wants to find her. And I want to help. Its really quite pathetic. He`s worse than soul boy, Plus, hes like a sire to me and I at least owe him that"
"no I dont beleive it, she cant, Oh god"
"Come on slayer, get that pretty little head of yours in gear"
"She wrote us all letters,Giles, me, Xand, and her parents. Her mum never said anything about one to Angelus though"
"It had been left on the balcony when we got there tonight"
"What were you doing there tonight?"
"Angelus finally decided to get off his arse and go and admit his feelings to the witch. He told her and she basically shut herself off from him, hes been antsy all day. So he went to try and make her beleive him tonight. We were just there for support, or stop him self destructing if she still refused to beleive him"
"What did you think he`d hurt or kill her?, what am i talking about of course he would, this is Angelus we`re talking about"
"Oh christ no slayer, he wouldnt, ever. Right you have to understand something about Angelus, thoses he hates, he hates with a passion but those he loves he loves with all his unbeating heart. He`d never force or hurt her, he worships her. Thats why we went there tonight, its important for those he loves to come willingly, admittadly he fucked up alittle with dru but that was a mistake, she was already haveing visions he just didnt realise and he pushed her too far. Well anyway, when we got there his letter was waiting for him, and he just lost it, he burst into blood red tears, wasnt pretty."
She didnt want to beleive him but he had sinceraty in his eyes and honsty in his voice and so she took him at his word.
"Do you have the letter?"
"yeah, but dont damage it, hes gonna know its gone and I dont want to have to explain where the last thing from his love disapeared to."
"Okay I`ll be careful"
She took the letter and read through it. By the end even she had a few tears in her eyes.
"Alright I beleive you but what are we gonna do, I doubt Angelus is gonna except my help?"
"Leave that to me, but I dont want any double crossing slayer. Im doing this for Red and Angelus. not you."
"Okay, i promise, but I`ll have to try and handle Giles and Xander and Cordy"
"Right you handle them, I`ll handle Dru and Angelus, but I mean no tricks I came to you in good faith."
"Right fine I promise"
They left it at that, spike went to feed and bring home food for the other two and the slayer went indoors.They both hoped they didnt regret this decision.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Willow had been driving for 12 hours and she was exhausted! All she wanted to do was crawl into a nice comfy bed. So she pulled over into the parking lot of the Lythian Motel it was in a little town on the way to L.A. She booked in and then went to crash in her room. She had been trying not to think about Angelus, and the others. By now they would all have gotten her letters and know that she had gone. Would they care? Would they try to find her? She knew that Angelus would probably just go kill something and forget about her. Well she had left for that very reason hadnt she. She couldnt get hurt again and she felt sure that she would end up broken hearted if she stayed. She couldnt help but wonder what would have been if she had stayed and faced them all. She knew she loved him. With all her heart, but she still couldnt bring herself to believe his words!
<Come on Rosenbourg, get with it, you made your bed now lie in it>
After she`d finished berateing herself she decided to check her mails. She had thought about e-mailing the scoobies, but without her there they had no one computer savvy enough to even turn the machine on, so she had decided against it. Maybe there would be a mail from Amy, she already missed being able to talk to her. She suposed there was no reason she couldnt keep mailing her. Its not like they could trace her through them, after all she had a laptop, not a fixed machine.
It was five pm and she knew Angelus was currently reading her letter, she hoped she had made it clear she loved him, but she just couldnt stay. She decided to get a few hours sleep and head off again. She couldnt stay to long in one place and the quicker she got the farther away from Sunnydale the better. That way she would be tempted to just turn round and go home.
She settled down and fell into a fitfull sleep....
After Willow woke up at about 11:30pm she decided to get back on the road. She packed up her laptop and headed out to the car.She couldnt help but wonder what her friends were doing at the moment. She had to admit she missed them.
* * * * * * * * *
Buffy had gone indoors to go to bed, but try as she might, sleep would not come. This was so like her best friend, put everyone else in front of her own happiness. She should have stayed and talked to them, but she could understand why she had gone. Willow was in love with the master vampire that had been trying to kill the entire gang, includeing her best friend who was in turn the skayer, and until rescently had been dateing said master vampire with a soul. It made her head hurt just thinking about it for 10 minutes. If she thought about it for too long she`d pull a Dru and go insane!
She didnt have a clue how to approach Xand and Giles. Cordy would probably just carry on buffing her nails and not really care. Xander would scream and shout and then realise Spike and Angel were there best chance of finding Willow. Giles on the other hand had, had trouble trusting Angel when he was souled, he had only worked with him for Buffy and the groups sake. Now he was Angelus he would probably shoot the idea down straight away. Wills had to be found though, and if Angelus loved her as much as Spike had said then he may just be the gangs only hope.
She didnt know how she felt about Wills and Angelus being together. She knew she loved Angel, but he wasnt Angel. If Willow had fallen for him, he had to have some good qualitys. She knew Angel was never coming back, didnt make it any easier to think of Willow and Angelus together though, But if it meant Wills being happy, then she could deal with it. For her friends sake, she hoped Angelus was sincere.
Spike had been back at the factory an hour when he decided to broach the subject of the slayer with his grandsire.
"Angelus?"
"Yes Spike"
"Umm, you know that business I had to take care of well, ummm, I dont know how to say this sire, and please dont dust me, just hear me out...."
"You went to the Slayer didnt you?"
"Yeah, how did you..."
"I first of all can smell her on you, second of all, who else manages to beat the crap out of you like that apart from me?"
"oh"
"So, what did she say boy?"
Well, he wasnt dust as of yet, might aswell tell him, or he`d probably go carzy with curiosity anyway, and Spike could not handle a male Drusilla.
"I asked about the witch, they know she`s gone, they just didnt know why."
"Oh"
"The Slayer knows why she`s gone now, and surprisingly she isnt out for your blood, she was very, ummm, understanding. They all got letters but she just said she had fallen in love with the wrong person and needed to leave so as not to hurt anyone."
"I see" "Thankyou William"
"HUH?"
"Thankyou, I wouldnt have been able to go to her, it would have gone against my nature too much, but we need there help. EUUK, did I just say that out loud?"
Spike chuckled.
"yes sire you did"
"So whats the silly bint gonna do then."
"Well she`s gotta convince the Watcher boy and the Whelp, but she says we have to try and find her, and sire, she is really scared for Willow"
"Right looks like a visit to the watcher tomorrow then"
"Right oh ducks"
Spike was still trying to get over the fact that Angelus hadnt beaten him to dust, but on the plus side, they may find the witch after all!
To Be Continued..