Chapter One
So things are back to normal…or whatever constitutes normal when you live on the hellmouth, are best friends with the slayer, and have just come home after going on a murderous rampage during which you flayed one man alive, nearly killed all your friends AND almost destroyed the world. Okay so things were a bit, well… tense in the Summers household. But they were slowly getting back to normal. Thankfully over the summer nobody had really moved much of Willow’s things so they were still all in place.
More importantly Willow’s much searched after spell to bind Angel’s soul was still there. Today was the day. Willow, was telling Buffy about the spell.
“Hey Buffy...”
The blonde looked up. ”Yeah will?”
“Do you remember that conversation we had just after Angel got his soul back?”
Buffy’s green eyes narrowed slightly. “The one about restoring his soul…forever?”
“Well I’ve been looking for it for a while now…since then. Whenever we weren’t trying to disarm the biggest evil, which decided to pop by for a visit anyways. I’m babbling I know, what I’m trying to say is… I’ve found it. I can bind Angel’s soul to him permanently.”
Buffy stared, and not a ‘What the hell just happened’ kind of stare. More like a ‘This has got to be a dream’ kind of stare. “Listen Buffy, much as I would love to be here when you stop staring- which is by the way kinda creepy- I need to go and perform the spell. I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone, but don’t worry.”
Buffy didn’t move. Not a blink or a flinch she just kept staring the wall, a weird sort of bemused expression on her face. She didn’t see the size of the bag Willow happened to be carrying. Then again who could blame the girl. Buffy that is, she had just been told the man she always loved- though she vehemently argues this point with Xander on more than a few occasions- but could never have, was now about to become very have-able.
Most people would have been in a shocked stupor. It’s doubtful that most would have stayed that way for seven hours and forty-nine minutes- Dawn counted- but then most people have never been in that position so you never know.
As it was Willow was headed for a motel half way between L.A. and Sunnydale. She had acquired a room and pre-paid for a two-month period with explicit directions she not be disturbed at all. She and Angel had kept in touch over the years, via e-mail letters, and a few telephone calls and meetings. Later on she and Wesley started to talk, though they had never ended up being particularly close. As it was neither had heard from her since before Tara’s death.
She did need to speak with someone though, Wesley…or maybe Fred. Whoever answered the phone. Except Cordelia that girl couldn’t keep a secret if her life depended on it…So she called and waited for an answer. It was Fred.
“Angel Investigations we help the hopeless.”
“Fred, its Willow. I need a favor.”
“ A favor?”
“Yea, I may have found a way to anchor Angel’s soul, as in no happiness clause.” There was a sharp intake of breath and Willow could almost see Fred’s doe brown eyes widen. “I’m not sure it will work, but there are signs.”
“I dunno maybe I should get-“
“No, it’s okay I mean…I trust you with this Fred.”
“Okay…” Willow smiled triumphantly.
“First his chest is going to burn, maybe scald, it’ll hurt like hell. Like he’s just been hit with holy water. It won’t be much but it should be over his breastbone.
Second, A rune of sorts should appear on his shoulder, I’m not sure which one, but it’ll look burned it. Like a scar. Third, he’s gonna pass out. Probably for a day or so not much longer I hope.”
“Is that all?”
“Should be, Yeah. When it happens. Try calling me. My cell number should be in with Angel’s clients. Try to stall him about what happened…I’d like to be the one who tells him.”
The two of them talked for a few more minutes but soon hung up. After putting the phone on the cradle Willow began to set up the room. The bed, formerly dominating the middle of the room was pushed up against the far wall, the dresser fit snugly next to it. The only pieces of furniture that were even vaguely useful were the nightstand and the TV stand.
From her bag willow pulled out almost two dozen colors. They were all different colors and sizes, some brand new and others already used. Most of them were in glass jars but several were placed on small plates. They were grouped around the room some on the nightstand and TV stand and other on the floor. Next out of the bag was her athame, and a small silver bell. She also drew out her wand and a rather liberal bag of salt. Just in case.
The candles created a pentagram surrounding Willow. Most of the candles were lit, though a few were not. Unzipping the Ziploc bag Willow began pouring the salt out around her in a corner. She used all of the salt, leaving no space of any kind in the circle. The salt would protect her from several nasty types of creature both physical and non- that would be attracted to the power flow created by her ritual. She then removed the last few items from her bag, a small stone basin, several types of herbs, a handheld recorder, and several types of incense along with an incense holder. They were placed in front of her basin directly in front of her herbs slightly to the left, recorder to the right, and the incense a little further out than the basin. She then disrobed; it would be better to be sky clad for the ritual because she was unaware exactly how long the spell would take.
She picked up her athame and called the corners. North, south, east and west. Stepping inside her circle she sat down on the floor lit the incense and started the recorder. Usually the spell would have taken two people so the recorded was taking the place of the other person whose sole job was to speak a part of the spell. It was in Latin.
“Lady, by your power grant me thine will.”
"Domina istuc aspectus adiudico clueo tuus abitratus”
“I ask for your Blessing, by Fire, Water, Earth, Air and Stone.”
“Adoro tuus caminus, agito auris, aerius lapis.”
“With immortal will and unimaginable power.”
“Ab aterno abitratus inpatiens acer aspectus”
“By blood, and fire Bind it”
“Coeo accendo adligo”
“To flesh, making soul and body one”
“Abutor anima adificio alterno”
“I invoke thy will”
“Invoco tuus abitratus”
“I invoke thy power”
“Invoco actoritas”
“By the gods I invoke thee”
“Adfor invoco “
Willow gasped as she finished the spell, she was barely able to light the herbs and place them into the basin. The power flooding the room was incredible. It was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. The magic she had become addicted to had seemed dark and sensual. But this was clean and made Willow feel as if she was breathing her first breath of air. Clean and sharp, like mountain air. The scent of the herbs filled the air, a pungent biting smell, slightly acrid from the fire.
But it did not dilute the magic flowing through the room. It flew like a river, through everything in the room, Willow could feel her own power rise up like the rivers in a flood. But she did not have to fight for control against her dark side; this magic did not call to it. It was pure, and did not call to her darker side in any way. The magic seemed to fill the room with its presence, dark and alien. The candles lit up like torches and some even began to levitate. After a long moment when she could properly breath Willow closed her eyes and concentrated.
Evidently something had heard her, or else the power surge would not have been there. Her entire being focused upon a single thought. She was crying out with her heart, her soul, and every fibre of her being to the Goddess. Giles had said she was connected to a great power, hopefully that would get the deity’s attention. After moments a serene peace filled her, and without opening her eyes she could see. She was on some unknown astral plane. It was unsettling at first, astral projecting, Willow could feel both the coarse carpet beneath her knees and a gentle fragrant wind through her hair.
A woman, who glowed, was walking towards Willow, from a stair of steps. She wore a beautiful white gown that accented her ethereal complexion and golden hair. Her voice floated towards Willow, everywhere and everywhere. Melodic and lilting.
“You pray true for my aid, what does thy soul seek?”
Willow’s eyes widened as the woman came into full view, and Willow recognized the voice at once.
“Baby?” Her questioned seeked almost without Willow’s knowledge because of that voice’s owner. Tara.
“Nay. I am not the one you knew. I take her shape because you know it and she dwells in my realm.” Willow fought to choke back a sob.
“Tell me child. Why do you call out to my as if thy soul rests upon my answer?”
“I come on behalf of a warrior. A warrior whose help humanity depends upon. Angel.”
What do you ask on his behalf?”
“That his soul be anchored, to him. Permanently.”
“You would take away his redemption?”
“No, but I believe that with a soul. He will fight harder, because he will have more to fight for.” The golden haired doppelganger nodded her head once.
“It can be done. But with this comes a price.”
“Tell me.”
“First answer me this. Long have you toiled to give him this, gift of gifts. Do you care for him?”
“He’s a dear friend o-“
“Past that?” Willow looked down. It had been like a schoolgirl crush that never truly went away. She cared for Angel in more than a-you’re-a-good-friend-and-my-best-friend’s-ex kind of way. She looked back up.
“I care deeply for him.”
“You are worthy, as is he. His soul will be attached to yours. You will become much like him, from this day forth no sickness, nor age shall touch you. Injury will be no more to you than it is to him. You may still be killed but it will be more than passingly hard, but amongst these comes one tragedy. You will only ever be able to show him love. True love, that shared betwixt lovers.”
“Only him? No other?”
“In your case an exception is fitting. To one other soul your endearments may be given. Chose well for once given they cannot be taken back. Your gift is one freely given.” The deity turned and walked away, gliding up the steps, and Willow gasped falling to her side. Her chest felt aflame and she could almost feel the rune being craved into the flesh on her back. She let out a hoarse scream before blacking out.
When she did come to Willow did the best she could to clear her circle. It was unclear how long she had been n the motel, though all of her candles had gone out at one point, some collapsing in one themselves. She was drinking her bottles of water trying to regain some strength when her cell phone rang. Willow had barely croaked a hello when Fred began babbling.
“It worked, Willow it worked!! I mean I didn’t think it would but it did. You could smell the fire from his chest half across the lobby and her passed out hasn’t come to quite yet and the rune was there! He nearly blacked out. Gunn had to help him upstairs to his room.” Willow who had at one point babbled much worse than the dark haired girl was doing now could understand what Fred was saying.
“It worked.” The words were a mix between a statement and a question.
“Yes your spell, Angel’s soul is anchored!”
“Don’t tell him if you can get around it. But ask if I could come for a visit.”
“He has a room set up from the last time you visited. You’ll be fine.”
“Okay, I’ll be there sometime tonight then.”
*************************************************************
Willow took a deep breath as she pulled up in front of the Hyperion. She hadn’t been here since Buffy’s death. Angel didn’t know about a lot of things that had passed over the latter part this year. Among them were Buffy and Spike’s…affair, and Willow’s grief fueled rampage. Yet here she was, on her doorstep. She walked up the doorstep and into the massive lobby.
“Angel investigations we help the-“Cordelia’s voice drifted from around the corner, she must have heard the door’s open. It stopped when she saw Willow. “Willow! You’re here, Fred something about a visit. There’s a room still made up for you on the second floor.”
“Is…Is Angel here?” Willow was expecting a no. They doubtless had clients to attend to. That and it was closing in on ten ‘o’ clock. Which presented yet another question. What was Cordy doing here? The puzzlement must have shown on her face because Cordelia began to speak again.
“Angel asked me to stay until you got here, or it got too late whichever happened first.”
“Where is Angel? I mean isn’t he a.... You know creature of the night?”
“Asleep in his room.”
“Does he always sleep this late, I mean it’s starting to close in on midnight.”
“He’s sleeping off this afternoon.”
Willow’s brow furrowed.
“What happened?”
“Not sure, He nearly passed out on the stairs. His chest was all burned up like someone had splashed holy water on it. Wesley and Gun brought him up to his room, Wesley said he had some kind of rune on his shoulder blade. Wesley got his books and started researching. I swear he’s worse than Giles used to be cause we don’t get doughnuts. He hasn’t figured out what it means, but I’m sure he will.” Willow bit her lip apprehensively.
Why had the spell effected him o aversely. She ha passed out as well. But it was to be expected. She was....er used to be human. Tha and she had just fiished an extremely complicated spell.her fatigue was warranted. Cordy must have damn perceptive sine high school because she noticed Willow's displeasure.
"Don't worry Angel will be fine."
Willow nodded weakly beofre replying.
"Of course he will, I'm just worrying more than usual because I'm tired.Wanna show me where my room is?"
The brunette smiled.
"Just follow me."
Willow heftd her backpack, laptop case and duffell bag and followed Cordelia to a room where she could fall into sleep and oblivion.
Willow awoke groggily the next morning with the sun shining full in her eyes. She groaned but started getting up, knowinmg she wouldn't get any more sleep no matter how hard she tried. She changed from the giant t-shirt she had donned for sleep to a pair of jeans and a smalled T-shirt, dragged a brush through her hair before embarking down the stairs to see what time it was.
When she did get down stairs Cordelia was at the front desk and it looked as if several people were in the office behind it. Cordelia looked up to the sound of bare feet on the highly polished stairs.
"Morning Willow, I was wondering what time you were going to get up." She smiled wryly as Willow gave her a funny look and ran a hand through her hair.
"It can't be that late."
"It's closing in on two o' clock."
Willow's eyes got as big as saucers as she stammered out a "Two...as in the afternoon?"
"Yeah, his broodiness will be up soon."
As the two women talked Gunn, and a far more hesitant Wesley emerged from the office. Wesley was pleasantly suprised.
"Willow..it's...good to see you."
Willow gave hinm a once over glance taking in the differences in his appearance. With a half amused half awed look she answered. "You look different....."
It was hard to reconcile the Wesley she had known in high school with the man standing before her. This Wesley looked harder, tougher. That and his inferiority complex which had once played such a dominant role on his personality was nowhere to be seen, or rather it was only seen if you looked in the right places for it.
You could see it in the way he averted his eyes if you looked at him too scrutinizingly. Or his posture, that and a dozen other things. But they were only there if you looked and they were hidden by a scar acorss the length of his throat. And his new clothes, which definitely suited him better than the suits he had worn, and a shaggy goatee.
He wasn't like the Wesley she had known. Whether that was a good or bad thing Willow couldn't decide.