bbb14

Chapter fourteen

Douglass looked over at Angel and Willow sitting next to each other on the couch. That morning when the girls had awoken, they had found the vampires asleep in the living room. Willow had blushed, Cordelia had squealed in delight and hugged the dark vamp. Douglass was delighted, knowing that this meant her friends beloved vampire was back.

When Wesley and Gunn joined them, they excepted Angel's return unconditionally. It went with out saying that everyone understood that Angel hadn't been himself, seeing that he almost lost half his soul. Enjoying the easy banter, the group unconsciously decided to leave talk about the spell until another day. Angel back in his old role, made omelets for everyone. Douglass, who had been voted as coffee girl, went to work on her chore. They ate in front of the TV watching Saturday morning cartoons.

After a lengthy cartoon-fest. Wesley announced it was time for the girls to train. Which brought a round of groans and excuses. Wesley showed no mercy, and told them they had ten minutes to be dressed and ready.

The training area amazed Angel. The blue training mat covered most of the large room. The three girls were stretching on the mats, silently cursing the ex-watcher. Wesley instructed Cordelia and Willow on what he wanted them to practice. Douglass was sent to the treadmill. Wesley explained to Angel that the blonde witch needed to get back into shape, all the time in bed made her muscles lethargic.

Watching as Gunn and Spike sparred in the far corner; Angel was amazed they hadn't done this in the past. The slayer had always trained, but no one thought of training the defenseless teens that fought by her side. Willow was attacking a punching bag, being stopped occasionally by Wesley, instructing her on how to improve a sloppy move. Cordelia was trying to maneuver a wooden staff. Once in awhile dropping it with a thud, only to pick it up and try again. Douglass was bored on the treadmill, watching her friends with envy. Angel was sure that after a couple of weeks, her training would begin.

After the workout, and showers had been taken. Everyone settled down in front of the television with Chinese take out. Everyone talking and laughing. Angel got reacquainted with his friends, listening patiently as they explained what Lindsey wanted them to do. He announced to a shocked group, that he was going to help them finish their objective.

Angel also got to know Douglass better. He was impressed with her. She was outgoing, funny, and intelligent but most importantly Willow�s friend. He laughed as she and Spike fought like siblings over the remote, having to be separated from each other.

Angel was very thankful for this second, well maybe more than his second chance, to be with his friends. Maybe Spike was right; these people were more like his family. Stealing a glance over at Willow his brown eyes met with emerald green ones. She blushed and looked away. Reaching over he squeezed her small hand. Willow rewarded him with one of her precious smiles.

Douglass looked at the clock, wincing. " I have to get ready." Everyone's faces fell. The fun was over for the moment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Ouch!" Douglass yelped as she ducked her head from the menacing on sought of hairpins.

"Hold still Luv. I haven't done this in awhile." Spike spit out through clenched teeth holding bobby pins.

"Spike you missed a piece." Angel pointed out, containing the impulse to laugh at the blonde vampire trying to tame Douglass's curls into an old fashion up sweep.

"Her damned hair is too thick and curly." Spike growled in disgust, as he pulled the pins out of Douglass's hair. The curly masses springing from its bounds.

"I knew I should have gone to a salon." Douglass tried to stand; only having Spike shove her back down on the chair. It had been like this for the last hour.

"I can do this. I used to do Dru's hair all the time." Picking up a section of her hair, twisting it, only to get annoyed and drop it.

Angel sighed and put his hand out to Spike. "Give them over boy. Let a man do this." Willow giggled as Spike sneered at Angel, handing over the pins.

Cordelia joined the group again, having left when she got bored half an hour ago. The three were in awe as Angel gently combed through the curls, putting them in sections, twisting them and gingerly fastening them down with a few hair pins. It took him moments to accomplish a task Spike had been trying to do for an hour.

Pulling a few curls form their hold, Angel stepped back to take a look. "There."

"I could've done that." Spike grunted.

"Angel I am never going to a salon again. You are a whiz at that." Cordelia walked around Douglass, looking at the masterpiece he had just created. "How did you learn to do that?"

"When you're with someone like Darla for as long as I was, you learn. In fact I used to help-." Angel had looked over to Willow and saw her distressed facial expression as he started to talk about his sire. "I learned a long time ago." He rubbed the back of his neck, regretting saying anything about his sire. Everything had been going so well that day.

The phone rang, and grateful for the distraction Angel answered it without thinking twice. "Hello?"

"Is Douglass there?" Angel body went tense at the sound of the familiar voice.

"It depends on who's calling." Angel growled into the phone.

"I don't see...Who the HELL is this?" Angel smirked, enjoying the rise he got out of the lawyer. Taking the phone from his ear, he held it out to the young witch.

"For you."

"Gee thanks." Douglass rolled her eyes taking the offered phone.

"Hello?"

"Why is Angel there?" Lindsey barked over the phone.

"It's none of your business *Sweetheart*" Douglass's voice dripped with sarcasm.

"I swear if he-."

"Lindsey is there a point to this call?" Douglass interrupted.

"I'm running late, I need you to meet me at my place."

Douglass glared at the phone and made herself count to ten. "What do you mean I need to meet you at your apartment Lindsey?" Spike nearly snatched the phone out of Douglass's hand, only to be stopped by Willow pulling on his other arm.

"I'm. Running. Late." Lindsey repeated himself, and checked his watch again, cursing the fact he had to attend an emergency meeting hours before the Ball. "It's not as though it�s a real date, so what does it matter? The doorman has instructions to let you into my apartment."

"Why don't I meet you at the Ball?" Douglass didn't want to go to his apartment. The thought made her stomach tie up in knots. Plus the suggestion calmed down the two vamps.

"I want them to think we're dating because we want to. Not that your around just to accompany me at these functions."

Knowing that there would be no winning with him, "fine, where do you live?" Writing down the address, Douglass slammed the phone down, before she let Lindsey finish his conversation.
~~~~~~~~~~~

Douglass thanked the older gentleman that let her into Lindsey's apartment. Self-conscience of walking into a stranger�s home, she tried to calm her nerves. Taking a look around she wasn't shocked to find the furnishings high quality. Expensive paintings hung on the walls. State of the art electronics placed around the living room. Everything was as she expected. It was all for show. There was no personality to the place. No pictures of family or friends. Lindsey McDonald was one hundred percent grade A Yuppie.

Walking further into the living room she heard a door open to her right. Swinging toward the sound, she stood in shock as see took in the sight of Lindsey. Who was only clad in a black towel, that hung dangerously low on his hips. Beads of water trailed down his bare chest.

Lindsey saw the deep blush that covered Douglass's face. She looked amazing. He was pleased with her dress choice. The ivory silk fastened around her neck, covering the pink scar at her throat. The material clung to her body perfectly, giving it an air of sophistication, but at the same time making her utterly sexy. The hem of the dress reached an inch above her ankle, showing off the straps to her matching shoes. Her hair was pulled up, with stray curls framing her blushing face.

Gaining her senses she swung around, facing the opposite direction. "Do you think you could get dressed?" Douglass tried to sound bored, only to have it come out as a whisper. Squeezing her eyes shut, she tried to erase the half-naked image of Lindsey McDonald From her mind.

Lindsey smirked. "Just heard a noise. Wanted to make sure it was you." He let his eyes roam over the back of Douglass's dress. It dipped just below her shoulder blades. She had such a tiny waist, yet her hips curved slightly. "I'll be ready in a few minutes."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Everything was running smoothly. Tables were set, guests were milling around, and dinner would be served on time. Lindsey scanned the room again, making sure he hadn't missed anything. After the last charity ball that Angel had ruined, the lawyer wanted to make sure nothing went wrong. He had kept Douglass by his side, not trusting her loose around all his clients and co-workers. Stealing another look at her, she looked bored.

Nothing impressed her. Not his apartment, his car, or the lavish Ballroom. A cocky smile spread across his lips. Well my half-naked body had impressed her. Out of the corner of his eye he say Lilah approaching them.

"Lindsey can I talk to you?" Lilah looked over to Douglass, "Alone."

Douglass rolled her eyes, and started to walk away. Lindsey places a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. "Lilah run along like a good little girl. I'm not in the mood for your bitchiness tonight."

Lilah leaned in, lowering her voice. "What do you thing your doing bringing *her* here. She's with Angel's little groupies. The senior partners are not going to like this."

"Lilah." Lindsey's voice took on a threatening tone. "Back. Off. Ms MacArthur and I are trying to enjoy each other's company, nothing more. As I see it, it's none of your business." Taking Douglass's hand, he led her to the other side of the room.

"Wow you must have been practicing that for days now." Douglass mocked him. "Enjoying one another's company my ass."

"Yes well better then saying that you where cheaper than hiring a hooker." Lindsey could feel the anger boiling inside her.

"Lindsey darling." An elderly voice interrupted from behind.

Lindsey and Douglass turned toward the voice, "Mrs. Stockton, I'm glad you came." Lindsey leaned down and kissed the woman cheek. Douglass's eyes nearly popped out of her head. His voice sounded nice and sincere. Even his body had relaxed, as he introduced her to the older woman.

"I'm so happy to see Mr. McDonald with someone who looks so pure. He usually attends these functions alone, or with one of those models." The woman said in disgust. " Flesh and bone, no meat to them." (Did she just call me fat?) Douglass thought. "... You look young and fresh. If Lindsey's smart he'll keep a close eye on you." Lindsey snorted. "I love your hair. You have to tell me where you had it done." Mrs. Stockton asked.

"Well actually he doesn't work for a salon. I guess you'd say he's independent. I call him my *Angel*." Douglass bit the side of her cheek to keep herself from laughing. Lindsey's body tensed the pressure on her hand he was still holding was almost painful. Douglass decided that the night defiantly had potential.
~~~~~~~~~~~

Dinner was over, and couples were heading toward the dance floor. Lindsey glared over at his dining companion as she laughed at some stupid joke the guy next to her told. Lindsey signaled the waiter for another drink. `If that idiot tells one more joke I'm going to pound the piss out of him.' Lindsey glared at the oblivious man. Hearing the beginning of a new song, Lindsey decided to take matters into his own hands, before he attacked the guy.

Spike grumbled, "Where in the hell is she?" Scanning over the room again, he found Douglass glaring at Lindsey as he nearly dragged her to the dance floor. Seeing the blonde witch snatch her hand away from the lawyer, Spike chuckled. "If I have to be here and baby-sit, at least I can get a kick out of hearing the Brat tear that limp wristed jackass into shreds."

Walking toward the dance floor he realized he needed to find a dance partner. Scanning the area, his eyes landed on a familiar face. "I'll be damned." He muttered. It was the girl in the hospital he had played big bad poof for. "I say she owes me this."

Walking toward her, he noticed the older man from the hospital was standing next to her as well. He was whispering something she apparently didn't care for in her ear. Turning from the older man, the auburn beauty was getting ready to walk away, when Spike intercepted her and swept her on the dance floor before she could even think.

Her emerald green eyes bulged, and she tried to pull away from him. "What do you think your doing?" She whispered, glancing over to where the older man was standing.

Spike chuckled. "I'm trying to dance, but if you step on my toes one more time, I might have to sit this one out."

"Please you need to let me go. My father is already upset with me." Her eyes kept flicking over to the older man.

"Don't worry pet, I'll take care of you." Spike tried locating Douglass again. After a moment he found her, seeing her flushed cheeks, and narrowed eyes, he knew the couple were in the middle of a war.

Trying to navigate his reluctant dance partner close enough to the other couple, he tried to catch a shred of the heated conversation.

"Why are you staring at Lindsey?" The girl asked.

Spike glanced down at the beauty again, shocked at the depth of her emerald eyes. "What's your name little one?"

"Arianna Gallagher. You didn't answer my question."

"Oh my name's Spike. Thanks for asking." The corner of his lip curled up at her frustration. "And I'm *not* staring at Lindsey, he happens to be with a friend of mine. Making sure she's okay." Trying to get closer to the other dancing pair.

"So you know something about Lindsey's mystery date?" The blonde ignored her question. Aria was curious about the pretty girl that Lindsey couldn�t keep his eyes off of. Her father had said something about her being the young woman that had been almost killed months before. That Lindsey had assisted her friends out of a sticky situation. Aria looked over at her father again. His face registered his dismay to her dancing partner.

Spike was straining his ears to pick up the conversation between the witch and lawyer, but couldn't hear them over the music, and conversations swirling around him. Trying to get a little closer, without being seen, he felt a tingling sensation on the back of his neck. Stopping to a dead halt on the dance floor he spotted Darla and Dru. " Oh Bloody Hell. This is *not* something I need right now."

Aria didn't understand why the blonde had stopped dancing. Looking in the direction Spike glaring in, she gasped. "Oh my God."

"I take it you know them." Spike stated.

The auburn beauty nodded. "I saw them a few months ago. My father told me what they did at Holland's house. I don't understand why they're allowed into the offices anymore, or here for that matter."

Spike's eyes met with Dru's, and he groaned. "Listen, you need to get Douglass, the girl with Lindsey, out of here." Spike whispered into the girl's ear. Aria opened her mouth to question him, when he cut her off. "She's been through enough; she doesn't need to meet those two tonight. Tell her that I'll meet her at home." Spike practically shoved her in Douglass's direction, as he walked over to his sire and Darla.

Aria thought for a second on what she should do. Her father did tell her to find out as much as she could about Lindsey's date. Not that she was eager to help the bastard. If she didn't he'd would just hurt her, like he always did when she rebelled. Knowing she needed to make up her mind, and now, she headed toward Douglass.

Lindsey leaned over and growled into Douglass's ear, unaware of the arrival of the two vampires. "Do I need to remind you that you're here with me? I know it may be a hard concept to grasp, but when on a date with a person one doesn't flirt with someone else."

Douglass pulled her head away from his and gave him a traitorous smile. "But sweetie, this isn't a real date." Throwing his previously spoken words back in his face.

He was ready to throttle the girl. This was supposed to be simple. In fact after embarrassing her earlier that evening in his bath towel, he was sure he was going to be able to control the newest addition to the `I Love Angel Fan Club'. He tried charming her, and when that didn't work he tried impressing her with his hard-earned possessions. Then he tried intimidating her, which had backfired miserably. He had reminded her about how she and her friends owed him, and that if she didn't up hold her end of the bargain they'd all pay. She had laughed at him, then turned to the person next to her for dinner conversation.

He was about to respond to Douglass when Thomas Gallagher's daughter, Aria, tapped him on the shoulder. "Lindsey may I talk to your date?"

Lindsey's brows knotted. "Why?"

Aria rolled her eyes. "Stop reading things into this. There's someone who wants to meet her. I'm sure you'll survive a few moments without her by your side." Aria was shocked when the attractive couple snorted at her.

Pushing Douglass in her direction, Lindsey replied dryly. "I'll miss you *honey*."

Aria grabbed the other girl's hand and hurried to the nearest exit. "Where are we going?" Douglass asked, trying to keep up.

"I'll explain in a minute." Aria wound around groups of people. Trying not to cause a scene, but get them out of there quick. Once in the lobby of the hotel that hosted the Ballroom, Aria slowed a bit. "Some guy named Spike told me to get you out of there. That you need to meet him at home." Aria paused. "Are you guys dating or something?"

"No, but we were engaged once." Douglass giggled at the confused expression that stole across her rescuers face. "Long story. I guess he was spying on me."

"Do you need a ride to your house?" Arai asked, her eyes darting to the direction they had just came from.

"Why? I can't just leave Lindsey. I bet that would thrill him." Douglass was getting a weird vibe from the girl. "Who are you anyway?"

"I'm Aria. Do you know of two women by the names of Darla and Dru?" Douglass nodded as her blood went cold.

"Well they're here, well in there." She motioned to the Ballroom exit. "Spike and I were dancing, and he saw them. He said to get you, and tell you to go home. Do you need a ride?" Aria rushed.

Douglass grabbed Aria's hand and headed to the exit. "You don't need to ask me a third time. Let's get out of here."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The only thought on Lindsey's mind was getting another drink. Douglass was enough to make a saint get drunk, and Lindsey McDonald was anything but a saint. `I should have taken my chance and picked Willow for this.' Lindsey fumed. `Even Cordelia would have...well maybe not Cordelia. Maybe after another hour or two the brunette might be a welcoming change.' The handsome young lawyer was so lost in thought he hadn't noticed the odd behavior around him.

Guests had spotted the two notorious vampires standing near the dance floor. The employees of Wolfram and Hart stopped what they were doing, and stood in terror. The invited guests, who were donating to the charity of the night, were curious behavior around them.

Lindsey was trying to figure out a way to control the tempestuous witch. Any more repeat nights like this, he couldn't be held accountable for his actions. Short of beating her into submission, he didn't think that there was much he was going to be able to do.
~~~~~~

Spike strolled across the dance floor, taking his time to reach his sire's side. Spike was contemplating his reaction to the sight of Dru. Amazing how his dark goddess had at one time been able to fill him with such burning passion. It had once gripped at his body, tearing him apart, until he could crawl under her skin. Her lingering scent when she was out, made his demon hunt her down, until she was at his side, where she had belonged. Now looking at her, there was hardly a flicker of heat. Too much had happened.

"Well what do we have here?" Spike stopped a few steps away from the two.

"William, it's been quiet awhile. I really thought you would have been here sooner to welcome me back." Darla purred.

"He's been busy." Dru walked toward her childe, lifting a hand to his face. "Helping the dirty old slayer. He's been put on a leash, and housebroken." Spike remained impassive.

"I can't believe you were helping that bitch, William darling. Then again I can't believe that you turned against My Boy. Teaming up with the slayer to take him out." Darla's eye's slowly turned amber, showing her loss of the slim control she had on her boiling anger.

"He was going to destroy the world. Wipe every human out of existence. Where's the fun in that, I ask?" Spike shot back. He noticed that they were drawing a crowd. Not that he minded, it gave that girl he was dancing with a chance to get Douglass out of there.

Darla took an unneeded breath, taking control again; "do you even know how embarrassed I am of my family? A direct line of the Master himself? Angelus has a wretched soul. His souled self killed me! For a slayer. You can't be trusted with, or without some metal piece in your unused brain. And Dru..." Darla paused and walked over to the brunette vampire, and kissed the girl on the cheek. "She's the only member I truly have left. At one time I considered her the weak link. I was going to kill her myself, to show Angelus he was getting out of control. She's proven herself, and I'm planning on rewarding her."

"I'm thrilled, really I am." Spike grunted. He didn't like the gleam in the other blonde's eyes. He had seen that gleam before. Something huge was going to happen, Darla was known for her brilliant games. He just didn't like the feeling that he was on the wrong side of the game this time.

"Guess what my present is?" Dru giggled.

Spike raised an eyebrow, not wanting to make either think he was too interested.

Dru sighed and clapped her hands, "My sanity."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Lindsey what are you going to do about them?" Lilah hissed into Lindsey's ear.

"What are you talking about?" Lindsey asked before he polished off the last of the amber liquid in his glass.

Lilah turned Lindsey around, and he let out a curse. He had allowed the little witch to distract him. There was no other way to explain how Darla and Dru could be standing twenty feet away with out him realizing it. To make matters worse Spike was standing in front of the two other vampires. Dru was giggling at Spike's shocked expression. Darla smug. This *was* the something he couldn't afford to happen. The party crashing vamps could very well mean the end of the lawyer's life.

Setting his empty glass on the nearest table, he rushed over to break up the scene. Perhaps if he could get the three bloodsuckers out of the Ballroom, the night wouldn't be ruined.

"What do you think you are all doing?' Lindsey gritted out.

"Just a family reunion of sorts." Spike answered without taking his eyes off the other two vampires. Knowing that if he dropped his guard either one of them might attack. When he had heard of Darla's return to the living, then to the un-dead, he knew this day was coming. Angelus was her pride and joy. Turning on him was betraying her as well. Even if she had been dust.

Lindsey could feel the tension radiating off Darla and Spike. He needed to get them out of the room, before there was any bloodshed, or dust in their case. Not all the guest that night was aware of the things that go bump in the night.

"Do you think the three of you could take this somewhere else?" Lindsey looked around and caught Lilah's eye. She wore a smug satisfied look, that he wished he could slap off of her. She was someway behind this.

"Well of course Lindsey dear. All you had to do was ask." Darla took Dru's hand and started to the exit. "Spike I'm going to let you live for now. I think you'll be the best for the new and improved Dru to take a test drive with. Don't you think?" She tossed over her shoulder as she left.

"Damn bint. She's going to be a holly terror." Spike growled. "Angel should've staked her ass... again." Ignoring the lawyer at his side, Spike snatched a glass of Champagne off the tray of a nearby waiter, and drained it in one gulp.

"Spike what are you doing here?" Lindsey stepped closer, looking around, not wanting anyone else to hear.

"Watching out for what's mine."

Losing his patience with the vampire, Lindsey could barely keep his voice down. "What are you talking about?"

"Douglass you wanker." Spike enjoyed the frustrated look that settled on the other man's face. "You didn't really think I was going to let her be alone with you without some kind of protection? I mean, two very dangerous vampires just strolled in here. How were *you* going to protect her? In fact, do you even know where she is?" Lindsey was caught off guard, again. Snapping around he surveyed the room. His heartbeat skipped a beat, then sped up when he couldn't find her.

Hearing Lindsey's heartbeat skip a beat, Spike's smile got cocky. "Don't worry mate. I made sure she left before anything bad might of happen. You really need to take better care of her though. The chit's such a delicate young thing."

"More like rabid." Lindsey muttered.

"Yes, Brat sure does have a sharp tongue on her." Spike smirked. "Been on the receiving end of it once or twice myself."

Anger started to replace some of the confusion in the lawyer. She had left, without so much as telling him. `Does she even know how stupid I am going to feel if someone noticed she left. What the Hell does Spike mean as in his?'

Turning away the mocking eyes of the blonde vampire, Lindsey headed to the exit. It was time he explained to Douglass just who called the shots. Tonight was the last time that he'd allow her to distract him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~

Douglass felt awkward that Aria followed her into the building. On the ride home she had learned that Aria's father also worked for Wolfram and Hart. Which kind of made her one of the bad guys well made her father one of the bad guys. It made Aria just the daughter of a bad guy, who could tell her Dad things that he shouldn't know. Not knowing what else to do Douglass let the other girl follow her.

"You live inside an old bank?" Aria looked perplexed, as Douglass held the door open for her.

"I live upstairs; I work down here in the former bank lobby." The explanation didn't clear up the other girl�s confusion.

Everyone was downstairs at the desks. Each had books piled in front of them, except for Willow whose fingers were flying over the keyboard of her computer. When Douglass walked in everyone looked up, guilty expressions on their faces. "Douglass what are you doing back so soon?" Wesley cleared his throat in embarrassment.

"There were some party crashers. Spike sent me home. This is Aria; she's the one who rescued me tonight. Her father works for Wolfram and Hart." Douglass caught the others eyes letting them all know she'd explain later. "I thought you guys were going out clubbing tonight."

Willow felt an urge to turn off her computer screen, so Douglass wouldn't see what she was up to. If only the blonde witch would just admit that there was a huge chance that her powers could be bound, there would be no need to sneak around. No one wanted to go behind Douglass's back, but anytime the possibility was brought up the witch would plea to change the subject or get mad.

After Douglass's cab had left earlier that night, everyone had started getting ready to go out for the night. Cordelia and Willow were sharing the bathroom, hurrying through their primping. While Angel rummaged through the books Douglass had brought back with her. He was amazed at the material the young woman had. Most was in Gaelic, which he thought as odd, until he questioned Willow. She explained that Douglass had been born in Scotland, her family roots going back several generations. When her mother had died, the books were found in the attic. Not only could Douglass translate the books, but could speak it as well. Angel was even more impressed by the young woman.

The topic of her powers came up. Willow explained that she didn't think the traumatic experience the other witch went through had anything to do with her inability to cast. Angel was agreeing with her, when Wesley and Gunn walked off the elevator. The ex-watcher was also in the mind that Douglass's powers had been bound. That he had actually been searching for a spell to help.

That had been two hours ago. The group decided to forgo the nights outing, to see if they could come up with anything to help their friend.

Angel closed the book he was reading and placed it on the desk. "What party crashers?"

"Darla and Dru." Douglass took in how close Angel was sitting next to Willow, and wanted to do a little happy dance. She knew how Willow felt about the dark vamp, even if she never put it into words. And the way Angel stayed only feet from the redhead all that day, gave some clue to his feelings, even if he was to blind to see. All day long the two had been stealing glances at one another, when they thought the other wasn't looking. Willow's gazes drank in his every move. Her eyes a dead give away to the affection she had for him. Angel looks were more puzzled. As though he was seeing Willow for the first time, and that he apparently liked what he saw.

"Are you kidding me?" Gunn's mouth dropped open. "I can't believe *I'm* saying this, but thank God Spike followed you."

"Gee, I wonder whose plan it was to have Spike follow me...Angel?"Douglass's eyebrow raised as she looked at the vampire. "I can't believe no one thought to inform me."

Aria gasped and started to back up. "Angel! You mean as in the *vampire* that locked a room of my fathers co-workers up in a wine cellar, Angel." Taking a look around the room, she started to realize these were the people that had been causing the firm her father worked for so much grief. "Why was someone following you?" She questioned Douglass. "For that matter why are you dating Lindsey McDonald?" Aria was confused. She didn't know if she should run as fast as she could. Or congratulate these people for being able to have the nerve and strength to do something she always dreamed about. Taking out Wolfram and Hart.

Willow stood and tried to calm the other redhead down. But every step she made toward the girl, Aria would take a step back. "I'm sure you're kind of confused right now..." Willow stopped not really knowing what to say. Looking over at Angel for help, the vampire looked uncomfortable. `Men.' Willow thought.

Douglass blocked Aria's path to the door. Things had just gotten way out of control. No one could know they were helping Lindsey. Not only would it bring more problems on the gang, but also no matter how much they disliked the lawyer they didn't want his blood on their hands either. Some damage control needed to be done and now. Douglass cared way too much about this group, to have some stranger to jeopardize anything.

"Aria please sit so we can all talk." Douglass said from behind the girl. "I'm sure you have a few questions you want answered."

Aria turned, not realizing that Douglass had blocked her way out. The blonde's cat like eyes showed concern, but there was a hint of hardness to them as well. Deciding that the best course of action was to hear these people out, she sat in the nearest chair.

Angel glanced around; knowing that no one really knew how to start this. Opening his mouth to start, he was interrupted by Lindsey who barged through the entrance.

"Douglass." Lindsey nearly growled as he spotted her. "I think we need to talk." Oblivious to the other people in the room, he reached her side, fists clenched at his side.

Douglass groaned. `Of all times why now?' She thought. "Lindsey, do you think this could wait? There seems to be other matters a tad bit more important right now." She nodded to Aria. Who looked ever more unsure of what was going on. If that was even possible.

The lawyer ran his left hand over his face in frustration. Nothing was going as he had planned, and it was only his first outing with Douglass. "Aria what are you doing here?" Lindsey no longer had the energy to be upset anymore. That had been spent on his mental tirade, on how he was going to make Douglass understand he was the one in charge here.

"Spike wanted me to get Douglass away from Darla and Dru. I brought her here." Aria relayed the only thing that made sense to her that night.

"How do you know Spike?" Lindsey was beginning to wish he hadn't come here. He could have called Douglass the next morning.

"I really don't know him. We were just dancing... Then the two vampires showed up...He told me to get your date out of there."

Lindsey just stared at her for a second. "Let me get this straight. You were dancing with a dangerous vampire, which told you to take my date to `safety'."

Aria's lips started to tremble. "V-Vampire."

"Oh shut up Lindsey." Willow snapped as Aria's face whitened. The redheaded witch felt sorry for Aria. She had walked smack dab into a big mess, which kept getting messier by the second.

Aria took deep breaths and scolded herself. She knew that vampires and demons existed since she was a small child. So why did dancing with one leave her feeling terrified? Looking around at the unfamiliar faces, she knew there was a whole lot she didn't know. Feeling a calm steal over her, she gathered all the courage she knew was deep inside her.

"I'm fine...I...I was surprised is all." Aria looked at chewed on her bottom lip.

Growing up the daughter of a highly disliked lawyer of Wolfram and Hart she knew her life was always in jeopardy. Even more so after she become old enough for her father to use her as a pawn in his little games. But she had always known what was going on, always had a little control over the situation. Now she sat in a room of her father's newest enemies. Even Lindsey listed high on her father's list of disliked people.

Angel watched the Aria's emotions that played across her face. The tension in the room was growing. Looking over at Lindsey he motioned with his head for the bane of his existence for the last year to follow him. Walking to one of the empty offices, Angel didn't look back to see if the other man followed.

Lindsey's insides knotted with anger. Damn Angel, he just expected him to follow. Gritting his teeth, not knowing what else to do, he went to the office, slamming the door behind him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I glad I'm not in there." Gunn's half hearted attempt at a joke went flat.

"Should we leave those two in there alone?" Wesley knew for sure he didn't want to be the one to supervise the two. But he had to at least show his concern.

"I for one have had my fill of Lindsey McDonald that I can stand for the night." Douglass glanced at the shut door. Silently hoping that Angel tore into the aggravating lawyer. All night long visions of him dripping wet, in a black towel played in her mind. It didn't help that his mood changed with unbelievable ease. When he was around her his attitude was callous; not that she expected him to be all that pleasant to her. The second anyone else came around it was like an entirely different person took over his body. Making her angry he couldn't try and be that way around her.

"I'm going change." No one really replied, their ears trying to pick up the conversation in the other room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"None of this would be happening, if Spike hadn't followed Douglass tonight." He spat out at the calm vampire.

"She's in danger whenever she's with you Lindsey. If not from you, than from one of your sick co-workers. Of course someone followed her." Angel's face remained impassive. "As long as she is with you, Spike will follow her."

"She doesn't need protection from me. She's a powerful witch, remember?" Lindsey saw something flicker through Angel's brown eyes. `Now what are these people keeping from me?' Frustration flooded through the lawyer.

"We need to decide on what to tell Aria." Angel changed the subject.

"Nothing. She already knows of your existence, and of your agency. She'd have to be deaf not to know. What are a couple more people, and a vampire? Just let her think she helped save Douglass form Darla and Dru. Leave it at that." Lindsey was surprised that Angel agreed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Is Brat here?" Spike interrogated the group the second he walked through the door. He noticed Aria's widened eyes, and felt himself relax a little. Douglass had to be there, if the little redhead was sitting in front of him.

Willow nodded. "She went to change. Lindsey's here too."

"Bloody hell. Where is he?" Everybody's eyes went to the closed door. Spike stalked to the door and threw it open. He had expected to see Lindsey and Douglass at each other's throats. Instead Peaches and the bloody lawyer were in the middle of a discussion.

"Peaches, we've got trouble." Angel growled, and Lindsey some way managed to control the urge to laugh at the nickname.

"What trouble?" Willow asked from behind.

Spike smirked. "What is more dangerous than a vampire that's been insane for over a hundred years?" Willow looked confused, her eyebrows knotting together. Spike turned back to Angel, still ignoring the lawyer. "What Peaches, no guesses. Because I'm thinking this subject has you written all over it...How about your sire helping a certain vampire regain her sanity, helping her remember everything with crystal clarity. Don't know about the rest of you blokes, but I know I'd rather not be there the day she comes to."

"I'd think Looney Dru would be more dangerous than a sane Dru." The unease on Angel's face didn't help Willow stay calm. "Angel?" The vampire's mind was a thousand miles away. Going over all the things Angelus did to make the once pure and sane Drucilla what she was today. Pretending to be a priest, whispering to her how God had turned his back on her. Stalking her, until her fragile nerves came unbound. Killing her family. Worse yet, turning the young girl, just after she had taken her vows. Angelus had massacred the convent inhabitants, raped the novice nun, and turned her. Willows voice snapped him back.

"Huh? Sorry, I was just..."

"Reliving your glory days?" Lindsey finished with a taunting smile.

"Like you should talk!" Willow shouted at the lawyer, and walked over to Angel. "If it wasn't for you and your law firm, Darla would never had come back from the hell she *so* deserved to be in. Without Darla, Dru would never have come here. She'd be in somewhere in South America dating some Chaos demon. So before you go throwing taunts in Angel's direction, I'd take a close look at what your actions have caused. *Plus* it wasn't Angel that drove Dru insane it was Angelus. Two very different individuals... trust me." Taking a much-needed breath, she slumped back against an amazed Angel. He put his hands on her shoulder and gave a squeeze of thanks.

"So how does Darla think she can accomplish this?" Wesley had joined the growing party in the office when he heard Willow shouting.

"The bitch really didn't tell me her plan. It kind of takes the deadly mystery out of it." Spike growled.

"She's looking for the book of Ansuz." Lindsey provided, knowing that he'd also benefit from stopping Darla's plan. Shocked eyes focused on him. "She's been looking for it for months now." He shrugged.

"Am I hearing right? Did Lindsey McDonald just *give* us information? Because if he did we all *know* we're in trouble. The only time he wants to help is when it's getting *really* bad." Cordelia could barely contain the sarcasm in her words.

"I've heard of the book." Wesley left the room, the occupants following him out. The ex watcher went to the vault that now housed the growing collection of books.

"Hey were did that Aria chick go?" Gunn frowned as he looked around the lobby.

"If she was smart, as far away from here as she could get." Cordelia flopped down in an empty office chair yawning.

Douglass reappeared face scrubbed of any make-up. Her hair pulled back in a ponytail, and in a pair of flannel bottoms and tee shirt. After hours in pantyhose and heels, she really didn't care what she looked like. She was going for comfort. Taking the seat in front of the computer, she tried to pretend Lindsey wasn't there.

Lindsey couldn't believe the change that had only taken moments. Douglass looked better this way. Not that she didn't look ultra sexy in her dress, but the baggy flannels, and tee better suited her. Maybe it also had something to do with the fact her attire looked suspiciously like pajamas.

"Ah, here it is." Wesley emerged from the vault, carrying on old leather bound book, reading as he walked. "The book of Ansuz is fabled to have unimaginable healing spells, for body, mind and soul. That could be used on either man or beast. That the family of witches passes the book down to oldest daughter. There's not much else." Wesley flipped the page, trying to gain any other perspective on the book.

Douglass had staring at Willow's forgotten computer screen. Trying to translate the spell written in Latin she hardly knew what was going on around her. She struggled with the first line, but it was all she needed to know. It was an unbinding spell. With a mixture of anger and fear, it finally started to dawn on the poor witch that something supernatural happened to her powers. The first time she had tried to cast a spell it was a protection spell. She had been in the hospital. It had failed miserably. Nothing. She withdrew into herself trying to find the power she could usually feel swimming inside her, and couldn't. Every night she'd meditate, and then cast a simple spell. Every night she'd go to sleep crying. It was time to own up to the fact that something had to be done to get her powers restored.

"Douglass?" Willow came up from behind. She had seen Douglass sit down in front of the monitor and start translating. The guys were arguing over Wesley's findings, and Cordelia was asleep hunched over her desk. " I'm so sorry to have gone behind your back...I just wanted to help you."

Douglass looked up into the redhead's tear filled eyes and felt awful to put her friend through so much pain again. "Give me a few more minutes to get this translated and we'll give it a try." Douglass wiped away the moisture gathering in her own eyes, and smiled at the other witch's relief.

It had taken only twenty minutes to get the spell translated and the ingredients together. "Wait, there aren't any footnotes are there?" Willow asked. "The footnotes are the ones that get us into trouble."

The blonde smiled back, "Nope, no footnotes. Where should we do this?" No one was paying any attention as the two witches slipped into the elevator, and headed up to the training room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"This seems so easy." Willow reread the spell again, making sure there wasn't some small part they were over looking. Like being turned into small green frogs if they missed a word or something. Willow shivered at the thought.

Setting the challis down in the center of the four candles, Douglass took a deep breath. "Okay let's do this." Willow nodded and sat across from the other witch. Both started recited the Latin Spell, stumbling over some of the harder words. At the end both girls peeked through their eyes, emerald green met with smoky blue.

"Gee I expected some kind of swirling smoke, or even just a little spark." Willow grumbled.

Douglass went to speak when a sharp pain ripped through her chest, and a loud explosion knocked her unconscious.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Here I found a passage in this book. It tells of a Scottish family that is rumored to have been the keepers of the book. They were highly recognized as healers...That's all it says. Perhaps we should call Giles to see if he has heard anything about the book." Angel nodded absently as Wesley picked up the phone.

Lindsey looked around the room in boredom. Everyone was searching through stacks of books for any hint of what the book would entail. `Why am I here?' He asked himself. `To remind that blonde little witch who's in charge.' He reminded himself. Sitting up straighter in his chair he took a look around. "Where did Douglass go?"

"Probably wanted to get as much distance from you as she could get." Gunn replied, not lifting his eyes from the book in front of him.

Angel looked around for the redhead. The last time he saw her was when she and Douglass were working on something on the computer. Curious as to what they had been doing, Angel went over and stared at the Latin spell, and started to translate it.

"Hey Wes." Angel called out to the ex-watcher after a few minutes. "Wesley!"

"Angel can it wait, Giles seems to know about the book."

Angel brushed off the request. "You don't have a challis that's about five inches high, made of gold and silver, with amethysts around the rim do you?"

Wesley excused himself from the phone for a moment, "Yes, we purchased one a few days ago. Why?"

Angel was about to stand up when an explosion shook the building. Waking Cordelia from her slumber she dove under the nearest desk, praying that it wasn't the big one that would see her swimming in the ocean.

"Earthquake?" Gunn asked as the shaking stopped.

Angel growled, and shared a knowing glance with Spike. "No, more like a Willowquake."

Running for the stairs he took them two at a time, followed by everyone else. "When I get my hands on that little witch I'm going to spank her till her bottom is red. Neither one of those girls are *ever* allowed to perform any kind of magic again." The dark vampire talked to himself not too quietly.

When he reached the second floor landing there was a blue cloud of smoke coming from under the door. With a cry of outrage he flung the door open, only to be engulfed by a thick cloud of smoke. "Willow!?"

There was no answer, and he rushed into the room. Spike followed at his heels. "Brat?" Spike growled when he tripped over the discarded challis. The blue haze started to fade and he could see Douglass to his left. A sudden thought hit him as he took in her motionless form. What if she was dead and Angelus started to come forward again? Stealing a glance in his direction, he saw his Grandsire picking up the redhead and go to the stairs.

Crawling over to Douglass, Spike was relived to see the rise and fall over her chest. Picking her up he headed to the stairs as well; the group of on lookers parted allowing him to take the young woman upstairs.

Angel held Willow close to his chest, silently daring her to open her eyes. `When you wake up little girl, you and I are going to have a long talk.' Stopping on the fourth floor landing he let Cordelia open the door for him. Taking the motionless form to her bedroom, and carefully laying her on the perfectly made bed, he called out to someone to bring him a wet washcloth.

Spike turned to the nearest body and shoved his burden into their arms. Taking off to the bathroom to find the first aide kit. Lindsey looked down at the girl he was forced to hold, and wondered what he should do with her. There was blue splotches covering her face, and blood was flowing from her nose. Wondering where her room was, he just stood there.

"Well mate are you going to just stand there, or are you going to do something?" Spike growled, motioning with his hand toward Douglass's room.

Lindsey wasted no time taking her to her room. Just holding her seemed a little too intimate, he needed to distance himself from the blonde witch. Nearly dropping her on the bed, he hurried back to the living room. Wondering if he snuck out now, if any of them would really notice.

Cordelia rushed out of the bathroom, arms full of moistened towels, and handed some to Gunn who was standing outside of Willows door. Taking the rest she headed in the other direction. "Wesley, don't just stand there. Do something!" She snapped out of nervousness.

The ex-watcher had no clue what he should do. He was usually the one who was on the receiving end of the medical attention. Deciding that the girls might want something to drink when they woke up, he headed to the kitchen.

Lindsey was left debating with himself. Why hadn't he left already? These people surely didn't need him, nor did they want him around. By the looks of it, they've been through similar situations, and knew just what to do. As he was telling himself all the reasons why he should leave as he edged closer to Douglass's door. He saw her lying on the bed, as Spike and Cordelia argued over the best way to fix her up. She looked so small and vulnerable, nothing like the terror he had just been with hours ago.

Angel was having trouble with the sensation running ramped through his body to tell Gunn to go help the others with Douglass. That he could take care of Willow. It was silly really. Gunn was only doing what was needed to help Willow.

Taking one of the wet towels out of the young mans hands, Angel gently wiped away some of the blue residue from Willow's delicate features. Her eyes started to flutter, and Angel gave silent thanks that she was waking up.

"A-Angel, what happened?" Trying to sit up, her head started to pound and she quickly closed her eyes and lay back down. "Sitting is so highly over-rated."

"Willow, what were the two of you thinking? You could've been seriously hurt." Angel commanded his hands to stay at his side. Instead of touching all her limbs to assure himself the redhead was fine.

Willow popped one eye open, "did it work? Does Douglass have her powers back?"

Angel stared at her for a moment, again fighting the undeniable urge to turn her backside black and blue. "I don't know, were you trying for a big blue cloud?" He asked darkly.

At first Willow blinked in confusion, "blue cloud? There wasn't supposed to be a blue cloud." Seeing the void look he gave her Willow winced. "Oh, something went wrong."

"Do you know the entire building shook?" He asked, his earlier concern for her, started to turn into anger. "Do you realize that someone could have gotten hurt?" <Like you. > His usually calm and quiet tone was getting louder.

Willow didn't know what to say. She'd never seen Angel upset like this before, well besides at Cordelia's but he really hadn't been himself. He was always the poster child, well vamp, of Coolness. Nothing frazzled him. So why was he losing it now? His body was ridged, his large hands clenched.

"I don't want you practicing anymore, unless Wesley or I are there." Angel stated as he eyed her, challenging her to disagree with him.

Willow started to wonder if she was still unconscious, and this was some horrible dream. What happened to the Angel that had her body in a whirlwind of chaos all day. A few times she could've sworn that he even flirted. Every time his body had brushed against hers, even for a second, she tingled all over. Damn it she knew he had been sneaking looks at her, so why was he acting so...mean.

"I'm not a child you can command. I also think you'll find that you're no longer the boss of Angel Investigation, but a team player. So take your caveman act somewhere else." Her insides started getting all queasy. She took deep breaths, telling herself that throwing up now wouldn't do much for her pretty speech. In fact it would just make Angle look right.

Gunn had slipped out and went to Douglass's room, not wanting anything to do with what ever power struggle the two had going on. Walking across the living room he stopped next to Lindsey. "Has she come to yet?"

Lindsey jumped at the unexpected voice. "No."

Spike and Cordelia had gotten most of the blue stuff off Douglass's face. Cordelia was threatening bodily harm to Spike who wanted to strip the blonde witch, and get her into clean clothing.

"Over my dead body Spike."

"Oh please cheerleader. Seeing Brat nude would be like seeing my sister naked." Spike's defense might have worked if he hadn't licked his lips at the end.

"OUT!" Cordelia pointed to the door. "I'd rather have *Lindsey* see her naked. We all know he could care less."

"If you don't mind *I'd* rather not have Lindsey see me in the buff." Douglass said, her eyes still shut. " Ruins the romance and all." Cordelia couldn't help but smile at the oozing sarcasm.

Lindsey rolled his eyes, and Gunn laughed.

"I don't care who the hell you think you are. You don't control me!" Willows shout silenced everyone.

"I'm not impressed with how loud you can shout kitten. I said NO.MORE.MAGIC." Angel's voice boomed.

Douglass groaned. "Let's all pretend I'm still asleep. Wake me when this all blows over."

"Give it up Angel, this is just one thing you won�t win." Willow almost snapped back at the vampire.

"Trust me little one, I will win." Angel stalked out of the bedroom; unaware of the looks everyone was giving him. `Why can't she get it through that stubborn head of hers, that she has too much uncontrolled power and can really hurt herself?'

"Is Douglass awake?" He asked no one in particular.

"No," The blonde witch answered.

Angel sighed; hoping there was less resistance from her. "Did the spell work?" Douglass heard his tired voice.

"I don't know. But if you think for one second I'm going to meekly obey your no magic rule you're in for one *huge* war." She looked him straight in the eye, not wanting him to think he could intimidate her.

"Don't you two understand..." Angel started, but the stubborn mask the girl wore let him know it was fruitless.

"I think Angel's right." Wesley said in a small voice. "Neither you nor Willow has had formal training. We all know how much power each of you possesses. You two just need to learn how to control it."

"Please Wes, it has nothing to do with power. It has everything to do with being impatient. Willow and I are becoming notorious for our rash decisions." Douglass wanted nothing more than the room to empty out, to see if the spell had actually worked.

Willow walked past everyone, her head held as high as her traitorously nauseous stomach would allow her, and lay down on the bed next to Douglass. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, just in a little shock still."

"Did it work?" The hope in Willows eyes shining.

"What were you two trying to do?" Lindsey hated being out of the loop.

"Why are you still here?" Douglass's brows gathered.

"I don't have a clue." Lindsey stood waiting for an answer.

Wesley sighed. "She lost her powers. We think they were bound...well Douglass didn't...Douglass what made you go through with the spell if you don't think your powers are bound." Wesley got off track.

Douglass's face burned, "Wes, please not now. It's embarrassing enough around friends. But Lindsey's here and he'd love nothing more than have something to torment me with."

"Didn't any of you think that I would have connections that could've helped Douglass?" Lindsey wished the words hadn't left his mouth. Of course these people wouldn't ask him for another favor. Or just come out and tell him about one of their team member�s weaknesses. "Never mind, spoken out of delusion." What was with him? Turning around he left before anyone could point out just how stupid he had just been.

"I never thought he'd leave." Cordelia rolled her eyes and climbed onto the bed, making Douglass scoot over to the middle. "It's too exhausting keeping my personal views of him to myself."

"That'd be the day. Princess not saying what's on her mind." Gunn leaned against the doorframe. Cordelia stuck her tongue out at him.

"I think the million-dollar question right now is, did the spell actually work." Cordelia looked over at Douglass.

"I don't know." Douglass yawned. It had been a long day, and her fatigue was conquering her desire to stay awake.

Angel turned his attention back to the redhead only to find her already asleep, Douglass soon followed. Knowing that he'd have to wait to speak with them until the next day he decided it was time to go back to the hotel.

"Angel, I need to talk to you." Wesley followed the dark vampire out of Douglass's room. "With all the excitement I didn't get to tell you what Giles informed me about the book Darla is looking for."

Angel wanted to tell the ex-watcher that it could wait until the next morning. But not really wanting to go back to an empty hotel by himself, he decided that he might as well hear the guy out. Giving a short nod, the two men sat down on the girl's couch.

Gunn half pushed Spike out of Douglass's room."Because I'm sure the girls don't want to find you all cuddled up next to them in the morning."

"Please they'd be honored to have me in their bed." Spike straightened up and walked over to where Angel and Wesley were.

Gunn snorted, and rolled his eyes at the vampire. Still not totally understanding how this particular vampire was known as part of the scourge of Europe.

"All the kittens are tucked in; they're all tuckered out." Spike lounged himself across the overstuffed side chair.

"As I was going to inform Angel...it seems that Giles knows about the book of Ansuz. A first hand knowledge." Wesley looked disturbed. He rubbed his temples, wondering why things always had to get out of control all at once. Couldn't things be spread out a little better in their lives? There were times they had all secretly wished for some action. Then Bam! It came all at once. Luckily there were enough coincidences that helped them pull through situations. But sometimes coincidences got sticky. Sighing he continued. "Seems that in his years as Ripper, Giles actually dated the girl who owned the book at the time. She had vacationed in England for the summer, meeting him at a local pub. He was very vague about their relationship, but he did tell me her name."

After the long pause Spike sighed. "Well spit it out."

"Her name was Nessa MacArthur."

"I'll be damned." Gunn crossed his arms over his chest.

"Well the name MacArthur is a common name. And...And..." Wesley faltered.

"We don't usually deal with common Wesley." Angel had wished he'd gone home. This could've waited until the next day. "What did he say about the book?

"He never got to read the book. She was very protective of it. In fact it was the reason she left England. Giles had found it and was getting ready to read it when she found him. She was gone days later." Wesley wished he could've talked to Giles more. Asked the man more questions.

"So are you saying that if Nessa turns out to be Douglass's mother, that Giles dated her Mother?" Gunn just couldn't get over the turn of events. Not only could they step away from finding out the contents of the book. But that the Sunnydale watcher knew the little witch's Mom.

Wesley fidgeted on the couch. "He never really said they dated."

"SO all we need to do is ask Douggie if her Mum's name is Nessa. If it is, yeah for us. If not, back to the books for you blokes.� Spike shrugged.

"What? You don't know how to read?" Gunn flung back.

"Well there's not much more we can do tonight. All the girls need their sleep; it's been a rough day." Angel didn't want to go home. But clean clothes were needed and he also was getting hungry. "Is there a sewer entrance here?"

"Yep, down in my lair." Spike nodded.

"It's not a lair; it's a damn basement fool." Gunn enjoyed taunting the blonde vampire. He was a lot more fun than Angel, who would never rise for these arguments like Spike did.

"Shove off." Spike flipped him the finger and headed for the elevator. "I'm off."

"I'm going too." Angel announced. "I'll be back tomorrow." Heading to Douglass's room again to make sure Willow was resting soundly. Willow's nose scrunched a little in her sleep, making the cutest face. Silently, he wished her goodnight.