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Chapter Forty-one

Willow searched the building looking for any sign of Angel. She wanted to
find him so he could know about her earlier conversation with Buffy, just
having the slayer around for the day reminded Willow why it had been so easy
to chose LA over Sunnydale. No matter the situation they faced Buffy was able
to turn it into some melodrama starring Buffy. They had Darla and Dru
scheming to hack them to pieces and do Goddess knows what to Douglass,
Douglass finding out about Giles. Lindsey just beginning to take his first
steps down a path to his own redemption, Angel still getting over the fact
that his soul is stuck like superglue and all Buffy could care about was who
Angel had the hots for.

Reaching the second floor landing Willow heard noises coming from the other
side of the door. Opening the door slowly she peered in to see who was using
the training space and was greeted by the back view of Angel striking out at
the punching bag. He was relentlessly attacking the bag his entire
concentration on hitting the swinging object harder then the time before.
Willow stood silent enjoying the way his muscles moved on his back, she
couldnďż˝t hear what he was muttering under his breath every time he took a
swing but was sure sheďż˝d learn a few new words. He looked like he was in a
dark mood and she was ready to close the door and talk to him later when he
swung around and saw her. 'There goes my plan for leaving unnoticed.'

"Willow." His voice sounded dull and the lack of emotion almost ripped her
already injured heart.

"A-Angel, I needed to talk to you...but you donďż˝t seem...and with
everything...Iďż˝ll just go." Turning around quickly Willow started to run up
the stairs tears again falling. 'Goddess, Iďż˝m so damn stupid. How am I always
mixing up friendship with love? Just because heďż˝s my friend doesnďż˝t mean
that he has any feelings other than that for me.' Passing the third floor
landing Willow was about to start up the last of the stairs to her haven
where she could break down again with out any witnesses but she was stopped
from behind when Angel scooped her up throwing her over his right shoulder.

"Angel?" Willow had a nice if not upside view of the vampires tight ass,and
would probably have enjoyed the view more if every step he took didnďż˝t knock
the air out of her lungs. "Umph...Angel, hard to breathe."

Angel didnďż˝t say a word but re-entered the training area looking for a spot
to deposit his bundle that would limit her any chance of escape. The games
were done, he was going to tell her just how he felt and damnit she was going
to listen. The weapons room seemed to be the best choice since the only
escape was the door and that he could easily block. Slightly shifting Willow
on his shoulder he headed toward the room closing the door before letting the
girl to her feet.

"Angel, what are you doing?" Placing a hand on each side of her face he
pulled her closer to him his eyes never breaking contact with hers. "Why have
you been crying?"

Willow tried to look down but Angel refused to let her. "I...well with
everything thatďż˝s going on. And with Buffy here. Angel please donďż˝t make me
say it. I feel so stupid."

Letting go of her face he gathered her in his arms and rubbed her back.
"Donďż˝t. I donďż˝t ever want you to feel stupid. You donďż˝t think that Iďż˝m in
love with Buffy anymore do you?" He felt the little redhead tense in his
arms. "Willow you know that right?" Cuddling into his embrace she nodded
slightly.

ďż˝Youďż˝ve told me before. But having her here, throwing herself at you
is...well I thought maybe old feelings would resurface.ďż˝

"Iďż˝ll always care about her but I remember her differently than what she has
become. She was once so sweet and innocent, had to grow up fast with out much
choice in the matter. The woman she has become isnďż˝t someone I like very
much. Sheďż˝s cold on the inside and in a way I think we knew that it wasnďż˝t
going to work out. The more we fought for our relationship the more pain she
and I brought to ourselves."

"But what about...well when you two...the clause."

"I won't ever say I wasnďż˝t in love with her but sometimes you need more in a
relationship then that. You need trust and friendship not to mention the same
interests. The only interest that she and I shared was fighting demons and
vampires."

"Oh." Willow kept her head hidden in his chest.

Looking down at the young woman in his arms Angel took an unneeded breath and
decided it was now or never. ďż˝I have those things with you, Willow. The
friendship, trust, common interests...not to mention love.ďż˝ Willow stopped
breathing wondering if she had heard him correctly or perhaps he meant love
as in 'love you like a friend.' She could feel his gaze looking down at her
waiting for her response. What was she going to say that wouldnďż˝t make her
look like a fool if she had misunderstood him. "Willow, I love you." Pulling
out of his arms she flashed him a smile filled with love.

"I feel all those things for you too, Angel. Youďż˝re one of my closest
friends. I trust you and I also think we have a lot in common. And...I-I love
you too." Angel relaxed finally hearing the words. It had taken them long
enough but he was glad that whatever was going to happen now between them had
started as friendship, leaning down he brushed his lips softly over hers
waiting to see how she would react. He didnďż˝t have to wait long for the
little redhead to open her mouth for him to deepen the kiss but all to
suddenly Willow broke the kiss.

"Buffy!" Angel stared at her, he was now totally lost. One second they were
kissing the next she was shouting his exďż˝s name. "I had come looking for you
to tell you about something that Buffy said to me. She thinks that youďż˝re in
love with Douglass."

"Douglass. Strawberry blonde whirlwind of trouble, Douglass?" Willow nodded
and clung onto his hands.

"And since weďż˝re talking about Douglass thereďż˝s something else you should
know." Willow paused and tried to think of the right way to put what she
wanted to say. "She may be pregnant." Holding her breath she waited as her
words sunk in, at first he looked confused, that turned to shock before that
was quickly replaced by anger.

"Lindsey. Iďż˝m going to kill that bastard."

"She doesnďż˝t know yet and neither does he. Iďż˝m sure that they hadnďż˝t planned
on this happening." Angel knew that if it were possible for him to have a
headache heďż˝d have one. "Angel? You canďż˝t say anything. Cordy bought a test
last night and is waiting for the right time to give it to Douglass." He
nodded numbly wondering what in the world was going to happen if she was
indeed pregnant. One thing was for sure Angel would do whatever it took to
keep Lindsey on the right path.

"Find her, do it now. We have to know, especially with this Darla mess. If
she is we need to keep her protected." Wrapping his arms around Willow he
kissed the top of her head. "I have no idea what to do about Buffy. Part of
me wants her to just keep thinking that thereďż˝s something between Doug and
me, just so sheďż˝ll stay away from you." Willow understood what he meant.
"Weďż˝ll have to tell her sooner or later, I just wish it was later." Pulling
away from her he kissed her forehead and stepped back. "You find Doug, Iďż˝ll
look for Buffy. Hopefully I can convince her that nothing is going on between
Doug and I. With the way things are going I think it wise to wait until she
goes back to Sunnydale to let her know about us.ďż˝ Willow nodded in agreement
not all that ready to face the slayer's wrath. Accepting another soft kiss
from Angel they headed out of the weapons room on their separate missions.