| Chapter Six Xander found Willow in the private waiting room, and without a word grabbed her up in his arms. He walked over to a near by chair and sat down setting Willow in his lap. "Willow I was so scared I'd never see you again." He kissed the top of her head and rocked her back and forth. Willow finally let go all the pent up emotions, and cried on his shoulder. The others took her breakdown as a cue for a coffee run. Leaving the childhood friends to be alone. Willow cried until she fell asleep, Xander rubbing her back to comfort her. She didn't sleep long, and when she woke she told her friend everything. Begged him to forgive her for lying to him, and the others. Only to be embraced in his arms again. Cordelia was the first to enter the room, " Brought coffee." Handing her friends the steamy cups. " Thanks for coming Xander." Cordelia hugged her ex-boyfriend. "I can't stay long, in fact I have to get going soon," He apologize. " I have Dawn patrol when she gets out of school." The girls nodded, " but hey I brought down a care package for you Wills. Clothes, mostly, but a few odd and ends Anya thought you'd like. She would have come, but has to work early tomorrow." "Xander, so good to see you again." Wes shook the young man's hand, "This is Gunn." "Hey man," Gunn nodded to Xander, " I've heard a lot about you." There was a lot of small talk, and after another hour Xander got up to leave. "Wills I wish I could take you with me." Hugging her to him again. �Hey I�ll be back. No tears." Turning to Cordelia he hugged her too, "You take care." He whispered in her ear. She nodded and wiped the tears from her eyes. "And you really need to bathe; your hygiene is having a way funky smell." She hit his chest and smiled at him as he left. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After waiting in the hospital for 24 hours, they needed to start picking up the pieces in their lives. Willow and Cordelia went back to her apartment, only to find police tape blocking their entrance, "is this a joke?" Cordelia groaned, "What are we supposed to do? All our stuff is in there. At least there's a new door. Wonder where that came from?" Willow shrugged, "Call our lawyer I suppose. If we're leaving ourselves to his disposal when this is over, the least we can do is take advantage of it." They headed to the nearest public phone to make their call. Lindsey was more than happy, if not a little smug, to help. In less than an hour they were able to go back to the apartment. Not wanting to know how he accomplished the task. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Finding a new office was easier said than done. They couldn't afford much, and what they could afford looked ready to fall down. After two weeks of searching and a long heated argument, it was agreed on that they'd ask David Nabbit for a small business loan. They explained some of the situation, trying hard not to lie. They explained that Angel needed to distance himself from the others for awhile. He knew a lot about Willow, and Douglass. There had been articles in every newspaper known, explaining the reappearance of Douglass, and her `rescue' by Willow. Lindsey had to be behind the good publicity, but there was no real proof. In fact they hadn't seen the lawyer. Not only did he agree, but also he owned a perfect building they could lease. It had been a bank. It wasn't in the best of neighborhoods, other than that it was perfect. The first floor was a good-sized lobby, where two or three desks could be put. There were two offices on the right hand wall. Straight ahead was the teller�s station that had been caged to dissuade any robberies. The vault was on the far end of the bank, behind the teller station. An elevator and stairs were on the left, which went up to the other three floors. They had the same floor plan. Four large offices in each corner, and a common area where the secretaries most have been stationed. The large restrooms on each floor were gutted and turned into bathrooms, bathtubs and all. The fourth office on each floor was turned into a kitchen. The common area used as living rooms. It was decided the second floor would be a training area, using the offices as storage for weapons, and one as a laundry room. The third floor to the guys, and the fourth to the girls. David insisted on paying for the remodeling, since he was the one leasing the building. Carpet was replaced, walls repainted. A training mat installed in the large common area. Heavy curtains hung from windows, to make it more vampire friendly. And against their wishes he had furnished it as well. Insisting the only way they could pay him back was by letting him visit and help out once in awhile. With his computer knowledge it was quickly agreed upon. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Douglass had been in the hospital for a month, and still hadn't opened her eyes. Though her vitals were getting stronger, the infection gone, she was still deep in slumber. The bruises were gone, as well as the small cuts. The rope burns on her neck and wrists were healed, but would leave scars that in time might fade . They all would visit her everyday, talking to her, letting her know what was going on. They told her about the new business, and home, as soon as she was ready there was a place there for her as well. That after a really slow start, things were picking up, and that Cordelia was even getting a few visions again. Willow had been able to bring Dennis with them, but he pretty much stayed on the girl's floor. He was a great housekeeper, and seemed to really like his new surroundings. Each told a different version of Spike's and Cordelia's fight over who had to suffer the worst headaches. The argument lasted three days, with no real winner. Spike refusing to stay on the guy's floor, and took up residence in the basement. Douglass had a secret visitor that started showing up at the end of the month. He came late at night, and read to her. Or sometimes he'd just sit there staring at her, wanting to ask hundreds of questions. It was on one of these secret visits that Douglass finally joined the living again. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Angel sat watching the rise and fall of the young woman's chest. Wondering who she was exactly, that Willow would put herself in so much danger for. It'd been about a week since the fog inside of him had cleared, and guilt for his actions caught up with him. He listened to the neglected answer machine, Cordelia weak and tearful pleas for help. Giles, Buffy, and Xander, seeing if he had heard from the redheaded witch. He read through the unread newspapers that had been lying around, and learned that Willow had found Douglass, and her dead roommate. And the next day was seen on security tapes at the time of Douglass's disappearance. Douglass was a student at CU of Denver, and was a witch. She had been tortured, and the police believed it was occult related. With a growl he stood and walked over to the window. He had tried calling Cordelia's to get answers, only to find the number disconnected. When he went over to the apartment, he was shocked to find the apartment empty. Wes and Gunn had moved as well. He knew they were still in the city. He heard stories of a group helping those with special problems. So caught up in his problems he didn't hear Willow enter the room, it was her gasp that made him swing around. She stood in the door blinking at him. "Are you going to move Red? Or am I going to have to pick you up so I can come in." Spikes voice startled Willow making her move further in the room. "Oh look at what we have here," Spike sauntered into the room, " Thought you'd be busy playing fry chef for Darla and Dru, you know, would you like any human's with your wine?" Spike mocked Angel. Loving the look of guilt passing over the other vampire's face. "They don't need you man. Get a clue. Slink back into the night." Angel let out a low growl of warning. "Spike stop." Willow touched his arm, gaining his attention. Angel's eyes swept over Willow in shock. He had missed the changes before, he still hadn't been thinking straight. She was no longer the awkward teen he had worked side by side with. She had cut her long hair, giving her a more grown up look. She wore tight black leather pants and an emerald green halter top that would make most females look Slutty, but Willow still looked young and fresh. "Come on pet, I thought you were starting to get a backbone." Spike groaned a sunk down into an empty chair. "Willow we need to talk." Angel placed a hand on her shoulder, and flinched when she jumped away. " Do you think I'm going to hurt you?" She bit her lip and looked away, but not before he saw the tear fall from her eye. Placing a hand under her chin, he gently forced her to look into his eyes. "Please Angel," She whimpered, and stepped away. " You need to leave." "Not until you talk to me. Five minutes it's all I ask." "Ah pet . . . " Spike started "Not now Spike." Angel gritted out. "Ducks I think-." Spike started again. "Spike, just a moment." Willow pleaded. "Hate to break up this warm fuzzy moment, but someone has decided to grace us with her presence." Spike stood up and spun Willow toward Douglass's bed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
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