*** The next night Willow sat at a table by herself at the Bronze. She didn't know why she'd let them drag her here. Cordelia, Xander, and Buffy were dancing in the middle of the floor in a bizarre threesome. She took a sip of her mocha and sat back further in her chair, thoughts of Angelus and his hasty exit furthermost in her mind. She didn't know what it was about him, but she was starting to have feelings for him. It didn't bother her that he had an all access pass to her house, even though he was a killer. She liked talking to him, getting to know him. She enjoyed the sound of his voice, the smell of leather and tobacco smoke, and the way his large hands cupped her face as he kissed her. She craved his touch and longed for him to take her innocence, make her his own. She loved the way his fathomless eyes stared into her as if he wanted to absorb her. Willow loved the way he made her feel when he bit her, as if she was the center of his universe. Willow loved. . .him. With the unwelcome realization came a huge wave of guilt. For Angel and Buffy together and separately. For the other scoobies, for loving a demon. Willow pressed her hands to her mouth and to stifle a moan of horror. She was evil. Wicked. How could she want him? He killed people! He tortured them! And he enjoyed it. She wasn't innocent to his ways, she'd read the accounts of his activities. She knew exactly who and what he was. . .and she didn't care. She stood up shakily, ready to bolt from the door when a hand captured hers. "Willow?" She turned. "Oz." She hadn't seen him since the night they had blown up The Judge. "How are you? I called a couple of-" "I know. I've just been busy. How have you been?" She really didn't feel like doing this but there was really no choice. "Good." He nodded. "Seen any more exploding dust guys?" The night of Buffy's party, she'd staked a vampire in front of him. "Uh, no actually. How are you dealing with that?" It was a shock to find out monsters were real. . .and that they could be lovable. "I'm okay." He spoke in a conspiratorial tone of voice. "Did you know that Sunnydale is crawling with them?" "You don't say." She smiled then. He was amusing in his calm acceptance of cosmic forces and doom. "Really, it's no lie. What are you doing here tonight?" "Drinking mochas." She pointed down to her beverage. "Chocolate and coffee, can't beat that combo." He nodded his head, then looked at her again. "I've run out of casual conversation, so now I'm going to stand here in slightly uncomfortable silence and hope you'll invite me to sit with you." "Oh! I'm so sorry. Please, sit down." She hastily gestured to another chair. He sat down and flagged a waiter, requesting two more mochas. When the drinks came, Willow happily surrendered her lukewarm beverage for the fresh one and listened to Oz speak about his band and school. She felt relaxed in the young man's presence. He seemed like a nice guy and she could use the distraction. Just then, Buffy, Xander, and Cordy came back to the table. The Slayer winked at the redhead knowingly and Willow flushed an interesting crimson color. She introduced Oz and they all talked for while. She was pleasantly surprised at how well he fit into their group. Everyone seemed to like him. In the bathroom, Buffy told her he was cute. Xander thought he was funny. Even Cordelia said he was 'halfway decent'. That was high praise from Queen C, who was impossible to please. This might be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. *** "Mochas. Muffins." Oz held out a white bag and a carrier with two travel cups. Willow still held the front door open, she'd been prepared to walk to school when she almost ran into them. His finger was still poised to ring the doorbell. "Uh-huh. What are they doing on my front porch? With you?" She smiled, bewildered at his behavior. "Well, there's this thing, where people eat in the morning." He thought for a moment. "I think they call it breakfast." He spoke in a conspiratorial tone. "I think it's going to be the next big thing." Willow stepped completely out on the front porch, adjusting her necklace around her turtleneck. "And-" "Well, this is the part where I'm really suave, and say I just happened to know you love chocolate chip muffins and mochas first thing in the morning." He gestured that she should follow him toward the street as he spoke. "And then I slip in how you're on my way to school and I just happened to have mochas and muffins. So I thought I should invite you to have some." They had stopped in front of his van. He set the coffees on the top of it and opened the passenger side door for her. Willow couldn't help but be amused by his behavior. "Planning on bribing me with food so you can abduct me for ransom?" She teased, as she climbed into the car. "Actually, I was going to take you to school, since I go there from time to time." He paused and gave her his best thinking face. "But I can, you know. . . if you like that sort of thing." "I promised that I would never miss school unless I'd been kidnapped. So I always had this guilty fantasy, and the chocolate just helps." She grinned. He handed her the coffee, held the bag while she chose a muffin, tucked the edge of her coat into the van, shut the door, then climbed in on the other side. "If I just happened to drive to school this way tomorrow, would you want a ride?" "Oh, Oz, I don't think I should impose on you-" "If I told you the seat was broken, and if no one sits in it then it'll fly into the back and I'll have to fix it, would you?" He suggested, schooling his face into a serious expression. "Sure. That's so-" Sweet, charming, and thoughtful. But where the HELL were you a month ago before I had fallen for a demon!! "Nice. Thank you." Oz just bobbed his head and started the engine. It wasn't what he had in mind when he had first seen her on Halloween. But it wasn't bad, being friends with her. Not bad at all. Most importantly, being friends with her was a good start. He wouldn't push her just now, but he wanted to be much more than her friend. Willow looked straight ahead, a few weeks ago she would have been thrilled at Oz's interest in her. Now, all she thought about was Angelus, the demon that lived in the body of her best friend's boyfriend. It wasn't fair. *** "Damn vampires ruin everything!" Xander exclaimed. He crossed his arms, his lips twisted in a scowl. "Will you stop whining about that?" Cordelia snapped, not bothering to look up from her copy of Vogue. "We were in the championship! The championship! Normally, I don't care about those dumb jocks but we were winning! But no. . .big old gang of vampires have to eat the quarterback! Hello? Why not the bench warmers? Or the stupid fullback, I hate that guy. Or - or. . .the cheerleaders!" "Hey! Watch it, mister." Cordelia hit Xander's arm with the magazine. "If you ask me, Brad was asking for it. At least I carry protection, I put a stake in my pom pom." "I could make a remark but I'm too much of a gentleman." "I'll believe that when I see it. Besides, at least I could use protection unlike some virginal people in this room." Xander blushed. Giles cleared his throat. "Is it possible to get through one meeting without a discussion of Xander's sex life?" He couldn't stop the smile that momentarily graced his lips. "Or lack thereof." "We could talk about Buffy's sex life." Cordelia pointed out. "Since it's her boyfriend that's running around killing everyone." Buffy cringed at the comment, but Cordelia was, for the most part, right. "I'm glad to hear you use protection, Cordelia." Willow said in a false sweet tone. "Or it could be your sex life that's running around killing everyone." Cordelia stared at the redhead with a vacant expression for a moment. She never really understood Willow. Xander and Buffy lost it, loving it when Willow went off on somebody. The poor person never knew what hit them because she was normally so sweet and calm. Giles started coughing and went to his office for a moment. A small burst of laughter sounded from under the door. Cordelia threw down her magazine. "I don't get it! Willow, I don't sleep with vampires!" She couldn't resist and Queen C deserved it for taking Xander from her -- even though she no longer wanted him. "Well, that's at least one category of male that's safe. How do you feel about demons?" "Eww!" "That's two!" Willow cried, sounding like a game show host. "What are you talking about, Willow?" The cheerleader spit out. Xander grew angry. It was funny at first but it had gone too far. She was his. . .his. . .girlfriend? "They're talking about syphilis, Cor. Among other diseases." He glared at Willow. "Syphilis is no laughing matter!" Willow spared him a glance and patted his arm. "Don't worry, Xander, you're not in any danger." A book fell to the floor inside Giles office and another burst of laughter came and then a fake coughing fit."That's it! I don't have to take this anymore."Cordelia cried, standing up. She glowered at Buffy and Willow and then at Giles door. "I have better things to do than hang out with you losers." Xander stood up beside her. "Let's go." They walked out in a huff. Buffy had tears running down her face. "You're terrible! But thanks for defending me." She wiped her face with tissue. "What's gotten into you?" Good question. Willow thought about Angelus, he was starting to be a bad influence on her. "I'm sorry about that. I just couldn't help it. She irks me." "Me too." She sighed, rubbing her stomach. "Thanks , Wills. I needed that, it feels like I haven't laughed in days." She sensed some domestic disharmony ."How are things Chez Summers?" "Better. Now that he can't come in anymore. But my mom is on overload, she knows something's up." "At least you can get some sleep and I bet your mom will settle down soon, she's always bought your explanations." "I know, but I hate lying to her." Willow looked away from her friend. "Lying is hard to do." Giles reappeared, three books in his hands. He gave one to Willow and one to Buffy. "Let's look for that soul restoration spell again. This is the only way to get Angel back and the best way to stop him from doing whatever he's planning." He looked at Buffy carefully, causing them all to sober up. "The other alternative is to-" "Don't say it." Buffy whispered, tearing up again. This time in despair. "I know what I'll have to do." She took a shaky breath. Willow lowered her head in shame and misery. Buffy was heartbroken and she was going on behind her back with Angelus. She forced herself to squeeze Buffy's hand and offer her the comfort she needed, even though it made her feel like a fake. She didn't want Angelus to go away. Ever. "It'll all work out, Buffy. I know it will." They all bowed there heads over their respective books. *** Willow sat at her computer screen, she was emailing Ms. Calender her computer science homework. The teacher encouraged them to use the computer as a tool and wanted their assignments turned in via the Internet. She had gotten back from the research party a half an hour ago. After the email was sent, she noted that there was a message from Ms. Calender in her mailbox. Willow, I mean to find you after school today but I didn't see you. You were probably in the library with Rupert, weren't you? I decided to email you the information instead. I think I found the soul restoration ritual! Unfortunately, it is written in Latin and is not complete. My grasp of the language is spotty at best but I've devised a computer program to randomly sample the text, it will give me a means to decode it. I also need to pick up a few magickal supplies to complete the ritual. I wanted to tell Rupert and Buffy myself, but I haven't exactly been welcome there lately. Anyway, I wanted to let you know. I needed to share this with someone. Please don't tell Buffy or Rupert yet, I don't want to get their hopes yet. I've already let them down and I don't want to ever do that again. Thanks, Jenny Calender. It was almost done. Knowing Ms. Calender, she was hurriedly working on it this minute. It wouldn't take long at all to complete. She took a deep breath and tapped the 'save' button on her email account. She didn't want Angelus to leave. But it was wrong of her, she knew innocent people would die because of him. . .people she knew! Buffy might die because of him. What a mess. She sighed, closing out of her computer session. Two hands suddenly covered her eyes. "Guess who?" A raspy voice asked. "Angelus." Willow's heart leapt. In joy or fear? Did he see the email? "I should hope so. I don't want to think any other strange men are wondering around your room at night." He whirled her around in her chair until she faced him. He opened his arms and she went into them. He didn't know. She decided then she would put all thoughts of the resouling spell out of her mind. She didn't want to think about him leaving her. She'd worry about it later. Willow let herself relax against him and hugged him back. "Are you alright? The way you left last night-" "I hade to take care of some things, little one. Everything's fine now." He stroked her back, inhaling her scent. Angelus delighted in the steady thud of her heartbeat against his chest. She felt so right in his arms. "I was a worried that I might have done something." She said quietly. "No, you didn't do anything." He hugged her tighter. "Are you hungry?" "Are you?" Willow asked. She wanted to experience his bite once more. "Is that an offer?" He pushed her back gently, watching her expression. "Yes." She said, meeting his eyes. Angelus moved his hand to her throat, reaching under her turtleneck to feel his bite mark and the increased beat of her pulse. He closed his eyes at the onslaught of hunger and love that swept through him. He cleared his throat before he spoke, keeping himself in check and he pulled his fingers from her neck. "I'll gladly take you up on that offer. Later. Right now, I have a surprise." "A surprise?" She grinned, delighted as any child. Then she sobered. "This doesn't involve-" His lips twitched. "No dead people's necklaces. I promise." "Okay then. What is it?" She looked at him expectantly. "First you have to thumb wrestle me." "You expect me to thumb wrestle over a something? I don't even know what I could win." "You misunderstand me, my sweet. We're wrestling for the location of the surprise." "Still not making sense." She said but she gave in. "Fine. But no touching, okay? Nothing but our hands will touch." He had robbed her of her victory last time by doing that. "Fine, little one, I won't touch you any more than necessary. Since you can't control yourself." He smiled mischievously. "Put your thumb where your mouth is, Angelus." *** "I should have one." Angelus grumbled. He looked down at his inept thumbs. They were longer than hers and he knew he was much stronger. What was the problem? "I warned you." Willow said, shrugging. "If I hadn't been distracted last time-" "We'll have a rematch later." The vampire decreed. Though he was starting to realize that his defeat of her had been a fluke. Or destiny. He smiled at that thought. "Fine. I'd never pass up an opportunity to beat you." She put her hands in her jean pockets. "I get to choose where we have the surprise?" "Yes." He had agreed, even though he had picked out a picturesque spot. "Where to, little one?" "What are you giving me?" She asked, regarding him carefully. His tongue traced his lower lip. "Something delicious." Okay. " So we can't have this 'surprise' in front of others?" "I don't know about that. Sometimes its fun to watch." Was he talking about. . . ? "I think I'm going with a private spot then." She thought a moment. "Why can't we have it here?" "No, I think a change of venue is in order. This is a special night." "Yes, it is." She smiled at him. "And you are a very special person." "I am." "Can we go to the place I picked?" Angelus asked petulantly. "Being a special person means that I'm capable of benevolence. Fine, take me there." "You won't be sorry. Better get your coat." He pulled a denim jacket from her closet. "How did you know-" "I was your closet monster once, remember?" "Oh." She smiled. "You're better looking than the one I had when I was four. He was green and had one eye." " I haven't looked in a mirror lately but I'm sure that I have more than one eye." He held the jacket while she put it on. They crossed to the french doors and walked out to the edge of the balcony. "Do you trust me, sweet?" She put her small hand in his and met his eyes. "Yes." Angelus groaned before pulling her into his arms and kissing her soundly. "I love that word on your lips." "Yes?" He nodded. "Then yes, Angelus. Yes, yes, yes. Yeeeeesssss!!" While she was talking he had flung them both from the balcony. He still held her in his arms and absorbed the impact with his body. His eyes gleamed wickedly as they landed, her legs had gone around his waist in the air. "That was. . . was. . ." He nibbled her earlobe and he slid his hands up to cup her behind. "Exciting." She almost moaned. Adrenaline could be. . .nice. "Thought so." He walked a short distance to his car which was parked on the street. It was a vintage black convertible. "This is yours?" "Now it is." Angelus said as he reluctantly plucked her from his body and placed her on the passenger seat. He bounded around the car and jumped in the other side. She really didn't want to know about his vampiric activities. Don't ask. Don't tell. That was her policy. "Where are we going?" "You'll see when we get there." *** "It's beautiful." she breathed, touching a pale purple flower. He had taken her to a night blooming garden. It was part of a mansion on Crawford St. "Is this yours?" Damn it, new policy, Willow! "Never mind." "Don't worry, my sweet. It used to belong to a master vampire. I took over when I. . .came back." She brightened. "Do you live here all alone?" "I only come here every so often. No one else knows about it." "I wouldn't tell anyone." She meant 'Buffy'. "I know you wouldn't." He looked in the direction of the car. "Stay put. I'm going to get something from the car." Willow sat down on a large bench, listening to the fountain burble. He was going to make love to her here, under the stars in this ethereal looking place. She could hardly believe it. He came back with a picnic basket. "Oh, food. You're surprise. . ." She thought about what he had said. "Of course it's food." She laughed hollowly. "Yes, food. But it's for later." He set it down deliberately, drinking in the sight of her. "Later? You mean after we-" "That's what I mean." He walked over to her and took her in his arms once more. "I need to tell you something Willow. I've never said it to anyone. Ever." He pressed his mouth against her ear. "I love you." Willow felt tears flow down her face. "I-" "Shh. Don't tell me you love me. I don't think you know yet." He touched her cheek. "So innocent and trusting. I've put you in quite the position." He twined his hands in her luxuriant hair. "This is the part where he would break down and tell you that he wasn't good enough for you." He was speaking about Angel. "That he was a monster and didn't deserve you." He tilted her face up. "I'm not him. I am a monster and I may not deserve you but I want you. I love you. As much as a demon like me can love. And no one will keep me from you." With that, his lips crushed hers in a branding kiss. Willow pulled her mouth from his. "I know you're not Angel. I know who I'm here with." His kiss was gentler this time, appreciative. Willow tried to speak once more. "Angelus, I-" "No, little one." He brushed finger over her lips. " The time for words is over." He walked to the picnic basket and picked up the blanket that lay on top of. Carefully, he put unfurled it and set it on the ground. He held out his hand to her and together they stepped onto the soft woven blanket. With shaking hands he peeled the coat from her body and tossed it to the ground. He knelt at her feet, looking and acting like a manservant. He removed her right shoe and sock. Then he did the left side. He circled her ankle with his large hand, it was delicate in his grasp. He reminded himself to be gentle. Then, he ran his hands up her legs and brought them to the fastening on her jeans. His eyes asked a question and she nodded. He undid the snap and then unzipped them. He curled them down her legs and helped her step out of them. She braced her hands on his back as she did so, tracing his tattoo idly while she did. His muscles tensed and he seemed to arch up to her caress, like an insistent cat. When her ankles were freed, he stared up at her, his eyes smoky. She was dressed in a turtleneck and her under things. He held out his hand to her and urged her to lay down. Willow laid down on the soft blanket with Angelus hovering over her, still on his knees. He smiled at her tenderly before he hurriedly went to work on his own clothes. His hands deftly undid his coat and the shiny satin shirt. Then he pulled off his leather boots and socks with care. Now, he was dressed only in his leather pants. He bent over her again, looking like some rock god come to life. Around his neck, he wore a long silver chain, the charm on it was a silver 'A.' It brushed against her stomach as leaned over her to claim her mouth again. His tongue thrust in and out of her mouth as one large hand cupped her breast through the fabric. Angelus brought one leg between her thighs and she widened them to accommodate him. He pulled away from her mouth, panting. Even though he didn't need to breath. He brought his hands to the edge of her shirt and rolled it up her body, exposing her pale skin to his insatiable eyes. He helped her pull it over her head. She immediately brought her hands to her hair, trying to smooth it, but he caught them. He liked the way it looked. Her hair was wild around her face, like she'd just made mad passionate love to someone. And she was about to. He saw his bite mark on her throat. Without thought, he vamped out, aching to taste her again. He caught her eyes again and she nodded slightly. Needing no further invitation, he bent to her throat. His cool tongue snaked out to trace the mark. She had already accepted him into her body once. Tonight, he would have all of her. He sank his fangs in and almost cried out as her blood poured in his mouth. She arched against him, bringing her legs up and around his thigh. He drank deeply for a little while. Reluctantly, he soon let her go. She cried out, trying to hold him to her but he didn't want to take too much. Angelus wanted Willow to be aware of what would happen next. Angelus then allowed himself to look down at her small pert breasts encased in purple lace. She was exquisite. He placed a kiss between her breasts and moved his mouth to suck one nipple through the cloth. She pressed her hand to the back of his neck, urging him to take more. With a grin, he flicked his hand over the center clasp and the sides burst apart, leaving her exposed to his gaze. He brushed the back of one hand against the nipple he had just suckled at. It hardened further and he groaned before he took it in his mouth again. Then, he gave the other pink peak the same attention. He moved down her body, his silver 'A' brushed down her body to rest on her hipbone as he pressed his mouth against her pubis through the think purple satin. He could smell her. She was wanting. He brought his hands to the sides of her panties and pulled them down a little roughly, he was too aroused to be as gentle now. He placed them with her other clothes and was about to bend his mouth to her sex. To worship her with his mouth, his tongue, his fangs. . . when she placed a hand on his shoulder and shook her head. He almost smiled. Innocent. She was probably afraid of the way she might taste. But he would indulge her tonight. If she didn't want him to do that, he wouldn't. For now. Instead, he moved up her body like a shark, nipping at her flesh as he went. He was still in vamp face and she had never seen him look so enticing. So exciting. Dangerous. He brought his mouth to hers again and kissed her soundly. "Ready, my sweet?" "Y-yes, oh, yes." Willow said, widening her legs. Angelus slipped his hand between their bodies and released himself from his jeans, he pulled them down enough to reveal his manhood. Willow liked it, the feel of the leather scraping her thighs. She wanted to look at him, touch him. . .but Angelus had other thing in mind. He lifted her up by putting his hands on her behind, shifting her into position. Then he slid the slightest bit inside. "This is going to hurt, sweet." She braced herself. But it wasn't what she had thought. It stung a little and then a fullness was inside her. He was big, cool, and slick inside her. Angelus moaned. "Are you alright?" "I'm fine." She whispered, reaching up to kiss him. He hissed at the unexpected tightening of her muscles around him. He kissed her, mimicking the actions of his body as he pumped inside her. She felt stretched by him, open. It was glorious. Soon, she was on the edge again. The one she felt she was at when he fed from her. Except, this time she went over it. Just like she had leapt from the balcony. "Angelus!" She cried, cresting the wave of her climax. "Willow." He growled, pumping into her once more, his face tightened and then settled into a proud look of bliss. "My Willow." He murmured, leaning to kiss her again. *** Two hours later, Willow lay under a blanket of stars in the crook of Angelus' arm. They were both wrapped in his voluminous coat. Occasionally, he would pop a strawberry into her mouth or kiss her as they looked up at the night sky. She snuggled into his chest and silently prayed that no one would take this from her. . .no one would take him from her. *** Willow rolled over in bed, she couldn't seem to sleep. Every time she was about to drift off she kept on seeing his face, hearing his voice. She was still wearing Angelus' shirt, he had put it on her when she grew too cold last night. It was too large and hung down way past her arms but it felt perfect. She put her wrist to her nose, smelling him on the shirt. It all didn't seem real. Angelus had brought her home the night before shortly before dawn. They had spent the rest of the night just talking, looking up at the stars. She had wanted to make love again, but he insisted that they shouldn't. He knew that he had hurt her and didn't want her to be sore. Then Angelus had smiled wickedly and told her that she'd be even more anxious to see him the next night if they didn't. Willow reluctantly climbed out of bed and slipped on a light purple robe with a silver moon on the back. In a daze, she went about her morning rituals. She started the coffee pot, brushed her teeth, took a hot shower, and got dressed. Willow kept drifting off in the middle of these activities. She'd hear his throaty laughter or feel his fingertips trace her spine. She kept replaying the night in her mind over and over again -- taking mini mental vacations. Willow walked over and sat down in front of her computer. She flipped it on and while it booted up went and got herself a cup of coffee. When she returned and went online, she had twenty messages. One was from Ms. Calender. With a sick feeling in her stomach, she opened it. It was a two line message, requesting that she come to the school library this evening. She stared at the screen, speculating on what the technopagan had to tell her, knowing it must have to do with the soul restoration spell. As Giles would say, Oh, bloody hell! *** "What are you so soddin' happy about?" Spike snarled. Angelus is smiling. . .smiling! Wanker doesn't do that unless he's maiming someone. . . or he's up to something. The disgruntled vampire was still wheelchair bound, but his strength was returning. Soon, he'd be able to wipe a smile off his smug sire's face. He took another mouthful from the mug of warmed blood that Dru had given him earlier. "Did you just get back from drawing the Slayer another family portrait or something?" That always seemed to put him in good mood. Maybe that was it. " Maybe you scared her and her friends by doing a scary watercolor of 'em." He hoped his sire didn't miss the sarcasm in his voice. Angelus snatched the cup from him."Is that any of your business, meals on wheels?" He drained it and then threw it to the ground, his smile widened as Spike flinched at the noise. Then his grandchilde clenched his jaw and glared. He'd been doing a lot of that lately. Clenching. Glaring. It only fueled his good mood. "And I don't do watercolors. I sketch. " He said, defending his artistic sensibility. Spike rolled his eyes. "Like I give a bloody damn." Angelus though he heard a mumbled 'poof' after the statement. "Maybe I should draw some illustrations for your 'bloody awful' poems, William." He wasn't going to rise to the bait. "Come on, tell me what you did last night." Spike decided to push him further. "Did Dru go with you?" "She's my childe, she does as I say." He hadn't gone anywhere with his crazed childe, hadn't thought about her at all in quite a while. But it wasn't Spike's place to question him. "You could learn a lot from her." "You think I'm blind, don't you?" Spike bit out. "You want her for yourself." Angelus laughed, his childe had it bad alright. He was in love with Drusilla and so jealous he couldn't think straight. Angelus knew the feeling. "I could take her if I wanted her. Never forget that." He relaxed a little. "Just so happens, I have other things on my mind." Spike tilted his head to the side, a crafty look in his eyes. "It's the redhead, isn't it?" All of a sudden, Angelus was in his face. He had braced his powerful forearms on Spike's chair and he looked decidedly unhappy. "What do you know about her?" "Hey! No need to get so close, mate. I was only making small talk." "Never mention her again, Spike." The wounded vampire gulped and nodded. Angelus straightened. "You have yourself a nice day, roller derby." He sauntered off to his bedroom. Spike clenched his jaw. . .and glared. "Wanker." *** Willow lingered over her coffee. She didn't want the day to progress, didn't want night to fall. She racked her brain but was unable come up with any viable solutions. She couldn't tell Angelus, God only knows what kind of action he'd take against Miss. Calender. . Obviously, she couldn't tell the Scoobies. She could never forget that Angelus was a demon. "Uh, Willow?" She turned to see Oz standing in the middle of the kitchen. "I knocked but there was no answer." "Oz, I'm sorry! I forgot you were going to pick me up for school." He smiled at that and gestured to her clothing. "I can see that." "Oh, uh." She pulled her robe tighter around her and pulled her red hair over her neck to hide the bite marks. "I don't feel up to going today." "Are you sick?" He looked concerned. "Yes. . .sick. I'm under the weather alright. " Willow gave him what she hoped was a convincing 'sick' face. "I thought the only event that would make you miss school was being kidnapped." "Well, the flu can be very convincing." Oz nodded as if he were experienced in fighting the flu virus. "Should I do something?" His brow wrinkled. "Chicken soup or kleenex or something?' "No, no that won't be necessary. Actually, you should probably leave." She smiled briefly then looked serious. "I don't want you to get sick too." She walked down the hall to the front door and opened it. He followed her very closely. "I'll see you later, Oz." Before he knew what was happening he was on the stoop looking at the shut door. "Strange girl." It was said with affection. Oz sniffed again, there was another scent in the house, he could smell a faint trace of it outside. Another man? Maybe he had a rival for her affections. But. . .who was it? Inside, Willow reached for the phone. "Giles? Hello, this is Willow. I don't feel good, could you call me off school?" *** "Daddy!" A voice shrieked, bringing Angelus out of a sound sleep. He bolted upright in bed to see his dark haired childe standing at the foot of it. She fell on the bed, placing a hand to her temple. "Trying to break up our happy home. No. Can't let her." He scrubbed his face with his hands, trying to wake up. "What is it, Dru?" "That bad teacher! Seeking help. An old enemy." She held her head. "Ooh! The pixies in my head are screaming." "A teacher. . . Giles?" He asked drowsily. The Watcher wasn't a serious threat. "No. Beady black eyes, hair like a raven's wing. A gypsy, she is. Miss Edith told me about her over tea and cakes." She pulled her legs up to her chin, trembling. "Wants to hurt my daddy and bring back the Angel beast." "A gypsy? Black eyes. . .Jenny Calender." "Buzzing machines." Dru mumbled. "Full of energy and curses." She nodded. "She's using the computer to find the spell they cursed me with." Angelus had gotten used to decrypting 'Dru speak' for years. "When?" "She'll have it tonight, daddy, by the light of the moon." "Don't worry, Dru, I'll take care of it." She clung to him like the scared childe she was and he patted her back as he thought of a solution. *** That evening, Jenny Calender beamed in triumph as the Latin words translated themselves to English. The missing text also filled itself in. She did it! She took a deep breath. Maybe Giles could find it in his heart to forgive her if she could restore Angel's soul and cure him. She saved the spell on a disk and slipped it into her desk drawer. Then, she printed out a copy for her own use. After that was done, Jenny busied herself by checking the spell's ingredients which were in her knapsack. She had just come from the magick shop in town. The reliable shopkeeper helped her acquire them. She would be ready when the time came to use them. "What do we have here?" A silky voice drawled. Jenny shuddered. "Angel?" "Actually its Angelus, but I thought you knew that." He walked further into the room, he had used the outside door on her classroom to gain entrance. "What do you want?" She gulped, hesitantly backing up against the blackboard. "I think you know what I'm here for." With that, he leaned over to look at the monitor screen on her computer. "I only wanted to-" "Imprison me so my silly little soul could be free?" He smiled evilly. "I know all about your plans, Jenny." She held out her hands. "Let's be reasonable, I can-" "No, you can't. . .you won't do this spell." No one would keep him from being free or from Willow. He swept his hands out and the computer crashed to the ground in a heap. She screamed, he could hear the blood pumping in her veins. Smell her fear in the air. Being a vampire could be so much fun. There was an electrical smell in the air and a small fire started in the computer. His hands seized the paper she had printed out and she whimpered as if he had hurt her. He ripped in two and then in two again. Then, he started to shred it in thirds but was stopped by her running away and out the door. Angelus sighed. A chase wasn't what he had in mind tonight. He merely wanted to frighten her, drink some of her blood. "Jenny?" He called, his tone bored. "Come back here." He put his head into the hallway but couldn't' see her. Hmmmm. . . didn't know she could run that fast. He could hear the clack of her high heels against the cold linoleum of the school's floor. "No!" She screamed. Angelus began to run after her. Some people could be so sensitive. If he had wanted to kill her she would be dead already. He couldn't kill Jenny without alienating Willow. Not that she didn't deserve death for trying to imprison him. Maybe after his redhead fell head over heels for him she wouldn't mind if he killed a friend or two of hers. Especially Xander. He'd enjoy making him into a 'dead boy'. Laughing at the thought, he rounded another corner. She was on the top step of a stair case. When she heard the noise, Jenny shrieked. "Get away from me!" She began to run down the stairs. "Calm down, I just want a drink." He smirked. Hearing the scream, Willow hurriedly ran inside. She saw Miss Calender running from Angelus down the long stair case. She looked at the handsome demon, he wasn't in pursuit mode. He merely looked annoyed, not the deadly expression of a predator who was hunting someone. Just then, Miss Calender thrust her foot forward on to the next step but her shoe slipped on the slick surface. Willow watched in horror as she fell down the remaining stairs to land with a sickening thud at the bottom of the stairs. She rushed forward and knelt at her side, her teacher's neck was bent at an odd angle. There was no pulse. Jenny Calender was dead. "No!" She looked up at Angel in fury as he strolled down the stairs. She ran up to him as he reached the bottom and shoved at his chest. "Why did you chase her like that?" Frankly, he was surprised. "You don't think I was trying to kill her?" "When you were trying to kill me you had a different look on your face." She bit out. "But you might as well have killed her. You scared her so much that she was reckless." She hit him on the chest again. He caught her wrists in his cool grasp. "I wasn't trying to kill her. Is it my fault she doesn't look where she's going on?" Angelus shook his head ruefully. "Here I was being noble by not killing her and she goes an offs herself." "Willow, are you alright?" A careful voice said with steely resolve. It was Giles. Angelus whipped her around and pressed her back against his chest. "Well, if it isn't the Watcher." He tapped Miss Calender's body with his shoe. "Come to pay your respects?" Giles face was a mask of unholy rage. He held a crossbow out. "Let her go." His eyes assessed Willow. She didn't appear to be hurt. He ran a hand down Willow's hip. "Let's ask the lady if she wants me to let her go." Willow flushed as her body began to respond to his caress. "Yes, I want you to let me go." She said threw clenched teeth. "Maybe you need to be persuaded." Angelus said as he pressed her more fully into his body. "Maybe you need an arrow through your head." Giles said calmly as he indicated the crossbow. "That won't kill me." "No, but I bet it would bloody well hurt. Let. Willow. Go. Now!" "What's wrong, Rupert? Have a fight with your girlfriend?" Angelus taunted. "Rest assured, Angel, I'll kill you for this." It wasn't a threat, it was a promise. "Jumping to conclusions, aren't we, Sherlock? Do see any blood on her neck?" "You could have just-" "What kind of a vampire goes around throwing women from staircases? That's not my style, Rupert. I have more class than that." Giles had only one concern right now. Later, he could worry about the rest. "Get away from Willow." He aimed the bow at his head. "Giles? G-man? What happened? I thought I heard a scream." Xander said as he came running down the hall. Oz was right behind him. "Oh, God, Willow." He looked at her in the embrace of the vampire and shuddered. He had been warned by the rest of the Scoobies to stay away from Angel, that he was no longer a 'good vampire.' "Stay away from her!" He shouted. Angelus snarled, not liking the look the young man was giving Willow. "I'll do what I like with her." "I'm okay, Oz." She tried to reassure him, not missing the look of distress on his face. Angelus was furious. How dare she have contact with another man! He was about to set the record straight when he was interrupted by Buffy's arrival. "It's me he wants." She declared. "Wouldn't be so sure about that, if I were you." Angelus sneered. He nuzzled Willow's neck. "I think I want someone else." "What's going on here?" Principal Snyder shouted, coming on to the scene. Angelus saw his out. While the everyone's attention was averted, he gave Willow a small push in the Watcher's direction and , using his vampiric strength, sprinted out of the nearest door swiftly. *** Giles was a wreck. His eyes were blurry and unseeing. Normally very well dressed, his tie was askew and he had his coat off. Giles, Willow, and Buffy were all in the library. He numbly answered the questions of the Sunnydale Police Department as he drank a cup of coffee. Buffy was at his side, squeezing his hand every so often. Willow stared mutely at the floor. Jenny was dead. Jenny was dead. . .it was starting to sink in. Angelus hadn't meant to kill her -- her death was an accident. But he had made the accident happen. He was partly responsible for her death. Angelus didn't even feel remorse for his actions or any concern for Jenny. And yet she still loved him. She put her head in her hands in shame. "Miss Rosenberg?" She looked up to see a young officer staring at her. "I need to ask you a few questions." *** The police had been satisfied with their answers. Jenny's death was being ruled an accident. Snyder stood outside, talking with the officers. They could hear his voice, drifting in the window. "Are you sure it isn't gang related? PCP?" "Wills, can you give us a few minutes?" Buffy asked, looking at Giles. "Sure." Willow knew that the two of them were almost like family. They had a father/daughter relationship and needed some time to grieve together. "Stay close to the library, okay?" They all doubted Angelus would be back, he had caused enough damage tonight, but they didn't want to take any chances. Willow nodded at her friend and walked down the hallway by herself. Mindlessly, she ambled along until she was at Miss Calender's room. Unable to help herself, she walked in to see her computer lying on the floor. It was singed. There were bits of paper too. Apparently, Sunnydale's police were so inept they failed to search her room. She knelt on the floor and picked up the pieces. It was the Soul Restoration Ritual. With shaking hands, she deposited them into a folder. Then, she noticed a knapsack on the desk. She opened it to find a lot of spell casting materials, which were obviously for the ritual. She tucked the folder into the bag and hoisted it over her shoulder. She had no idea what she would do with items but they might prove useful. "Wills?" Buffy called, it was edged with panic. "Are you there? Where did you go?" "I'm coming Buffy!" She shouted as she hurried to the library. Sh was anxious to go home, she needed to think about everything. She was so tired and distraught that she failed to see a scrap of paper on the desk. It was easy to overlook but very important to the spell. It said "Do not, under any circumstances, perform this during a new moon." *** Angelus was waiting for her . He was pacing the length of her room with his clothing mussed and his hair tousled, muttering. He looked as if he had ran all the way from the school. Willow walked in regally and appraised him with a cool look. "I think you should leave." He ran a hand threw his hair, trying to retain his composure. Control his anger. "We need to talk." "No, you need to talk. I've said everything that needs to be said for right now." She walked to the door to the balcony and flung it open. "Leave." In answer, Angelus moved to the other end of the room to stand behind her fish tank. "I'm not leaving until I know his name." "Leave!" Willow cried, exasperated. "Give me his name." "Get out!" "Have you forgotten who I am, little girl?" Angelus purred. His tone was menacing and provocative at the same time. When he'd used it before, most humans shuddered. It had the desired effect, she went white but didn't flinch. Brave girl. "Haven't you done enough for one night?" She whispered. "It was an accident, Willow. Is it my fault she was clumsy?" He ran his hand along the cool surface of the fish tank. He needed to take his anger out on something. Anything but her. "You went too far." She explained. "Giles is devastated." Willow shook her head, trying to figure a way out of this. "I just know he's going to ask Buffy to stake you. He'll order her to!" Angelus smirked. So, he'd really wounded Giles and Buffy to boot. With almost no effort on his part. Damn, I'm good. . .well, bad. "We'll wait and see." He really, really hoped they came after him. He'd enjoy killing them both. A Slayer and a Watcher! His vampire street cred would increase tenfold. Watch out, Dracula. The 'Dark Prince' didn't stand a chance. Angelus had a much better wardrobe and plus, no dopy accent. Willow correctly interpreted his glee. "How can you be happy?" She felt sick to her stomach. "Giles is almost like a father to me and Buffy is my best friend. Miss Calender was my favorite teacher. I know that she tripped, but you practically--" "Again, not my fault that she tripped. Maybe if she weren't trying to run in those high heels. . .what is with women and shoes these days?" He pondered this a moment and then stared at Willow who was beginning to fume. Excellent. Anger was much better than tears. "I wasn't even going to torture her." He sulked. "Fabulous." She said sarcastically. "You weren't going to torture an innocent woman. Wow! They should pick you for man of the year." "Vampire of the year actually." Angelus drawled, taking in her flushed cheeks and glowing eyes. She'd never been more irresistible. "Come here." "Go to hell." At his surprised look, she went off again. " Yes, hell! Go there. . .you!" "You missed me today, didn't you?" His eyes became hooded, burning with need. "I bet you thought about me. Fantasized." He walked around the fish tank, giving it a once over. You got lucky tonight, fish. "Fantasies?" She whispered. The conversation was taking a new turn. "No, I don't have any of those. "Sure you do. Tell me one of your fantasies." He continued to advance on her. She held her ground. "I'm not talking to you about that. The last thing on my mind is sex!" By now he was looming over her. "I doubt that." He brushed her lips with his own. "I get to you." "No. . .no. . . you don't. You really don't" She said, taking a deep breath. She was desperately trying to ignore his nearness. "Then this doesn't bother you?" He leaned over and kissed the bite mark on her neck and she felt her knees start to buckle. He caught her. "N-no." "What about this?" He traced the curve of her ear with his skillful tongue and bit down gently. Breath hissed out from between her clenched teeth. "No." Then his mouth claimed hers and he pulled her off her feet. Angelus clutched her to his chest as he kissed her senseless. She clung to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. When it was over her he held her close to his chest, her feet still dangling in the air. "Tell me his name." That sobered her. "Ugh! Now you bring this up again?" He pulled her back to look at him. "Tell me!" "Alright, that's it." She smacked his chest. "Let me go!" He did so, making sure she could feel every inch of him as he slid her down his body onto her own two feet. "Get out!" "No, I'm not going anywhere." "Fine. If you won't leave, I will." Before he could react, she had swept out the door into the hallway. As she opened the door, it slammed into another person. "Ow!" "Oh, I'm sorry!" Willow cried. "Buffy? What are you doing here?" "Hi, Willow." She pressed a hand to her throbbing forehead. It just stung, she hardly ever bruised. "Being in pain, mostly." "I'm so sorry!" Then she thought of something. She turned around and gave Angelus a truly wicked grin. "Come on in!" He narrowed his eyes and ran for the door. She saw him leap off the balcony. Buffy made her way around the young hacker and settled herself on the bed. "Actually, I'm here because of Giles." Willow was serious once more." How is he?" "Angry, Willow. He wants to kill Angel." She nodded. "Did he order you to-" "No, he would never do that. I offered." Two teardrops fell onto her cheek. "You offered to kill him? Oh, Buffy!" She pulled the Slayer into her arms. It was if the flood gates were released. "I have to, Wills. I have to! It's my job. What I was born to do. And he's so. . .so awful. He kills, I know he does. Every night. He likes the killing, the torture and the blood." She sobbed on Willow's shoulder. " He's not my Angel anymore. My Angel is dead and I'm never going to get him back." Willow rubbed her best friend's back and murmured nonsensical soothing phrases. "W-when?" "Tonight. I can't put this off, I just want to do it and get it over with." She pointed to the heavy weapons bag which was just outside Willow's door. "Giles is going to meet me at the factory they're hiding out in." Willow was starting to panic. No! She couldn't kill Angelus! "Are you sure this is the right thing?" Buffy scrubbed her face with her hands, trying to retain some composure. "I'm sure." She stood up and patted down her clothes. "I'll go . . kill him. Then, I can mourn Angel." She took a deep breath. "And go on with my life." "But Buffy-" "I fine, Wills." She pulled her friend into a hug. "I just needed to tell someone. I really should go. The sooner this thing is over with, the better." "Buffy-" "Goodnight, Willow." The Slayer was already lugging her bag down the hall and out the front door. "Dammit!" Willow cried, running her hand through her hair. She couldn't warn Angelus, he would ambush Buffy and Giles and kill them both. She couldn't let him die either. He might be a soulless demon, but he cared for her. Loved her. And she returned those feelings, she refused to let him die. Then, she knew. There was only one solution. With precision, Willow began laying out the contents of Miss Calender's knapsack. *** "Hello, Buff. What a surprise." Angelus called, walking down the stairs. "It is customary to call before coming to someone's house." "Yeah, well, I couldn't remember your number." She took out a stake. "I did remember to get you a housewarming gift though." "I see you brought your old man, too. 'Fraid to be alone with me?" Angelus stubbed out his cigarette on the wall. Giles pulled a broad sword from the duffel bag. "Actually, she thought your company would be rather boring." "Enough with the small talk. It's time to get dusty." Buffy said. She began to circle him, stake in hand. "Fine. I'm a feeling little hungry, Slayer's blood might hit the spot." *** Willow knelt on the floor in front of the Orb of Thessula. A tray of animal bones and candles held the orb, it was accompanied by two braziers full of burning herbs. It was time to begin the ritual, she prayed that she was in time. "Goodbye, Angelus." She murmured. Then, she began. "Not dead, nor not of the living. . ." *** Buffy kicked Angelus in the chest, but he grabbed her ankle and twisted it, sending her to the floor. He was about to jump on her when she flipped up and was once more on her feet. They circled each other once more. *** "Gods, bind him, cast his heart from the demon. . . realm. . .return his. . ." Willow faltered. She felt so strange. Like she wasn't alone in her own body. "I call on. . . I. . ." Her whole body tensed and it was as if something or someone snatched her. Took hold of her and was speaking through her body. "Te implor Doamne, nu ignora accasta rugaminte! Lasa orbita sa fie vasul care-I va transporta sufletul la el!" Willow was no longer herself, she was speaking another language yet it didn't feel foreign to her now. Somewhere deep inside herself, she watched in awe as the spell was performed. " Este scris, aceasta putere este dreptul poporuil meu de a conduce. . " The globe began to glow. *** "You're looking mighty tired, Buff. You need a break?" "I'm just fine, lover." She smiled nastily at him. "I'll be even better when I'm sweeping your dirt off my sneakers." "Funny, I'm not the one who's tired here." He punched her in the jaw and sent her flying. *** "Asa sa fie! Acum!" The orb disappeared. Willow gasped for breath as the presence released her. *** Angelus' eyes began to glow with a brilliant light. "Ahhh!" He hit his knees as the pain ripped through him. Angel's consciousness emerged. "B-Buffy?" Tears began to flow down his face. "Where am I? What's going on?" "Angel?" Buffy gasped, afraid to believe. "Angel?" "It's me." He noticed a small bruise on her cheek. "You're hurt." He reached out to brush her cheek but she withdrew. " I feel like I've been away for so long. Everything's a blur." She flung herself into his arms and he held her tight. "It is you! Oh, Angel. I love you. I love you." She pressed his kissed to his cheek, his forehead, his mouth. Giles watched from the corner of the room. He was touched by their reunion . . .the emotion. . .the pain. But bitter. It almost choked him, the rage building inside him. There would be no tearful admissions of love for him. Jenny was gone, taken by this man. . .this monster before him. It might have been kinder in the long run to kill him. Angel had a lot to answer for. *** Across town, Willow climbed into bed. She flicked off the lights and stared up into the darkness. She was clad in Angelus' shirt once more, his scent surrounded her. "I love you." She said to the dark empty cavern of her room. She hadn't been able to save Angelus but she had saved his body. At least Buffy and Angel would be happy. She pressed her nose to the sleeve and the tears began to flow freely. She stared sightlessly at the wall. A calendar on that wall reflected the date and the stage of the moon. The new moon had begun that day.

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