Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters here in. They belong to BVTS and it's creators Joss and WB. Don't hurt me for barrowing them. They needed to come out and play....
(thoughts in Italics)

Rosenberg Residence:

She studied the inky blackness outside her window wonderingly. She turned and glanced over at the glowing computer screen. She stood, and stretched. She reached over and turned off the computer. She pushed strands of her long red hair out of her face. She looked down at the cross that lay on her comforter. Buffy Her friend was still dealing with the fact that she had pushed her boyfriend into the gates of hell.

Biting her lip softly she pulled a dusty volume from it's hiding place. She set it carefully on the bed in front of her. She eyed it suspiciously, wondering if it would bite. oh, yes Willow invasion of the vampire books, Get a grip She opened it slowly, looking down at the faded text. She scanned page after page. She wasn't sure what she was looking for, but she would know it when she saw it. She wasn't certain why, but somehow she knew. She turned another page, her hand froze as her eyes widened. There it was. The ritual she needed. She couldn't believe she'd swiped the right book. Of course the dream had helped, helped a lot. She read it through once, then again. She stared at the night again wondering, if Angel really withered in anguish in some part of hell. A single tear slid soundlessly down her cheek at the thought. It was hard to imagine him there. He tormented himself enough, he didn't need any help.

She pulled a sheet of paper from a small pad and began to write down what she would need. Orris to drive away the other demons. Salt for a circle of protection. Water to purify the space. A sword to command the elements. A candle of black to guide the spirit back. Suddenly she felt like Demeter going into Hades to retrieve her lost daughter Persephone, only she doubted that the god of the underworld would treat Angel as he treated Persephone. She laughed softly as a clear picture of Angel in roman garb popped into her mind. He would look just so interesting as a Roman. Of course not anyone could look like that in a toga and reef of ivy. Enough Willow She scolded herself silently.

Another thought one far more frightening occurred to her. What if the restoration spell hadn't worked? What if she brought him back and he was Angelus, and not Angel? The thought terrified her for a moment before common sense and some small voice that believed that good had to win insisted that the spell had worked. What else A space in which to draw the sought after entity. A triangle that needed to be outside the circle and created by earth, air, fire, and water. Well that was easy. So this had to be done outside at the full of the moon. When the moon was in the sign of Cancer. She furrowed her brow trying to remember what sign they were coming into. Unable to recall she reluctantly got up and began to rummaged through the bookshelf in the corner. Oh there you are She picked up the Llewellyn's magical almanac and began to flip through the pages. I need to thank Amy for this. Finding what she sought she smiled relieved, she had one week to find everything she needed. One week to make sure no one knew what she was up to.

Giles had been very admit about not trying to fix anything. He doesn't think I can, But I'm the smart one right. She pushed the book back into it's hiding place, and folded the slip of paper and placed it in her notebook. She would have to see if that shop in town had any orris root, and where on earth was she going to find a sword.....It wasn't like she could steal the nearest sword from Slayer practice. That would mean asking Giles, and Giles would realize what she was up to and try to stop her. So where would she find a sword. She wondered fleetingly if Angel had one lying around his apartment. Yes that would be a blessing, but how was she going to get it.

Angel's apartment:

God this place was dusty. She opened the door in front of her. She stared in not sure what she was expecting. ghost, maybe She laughed softly at her own foolishness. She hoped no one else was using Angel's for a lair, a quick serve the apartment. She walked in shutting the door behind her. She looked around the livingroom, and began rummaging through closets. She opened the last door, feeling like she was invading his space. Don't worry so much Willow. She looked around her eyes drawn to the rumpled bed. Black satin sheets stared back at her and she laughed a little at her own shock. What you were expecting maybe flowers. It fit black satin he was a vampire after all. Then she saw it , sort of hidden under the edge of the bed. A sword. A really nice sword. She wondered if Angel took fencing, because she recognized the type of sword it was. No it wasn't a fencing sword, at lest not for a class, a closer look at the blade revealed that it was quit sharp. She touched it little drawing her thumb over it. She felt it catch on her flesh. Yes, it was sharp. She looked at the handle admiring the craftsmanship. It would have cost a pretty penny she thought. He'll forgive me. The hilt was decorated with sweeping silver aches. It was beautiful she thought. It was like currents of water colored by silver moonlight. She chuckled again wondering at her suddenly poetic nature.

She picked it up and started for the door. Then another thing occurred to her, how am I going to get this home with out anyone knowing. She placed the sword on the inside of her jacket wondering if this was considered a concealed weapon. Watch out Conner Mccload where coming for your head She laughed again. She wondered what was wrong. God, Willow, get a grip She told herself again. Oh yeah, be calm about challenging the demons of hell for the body and soul of a friend. This was the hell mouth and she was Willow. Well here goes. She walked out into the day light. She walked hurriedly toward herself hoping no one saw her.

"Hey, Willow...." called one of those voices she hadn't wanted too here. She turned and faced Xander. She put on her best I wasn't doing anything wrong face and smiled at him.

"Are you all right. You weren't in school today..."

"Really, I hadn't noticed." She answered before she could stop herself. She saw the wounded look that crossed his face and immediately felt guilty. So I can't stay mad at him. "Come here." She motioned for her best friend to come closer. She embraced him forgetting the sword that hung at her side, only to be reminded of its presence by Xander's shriek of pain. She gasped drawing back, and nearly died laughing. The sword had hit some rather sensitive anatomy. She was trying hard not to laugh, but finally she could hold the sound back no longer.

"I'm so glad you find this so humorous Willow. I never pegged you for a masochist." He growled out angrily. His words only made her laugh all he harder, it wasn't really funny it was just....Well it was.

"Sorry Xander."

"You should be." he added in a tight voice, she smiled at him as he regained a fully standing potion. He stared at her for a moment. "Hey, Where did you get that thing anyway. Stealing weapons from Giles again?" She laughed, and frantically searched her mind for a plausible explanation, "No I just started taking fencing. Isn't this cool?" Xander just stared at her shocked. Willow learning to use a sword. suddenly he had a mental picture of his best friend hold a sword raised high over a certain vampires neck. Hmm, Willow could behead Angel. he thought happily. She turned away from him beginning to walk the way she was going. "Hey Will I'll walk you home."

"What ever." They walked on in silence. She smiled a little to herself. It used to be OK when they did this. The silence was always filled with the understanding of their years as friends and her love. Now though she realized that the silence was no longer filled it was truly empty. They reached her door. She turned to look at him. Xander smiled sadly at her. He had to know how much damage his actions had caused. He leaned down and brushed her cheek in a soft kiss. Something he never did. It seemed to beg for forgiveness. Forgiveness she wasn't ready to give. She turned away, "I'll see you Xander." She closed the door on what ever would have been his reply. She hurried up to her room. Thanking the powers that be that her parents where out of town on business.

Her room was large, and like a kaleidoscope it reflected her many faceted personality. She set the sword on the floor breathing a sigh of relief. Well, she made it home. She had the sword, Xander thinks she's taking fencing, and she needed to call Amy. She reached for the telephone, only to have it ring when her had touched it. She gave a little jump and gasped. She picked up the phone, and cradled it against her ear.

Hello?" she asked into the receiver. She listened as Amy's voice answered back excitedly. "What? No, you come over here. OK I'll tell you everything, but first you need to get here." She waited for Amy's answer and then the heard the phone go dead.

Amy was there in moments. She studied her friend, Willow wouldn't meet her gaze, she was going to put Amy in a really bad position, but she couldn't do this alone she needed someone who could tell her what to expect or what to watch for. Amy would know.

"What's up Willow. Cryptic isn't like you?" Amy asked looking directly into the hackers eyes. Willow stared back pulling her courage up. She drew in a calming breath. She held toward Amy the dusty book, opened to the correct page.

"I found this spell, I have what I need to do it, but I need you to help me with some of the stuff I don't understand."

"Willow?!?! You can't just go around performing the type of spell your talking about. It's not simple. Where talking about talking Angel from Hell and then fighting a demon for possession of his body."

"I know that."

"Do you?" Amy stared at the other girl uncertain of where he duty lied. She didn't owe Angel anything, but the Slayer and the slayerettes had helped her out with that mess with psycho mom. Willow was crazy, one doesn't challenge demons with out training. Why was she doing this anyway. Why did it matter so much. She knew that in Willow's mind Angelus had harmed them and killed miss calendar, but that Angelus was not Angel. Well she had the strongest feeling that if she didn't help Willow would do it on her own and get dead, very dead.

"All right I'll help, but Willow, you better get ready for the fight of your life that demon will not give up it's host easily."

"I know, but I have to do it I owe it to Angel, as a friend."

Willow watched the other girl walk into her living room. She pulled the sword off the couch, eyed it appreciatively.

"Where did you find this?"

"It's Angel's"

"What?"

"Angel's...." she could her the shock in the other girls voice, and something a kin to curiosity came to the fore of the witch's gaze.

"Well, I guess maybe I underestimated you Willow. How did you know that it need to belong to the person er vampire in question?" She watched as Willow looked at the floor as though it had suddenly become very interesting." You didn't know."

"No"

"It's OK it means that their watching out for you."

"Who..." what was she talking about watching her

"The old ones Willow, I always wondered about that I mean you look like one, more than me. You have the red hair and the green eyes." She smiled seeing her confusion, "You look like a witch and given your quickness at the subject, I would say you are at least you where once. Your going to need to believe you can do this Will. The power you need..."

"Yeah, what does this mean anyway, I kept reading about the power, like Luke feel the force or what?" Amy looked at her friend in disbelieve.

"This is no time to joke, but yes, at lest in theory." Willow shook her head, and set on the couch. Amy looked down at Willow and eyed her strangely. "OK lesson on a crash course in the craft. First, you need to understand that the power we use is a combination of personal and preexisting power in the universe. Your going to be asking some pretty large and powerful entities for there help." Willow looked at Amy and waited for the witch to continue.....

Sunnydale High School Library:

Buffy set on the edge of the large table in the front room looking up at the stacks. She wondered what had happened to Willow. She hadn't seen her in school today and she hadn't answered the phone. She looked up at the sound of the huge doors opened. Xander walked in slowly looking around. Buffy waited until he realized that Willow wasn't there. He set at the table in front and to the left of Buffy. He looked up at her.

"Well where is she?" Buffy shrugged and looked over at the stacks. Giles walked out of the stacks distractedly as usual. He looked about the library, seeking the familiar red-head, finding her missing, he looked at Buffy.

"She's not here. I don't know where she is." Buffy said slowly concern for her wayward friend finding it's way into her voice. She wanted to find out what was going on with her, every time she questioned her Willow would go all quite. She wondered if part of it wasn't just getting over the fact that someone she had come to trust had betrayed them. She had to deal with what had happened with Xander. With him not telling Buffy that she had performed the restoration spell. Buffy looked over at Xander. She had learned to forgive him. Willow apparently not.

"Giles maybe she's just running late. Can one of us do what ever net stuff you need." asked Xander. Giles studied the young man realizing that Willow hadn't sad she was sorry for the cutting words that she had said the night of their fight. He felt for the young man. Willow was his best friend, and losing her friendship was something Xander couldn't handle.

"No we have another prophecy."

"really?"

"Yes, Buffy." She smiled at her watcher seeing his eyes light up at the re-emergence of the old Slayer.

"Well, spill already, I've got better things to be doing vampires to slay." She watched as Giles tried to hold a serious expression in the face of this much missed display of Buffyism.

"Yes, Well, It's this slight rhyming verse, which I was hoping Willow would have some insight on. It says One from the day One from the night shall join together and End this fight. But it doesn't say much else. The only thing I can find is, mentions of One who will rescue the dark to bring about the light. But what it truly speaks of I can't find."

They all looked up as a certain slayerette waltzed into the library. Willow looked at them all and shrugging, and smiling sheepishly.

"Sorry I lost track of the time. Amy came over we where talking, and it just got away from us you know how it can be."

Giles looked at Willow for a moment and wondered if she had any idea how guilty she sounded. She shouldn't feel that way about all of this, this wasn't her chosen path. She be able to do the things that other teens did. He lifted the book and motioned for her to read the passage. She read it quickly then lifted her eyes to the watchers questioningly.

"So Buffy has to help out one of the dark forces, and that force in turn will help her defeat the vampires and what ever there planing." She offered in opinion. Giles shook his head.

"No, This light is not the Slayer. It is someone else. Who, however I have not been able to determine. Someone who can control the light as well as the dark. That kind of cancels out Buffy because being the slayer, everything dark is unusable to you. In magic likes attract and opposite repeal. Where there is good, other good will be drawn and vice-versa."

"Like Amy," offered Xander after a thoughtful pause.

"No, Amy works with the dark mother. Hecate. We would need a crescent to full moon worker."

"Like Diana, or Selene," offered Willow helpfully. She smiled glad that she had waited and talked with Amy. It would seem the information was helping. Giles looked at the red-head strangely, but shook his head in assent.

"Or Athena Protectress, Warrioress, and Guardian of all knowledge. I like her she's cool. Gives new meaning to the phrase walk softly and carry a big stick." Willow looked up as she spoke and found Giles staring at her. Oh no, what did I say?

"Very good Willow, I see you've been talking with Amy about magic."

"Yeah."

"Well see if you can find anything in your online dives, maybe some of you source will have the answer."

Willow shook her head and went over to the glowing screen to do Giles bidding. Oh yeah, something normal, I'm so the net girl. As she searched her mind wondered.

Her thoughts turned as they had been doing a lot lately, to a certain dark hair, brown eyed vampire. She smiled a little at the thought of Angel. She had gotten to know him before Angelus came back. She wondered what would happen when she performed the spell. She'd already been through the motions with Amy earlier. Rehearsing magic, who would have thought it? She still got a strange chill at the memory of the rushing of power through her body. A nice chill. She smiled softly remembering the look on Amy's face when she had explained how to build her shields. She would need them against the negative energy she would encounter. She could hear Amy's Gods your glowing. Willow most people who do that all the time don't glow like that. Blue and green fire, You're a fairy Willow I knew it.

She read over a few of the things about rituals contain references, but still found nothing. It looked like they where flying blind on this one. She glanced at her watch. It was late and she needed to be rested for the moon. She needed to be rested to face death. Gods she hoped Azreal was kind. He sounds so cool, Willow your talking about death, morbid much.

Giles glanced at his wrist band, and then over at Willow." Anything?"

"No."

"Well, I shouldn't keep you all, Buffy you have rounds and Xander I'm sure you have homework, and Willow you look like you could use some sleep. So I will see you all tomorrow."

The three made their way slowly out of the library receiving strange looks from those who stayed after school because they had to. Willow head home with an insistent Xander at her arm. She smiled a little to herself wondering how much he would hate her for what she was going to do.

Sunnydale: Rosenbergs:

Now she knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was hopeless. Xander would never understand. He was simply beyond her reach. Willow watched Xander walk away from her front porch. She smiled not sure why she felt good so suddenly. Power Yes, that was part of it. She'd never felt power like that before. Like burning blue flame. She believed at that moment she knew what the hot, burning, blue center of a candle felt like. She set her book bag down on her kitchen table, absently she fixed herself a drink.

She wasn't really paying any attention as she walked into the living room. She fished around her bag for a long tapered candle. Black, she studied it for a moment. It smelled like lavender and some other spice she couldn't name. Amy had given it to her to practice concentration, and astral projection.

She reached out and light the candle with a lighter. Note to self, do not use lighters at ritual. Don't want to offend the salamanders. She smiled at her own corky thought. She studied the flame which danced upon the tip of the candle. She stared at it, into it. She felt the exact moment her mind went inward and turned around on itself.

She gasped at the change in the world in front of her. She watched it sway slightly in complement with her shock. She pulled her uncertainty into check. Fighting that feeling of being on a rickety bridge too high above an abyss. She wondered fleetingly if she could reach out and touch someone like this. Amy had told her that in this place she was more on the plane then on the earth.

Astral travel she thought ruefully is better then cyberspace. no loading time She watched as the seen around her changed. She found herself at a gate way. A building loomed before her. A large locked gate, and a long unending staircase lead up. She began to follow a path that seemed to called to her. mother said straight a head not to delay or be miss lead.

She began moving more quickly, when the seen shifted again. She felt her shielding begin to hum as though she sensed some unseen danger. She wasn't worried here she was safe.

She turned and faced the direction of what looked like a blazing inferno. Hell?!?!....It can't be She studied it for a moment. I wonder if Angel is there. Almost as though her thoughts had conjured his image. She found herself facing the darkly handsome vampire. God he looks bad. She watched him watching her.

"Willow?!?!" she heard his voice, but his mouth remained unmoving."What...?How...? I mean.....My god I didn't hurt you?" he stammered.

She smiled warmly at the vampire, "Astral travel. I spend so much time in cyberspace I thought I'd check out Amy's network." She shrugged smiling more, wanting to ease his worry. She watched his face light up and laughter bubble up from inside his soul.

She set down on a conveniently created chair and waited for Angel to do the same. He watched her. He looked suddenly very sad, and uncertain.

"Willow, I'm sorry..." his voice shook with the truth of his remorse. If she doubted, she could feel the emotions behind it.

"No, no please don't, don't do that, don't blame yourself. Everything that happened was an accident. A terrible accident. No one can be blamed for that evil. Angel." She said the words trying to convey how true she felt them to be, he seemed to except them, and yet, he continued to look away from her. She reached out to touch him gently, unsure if the wounds she could see would hurt him. He shied away, until he saw the hurt look on her face. How can you bare to touch me? I'm a monster. This is where I belong and it is no place for you.

"No, don't you dare do that. I found a way to help you and I'm going to do it. We all miss you Buffy isn't the same. I miss you." she pleaded for his understanding. He was staring at her with that shocked look on his face. She'd done it again completely caught him off guard, with her ways. She found a way to bring him back. "Wait there's only one way to do that and if you fail...."

"You die, " she finished, " But I wont fail." he'd have disputed her where it not for the fire in her voice." Here, " she continued, " on the astral plane I'm not bound by the laws or conceptions of that reality. I can fight the demon. It will be hard, and I might get hurt, but I wont lose. Besides, " she added off-handily "I have you."

She was right. He hadn't thought of factoring in himself into the fight. With help she would have a better chance, but still the spell would drain her. He had only limited knowledge of what he could do to help her. How far he could enter into the spell with out harming her.

She was set on this course, for better or for worse he was set on it with her. He studied her for a moment. She'd always seemed weaker to him. Here though on the plane she was different. She carried herself surely. She seemed to know what she was doing. He wondered if the change carried to the physical world. Somehow he hoped so, such fire would be wasted where not there for all to see.

They continued to talk for what seemed like hours. She told him about many of the things that had happened since he was lost to them. He explained to her that her spell worked. He was bound to his body forever. He said the words smiling at her. They talked about little things incidentals that had never really mattered but now seemed important, like her strange bizarre vamp questions in the middle of a conversation. How do you shave with out a reflection.

"Have you played out here much Angel?" She asked in a small voice. He studied her for a moment wondering at her question.

"No." he answered after a moment. She thought about it for a moment. Then spoke." Well, do you remember the sun rise?" His head jerked up at the strange question. Her eyes where very bright as though she was excited. He nodded slowly.

"Barely, why?"

"Well, let's refresh your memory. She turned and began to walk away.

"Willow wait. what?" she could here the confusion in his tone.

He watched her go frantic to understand what he had done to up set her. He could see her form fading. Watched as the void that had revealed her swallowed her again. He felt near tears with despair. what did I do? What the...? his head was brought up by a sound.

Her voice speaking into his mind. Angel, you always failed to understand. Darkness isn't something to be hated or feared it is to be revered. For what else can hide the harshness of truth. The dark takes the sharp edges off reality making it bearable One isn't afraid of the dark, because of the monsters in it. One fears it for it's lack of friends. You where a friend in the shadows. Then you where gone, And I, we miss our friend. The shadows scare me with out you. Here.... her voice trailed off, taking any of his doubt and a little of his self loathing.

The space where she had been shifted slightly. It began to change colors slowly, from the inky blackness of night to the slightly bluer shades of early morning. He watched transfixed as the sky turned golds, purples and pinks he'd never thought to see again. He watched as a brilliant sun rose in the sky.

He watched, a single tear forming and sliding down his cheek unchecked. Willow How strange it was to have someone so pure and innocent know his soul so well. When had she learned these things. Who told her. She touches you so deeply, does it so gently that only after it's over do you realize what has been done.

He shook his head a rueful smile playing across his lips. Heaven help the demon Angelus. Willow was on a rampage and it looked like all the elements where in her corner. He'd never seem such power just sitting there on a person. She possessed some secret gift, he'd never seen such light.

He cocked his head to the side listening. He felt no pull no demand that he return to the inferno of christen created hell. He stared after her through the fading of the sun rise. She set him free yet again, somehow breaking the chains that held him to the hellish world he had inhabited since he'd been banished. He was free and hindered not by the physical. Soon he would be back where he belonged he had faith in Willow, in them they could defeat Angelus.

Willow came out of the trance with a start. The candle had nearly burned down and the clock on the wall seemed to scold her. God do I feel like I've been bad.

Morning comes far to soon She turned over unwillingly and opened her eyes. She drew in a few calming breaths her heart already picking up pace. She dreamed of Angel. Big surprise there. She wasn't at all sure that where her trip last night ended and her dreams began.

She absently touched the place where he'd set the necklace from the dream. She gasped as her hand came away holding the pendent. She stared at the strange dark green stone. Studied it's varied patterns searching her mind for it's name. Malachite, heart stone she laughed at the irony of that Angel had given her heart stone. She wondered if there was some other meaning for the beautiful glossy stone.

She remembered reading about it's protective capabilities. Angel was worried about her. How sweet. She stood and began getting ready for school.

Sunnydale High School

Buffy watched as Willow made her way over to Amy. Amy smiled a greeting catching the slayerette's arm the two girls quickly fell into quite conversation.

"You what?" Amy's voice carried to the slayer conveying shock and surprise. "I can't even do that. Are you sure your all right. He didn't hurt you.."

"No!!!"

"Sorry, habit. Are you sure that your all right. What did he say."

"He doesn't want me to do it. He gave me this." Willow said holding up a large long green stone with bands of lighter green around it.

"And you have it here?"

"Yeah, strange..."

"Power, And to think I was worried. Of course you don't know how to fence."

"That wouldn't help anyway. Men didn't fence on the street they did there thing and they didn't always fight fair."

"Willow."

"Don't worry."

"I have to it's my job." Both girls broke into giggles as though they where sharing some inside joke.

Buffy watched concern going by leaps and bounds what was Willow up to and who was the HE they where talking about. So much for first period. She headed hurriedly for the library and Giles, hoping he could shed some light on the behavior of the red haired hacker.

Two thirty, Willow glanced at her watch. She had what a grand total of six hours to get ready to fight one nasty sonofabi...God I hope he doesn't where Angel's face. That would be to hard for me.

She waited for the last of the kids to leave the hall way so she could get the stuff that Amy had given her. God I feel like such a heel. I should tell Buffy. She started toward the library. No Will you can't she wont let you. She smiled sadly in resignation and began heading for one of the back exits.

She made it home in record time considering she was caring a cauldron, and brass lamps to light her circle. She smiled realizing that Amy had saved her butt again. She hadn't thought of anything as mundane or essential as light. She laughed a loud at her own foolishness.

She piled everything into the emergencies only car her parents left her while they where away on business. She smiled they'll forgive me, besides this is an emergency. She headed back into the house to take car of the last few item that she needed before going to the glen.

Leaving the house changed showered and powered up Willow drove the car up the hills out of Sunnydale. She had found the perfect place. A place of strong positive converging power lines. Lay lines, are a good thing.

She drove for a long while the tape she was listening hitting perhaps a bit close to home. The soundtrack to City of Angels. So she was hopeless. She listen going through the tape once. She smiled sadly at the song "Iris" by the GooGoo dolls. It reminded her of Angel. and I would give up forever to touch you...

She parked the car out of site, and slowly got out. She carried the bag with her and got her stick out of the trunk. She walked over to the center of the field. She laid out her center alter. Chalice, blade, wand, candles and herbs. She ware the Malachite gem around her neck. She placed other crystals around the alter: Moonstones, garnet, rose quartz, crystal quartz, tigers eye, blue agate, apache tears.

She raised her hands in silent greeting to the old ones that would make this happen. Silently she called them by name, Diana, Selene, Hecate, Athena. She felt the answering pulse of power that a assured her that the Ladies where listening to her. She pulled the sword from the center space. She raised it high in salutations to the eastern quarter. She called out to the powers of Air and intelligence, the balance of powerful emotions. She could feel the wind pick up and whip around her, causing the edges of her long robes to flow about her wildly. She smiled relishing the purity of thought that accompanied the elemental call.

She turned to the south, raising the sword in greeting. She called on the fiery salamanders and the power of the very earth's core. She felt the answer to that call begin deep with in herself. She felt the spark of power and awareness that told her that they waited. She called out a final time as they broke through licking her skin with there fiery tongues.

She could see the power she was raising combining and building with each element she added. The water added the strength of her faith and friendship. The earth added the stability that was required for the mixture to work. Full circle she thought as she moved on to the next step....Getting Angel.

She moved through the motions creating the space without her circle to protect Angels soul, and a space within to protect his body. She said the words her voice raising higher. She carefully laid done the circle of protection inviting those that would help her and banishing those who would harm. Now for the spell: By Air, Fire, Water, and Earth this circle is bound with power all around
She felt the wind pick up again in answer to her call, causing the long robes she wore to swirl around her. She had the feeling and look of a powerful sorceress. She smiled as she felt the power of the fire that lived with in her, spark to brilliant life at her words of calling of fire. She gasped as she felt the water, splashed over her answering her call. She cried out mentally as the earth at her feet began to tremble. She watched slightly horrified as the ground in the triangle she created began to break open. She stared as something began to claw it's way out of the ground. Heat and fire poured from the hole.

Christian Hell: Glimmering red like crimson blood shed, like a warning light, to late to stop the unwary. Shimmering in red beautiful and strange. She watched as the burning inferno began to heave, expelling a large mass from it's depths. Angel?!?! It lay on the earth before her.. It looked up at her. It howled out in rage and pain. She saw the moment the demon gave up control of the body and came at her. The outer part of her shielding protected her for the moment, but each blow weakened her power.

Sunnydale High School

"What?!?! You let her do what?!?!!" demanded Rupert Giles. Amy cringed inwardly at the anger on the Englishmen's face. "She could die. She most likely will. We need to find her. Where is she? Amy." The witch stared at him uncertainly for a moment her choice was made, looking into the faces of Willow's worried friends she hoped Willow would forgive her. They needed to know. Taking a deep breath she began to explain.

She watched as faces absorbed the information about their friend. She saw the shock on Xander's face. Willow had left him in the dark about something. Amy figured he was a little hurt.

Giles asked no questions merely picked up his tweed jacket and hurried out the door into the darkness the slayerettes following.

The Glen.

Angel watched uncertain from his place out side the circle. She'd covered his form with a large cloak. Her touch seemed tender and careful. She looked up meeting his spirit gaze. The demon circled her. Taunting with words and actions trying to intimidate her into making a mistake. So far she had held off the demon.

Angel could see she was weakening. He could see some of the amazing blue of her shields sway. She looked a bit groggy and the demon seemed ready to take full advantage of her weakness.

A sound away from the two advisories caught Angel's attention he watched in shock as the entire slayer underage made their way up the hill. Oh god, they where going to get her killed. If anyone interferes the demon wins. You start with the players you have. No substitutions.

The arrival distracted Willow just enough for the demon to get through her shields. It struck hard, tearing into her soul with it's claws.

Angel cried out against the sight, racking his mind for how to help her. She didn't know how to fight in the physical. The demon new it, and was taking full advantage of that fact. Willow was rapidly loosing her hold on the battle.

If it kept going she would lose consciousness and it would be over. Angel groaned in pain as he throw himself through the barriers of the circle. He pulled the demon off. It glared at him in surprise before readying to strike. He threw it way from him as though it was no more then a rag doll. He reached down to the shrinking Willow. He brushed hair out of her face. He watched in horror as she mouthed the words "I'm sorry."

She thought they had lost. Not yet, not by a long shot. He pulled her level with him. There had to be away to help. His gaze was caught by the piece of glowing Malachite that rested in the hollow of her throat. Good, girl She was wearing it as he requested. There was hope yet.

"Do you trust me." he whispered. As he heard the demon righting its self.

"Is there any doubt?" She whispered brokenly, beginning to give into despair. Angel leaned closer and spoke against her neck.

" Take me into yourself Willow invite me in?" She stared at him not understanding what he was talking about. Then it hit her. Into herself into her soul.

She opened her eyes, they locked with his. "I invite you in, Angel." He smiled brightly at her. His mouth brushing hers fleetingly before she was completely surrounded by him.

She gasped wow, like black velvet and indigo light. His touch felt right, strong and pure. She gave over everything to him. She closed her eyes and let him lead. He and the demon began to fight. She could hear the growls of rage and anger as the two beings laid into each.

Outside the circle the slayer and her watcher watched. Amy had made it clear that they couldn't interfere or it would cost both Willow and Angel their souls.

The fight was fierce. Willow fought the creature wildly. Kicking punching, biting, and hacking. She picked up the sword and began to slowly beat down the demon. Willow was clearly beginning to tire. It looked hopeless. Where was Angel anyway. He was there one moment then gone. Buffy held her breath as the demon bared down on Willow. Just a little closer and it would be over. Willow would be died. Damn it why can't I do something I'm the chosen one right. So I get to watch my best friend die. I don't think so. She started for the circle only to have Amy catch her by the arm.

"Buffy, you can't." she yanked at the witch's hold staring in shock at the incredible strength that held her in place. Amy's eyes glowed with power. Buffy watched helplessly as the demon bit into Willow. Willow screamed. Buffy watched in shock as the demon howled in rage. A small dagger protruded from it's chest somewhere in the region of it's heart. They stared seeming not to understand the outcome of the battle. Willow still stood although shakily. Angel who had disappeared from site for sometime, was holding her. He looked down worriedly at her before gently laying her on the ground.

He walked over to the eastern corner of the circle and disappeared. Willow came to herself suddenly. She looked out and saw her friends. Oh, I'm alive Gods we won!?!?!?! yes!!!

Willow watched as the form lay still against the ground. The light died away and moon glow took it's place. She closed the circle, but left it unbroken. She walked uncertainly over to the still form. She leaned down, feeling her body protest. She reached out and carefully turned him onto his back. She made sure the cloak covered him completely. He was covered with unnamed slimy things. She looked out over the field wondering what everyone was going to think. She looked down as she heard the figure in her arms groan. His eyes fluttered open. They locked with hers. She touched his forehead gently. This was ANGEL.

The pain was exquisite and like nothing he had ever felt . . . He watched for a moment sure that he was imagining things. He reached up to touch her, as the memories that the last week created came back to him. She smiled at him. A slight nervous tilt, she handed him a pair of pants, she took from his apartment. He laughed softly. Thinks of everything, doesn't she. He looked deeply into her green eyes. "Can you stand." She asked finally. Not sure if she wanted to help him get dressed. He smiled and turned away from her. She watched his back for a moment. He was all right. Inside she was shaking from fear and exhaustion.

He turned back to her, now clad in the leather pants she'd given him. He smiled at her. He drew her closer, gently brushing her cheek. There was no mistaking the reverence in his touch. She saved him. He held onto her, not wanting to let go. Unable to release his hold on her yet. That was all right with her, he was all that was holding her up.

He groaned inwardly, as pain familiar yet, different began to spill through him. He was hungry. He craved blood, something's never changed he realized sadly. He was watching her. He didn't feel his game face slip, only the shocked sound she made alerted him of the change. She drew away. He cried out against her fear against what he was sure to come. He looked around expecting to see the slayer waiting with a stake.

"Willow, I'm sorry, I need...." he trailed off, how could he tell her that the smell of the blood in her veins was the cause of his change. That he was hungry. His eyes moved back to Willow.

What had she done. He could smell blood. He gasped as she held up her cut wrist to him. Deep enough to bleed freely, but not enough to cause her true harm. He stared at her for a moment in disbelieve, his eyes clouded by agony and hunger. He drew her wrist roughly to his lips. He drank unable to stop himself. Oh god, Her blood is sweet. He hadn't expected that, wasn't prepared for that.

He looked up at her face checking for reaction. Her eyes where closed and her lips formed his name softly. Her face showed uncertainty as though she couldn't decide of it was pain or pleasure he was causing her. He forced himself to release the wound, fearing he would harm her.

"Yes, Is it really you. Are you real." He's wondering if I'm real and I'm afraid I'll wake up any second.

"I hope so, but if this is a dream promise not to wake me." Her voice was soft, but held an underlying steel he hadn't heard. He reached to touch her again needing to be sure she was real. She turned into the Angel's touch smiling at him. "Angel, we need to get you out of here. Back to someplace safe. Do you need more?"

More?, Oh god BLOOD. He stared things had truly change squeamish little Willow Rosenberg, had just asked him if he needed blood. Her blood no less. She held up her wrist for his taking if he wished it. Tempting he realized. She was very tempting indeed. He realized they where being watched. He saw them. All of them. Heaven or hell, it's a hell of a gamble. He tightened his grip on Willow and followed her lead. He would have followed her into the sunlight if she wished it he realized.

He laughed softly under his breath as he tried to figure out just what he was going to do. He felt strange tired and in desperate need of a shower. He smiled ruefully, How nice to be alive. She pulled him behind her. She walked past them not stopping to speak. Angel made no protest, not wanting to face them yet.

Xander watched them as they walked by, his eyes drawn to there intertwined fingers. How can she touch him, after what he did. She helped the unsteady vampire into the car and, then she went back to the circle. Quickly without so much as a glance at the waiting group she hurried back to the car.

"Willow, " gasped Buffy when she found her voice. Willow looked up. Her eyes where cool and held no room for argument as she spoke. "Tomorrow. All the answers tomorrow. He needs to be somewhere safe." She started the car, and slowly pulled away.

Inside she was falling apart, she'd seen the look on Xander's face when Angel fed from her. She knew it for what it was. He was disgusted. He had a right to be she guessed, but right now what mattered was the silent vampire that set next to her.....

She met the vampire's startled gaze. She had brought him to her house rather then his apartment. She saw the question in there. She felt it whisper across her mind. Don't worry. Her mind whispered back to him.

"I figured that you would rather be some place with less on the memories' department. If you want to go there I'll take you, um if you want. I just thought . . . " She trailed off feeling kind of lost suddenly. Not knowing what to do, or what he needed.

He smiled down at her trying to reassure the suddenly uncertain young woman.

"Willow, It's fine, I guess I wasn't expecting to be invited in anywhere . . . I mean after what I had done . . . " He too trailed off not sure what to say in the wake of everything that had happened. He looked down at her again, and tried to decipher the sudden brilliance of the look in her eyes. She smiled suddenly.....

"Who said I was inviting you in anyway I thought I'd leave you here and come out in the morning and vacuum you up with the dust buster. " She delivered the line deadpan. Looking into his eyes. What?!?!?! He stared at her shock coloring his gaze before he felt her tender humor over the strange link that seemed to exist between them. He relaxed visibly. A startled chuckle issued from Angel's lips, his mouth breaking into a grin.

She smiled warmly at him reaching up and knocking his shoulder with her hand playfully. She turned around and began to walk to her home. She smiled softly as she heard Angel walk up behind her. She turned at the door opening it. She looked at him.

"Angel, I invite you in." she gestured as she spoke imitating a grand gesture of welcome. He smiled warmly at her taking the offered hand.

He followed her into the hallway. She stopped to flick the light switch. The hallway was illuminated softly. He looked over the woman before him looking for any wounds that she might have suffered from the ordeal. She had a small gash on her right brow, a tear in the robes she still wore. She was covered with dirt from her struggle with the demon. He could still smell blood, and he wondered where else she was hurt. The gash on her brow had clotted, as had the self inflicted wound on her wrist. He studied her, as she turned once more to face him. She raised an eyebrow in inquiry.

"Willow are you OK. I mean are you hurt? " He questioned his voice betraying his concern. She furrowed her brow as she took physical inventory. She hadn't really thought about herself, she only worried about him. She felt the distinct stinging feeling of a gash on her back below her ribs. She had another one on the left side of her torso. She had something on her left leg above the knee.

"Yeah, I have a few cuts I think. Um something on my back, and I can't fix that one myself, they're not bad." she said after a moment.

He leaned closer to her wondering if she'd let him tend them. "Can I take care of them for you at lest. Willow. I mean it's my fault that you have them.. She shook her head and motioned for him to follow her into the bathroom. She looked at him suddenly embarrassed. He smiled as though he understood her feelings. He opened the medicine cabinet and pulled a bottle of peroxide and cotton gauze. He proceeded to carefully attend to each one of her wounds. She chuckled realizing how strange this was. Angel playing lady's maid to her.

He looked up as he finished the with the one on the lower part of her thigh. "All right now?" She smiled shaking her head then began to look him over. She was checking for wounds, yeah that's it. She laughed as she failed to find any thing wrong with him. She smiled at the confused look that crossed his face again. "I see you got out of that in one piece. I am impressed."

He looked down at her not sure if she was expecting an answer, or if he should remind her of what happened in the circle. How in hell did she do that. Willow can't his thoughts broke off abruptly at the sound of her laughter.

"Of course I can. And yes I can hear your voice in my head. It's some sort of left over link from the soul binding in the circle. I know it might be hard for you to believe that I did that. That Willow Rosenberg, could call on the forces needed to do that. I doesn't fit with the image you remember it doesn't fit with what they believe either. Or Giles would have known what I was up to. He just never thought I would do it. Buffy I told her I wouldn't interfere. Now look what I've done. I've brought you back without asking her permission to return you to this plane. I just asked if you wanted to be here. I thought that was all that mattered. They wont though. Xander if he ever speaks to me again will never look at me the way he did.

"Oh Will, I am so sorry. I never thought about what they would do when you asked me I shouldn't have...."

"Don't, Don't do that. I hate the way you do that. I do something out of character and perhaps selfish and you try to take the blame. There is no need. I knew that they wouldn't approve. I chose to go against them anyway. So I stopped following about the time that Angel disappeared and Angelus came back. The night Angelus attacked me I stopped being afraid of standing on my own. So here I am. My own person. You have no idea how extraordinary it is to finally look at myself without being in the shadow of the slayer, or reflected back meekly in the eyes of my best friend. I still care about them. I love Xander but I have finally excepted the truth of it all.....Sorry Angel I didn't mean to go off on you like that. " She was looking at him her eyes had taken on a glazed look of power he'd never encountered before. What the hell? Willow. She seemed to see his puzzlement and relished in it for one moment before the old Willow tenderness he had always associated with her returned to her eyes.

" It's not you I am mad at." She smiled sadly. She really needed sleep. The spell had left her drained and edgy. Half expecting to be attacked by some unseen force. She bit her lip slowly. She lifted her arm, looking at the bandage that cover the wound on her wrist. She smiled even more sadly.

Angel watched her for a moment. Wondering what he could do to end the pain, and sorrow he saw in her face. He found himself wanting to comfort her, yet fearing that he would be rebuked. She wasn't Buffy and for all her insistence she was still fragile on the edges. He decided on distraction. Well it really wasn't distraction he wanted this question answered.

"So your reading my mind?" He attempted to make the question light, but instead it came out deadly serious. He hadn't meant to issue it like that, but to his surprise her eyes lit with mirth and barely repressed humor. Hey, how'd I know that? She laughed then, a full throated sound that sent chills down Angel's spine, it was so at odds with her. Of course you know that silly. It's the price for winning. We're connected now for better or for worse I really am stuck with you.

"Can't it be undone?" he demanded suddenly. She looked up, slight hurt showing clearly in her gaze. damn, that wasn't what I meant. He reached up and touched her face, trying to tell her that it wasn't anything against her. "Sorry. I it's just that. Well I would have thought that my mind isn't a place that you would want to be." He sounded uncertain as though he wasn't what to expect from her.

"It isn't....I mean I wasn't expecting. oh hell. I wasn't figuring on this if the problem is the link. It can be undone, but it would be rather painful for you and, after everything we went through I just thought I would leave it for now." And there's the whole blood thing, which makes this a little more of a problem. Willow you shouldn't have let him drink from you. There she'd scold herself for the foolish act of offering Angel her blood, and letting him drink. "I don't know if we can brake it now, because I let you drink from me. I am so sorry. I wasn't thinking about that back at the circle. I was just so worried about you. Oh god." she gasped.

"Willow what's wrong?" He asked going to her from the place across the room he'd drifted to. She bit her lip and looked up at him uncertainly was he going to be angry with her. "I let you drink from me in front of them. Oh no Buffy's gonna freak and Xander...."

". . .Was disgusted by the whole thing. What about you Willow, did having me drink from you disgust you?" Something in the smoky timber of his voice was new, and she found herself seeking his brown gaze to try and discern its meaning. They held a strange light she'd never seen before. He was studying her intently. She could feel her blood quicken in response. Never in her life had she felt anything like this. He was drawing her closer without words. He was seducing her to his side. He reached for her. She held herself just out of his reach staring at him. At the light in his eyes. So that's what an almost vamped out vamp looks like. She stared never letting herself fall into his smoldering gaze. No wonder vampires have willing victims. He jerked her to him suddenly, she stumbled unprepared for the action. She lay limply in his grasp. He leaned into her neck his mouth opening in anticipation of the sweet nectar of her life force. Angel!?!?!He gasped jerking away from her startled face. Damn it!

What was wrong with him. He would never harm her, and yet he had been about to sink his fangs into her neck. He was aghast of his own actions. The self-loathing came back in droves washing over him like summer rain, drenching the demon that still haunted him. He cared for her. No matter what the out come of this affair, he would hold her dear for always. She had saved him at the risk of her own life. She had given him her souls promise and even went as far as to allow a connection that had to sicken her remain to avoid causing him pain.

"So will you be able to read my mind?"

"Not really." she managed, she'd seen the unholy light take his gaze, seen the demon begin to surface. She played along with his subject change. "I can hear what you think if you think it to me. Kind of like a telephone with no wires. See " she demanded, tweaking the link with a feeling of acceptance and tenderness. She saw the smile claim his face knew that he felt her caring." Besides." she added off handily "I am not letting you have free reign in my head. I wont expect you to allow it of me."

"You're hiding things from me then?" She laughed again she couldn't help it he sounded so hurt.

"Of course silly I'm female how else am I to ply my wiles if you know all my secrets. Why you find out and then you'll tell all those dead guys you hang out with and someone will tell Xander that I used to love him, and then he'll know all about my devious plotting. And you'll know how I secretly coveted you and it would be so bad. Oh no did I say that out loud." By the end of her long explanation she was giggling uncontrollably. Angel just stared at her one eye brow raised in silent inquiry.

"Are you quite all right Willow, and what do you mean coveted?" he asked falling into her suddenly light hearted mood. She needed this, so did he, he realized. She blushed a pretty shade of red. She looked down at the floor, playing the shy caught ingenue to perfection. He smiled remembering how many times he'd seen a flush like that on the face of some poor girl. She let out a startled shriek when Angel picked her up and spun her around. By the time he was ready to release this oh so willing captive they where both laughing. She stared at him in shock.

"Angel promise me something. "

"Hmm . . . "

"You'll do that more often . . . " he eyed her strangely not sure what she was talking about" . . . Laugh" she explained seeing his confusion, "I realize it doesn't work much with that cryptic guy routine, but please I like the way it sounds. " And she did his laugh sent thrills through her. It seemed to caress it's way down her arms and leave little slivers of pleasure in it's wake. She blushed at her thoughts surprised at the place her mind had taken her.

He watched her, he couldn't help but stare. It did carry over just as he hoped. She glowed with a confidence that seemed to state the simple fact that Willow had indeed come into her own. "Willow?"

"Yeah, "

"What are we going to do now? I mean I' m here things have changed. Nothing is as I remember. Even you are different. You seem so strong."

"Grown up Angel, I had to I couldn't hide in fairy tales waiting for Knights to rescue me from the dark. So I did it my self. I found my armor and I wear it well. I don't regret the changes some have shocked me and some hurt, but they where going to happen sooner or later."

"And I brought them soon..." He sounded so self-loathing that Willow was struck with the fierce need to smack the vampire in front of her silly.

"Angelus, yes, but some of it was happening before you changed." She set on the couch motioning for him to do the same.

"What happened with that whole Xander thing, was he with Cordelia back there?"

"Yeah, He was. They started dating in secrete for a while then he finally came clean. It hurt at first that he would rather be with someone he had hated then me, but I guess I've out grown it now. I love him, but . . . " her voice trailed off. Angel looked up wondering what had stopped her words. He smiled softly humor lighting his eyes. Shaking his head she was falling asleep on her feet. He gently picked up the hacker's limp form.

He carried her up the stairs finding her room after a moment. He opened the door, entered the room then kicked it gently closed. He maneuvered her carefully onto her bed, pulling back the covers. He tucked her in gently. He smiled to himself at the irony, the devil tucking in an angel in the flesh. He allowed his hand to slid fleetingly over her cheek. Her eyes fluttered open at his tender touch. Her lips formed a smile for him. He went to pull his hand back fearing to find his touch unwanted She caught a hold of his fingers, denying him his escape, and drew them to her lips. She placed a soft kiss on his fingertips.

He drew in a breath of surprise an action that few of his kind ever out grew.

"Stay with me, please. I don't want to be alone. I mean you can stay in here. . . if you promise to behave. " She whispered teasingly. He smiled at her. Her try at humor having the affect she wanted. He was no longer looking for away out.

"You sure? "

"Yeah, sides you look in terrible need of a gentle touch. come here, " she motioned for him to sit on her bed with her. She shifted slightly to give him a little more room. He moved to get comfortable. "May I? " She whispered, gesturing to his shoulder. He shook his head. Like I could say no. She rested her head against the crook of his shoulder. Her choice of position forced him to settle more deeply into the mattress. If she had been anyone else this would have unsettled him, but she made this seem normal natural and wanted. He resisted the urge to hold her for a moment. Waiting . . .Not long though she turned into his arms embracing him as he craved. He wrapped his arms around her as he'd been inching to do from the moment she settled against his shoulder. ohhh, I am in Angel's arms and he's not wearing a shirt. She nearly laughed out loud at her own thoughts.

"Night" she whispered against his neck. Her eyes fluttered closed and within minuets she had fallen asleep again. He smiled. She really trusts you. Her trust was a precious gift, one he intended to cherish. She murmured his name in sleep snuggling even closer. He smiled and allowed his eyes to fall shut. He thought he might even sleep tonight.

****the next morning****

He awoke to a long unknown sensation of breath brushing on the nape of his neck. He shivered in reaction, wondering who lay pressed against him, their arm across his torso. He looked down catching sight of small but capable hands. Willow's hands. Delicate and small, Willow he placed the owner, which made him start a bit. She lay on her side, her head resting on the pillow next to his. She was still a sleep, and he reflected for a moment on their change in position.

He slept in her embrace for an hour or so when the nightmare came. Part dream part horrific memory of what had happened after his change. A mixture of memories so painful he'd been unable to hold back the crimson tide of tears. He hurriedly pulled himself from the bed. Leaving the warm haven, she'd created with her trust and tender spirit. He found the stairs not thinking to leave, but only to spare her the pain of his memories. He'd cried silently, too enwrapped in his pain and self-hate to sense the woman that had come to set next to him. .

She had refused his pleas to allow him to face his guilt alone. Angel no one must stand in the dark alone. Don't push your friends away when you need them most. This is what I'm good at let me help. Tears and exhaustion had lead to sleep, on the hall way floor. She had left him only long enough to retrieve a blanket and a pillow refusing to leave him even in his slumber. He smiled then. Truer friendship he'd never encountered.

He turned to her as the change in her breath indicated even deeper sleep. She was laying there at such an odd angle. Her body relaxed but oddly placed. He chose to pick her up and carry her back to her bed. The sun had yet to come up.

He watched her strangely drawn to his red-haired savior. She had pulled his sorry ass from the fire. He felt the pull, it came from some deep part of himself he wasn't even fully aware of. He had never before experienced a connection such as this, as a mortal or one of the damned. She was everything his tormented soul craved, warmth, love, acceptance, strength. He marveled at her. A woman like that would have turned the world he lived in as a mortal upside down, and some fool would have branded her a witch for her passion, and conviction.

****Later Morning***

He passed the room trapped, and ravenous. He could hear the blood that slid through the veins of the woman on the bed. He was clutching his fist over and over, fighting the darkness that called to him in a familiar Siren's song. take her it whispered seductively in the back of his mind. No he groaned as the pain of blood lust and hunger washed over him in waves.

He'd forgotten how painful it was to deny the demon it's vice. He would not harm her. He watched torturing himself. God Angel think about something else any thing else. He studied her face. She was pixie like. She looked almost elfin. Beautiful to a fault, inside and out. She hide it well, but it shone from her in sleep, when she wasn't awake to avoid the gazes that might see past the veneer of self doubt, created by one foolish boys indifference.

Oh now there is a boy worthy to meal. He smiled at his thoughts. Indeed Alexander Harris would have deserved the fate Angelus had planed for him. He really disliked that boy, first because of Buffy, second because of Willow. He looked back at the bed where the hacker lay, and had he breath in his body he would have caught it.

Twin flames of luminous green where fixed on him. They stared right into him, Piercing his soul, and staking his demon. The blood lust died. Her eyes commanded it. He had no choice but to obey. It was like helping hands reached into his very body and quieted the demon with a tamer's touch. He stared entranced, enraptured, and enchanted in green depths. Her eyes told him so much yet, not a word of it he understood. In those eyes lay the secrets of the universe, Waiting for a patient hand to find them. He wanted the secrets her eyes seemed to promise. The things they seemed to offer. Her eyes fluttered shut, breaking the spell freeing his mind. He blinked at her unsure. She was looking back at him.

"Morning Angel . . . Are you hungry? " She asked gently, Not wanting to anger him. He stiffened at the question. She knew the answer, but she needed him to say yes. He eyed her strangely from under half closed lids, tempted to answer her with the truth. She stared at him, intently her eyes going bright with some strange light. She lifted her wrist out to him for a moment before changing her mind. He needed more then that and she wasn't in the mood to slit her own wrist at the moment.

"Angel, you wont hurt me."

"Willow, you don't know that I could lose control and drain you. You couldn't stop me." his voice sounded with anguish and hunger. He was still acutely aware of his need for blood, and the willing source in front of him. He simply couldn't believe that she would offer herself to him in that way.

"Angel, come here." her tone was gentle soothing dangerous. He stood his ground eyeing her with the same trepidation he would have eyed the slayer. Her eyes brightened still more.

"Come here, Angel." Her voice became a whip crack of command. He found himself obeying unable to stop. She pulled him closer. Her hands holding his face between her palms. She smiled gently up at him. "I know your afraid, Angel. But someone here has to be brave so it might as well be me. I think you'll get your turn later, Later you'll have to be brave....." Her voice trailed off as she moved her hand to the back of his neck. She kneaded the muscles there. He felt himself relax into her touch lured by a song sweeter then heaven's voices.

She drew him closer, tilting her neck to the side, she waited letting him have the final choice. She cool feel the silent battle ragging with in him. His fear of harming her battling the equally powerful urge to bit, and drink. She waited, and slowly his mouth touched her neck. His tongue sliding out to taste the saltiness of her flesh. He drew her in so gently careful even as his fangs pierced, and his tongue laved her flesh. She gasped softly at the slight pain.

Her hands came up into his hair. Caressing him. She clung to him as sensations swept through her. Oh god this feels so good. She stood in his arms awed by the pleasure this strange and seemingly terrifying act was giving her. She clutched his hair reacting to the heightened feelings of desire, pain and pleasure that moved over her nerve endings at the same time.

Buffy, and Giles never said a vampire bite was this way. No wonder movie vampires always have willing victims.

Angel groaned, fighting the need that ate at him from within. She was too close too alive, too warm. He licked and nibbled at her flesh, before biting and drinking. Again the sweet salty taste of blood flowed into his mouth. The taste of Willow with it, she was delicate and sweet yet strong and heady like crimson wine. He could easily lose himself in her. Blood is like water in the bottle in that respect it taste of whatever it is held within. Never had he tasted such a combination of innocence and barely repressed passion and rage. She was contradiction pure and true, yet cunning and devious. She was special any doubt of it and her feelings for him were erased in the wake of this moment. . Angel? He smiled licking at the wound gently as he felt the touch of her hand in his hair again. She clutched him closer. He reacted, not thinking of anything but the pleasure and euphoria her blood had created in his mind. His mouth continued to nibble and suckle her throat taking the last few drops and relishing them. His hands came up and cupped the back of her head drawing her closer. After a few more moments, sanity returned, he drew back, eyeing her worriedly.

"Willow?" he asked gently knowing that she was going to be rather weak. The hands that still touched the back of his neck moved to rest on his shoulders.

"Yeah, "

"Are you all right. I didn't take to much?"

"Fine, no, just sleepy." she began to nod of while speaking. Her head coming to rest on his chest. She slid her arms around him. He watched her, uncertain of her true status. Was she well. He recalled bits of the conversation from earlier and last night. The link that the spell had formed was cemented by the blood exchange. She allowed it to happen to protect him. He would be dead if not for her. He lifted her easily, and laid her on the bed again. He chuckled this was becoming a habit. One he thought perhaps he liked a bit too much. He went to move away only to find himself caught in a surprisingly strong hold.

"Stay. Talk to me."

"I thought you wanted to sleep Little one?"

"I want to fall asleep to the sound of your voice. Please." She asked sleepily. Her arms still tugging at him. He couldn't say no and even found himself wanting to talk to her. Strange he'd hated talking about the past. He talked slowly keeping his voice pitched to allow her to sleep. He spoke about the marvels he seen. Nothing like you had I ever seen He spoke of his first encounters with a slayer. Of the slayers Angelus had killed. Of a world so different from this one. He spoke of the sunset and how much her thoughtful gift had met to him. He doubted that memory would ever fade. He expressed his thanks at her attempts to help him even after what Angelus had done. She believed even when all the others had lost hope.

He looked down, her breathing was even. Asleep? He thought perhaps she was. He touched her silken cheek, surprised that her flesh was so smooth and soft. Her color was higher now, easing some of his guilt over the last feeding. He still wasn't sure how much trouble their exchange would get them in. He'd been very careful, to make that as pleasant as he could. He studied her smiling in spite of himself. She was a marvel . He whispered to her again. How wonderful she was. How strong and beautiful, from within to without. He allowed his mind to drift......"I don't know what I would've done without you Willow. I, I..."

His eyes misted and clouded over, her blood still pure and rich coursed through his system making him giddy. After many weeks without feeding, her blood was a powerful and seductive brew. Like a 400 year old Claret.

The events of the day pressed in, the lack of sleep, the forces within himself and the confrontations yet to happen, had all suddenly exhausted his strength resolve. He struggled to find the words without actually having to say them. But there was no dancing around them. His eyes grew heavy as if burdened with lead weights. Weights of the world. 3 tiny words and he was lost...

"...I, I.. love...." His voice drifted off, his thread of thoughts making him pull her closer to him. Her comfort, her warmth and nearness seemed to trigger something inside of him and soon he was sleeping soundly too. Only Willow wasn't sleeping, but dozing and heard each of his anguished confused words, falling on her ears like tear drops of crystalline sound. Willow stirred and fell back into her regular breathing, a gentle smile touching her lips and making wrinkles around her closed eyes.

"Yeh, I know Angel, " She murmured quietly, turning into his embrace and feeling his arms happily tighten about her in response.

"...Me too." She snuggled deeper into his arms. Not questioning the words he'd spoken she understood completely. She was as lost as he in many ways. The world she had trusted had gone insane, and now she was wrapped in the only sane thing she could find. Angel.

Once in all of this she would have turned to Xander or Buffy. Xander was out he would never understand what was happening here. And you do? She thought Buffy might but at the same time she almost wanted to avoid telling any of them about the side effects of the spell. Irony seemed to like to play it's hand in the hellmouth, first a vampire and a slayer fall in love, now she's laying peacefully in the arms that had tried to kill her only a short time ago.

She closed her eyes letting sleep take her at last and for the second time in the two days she slept peacefully, her dreams full of sun light and laughter, and Angel.

He stared at her uncertainly. The sun shone brightly above them. He should have disappeared into that dust she had so wanted to sweep up with her hand held dust buster.

"Hey, Angel ! How'd you get in here?" She asked curious as to what the handsome vampire was doing her fully lit dream. He can't be here, there's no place to lurk....He smiled.

"I was about to ask you the same thing. Must be the link and the closeness. Proximity must strengthen it."

"Yeah, , but last night...." She trailed off and looked curiously at Angel, who was smiling widely at her.

"It's the blood that was the thing I couldn't place the link is strengthened by the blood.." as he spoke his eyes were caught the once more glowing crystal at her throat. He frowned slightly studying the stone. He fingered it carefully afraid he might damage it in some way. "And this I think. This is how I was able to become part of you at the circle. You had already accepted me with action and only the words were needed to begin the binding."

"Is that good?" She sounded worried and he smiled caressing her cheek reassuringly.

"It is good Little one. We are well matched.. Willow?"

"Yes."

"Are we friends now?" She smiled at his almost child like question. He craved expectance and needed to know that she was willing to give him that even though it might be met with anger by the others. No problem.

She reached up and pulled him down to her level. She smiled brightly, chasing away the suddenly worried look on his face. "Angel of course you're my friend. I mean you're an old dead guy perfect company." he never that he'd like being reminded of that, but that pronouncement from her lips set his world a blaze with peace and light. He'd found his peace in her eyes. She reflected him perfectly not fearing the darkness he could not change instead she embraced and calmed it.......She smiled up at him, as colors began to dance between them. A small laugh pushed its way past her lips, causing him to smile in return.

"So what now?" she asked after a moment. Unsure where this was leading. She liked having Angel this close. He made her feel safe and protected.

"I think that it's up to us. I know I have a lot of explaining to do. I owe Buffy and Giles explanations. I should have told Buffy what Angelus was like instead I spared myself the remembering. I should never have allowed things that far between us. I made a terrible mistake." She could hear the pain and sadness along with certainty in his expressive voice. She felt her own eyes tear for his pain....

"I am so sorry Angel, I know I can't fix it, but I ...I would give anything to make it better...." She offered him softly trying to convey that she shared his sorrow.

"You have, more then you know." He smiled down at her. "Look at yourself Willow here you are offering comfort and friendship to someone who tried to kill you...."

"NO!!" she ground out surprising him with the fire in her voice. "That wasn't you, and don't even try the Angel is Angelus thing I know that. I can see that quite clearly. Only that you have it wrong, Angel is Angelus, but Angelus is not Angel. Angelus is what you would be like if you had no heart no soul no remorse no concept of good and evil. I know what you where saying when you warned Buffy about that you are capable of Darkness as any man. As Angelus you've no reason not to act on the dark impulses. Angel has to be forced into drinking because he fears harming a willing victim. You are no worse then any man, and perhaps many times better. ..No let me finish....I know Angel I do....Now just drop it. I've the last word on this...."

He stared at her. She certainly could talk the devil into believing he was an angel. She had this way about her. She believed her own words and then they become true for who she spoke to.....Gods what a glorious creature. He saw a slight blush creep up her face and a smile lit it. Thank you.

The link?!?! He had forgotten that. Better be careful what he thought......She laughed then and he received a tumble of nonsensical images from her mind. The moments she had seen him. The night he's had her check out Ford. The first time she had ever seen him. He smiled she was returning the compliment ten fold. Showing him with out words how incredible she thought he was......

EARLY EVENING:

He watched as the Slayer slid down from her perch on the balcony. She had tears streaming down her rather pretty face, he wondered what had hurt the young woman so much. She wasn't by nature easily harmed by others. She was a slayer after all. He trained his senses on her mind, indeed it appeared she believed her best friend was dallying with her lover. Interesting . . . He moved gracefully along the wall easily scaling the side of the house to take a peek at what the slayer had seen.

A man and a woman lay wrapped about each other. Not as lovers but as children lost and afraid in the night might. He allowed his sense to move forward over the sleeping figures. He gasped as he realized that one of them was a vampire one of his own accursed kind. This one felt different, but he was not as Galan was. Galan studied them, the woman glowed with power. Even at rest, she was stronger then the Slayer, or any other human creature he'd ever encountered. What such magic was doing harbored in a human was beyond his understanding.

Then he realized that she was the missing piece, it had taken him months to locate the place she had reincarnate to, but finding her here was a shock. He'd seen this girl up close, he'd never sensed this power in her before. What was her name? He searched his mind for her calling. The tree that weeps heart shaped tears. He smiled, indeed a Willow. He probed the vampire's mind seeking the relationship. He found little, the creature had been through hell, literally as of late. This woman had returned him to the plane of earth. He cared deeply for her. Galan probed deeper hoping to find out the true nature of his feelings. He was surprised when he met a wall of darkness that he found impenetrable. Whatever lay behind it the vampire was holding deep in his subconscious. Hmm a vampire with a deep seated problem? A secret?

The woman stirred reaching out psychically to ward off Galan's seeking mind. Galan gasped in shock and was forced to watch helplessly as this quiet mouse of a human built an impenetrable shield of brilliant blue fire around herself and the vampire. Protective little thing wasn't she. Not wishing to alert the changed woman of his presence Galan quickly disappeared into the darkness.

Above, Willow swam in the depths of strange dreams.........She danced on blue fire drawing closer and closer to the edge of darkness. Shadows and shapes, figures dancing around, around like on All Souls Night. She watched like a patron stuck in a theater at the wrong show. Willow watched as darkness swooped down upon she and Angel. She tried to fight back until her fear made her seek the safety she had always found with Angel.

The darkness had entered Angel now though....Angelus holding her, trying to kill her. She cringed as she watched the darkness swoop down to claim the lives she loved. Jenny: the look on Giles's face. The pain in Buffy's eyes. The pain that ripped through her own soul.

The sleepless nights too afraid to close her eyes. Then the dream shifted slightly. The knowledge that the spell had worked but she had been to late. She had returned his soul and now he was condemned to hell.

Then the other dreams, the dreams of Angel suffering in hell. She cried..........The tears came soundlessly at first, then small sobs she could no longer hold back. Finally she was crying full body racking sobs........

"I'm here, no one will hurt you." Strong gentle hands drew her into steely arms. A velvet voice caressed her out of the horror of her dreams into the imageless slumber of sheer exhaustion.

He watched her, torn between the need to comfort and the need to run. He had known that Angelus had hurt them all deeply, he held each of the demons memories. He had hoped that the wounds had started to heal. He had thought perhaps by some luck of the cards she had remained unharmed by his actions, but holding the girl in his arms now he knew that wasn't so. He had seen each one of her nightmare visions all the more horrifying because they had once been real. God, Jenny Calendar. He hadn't asked about the teacher fearing that bringing up that evil would have ruined whatever it was that was happening between himself and Willow. He was afraid to loose her warmth, as he'd lost everything else.

She stirred in her slumber murmuring something about the light embracing the dark of images written in the minds eyes. What the hell? After a moment he dismissed her words as sleep induced ramblings not knowing who the Gryphon was or why he would be rising. He snuggled deeper into the blankets. Sleep claiming the exhausted vampire yet again. Later there would be time for truths, beginnings, and endings. At this moment no one really knew who was weaving this tale, what thread it was following, or why. And still power pulsated about her...............

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