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)

Pine Valley Outside Angel's

Willow drew in a sigh of relief as she walked down the street, she couldn't have stayed in there another moment, and was sort of glad that Katia had wanted to talk to Angel. The fae witch knew that if she'd stayed with them she would have confessed to being the Summoner. That was something she didn't feel comfortable doing just yet.

The redhead closed her eyes and attempted to lock on to the other person er...creature that she could find with nothing but her magical senses. Tristan wasn't here she realized, when nothing pulled at her from the humdrum. He must have retreated to the Underhill, it wasn't uncommon for him to do that. It merely meant that she wouldn't see him until he returned. Willow sighed, Oh well that was a bust.

The young witch continued walking, it was only as she made her way up the steps of the other witches home that she realized her steps had led her to Cassie's house. Willow found herself reaching to knock on the door only slightly aware of the sound of music, loud music, coming from within. Not your normal run of the mill music. Something about it sounded familiar as she knocked, the petite redhead heard the player turned down nominally before she knocked again.

In moments the door was opened and Cassie stuck her head out and stared at Willow for a moment before offering the other witch a bright smile...She reached out and before Willow even had a chance to say anything dragged her through the front door.

"Hi," Cassie said over the sound of the music that still played, only slightly softer.

"Hi," Willow responded," what is this ?" she asked indicating the CD that was now playing. The other woman looked momentarily shocked and then she pulled a tragic face.

"It's ''Les Miserables', and let me guess you've been deprived of it's beauty...it's incredible. " she said suddenly picking up the vocal line and laughing at the look on Willow's face. "Okay, okay. We all have to have our obsessions, mine just happens to be great musicals. What can I say?" Willow chuckled yeah she knew all about strange obsessions.

"Yeah well we all have our faults and I like it's cool." Willow said continuing to listen.

Cool and sad she thought catching what reminded her of tears in the upraised melody. She sat down on the small sofa across from the still swaying witch. She watched and listened and was surprised when the sweet sad strains of the song ended segueing into what could only be held as a gay tune.

~~I smell women, smell ''em in the air. I think I'll drop my anchor in that harbor over their. Lovely ladies smell ''em through the smoke, seven days at sea can make you hungry for a poke. Even stokers need a little stoke.~~

She couldn't hold in the laughter that threatened and it spilled forth from her lips in a bright tinkling. Her jaw dropped when she heard what could only be the ladies' answer to their...um clients.

Willow watched somewhat detached as Cassie leaned forward took up her hands and pulled her to her feet. The young hacker watched distractedly as she fell in easy sync with Cassie's movements. Knowing full well that the witch had wrapped some sort of spell about them both. She giggled even harder as Cassie paused at the edge of the carpeted floor and took up one of the perfectly clean brooms, that looked like they had never been used and began to gracefully serenade it. Singing along with the rambunctious tune.

~~Lovely ladies waiting in the dark, ready for a thick one or quick one, in the park. Long time or short time, any time my dear. Cost a little extra if you wanna take all year. Quick and cheap is underneath the pier.~~

Willow was laughing full out by the time she found Cassie's eyes on her.

~~Come on dearie, why all the fuss? Your no grander than the rest of us. Life has dropped you at the bottom of the heap, join your sisters make money in your sleep....~~

The younger witch dragged the hacker into the circle and Willow suddenly just knew the words, and giving Cassie an odd look began to sing the last few verses with her. Both witches were laughing and gasping for breath when the front door opened, neither paid much heed to the two people that walked into the room. Angel and Katia both stared in some shock at the disheveled witches the music still playing in the background before Katia's raspy laugh broke through the raucous little party. The old crone had to smile, her granddaughter certainly knew how to put someone at ease.

"Hello Nanna." Cassie said at length straightening and giving Angel a warm smile.

Sunnydale: Spike's Lair:

A pair of pale nude bodies lay entwined atop dark satin sheets, their bodies still joined intimately. Although they had no need to breath, they were both panting and relaxing in the afterglow of their latest bout of lovemaking. The lithe male lay with his head resting on the breast of his lover, as she dreamily stroked her fingers through his short peroxide blond locks. As his own slim fingers began stroking down her sensitive sides, Drucilla gurgled at first, trying to control her mirth, then began giggling uncontrollably as he controlled the light tickling.

"Spike stop it, that tickles." she finally said breathlessly.

Ice blue eyes met fathomless brown as he smiled sweetly and responded, "I know Luv. Why do you think I'm doing it? I love to hear you laugh." Drucilla smiled dreamily at her lover's sweetness. Then his grin turned mischievous and he said, "Maybe I'll try a little more."

"Oh no you don't..." the dark haired female exclaimed, then with a burst of vampiric speed and agility. Drucilla wrapped her legs more tightly around her paramour's waist and flipped their positions so that she was now on top. After a slight groan from each of them as their changing of positions caused some very stimulating sensations between them, she quickly grabbed both of his wrists and pulled them above his head. Then applying more strength than she normally used the dark haired vampiress, held both of his wrists in one hand and proceeded to tickle him with her free hand.

With a yelp he began wiggling in earnest which only caused more of that delicious friction to occur between them, but as soon as he tried to be still to calm his growing desire, the tickling would begin with renewed vigor. Finally with a passionate growl he flipped them back over and proceeded to make ardent love to his beloved. Finally they ended up in much the same position as before, only this time the wounds on their bodies, although rapidly healing, still oozed blood. While their faces were both still morphed into the hideous countenances of their demons.

Drucilla heaved a breathless sigh and as her lover gazed into her eyes expectantly, her face melted back into it's more human guise she whispered, "I love you Spike and I wanted to show you that...that even if I'm different...I'm not." Her delicately arched brows knit together as the dark haired vampiress took on a look of confused consternation and said, "That didn't come out right."

Golden eyes gazed up into deep brown for a moment, as Spike considered what she had said. He finally replied, "I understood the important part, Luv. You love me, not that pouffy haired sire of ours, but me." Pulling himself up so that he could gaze down at her face, he continued serious but happy, "As long as you love me, I don't care if the little witch turns you into bloody Mary Poppins, Dru. I love you, my Dark Goddess. I know I don't say it nearly as often as I should, but..." he paused as though finding the words difficult to get out.

Long pale fingers reached up and stroked the ridges on his face, then glided down his nose to begin caressing his lips. "But the demon doesn't like to say it. He doesn't like squishy feelings. He thinks they make you soft. So you don't say it." Dru said with quiet sadness as she continued to stroke her beloved's face.

Spike brought her fingers to his mouth and kissed her palm and said with sudden savagery. "To hell with what the demon wants, I want you. I love you. I have for over a century and I don't intend to stop until I'm dust. Tell me what you want, Luv. Anything you want and I'll do my best to bring it to you. Jewelry, dresses, pets, anything you want."

The dark haired vampiress pulled him to her for a kiss that not only sent a stinging sweet pain through his unbeating heart but also had his demon howling for release. With a strength born of his love for his Dark Goddess, Spike forced the demon back into the dark recesses of his mind and deepened this kiss. If he had still had his soul the peroxide blond vampire would have been convinced that this kiss would have made it do cartwheels inside of him. Pulling back Spike's human facade slid into place and he said quietly, "Oh Luv." Drucilla smiled at him, her fathomless eyes lucid and happy. Then pulling his head back down to her breast, she said thoughtfully, "Do you think that the little tree and Daddy are this happy?"

Spike actually thought about that for a moment, and then he remembered what had happened the last time that Angel had actually been happy and shuddered. "Dru are you sure that we want Angel to be happy, I mean..." he stopped wondering what would happen if Angelus did come back. Would Dru want their Daddy instead?

"Willow made it so that our Daddy can never come back. I told you, silly. Don't you remember? It's better that way, our Daddy wasn't very nice. This Daddy is, and I want he and the little tree to be happy, like us."

"Squishy feelings and all, huh Pet." Spike said relaxing into amused acceptance. Then something occurred to him and he said, "Dru are they like us?" At her questioning rumble he explained, "Are they lovers, Pet?"

"Naughty Spike. Why do you want to know that?" Dru said nudging him slightly so that he would look at her.

"Two reasons, Dru. One if they are then will the little hacker still be able to fight Galan. I mean theirs usually a virginity clause in these sort of things. Two if they are lovers, then they're probably closer to being happy like us. Now aren't they." Spike said thoughtfully.

Dru smiled and got a far away, dreamy look in her eye. After a moment the brown depths cleared and she gazed up into Spike's pale blue gaze and said quietly and a little sadly, "They are but they're not. They're both afraid. It's so silly though they are supposed to be for each other." She paused slightly her brows knitting once again as she said thoughtfully, "No, they're made for each other, they love each other, but... Angel is afraid he'll hurt the little tree cause he's so big and she's so little, and the little tree is afraid that Angel will hurt her soft little heart." Blood red tears began to fill the vampiress' eyes as she looked at her lover, "It's so sad."

"That's it, pet. That's what I'll do to prove that I love you. If they haven't figured out their perfect for each other by the time they get here and we beat that bloody pillock out there. I'll lock them up together somewhere until they do, maybe the little witch Amy will help. What do you think about that my dark plum?" he said with a wicked grin for his love.

Dru smiled back at the peroxide blond happily and said, "Oh my Spike, you are so clever. I can't wait to see the kitten again, and then we can help Daddy and the little tree to be happy just like us."

Giving his lover a very lascivious look the bleached blond vampire said, "Speaking of being happy luv..."

Pine Valley: Angel's:

The moonlight filtered into the bedroom through the open window. Willow stood trying to figure out the laces on the bodice of the costume that Angel had brought for her to wear to the Renaissance Faire. The costume itself was a gorgeous dark forest green, which Angel had promised would compliment her coloring and while she was struggling with the ties to the bodice, she had to agree. The woman in the mirror while flustered, was beautiful. Willow still had trouble believing it was her.

The bodice of the costume was held together differently than most she had seen. It was authentic, in that it was tied on both sides as well as the front. It was really three pieces of fabric held together with ties. The dress had sleeves that tied into the bodice, with matching green ribbon. The skirt was full and tied into the base of the bodice. She had already put on the white silk stockings and tied them to the old fashioned tie garter belt, and had slipped on the matching green slippers. The dress was cut to show off a woman's curves, and people thought the Renaissance was prudent in there views. Well, maybe in admitted action and deed but who knew what went on when the lights..er candles went out. Her hair, she had taken the time to braid and twist into a becoming renaissance style.

A slight sound near the bedroom door drew her attention. Oh wow! He looks...wow!! Angel stood at ease in the garb he'd found for them to wear. He wore a long, flowing peasant shirt open at the chest with laces criss-crossing the muscular expanse shown. The shirt was covered with a long leather vest. The shirt itself was belted at the waist by a wide belt with a silver buckle. Hanging from the belt in a scabbard she recognized the hilt of Angels own sword. Long pants were tucked into thigh-high, soft leather boots. It was topped off with a heavy hooded cloak made of some soft material, in black of course.

Oh wow! Angel finally seemed to take pity on her and proceeded to lace the garment closed for her. Willow felt herself blush. The costume was way too figure hugging for her taste. She didn't like being on display like this. Although the gleam in Angels eyes as he looked at her made her heartbeat quicken in response. His hand brushed her collarbone as he gripped the chain that *their* malachite stone hung from and pulled it free of the bodice. So that the amulet hung in plain view it went well with the costume. Almost as if the Norns had a hand in it. Willow thought facetiously

He gave her a devilish smile and said, "Shall we My Lady?" Offering her his arm. Blushing at his formality and taking the offered arm she stepped through the door and they proceeded down the hall and into the living room. He quickly lifted a dark forest green cloak from the back of the couch and placed it around her shoulders. He guided her to the door and then stopped to face her.

"I have a surprise for you." he said, watching her face to see her reaction, he opened the door. There tied to the railing of the front porch was a huge black gelding.

"Oh Angel, he's beautiful." she gushed as she rushed forward to examine the horse more closely. He was about to warn her to be careful about spooking the spirited animal, when he saw the most amazing thing. The young girl stopped about two feet from the horse and just stared at it for a moment before the horse gently lowered its head so that Willow could pet it. He shook his head wondering why he was so amazed. After all she had tamed him.

"Are you ready to go, milady?" he asked, the amusement clear in his voice. Willow looked up at him with trepidation in her eyes, "Angel, I don't...that is...I mean..." she looked down embarrassed and said quietly, "I've never ridden a horse before."

If she hadn't looked so dejected Angel would have laughed at her expression. This girl could find anything on a computer, worked powerful magic, was able to pull him out of hell, and had fought a demon for his body. Yet she was embarrassed because she didn't know how to ride a horse in this day and age of rockets, cars, and submarines. He shook his head and moving forward he gripped her chin gently lifting her face so that she could see his eyes. "Willow, you're riding with me, not by yourself. I promise you, I won't let you fall." he promised solemnly.

She smiled in relief up at him, turning back to the horse. She said, "What's his name?"

"Prince." he responded readily, as he untied the reins from the porch railing. Angel vaulted into the saddle with obvious ease.

Willow looked at the stirrup and then up at him and said with confusion, "I don't see how we're going to do this. I can't even reach the stirrup in this dress."

"Turn around." he said confidently. She complied and reaching down he grabbed her under the arms lifting her onto the saddle in front of him. he showed her how to hook her leg over the saddle horn to ride side saddle. Then wrapping one arm securely about her waist and gripping the reins in the other, they started off towards the Renaissance Faire.

"Hey Angel?" the little redhead said thoughtfully.

"Hmm." her companion responded absently.

"Does this mean I have to act like a lady?" Willow asked her voice sounding very serious, though he had a feeling if he could see the tiny redhead's face she would be wearing a smile. The vampire chuckled, "Well you are dressed as such. I think it would hardly be appropriate for you to act in any fashion that doesn't befit your station."

"Oh too bad, here I was hoping..." The fae witch broke off when Angel caught up her chin and turned her face to him. Chestnut eyes filled with warm amusement as he smiled softly, sure enough an impish little grin hung on her lips. The smile turned devilish as he gazed at her, and leaned down to talk closer to her ear.

"Take care my lady. One might consider that look an invitation?" He whispered huskily, his voice a velvety rasp against her ear. Willow shivered in reaction. Oh no Angel was in the mood to play. I don't know the rules to this game. Her dark-haired companion smiled wickedly at her, nuzzling her cheek with his lips.

The Summoner allowed herself to relax against the cushion of his broad chest, feeling safe, held tightly against him. They moved at an easy pace her eyes drifting closed as she grew ever calmer and more relaxed in the safety of his embrace. This was Angel, her friend and confidant, her protector, her Western King and most of all her own mirrored image.

Sunnydale: Outside the Rosenberg Residence:

Buffy climbed the steps of the front porch. She stopped just outside the door to push her hair out of her face and remind herself why she was doing this. The Slayer accepted that they were friends but she couldn't shake this feeling that there was more to what was going on between them than what Willow's journal had said, Buffy knew that the little hacker had intended to give that book to Giles and was certain that what was written in it had been censored accordingly.

The door was still unlocked, looking around surreptitiously Buffy opened the door and walked in, moving carefully through the darkened house, instinctively knowing the house was empty. The young blond carefully closed the door behind her, and moved to go up the front staircase in the Rosenberg's large house. She walked into the last room at the end of the hall way and smiled, it was just as she and Xander had left it.

She moved over to the bookshelf that took up a large portion of the far wall. Picking up a small worn book she turned it over, surprised to find herself looking at a homemade bound book. Another journal Buffy thought. She wondered if Giles would notice how much time the journal that he was given encompassed and how vague it was over certain things.

She randomly opened the book and was surprised when she saw her name and realized that this book was the one she was writing in when Buffy and Angel had first started what ever they had been doing.

!~~Buffy and Angel, well I don't want to say anything, but he's a vampire. I mean I think he is. I really can't explain it, but it's this feeling I get, when ever I see him. No it's not that he's hot and I secretly want him. it's a lot more difficult than that to explain. I mean it's sort of like a chill down my spine, and then a pleasant sort of familiar warmth, like a fluffy blanket or hot chocolate....Okay Rosenberg comparing someone to hot cocoa is never a good thing, but then he'd be like Lady Godiva chocolates....dark and rich,....and I am so not going to write anything else, got Buffy's rambling on the brain.~~

Yep, Willow ramblings....She smiled Willow knew about the whole vampire thing...well it's cool.

Buffy paused in her reading and decided that it wasn't getting her anywhere maybe there was information she could find that would help with dealing with the evil this time. She couldn't destroy it, that was Willow's job, the blond teenager was finally beginning to accept that, but maybe she could help, prove to all of them she could still be the Slayer.

Moving over to the computer Buffy began to look through the disks that lay along the edge of the key board, Willow kept backups for everything. She paused when she noticed a stack of multi-colored disks rubber banded together.

Reaching down she picked the disks up and smiled the first disk said Prophecy, she slowly looked over the rest of them, each with different headings. This was what she was looking for, she figured that Willow wouldn't mind it would help them a lot, and then she caught sight of another stack of disks the exact same colors only this one had a small note attached to the top of it. It was a quickly scribbled request. ''Amy could you please make sure Giles get these. It's important.'

Buffy paused wondering what else the blond witch knew that they had not been told about. Picking up her bounty she headed for the balcony doors...

Pine Valley: The faire:

Willow watched the people dressed in nearly authentic costumes as they walked by. She sat easily on the bench next to Angel, watching the people move. The young redhead wasn't sure what to do now. The teenager hadn't been to a Renaissance Faire in nearly 10 years, not since she had been eight years old. Willow stared at Angel as he began to draw on the pad that he'd brought. She wondered what the vampire was drawing, who he was drawing. So involved was she in watching what was happening Willow really didn't notice that Angel never lifted his head from the pad he drew on. Standing up the petite woman circled behind him wondering what her dark haired companion was drawing that had him so engrossed, when she caught sight of his work, she stared in stunned surprise. One of the faces on the paper was her own, at first the redhead didn't recognize the other three females depicted in the sketch, the more she stared the more she realized that she did know them. The one in the forefront of the drawing was Angel's mother, the two that were situated behind her yet still in front of the lines that made up Willow's face, could only be Angel's younger sisters Aislinn, and Breanna. She smiled feeling extremely honored to be placed on the same piece of paper with these women who had meant so much to the man that Angel had been, and in many ways still was.

Reaching forward she allowed her hands to rest on his shoulders, and was strangely gratified when he didn't pull away from her touch. The redhead gave a tiny smile, things seemed to be going well for the two of them. Willow was aware that he was thinking on the Summoner prophecy. Angel was perhaps even beginning to understand that she was the Summoner, although she was sure it wasn't on a conscious level, not yet. This man knew her better than anyone else, he had from the moment he'd laid eyes on her.

Katia was right. The prophecy hadn't chosen them, they had chosen to follow the prophecy. Angel had been enthralled like so many other creatures of the night by Willow, even as a child it was clear that she had drawn vampires. Now that she knew what they felt like, she realized of course that she had always been aware of them, at the edge of her world, peeking in.

One in particular had touched and teased at the edge of her awareness. Angelus. Even when she had been a child he'd been there, her self-appointed protector. She found herself wondering what it would have been like...what would have been different, had he never lost his soul.

She knew on one level that....her thoughts came to an abrupt halt, frozen by a strangely familiar sound, a child's cry. The distress in the little one's cry was palpable and Willow was off in search of it's owner in seconds, Angel close on her heels.

Willow paused as she caught sight of a small child huddled on the edge of the main avenue of the faire. The little girl was off to the side, so that no one who wasn't looking would find her. Her tiny features a mask of upset, disquieted anger. She looked thoroughly angry to be where she was. Angel stayed where they had stopped as Willow stepped forward and made as much noise as she could. The tow headed child lifted her face, deep blue eyes going wide as she took in Willow's glowing aura. It screamed to the tiny girl that this was a friend, a good friend.

Angel watched as the little girl willingly went into Willow's arms. The redhead witch smiled at the child and then looked over at him, the same warm smile that she offered anything lost and lonely hung on her sweet lips. The vampire's unbeating heart clinched as he watched her interact with the tiny blond child. Within moments Willow walked back over to where Angel was standing, with the little girl's hand clasped trustingly in her own. The redhead smiled at him and knelt before the child as she said, "Arial this is my friend Angel, I want you to stay with him, till I find your ma okay." The little girl looked Angel up and down, and the vampire slowly got down to the child's level knowing instinctively that the height difference would frighten her. He reached for the little ones' hand and slowly secured it in his own. Willow smiled relieved to see the child take Angel's hand. She headed over to the lost and found wondering sadly on the way, how often children Arial's age were lost, never to be found again.

"Hello," she said to the blond man behind the counter. He smiled as he took in her shapely form. She was every bit as beautiful as his mistress had described he was about to make a move when he recognized the vampire that his mistress had assured him she'd take care of. Being seen by a creature who's temper was like this man's was a fool's gamble and one he wasn't about to make, no matter how succulent the morsel to be won.

"Sorry but do you think you could page Marguerite Diamond, she's a very precious bundle she may have lost." Willow said smilingly. She waited while the mans voice broke into the general humdrum of the faire and announced that the woman needed to come to the desk. They waited. He watched as they waited, all the while wanting all that power in such an innocent package. Angel heard the announcement and said softly to the young girl, "See your mommy will be here soon." Arial nodded shyly, then catching sight of the sketch book in Angel's free hand she touched it timidly and said, "What's this?"

Angel smiled and said, "I'll show you." Looking around he saw a crate and a wooden barrel sitting nearby. Without a word he pulled the girl around behind him and just as his sister would have done she climbed up his back wrapping her tiny arms around his neck and trying to wrap her legs around his broad back. Supporting her with his free hand he walked over to the crate. Setting his sketch pad down there, he turned back to the barrel. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a clean white linen handkerchief, spread it out on top of the barrel and after helping her climb down onto it, had her sit down. Then walking back over, Angel picked up the sketch pad, flipped it open, and sat down on the crate. "Now smile and imagine that you're a fairy princess sitting on your throne." The tow headed child giggled and smiled, her cheeks glowing with a rosy blush. Angel began to sketch, the strokes of the pencil, precise and sure. Wishing silently for an instant that he had brought his pastels, he continued the sketch.

"Arial!?!?" Willow heard the worry in the woman's voice long before she saw it on her pale face. A tall blond woman came running around the corner her eyes looked as though she was fighting a battle with tears and at the sight of her daughter safe and sound sitting on the barrel in front of Angel, the tears won out.

She came to stand in front of the little girl, and Willow waited for the expected anger over the child's disappearance, and was pleasantly surprised when the little girl was merely told to be more careful and not to scare mommy like that again. Willow walked over to stand behind Angel, as the woman hugged the child close for a moment, before the tiny blond child wiggled to be put back down. Settling herself carefully back on the barrel, she told her mother sternly, "I can't move yet. Angel said I have to be still or the picture won't come out right."

At that pronouncement the tall slender woman looked over at the couple who had rescued her child. The man sitting on the crate gave a small sheepish smile before lowering his head back to his sketch. The small redhead who stood behind him at first glance seemed to the mother only slightly older than her own daughter. Then she caught a glimpse of green eyes too old for that face and filled with power, and had to do a quick reassessment of her first impression.

Covering her discomfiture, she held out her hand to the young woman and said warmly, "My name is Marguerite Diamond, thank you for finding my little girl."

"It was our pleasure." Willow said with a grin as she accepted the older woman's hand, "Arial is quite the little charmer."

As she withdrew her hand Willow placed it on Angel's shoulder, "I do believe she has Angel wrapped around her little finger already."

Marguerite looked down at the younger woman's dark haired companion then. He had ducked his head even lower if possible in embarrassment at that last pronouncement. Only to be broken out of his reverie by the demanding little voice that said, "Angel is it done yet."

Looking up, world weary brown eyes, met sparkling blue, and he smiled. "Almost little one, be patient." The gentle smile was transferred with some humor to the mother, before looking back down at the work in progress on his pad. Marguerite was rather glad the young man had looked away when he did. That smile had transformed his face so that she was certain the reason for the name Angel was because he was one. With a few final strokes of the pencil the sketch was done.

Marguerite watched as Angel lightly touched the hand that rested on his shoulder. Willow leaned forward to look over his shoulder and an affectionate smile touched her lips. "Perfect." she whispered as she gave her dark haired friend a kiss on the cheek.

Then as though they had spoken without words the mother watched as the young girl walked over to her daughter and after picking up a stick, helped Arial stand up on the barrel. Whispering in the tiny blond's ear, Willow quickly gave her the stick, then stepped back unobtrusively supporting the now very haughty and regal looking child.

Carefully tearing the sketch from the pad, Angel stood up and walked up to the barrel the child was standing on. Bowing very deeply at the waist, with a courtly sweep of his arm, Angel said in a very deep voice, "A gift for you, your highness."

Covering her mouth to stifle a giggle for a second, Arial finally got herself under control and said in her best snooty voice and a wave of the scepter...er stick. "You may rise and present this gift."

Rising but with his head respectfully lowered he presented the drawing to Arial, who for a moment forgetting she was a fairy princess. Jumped up and down unsteadily on the barrel lid, clapping her hands in glee. Willow heaved a silent sigh of relief when she stopped bouncing. Then with a wave of her imaginary royal scepter, the tiny princess said in a commanding voice, "Present the gift to the royal mother for inspection."

Angel hid a grin as he turned to Marguerite and sketching another bow, showed her the drawing. There was her daughter her hair in ringlets with a tiny crown on top of her head, a scepter in one hand, sitting on the throne. The drawing was very life like and looked very much like her daughter, except for the tiny ethereal looking fairy wings that had been drawn coming from the young princess' back. The drawing was exceptional.

"Oh my!" The blond woman gasped looking up into the fathomless eyes of the artist. Reaching out her hand in surprise, Marguerite was even more surprised when Angel clasped her fingers and kissed the back of her hand. "I take it the Queen Mother is pleased." he said with a charming smile.

The Queen Mother had been pleased until he had clasped her hand and kissed it. Cold hands, cold lips, eyes too old and world weary for such a beautiful face. Angel saw the exact moment that the woman realized what he was, and immediately the playful, light mood ended for him. Marguerite saw his eyes shutter, his body tense defensively as though preparing for a blow.

"Come forth, artist." Willow commanded affectionately, "The princess wishes to bestow a boon for your fine work." Marguerite watched as Angel turned away from her and shuffled back over to Arial. Looking more like a condemned man than the angel she had imagined him to be. The dark haired vampire went to stand before her daughter, his head still lowered. This time Marguerite knew it wasn't out of imaginary respect but shame that he stood like that. Quickly signaling Willow, the older woman waited impatiently as the redhead moved around the tableau that was playing itself out. When the younger woman was close enough, Marguerite grabbed her and pulled her out of earshot of the other two before whispering harshly, "That's a vampire."

Instantly Willow's face took on a look that Angel would have recognized as the look she had when she had berated he and Giles for their treatment of Buffy. Forcing her voice to remain calm she whispered, "Your point would be?"

"You let a vampire near my little girl?" the enraged mother whispered angrily.

"No I let Angel take care of your daughter. He's my friend! He wouldn't harm her and would probably die rather than let any harm come to her." Then seeing the woman was still having trouble getting a handle on the situation, she commanded in a low voice, "Look at him, look at them..." with a sweep of her hand to the vampire who was know kneeling in the dirt before the little girl, being knighted with the pretend scepter. "Now look at this." She said carefully pulling the drawing out of the woman's hands and holding it before her eyes. "Do you think the person who drew this, the person who has been playing this game of pretend with your daughter for the past fifteen minutes would actually hurt her? Because if you do, then you're a lousy judge of character." With that she shoved the drawing back into the other woman's hands and walked back over, just in time to hear Arial say, "Arise Sir Angel."

Slowly the vampire stood, his head still lowered, Willow didn't have to see his eyes to know what she would find there. With false cheeriness, she said, "You know a princess needs a crown," and with a flourish the young witch produced a crown of colorful spring flowers with ribbons wound throughout and placed it on Arial's head. The young girl smiled even bigger after that, and insisted on knighting Willow as well. Marguertire walked back over in time to hear her daughter say, "Arise, Sir Willow."

"Now you have to kiss each other." The precocious child said suddenly. Angel's head snapped up but instead of Arial his eyes met her mother's. In that instant Marguerite saw the pain of a tortured soul, and realized Willow was right. "She's right, it's tradition in our kingdom, you have to kiss." the woman said sagely, nodding her head. Angel looked at the woman incredulously for a moment and then smiled gratefully as he looked into her eyes and realized what she was actually doing was showing him he was accepted. Looking down at the redhead standing beside him, he saw her mouth hanging open in shock, as she blushed furiously. "By your command, your majesty's. May I obey all your orders with equal relish." With that he turned to Willow and pulling her into his arms, proceeded to kiss her thoroughly and passionately.

She drew away from Angel after a moment, studying his face and blushing at what she found there. The other woman watched the two closely and was once more struck by the feeling that they where talking without words. A strange current of electricity seemed to move between them, as they stood there. And there was no mistaking the look of passionate possessiveness that rested on the vampire's face when he stared down at the girl.

The tall blonde woman smiled, as she spoke and broke into what looked to be becoming an awkward moment between the two of them.

"Thank you both again." Marguerite said reaching to take Angel's hand in her own. She smiled gently at the pensive look he gave her. "We are all her children perhaps." The woman offered by way of apologizing for her fear before retrieving her daughter. With a cheerful goodbye from the little girl they left the couple alone.

Willow turned to stare at Angel. She could see the hurt that still took up residence in his eyes. "Angel?" She questioned gently. He turned to look down at her, his eyes sad.

"Willow," he whispered. He clasped his arms around her waist and drew her close into a warm embrace. Unaware of the eyes, watching from the shadows, fathomless eyes that saw all in each realm.

He stared at the pair intently, it wasn't that he hated the vampire, Okay maybe I do. Tristan reluctantly admitted. He needed to do something about the animosity he felt for the vampire he knew perhaps better then anyone that one couldn't separate the base of one's nature from the person. He knew how hard Willow was working to convince the vampire of his worth, and though he didn't really understand what was going on there aside from the clear attraction between them. He knew it went deeper. He could see now, what he had missed when faced with the unsouled version of this vampire. They were connected.

A deep, dark, brilliant, infinite spiral lay between them. Proclaiming their connection to the trained eye, though he thought that even the most unaware person would be able to sense the deep connection that floated between them. The fae watcher leaned easily back against the wooden shed and continued to watch them, all the while thinking. He stared down at the rather ordinary looking parchment that held his next set of orders. The fae in general didn't know whether the Summoner's human upbringing would harm her or hinder her ability to do the job that she had to do. There was no way to know how that soul would react throughout each of its incarnations, it always seemed to react differently depending on the host. The soul spent its existence in the human realm never knowing what would come to pass for it someday. He knew that Willow had retained a number of the previous incarnations memories that in part they were responsible for her unique nature.

She was and always would be a marvel to him. She was by nature far too giving, caring and tender. She was on the outside breakable, but he'd seen a hint of her temper and will and knew that she was like so many things, steel tempered in a satin sheath. She wasn't going to collapse under the pressure. He watched them for a few more moments before melting back into the shadows.