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 borrowing them. They needed to come out and play....
(thoughts in Italics)

Sunnydale Galan's lair:

Drucilla watched as these strange vampires milled around their master. She studied them trying to figure out what was wrong with them, and why they seemed to glow strangely in the darkness. Something was not right and it was making her head hurt. They reeked of magick and power but strangely seemed to be lacking something as well.

She stepped closer, and gasped when she noticed the altar, and what still lay on it. Ashes, vampire ashes and blood the fae's blood. She looked once more at the men and whined softly. She stamped her foot angrily, playing the part of the insane vampiress easily.

She watched as Galan turned his head, and heard his exasperated sigh. "Hello, Drucilla. I see you've decided to join us. Look at what I've made." He said pointing to the vampires.

Dru clapped her hands together gleefully. She grinned showing fangs and moved over to one of them. She began dancing in strange circles around the creature. "I smell magick, smell it in the air. Miss Edith says you've been bad and you shall have no cakes." She said in that sing song voice of hers. "What else does Miss Edith say?" "Oh no you naughty boy. Miss Edith will tell you if you want to know. You have to learn how to listen. She whispers....." Dru grinned. Seeing the exact moment that Galan heard Miss Edith's voice.

She laughed when he picked up the doll and threw it across the room. "Oh did Miss Edith made you angry?" Dru asked sadly looking at the broken remnants of her doll. "You're a very bad man you hurt Miss Edith but she's still talking to me..." Dru disappeared down one of the tunnels, carrying her broken doll with her, and leaving an angry if not slightly worried fae behind her.

That damn doll, had whispered to him, "You will lose" it had said over and over again. Dru headed down the hall, smiling when she saw her beloved Spike coming toward her.

She looked down at the broken pieces of what had once been Miss Edith's twin and smiled, she wasn't about to let anyone hurt the real Miss Edith. Spike smiled when he saw her, drawing her into an embrace as soon as he was close enough to. "Hello Luv, what's this?" he asked studying the broken doll. "Oh it's Miss Edith's little sister, and she whispered to the bad man and he broke her little heart into tiny pieces, he thinks he can make them hate each other Spike. He's going to try and break the little tree, but daddy won't let him....Daddy won't let him." She whispered burying her face in his chest.

Pine Valley:

She walked beside Angel, her thoughts in slight turmoil. Angel would look at her every few moments attempting to gauge her mood. He had no unfair insight tonight, she had blinded and deafened the link, shutting him out of her thoughts, her soul. He didn't understand what she was doing, what the reason behind her actions were. She moved with ease beside him, she was there physically. He reached out to touch her mentally and felt nothing. Not like a block, or a wall, there was simply nothing.

She seemed have pushed him from her mind, perhaps her heart as well. He wanted to blame the fae for this new development, but he knew that his own cutting words just that afternoon had more to do with her distance then the fae. She moved away from him walking toward Cassandra, the younger woman smiled brightly and took Willow's hand leading her into the crowd at that end of the Faire. He heard Willow's laughter and turned to look for Katia. He wasn't welcome with Willow and he excepted that he hadn't the right to stand close and guard her.

His cruelty this afternoon had brought about the change, and he ached with this new emptiness. This was like nothing he'd ever felt. Even when Buffy had rejected him after the whole mess with the Master he had not felt this desolate. Willow isn't Buffy. He turned his vampiric sight allowing him to see the girls clearly. They were standing holding the ribbons of a large May pole. He watched as they began to dance and weave the ribbon down the pole. Willow was laughing. The sound cut him deeply more deeply then anything he'd ever felt. What was this thing. What has she done to me? He groaned inwardly. Why hadn't he paid more heed to her words? She had explained much of what was happening to him. When he had returned to the ladies parlor some time later, he had been surprised and then shocked by her seeming indifference.

When he had found her once more in front of the computer, talking to someone on line. What ever she had found out had caused her to grimace and sigh then seeming to accept it she disappeared into the other room only to return with objects that he had not packed for her. She hadn't even spared him a glance. She prepared what was clearly an altar space, a wine goblet, a knife, a small stick, and a bundle of fragrant herbs. He watched as she cast a circle, seeing for the first time some of the awesome power that lived within her on a daily basis. He watched as arcs of intensely, brilliant colors formed a circle and protective ring about her. He reached out toward the energy line. She was watching him curiously but had said nothing. His hand touched the pulse and he screamed, as agony whipped through him, her eyes were cold as they locked with his. "Don't touch, Angel. It burns." she stated after the fact.

He stared at her shocked. She'd known he'd be drawn to it and only after he'd given himself a third degree burn for his foolishness did she speak. He wasn't at all sure she wasn't telling him something else with that little demonstration. He was sure her actions were a reflection of something else, he just didn't know what. She's laughing again. The wind brought another scent to him, one he recognized with a shock, that raised his hackles. The shape shifter was making his way over to Willow. He stopped about two feet away from her, sketched her an exaggerated bow, which won him a smile and took her hand in his and offered Cassie the other one. The young woman took it after a moment, and an assurance from Willow. Tristan drew them into the dancing crowd. Angel's eyes never left Willow's moving form.

Jealous. He recognized the emotion instantly and realized that he was even more deeply jealous than he had ever been of Xander. Xander was human, this creature was fae, part of what Willow was. Willow trusted him, seemed to care for him. It ate at Angel. This man saw Willow, his eyes danced with awareness of her. He wasn't some foolish school boy unaware of the beauty that was Willow. Suddenly Angel wished he'd found something a little less becoming for Willow to wear, something more on the modest side something that hide the soft curves of her body. Something that hid the ivory whiteness of her skin, that dulled the fiery red of her hair, or did not compliment the emerald shimmer of her eyes so well. Angel watched as the crowd began to part and Willow was coerced into judging a singing contest. The winner had the right to ask a single boon of the lady.

He watched as man after man sang to Willow. She was embarrassed, her color heightened. He watched as fools attempted to win her gaze. She smiled, pleased when Tristan stepped forward. He sat across from her and began to sing, nothing that any of the others had picked. This was music inspired by Willow herself. Every line could have been a description of the lass before him. Willow smiled and picked Tristan with little thought. The fae requested his boon,. Angel couldn't make out the words but her action told him all he needed to know. She met the fae's lips in an open-mouthed kiss. They stood like that. Not a boon kiss, a real kiss, a decidedly passionate kiss. It never occurred to Angel that his perception was dulled by his own feelings. How dare she?!?! He started over their way while they were still engaged in that "kiss."

Someone caught up one of his hands, and he turned his game face slipping in his anger at being side-tracked. The old witch that stood before him just stared into his changed face and chuckled, not at all worried. "Really Angelus. That is no way to go about winning a lady. Were I you I would just stay cool and forget what you just saw. It's a game. Nothing meant by it, no harm, no foul. That isn't the man she wants and she gave the crowd what they wanted. Let it be."

"She's mine." he growled out glaring at the old woman.

"Maybe you should rephrase that vampire." the old woman said sharply, "She is fae. She belongs to no one that she hasn't chosen to belong to."

He stared at her for a moment then at Willow who was standing alone now. The crowd had dissipated and she was alone. She wasn't looking at him, her eyes were closed her face turned away. He felt something, just a light tug on the connection between them. Is he okay? he heard it lightly, softly worried, she was worried about him.

Then nothing again. He understood suddenly, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that something very odd was happening. He looked at the witch again who was watching him intently. "You're connected to her." She observed softly," and she's shutting you out. It's nothing you've done, she's afraid." The witch smiled then her eyes lighting. Angel watched her warily. "She's your match Angel, in every way, don't let fools pride and misunderstandings cloud what there is between you."

"What is between us?"

"Everything you crave, nothing you desire." She answered walking into the crowed.

Damn that was cryptic, really cryptic. Willow? He looked over where she had been, but she was no longer standing there. Where the hell is she? He began looking for her. He walked to where she had been standing, he could still smell her in the air. He felt it then another wash of feelings through the link. It felt strange, different, almost like it was coming through in some other way.

This wasn't a thought he was feeling, that link still lay completely dormant, so what was this thing that he was feeling. It was her. There was no doubt of that. He would know her anywhere. Something was stirring something new, strange, different, and unknown. Terror bold and all encompassing washed over him. He froze. What the hell? Willow!?!?! Nothing through the link still it was blank dead useless. He heard it then, a soft sob. He turned toward it. "Please let go." a soft voice whispered.

"Never, have I encountered such power. I want it. I will have it." A raspy voice uttered. Two people wh

ere standing in the shadows darkness hid their faces, but he could feel Willow. Could sense her pain and fear on some deeper level. Deeper then the link how was that possible?

He grabbed the other man's shoulder smiling darkly at the shocked sound the bastard made. He looked down into the other man's face, recognizing him. Lydia's puppy. Bastard! Lydia must have sent him after Willow, to get to him... His mind went black with rage. "I believe the lady said she wasn't interested." Angel said his own voice a deadly purr.

Willow continued to tremble. She recognized that sound. The dark intensity of Angel's rage surprised her, it was tinged with a possessiveness that she'd never sensed from him before.

She watched wide-eyed and frightened as the men circled each other. Angel waited wanting the other man to make the first move. Wanting Lydia's pet to give him permission to kill him for his trespass. Willow was his, whether she liked it or not and he wasn't about to let this trespass go unpunished. Mine! The light haired man lunged at Angel striking him with intense force.

Angel stumbled feigning hurt. The other man pressed his advantage, not knowing who it was that he fought. Not realizing the near victory of the other night had been because of the older vampire's inebriated state not because of any weakness. Not understanding that had she been anyone else Angel wouldn't have fought half so hard.

The fight lasted may be a few minuets but to Willow it had been an eternity. She'd tried to get away with out using magic, because she didn't want to alert Angel or Tristan of her problem. How had he known, Willow wondered. She watched as the other vampire's remains floated away on the wind. Angel turned to face her and she was surprised by what she saw in his eyes. She didn't recognize the light.

He stalked toward her, his eyes darkening with each step. Oh oh he's angry. He thinks this is my fault. He grabbed her wrist and dragged her against him. "If you ever scare me like that again little witch I will personally see that you don't leave that house until we return to Sunnydale." His eyes burned into hers. He was leaning too close, his mouth hovering too near.

"Just how do you propose to do that." She asked her voice gone all breathless with fear. Yeah fear.

He smiled ferally at her, his eyes glittering with predatory light. She watched wonderingly. She'd never seen this side of Angel. He leaned closer, his lips pressing against hers lightly. "I'll tie your adorable little ass to the bed and personally see that you don't leave it." Her mind rebelled against the promise in his eyes, her thoughts and defenses purposefully scattered as he kissed her, cutting off what ever retort she might have attempted. One thing entered her mind as his lips held hers. MINE!

Mine? who the hell did this arrogant vampire think he was? She tried to draw away from his embrace, the bruising force of Angel's kiss reminded Willow of who this man was, soul or not he still was Angelus. She gasped softly trying to jerk away from him, when one of his fangs tore into her bottom lip drawing blood. She pressed hard against his chest struggling with him. While he greedily suckled the small wound.

After what felt like forever he released her lips and stared down at her. His eyes daring her to tell him different. She stared back at him, her eyes glowing with inner power. "You are being awfully presumptuous aren't you?" She demanded in a surprisingly calm voice.

"No I think I finally got it right. You know what you said about Buffy being the wrong girl? Well I think I am so looking at the right one."

"What?!?!"

"You heard me." she stared at him in shock for a moment. "You're crazy."

"That we can work with give me time I'll prove to you I am perfectly sane." She stared at him warily.

He smiled slightly sensing her unease. She didn't have defenses against this side of him, not really, she cared too much and it scared her but it didn't stop her from feeling it. She was trembling still. He reached forward watched as against her will she leaned in anticipating his touch, he smiled darkly enjoying for a moment the power he had over her. Her body fit perfectly against his, her soft curves pressing against his own harsh lines, she made a move to pull away, only to be restrained. "Wait." He whispered. She shook her head slightly before burying it in the curve of his neck, seeking refuge from the maelstrom of emotions that ate at her.

"Don't worry I won't touch you again unless you ask me to." he whispered his voice that same velvet purr she knew so well. For just a moment she was confused, not touch her, what did he mean he was touching her now, then she realized her face heating slightly. Oh that kind of touching. Cool like I would ask. Who am I kidding, this is me like I could ask I mean....this is me.

"So now what?" she asked after a moment. "We have fun, we pretend for the rest of the night were just good friends having some fun," he said reaching for her hand he looked in her eyes, she suppressed a shiver he might not be touching but he still looked at her like she was on the menu and he was starving. She'd never really understood some the analogies that compared desire to hunger but looking into Angel's eyes she started to...he did look ravenous, and the sight stirred an answering heat from within her.... She shrugged and caught up his hand in her own. You invited me. He thought smiling as she walked in front of him.

Sunnydale:

"Willow would never do that to you." Xander insisted as they entered the park, "She was your best friend and because things didn't go your way, suddenly she's a boyfriend-stealing, no-good, bitch. Buffy quit acting like a child. Angel's a big boy, if he wanted to be with you he would be." Buffy glared at Xander having been in the Rosenberg's home not that long ago. She had worked herself into angry confusion, and gone as far as to demand of the blond witch now standing next to Xander, what kind of spell Willow had put on Angel.

The indignant look that had crossed Amy's face should have warned Buffy that the witches words were going to be harsh, and she had been harsh, painstakingly explaining in no few words why Buffy's liaison with Angel was wrong. Buffy kept running over the conversation, hating the words even more because of the even calm tone they had been spoken in. She was the Slayer. Who were they to say what couldn't be? Angel was good in spite of the vampire-I-drink-pigs-or-cows-or-something-
other-than-human-blood thing. Angel was hers. She'd tamed the vampire, the beast, and she lived to tell about it. She never analyzed what she felt, only why others acted as they did. They were jealous or wanted him for themselves, or something. It never once occurred to her that they simply worried about her, about him.

"Oh Buffy time to not be off in soliloquyland." Xander singsonged next to her ear causing the Slayer to jump, "We have company." Buffy looked up in shock. Six vampires had simply melted from the night in front of them, even her vampire couldn't do it that smoothly. Xander took a few steps back not sure what they wanted. If it was just random ''lets go snack on the local kids' or something more sinister. "Okay children, Slayer. I believe we all know what I want. If you tell me where she is I might kill you."

Xander stiffened. "Somehow I am thinking we will have to pass, as kind and generous as the offer might be. Nothing will make me betray my friend," Course it helps that we don't know where she is. The group before them that had formed a sort of strange v like formation, and the vampire that stood in the center of the formation looked perturbed, before speaking. "You really expect me to believe that you don't know where she is."

"You know her, always so inconsiderate, not leaving a forwarding address." Amy piped in. She stared at the vampire before her, when something began pulling at her awareness. They glowed in her second vision fierce and bright. Realization began to dawn on the witch as Buffy lashed out angrily at one of the men. He chuckled as her hand made contact with skin, and broke it open, only to have it immediately reseal itself. Buffy froze for a moment, shock rather than fear holding her immobile. Amy for her part rushed the vampire in front of the Slayer knowing what they were dealing with and realizing that each of these vampires had been enchanted with a preservation spell, a wooden stake wouldn't kill them.

The magick wasn't enough for them to be invincible but more then enough to make a wooden stake nearly useless. In her mind Amy frantically searched for a spell to counter the dark sidhe's enchantment, having no idea what to do. She silently called out to Willow hoping like a dream that the hacker would somehow hear her. She gasped when she felt a surge of power and knowledge wash over her, the vampire that had a hold of her burst suddenly into flames. "Cool, " she gasped spinning quickly on her heel to look over the rest of the group.

The two vampires that had started toward Xander, and Cordelia began to back off for no apparent reason. When she noticed what Xander held in his hand. The small brightly glowing pentacle proved to be a strong repellant against the dark enchantments they faced. "Amy what the hell are these things?" Buffy demanded, as one of her assailant's burst into what looked like a particle of energy. Not turning to dust, Amy watched as one after the other they lost their corporeal forms and disappeared. They were all beginning to relax when a chilling sound interrupted them.

Clapping, slow measured clapping, met their ears. Each turned about slowly to face the sound. Buffy's jaw gaped at the sight that met her eyes, the vampire wasn't all that impressive physically he had nothing on Angel, or even Spike, but there was an aura of power that seemed to radiate off of the vampire. She took a few steps back staring not sure what to do. She stared her hand going numb from some inner sense of fear. She might not consciously know what was so strange about this vampire but something on the inside seemed to know.

It screamed for her to run, oddly not to fight to get as far away from the evil as she could. Amy stepped forward staring at the vampire she could see the power that radiated around him, and the presence of a ''soul' just not a human one. She'd heard stories about what faery soul's would look like, and if this was any indication they were beautiful even tainted with the darkness of the vampire. "Buffy , I think we should go now." Amy chimed in her statement seconded by the other two. Amy tried to move only to find herself held in space. "Buffy?" she gasped out.

The Slayer tried to move, only to find herself in the same fix. She stared at Amy. "You're the witch, you fix it." Buffy stopped as she heard the annoying fae start to laugh, She turned her head to face him again, he was glowing with power and energy. "Oh Slayer you still haven't figured it out yet have you? This isn't something a little witch can fix, she's no where near as powerful, and even if by some chance she were she doesn't have the faintest idea how the magick works." Galan said pleased beyond measure to have all of them at his mercy.

"No...no she doesn't," agreed a male voice from the shadows. Buffy watched as Galan stiffened. He turned to face where the sound issued forth from, he waited. Buffy watched as this beautiful man sauntered out of the shadows. Oh Wow. Buffy thought. Gorgeous! "Stay out of this Tristan it doesn't concern you. Your charge is off somewhere with some vampire. Why aren't you there, making sure he doesn't drain her to the dregs. I'd hate to see the lass killed, before the full of the moon when I'll finish her of course."

"She's as talented with a piece of wood as the rest of them, by the way, the lady told me to tell you that she won't miss it, but when you meet...it will be her way not yours. " Buffy noticed that when the fae's attention was drawn away from them, the magick seemed to release them. Get the hell out of here all of you. Buffy heard in her head she watched as the others seemed to hear the same message.

"Really Tristan I believe you've gone soft on these human's and letting your charge consort with creatures you hate. What will the Western King say when his consort is a vampires whore." Demanded, Galan, hoping to draw Tristan into a fight, he wanted to beat the shit out of him, hungry for violence of a sort but knowing all the while that the others were to be needed later.

Pine Valley:

Willow had gone upstairs as soon as they had returned from the Faire, she had changed into a set of sweats and come back down. She had eaten dinner alone. Angel had prepared a light meal for her, then as soon as she had come downstairs he had gone up. He had retrieved his larger sketch pad, charcoals, and oil pastels and had gone into the living room. Where he sat even now sketching, as Willow sat in the kitchen studying spells.

By the time Cassie arrived after dinner, Willow had completed memorizing four of the spells from the book that Cassie had let her borrow. She spent a few hours helping Cassie with her geometry and a composition for her English class while a windstorm howled outside. Then Willow sat in silence across the table from her, studying more of the spells as Cassie wrote her thesis. Cassie worked quietly and steadily for a good two hours, talking only when Willow replenished their tea every so often. At eleven the hacker looked up from her work to see Cassie leaning on her hand, her eyes closed. Willow smiled sadly to herself, as she gazed at the other young girls face.

She wondered if she would ever be able to be a normal girl again, like Cassie. She doubted it. Before Buffy had come, Willow had prayed nightly for something, anything to happen in her dull little life. She had gotten her wish, in spades. Buffy, vampires, Hellmouth, witches, Angel, the Master, werewolves, Angelus, Angel going to hell, Tristan, discovering she was fae, being the Summoner, bringing Angel back out of hell, and the prophecy.

Then there was Angel. Angel and Buffy. She knew that her actions had confused Angel hell she was confused. This thing that was between them, it had taken on a life of it's own. It was like a living breathing thing, that somehow existed outside of them like some entity that had been in the cards from the start, only waiting for them to discover it. Now there was this new, more intimate twist, to her and Angel's relationship.

This evening when he had said that he thought that she was the right girl, Willow had nearly fallen over in shock. When he had said he wouldn't touch her again unless she invited it, she had nearly laughed out loud. Now she just needed time to think. She had suspected that his feelings were caused by the blood bond and misplaced gratitude. Then there were her feelings, ever since this afternoon, when they had, had that horrible fight, she had been trying to figure out just how she felt. During the first altercation he had devastated her with his accusations and then during the second...She had wanted to hurt him as he had hurt her, to warn him away from her so that he wouldn't hurt her again. Willow had known that the circle of protection would hurt him but instead of warning him beforehand she had waited until it had done so. Willow knew that he was arousing feelings in her, which were stronger than anything she had felt before. Stronger than the crush that she had, had on Xander. Stronger even than the puppy love she had shared with Oz, she winced slightly at her unintended mental pun.

Then there was the other person that she had to think about in all of this. Buffy. Part of her, her soul, the part of her that thrilled at the inherent power of her own fae nature, and danced beneath the moon. The part that had rescued Angel, it didn't really care that Buffy still loved Angel on some level. To Willow's fae nature, Buffy had forfeited her rights to Angel, when she had attempted to kill him, because she was certain that Angel hadn't attacked Buffy. The question was, were Willow's feelings love or lust. Whichever they were, they seemed to be reciprocated in some way. She had thought that their altercations this afternoon would rid of her of her feelings for Angel. Instead they only made her feel as though a heavy weight now lay on her chest, she wondered if Angel felt something similar?

Willow felt guilty about having hurt Angel and was still trying to figure out what exactly she did feel for him, she had blocked him out of her thoughts. Then when they had arrived at the Faire she had spent almost all of her time away from Angel with Cassie or Tristan. Right now she was just glad he was leaving her alone, she needed time away from him. Then she remembered Angel's promise after he fought off that vampire who had attacked her. She shivered in memory at the images his velvety words had evoked, and the sensual promise those bottomless eyes had made. Willow chided herself for slipping into such a strange daydream and was reaching out to Cassie, intending to awaken her, when she felt Angel come into the room. She rose and walked to his side, a finger to her lips, as though Cassie would have heard the stealthy vampires approach over the howling wind outside. Angel glanced at Cassie, who was now slumped over her forearm.

"You call that studying?" he asked, his voice amused.

"She just fell asleep. She's been working so hard." Angel's gaze returned to Willow, "I came in to take her home, so she wouldn't have to drive herself in this storm. I was listening to the radio. There have been some trees blown down, and I don't want her to get hurt." "Has anything been damaged?" Willow asked with concern. "Not yet. But the weather forecast calls for seventy-mile-an-hour winds tonight." he responded. Willow shivered at the thought of how powerful the elements could be, how dangerous and cold. Not realizing she had dropped her mental barriers until Angel stepped closer. Grasping her chin to make her look into his chocolate eyes.

Opening the link he sent to her, I'll keep you safe...and warm, mo cridhe. Willow could only shiver again but for a different reason entirely she knew. Just as she opened her mouth to offer a cutting retort in response, the lights flickered and went out, plunging the house into darkness. "Great," Willow exclaimed, "the wind must have knocked down the power lines." "Why don't you get a fire going?" Angel asked soothingly. "I've been worried about starting one by myself. I don't want to burn your house down." she said in a self mocking tone. "Don't Willow. Don't belittle yourself." His voice was terse in the darkness behind her.

"You're the smartest person I know. Just because you've never had a fireplace before doesn't mean you're any less smart, just a little inexperienced."

"I know, it's just that..." Willow began.

"I'll start one for you, before I go." Angel said quickly before she could begin anymore self-condemnation.

"There's no wood in here. I'll go get some from the woodshed." Willow said finally finding something useful to do with Angel around. I hate this! She sighed inwardly wondering if she would ever be able to look at Angel again without feeling awkward. Yes, of course you will. It just takes getting used to. Turning she found Angel watching her curiously. Fire wood. His eyes sent chills down her spine and she kicked the link tightly closed lest he sense her unease and take it the wrong way. He didn't need any help in the self-condemnation department. Damn it this isn't fair, but that's the way it is. Why couldn't it have been someone else? Why did it have to be Angel that made her insides turn to mush and her thoughts exit stage left? Looking over at him again Willow found herself smiling involuntarily. Gods don't let it be magic.

Willow felt her way to the kitchen door, pulled it open, and shuffled onto the porch. The night was pitch black, and the wind buffeted her as she plunged across the lawn to the old woodshed. Angel followed close behind and waited in the driving rain as she struggled with the rusty latch of the shed. Once opened, the door swung wide and she felt her way into the darkness of the small shed, an oasis of calm in the maelstrom of wind and rain. The close air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and cedar, reminding her of the scent of Angel's skin.

For a moment she paused, and Angel ran into her. She stumbled forward, and his hands shot out to keep her from falling. For a moment they both teetered, struggling for balance, and Willow ended up pinned against him, her back to his chest. Why do I always end up here? The door of the woodshed slammed shut behind them, but Angel barely took notice of it. "Sorry," he said, his voice husky.

"That's okay." Willow replied, absently, "I shouldn't have stopped so suddenly."

Angel didn't release her. No matter what doubts she had about his feelings, she still felt wonderful in his arms. Out of pure selfish need he held her, while a pang of protectiveness flashed through him as he realized anew how petite she was. He had to bend over to embrace her so that he wouldn't lift her off the ground. Willow made a movement against the link of his arms, as if to step away, but he tightened his grip.

"Wait," Angel whispered, his mouth near her ear. What could he say to keep her there with him? What could he do that wouldn't drive her away? She above all knew that he would never again be Angelus, but she also knew that he could still loose control. And he knew he did not want to push her away, no matter how much safer she might be if he did. "Please."

Hunger washed over him in harsh waves stealing his control his ability to think, his desire for Willow swept aside his reasoning. Ravenous, Angel buried his face in her bright hair and closed his eyes, drawing in an unneeded breath so that he could drown in the scent of her as he swelled with need.

She closed her eyes, It's not fair. She looked down at his hands where they rested on her torso. They held her against him, so close, she could feel the unneeded breath he drew in. He leaned forward, brushing her hair aside and pressing a nipping kiss to the nape of her neck. Angel? She pressed back against him unconsciously. Her body on fire with a gamut of sensation, she hated the reaction he pulled from so deep within her, the pooling of heat and hunger so vivid and hot that she burned from inside.

He swept his hands up Willow's torso and cupped her breasts, running his thumbs across her nipples he found them hard as pebbles. There was no denying her response to him and Angel thrilled at dark sensuous power he wielded over her.

"I've got to get the firewood," Willow murmured, trying desperately to hang onto rational thought as he caressed her.

"What?" He demanded, confusion and desire, clear in his voice. He ran his hands slowly up and down her arms, as he continued to nuzzle her neck. Sliding forward to caress the shell of her ear, sending fissions of pleasure through her. She stiffened at the wet slide of his cool tongue over the sensitive flesh of her ear.

"The firewood." She closed her eyes, and rested her head against the hard wall of his chest just below his chin. He glanced down at her, and in a sudden flash of lightning outside the small window of the shed, he could clearly see her worrying her bottom lip with her small white teeth. He bent down to capture the gleam of light, that rested on her lips. He pressed her against his loins until the ache was too intense to bear. Willow pulled away from his mouth with a gasp. Don't do this to me now.

"Angel, you said not unless I invited you...," She turned in his arms as she spoke, her hands raising to press against his chest in an effort to put distance between them. He stared down at her for a moment, before kissing her into silence, backing her up to a stack of wood. He lifted the hands that still sat against his chest, around his neck leaning closer, he cut off whatever verbal protest she was about to attempt with his lips, licking at them hungrily with his tongue. She stiffened slightly not wanting to want this, her thoughts already scattering, like so many leaves on the wind.

"Angel"

"Don't talk," he said, effectively trapping her between himself and the stack of wood. He stared down at her, before capturing her lips and denying her what ever words she would have spoken. pinning her hips. For now he only wanted to feel her--the way her body molded into his, the way her breasts blossomed at his touch, how well their bodies fit together, just like their minds. He didn't have to pretend with her, deny with her, he lost himself in her without the fear of repercussions, or guilt of harming. He wanted to drown in her depths lose himself and find her. The shared world that was theirs alone, the dreams that she shared with him and no other. He drew back passing his fingers over her lips as if to seal them, he whispered, "Don't say a word, mo cridhe."

"I know what that means, Angel." Willow whispered. Watching as his eyes widened with understanding, "And it doesn't even resemble little one." He stared at her for a moment giving her a needed breath.

Angel hadn't wanted to speak endearments to her at all. He simply wanted to hold her, kiss her, keep her close. Her eyes had gone slightly misty and Angel dreaded the tears that threatened. Saille. Willow's eyes darted away from his, and then back. Then something broke. He felt the soft bow of her surrender as she yielded to him, arching up to meet his mouth with hers. Her lips were lush, warm and full of promises that he dared not even think about. Instead he closed his eyes--blocking out everything except Willow--and crushed into her, moving against her in a rhythm her innocent body instinctively knew.

He kissed her everywhere her pale flesh was exposed to the darkness--his preternatural eyesight making her appear to glow like a beacon in the night. She let out sweet little cries and sighs--her blood racing in jagged surges--he could hear it and it made him even more aroused, the darkness within him surging to life. Slowly so as not to startle her he reached down between her legs and cupped her. Even through the sweats he could feel the heat radiating from her.

Willow moved against him, and whether it was to get away or closer Angel couldn't tell. She could feel the desire that coursed through him, Angel thought he would burst from wanting her. He slid his hands under her arms and lifted her, urging her to wrap her legs around his waist, kissing her more deeply and thoroughly. Then he pressed even closer, moving her on top of him until he had to clench his teeth against the twin driving aches inside. One to possess her sweet body with his own, the other to consume her blood. Once more to draw that sweet vitae into himself.

Moving to that sensitive area just above his jugular Willow began to lick and stroke the tender flesh with her tongue and lips, caressing, tasting, teasing, arousing. As she kissed his throat, Angel reached for the top of her sweats. The redhead drew back, her green eyes catching his, she trembled as he leaned once again closer, to claim her lips in another kiss. One hand slid up to cup the back of her head pulling her even closer, while the other remained fiddling at the waist of her sweats, tentatively sliding lower.

"Willow!"

Willow stiffened, and Angel reluctantly released her mouth. Cassie was calling her. Through the fog in his head, Angel could hear his young friends voice shouting over the wind, as if she were far away.

"Willow!" Angel cursed for a moment in Gaelic and took a step backward. Willow let go of his neck and slid to the ground. Reluctantly he released her.

"Is that Cassie calling?" she asked, her voice so slurred with passion that Angel wanted to embrace her all over again.

"Yeah. The kids got great timing." he said in barely controlled anger.

"She was saving us from ourselves." Willow said quietly, refusing to meet his gaze.

"Maybe I don't want to be saved." Angel bent to pick up an armful of wood, so he missed the surprised look that Willow sent in his direction. "Do you?" He paused in the darkness, waiting for her answer.

"There is a lot we still have to settle Angel." She hadn't answered his question. He had discovered in his 250 years that women were good at not answering questions directly.

"Willow!" Cassie drew closer.

"Here!" Willow called out, stacking wood in her arms. "In the woodshed."

The door opened. "You in here, Willow?"

"Yes, getting wood with Angel." "The lights went out." said the young witch.

"Yes, I know." Willow's voice was controlled now, and the darkness hid all evidence of what she and Angel had really been doing in the woodshed. Angel had to smile, knowing how flustered Willow would be if Cassie could see her face as he could. Cassie held open the door for them to pass through. "Some storm, huh, Angel?"

"Yeah." Angel liked his young friend. But this was one time he wished the kid were on the moon. Angel built a fire while Willow put away his drawing equipment. When he achieved a blaze strong enough to suit him, he straightened and looked at Willow. Her hair was still tousled from the tryst in the woodshed, and her cheeks flushed each time she caught his eye. She was so beautiful, so delicate, so small, he felt another wave of protectiveness envelop him. He wanted to take care of this woman. He wanted to make sure she came to no harm, that she would be safe and happy.

"You ready to go, Cassie?" he asked gruffly, turning to his young friend. "I'll drive you home."

"Yeah. Thanks Willow, for your help."

"You're going to do well on the test, Cassie. You've got the basics down pat."

The young witch nodded and stepped toward the door while Angel put his hand on the knob and looked back at Willow. "Are you sure you're going to be all right here, until I get back?" he asked, "It could get cold if the power stays off all night."

"I'll be fine." Willow said, hugging her arms. I am a big girl Angel. The dark and the cold don't frighten me.

He wished he could stay with her, certain they would need no fire to warm them. He wanted to talk to her about everything that had happened, but he had Cassie to take home before the storm got worse and it would be a long walk back in this rain. He shouldn't linger for another minute, but he did.

"Are you sure?" he asked again.

"Yes." She smiled, her green eyes glinting with an emotion he couldn't identify. As he opened the door she said, "You'll be careful taking her home, won't you, Angel?"

"Yes." His glance met hers, and he made certain she saw the flicker of hunger and promise in his eyes, so strong that her pulse quickened, he could hear it. He hated to leave, but he had no other recourse than to walk out the door. "I'll be back as soon as I can. I'll check on you when I get back."

"That won't be--I'll be fine, Angel." she answered.

Yes she probably would be, but would he. He had begun to realize today that he probably wouldn't, not without her. "Be back soon. Willow?"

"Yes Angel?" she said quietly. "Don't invite anyone in." She nodded and followed him out the door and stood in the wind and rain to watch them go.

They ran across the grass to the Jeep and then hopped in. Angel honked goodbye as he circled around and headed down the lane. He didn't look back, unable to bear the vision of her standing there, a small red haired sprite against the inky curtain of night.

Pine Valley: Angel's

She looked out into the howling night and smiled devilishly. If he thinks that I am going to fall all over myself, when he gets back here he's in for a rude awakening. Willow turned and screamed, before laughter replaced the sound. There standing on the porch behind her was Tristan.

"Hello sweet," he said offering her a hand, which she took without hesitation. He drew her back in through the door, smiling as her eyes fell on the shimmering, glowing door that had not been in the living room before. He chuckled and she joined him after a moment.

"Oh wait I should leave him a note." She stammered, frantically searching for a pen and paper. "You don't have to leave with me tonight, you know. You could always wait till tomorrow..." "No, tonight." Willow said far too quickly. Tristan's smile grew. He knew! That evil, little man had been watching them. He chuckled at the blush that crept up her cheeks.

"Don't want to be here when Mr. Lacking Self Control gets back. What's wrong Will? Don't like what he has in mind for you?" Willow stared at him surprised at his amused expression. The redhead looked back up into the fae's warm gaze and smiled as a piece of white paper fluttered down from the air above. She shook her head wonderingly, still finding his magic a marvel. The fae chuckled softly as her eyes widened as they skimmed what was written on the page. Willow's gaze shot up to his and the devilish smile on his face told her all she needed to know.

She slowly gathered up the supplies that she had gotten earlier in the day and set everything out. She still felt a twinge of apprehension at doing this with out having told Angel first, but then he hadn't really given her the chance.

He's going to think he did something. She hopped that the note that Tristan had written which sounded far to much like her for her own taste, would make him understand this was her test. She didn't have a choice in the matter and it was outside of him or them or anything for that matter.

The circle was set and each corner properly represented. She began to intone the invocation. She turned first to the eastern corner and moved easily through the calling feeling the winds of fate wash over her and come to stand as guardians of her circle.

She turned again to the south intoning the words of fire, as it burned all of creation and came to stand at her circle warming and protecting from the cold night. Then west and water, and north and earth. She created the temple to stand as a place guarded against the darkness that stood with in it for the light.

She lay down in the circle clutching the amethyst and feather in one hand, and slowly listened to the sound of her own heart beat lost in its constant rhythmic pattern. She could feel herself losing the grounding of her body, as she rose above it to find Tristan already in his ethereal form and waiting. She took his offered hand and allowed herself to be drawn into the shimmering door.

Giles' home in Sunnydale:

The Watcher sat on his couch, a number of books scattered over various stands and the floor when a knock on the front door drew him out of his work. He stood stretching and then moved over to the door. Looking through the spy hole he saw a very distraught looking group before him.

Opening the door and allowing them to step in, he waited for one of them to explain the worried faces. "Okay vampires that don't turn to get hurt, you can't kill with stakes, and they don't turn to dust, but simply become energy." Buffy laid down before him after a moment meeting his eyes expecting him to know.

The Watcher looked at them wondering if it was possible that Galan had created the Tryan. They were a breed of vampire created by mixing the ash of dead vampires with the living blood of a master vampire. Everything in Giles rebelled against the idea because it created a vampire that couldn't be killed, they would merely morph into the energy that created them and regroup at a later time, never dwindling in number only magic could defeat them. "Tryan," Giles said after a moment sighing in exasperation.

"Try who?" Buffy and Xander parroted together. Giles would have laughed if this wasn't so serious. These creatures couldn't be dispatched by simple staking something far more dangerous and deep was needed.

"Tryan," Giles said the word slowly allowing them both to give him a that's funny Giles look. He leaned down and picked up one of the books at his feet. Opening it to the correct entry he started to read.

"Tryan are extensions of a master vampire. Only known ways of destroying them are one to end the life of their animator, or two use the black blood spell. See the words of Ardia."

"Giles?" Xander began questioningly. "It means I can't stake them, which I noticed, but Amy seemed to have done something to cause them to turn into the energy. Oh yeah and this guy showed up. The head nasty seemed to know him, but they were not on the chummy side of know." Buffy said.

She wasn't at all happy about this. Magick, they needed magick and the only Magick in their little group was off playing goodness knew what kind of games with her man. "Buffy I realize that this has got to be difficult for you that. Willow's being gone and leaving us to deal with them, is bothering you, but I have no doubt that she isn't having the best of times where she is either. Just because he's looking here for her doesn't mean he isn't looking elsewhere for her as well."

"Giles it's not that. It's just that I wish they would get back, the longer they're gone the more I think..." She trailed off when she saw the look that Xander was giving her. He didn't look pleased, not that she normally cared, but she had seen what Xander was like when he was angry and Willow was in danger.

Underhill:

She stared in awe. This place was better than anything she could have dreamed of, of course this was the sanctuary of a completely fae creature. Willow smiled, a little nervously when she caught sight of the creatures, just off the path that Tristan was ushering her down. "Don't worry about them, they will not harm you. They wait for those foolish enough to come without an invitation which you have, namely from me. They take the foolish." He stated softly.

Seeing the question in Willow's eyes he supposed his charge deserved an explanation. "You see you are not the only creature that can use magic. Any one can use magic, magic does not use just anyone though. Understand?"

"No," Willow laughed, she didn't have a clue what he meant. He smiled and laughed softly with her, not a mocking laugh, just one of tender humor. The fae caught up her hand and with a swirl of his finery she found that they were now standing on a small path leading to a large house, almost like a fairy tale castle.

The young witch looked over the grounds studying the landscape before her. "This," he said with clear pride, "is my home and for the moment yours." Willow gasped as she saw all that he indicated. There was a large incredible garden with huge beautiful roses that filled the air with the most exotic of scents. Lilacs and other flowers too numerous to name dotted the landscape leading to the house. Willow stared at it, then looked over at Tristan.

"This is heaven." she stated matter-of-factly. Tristan smiled accepting the compliment and then leading her up the steps. Emerald green eyes looked over at him and then widened in shock as the front door opened of it's own accord. The Watcher chuckled at the expression on the face of his charge. "All is magic here Willow. Here you will learn the strength of your power, it's breadth and width. You will find your strength and you will face your fears." The young hacker stared at him wondering if that meant that Buffy waited around one of the corners to call her all sorts of names for daring to help Angel and care about him.

Tristan smiled and took her small hand in one of his, wanting to draw her away from her dark thoughts before they ruined this beautiful day. He led her up the staircase, down a winding corridor, and into a lavishly furnished room. Willow stared for a moment at the four poster bed and lavishly appointed room and found herself blushing furiously at the thoughts that ran through her mind. Tristan eyed her silently, wanting to laugh at her healthy lustful thoughts. His little charge really had it bad for that vampire. He would have to make sure that she knew that acting out that fantasy might not be in her best interest, at least not until after the Summoner ritual. His inherent fae distrust of the undead warred with the knowledge that this vampire would probably protect his charge faithfully, but honorably well that was another matter entirely.

Willow walked through another passageway to find a huge bathroom. It was furnished with a large mirror vanity and clear glass cabinet that held the most sinfully soft towels she had ever seen. The redhead witch stared the bathtub with obvious envy and desire, It was huge and sunk into the floor. Circular and fitted with water jets, it would be heaven to take a bubble bath.

"Later fledgling, later you can take a bath." Shaking her head, Willow smiled. Tristan led her back out of the room. "These are to be your quarters. You have free run of the house for as long as you remain here. You can check out the gardens that are enclosed in the center courtyard. Beware of the forest at the edge of the south wall of the garden. The dark fae hang about there, so watch it. They like to entice innocent young things to them and then do any number of evil things to them. Willow laughed and walked away from the concerned fae.